Asia Syria Germany's Ministry of Transport lifted the landing ban and normalized passenger traffic with Syria from 27 July 2026, thus opening to direct flights Düsseldorf-Damascus today 29 July, Berlin Brandenburg-Damascus and Cologne/Bonn-Aleppo on 1 August
Asia China In latest satellite images released in Europe the once-submerged Antelope Reef, 30 Paracels islands in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing (Lingyang Jiao), Taipei and Hanoi (Da Hai Sam) appears much larger, suggesting China has expanded its reclamation
Asia Turkmenistan “Smart” city Arkadag, developed at the initiative of Turkmenistan’s leader, is experiencing a campaign of apartment inspections to check if residents are officially employed in town or registered, in a bid to 'clean up' the area from “unnecessary” people
Europe United Kingdom Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of King Charles III known as Prince Andrew before he was stripped of his royal title, was arrested and held in custody for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid Epstein scandal
Europe Liechtenstein The new passport has received the HSP Award "Best New Passport 2026" at the annual High Security Printing Summit in Rabat, Morocco; This international award recognizes outstanding achievements in design, security technology and functionality
Africa Kenya Kileleshwa and Lavington residents refuse to vacate riparian land along the Nairobi River, jeopardizing the critical final phase of the billion-worth Nairobi River Regeneration Project aiming to transform the polluted river into a clean public resource
Asia Sri Lanka Government doctors launched protests and strikes over pay and conditions, as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rejected increases, citing IMF limits; Critics warn reforms risk undermining the country’s free public healthcare system
America Antigua and Barbuda Use of cell phone, no seatbelts, and improperly secured children are the top three traffic offenses committed daily by Antiguan drivers and these violations persist despite regular warnings from law enforcement
Asia South Korea Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison, charged with leading an insurrection as he imposed martial law for a few tumultuous hours on 3 December 2024; some argue it is a sign of a healthy democracy
America Paraguay Much of Paraguay was left without electricity amid a heat wave; state-owned electricity company ANDE announced a major power outage affecting large areas of the country, including the capital, Asunción, after some key transmission lines went offline
America Honduras A trilingual education model will start with a pilot program this academic year: selected public schools will integrate French into their curriculum, adding to Spanish and English courses already taught in Honduras
America Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic Tobacco Institute INTABACO reported that exports of tobacco and related products rose 1.4% in 2025, increasing from US$1.340 billion in 2024 to US$1.359 billion
Africa South Africa Alcohol producer Diageo SA has called on Finance Minister to consider a stay of the annual 6%-plus increase in excise duty on spirits when he tables the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament next week
Africa Comoros The 25th anniversary of Fomboni Framework Agreement was celebrated, the historic peace deal facilitated by the African Union that ended separatist crises in the Comoros by establishing "New Comorian Ensemble", rotational presidency among the three island