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
Europe Estonia Up to 600 concrete bunkers will be built along the eastern land border as part of the joint Baltic Defense Line with Latvia and Lithuania; for the €60 million needed, the Center for Defense Investments and Latvia's Defense launched a public procurement
Asia Laos An agreement for a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Oudomxay province was signed with a South Korean energy company including panels, transmission links and grid integration; Laos aims to diversify beyond hydropower and attract foreign investments
Europe Spain A massive counterfeit perfume factory has been dismantled; the plant produced tens of thousands of liters of counterfeit fragrances, imitations of around fifty luxury brands, to be marketed to the rest of Europe via France
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
Oceania Samoa Responding to the growing spread of methamphetamine affecting schools across Samoa, international educational organization Don Bosco has introduced strict daily bag checks and new transportation controls changes
Asia Nepal A long-awaited Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with India now enables cooperation in criminal investigations, evidence sharing and extradition-related procedures; The deal formalizes cross-border legal coordination after years of negotiations
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 Equatorial Guinea In preparation of the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Equatorial Guinea, expected to be scheduled in the first half of this year, the Press Commission inspected the spaces planned for the national and international coverage of the event
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
Europe Vatican City Celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter's Basilica begin today and will end on 18 November; initiatives will include a multilingual platform for pilgrims, access to previously inaccessible areas, the new ‘Michelangelus’ font
Asia Singapore Rail task force has proposed a long-term overhaul of the MRT system, including front-loading asset renewal, replacing ageing components before failure, tightening maintenance standards and strengthening engineering capabilities
America Bahamas Land clearing for new New Providence Specialty Hospital is expected to begin within days and government pledged to buy another 15 ambulances, signals of the administration's commitment to optimize urgency response and health services
Asia Bahrain Bahraini villages Hoorat A’ali, Buri, Karranah and Budaiya were acknowledged under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Villages Recognition Initiative during latest FAO World Conference