Asia Brunei The Basic Haj and Umrah Course 1448H/2026M has began at selected mosques nationwide to equip prospective haj and umrah pilgrims with essential knowledge on the rites and provide physical, spiritual and mental guidance
Africa Ivory Coast Evangelicals pastors are more and more involved in politics, town councillors, presidential candidates: Ivorian evangelicalism is putting down roots across parties, raising questions about balance between spiritual calling and electoral ambition
Europe Kosovo The remains of 23 individuals have been found at three sites near northern Kosovo’s Zubin Potok in excavations that authorities believe are connected to victims who were forcibly disappeared during the 1998-99 war
Asia Kazakhstan A national credit rating agency will be established as part of a broader effort to develop Kazakhstan domestic capital market; its success will depend on the creation of a new regulator-approved rating system, the confidence of investors and risk pricing
Europe Liechtenstein The Royal House announced that the rules of succession will be changed so that a woman could in the future inherit the principality's throne
Europe Germany Repeated drought is reducing harvests, shrinking cattle and increasing expenses for farmers; experts say adapting to the changed summer conditions is essential, flanking farmers in exploring new water-management strategies and drought-resistant crops
Europe Czech Republic Several hundred people gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Prague to mark the anniversary of the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and to express support for Ukraine; The event was titled “Go Home, Ivan!” and organized by four NGOs
Africa Gabon A environment-friendly, natural solution based on the use of plants to create hedges to effectively protect crops from incursions of wild animals was presented at the Independence Trade Fair by Gabonese company Kwik Exotique
Africa Cape Verde The increase in minibus fares on intercity routes on the island of Santiago has brought back a controversy involving transport companies, passengers and authorities and renewed an old question about who has the authority to regulate this prices
America Costa Rica Water access became a hot topic after Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers said tariffs haven't been updated since 2018, foreseeing an abrupt increase; meanwhile, villages close to the capital recur to buying bottles to avoid contaminated, unhealthy water
Africa Guinea At least 30 people have died as a landfill collapsed in Conakry; heavy rains overnight caused a large mound of rubbish to collapse at the Dar Es Salam landfill, burying nearby homes before dawn - the informal settlement had been highlighted as at risk
Asia Cyprus Hunters have been urged to exercise particular caution and strictly observe hunting regulations for the summer hunting season that opened yesterday; Federation said safety must be the “absolute priority” as increased risk of wildfires persists
America Honduras Drought pushes livestock to the brink in Honduras' Dry Corridor, with farmers fighting for herds' survival, and leaves thousands residents with no access to water
Africa South Sudan The disputed Abyei region has been included as one of the electoral constituencies in South Sudan's general election on 22 December; rejecting Sudan’s objections, the country said the move is consistent with existing legal and constitutional frameworks