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 Somalia 80% of Somalis are in favour of direct presidential vote; respondents in a new survey say next president should be chosen through a one-person, one-vote system, pointing to strong public support for giving citizens a greater say in choosing their leader
America Venezuela As Venezuela recovers from June’s earthquakes, which killed more than 3.500 people, the collapse of the OPPE 26 social housing complex has become a symbol of public anger, raising questions over the quality of Chávez-era state housing projects
America Panama The controversial handling of a $300 million laptop procurement program is one among many accuses of mis-management and the alleged reason why the Education Minister resigned, though government has not made public the nature of her decision
America Trinidad and Tobago Government is moving to make sport tourism a major source of revenue for Trinidad and Tobago as it seeks to reduce its dependence on the energy sector; a sport tourism policy was expected to go before Cabinet within the next month
America Peru A magnitude 6,7 earthquake shaked Peru's southern Andes, adding to logistic difficulties after days of severe weather cut off the South by air and land; thousands are stranded in Arequipa and Tacna as landslides blocked the vital Pan-American Highway
Africa Senegal Key bills establishing the Labor Code and the Social Security Code were adopted by the National Assembly with 129 out of 165 votes; they update and strengthen labor legislation, according to the developments of the global legal and economic landscape
Africa Nigeria Funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will be diverted to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND to support its growing obligations towards students; the decision came as President's Bola Tinubu order
Africa Burundi Gradual loss of Burundian territory along the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda is raising alarm, as weak enforcement of water protection laws and foreign activities along the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers change the waterways’ courses
Africa Botswana Boitekanelo College founder Dr Mampane signed a 5-year MoU with the Botswana Prison Service to bring the institution’s expertise in healthcare, psychosocial services, education to the correctional system, saying inmates need support to rebuild their lives
Africa Republic of the Congo The Bakouhoudou River and the surrounding forest in Tsinguidi, Mayoko district ,are reportedly suffering severe impacts from gold mining operations conducted by Chinese companies: the promise of gold and economic gain is shaping as an ecological disaster
Oceania Tuvalu A four-days Anticipatory Action Workshop will be held in Tuvalu; organized by the national Disaster Risk Management Office, it will build a clean anticipatory approach and focus on turning priorities into practical actions before hazards become disasters
Asia Georgia The EU annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World noted “severely curtailed” human rights in Georgia, reduced bilateral political contacts and dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi amid “significant democratic backsliding”
Africa South Sudan South Sudan is ready to mediate a peaceful settlement to the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, President Salva Kiir said following talks in Juba with Darfur regional governor Minni Arko Minawi