Asia Bahrain 394.000 visitors have been registered in state-run heritage sites in January-August 2026, with the Bahrain Fort accounting for 246.409, nearly two thirds of the total, and foreign visitors prevailed with the presence of 187.567 people
Europe Bulgaria As it is not yet clear when Bulgarians' identity cards will be equipped with an electronic identification chip, the new Minister of e-Government will introduce a government service that will allow people to sign and submit documents using a mobile phone
Oceania Palau A pro-biodiversity event was held at the Palasia Hotel in Koror, showcasing local producers, entrepreneurs and artists, which was a big hit with the public
Asia Tajikistan The country is improving its international competitiveness in the textile and clothing sector, with 18 experts in the field of fashion and sewing enrolled in an intensive tailoring course with the latest design technologies and innovative trends
America Guatemala Due to the fact that the country will close the year with an inflation rate of 3.25%, the government has decided to increase the minimum wage by 4.75% after a year of not altering it at all
America Saint Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant has been named Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year in the annual Caribbean Journal Caribbean Travel Awards
Europe Vatican City Pope Francis has established a new Vatican foundation that will promote initiatives based on the principles set forth in his encyclical "Fratelli Tutti", on fraternity and social friendship
Europe Slovenia The Slovenian Olympic Committee has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the need to preserve glaciers: a piece of the Mount Triglav glacier will be displayed in China during the Winter Olympics to warn of the impact of global warming on the Alps
America Guyana Due to the recent boom in the oil and gas industry, a bill was recently passed that will guarantee locals priority over foreigners when getting involved in new oil and gas businesses, thus favouring internal economic growth
Africa Republic of the Congo The evaluation of the first year of activity of the North Congo Forest Landscape Project found progress in combating poaching, conserving the forest and supporting local development
Asia Israel The country is preparing to build two factories for unmanned aircraft in Morocco's Al-Aoula region following a security cooperation agreement signed in November
Africa Sao Tome and Principe A "good year" for the judiciary, with around 90% of the activities planned for 2021 being carried out as part of the UN-funded project to modernise the justice system
Oceania Kiribati A group of the country's sailors have had a pandemic-induced career change and have become fruit pickers in South Australia's Riverland after spending the last six months in a Brisbane hotel, unable to return home after working on foreign cargo ships