Asia Syria Hundreds of Kurdish students in Hassakeh and Kobani refused to enter their classrooms as the 2026–27 school year began, protesting a decision that reduces Kurdish-language instruction to three periods per week, demanding the decision be reversed
Asia Israel Local archaeologists have unearthed an ancient wine complex in the central city of Yavne that dates back around 1.500 years, proving that the city was a wine powerhouse during the Byzantine period
Oceania Vanuatu The Vaturisu Council of Chiefs has made clear that it would not approve the reopening of the borders until all eligible citizens have been fully vaccinated, as it would be a risk to the entire population of Port Vila and Efate
Europe Liechtenstein Despite 11.000 people were expected to benefit from the reduction in health insurance premiums, only 3.200 applications have been submitted so fa with a deadline fixed by 31 October
Oceania Samoa Samoa's financial regulator has defended the country's offshore industry, implicated in the Pandora Papers as an alleged tax haven, by depicting its role as 'marginal' in comparison to other countries
Europe United Kingdom The country appears to be pushing for a bold climate agreement to support the Pacific, for which countries are asked to submit ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets that align with achieving net zero by mid-century
Asia Taiwan Harvard University will move its summer Mandarin programme from Beijing to National Taiwan University starting in summer 2022 and will then be renamed Harvard Taiwan Academy instead of Harvard Beijing Academy
Asia Maldives The president has sought Parliament's approval to appoint Mariyam Muna as chairman and Dr Ahmed Adhuham Abdulla as vice-chairman of the Maldives Human Rights Commission
Europe Switzerland From the beginning of the harvest season, 1,5 tonnes of grapes have been stolen; to contrast the worsening situation, Valois measures comprise night guards equipped with thermo-sensitive cameras
Asia China Millions of people have been struck by severe flooding in the northern province of Shanxi, with last week's torrential rains leading to the collapse of houses and triggering of landslides in more than 70 districts across the area
Europe Romania Residents of Floresti, a poorly connected village, can now work remotely for free from the new intelligent proximity office installed by Irish start-up Nooka Space, becoming the first community to benefit from this life-changing possibility
Asia Pakistan CABI, together with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, is leading an initiative to promote organic agriculture as part of an ambitious plan to help alleviate poverty and mitigate the impacts of climate change
Africa Tanzania After hosting the 1st EAC Regional Tourism EXPO in Arusha until yesterday, the familiarisation trip for hosted international buyers and media begins today at some of the region's iconic tourist sites
America Barbados The island's only power company, Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd, is pushing for an 11.9% increase in tariffs after 11 years