Asia Lebanon Bridges in the south of the country were targeted by Israeli strikes as - they say - Hezbollah is using bridges to move fighters and weapons into the south; Lebanese authorities said Israel’s strikes killed over 1.000 people and displaced one million
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
Europe Slovenia Luka Koper, the operator of Slovenia's only seaport, Koper, posted net sales revenue increase by 15% in 2025 to €380 million, with net profit reaching €81,5 million, +35%; The company also reported another record in the number of containers handled
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 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
Africa Egypt With Ramadan, 2026 drama season emerges as one of the richest in recent memory: 39 series are competing across major satellite channels and streaming platforms, offering audiences thrillers, dramas, comedies, romance, social narratives, supernatural sagas
Africa Central African Republic Doctors are absent from local hospitals at night in Linga; though affecting a scarcely populated area, the vacancy is causing concern among the village elders
Europe Denmark Foreign nationals who come to Denmark to work are less likely to commit crimes than Danish citizens, concludes a CEPOS think tank report based on register data from Danmarks Statistik
Asia Malaysia Muslims in Malaysia have begun fasting today after the crescent moon was officially sighted, marking the start of Ramadan 1447H: the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal announced the start of the holy month following observations at designated locations nationwide
Asia Afghanistan Latif Nangarhari, an Afghan singer who once critics and fled Talibans, known for advocating peace and condemning violence, now publicly praises their rule, drawing attention across Afghan social media
Asia Armenia Book Giving Day is celebrated today across Armenia; the date was set in memory of the Poet of All Armenians Hovhannes Tumanyan who was born on 19 February 1869
Oceania New Zealand Farmers and businesses are taking stock of the cost of flooding that swamped paddocks and swept through Little River, Banks Peninsula, which remains under a state of emergency though State Highway 75 to Akaroa reopened and telecommunications were restored
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
Africa Botswana The Absa Africa Financial Index 2025 has revealed that Botswana improved its rankings, achieving a score of 63 and placing the country firmly amongst the top-tier financial markets on the continent