Asia Sri Lanka Unprecedented visitors' arrivals have been registered in 2026, marking a strong recovery in numbers; However, the tourism boom has not translated into higher earnings, as shorter stays and lower spending per visitor have led to declining dollar revenues
America Suriname Suriname is the first country of the Amazon region to be certified malaria-free by the WHO; the historic achievement follows 70 years of commitment by the government and people to eliminate the disease across its vast rainforests and diverse communities
Asia Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended after a leaked call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen sparked doubts over national security and ethics; her coalition began to collapse and the episode could mark the end of the Shinawatra family’s long political dominance
Oceania Australia Doctors today urged that 1.200 Australian children get tested for infectious diseases for having been in contact with former daycare worker charged with over 70 sex crimes; the man worked at 20 nursery schools across Melbourne between 2017 and 2025
Asia Brunei The National flag was hoisted in a ceremony at Tutong District to mark the start of the Sultan’s birthday celebrations
Asia Cyprus The ‘Youth Declaration: A Declaration of Unity. Empowering Youth Voices in Cyprus' has been published by the Youth Council and 24 civil society organisations; it outlines a common vision and asks to have a say in decision-making and efforts to build peace
Europe Norway KLP, Norway's biggest pension fund, dropped US group Oshkosh Corporation and Germany's ThyssenKrupp from its investment portfolio for selling weapons and equipment used by Israel's military in Gaza
Asia Singapore From 1 July 2025 cyclists and non-motorised PMD users are banned from pedestrian-only paths; offenders face fines up to S\$2.000, €1.300, or three months’ jail and the implementation of the rule was announced with the “Stay on Track” campaign
Europe Belgium 1 in 4 young foreign workers in Belgium feels overqualified for their job, says recent analysis by Statbel, especially at entry-level, and 1 in 5 Belgian youth have jobs below their skill level, while the country has the second highest job vacancy in EU
Asia Yemen To commemorate the Prophet's migration to Medina, or Hijra, a cultural symposium was held in the Badbadah district of Marib Governorate where the head of the governorate's guidance sector discussed its significance for the Islamic state
Asia Japan A record 21,5 million foreign visitors entered Japan in the first half of 2025 and travel demand appears to remain strong, if not constant, outside peak seasons
America Bahamas Public workers' salary adjustments have been announced: wages and benefits will keep rising over time; the salary increases will come from industrial agreements, regular promotions and a formal wage review to keep government competitive in the job market
Africa Seychelles Seychelles will develop a national cruise tourism strategy following a year-long major cost-benefit analysis made in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, focused on the impact on economy, society and environment.
Europe Poland LEGO block fans Zuzanna ‘Fanka Klocków’ and Michał ‘Artoozy Builds’ presented a set recreating a retro pharmacy with its proprietor, Ignacy Łukasiewicz, inventor of the kerosene lamp at Brick it Back, a LEGO blocks festival in Jasło