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
Oceania Tonga Middle East tensions are expected to cause a 4% GDP contraction and cost national budget between up to TOP50 million (€18million): higher fuel prices, possible supply disruptions put, temporary fuel management measures will affect activity in many sectors
Oceania Australia A record 2,7 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of AUS$816 million have been seized in the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history, a result of Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce investigation into an import crime network
America Barbados Newly passed law on beneficial ownership will not require businesses to submit additional information but will centralise and streamline data already collected under existing rules; the reform is key to safeguarding Barbados’ financial reputation
Africa Libya A railway link from the border city of Salloum, Egypt, to Benghazi has been announced as part of Egypt's efforts to strengthen cross-border transportation and establish Egypt as a regional logistics hub
Europe Albania Diaspora is remembering 35 years since the cargo ship Vlora docked in Bari, Italy, with 20.000 refugees fleeing the collapse of the communist regime; the disembarking of 8 August 1991 is the largest single-vessel mass migration landing in European history
America Guyana Guyana registered ANSA McAL's strongest regional performance in the first 6 months of 2026, with revenue rising 19,7% driven by steady economic expansion in the country leading to higher profits and stronger earnings across its operations
Asia Laos Stricter rules for electric vehicle charging require official approval for home EV chargers and tighter public safety standards; The measures aim to regulate the expanding market and ensure infrastructures meets national technical standards
Europe Iceland Anti-whaling conservation vessel Bandero was boarded and seized by the Coast Guard after a confrontation with the whaling ship Hvalur 9, it was escorted to Reykjavík Harbor and all crew members have formally received deportation order and re-entry ban
America United States Arizona, Nevada and California face potentially drastic cuts in the water they can use from the Colorado River under a plan the Trump administration recently released: as regional temperatures have risen, the river has shrunk under 'exploit-range' levels
Africa Burkina Faso With the aim of ensuring the lasting transmission of the ideals and values of the father of the Revolution to present and future generations, the Minister of Communication officially launched the Revolutionary Cinema at the Thomas Sankara Memorial
Asia Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency FIA has established a specialised unit to investigate crimes committed through the dark web; it will focus on tracking cybercriminals involved in online illicit activities using advanced cyber-forensics tools
Asia Iraq Apple officially enters Iraq’s regulated digital market under new digital services framework, having met the country’s standards for digital platforms and services, according to the Communications and Media Commission CMC
Asia Cambodia For the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, new protected sanctuary has been established in the Cardamom Mountains; safeguarding of the species will include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures and long-term conservation efforts