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 Venezuela Former spy chief Hugo Carvajal has pleaded guilty in the US to narco-terrorism charges after helping Venezuelan military officials and Colombian rebels traffic cocaine, signaling a major shift that could implicate Venezuela’s current leadership
Asia Saudi Arabia The Al-Baha Summer Festival 2025 has been inaugurated; under the theme "Al Baha... Heritage and Tourism", it will offer over 500 events and welcome 2,5 million visitor, in a showcase of culture and heritage that aims at attracting also local tourism
Oceania Palau The Pacific Mini Games Palau 2025 are bringing together athletes from 23 Pacific Island nations and territories, united in a celebration of sport and culture with activities happening across all venues until 9 July
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
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.
Africa Tanzania A population of Witte's River Frog has been observed and studied in an alpine stream at al altitude of almost 4.000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro, almost 1.000 meters above their known range, making it the highest-dwelling frog of the African continent
Europe Moldova "First Home” program beneficiaries will pay a higher interest rate on their mortgage loans, up by 2,12%, starting today; Bank of Moldova last week kept the base rate at 6,5% per year to in a move to anticipate the expected rise in inflation
Asia North Korea Inter-Korean reunions hotel is being desmantled, despite South Korea's engagement push; the current work on ROK-owned tower at Mt. Kumgang resort appears to signal DPRK will maintain anti-South policies
Asia Bhutan Leena Devi Ghalley, a designer from Phuentsholing, a southern border town, founded LEENA’s WORLD, an eco-fashion brand; through hand-woven motifs, natural dyes, and upcycled fabrics she revives Bhutanese heritage with a sustainable, spiritual vision
Europe Sweden A begging ban at national level will not be implemented as it 'not needed', one of the reasons being the number of beggars is 'discrete'; the ban was proposed by Moderate Party and Sweden Democrats and decided upon after nine months of investigation
Asia Lebanon An intensification of Israeli military activity in Lebanon, with escalating use of airstrikes, drone warfare, trategic signaling was registered this June and culminated in the 27 June seismic missile engagements targeting Nabatieh and Kfartibnit
Oceania Marshall Islands The Micronesian Islands Forum will be hosted this week in Majuro, with leaders from Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau; airline connectivity issues will be a focus
Asia Vietnam The country is seeking to build up domestic supply chains upon pressure by the US, that urge Vietnam to reduce reliance on Chinese-made tech components in the devices assembled locally and exported to the US ahead of a 46% tariff deadline on 8 July