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
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
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
Asia Thailand Recognition of Thailand's 9th UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Phu Phrabat Historical Park, in Udon Thani, has been celebrated across the country; it's known for its ancient rock formations, prehistoric paintings, evidence of Dvaravati-era Buddhist culture
Africa Namibia Following a series of accidents, including some fatal, on the Western Bypass road in Windhoek, Roads Authority started a thorough review of the safety of the road stretch, following concerns from the public about the road’s condition
Africa Djibouti National Technical Directorate of the Djiboutian Football Federation is working to structure and professionalize Djiboutian football by training coaches, identifying talent, supporting clubs, developing women's soccer, building a national playing identity
Africa Egypt Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves reached an all-time high of $56,29 billion at the end of July 2026, exceeding $56 billion for the first time and recording their 47th consecutive monthly increase, mainly driven by stronger foreign-currency holdings
Europe Russia Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN at Security Council briefing on 5 August made a statement on threats to African peace and security caused by ISIL, reporting sophisticated methods of propaganda, new technologies, digital financial assets
Africa Ivory Coast 28-year-old midfielder Bernadette Amani has won both the Bundesliga and the German Cup in her first half-season since joining soccer team Bayern Munich; she says it is "a dream come true" and an inspiring achievement for all girl players
Europe North Macedonia Latest surveys of temperature levels in Skopje suggest more trees and climate-conscious urban planning could significantly reduce the toll on public health during heatwaves – but practical implementation is moving slowly
Africa Kenya Indigenous crops like cassava, millet, sorghum are regaining importance as health-conscious consumers seek gluten-free foods; the phenomenon reflects a broader shift across Africa, where changing habits are revitalizing opportunities for traditional food
Asia Myanmar The military regime has acknowledged forcibly recruiting young men for conscription, amid growing pressure to fill army ranks; The practice has sparked fear among civilians, with reports of abductions as the junta expands mandatory military service
Asia Tajikistan Water flow in the Amu Darya, one of Central Asia’s two great rivers, is slowly but steadily diminishing in Tajikistan, where the river originates; latest report shows it has fallen by 54-77% in a decade, firmly blaming human activity, not climate change
Europe Serbia Drought has reduced the Danube to a record-low level, forcing Serbia to significantly reduce electricity generation from its main hydroelectric plants