Asia Laos New rules for intellectual property protection wereintroduced, allowing businesses to protect industrial designs internationally through a single application under the Hague System; It simplifies registration and administrative procedures, reducing costs
Europe Luxembourg A €3 flat rate customs duty on small parcels will be collected in Luxembourg along with all EU member states, a bid to stem the surge of Chinese e-commerce orders; the tariff will apply on each type of product shipped in small parcels beginning next month
Africa Libya Government of National Unity GNU has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas on arrival at airports and air entry points as part of efforts to regulate the entry of foreign nationals and strengthen border controls
Oceania Fiji Lautoka City Council's efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment at the Bus Terminal have resulted in regular inspections targeting vehicle oil leaks, with 441 oil leakage reports in Jan-June 2026
Europe Malta A blast in a fireworks factory in Salini impacted on 300 structures within a 2km range, and 200 land parcels; Food Safety and Security Authority is carrying out tests on soil, land and produce involving 90 agricultural and livestock farmers
Europe Latvia To strengthen defence industry cooperation in the Baltic and Nordic region, Latvian ammunition manufacturer Ammunity has signed a letter of intent with Mesko, one of Poland’s largest and most strategically important defence companies
Africa Guinea Parties backing coup-leader-turned-President Mamady Doumbouya have won at least 100 out of 147 seats in Guinea's legislative elections; ongoing legal challenges and pending Supreme Court resolutions make counts for the remaining seats provisional
Asia Iraq 145 cases, 9 deaths from hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed in 2026, Dhi Qar most impacted provincecvwith 74 cases and six deaths; WHO says it is transmitted by tick bites or exposure to sick animals’ blood during or immediately after slaughter
Europe Greece Only around one in four property owners are estimated to have completed the mandatory clearing of plots as a wildfire prevention measure, due for the June 15 deadline
Africa Central African Republic A surge in insecurity prompted residents along Bamingui-Kouroukou road to demand intervention from authorities; in an assessment supported by MINUSCA communities denounced the ongoing threats and called for deployment of Defense and Security Forces
Africa Benin Closed since 2023, the Benin-Niger border could reopen in the coming weeks; a committee of experts has been working on the modalities for the resumption of a vital trade route between the Gulf of Guinea and the Sahel
Africa eSwatini For 2026 MTN Bushfire Festival Ngwenya Border Post registered the highest traffic volume handling 12.517 arrivals of the total 26.000 entries; 32 aircraft landed at King Mswati III Airport, demonstrating global interest in the festival and the destination
America Bahamas The Bahamas is ranked the fourth least corrupt country in the Americas behind Canada, Uruguay and Barbados, and ahead of the United States, in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2025
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The Church is fighting deadly traditions and distrust, as Ebola spreads through conflict-hit eastern Congo; with health workers and aid agencies, the church is battling also displacement, weak healthcare systems, misinformation and deep public mistrust