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
Asia Oman A stranded blue whale, approximately 8 metres long, found near Al Duwanij Beach in Shina, has been returned to the sea in good condition after with the intervention of specialised teams from the Environment Department
Europe Portugal The municipal tourist tax charged in the capital Lisbon has brought to the city over 260 million euros in almost 10 years - in 2024 it amounted to nearly 49,51 million euros
America Guyana The first export cargo is ready to sail from the new One Guyana offshore platform, marking a major step in Guyana's rise as a top oil producer with the debut of the Golden Arrowhead crude grade set for shipment by early September
Oceania Tuvalu Taking part in the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in France, Prime Minister Feleti Teo called for an international treaty on sea level rise to enshrine the legal rights of affected states and people
Asia Bhutan Two local films grants of $60.000 each have been granted in what is a major shift in national film policy: direct government funding, international exposure and new infrastructure are structural steps toward a globally competitive Bhutanese film industry
Asia Iran Dozens of Iranian targets, that include nuclear sites, have been hit by a massive 200-aircraft Israeli attack yesterday, with casualties among top military officials and scientists; Iran hadn't been attacked to that extent since the Iraq war in 1989
America Guatemala Guatemala has created a joint task force with the United States to locate and repatriate fugitives with active arrest warrants
Asia Tajikistan As global demand for environmentally friendly textiles grows, Tajikistan has a unique chance to build a sustainable model for cotton production; the transformation, driven by demographic growth and technological advancements, benefits from EU investment
America Honduras The IMF has disbursed US $160 million to Honduras after completing the third review of its economic program, which has shown solid performance and macroeconomic stability despite a challenging global context
Oceania Kiribati The discovery of "Super Reefs" in the Line Island group has been announced by Kiribati's Minister of Fisheries: coral reefs formations that are tolerant, resilient to temperature change and rarely bleach, offering hope for coral reef conservation
Asia Jordan Over 11.700 children dropped out of school in in 12 months, a growing crisis that Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights associates with the increase of child labour in informal and exploitative jobs; an alarming post-pandemic surge occurred in 2022-2024
Asia Philippines On 127th Independence Day, Marcos Jr. honored the 1898 heroes who freed the Philippines from Spanish rule; He called for accountability and unity, linking today’s struggles, corruption, fake news to the fight for freedom that shaped the nation’s identity
America Mexico Diplomatic protests and formal apologies have surged after Mexican police from Chiapas entered Guatemalan territory and Mexico and Guatemala have agreed to strengthen bilateral security coordination