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 Uganda Three days of free entry into all Uganda national parks have been announced for September this year for Ugandans and foreign visitors alike; entry fees can vary from below $20 to $800 for foreign non-residents gorilla trekking permits
Asia Mongolia Mandatory preventive health screenings will be mandatory for all kindergarten and school students from the 2026–27 academic year, nationwide; Children identified as at risk will be referred for diagnostic tests and follow-up treatment
Africa Ivory Coast At its 40th edition, the Nuits d’Afrique International Festival, held on 7-19 July in Montreal, Canada, brought together thousands of spectators and artists; the event was founded by Ivorian Lamine Touré as a pioneer project to celebrate African cultures
Europe Croatia Demographic trends in Croatia show steady increase in births and more citizens returning from abroad; a new support measure has been proposed that co-finances the purchase of a 7-seater vehicle with up to €15.000 for families with four or more children
Europe Iceland Several of Iceland's salmon rivers have been producing particularly strong catches this year; Among the standout sports are the Þverá/Kjarrá system in Borgarfjörður, the Jökla River in East Iceland, and the Haffjarðará River in Hnappadalur
Africa Burkina Faso The Burkinabe and Beninese armies have launched joint patrols in the border area of Koualou, marking a new step in strengthening their security cooperation in the face of threats from armed groups; video broadcast and footage show the initiative en-route
Asia Tajikistan 2025 Labor Force Survey reveals persistent structural weaknesses in Tajikistan’s labor market; though unemployment rate is relatively low, labor force participation is limited, particularly among young people and women, with 50% not working or studying
Europe Albania The "Flamingo Revolution", a Gen Z-led protest movement originally targeting the investment project on unspoiled and protected Sazan Island, is now turning into a call against autocrats, corruption and global oligarchy and drawing international support
Europe Finland Only 123 Thai wild berry pickers have had their visas approved this year, while over 2.000 applications have been rejected: the decision is expected to deepen labour shortages during Finland's berry harvest
America Antigua and Barbuda Activists and civil organizations are calling on Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry to fund new waste management equipment rather than wait on government support, identifying in the sector the country’s biggest contributor to waste
Africa Comoros Tayar, the first Comorian ride-hailing app, has been launched with support of Comorian Association of ICT and its incubator Comor'Lab; relying on geolocation, it is designed to enhance road safety and has an alert system connected to emergency services
Oceania Fiji 5795 citizenship applications were received in 2019-2023, over 90% were processed and 23 declined; the figure has been officially provided by the Department of Immigration to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, tabled on 17 July 2026
Africa South Sudan 28 solar-powered groundwater stations providing clean drinking water to over 84.000 people across South Sudan, have been completed with the support of Egypt, a senior irrigation ministry official said