Africa Uganda Over 21 million ballot papers have been received by the Electoral Commission, that cleared public concerns explaining that the number exceeds the 21,6 million citizens currently on the national voters’ register and surplus is a legal requirement
Asia North Korea The Biological Specimen Factory in Kaesong Municipality has been renewed and equipped with temperature control; stuffed specimens of birds and mammals are preserved in their original aspect, intended for educational units use, a press release reports
Europe Malta Law requires non-residents to obtain a permit before buying property preventing wealthy foreigners from speculating in Malta real estate, PM Robert Abela reminded to curb controversial affirmations made by officials at Shanghai Luxury Property Exhibition
Asia Palestine A four-storey residential building in East Jerusalem has been demolished by Israeli officials citing it was an unauthorised structure; the building, set near the Old City, housed around 100 people, including women, children and elderly residents
Asia Oman Oman air launched a direct flight to Copenhagen via Bagdad; the importance of the connecting route was underlined with an official ceremony at the Iraqi airport
Europe Vatican City Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of Dicastery for Evangelization, visited the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, in a short but highly meaningful journey, a tangible sign of Pope’s closeness to a community of migrants in a complex interreligious context
Africa Zimbabwe Patients and doctors across Zimbabwe are raising alarm over inconsistent test results from medical laboratories, a problem linked to the rapid growth of diagnostic testing facilities that, doctors say, do not always meet professional standards
Oceania Papua New Guinea A fire destroyed a commercial building housing a number of businesses in Mendi, southern highlands; started at the generator house after a power failure, it was fought by local boys with buckets, lacking fire brigade service and water tankers
Africa Mali The official opening of the Confederal Investment and Development Bank of the AES in Bamako represents a major step for Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso towards their economic independence and regional integration
Asia Malaysia 31 Malaysians trapped in job-scam networks in Myanmar have been rescued and safely repatriated; victims were lured with false offers and forced into cybercrime work, highlighting ongoing regional trafficking networks and the need for tighter cooperation
Africa Sudan A measles spread is threatening thousands of children in Central, South, and West Darfur - currently mostly outside State control - as vaccination programs and supply chains collapsed under war and bureaucratic delays, MSF warned
Asia Thailand As the Southeast Asian Games concluded, Thailand finished top of the medal table, leading on home soil; Host athletes won in multiple disciplines, underscoring the country’s regional sporting strength despite rising competition from Vietnam and Indonesia
Asia Laos Laos has been included in the list of countries facing full entry restrictions following new US travel ban; Washington cites security concerns, while critics argue the move is politically driven and risks harming diplomatic and economic ties
Europe Estonia Principal of Tallinn Central Russian Gymnasium was dismissed and a public competition will be announced for his position; the reason cited is systematic violations in the transition to Estonian-language instruction, not throughly conducted at the school