America Cuba Bracing for the impact of hurricane Melissa, Cuba has asked motorcyclists with megaphones to alert every corner of the island and dedicated teams are checking no person unable to move remains at home; churches are open as shelters
Asia Indonesia Nickel mining in Raja Ampat has devastated ecologically unique islands causing deforestation, sediment pollution and coral loss with minimal economic returns; four licenses have been revoked but Gag Nikel still operates amid calls for full protection
Asia Bhutan Beginning the construction of Gelephu International Airport, His Majesty speech recalled Bhutan’s deep-rooted tradition of community service; Hundreds took part in a “Shapto” ceremony, voluntarily contributing labor, a symbol of unity and shared purpose
Asia Laos 35.446 unexploded ordnance have been cleared in the first half of 2025 across 14 provinces in Laos, including bombs, landmines and cluster munitions; children remain most at risk, making up over 60% of victims as they unknowingly play with UXO
Asia Mongolia Over 500 wrestlers, including Mongolia’s top champions, will compete in the National Naadam wrestling tournament on 11-12 July; This ancient contest of strength and honor dates back to the Mongol Empire, with origins as early as 1206
America Grenada The explosion in a quarry that destroyed industrial and residential properties in a rural community in St Andrew on 1 July, was caused by the failure of those involved to use best practice; explosives should be mandatorily stored by the police
Oceania Micronesia A MoU to expand the use of cargo through Nauru Airlines' Central Pacific route has been signed together with Palau and Marshall Islands to solve logistical, economic and geographic challenges faced by all of these small nations
Africa Liberia A National Inspector Course was conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO with 20 aviation personnel; the first in-country course aimed to build self-reliance in aviation oversight within Liberia’s Aviation Security Improvement Plan
Africa Eritrea The UN Human Rights Council has rejected Eritrea’s bid to shut down an independent investigation into alleged rights abuses, a move hailed as vital to preventing impunity, with 25 votes against, 18 abstentions and 4 votes in favour
Oceania Nauru Two landmark air carrier cooperation agreements involving Nauru Airlines were signed during the Micronesian Islands Forum in Majuro, one with Air Marshall Islands and one expanded use of Nauru Airlines cargo services with Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands
Asia Oman “Shabab Oman II” from Oman Royal Navy docked at Le Havre, France, 10th stop of its international voyage: the vessel's mission is to spread messages of love and peace, highlighting Oman’s maritime heritage and reinforcing the historical ties with France
Europe Netherlands A new maternity hotel opened in Groningen and one is due to begin operations in Hoorn; mothers stay with their newborns under professional supervision instead of receiving postnatal care at home amid a growing shortage of postnatal caregivers
Asia Lebanon US envoy Tom Barrack’s visit to Lebanon opened the “window of diplomacy”; a tense atmosphere had preceded his arrival in Beirut, where he received the official Lebanese response to a three-point paper with a path leading to Hezbollah’s disarmament
Africa Lesotho His Majesty King Letsie III is expected to pardon at least 240 inmates this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the Basotho nation’s: the announcement was made during a government media briefing yesterday at the Lesotho Television studios