Africa Benin As part of the Vodun Days 2026 event in Ouidah, in Maro Square paintings of the Egungun are on display, depicting them dancing: the Vodun Days Artistic Direction has chosen to go beyond live performance adding an exhibition of paintings of the Egungun
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Response to the Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with control measures being scaled up leading to quicker detection of the virus, early start of treatment; over 90% of contacts of confirmed cases are monitored and followed up, from just 19% a fortnight ago
Asia Kyrgyzstan AI-integrated surveillance cameras have been introduced in test mode; capable of facial recognition and of detecting emergencies, can alert staff at 'situation centers' if they spot fire, frostbite or crowd gatherings
Africa Liberia The DayLight investigation "How a Family Smuggled Timber for over a Decade" has been recognized by Global Investigative Journalism Network GIJN as one of the best in Africa, highlighting illicit activities and impactful outcomes in Liberia
Europe Lithuania 15 people have been charged in Lithuania over an alleged plan for arson attacks through courier services backed by Russian military intelligence service GRU; suspects include citizens from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine
Asia Taiwan Super typhoon Ragasa has hit Taiwan, leaving at least 14 dead and 124 missing as torrential rains, 200 km/h winds in eastern Hualien broke a water barrier, flooding the town of Guangfu; over 700 flights were canceled, alerts issued in China and Hong Kong
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Police agencies in Bosnia are increasingly using new technology with facial recognition capacity, such as drones and cameras, to fight crime; doubts are rising over the legal frame allowing their use
Europe Bulgaria Contracts for the use and transit of Russian natural gas will be terminated next year, with a complete exit from the Russian gas market planned by 2028, announced PM Rosen Zhelyazkov at UN Assembly, confirming that Bulgaria will align with EU decisions
Asia Afghanistan 142 pneumonia deaths in a month have been reported by WHO, with over 68.000 new cases recorded across Afghanistan, alongside rising malaria, measles, and diarrheal cases; the agency also warned of worsening health threats nationwide
Africa South Sudan New taxes on building plan approvals, service fees, rental charges, signposts permits, slaughtering fees and other local revenues have been imposed in Juba County
Africa Seychelles Former Malawi Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda officially launched the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission in Seychelles in view of the country’s presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for 25-27 September
America Honduras National Action Plan to eliminate communicable diseases in Honduras was officially validated; it targets HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria through a people-centered, multisectoral strategy supported by the Pan American Health Organization
Asia Bahrain The Russian Film Festival was held at Reel Cinemas Bahrain, Marassi Galleria, as part of the Russian Seasons, and in cooperation with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Russian Ministry of Culture and ROSKINO
Asia Lebanon With the Litani River drying and Lake Qaraoun at record lows, rainfall drastically diminished, aid groups warn the crisis could spiral into a nationwide emergency as Lebanon faces its worst drought in 65 years