Asia Kyrgyzstan 2026 Global Internet Freedom Rankings by Cloudwards show that countries of Central Asia have significantly less internet censorship than all of their Eurasian neighbors, with Kyrgyzstan’s online environment emerging as particularly encouraging
Europe Hungary The “gold convoy” case - the seizure of a Ukraine’s state-owned bank vehicle transporting €80 million in cash and gold from Austria back to Kyiv in a routine interbank transfer - is stirring diplomacy, illegal arms deals suspected behind the affair
Africa Sao Tome and Principe To reinforce institutional presence at the side of farmers and ranchers and bring public services closer to the agricultural sector, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been inaugurated in São Lourenço dos Órgãos
Asia Japan Fifteen years after earthquake and Fukushima disaster, Japan presents plans to reshape the area with F-REI, a hub to study environmental recovery and radiation science and reminds of the importance of memorizing the toll-free disaster phone number
Asia Saudi Arabia Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom, has achieved the top global ranking across all categories in the Euromoney Global Trade Solutions Awards following the introduction of a new, client-centric evaluation framework
America Nicaragua The delivery of passports requested from abroad should not exceed three months, the Minister of the Interior affirmed, explaining that passports are printed in Managua and shipped in diplomatic pouches to Nicaraguan consulates worldwide
Europe Czech Republic 82% of Prague residents use the metro at least once a week, according to a new survey, and appreciate frequency and cleanliness; a recent public opinion poll revealed 57% would like it to operate after midnight, 27% frustrated by bus nighttime wait time
Europe Malta The Malta Biennale 2026 was inaugurated and will run from until the end of May; at its second edition, the event, curated by Rosa Martínez, will host over 130 local and international artists from 43 countries under the title CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT
America El Salvador Nuclear energy production could be implemented within seven years following recent agreement with the US that provides for a framework to enhance exchange of technical information and share best practices related to nuclear energy development
Europe Slovakia Housing completions dropped in 2025 and new construction remained well below long-term levels according to latest official figures
Europe Vatican City The Pontifical Academy for Life launched “Scientists for peace”, an international appeal to all scientists, researchers, and academics to focus on peace and enact activities across the world, as current violence also limits scientific research
America Chile A major expedition to the Atacama Trench has documented deep-sea biodiversity, including possible new species, and geological fault evidence linked to historic earthquakes - Scientists Chile revealed
Africa Liberia A high-stakes national security consultation is unfolding following reports that troops crossed into Lofa County, removed the Liberian flag, hoisted the Guinean one, asserted control over 100 acres of territory that Liberia considers sovereign boundary
Oceania Tonga A one-off public holiday will be observed today 12 March 2026 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Queen Salote College, a leading all-girls Christian secondary school; date recalls birthday of Queen Sālote Tupou III, on 13 March