Africa Cape Verde Cape Verde has entered the world's Top 30 in governance indices: the latest World Economics assessment for 2026 gave it an A rating and a score of 74, being the only African country with this distinction, thus sitting in first place on the continent
America Ecuador Indigenous-led protests in Ecuador have gained momentum after President Noboa has lifted diesel subsidies, prompting nationwide strikes, highway blockades and clashes with security forces that have resulted in deaths, injuries and numerous detentions
Europe North Macedonia Nearly 13 years since construction began, the Church of St. Constantine and Helena in central Skopje has been inaugurated and the square fully refurbished
Europe Belgium 46 people were arrested in Brussels in a police operation targeting drug trafficking and organised crime; the announcement comes after a violent weekend with shootings in Saint-Gilles and on Boulevard du Midi, prompting authorities to continue efforts
America Colombia Over 297 acres of Pablo Escobar’s former estate, known for its invasive hippos, have been handed over to women affected by the armed conflict, as part of a land reform aimed to reclaim property from narco-linked interests and aid victims
Asia Afghanistan Residents of Qarabagh, southern Ghazni, have urged authorities to restore the Nai Fort to attract tourists and generate income for local communities; it is one of the most valuable traces of the Ghaznavid era, parts of its walls standing despite erosion
Europe United Kingdom Kazakhstan became the 116th country for Ross Jennings, a Scottish traveler and musician on a mission to play the bagpipes in every nation; dressed in a traditional kilt, he performed the Kazakh folk song “Dedimai au” in Astana
Europe Greece Activist Greta Thunberg was handed flowers and greeted by dozens of supporters at Athens airport; she was deported to Greece after having been arrested by Israeli forces as Sumud Flotilla attempted to break naval blockade on Gaza and deliver aid
Oceania Australia Thousands flocked to Sea World on the Gold Coast last weekend, with "unreal" scenes of massive queues snaking through the theme park; footage shared online showed lines stretching beyond the park’s entrance, parents and kids packed shoulder to shoulder
America Cuba Increase in hospitalizations due to a rare virus transmitted by mosquitos have been confirmed, after no cases of the disease had been reported since 2015; the province of Matanzas, one of the island's most visited destinations, is the most affected
Africa Comoros The Fatwa council has officially determined that the Friday prayer will begin at 1 pm sharp; the opinion of the Gran Mufti had been asked to make new labour rules compatible with the compulsory Friday prayer
Europe Lithuania A warning strike was organized by Lithuania's cultural community amid discontent that the Nemunas Dawn party was entrusted to delegate the minister of culture in the new Cabinet, despite Ignotas Adomavičius had already resigned as Culture Minister
Europe Albania Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with the help of Muslim neighbours; the Church of Transfiguration is a symbol of peaceful cohabitation between believers of different religions
Asia Kazakhstan An 11.000-seat UEFA-standard stadium has opened in Kyzylorda; the Kaisar Arena, a new multifunctional complex, includes venues for boxing, wrestling, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting and facilities for people with special needs