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
Europe Norway A verbal assault on King Harald V, broadcast by his son-in-law Durek Verrett, has set off public uproar among Norwegians; calls for the king to strip Princess Martha Louise, of her royal title have come from monarchists and those favouring a republic
Asia Iraq A Federal Electronic Visa System will be the single platform for issuing entry visas to Iraq and a health insurance will be mandatory for all entrants, linking the issuance of a visa to a health insurance document
America Haiti 150 Haitian soldiers returned from an 8-week training in Mexico; they are part of the first group of 700, including special operations units, that will join the fight against gangs as violence spreads beyond the capital and surrounding areas
Asia Pakistan After over two months of protest, Gilgit-Baltistan traders ended their blockade at Sost Dry Port; The port, a vital China–Pakistan trade hub, resumed operations following government assurances to review freight charges and address trade grievances
Asia Cyprus Sixteen archaeological sites and monuments across Cyprus will be open with free entry this weekend as part of the celebrations for the European Heritage Days
Oceania Tonga The slow recovery of the marine ecosystem around the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano surprised an international team of scientists who have been researching the area to check water column and sea floor reaction after the eruption
Asia Israel Many diplomats boycotted Netanyahu's speech UN General Assembly, in which he promised that Israel would “hunt down” its enemies and “finish the job” in Gaza, rejecting international criticism
Asia Qatar Nine new evening centers for adult education will be inaugurated starting this academic year 2025-2026, as part of Qatar's strategy to promote lifelong learning opportunities and provide flexible educational options for all segments of society
America Canada Privacy commissioners found that TikTok collected sensitive personal data from hundreds of thousands of Canadians under the age of 13
America Uruguay Uruguay has set a goal to electrify 50% of its public transport fleet by 2030 as part of its broader push for decarbonization and a second energy transition
Africa Namibia Helicopters and hundreds of soldiers have been sent to curb a fire ravaging a third of Etosha National Park, a key nature reserve and top tourist attraction home to endangered black rhinos; fire broke out at a charcoal production plant outside the park
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human papillomavirus HPV screening program has been officially launched: joining the global movement to eliminate cervical cancer marks a milestone for women’s health in the country
Europe Switzerland Basel residents who permanently unregister their vehicle will receive the equivalent of CHF1.500 (about $1.890) in credit for public transport, car-sharing or bike purchase; program will run for two years and will fund 400 environmental bonuses