Europe Vatican City The truth of facts as an essential element to “disarm words and disarm the world,” said Pope Leo XIV, so that storytelling and narrative may once again serve peace; this was the leitmotiv of World Meeting on Human Fraternity round table “G20 Information”
Europe Sweden The 'cultural canon', or the list deemed to define what it means to be Swedish, was unveiled; part of the election manifesto of the right-wing and nationalist parties, it includes Pippi Longstocking, IKEA and the Nobel Prize, but not the Abba
Asia China Over 12.000 Chinese troops participated in the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II; the leaders of China, Russia and North Korea have appeared in public together for the first time
Europe Spain Thousands of supporters flocked to the Barcelona on Sunday 31 August pier to salute the departing Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid for Israeli-blockaded Gaza; the convoy was then forced to return to port due to storm and set sails again this week
Europe Portugal The derailment of Gloria funicular, one of Lisbon landmarks, at evening's rush hour, resulted in at least 15 casualties and a number of injured, including locals and foreigners; the city's other funicular railways have been shut for inspections
Africa Niger Women of the collective "Keki Bon Sé" in Dosso are building their financial empowerment through the processing and marketing of peanut-based products, an income-generating activity that is booming in this area of Niger and throughout the country
Asia Singapore Singapore announced it will host the World Bank’s ICSID Investment Disputes Centre first office outside the United States; the new hub will handle investor-state arbitration cases in the region and provide related training
Oceania Tonga An official tree planting ceremony at the St George Building recognised Tonga's commitment to hosting the Pacific Resilience Facility, during a visit of a technical mission from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
America Saint Lucia As collisions between livestock and vehicles continue to endanger motorists in the south, including near Hewanorra International Airport, authorities are exploring the use of pasture lands to relocate stray cattle and optimize animal management
Europe Finland Helsinki’s city board has rejected planned public transport fare increases for 2026 and with a formal statement urged the regional transport authority HSL to revise its pricing and funding strategies
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Over 50 schools have undergone repairs, construction or upgrades under the School Summer Repair Programme; among upgrades are major improvements at the Emmanuel High School, where works are underway in the science laboratory
Europe Montenegro New navy breast badges depicting the ship Jadran, The Adriatic, sparked Croatia's resentment and a claim for $2 billion for “illegally seized military property”; this was of words is rooted in unease over the rise of a pro-Serbian faction in Montenegro
Europe Bulgaria Von der Leyen’s trip to Bulgaria included a visit to state-owned weapons plant in Sopot, where expansion is planned for a thousand new workplaces; as she praised aid given to Ukraine’s defence, supporters of Revival and Greatness party staged a protest
Oceania Solomon Islands For the first time in almost 35 years a Constituency Development Fund shipment landed at Lambete Jetty in Munda; residents called it a 'historic achievement' and dozens of young men helped unload supplies as baking ovens, fiberglass boats, outboard motors