Europe Russia Intensified web control, restrictions and widespread internet shutdowns are now surpassing those of the PRC in scope and impact; businesses disruption, estimated in over $60 million in Moscow alone in 5 days, sparked criticism beyond opposition groups
Europe Portugal The construction of a 120 million Euros desalination plant in Sines, on one of the country’s busiest shipping routes and a major European container port, has been announced; it will start in 2027 and is expected to be completed by 2031
Europe Liechtenstein How to increase the percentage of women in leadership positions was the focus of the Business Day for Women; speaker Leonie Gehler underlined that “Women and leadership are a ‘perfect match’” that should be promoted
Europe Vatican City Recalling the words of Pope Leo XIV during a video call with astronaut Buzz Aldrin earlier this year, the Holy See has taken a definite position on space-based weaponry saying it poses ‘genuine and grave’ threat
Asia Indonesia Danantara, Indonesia’s new state-backed fund, aims to turn the nation from a raw-material exporter into a high-tech producer by consolidating state assets and investing in innovation to build world competitive firms and cut reliance on foreign technology
Africa Sao Tome and Principe By the end of 2025, Sao Tome & Principe, Africa’s second smallest nation by land area, could once again be propelled into the oil and gas spotlight if Shell’s upcoming Falcao-1 wildcat is successful
Africa Seychelles The UN office in Seychelles marked its 80th anniversary with a youth engagement event that brought together young entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, students, and change makers from the Seychelles National Youth Assembly
Asia Pakistan Punjab’s government faces backlash for allegedly manipulating air quality data by shutting down monitors during peak smog hours in Lahore; Officials cite “technical issues,” but experts say it’s an attempt to mask severe pollution levels
America Bahamas Assessments and cleanup were underway in areas of the southern and central Bahamas after Hurricane Melissa swept through the country, uprooting trees, tearing down utility poles and damaging some roofs; most residents were relieved they dodged the worst
Africa South Africa The University of Fort Hare council has urged higher education and training minister Buti Manamela not to proceed with appointing an independent assessor, saying the university is already taking steps to stabilise itself and address recent unrest
Europe Albania A group of IT experts proposed an AI ‘candidate’ for the upcoming Tirana mayoral election, she will be called called TirANA (Tirana Algorithmic Neural Assistant); Albania’s government had appointed an AI-generated digital assistant as a ‘minister’
America Dominican Republic A large-scale humanitarian campaign to support families affected by Tropical Storm Melissa Fujian General Chamber of Commerce of China in the Dominican Republic, which includes distributing 23.000 food kits across the country
Europe Slovenia Slovenian mountaineering is at the top of the sport as Aleš Česen won his third Golden Ice Axe for outstanding mountaineering achievements for conquering the 7.952 m Gasherbrum III, one of only six to have won three; Slovenian Marko Prezelj, has won four
Asia Qatar The National Archives of Qatar is taking part in the International Council on Archives Congress in Barcelona, Spain: institutions, specialists and experts from around the world will discuss the future of document preservation and digital archiving