Asia Sri Lanka Unprecedented visitors' arrivals have been registered in 2026, marking a strong recovery in numbers; However, the tourism boom has not translated into higher earnings, as shorter stays and lower spending per visitor have led to declining dollar revenues
Europe France NGOs and residents of areas high in 'forever-chemicals' pollutants filed the French state, asking the court to order the government to stop PFAS discharges into the environment and to remedy the "ecological harm" caused by its "culpable inaction"
Oceania Fiji The impact of fuel crisis is reaching households across Fiji as power bills are set to rise from next week with an interim fuel surcharge increase, but government will fully absorb 22,5% bus fare increase to shield commuters from additional costs
Asia Iraq Foreign Minister and Turkish Ambassador to Iraq discussed the activation of an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan stressing that enhancing cooperation on oil exports serves the interests of both countries
Asia Armenia The 2026 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, an international wine competition, will bring to Yerevan 400 wine experts and professional judges from 65 countries to taste 10.000 wines on 21-23 May; Armenian wines will also be presented
Asia Qatar Over 60% of Qatar's revenue come from natural gas and related exports, now blocked for more than two months; the cut of sea routes hit imports, from vehicles to fresh produce; fears of regional instability affected tourism and eroded business sentiment
America Suriname 80 additional workers would be needed to operate Suriname's floodgates in an adequate and safe manner; about 140 floodgate operators are employed, but more personnel is needed to face growing tasks and challenges especially during torrential rains
Europe United Kingdom Knife robberies are 21% than they were in June 2024, according to latest Home Office figures; offences fell from 15.918 in summer 2024 to 12.633 by March 2026, with thousands fewer people experiencing the fear and financial impact of this violent crime
Europe North Macedonia Albanian law students from North Macedonia ask be allowed to take the bar exam in their mother tongue, reopening a dispute on the heartfelt problem of unfulfilled language rights
America Saint Kitts and Nevis Department of Gender Affairs launched its first Women’s Asset Building Seminar, an annual initiative aimed at strengthening women’s financial independence and long-term wealth creation; the session also focused on home ownership
Asia Bangladesh Garment workers face heat stress risks as fuel shortages impact use of cooling equipment in factories amid rising temperatures
Africa Benin A hurricane Struck southeastern Benin; the mayor of Ouinhi toured the hardest-hit villages to assess the damage and offer support; winds left roofs torn off and damaged infrastructure and authorities reassured school year will end as scheduled
Africa Cameroon The Cameroon Medical Council's Disciplinary Chamber moved aggressively beyond routine administrative tasks to address a growing public outcry over medical negligence, systemic failures, and the rise of unauthorized private practices
Africa Central African Republic Traders and residents near the Bimbo market, in the outskirts of Bangui, complained about waste dumped behind the premises, saying garbage hasn't been collected for years, heavily impacting on their business