Asia Syria Hundreds of Kurdish students in Hassakeh and Kobani refused to enter their classrooms as the 2026–27 school year began, protesting a decision that reduces Kurdish-language instruction to three periods per week, demanding the decision be reversed
Asia India The country's exports of cotton are estimated to potentially grow up to 81% by 2026 - from 36 to 65 US$ million in value - following the industry stakeholders try to take distance from China
Europe Portugal It is now illegal for the boss to send a message outside normal working hours, with a new labour law passed by parliament in a bid to create more work-life balance
Europe Netherlands The city council of Utrecht has introduced a new school enrolment system to end segregation in primary schools by preventing the enrolment of newborn children, as dozens of schools usually still have informal waiting lists exploited by the more privileged
America Uruguay The Uruguayan Export Price Index reports a 20% increase in export prices in the past year, marking a new all time record for the country
Europe Sweden A new draft law on legal gender change, presented by the Swedish Ministry of Social Affairs, will allow children from the age of twelve to apply for a new legal gender in the national population register, thus lowering the age for applying
America Jamaica The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation will soon launch a program that will provide employment opportunities for members of the municipality's homeless community
Europe Luxembourg According to a study, almost a third of pedestrian crossings in the capital do not respect the minimum distance of five metres required from parking spaces
Asia Yemen Intisar al Hammadi, a 20-year-old actress and model, was recently sentenced to five years in prison for "acts of indecency" after being arrested in February by Shiite Huthi rebels; Human Rights Watch defined the sentences unjust and politically motivated
Europe Hungary Nearly 55.000 residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens last year, according to Eurostat data; compared to neighbouring EU countries, the number of Ukrainian, Chinese and South Korean citizens granted residence permits is particularly high
Africa Tunisia UN human rights experts condemned the collective expulsion and deplorable living conditions of migrants; dozens on the border with Libya lack access to shelter, food, water, medical care and face extreme threats of torture, abduction and sexual violence
Asia Mongolia The minister of environment and tourism and the governor of Aimag Khuvsgul have been asked to submit proposals to ensure the preservation of the Sukhbaatar ship, which sank in Khuvsgul Lake in 1985, and turn it into a museum for tourists
Asia Saudi Arabia As temperatures drop, the country prepares for winter tourism - growing and mostly still national; among top destinations are Wadi Disah in Tabuk, AlUla, Riyadh’s Edge of the World, the Nafud deserts, Al-Ahsa Oasis and Al-Qura Mountains for hikers
Asia Iran The judiciary shut down the state-owned, Tehran-based daily Kelid two days after its front page read 'millions of Iranians live below the poverty line'