Asia Thailand Rubella has been eliminated in Thailand as a public health threat, achieving the WHO criteria for interruption of endemic transmission; imported cases is now the key concern, especially for infections during pregnancy
Europe Vatican City Pope Leo XIV visited Assisi for Go! 2026, the Franciscan Youth Meeting, on the 800th anniversary of death of Saint Francis, saying the faithful should oppose fundamentalism within societies tempted to place religion at the service of competing identities
America Saint Kitts and Nevis 30 years after entering St. Kitts and Nevis Demerara Distillers is moving ahead with a US 14 million expansion of its Bird Rock plant; during the sod-turning ceremony, Prime Minister welcomed the investment as a sign of continued confidence in the country
Asia Yemen A fuel shortage has disrupted vital sectors and services, paralyzed transport and power generation, with aviation and public electricity among the hardest hit; the crisis has forced reliance on emergency support from Saudi Arabia
America Cuba The wooden planks of the iconic benches in Plaza de Marte, Santiago de Cuba's most emblematic public space, were ripped out most probably to be used as firewood for cooking; images in a local newspaper are yet another sign of the dramatic crisis
Africa Sudan Democratic Bloc coalition presented a political roadmap centred on intra-Sudanese dialogue alongside a proposed U.S.-mediated ceasefire to end Sudan’s civil war; the plan address root causes of the conflict and establish a framework for sustainable peace
America Costa Rica Thousands of Costa Ricans responded to the call to defend the Judiciary, overflowing San José in a demonstration under the slogan ‘democracy is not negotiable’; a budget cut for the Judiciary is among the elements that sparked protests
America Argentina Government is “getting closer every day” to recovering sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, President Milei said, escalating a diplomatic row stemming from Argentina’s politically charged World Cup victory over England weeks ago
Asia Uzbekistan Six residential blocks at Newport housing complex in Tashkent's Yakkasaray district were constructed without proper registration with the regional oversight body, while three blocks received required approvals from Architectural and Urban Planning Council
Asia Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency FIA has established a specialised unit to investigate crimes committed through the dark web; it will focus on tracking cybercriminals involved in online illicit activities using advanced cyber-forensics tools
Africa Mozambique Adélia Alberto has become the first woman to lead Mecanhelas, a district in Niassa province; with extensive experience in public administration, she has been successfully serving in Metarica, Ngaúma and Mavago
America Barbados Newly passed law on beneficial ownership will not require businesses to submit additional information but will centralise and streamline data already collected under existing rules; the reform is key to safeguarding Barbados’ financial reputation
America Guyana Guyana registered ANSA McAL's strongest regional performance in the first 6 months of 2026, with revenue rising 19,7% driven by steady economic expansion in the country leading to higher profits and stronger earnings across its operations
Asia Iraq Apple officially enters Iraq’s regulated digital market under new digital services framework, having met the country’s standards for digital platforms and services, according to the Communications and Media Commission CMC