Africa South Africa The sale of unregulated medicines is increasing in South Africa, where fake and substandard medicines are distributed through informal channels, informal outlets, online platforms, and cross-border smuggling, with people often buying unaware of fakes
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
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
Asia Azerbaijan Shusha, in the southwest, is undergoing large-scale reconstruction and cultural revitalization, with authorities now preparing to launch the construction of a new Victory Museum as part of ongoing infrastructure and heritage projects in the city
America Costa Rica Liberia airport in Guanacaste surpassed visitor records in the first quarter of 2026 and, expecting more high-end travelers, it is entering an expansion phase and is preparing for new concessions
Europe Belgium One of Belgium’s most promising cyclists for a generation, Jilke Michielsen, has tragically died at 19 due to terminal bone cancer; the cycling world mourned the loss of the talented cyclist, who had become a teenage sensation thanks to her successes
Africa Togo An intercommunal consultation for forest landscape restoration is now active as part of the AFR100 Togo project: mayors, municipal secretaries-general, traditional chiefs and technical ministerial staff met in Kpalimé to discuss key priorities
Oceania Australia Opposition Leader Angus Taylor plans to guarantee social services - including basic allowances - to Australian citizens only; many argue permanent residents and many more categories should be allowed to access to NDIS
Asia Bahrain Breast cancer screening divisions are planned for public hospitals in an effort to improve women's healthcare services and increase early detection rates across Bahrain; tender was assigned to Yusuf Mahmood Hussain Company for around €1,1 million
America Barbados Housing Minister announced his intention to create emergency housing stock in this island for citizens displaced by hurricanes and other event
Europe Belarus 153.700 families opened accounts under the Family Capital Program as of beginning of May, with 82.600 deposits totaling $826 million; FCP is a state initiative to encourage families and address demographic challenges
Europe Russia Ukrainian drone strikes on key Russian oil export terminals and refineries disrupted global energy flows, caused billions in losses, brought critical environmental damage to Black Sea holiday spots and air pollution as far as St. Petersburg and Tuapse
America Haiti Textile workers in northeast Haiti have rejected newly offered minimum wage and vowed continue their strike; tensions at the CODEVI industrial park remain, with thousands of workers demanding a daily wage of roughly $23