Asia Bahrain 128 competitors, 59 male and 69 female, took part in this year's Mutun competition; the event awards the three best in seven categories, each focusing on the memorization and comprehension of foundation texts related to Quranic sciences
Africa Comoros World Children's Day will be honored with a series of activities, marches, conferences, talks, and media broadcasts in various towns over 16 days; organizations, schools, local authorities are mobilizing to encourage collective action for child protection
Africa Ethiopia Relations with Malaysia have entered a new chapter: the embassy reopened in Addis Ababa after 42 years of absence and PM Anwar Ibrahim ended an official visit marked by productive discussions on mutually beneficial collaboration
America Dominican Republic Larimar exports tripled in one year, from around 39 tons in 2024 to 132 tons so far this year; Minister of Energy and Mines reminded that the unique mineral is an exclusive asset of the Dominican Republic and has to be part of the tourist narrative
Africa Djibouti Economic diversification is being accelerated through FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative; Djibouti, of strategic importance and renewed opportunity, is reportedly seeking private partners for agri-food, sustainable infrastructure, value-chain development
Africa Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion CAFI rolled out a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening Lesotho’s trade network, empowering local enterprises and advancing efforts to build resilience in regional and continental markets.
Oceania New Zealand A kauri cross from St. Patrick's Church in Napier was returned 44 years after it fell during the 1981 fire that destroyed the steeple, one of Hawke's Bay's largest; the artifact was recovered and has now been returned to the church
Africa Somalia All ships entering any port within Somalia's borders must now comply with new system Electronic Cargo Tracking Number ECTN; the rule also applies to Berbera port in Somaliland, escalating a standoff over airspace and borders control
America United States The House of Representatives voted to pass a bill directing the Justice Department to release all files related to its investigation into the Epstein case with the exception of one vote; Senate agreed via unanimous consent, without a formal vote
Europe Luxembourg The owner of a restaurant in the capital’s Gare neighbourhood has said his business is at risk of closing because customers have deserted the venue due to crime in the area; though warned, he chose to open there to set an example and support the district
Asia Kyrgyzstan Winter approaching brings warnings of potential electricity shortfalls due to low water levels in Kyrgyzstan hydro-reservoirs; emergency measures include electricity conservation and shutting down all cryptocurrency mining farms to relieve grid pressure
Europe Slovakia A long-awaited 9,1 km section of the R2 between Kriváň and Mýtna opened to traffic, a symbolic victory for the government; it cuts about 8 minutes of travel on the stretch and comprises Slovakia’s longest and highest viaduct 4,3 km up to 41 metres high
Europe Slovenia Top 100 wealthiest in Slovenia are now worth a combined €11,2 billion - the highest figure yet and 12% more than last year, according to rankings by Finance Manager; investors Vesna and Dari Južna took the lead surpassing Iza Sia and Samo Login
Europe Denmark Social Democrats in Denmark suffered a heavy loss in this week's municipal and regional elections; PM Mette Frederiksen’s centre-left party lost control of Copenhagen for first time in over 100 years