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
America Brazil UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Operations praised Brazil's inclusive approach to refugee protection during his visit, highlighting the country's commitment to providing documentation and access to employment and healthcare for refugees
Europe Malta The country could see an additional 483 hotels built on the island, or a 70% increase in hotel rooms, if all the pipeline tourism projects come to fruition
Europe Austria Eligible Netflix clients who had a subscription in Austria in 2019 and 2020 have a claim to a one-off refund of up to €30 due to a settlement following a class action taken by the Arbeiterkammer; the refund relates to the increases in subscription fees
Asia Indonesia The government will build 335 earthquake-resistant houses for families badly affected by the recent cold lava eruption of Mount Marapi, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency assured
Europe Iceland Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir, recently elected as the new bishop of Iceland, stated that the attitude of the Icelandic Church 'failed' towards LGBTQ+ people as the approach towards homosexuality was based on denial
America Jamaica Some 70 roads identified during the Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network programme consultations were sent to the National Works Agency for analysis and evaluation
Africa Morocco Morocco's 29th International Book Fair kicked off last week in Rabat, attracting book lovers and intellectuals from all over the country with over 743 exhibitors from 48 countries and UNESCO as the guest of honour
Europe Switzerland The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, 2 billion more than for the current period
Oceania Palau Vierra J. Toribiong is the first new and young candidate to declare his intention to run for the Senate in the 12th Olbiil Kelulau era in the next general election in November 2024
Europe Luxembourg The 10th youth hostel in Luxembourg is set to be constructed at the Ettelbruck railway station, to attract more tourists to northern areas; the project, just passed by MPs, will feature 120 beds, parking for 60 bicycles, and a rooftop panorama platform
Europe Netherlands Amsterdam follows the example of Utrecht and Leiden and abandons the central armrest of park benches as this type of bench is increasingly considered hostile architecture and the capital wants to be more welcoming to its homeless residents
Asia Japan Major Japanese firms offered an average 5,58% wage increase in the spring negotiations, as many sought to respond to elevated prices while trying to avoid brain drains; it is the highest increases in 32 years since comparable data became available in 1992
Europe Greece 'Panic Button', the mobile phone application which allows victims to immediately alert the police, has been extended throughout Greece to help combat domestic violence