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
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
Europe Albania The Albanian Catholic Church criticised a priest who took part in an unofficial private union ceremony for a same-sex couple in Tirana; according to the Church this type of marriage should be "categorically forbidden"
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 Kosovo After the closure of six Serbian bank offices with a ban on cash transactions in currencies other than the euro, the EU and US questioned Kosovo's commitment to dialogue with Serbia
Asia Maldives Local produce has become scarce in the Male' market due to the weather conditions that are affecting the Maldives and disrupting the harvest and supply chain
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
Europe Monaco The Princess Grace Foundation turned 60, founded in 1964 at the behest of Princess Grace, celebrates six decades dedicated to helping sick children and their parents and promoting Irish and Monegasque culture
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
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
Europe France The list backed by President Macron’s Besoin d’Europe (Renew) gets 15,5% of the vote, its lowest level since the start of the European election campaign
America Peru LGBTQ groups protested in Lima after Peru designated transsexuality as a mental disorder, rallying against the decree on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, demanding its revocation
America Barbados 94 residents have found jobs through the Job Workz programme; Member of Parliament for St Philip West, Kay McConney, praised the result as fruit of an initiative she has supported since her 2018 election campaign