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
Africa Lesotho Midwives are often the first responders in communities affected by climate disasters or conflicts, playing a key role in preventing maternal deaths, UNFPA pointed out, citing the crucial impact of midwives
Africa Ivory Coast The Coffee and Cocoa Council of the Ivory Coast suspended some 40 cooperatives suspected of illegally hoarding cocoa beans to sell them at a higher price to exporters
Asia India In this year's elections, there was a 7,5% increase in the number of women registering to vote, 30 million more than in 2019
Africa Egypt The country rejected an Israeli proposal to coordinate the two countries to reopen the Rafah crossing point between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip and to manage its future operation, according to two Egyptian security sources
Europe France On Thursday, on the patron saint's day of bakers and pastry chefs, the French Post Office unveiled a scratch-and-sniff postal stamp costing €1,96 to celebrate the famous baguette bread shape
America Colombia The Colombian and Brazilian armed forces have jointly stepped up the fight against transnational crime in the Amazon; military authorities from both countries signed an agreement to close in on criminal organizations in the region
Asia China The country announced measures to stabilise the ailing real estate sector, with the central bank releasing an additional 1 trillion yuan ($138 billion) in financing, as well as loosening mortgage regulations
Africa Gabon Ali Bongo, the former president of Gabon, went on hunger strike with his two sons Jalil and Bilal; they report they were subjected to inhuman 'acts of torture and barbarism' by the Gabonese junta
Africa Algeria The country will produce 3,7 million cubic metres per day of desalinated water by the end of 2024, covering 42% of the needs of the population, estimated at 47 million, said the CEO of the Algerian Energy Company
Asia Azerbaijan The country said France should apologise for a statement by the French interior minister calling Azerbaijan 'a dictatorship', considering the remarks 'totally unacceptable'
Europe Austria Austria has announced the creation of a special dedicated fund that aims to allocate up to €500 million over the next five years to support its exports to Ukraine
America Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked the UNDP organisation for its support for ongoing major national projects in key areas such as food production and education, as well as for its assistance following the floods and hurricanes that hit the island
Africa Burundi UNHCR issued a statement to the Burundian refugees in the Nyarugusu and Nduta camps in Tanzania that there is no other decision for them but to return to their country given the closure of the refugee camp by 31 December