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 Norway The Norwegian Nobel Committee, responsible for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize, has elected its youngest leader ever: Jørgen Watne Frydnes, 39; he led the revival of the Utøya site and first joined the committee in 2021 as one of the Labour Party’s choices
Africa Libya Yet another UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has resigned; the average term of office is less than 20 months and there has been a series of resignations one after another
Asia Israel An Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank caused "the worst destruction in decades," with dozens of homes destroyed - according to Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi - as US and EU sanction more settlers
Africa Sudan The humanitarian conference on Sudan held in Paris raised €1,9 billion in aid for the country; the aid will go to food, water, medicine and other urgent needs, with no specific timeline stated
Asia Singapore On May 15, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will step down after two decades at the helm of the city-state and will be replaced by Vice Premier Lawrence Wong
Asia Armenia Armenia will withdraw from four towns on its border with Azerbaijan following an agreement between the two sides that is seen as a step toward launching peace talks
Asia Bahrain The Bahrain International Jazz Festival, the kingdom's premier celebration of jazz music, is set to return for its seventh edition, to be held on April 26, 2024 at the Royal Golf Club
Asia Malaysia Malaysia expressed disappointment with the US decision to use its veto to deny Palestine full membership in the UN, questioning the sincerity of the US in realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including their right to self-determination
Europe Poland The lower house of parliament has voted to continue work on four bills that aim to liberalize abortion, after the previous government almost completely banned it, thus taking a first step toward reintroducing the right
Asia Indonesia Over 2.100 people have been displaced after Mount Ruang in Northern Sulawesi began erupting, producing a column of smoke and ash, and a possible tsunami also caused by lava and rocks falling into the sea
Asia Palestine The Palestinian Authority will "reconsider" bilateral relations with the United States after Washington vetoed the Palestinian application to join the United Nations, President Mahmud Abbas said
Europe Kosovo The removal of 4 Albanian Kosovar mayors elected in the North will be voted on today, after months of tension and violence; Serb majority boycotted last local elections and may do it again, letting everything stay the same
Europe Germany The country will send a new frigate to the Red Sea in August to help secure maritime traffic, which has now been disrupted for months due to Houthi attacks