Iceland
On June 1, 2024, Halla Tomasdottir, an entrepreneur, investor, and social activist, won Iceland’s presidential election. Before becoming president, she held key positions at various financial organizations and was an advocate for gender equality, sustainable development, and ethical business practices. Tomasdottir is Iceland's second female president, following in the footsteps of Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who led the country for 16 years from 1980 to 1996.
Malta
In April 2024, Myriam Spiteri Debono made history as Malta's 11th president, becoming the first woman from the island of Gozo to hold the position. Before that, Spiteri Debono served as speaker of the House of Representatives and was a prominent advocate for women's rights and social policy improvements. She is the third woman to hold the office, continuing the legacy of Agatha Barbara and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.
Moldova
Maia Sandu became Moldova’s president in December 2020, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Before assuming the presidency, Sandu played an active role in politics, serving as prime minister. She started her political career in the Ministry of Economy and Trade, where she championed reforms aimed at improving the country's economic health. Sandu also gained international experience as an advisor to the World Bank's executive director in Washington.
India
Droupadi Murmu became India’s 15th president in July 2022, making history as the first indigenous woman to ever hold the office. Before her presidency, Murmu was deeply involved in public service, serving as the governor of Jharkhand and as a legislator representing Odisha. She is the second woman to become president of India, following Pratibha Patil, who headed the country from 2007 to 2012.
Denmark
Mette Frederiksen became Denmark's prime minister in June 2019, making her the youngest woman ever to lead the country. Before becoming prime minister, Frederiksen was an active member of Denmark’s Social Democratic Party, serving as a member of parliament, Minister for Employment, and Minister for Justice. Frederiksen continued the legacy of Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who served as Denmark's prime minister from 2011 to 2015.
Thailand
Paetongtarn Shinawatra became Thailand’s prime minister in August 2023, marking the continuation of the Shinawatra dynasty’s long-standing influence on the country’s politics. Before her appointment, she held key positions at family-run businesses and was a member of the Pheu Thai Party. Shinawatra is the second woman to lead Thailand’s government, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who served as prime minister from 2011 to 2014.
Georgia
Salome Zourabichvili became Georgia’s president in December 2018, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Before her presidency, Zourabichvili served as France’s ambassador to Georgia. In 2004, she became Georgia’s foreign minister, playing a key role in strengthening ties with the European Union and NATO. However, she stepped down from her ministerial post in 2005 to join the opposition due to internal political challenges.
Ethiopia
Sahle-Work Zewde became Ethiopia’s president in October 2018, making her the first woman to hold the office in the country's history. Before becoming president, Zewde served as Ethiopia’s ambassador to France, Djibouti, and Senegal, and held prominent positions at the United Nations, including Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UN office in Nairobi.
The year 2026 became an official point of no return. Robots ceased to be clumsy tin cans and stepped out of laboratory tests into autonomous operation. They began to surpass human records not only in chess but also on the running track. If a year ago, most robots at the Beijing half‑marathon were remotely controled, this year, 40% moved autonomously.
Japan is the world leader in the number of business elders. In a previous article, we examined the phenomenon of Kongo Gumi (578) and the hotel Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan (705), which proved that survival matters more than aggressive growth. But the shinise strategy of long‑established companies, with its long‑term will and systemic thinking, is not an exclusive Eastern privilege. In Europe and other regions, there are also firms whose foundations were laid before modern states existed. These brands teach the art of adaptability: they changed methods but never abandoned their principles.
For decades, Hollywood was the sole exporter of the "American dream," telling the world what to watch and how to feel. Between 2024 and 2026, the pendulum swung. We discovered that a single artist can influence the GDP of an entire country more than a whole film studio and that artificial intelligence can replace thousands of hands, turning creativity into an accessible construction kit. Before our eyes, a new reality is forming, where the concepts of "star" and "production" take on entirely new meanings.
