Asia Laos About $12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies have been collected under new law: foreign providers of online services must register with Lao tax authorities regardless of whether they have a physical presence in the country
Oceania Papua New Guinea Drugs, firearms and ammunition seized last year and long due for destruction were safely disposed of in a bonfire (drugs) and at sea (arms and ammunition); the action was taken now to underline the commitment to curb criminal activities
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prolonged dryness in St. Vincent, and surrounding region is impacting the cost of agricultural production and the export price of produce
America Dominican Republic A new suite hotel has been inaugurated in Casa de Campo with the presence of President Luis Abinader; the $90 million investment is expected to generate numerous direct jobs in the province and the eastern part of the country
Europe Czech Republic Prague City Hall has commissioned a new copy of the calendar of the Old Town Square astronomical clock to replace 2018 version, which came under heavy criticism because the artist modified some elements of Mánes 1866 original to give it a more modern look
Africa Ivory Coast Associations “Des Livres Pour Tous" and "Making Waves" have awarded the winners of the inter-school contest ”le Projet l’Afrique en conte" - “Telling Africa” in a ceremony held in Treichville, in the frame of the Abidjan International Book Fair
Africa Equatorial Guinea The official unveiling of the mascot and logo of the First National Games, called For a Lasting Peace, took place on the Paseo Marítimo de Bata
Europe Sweden Over 35.000 summer job positions, also open to international applicants, are still to be filled according to the Public Employment Service
Asia Taiwan The legislature passed amendments to the Criminal Code increasing the penalties for crimes associated with organized fraud and human trafficking, with special focus on crime groups luring people abroad, holding them captive and forcing into illegal work
Europe Estonia While Estonian banks increased interest rates on term deposit accounts almost monthly this year, the interest rate on ordinary current accounts remained firmly fixed at 0,01% in all major institutions
Oceania Palau The Ngerderar Watershed Conservation Area in Aimeliik State has officially opened its One-Stop-Shop, that also serves as a car park for buses and vehicles that bring visitors to the conservation area
America Costa Rica The Tourism Institute and the Red Cross have signed an agreement to enhance beach safety that allocates 1,2 billion colones (€2 million) to increase the number of lifeguards on the most popular beaches
Oceania Nauru The Nauru women's national rugby team has been selected for the Oceania Rugby 7s tournament and the 2023 Pacific Games
America Colombia To foster educational exchanges and promote academic mobility and language teaching, the Minister of Higher Education has signed an agreement with her counterpart from South Africa to create a network of Colombian-African universities