Asia Philippines An Air Quality Index has been issued amid temporary haze from Indonesian forest fires; The Health Department advised residents to wear masks, limit outdoor activities, and remain indoor if possible
Oceania Palau The country improved its ranking in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2023, released by the US State Department
Africa Morocco Marrakech is listed among the world's great cities that offer the best experience of walking in their urban landscape by American newspaper The New York Times, reports Morocco's official agency, the Map
Asia Iraq Iraqi Airways has resumed flights between Iraq and Georgia after almost nine years of absence; flights will be weekly, with intention of increasing frequency
Europe Czech Republic The country wants to introduce a reduced 12% VAT on recycled products as part of a tax package to consolidate public finances
Europe Greece Tax evasion in Greece exceeds €60bn a year, said Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras; officially declared income in the country amounts to €80bn
Africa Ivory Coast About a hundred kilometres east of Abidjan, an ambulance ship went into operation at the beginning of June to serve more than 14 villages bordering the lagoon that already had difficult access in terms of travel
Asia Qatar The much-awaited Ayjal Film Festival is about to return for its 11th edition, scheduled from 8 to 16 November, as announced by the Doha Film Institute
Africa Senegal Japanese wrestler Shogo Uozumi, after competing nationally in Greco-Roman wrestling, left Tokyo last year to move to Thies to master a Senegalese style of wrestling known as Laamb and to share his knowledge of the sport's Olympic form with local talent
Asia Japan After April registered a record presence of tourists coming to see the famous cherry blossoms free from COVID-19 restrictions, May saw a slight drop in the number visitors but the country remains a top tourist destination for 2023
Africa Zimbabwe The country has seen record tobacco sales as it re-establishes itself as one of the world's top producers; yet small farmers who now sell their crop mainly to China are 'heavily indebted' and see 'minimal' benefits
Europe Switzerland Swiss voters took part in three referendums, expressing their support for breakthrough measures on taxation, environmental policy and COVID-19, with a turnout of 42%
Europe Poland Some 50,8% of Poles agree that Poland's participation in the relocation of asylum seekers should be subject to a national referendum, an idea put forward by the leader of the governing Law and Justice party
Europe Slovakia President Zuzanna Čaputová will not participate in the presidential campaign to be re-elected for a second term in 2024, citing personal reasons related to the burden her role has had on her and her family