America Grenada Toll-free 988 Suicide Hotline for Crisis Response has been launched to guarantee immediate support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress and other mental health crises; an awareness campaign will start soon
Africa Gabon The governments of Gabon, Jamaica and Sri Lanka have joined forces to combat harmful cosmetic practices, launching a $14 million joint project to eliminate the use of mercury in skin-lightening products
Asia Oman Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman announced the dates for the opening of registration for citizens and residents wishing to perform Hajj rites for the 1444 AH (2023) season
America Jamaica The Couples San Souci Resort in Jamaica will host legendary Grammy Award winner Michael Bolton performance at the For the Children Charity Concert on 27 May
Oceania Tuvalu Tuvalu's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres; since 2020 Tapugao Falefou has been Secretary to the Government of Tuvalu
Asia Malaysia Malaysia has no plans to reintroduce a Goods and Services Tax (GST) or another large-scale consumption tax, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Asia Cambodia The 400 square kilometres of protected area of Angkor Wat are home to 120.000 people, with tourism 'responsible' for the boom; now the government has decided that 10.000 families will be evicted from the area
Europe Iceland Efling's negotiating committee unanimously approved three further strike actions; if these are approved by union members, another 1.700 workers will go on strike by the end of the month in the hospitality, cleaning, insurance industry
Europe Kosovo Some of the crystals from the State Mineral Museum in Trepça have taken their place in the spaces of the National Museum of Kosovo, displayed in honour of the 15th anniversary of independence in the exhibition "The Inspiring Journey of the Miners"
Africa South Africa This year, the South African radio system celebrates one hundred years since its inception, with the first transmission being aired in December 1923 from the Johannesburg railway station
Africa Central African Republic The humanitarian crisis in the country is worsening, with NGOs calling for more funds to help people in need and the government launching a response plan; nearly four million people have been cut off from basic services
Oceania Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea's Department of Information and Communication Technology has released a first draft of the National Media Development Policy for consultation to use the media as a development tool
Oceania Kiribati The economy continued to expand after the removal of all COVID-19 restrictions in the second half of 2022, reads the concluding statement of the 2023 Article IV Mission published on the IMF website
Asia Lebanon UNICEF has warned of an educational disaster in Lebanon, urging the immediate reopening of public schools to end the disruption to education