Asia Georgia The EU annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World noted “severely curtailed” human rights in Georgia, reduced bilateral political contacts and dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi amid “significant democratic backsliding”
Europe Iceland Several interconnected caves dating back to the 9th century Viking Age have been discovered by scientists near the village of Oddi in the south-west; the caves are probably part of a much larger system
Europe Vatican City For the tenth consecutive year, the Institute for Works of Religion has published its Annual Report containing the 2021 balance sheet, closed with a 18,1 million net profit
Oceania Samoa A pioneering survey - the Pacific Attitudes Survey Samoa - was released on 9 June in Apia; it measures the views of Samoan citizens on a series of questions relating to democracy, the economy, tradition, trust in institutions, climate change, social media
Africa Morocco The all-male troupe 'Kabareh Cheikhats', comprising singers, actors, dancers, is defying gender norms to resurrect the musical art of Aita, giving a new twist to old traditions
Asia India After over eight years of deadlock in negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement, India is set to formally restart talks with the EU these days, with the aim of reaching an agreement before both go to the polls in 2024
America Saint Lucia The Saint Lucia Labour Party has thanked the Government for fulfilling its promise to reinstate the One Laptop Per Child programme after it distributed over 3800 laptops to Form 1 and 2 students enrolled in 22 secondary schools
Europe Estonia An auction to issue frequency licences in the second 5G frequency band is about to begin with invitations to participate sent to three communications companies
Asia Taiwan Minister of Labour seemed hesitant about a minimum wage increase next year, after President Tsai Ing-wen called for it; traditionally, a committee is convened to decide on the wage rate in the third quarter with government officials and business leaders
Europe Slovakia Slovak scientists are playing a key role in an international project for a new European solar telescope to unlock the Sun's secrets using what has been described as the "most powerful instrument ever conceived to observe it"
Asia Turkey Media and Law Studies Association stated that Internet censorship and surveillance are set to increase further; the annual Free Web Turkey 2021 report, funded by the Netherlands, shows that at least 11.050 URLs were blocked in Turkey in 2021
Africa Eritrea In a new report, the Special Rapporteur describes the human rights situation in the country, particularly with regard to indefinite national/military service, access to justice and the rule of law, civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms
Asia Singapore The country faces a dengue 'emergency', an epidemic of this seasonal disease that arrived unusually early this year, having exceeded 11.000 cases, well above the 5.258 recorded in 2021, before 1 June, when the peak of dengue season traditionally begins
Africa South Sudan NileBoda Inc, a South Sudanese motorbike taxi company that bases its services on an App, won first place over a thousand competitors in the competition 2022 Digital Innovation for Business Resilience in East Africa