America Costa Rica Water access became a hot topic after Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers said tariffs haven't been updated since 2018, foreseeing an abrupt increase; meanwhile, villages close to the capital recur to buying bottles to avoid contaminated, unhealthy water
Asia Laos About 7.000 people die every year in Laos from smoking-related diseases, 19 individuals a day, including non-smokers who inhale second-hand smoke, in figures presented by the Minister of Health
Africa Comoros Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in the Comoros brought together specialists from WHO, UNICEF and FAO, as well as journalists, to take stock of the challenges and risks related to malaria, still a very dangerous disease in the country
Africa Libya The first skatepark in Tripoli was inaugurated; funded by the US Embassy it was built by the NGO Make Life Skate Life with the help of volunteers from around the world
Europe Bulgaria The country is preparing to join the euro currency area in 2024, but there is growing discontent with the move, especially among the country's pro-Russian parties, who claim it will lead to economic instability
Africa Lesotho Soil erosion - increased by overgrazing and climate change - is the direct cause of wetland degradation in Lesotho, according to the latest results of the field survey conducted by FAO in collaboration with the government
Oceania Marshall Islands Amid rising prices of basic necessities, the country is also feeling the severe impact of the cost of building materials, virtually all of which are imported from the US, where construction costs are rising dramatically
Africa Gabon The authorities have launched an anti-poaching operation to search for weapons and game belonging to potential poachers, a response to reports of increased poaching activity in some areas
Asia Japan The Anti IUU Forum Japan - a group of NGOs promoting sustainable fishing - issued a statement to government officials suggesting measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Oceania Kiribati The country formalised 10 agreements with China 'to further elevate cooperation' between the two countries in areas such as cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, economic and infrastructure development, livelihood projects, climate change, tourism
Africa Mauritius Meningitis vaccination for pilgrims intending to perform the Hajj in Saudi Arabia will be offered today in several hospitals - the vaccination is a prerequisite for pilgrims
America Canada Government introduced legislation to cap the number of circulating handguns; the regulations make it illegal to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada would be enacted this fall, while a mandatory buyback program should start soon later
Oceania Vanuatu The country will open borders to fully vaccinated international travellers from 1 July 2022, with no quarantine or limits on arrival - the announcement comes from the Vanuatu Tourism Office
Africa Ivory Coast The fight against illegal gold mining continues, with more than 800 illegal gold mining sites cleared in operations conducted between 14 July 2021 and 27 May 2022 by the Special Group to Combat Illegal Gold Mining