Asia Tajikistan An amnesty law signed by President Rahmon to celebrate 35 years of independence will cover 18.038 convicted people, with full release for 11.305 people, reduced terms for 6.733; of 507 women, 248 will be released, of 134 minors, 99 will be freed
Africa Togo Thermal power plants ensure a stable electricity supply in Togo even though the country steps up investment in renewables; thermal generation capacity is driven by a 100-megawatt gas-fired plant and a 65-megawatt combined-cycle of natural gas and propane
Europe Czech Republic Kanye West Concert in Prague to be eventually held this summer puts attention on tensions over freedom of expression, as pro-Israel Czechia may provide US rapper and ‘reformed antisemite’ an opportunity to return to the European stage
Europe Slovenia Bullshit - the Museum of Balkan Humour, opened in in Ljubljana along the Breg embankment; jokes, one shot of rakija and no serious topics is what visitors are promised to get at what it is believed to be the first of its kind in the world
Asia Turkey Torrential rains have caused rivers in the Havza district, Samsun, Black Sea coast, to overflow, with waters rushing down streets carrying vehicles and debris, inundating buildings, with at least 12 people hospitalized
Africa Uganda Sovereign bond Sukuk, worth €405 million, is part of a plan to finance SGR, Uganda's standard gauge railway; to deepen capital market integration at regional level, the country is focusing on attracting Tanzania investors
Europe Russia Russia exchanged prisoners with Ukraine, freeing 205 each; the announcement came from the Defense Ministry who also thanked the United Arab Emirates for their mediation and the news was reported by media
Europe Spain VAT reductions on energy sources will end on 1 June: households will pay the standard 21% on electricity, gas, pellets, briquettes, firewood; tax relief had been introduced by royal decree in March fearing a surge in inflation due to conflict in Iran
America Venezuela The formal launch of a restructuring process of Venezuela’s foreign debt was announced, promising “comprehensive and orderly” proceedings to renegotiate liabilities owed by the country and state oil company to put assets at the service of the people
Asia United Arab Emirates A second oil pipeline bypassing strait of Hormuz will be completed by 2027; the State oil company has disclosed and accelerated the project, which is expected to double export capacity transporting fuel to Fujairah area bordering northern Oman
Oceania Tuvalu Due to critical fuel shortages caused by global supply chain disruptions, a state of emergency has been declared on Funafuti Island, highlighting the intense vulnerability of Pacific nations reliant on imported diesel for power
Asia Israel The ruling coalition has submitted a proposal to dissolve parliament to pave the way for early elections as PM Netanyahu came under mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties; the move was initiated by his own rightwing Likud party
Africa Malawi Social media activist Urunji Mezuwa publicly called on the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation to ban its debated radio program Nkhani Za Mu Boma, saying it spreads unverified info promoting irrational thinking and dangerous beliefs among rural listeners
Asia Japan The company making "Monster Wolf" - an animatronic scarecrow with flashing eyes that howls and growls to scare away wild animals - is submersed by orders of the ferocious-looking robot after record numbers of fatal bear attacks on humans last summer