Asia Laos New rules for intellectual property protection wereintroduced, allowing businesses to protect industrial designs internationally through a single application under the Hague System; It simplifies registration and administrative procedures, reducing costs
Africa Guinea Exports of raw gold have been banned to boost local refining, as a new plant is being completed near the capital; Guinea is Africa's sixth largest gold producer according to the World Gold Council
Asia Qatar Special team from Ministry of Environment, in a field visit to the whale shark aggregation site in Qatar’s waters, reviewed monitoring activities, site condition and habitats to ensure protection of one of the region’s main seasonal wildlife phenomena
Europe Poland A bronze sword dating back to the European Bronze Age, around 900-700 BCE, or at least 2.700 years, has been found in a forest near Gdańsk; The weapon, well preserved beneath a green patina, was discovered by a local amateur detectorist
Oceania Solomon Islands The much anticipated upgrade and refurbishment for Taro hospital in Choiseul has begun and will improve healthcare services across the province; it is part of efforts to strengthen health infrastructure and service in rural communities
Asia India Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations at Kolkata’s Red Road on Sunday morning, taking part in a mega event as thousands joined open-air yoga sessions across the state for the first time
Europe Slovakia Notwithstanding the high occupancy rate, experts note that Bratislava is one of the cities in Eastern Europe with the lowest revenues from short-term rentals, despite attracting both leisure and business travellers, according to Trend magazine
Africa Mozambique A US$500.000 program will strengthen social cohesion and prevent conflicts in mining areas in Nampula province; the agreement of mining company Kenmare Resources and Civil Society Support Mechanism will be implemented by local stakeholders in 2026-28
Oceania Nauru State-owned telecommunications provider Cenpac Corporation released its first dividend payment since its establishment for $1,75 million; the sum will be destined to the government for the current financial year
Africa Morocco New semester report from FAO presented mixed results in the assessment of Morocco’s place in global food trade; cereals, sugar, fisheries and maritime freight have been considered, finding that agricultural recovery coexists with import dependence
Asia Maldives Sheikh Ismail Mohamed, the first Maldivian student to graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah and one of the most influential religious scholars in the Maldives, has passed away at the age of 85
Asia Myanmar Government has regained full control of the strategic Mandalay–Myitkyina highway, a key route linking central Myanmar with Kachin State; The road is vital for military logistics, trade and access to northern border areas
Asia Taiwan Cybersecurity experts warned of possible early-stage influence operations ahead of Taiwan’s local elections later this year, identifying coordinated Facebook page activity and a large-scale wave of nearly identical posts spreading suspiciously
Africa Mauritius In the proposed guidelines for the 2026-2027 budget, members of Parliament will now be equated to civil servants, contribute individually to the National Pensions, have pension payment age at 65, the statutory retirement age, and no longer after two terms