Asia Japan Proof of proficiency in Japanese will be required to apply for a working visa for engineering, humanities or international services; policy will be revised tightening screening after workers entered Japan under a specialized job visa but do unskilled jobs
America Argentina 33 deaths in hospitals due to contaminated fentanyl, which has been traced to bacterial infections from batches supplied by local labs now under judicial investigation and market withdrawal orders
Asia East Timor Timor-Leste will achieve full membership among the ASEAN countries organization at the 46th ASEAN summit in October
America Jamaica 60 educators from all grades of school will benefit from workshop 'Education Transformation: Elevating Mathematics Teaching and Learning’ on May 27-29 at The Mico University College, that will offer transformative, innovative, evidence-based strategies
Africa Liberia To enhance fisheries governance, Liberia joined the Fisheries Transparency Initiative, demonstrating the country’s political will to improve transparency and participation for a more sustainable management of its marine resources
America Dominican Republic A minimum wage increase for workers in the hotel, bar, and restaurant sectors has been approved by the National Wage Committee and will be implemented in two phases from 1 June; government officials, business leaders and unions reached historic consensus
Africa Benin Pendjari National Park, a main biodiversity conservation area in west Africa and a World Heritage Site has seen an escalating presence of non-state armed groups: its geography facilitates movements, hiding, stock up on resources, gold and poached wildlife
Europe Belarus Production of wood pellets from wood waste is viewed as a very promising source of income for the country, said President Lukashenko, eyeing a sharper focus on the introduction of pellet heaters as a mean to recycle and respond to energy needs
America Dominica Ferdison Valmond, a prominent Indigenous environmental advocate from the Kalinago Territory, has been designated a Youth Ambassador for the 2nd Annual Hamburg Sustainability Summit, representing Indigenous and Caribbean youth perspectives
Europe Ireland Dublin Airport had its busiest day ever in its 85-year history Sunday with 127.000 passengers, one flight taking off or landing every minute; between 130.000 and 140.000 passengers are expected in some days this summer
Asia Azerbaijan A two-day international conference titled "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas" is taking place in Baku, organized by Azerbaijan and supranational organizations, honoring 3rd anniversary of International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Oceania Fiji With only 19 ambulances operational nationwide, 10 out of service and undergoing repairs, major hospitals with 3 working vehicles, 2 out of service, Fiji is facing an ambulance crisis; PM said the Government is actively responding
Europe Iceland Favorable spring weather has led to potato gardens being plowed up to three weeks earlier than usual in parts of North Iceland. In areas like Skagafjörður and Húsavík, planting has already begun, marking a shift from the typical agricultural calendar
Europe Albania Parliamentary elections held on 11 May 2025 resulted in a 4th consecutive victory for the ruling Socialist Party led by PM Edi Rama, securing more mandates than in any previous election with a promise of attaining EU membership for Albania by 2030