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
Asia Afghanistan Hazara Culture Day was celebrated in Kabul; featuring women and girls it honored the rich heritage of the Hazara people, with handmade clothing and traditional Hazara foods, aiming to introduce Hazara culture to other ethnic groups in Afghanistan
Asia Laos A sustainable tourism initiative has been launched in partnership with Thailand’s Packon Company; it aims to integrate smart technologies, enhance infrastructure, and develop eco-friendly attractions like electric tour buses and riverside walking streets
Africa Chad Succès Masra, the former prime minister and leader of Chad's main opposition party, was arrested at his residence in N'Djamena, a watchdog reports, raising concerns of escalating harassment and threats against the opposition party Les Transformateurs
Africa Angola Luana Gomes became the first Angolan individual gymnast to win gold medal in all-around at the 2025 African Championships in Cairo on top of bronze in team and silver in ball, clubs and ribbon finals
Europe Serbia Award-winning visual artist, professor and digital rights defender Vladan Joler said increase in digital surveillance in Serbia is not normal, noting this led students to move back to more face-to-face communication and involvement than just 'likes'
Europe Malta 25 individuals applied for amnesty for a total of 96 dangerous animals, Animal Rights Minister said; in February, government announced that owners who kept dangerous animals illegally would receive an amnesty registering their exotic pets within 90 days
America Bahamas The Bahamas is taking part in the wider push to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, focusing on administering the HPV vaccine to boys and girls across the country, Minister of Health and Wellness said at the WHO 78th World Health Assembly
Oceania Australia 500 rescues were performed in New South Wales, with 50.000 people still isolated by the flood waters; over 120 alerts are in place for the region, including major warnings, as more rain is expected after 4 months of rain came in 48 hours
Europe Belgium A new legislation came into effect in Brussels to regulate rental property prices in a bid to preserve housing access; affecting over 30.000 homes, mostly short-term rentals, it establishes a rent exceeding 20% of the regional rates would be a violation
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina is not doing enough to support the potential of small entrepreneurs and sole proprietors, experts say; on the contrary, it still has too much bureaucracy, red tape, high taxes and limited access to financing
Africa Rwanda University of Rwanda’s School of Science and Technology will soon launching a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Science and Technology; university officials say it will support the country’s strategy to harness nuclear energy for socioeconomic transformation
Africa Burundi Burundi's media regulator has issued a directive requiring both public and private media to adhere to strict principles of fairness and balance in view of the upcoming elections; until 2 June all political actors must be given equal airtime and coverage
Asia Bahrain Water meter boxes on the ground level across Bahrain are being moved to more accessible locations, like nearby walls, to improve safety on streets and sidewalks and modernise the country’s utility infrastructure