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
Asia Vietnam Since the beginning of 2024, more than 42.400 pigs have been killed to prevent the spread of African swine fever, five times more than in the same period last year
America Belize Belize City launched its first two electric buses after six years of planning, aiming for a healthier, safer, and more efficient transport system
America Suriname Paper-based death certificate system will be replaced with a digital application next month, modernizing its healthcare administration and enhancing service provision by generating data accessible to the Public Health Bureau
America Saint Lucia The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force seized 12,319 rounds of ammunition and twenty-one illegal firearms between April and June 2024; the RSLPF's official Facebook page described the seizures as 'impressive'
Asia Philippines The only country in the world, along with the Vatican, where divorce is still banned, the Philippines is preparing to change this after Congress recently passed a pro-divorce bill
Europe Sweden Jessika Roswall has been appointed as Sweden's next European Commissioner, making her the first member of the Swedish Moderate Party, and thus the first centre-right European Commissioner, to be appointed
Europe Switzerland Zermatt rail link will ne interrupted for weeks due to severe damage caused by the flooding of the Vispa river; trains operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn will not be running to the Swiss mountain resort until at least mid-August
America Guyana Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency has formally asked further insights into the environmental impacts and mitigation measures of oil company ExxonMobil’s proposed seventh oil project in the Stabroek area before deciding on its approval
America Cuba At the end of 2023, Cuba had an effective population of 10.550.968, 10,1% lower than in 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics and Information
America Venezuela Many Venezuelans are considering emigrating if President Nicolás Maduro wins the July 28 election, adding to the nearly eight million already abroad, amid escalating economic conflicts and political repression
Asia United Arab Emirates The validity period of Emirati passports has been extended from 5 to 10 years for citizens aged 21 years and older, the UAE Passport Authority officially announced
America Trinidad and Tobago Piarco International Airport, Trinidad, and ANR Robinson International Airport, Tobago, are still operating despite the Microsoft service disruption that left several other airports stranded
Asia Uzbekistan The Tax Commission has announced the launch of the artificial intelligence-based virtual assistant DavrOn, which provides essential information and personalised advice on tax and tax issues in Uzbek language, Russian and English 24 hours a day