Asia Laos About $12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies have been collected under new law: foreign providers of online services must register with Lao tax authorities regardless of whether they have a physical presence in the country
Asia Philippines The ancient 'Stairway to Heaven', 2.000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage terraces that rise to a height of 1.500 metres, channelling water from the forests at the top of the mountains to the rice terraces below, is threatened by unpredictable climate
Europe Finland The Helsinki Region Transport Board has proposed to its member municipalities to increase public transport fares by an average of 8% at the beginning of 2025
Africa Niger The highest court lifted the immunity of the country's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, almost a year after he was overthrown by mutinous soldiers, opening the door for the army junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason
Europe United Kingdom All major water companies in England reported data suggesting that they discharged raw sewage when the weather was dry in 2022, even during the record heat wave - a potentially illegal practice, a BBC News investigation revealed
Asia Tajikistan Tajikistan sixth-grade student Shokhrukh Firaidonov won the International Neo Science Olympiad Grand Final in the 'coding' category in New York
Asia United Arab Emirates Dubai Municipality has asked residents not to litter public places or barbecue in green areas, allocating 3.150 supervisors to ensure sustainable waste management and public cleanliness during the Eid Al Adha festivities
Africa Zambia The plan to create a mining investment trading unit was approved, with the government wanting to move from a dividend payment model to a production-based sharing mechanism
Europe Vatican City The Institute for Works of Religion publishes its Annual Report for 2023, revealing a profit of €30,6 million
America Argentina The Senate approved a reform package promoted by President Javier Milei that declares a one-year public emergency in administrative, economic, financial, and energy sectors and includes 30-year incentives for large investments
Asia Yemen The Yemen Human Rights Centre condemned the US-British aggression against civilian and government sites that hit the government complex in Raimah governorate and Radio Raimah
Asia Uzbekistan The Uzbekistan Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation team achieved the world record for towing a Silk Avia ATR 72-600 airliner, weighing 13,5 tonnes, over a distance of 100 m in 46,7 seconds
Oceania Vanuatu The liquidator of Air Vanuatu Limited,Ernst & Young Australia, confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post that all the company's pilots are still employed
Europe Sweden The US State Department has designated the Nordic Resistance Movement, Sweden's largest neo-Nazi group, and three of its leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists