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
Africa Zimbabwe Crops have failed and water supplies are limited in the drought that shows no sign of abating; the United Nations and UNICEF have launched an appeal for $500 million in aid
Asia Taiwan Investments in the countries included in the government's 'New Southbound Policy' increased by over 90% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, with Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand the recipients of the most investments among the 18 countries
Europe Austria According to experts, Austria could be largely ice-free within 45 years due to the rapid retreat of the country's glaciers, which accelerated last year
Africa Gabon The transitional government of Libreville has purchased two AW139 multi-purpose aircraft, which will be used to control the rainforest
Europe Switzerland The Swiss people will vote today on four issues at a federal level: two initiatives on health insurance premiums, compulsory vaccinations and the referendum against the comprehensive Energy Law
Asia Bahrain The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Bahrainisation called for the establishment of a body responsible for public and private sector jobs to increase it to no less than 90% in government institutions and companies
Africa Central African Republic Some ten boxes, hidden in the rooms of the Barthélémy Boganda museum, with a thousand precious objects tracing the history of the Central African Republic were shown to the public after work by UNESCO and the Ministry of Arts and Culture
Asia Israel The UN has placed Israel on the 'blacklist' of the report, submitted by the secretary-general's office, which lists countries and armed groups that it considers to have committed grave violations against children during armed conflicts
America Nicaragua Nicaragua is currently aiming to become a partner country of BRICS and has begun negotiating with member countries
Asia Bangladesh Bangladesh was elected as a member of the Economic and Social Council, one of the main organs of the United Nations, for the 2025-2027 term by the Asia-Pacific region, obtaining 181 votes out of 189
Africa eSwatini The Eswatini Cricket Association welcomed 400 pupils who participated in the inter-class mini-cricket competition organised by the ECA in two schools
Europe Belarus The Belarusian President's Foundation for the Support of Culture and Art will allocate €340.000 for the implementation of a number of projects of cultural significance
Oceania New Zealand Supplies of oestradiol patches for the treatment of menopausal symptoms are 'very limited' in Aotearoa and Pharmac predicts that some 'will not be able' to obtain them, as some pharmacies report not having any in stock