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 Iran Two days of national holidays have been ordered, as well as the closure of many businesses, due to the unprecedented heat wave that is hitting the country
Asia Japan High winds cut power lines in Okinawa Prefecture, leaving over 200.000 households without electricity, Naha airport closed and hundreds of thousands of people were advised to evacuate as Typhoon Khanun neared, threatening torrential rains
Asia China Duan Weihong, one of the richest women in China who apparently disappeared six years ago, reappeared in public recently; word goes it is a sign that authorities may have closed an investigation against her for links to a former Politburo member
America Trinidad and Tobago The seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August 2023 with over 1000 athletes and para-athletes aged between 14 and 18 years participating in seven sports
Europe Sweden In the wake of repeated anti-Muslim provocations in Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced plans to expand police authority at the borders, fearing an increased risk of attacks
Europe Iceland Experts are planning to recreate in 3D the Saltfiskstöflun, 'Stacked Salt Fish', by Sigurjón Ólafsson, an important figure in Icelandic art history; the original, now in poor condition, at the time of its creation was the sculptor's largest work ever
Europe Bulgaria Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets yesterday to protest against violence on women, after the last harrowing case of a teenage girl stabbed hundreds of times shocked the nation
Asia Turkey The number of accessible five-star public beaches will reach 35 throughout Turkey; the country already ranks third in the world in the number of Blue Flag beaches
Africa Zimbabwe Exports to China have reached a high of $585 million, registering an increase over the past five years
Europe Hungary Men national water polo team claimed the title of world champion after beating Greece in a final match ending with penalty shootout at the 20th World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan; Hungary's 4th title comes after 10 years
Europe Switzerland Beginning today thru 12 August 2023, 76th edition of Locarno Film Festival will be Marco Solari's last as president, with 214 films on the programme, including 110 world premieres and six international premieres
Africa Liberia About 500 rice farmers in six of Liberia's fifteen counties are expected to benefit from the Scaling Up Climate Resilient Rice Production in West Africa project that aims to increase rice production in the region
Europe Ireland Dublin City Council will no longer cut grass verges to achieve 'manicured edges' and residents' groups are asked not to submit grass cuttings for collection with the aim of encouraging biodiversity