Asia Israel The Knesset has passed a media overhaul law giving government greater regulatory control; PM Netanyahu attended the debate, skipping the vote; the news has been released by a number of online media in the late hours of 16 July
Africa Sao Tome and Principe A canteen in the kindergarten of Fernão Dias, in the district of Lobata, was inaugurated in the presence of the First Lady and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, who offered baskets and socialised with the more than 200 children present
Asia Vietnam The population approaching 100 million brings both opportunities and challenges, as, along with the abundance of labour, it is an attraction for foreign investors, but poses problems of food and energy security
America Honduras The Parliament has extended amnesty for irregular migrants until next year, exempting migrants from penalties to enable them to transit irregularly without financial consequences
America Colombia Colombia will rejoin the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); the country had formerly withdrawn from the organisation almost five years ago due to dissatisfaction with Caracas
Asia Pakistan The 'Single Use Plastics Ban Regulation 2023' has been approved by the Federal Cabinet to kick-start Pakistan's 'journey towards reducing plastic waste', Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced
Asia Qatar The cupping service has been introduced at the Umm Slal Health Centre as a pilot phase of the Primary Health Care Corporation; its goals: to improve patient health, speed up the recovery process and ensure patient safety
Oceania Palau Hundreds of pensioners who receive their Social Security benefits directly into their bank accounts have not received their monthly payments; Social Security Administration Facebook post says some banks are having problems due to Typhoon Mawar in Guam
Asia Philippines Philippine Consul General in Dubai and Northern Emirates has praised community initiatives in support of Filipino expatriates for the establishment of an office for migrant workers, part of Philippine Consulate General
America Brazil After being banned by former President Jair Bolsonaro, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has visited Brazil, received by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to discuss bilateral relations and share views on US sanctions
Africa Zambia Transparency International Zambia has issued a statement expressing its support for environmentalists, civil societies and host communities of concerned citizens backing the suspension of mining operations in the Lower Zambezi National Park
America Chile The country’s unemployment rate has dropped to 8,7%, 1% lower than the same period last year
America Antigua and Barbuda Joanne C Hillhouse, a creative writer, journalist, producer and educator from Antigua and Barbuda, wins the Caribbean Excellence Arts & Letters Laureate Award
Asia Turkmenistan Transactions amounted to over USD 131 million 657 thousand at the SCRMET - State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, where 52 operations were recorded last week