America Canada Canada Strong Fund, the first ever national sovereign wealth fund will be launched with an initial endowment of $25-billion (€15,5 billion); PM says the investment will ensure all Canadians reap the rewards of government support for major new projects
America Chile A national registry of victims forcibly disappeared during Pinochet’s dictatorship will be created, recognizing over 1.000 still-missing people and committing state efforts to uncover their fate and honor their memory
Asia Laos Female civil servants are now eligible for maternity leave ranging from 4 up to 6,5 months for mothers expecting twins; miscarriages earn one month of leave, with medical extensions as needed
Europe Iceland The possibility of oil extraction in the Dreki area would bring significant benefits for Iceland whether oil is extracted or not, says Iceland Chamber of Commerce, encouraging treasury to tender concessions to explore
Asia Oman Muscat Alzheimer's Forum recommended drafting a national Alzheimer's guide, devising science-based diagnostic protocols and establishing a specialised national centre for the treatment of Alzheimer's patients
Asia Malaysia Halal exports reached US$7 billion in the first half of 2025, making up 16,1% of Malaysia’s total exports; Main products include food and beverages, halal ingredients, and palm oil derivatives, with key markets in China, the US, and Indonesia
Asia Cambodia Sides are trading blame over border violations under the current ceasefire; The Royal Thai Navy warned of action if Cambodia fails to remove structures along disputed areas; Cambodia counters that Thailand continues to intrude and escalate tensions
Europe Malta Valletta and Swieqi will benefit from a new tourism community support pilot project providing resources and administrative support to address locality-specific challenges linked to tourism: waste management, public order, regulation of accommodation
Asia Mongolia National Library has digitized 4.383 volumes of ancient Tibetan-language manuscripts and woodblock printed books for over 1,43m pages, 77.500 titles; in partnership with US Embassy and Asian Legacy Library, it made inaccessible works publicly available
Europe Romania In mountain towns bear encounters and attacks are increasing; officials argue on how to manage the rising bear population, and conservationists question whether easier shooting would solve the problem; around 4.000 bears are estimated to live in Romania
Europe Norway The Sami Parliament Sametinget in Northern Norway won’t go through any major leadership changes: Norske Samers Riksforbund remained its biggest party after last week’s election and leader Silje Karine Muotka will remain Sami president
Asia United Arab Emirates The UAE has joined a group of 14 smaller member of WTO in an international initiative aimed at promoting “open and free” trade as "vital to our stability and prosperity" amid growing risks of rising tariffs and economic fragmentation
America Saint Lucia The Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited has begun the final, 10-days phase of its Meter Replacement Programme; it will upgrade the metering infrastructure and ensure continued compliance with the highest industry standards for quality and safety
Asia Kuwait French retailer Carrefour said it had ceased operations and all of its stores in Kuwait, the latest Gulf market in a growing list in which the company is ceasing operations; the announced was made on 16 September on Instagram, with no further details