Asia Thailand Rubella has been eliminated in Thailand as a public health threat, achieving the WHO criteria for interruption of endemic transmission; imported cases is now the key concern, especially for infections during pregnancy
Africa Cameroon The country now counts over 300 female diplomats according to a report on the representation of women pursuing careers in the diplomatic profession
Asia Syria The country, now in its 11th year of war, was designated earlier in June as one of the world’s 20 “Hunger Hotspots” by FAO and the WFP; now opposition-held Idlib residents fear that Russia’s veto at the UN could close their only aid border crossing
America United States The Supreme Court - not elected by the voters - delivered two highly controversial decisions in less than a week; the rulings have made the Court’s popularity sink to 20% and many have commented that they show the distance between politics and real life
America El Salvador The ‘Guarantee Programme’ grants small companies the possibility to ask for loans with low guarantees in order to boost their business; the progran has been started by the ational Commission for Micro and Small Businesses and the Development Bank
Asia East Timor IMF staff completed the 2022 Article IV mission to East Timor; based on the preliminary findings, staff will prepare a report to be submitted to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision
Asia Yemen The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg denounces the Iran-backed Houthis for rejecting proposals to end the siege of Taiz and threatening to undermine the UN-brokered truce
Europe Bulgaria Bulgarians are shortening their holidays at the seaside because of the increased cost of fuel
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Taiwan is expected to donate US$52,000 to the country to purchase new monitoring equipment for La Soufriere volcano
America Suriname The country has partnered with the Netherlands on drug control: the newly drafted protocol sets aside new funding for authorities to battle drug smuggling
Oceania Palau Palau is now the smallest country in the world by population to have established an EMT; the local emergency medical team has completed training and is prepared to cope with disasters, disease outbreaks and other crises
Africa Seychelles Study on a new cryptic species of the sucker-tailed gecko, endemic to the country and discovered on Felicite Island, is contributing to the basic understanding of Seychelles' biodiversity
America Jamaica Latest study estimates expense on security by private businesses between US$88 and US$142 million, over 1% of the country’s total output in goods and services, while 18% have reported 4% loss in sales annually due to crime
Africa Burundi Burundian drummers keep the atmosphere of yesteryear alive, preserving, with pirouettes and dances, a centuries-old ritual, locally known as the "ignoma" recognised by UNESCO and jealously guarded by the Burundian state