Oceania Australia New law to ban social media for children under 16 passed after days of heated debate; Australia set a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech
Europe Serbia The country received an investment-grade credit rating for the first time; 'S&P Global Ratings' raised the country's rating to 'BBB-' with a stable outlook, the Ministry of Finance announced
Oceania Marshall Islands Ten of the island's best bands and dancers performed during the Luttok Kobban Alele week celebrations and competed in the three-day Battle of the Bands; Kitwon Jota from Majuro took first place
Africa Burundi Torrential rains have destroyed or damaged homes and hectares of cultivated fields with banana, cassava, bean, coffee and fruit trees; victims are calling for emergency aid
Asia Kuwait 322 centenarians, 240 women and 82 men, live in the country, according to recent data from the country's Public Information Authority
Asia Malaysia The country is set to assume the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2025, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive and sustainable regional economy
Africa Benin The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women will examine Benin during this current session from 7 to 25 October
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Despite the challenges faced following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, the International Monetary Fund forecasts positive economic growth for both territories in the current fiscal year
Asia India Criminalising marital rape would be 'excessively harsh', the government has told the Supreme Court, thus opposing petitions to the court of India to change a British colonial-era law
Africa Eswatini Eswatini Golf Union president Mandla Dlamini, in response to the death of veteran golfer Evart Madlopha, former principal secretary of the Ministry of Civil Service, called him "one of the best amateur golfers in the country"
Africa Botswana The University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Botswana and a Chinese farm will start commercial trials of water-saving and drought-tolerant rice during the 2024/2025 summer season in Botswana
Oceania Palau A new law was enacted to improve support and services for persons with disabilities in Palau, establishing an Office for Persons with Disabilities and requiring the development of a comprehensive national policy
Oceania Tonga A new government centre is being built, at a cost of about $1,7 million pa'anga (U$ 726.000), in 'Ohonua, 'Eua, as part of the government's plans to recover from tsunami damage during the Hunga-Tonga Hunga'apai eruption of January 2022
Asia Myanmar Dr Zaw Myint Maung, leader of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and close ally of imprisoned leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, died of leukaemia; he was in the junta's custody