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
Oceania Nauru A preliminary meeting was held to bring Nauru Airlines flight service back to Guam after more than 20 years
America Haiti A group has begun the task of bringing rugby to Haitians; in addition to regular training camps in Haiti, Rugby Ayiti also hopes to create national men's and women's teams, focusing mainly on athletes from the diaspora
America Colombia Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared July 15th a civic holiday nationwide due to the Copa America final - regardless of the outcome of Colombia in the final - aiming to promote unity amid preparations for Independence Day on July 20th
Europe Moldova 53 teachers of Romanian language and other school subjects from Gagauzia, Dubasari, Taraclia, Cahul, Balti will travel to Romania for courses in Romanian language, literature and civilisation, the presidential press service reported
Europe Monaco With retro music, pétanque and an array of classic dishes, the Apéro des Frenchy evening at the Market de la Condamine hopes to replicate the family nature of the favourite French tradition, the apéritif, in its Bastille Day celebrations
Oceania Palau Clarissa Mobel was named Palau’s 2024 Teacher of the Year; she is teaching English from fourth- through eighth-grade teacher at Aimeliik Elementary School
Asia Maldives Sports equipment was donated from Bangladesh, including 100 footballs, 100 futsal balls, 90 volleyballs and 100 bibs
Asia North Korea Pyongyang has not yet given any indication as to when it will allow Chinese tourists to return, despite previously contributing nearly $200 million in foreign currency annually
Asia Laos In response to persistent flooding in Vientiane during the rainy season, comprehensive measures are in place to mitigate the damage; flooding is due to city's rapid expansion, unregulated construction, improper land filling and changing weather patterns
Africa Mauritius 54 caregivers from residential care institutions and shelters received a vocational training programme organised in cooperation with the National Social Inclusion Foundation
Africa Madagascar The country was chosen for the launch of the UNFPA report on the state of the world population in 2024 for the Indian Ocean islands because of its progress in access to integrated sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for family planning
Europe Poland Last year, Poland's population decreased by 133.000, the largest percentage drop among all EU member states
Europe Luxembourg All employees in the Luxembourg banking sector will receive a €500 bonus starting next year, according to a new collective agreement signed by the trade unions and the country's banking association