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 Madagascar The IRMAR presidential platform won 84 seats out of the 163 up for grabs, obtaining an absolute majority in the National Assembly, proclaimed High Constitutional Court
Africa Egypt The new phase of the '100 million trees' campaign across Egypt has been launched by several ministries in response to climate challenges and population growth, as part of a national strategy to increase green space per capita
Asia Brunei The Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah is reportedly interested on Villa Certosa, in Porto Rotondo (Sardinia, Italy), Silvio Berlusconi's historic summer residence, for sale for €500 million
Europe Albania Figures released on Friday on Albania's 2023 census show that the total population has decreased by about 409.000 people, roughly 14%, since the 2011 census, when there were about 2,8 million people living in the country
Africa South Africa South African researchers have injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos as part of a research project to reduce poaching, so that radiation detectors present at national borders can detect horns and help the authorities arrest poachers
Europe Slovakia Parliament has passed the 'Assassination Attempt Lex', which introduces new grounds for banning public meetings and official state residences for the Speaker of the House and premier
Asia Maldives The system of decentralisation in the Maldives is still at an early stage, said Minister of Local Government, adding that its reform will follow proper research and feedback from the public
Europe Latvia Wheelchair users of the Latvian railway operator must now request a ride only 24 hours in advance instead of three days as before, a small improvement in the face of the difficulties still present for people with disabilities
Europe Moldova The National Bank is working with the Service for Preventing and Combating Money Laundering and other national authorities to stop illegal financial flows from Russia and the unauthorised use of Russian card payment systems in Moldova
Africa eSwatini Oil producer operations in Eswatini Oil Mills have the potential to create over 100.000 indirect jobs for farmers if Eswatini achieves self-sufficiency in soya production
Asia Israel Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian farmland near Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, reducing wheat crops and olive trees to ashes, while other settlers in the southern WB damaged Palestinian crops by grazing their sheep among the plants
America Bahamas A public-private partnership between the government and the LJM Maritime Academy will be approved in order to increase access to maritime education for young Bahamians
Asia Nepal National Paddy Rice Day, celebrated every year on the 15th of the Nepali month of Asar, was celebrated throughout the country under the slogan 'Climate-friendly agriculture, increased rice production'