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
Europe Belarus According to experts, human errors were made in the triple election held on 9 June, which allowed 16-17 year olds, who could only vote in the European elections, to also vote in the federal and regional elections
Africa Malawi Malawi and Germany signed a financial agreement for an additional €19 million to support the programme, which will significantly strengthen efforts to provide essential aid to the country's most vulnerable families
Europe Malta Plastic bags have replaced the pipes in a new drip irrigation system in the municipality of Zebbug; each PVC bag contains over 70 litres of water that drips slowly into the ground over 8-10 hours
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
America Peru The creation of the Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve has been approved, a milestone after 10 years of negotiations, aimed at protecting the biodiversity-rich area off the Piura and Tumbes coasts
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
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 Oman As of today, the use of plastic bags will be banned in health care facilities, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics
America Uruguay Uruguay has introduced a visa-free policy for 157 countries, including the UK, Brazil, and Malaysia, to boost tourism and economic growth; citizens from 85 more nations, including the US, Schengen countries and Chile can now enter without a visa
Asia Iran A runoff will be held between former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (who got 9,4 million votes) and heart surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian (10,4 million) after no one got more than 50% of the vote in the presidential election; turnout was 39,9%
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
Africa Tanzania Thanks to 'Mountain Lioness' scholarship training programme, women now make up 18% of Kilimanjaro's official guides
Asia Iraq Five bombs were discovered in a wall of Mosul's iconic Al-Nuri mosque, a UN agency said, planted years ago by Islamic State jihadists during renovation work in the northern Iraqi city