Azerbaijan is set to ban the import, export, production, storage, wholesale and retail sale, as well as the use of electronic cigarettes and their components.

Australia has become the first country to ban social media use for children under 16. Starting Wednesday, ten major platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, must block underage accounts or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million).

Tanzania imposed strict security measures and banned planned protests over its disputed October election, with authorities warning that any demonstrations would be treated as a coup attempt. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa urged non-essential workers to stay home on Independence Day, while public transport was halted and major cities saw heavy police and military patrols.

Afghan universities have been ordered to remove books authored by women from their curriculum, in the latest move by the Taliban to tighten control over education. The ban also prohibits the teaching of subjects related to human rights, sexual harassment, and women's studies.

Finland has officially banned citizens of Russia and Belarus from purchasing real estate within its territory, citing escalating security threats from its eastern neighbor. The law, which took effect on July 15, marks a significant tightening of Finland’s national defense policies in response to regional tensions.

The U.S. Embassy in India has warned that overstaying a visa can result in deportation and a lifetime entry ban. Travelers are advised to comply with visa regulations and contact USCIS for legal stay extensions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei urged Europe not to follow the United States in imposing illegal sanctions against the Iranian people.

As the new academic year starts across Europe, several governments are moving to ban smartphones in schools, while others allow individual schools to set their own policies, News.Az reports citing foreign media.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has expanded the decree on measures to ensure the information security of the Russian Federation by banning government agencies, strategic and systemically important organizations from using information security services from unfriendly states from January 1, 2025.