PRETORIA, 17 July 2026 – From left: Namibian Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi; Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah; South African President Cyril Ramaphosa; and South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, pictured at the 4th Session of the South Africa–Namibia Binational Commission in Pretoria on Friday, in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

PRETORIA, 17 JULY 2026 – President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah successfully co-chaired the 4th Session of the South Africa–Namibia Binational Commission (BNC), which took place today, Friday, 17 July, in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

SWAKOPMUND, 17 July 2026 - President of the Zambian Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRAC) Irene Lungu sharing a Zambian Case Study on Proffesionalising Communication-Building the Namibian Blueprint. (Photo by: MICT)

SWAKOPMUND, 17 July 2026 - Director of Corporate Engagement and Internationalisation at the Namibian University of Science and Technology Gervasius Nashilongo. (Photo: MICT)

WALVIS BAY, 16 July 2026 - Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus looks on as Namibia Ports Authority’s Executive for Commercial Services Elias Mwenyo greets Botswana Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe during his visit to the Botswana Dry port at the port of Walvis Bay. (Photo: MICT)

SWAKOPMUND, 17 July 2026 - New Era Publication Corporation Chief Executive Officer Christof Maletsky participates in a panel discussion on Service Delivery and Managing the Narrative at the Effective Communicators Conference (ECC). (Photos: MICT)

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Botswana Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus led a delegation to the Botswana Dry Port and the Walvis Bay Port. (Photo: MICT)

SWAKOPMUND, 16 July 2026 - Namibian Sun Editor in Chief and Chairperson of the Editors’ Forum Toivo Ndjebela on Thursday at the Effective Communicators Conference at Swakopmund. (Photo by: Chelva Wells) NAMPA

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Xilin poses for a photo at a Sichuan opera theater in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Xilin opens the door of a Sichuan Opera theater to prepare for welcoming guests in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Xilin records a short video introduction before the Sichuan Opera theater opens to guests in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists watch a performance at a Sichuan opera theater in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Opera performers perform face-changing on stage in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Xilin (1st R) checks tickets and guides tourists from Italy into the Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 8, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(260718) -- CHENGDU, July 18, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Xilin (L) and his colleague Xu Bin talk before the opening of a Sichuan Opera theater for guests in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 15, 2026. At 34, Yuan Xilin works as a ticket attendant at a Sichuan Opera theater in Chengdu, where he checks tickets, welcomes visitors and helps audiences find their way into the theater. As Chengdu attracts growing numbers of international visitors interested in traditional Chinese opera and Sichuan Opera, Yuan meets dozens of overseas tourists every day. Hoping to make them feel more at ease, he began learning simple greetings in different languages so he could welcome them in their native tongue. Yuan's interest in languages began in high school, when he came across a booklet introducing several foreign languages. Drawn to the rhythm of Spanish music and the sound of classical guitar, he developed a particular interest in Spanish. As China's visa-free transit and other travel facilitation policies have brought more international visitors to the country, Yuan has expanded his language skills from English and Spanish to Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and more. What once began with a simple greeting has gradually grown into brief conversations about visitors' experiences in China and introductions to Chengdu's local culture. For Yuan, language is a bridge between cultures. He believes that even a simple greeting in a visitor's native language can make them feel welcome while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and his own personal growth. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Bystanders watch as smoke rises from a fire at the Russian e-commerce firm Wildberries' logistics complexes in the town of Elektrostal outside Moscow on July 18, 2026. A Ukrainian drone attack on two logistics centres in Russia killed eight people and injured 24, officials said on July 18, 2026, when the Moscow region reported a new wave of drone strikes. Russian e-commerce firm Wildberries said its logistics complexes in Kotovsk and Elektrostal, in the Tambov and Moscow regions respectively, came under attack. One person was killed and 37 were injured at the Elektrostal warehouse, according to the region's governor, Andrei Vorobyov. (Photo by TATYANA MAKEYEVA / AFP)