Ireland set to hold vote on blasphemy laws

Israel's economy has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic better than most, with a contraction in GDP of only 2.4 percent in 2020. Demand for Israeli technology exports plus its rapid vaccine rollout helped to reduce the economic impact, but there are fears that employment may take years to return to pre-pandemic levels. Also today, we look at efforts in France to push more employers to boost remote working arrangements, as lockdown is imposed in several regions of the country. Local officials are to increase inspections of businesses to ensure their compliance with government guidance.

Israelis vote in their fourth election in less than two years, with the nation deeply split on whether veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should stay in power. Netanyahu, 71, is Israel's longest-serving premier but his inability to unite a stable governing majority behind him has mired the country in political gridlock.

Around a dozen protesters gather in Yangon's Tamwe township to burn copies of the 2008 constitution. This comes a day after a group of ousted parliamentarians acting as an underground parallel administration(known as the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw), announced the abolition of the military drafted constitution.

In this edition: the bodies of two Spaniards and one Irishman killed in an ambush during an anti-poaching patrol in Burkina Faso on Monday are flown back to Spain. We hear from the Spanish defence and foreign ministers. Also, South Africa's Zulu Queen has died aged 65. Our correspondent tells us about the significance of her honorary role. And we take a look at a new TV police drama taking Central African Republic by storm. It's called "Bangui, Special Unit" and focuses on the fight against sexual violence.

Voters deciding on who will draft Chile's new constitution have widely rejected the country's ruling coalition in favor of independent and leftist candidates. A new constitution was a key demand of the 2019 protests.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday⁣

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise. The exercise, which was last conducted before the 2019 General Elections, was slated to resume in the first quarter of 2020 but was abruptly halted due to the outbreak of COVID-19. GuardianTV takes a look at the process and here are things to know.

Irish still bitter over killings during the "Troubles" have rejected an amnesty for soldiers and militants floated by Britain's minister for Northern Ireland.

Low turnout of voters marked the Local Government election in Lagos. Here are some scenes and sounds from today’s election in Lagos.⁣ ⁣

Zambia's President-Elect Hakainde Hichilema thanked outgoing President Edgar Lungu for conceding defeat after a landslide election win on Monday (August 16). With all but one constituency counted, Hichilema won 2,810,777 votes against Lungu's 1,814,201, and was declared president by the electoral commission. It marked the country's third peaceful handover of power to an opposition party. Speaking to supporters Hichilema also thanked Zambians for voting for him.

Kenya's appeals court rejects disputed bid to change the country's constitution, we discuss the security situation in the Sahel region after multiple deadly attacks in recent weeks and we meet the disabled DR Congo musicians planning a comeback and a court case.

Getting voters to take part in Germany's upcoming Bundestag election is a challenge in places like Duisburg-Hochfeld. Many residents there struggle day to day and have given up on politics.