Asia Indonesia After a 7,7 magnitude earthquake hit Flores, the scientific community said consecutive major earthquakes, (like Venezuela, Colombia) are normal: global earthquake rates remain steady, averaging about 16 major earthquakes, magnitude 7 or higher, each year
Asia Japan Famous Japanese manga and anime creator Leiji Matsumoto, whose real name was Akira Matsumoto, has died at the age of 85; Matsumoto was known for his epic science fiction sagas, including Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas and Space Battleship Yamato
Oceania Fiji Fiji Corrections Service currently has 6 ongoing projects involving civil works: Naboro Road, fencing of the Nasinu Corrections Centre farm, design of new main cell block at Suva Corrections Centre and redevelopment of Suva cemetery
Europe Latvia Following decisions made by State Medicines Agency, government owns a total of €30.000 in compensation costs for four people in connection with severe and moderate damage to health caused by adverse reactions to Covid-19 vaccine
Asia Kazakhstan The country granted citizenship to more than 22.000 people last year, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs; 17.676 applicants were kandas, a term referring to ethnic Kazakhs returning to Kazakhstan
Africa Seychelles The Chagossian community should be included in any negotiations about the future of the island, rather than just the UK and Mauritius government, said the chairperson of the Seychelles Chagossian Committee
Asia Maldives The new academic year 2023-2024 will start on 6 August, according to the calendar published by the Ministry of Education; the second school term will begin on 7 January and end on 13 June 2024
Africa Tanzania Zanzibar has banned exports of all food products as an immediate measure to curb shortages and rising prices, instructing traders to release food products they have stored in warehouses promising a decrease in prices
Africa Tunisia The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Irishwoman Esther Lynch, was declared persona non grata in Tunisia by President Kais Saied, who on Saturday gave her 24 hours to leave the country
America Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad High Court blocked the deportation of five Cameroonians seeking asylum -they would fear to be killed by military forces in their homeland- pending the result of their lawsuit against the Chief Immigration Officer and the Attorney General's Office
Africa Zambia Zambia is currently the only country in Africa where women can take two days of menstrual leave
Africa Ivory Coast The Ivorian government spokesman announced the construction of a biomass thermal power plant in Ayébo with an installed capacity of 2×23 Megawatts
America Bahamas The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority URCA will undertake a review of its Consumer Protection Regulations this year to determine where the decade-old document is still ‘fit for purpose’
Europe Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani reassured that the country's security forces are ready to face "any threat" from Serbia and also regionally, as the nation celebrated the 15th anniversary of independence in the weekend