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 Malaysia Malaysia has no plans to reintroduce a Goods and Services Tax (GST) or another large-scale consumption tax, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Asia Cambodia The 400 square kilometres of protected area of Angkor Wat are home to 120.000 people, with tourism 'responsible' for the boom; now the government has decided that 10.000 families will be evicted from the area
Africa Gabon The governments of Gabon, Jamaica and Sri Lanka have joined forces to combat harmful cosmetic practices, launching a $14 million joint project to eliminate the use of mercury in skin-lightening products
Europe Iceland Efling's negotiating committee unanimously approved three further strike actions; if these are approved by union members, another 1.700 workers will go on strike by the end of the month in the hospitality, cleaning, insurance industry
Asia Oman Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman announced the dates for the opening of registration for citizens and residents wishing to perform Hajj rites for the 1444 AH (2023) season
Oceania Tuvalu Tuvalu's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres; since 2020 Tapugao Falefou has been Secretary to the Government of Tuvalu
Africa South Africa This year, the South African radio system celebrates one hundred years since its inception, with the first transmission being aired in December 1923 from the Johannesburg railway station
Europe Kosovo Some of the crystals from the State Mineral Museum in Trepça have taken their place in the spaces of the National Museum of Kosovo, displayed in honour of the 15th anniversary of independence in the exhibition "The Inspiring Journey of the Miners"
America Jamaica The Couples San Souci Resort in Jamaica will host legendary Grammy Award winner Michael Bolton performance at the For the Children Charity Concert on 27 May
Africa Central African Republic The humanitarian crisis in the country is worsening, with NGOs calling for more funds to help people in need and the government launching a response plan; nearly four million people have been cut off from basic services
Asia Laos As chair of ASEAN in 2024, the country will also host the ASEAN Tourism Forum in January, allowing the bloc's nations to discuss travel and tourism issues
Oceania Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea's Department of Information and Communication Technology has released a first draft of the National Media Development Policy for consultation to use the media as a development tool
Africa Mozambique The cases of dead fish surfacing in Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique, since last weekend are causing concern to the authorities, who are investigating the possible causes together with academic institutions, civil society groups and fishermen