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
Africa Somalia The country officially reopened its embassy in London after 32 years and will provide consular services to the thousands of Somali citizens
Europe Finland Last year, Russian citizens bought property in Finland at a record rate, up 64%, managing to circumvent new rules that do not allow them and other non-EU citizens to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Defence
Europe Croatia The number of migrants entering Croatia illegally has increased since the country joined the Schengen area on 1 January; out of 2.500 in January, 1.400 applied for asylum
Africa Mauritania Mauritanian activist Mohamed Ely El Her, who has been working for decades to secure land rights for former victims of slavery, is among the winners of the Global Human Rights Defender Awards, conferred by the US State Department
Asia China Wu Yibing became the first Chinese player to win ATP Tour final, rallying for a three-set victory over American Isner in the Dallas Open
Europe Serbia Indoor smoking could soon be banned in Serbia, with Ministry of Health seeking public support for law banning smoking in enclosed spaces; every year an average of 6.000 people fall ill with lung cancer and 4.600 die from it
Africa Angola 3.178 children aged six months to 10 years and pregnant women suffering from malnutrition in the Kunene province have benefited from food supplements provided by the non-governmental organisation World Vision
Europe North Macedonia Albanian’s Party's decision to join the coalition government in North Macedonia increases its thin majority in parliament and boost its chances of passing a key but hotly disputed constitutional change
Oceania Tonga The Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show will return in June-July this year, after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and the 2022 Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami
America Saint Lucia The 2022 National Population and Housing Census was a huge success in Soufriere - said Director of Statistics, Sean Mathurin, encouraging results in the eastern and southern districts of the island
America Dominican Republic The Tigres del Licey won the 2023 Caribbean Series with a 3-0 victory over host club Venezuela in Caracas; it marks the 11th time the Tigres have won the title and the 22nd championship for the Dominican Republic
America Brazil Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest declined by a staggering 61% during the first month of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's term in office, who vowed to revitalize environmental conservation efforts
America Chile The country’s most southern region has declared its worst drought in 50 years, with it being so dry that grass isn’t even growing, thus raising great concerns among local farmers