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
Europe Slovakia The Council of the Education Trade Union considers a possible increase in tariff salaries for all education employees as an acceptable compromise, but has criticised the proposal for non-tariff salaries
Europe Norway Labour Party, deeply troubled lately, now has the highest support of all 10 parties in Parliament; Labour’s leader Støre has a chance to return as PM in the September election after the most stunning turn of events in Norwegian political history
Oceania Vanuatu Nutrient levels in Port Vila harbour are too high, leading to a phase change in coral death; the Environmental Science Society of Vanuatu is asking the government to re-evaluate waste management in the city
Africa Rwanda The Tour du Rwanda ends today; the 2025 edition serves as a precursor to the Uci Road Cycling World Championships, which will be also held in Rwanda from 21 to 28 September
Asia Philippines The Philippines and China are open to joint oil&gas exploration despite territorial tensions; talks focus on energy cooperation while ensuring Philippine sovereignty in a bid to overcome past failures over legal issue and seek a mutually beneficial deal
Asia Laos 5.168 people have been arrested, including 199 foreigners, in the 2024 drug crackdown; authorities seized large amounts of narcotics, destroyed opium fields, sent 5.132 addicts to rehab centers while stricter laws rules and global cooperation are planned
Africa Togo A new rule for importers of fish, poultry meat and related products, into force from 20 February, requires importers to purchase at least 10% of the required quantity from local suppliers before being allowed to import, a move to boost local production
Asia Yemen The 4th vascular surgery conference and 2nd cardiac surgery conference, organised by the Yemen Association of Vascular Surgery, kicked off in Sana'a
Europe Sweden Swegreen has launched its largest vertical cultivation plant inside the Maxi ICA Stormarknad Ängelholm shop, offering a new approach to fresh food production, making it possible to harvest more than 160.000 plants per year with a minimum use of resources
Oceania Samoa A power outage in Upolu exposed the vulnerabilities of Moto'otua National Hospital's emergency power supply, as the backup generator failed to kick in, leaving the facility without electricity for an hour earlier this week
Africa Burkina Faso The country is aiming for the Étalon d'or de Yennenga, the highest award of Pan-African Film and Television Festival in Ouagadougou, where it is competing in the fiction feature film category with two Burkinabe directors, Dani Kouyaté and Chloé Aïcha Boro
Africa Sudan In the face of the cholera epidemic, with over 2.700 cases reported, UNICEF is stepping up its response to prevent the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable children
Asia Azerbaijan Bloomberg’s correspondent accreditation in Azerbaijan has been revoked, Report news agency states, citing sources