Africa Uganda Uber has ended its operations in Uganda after having been a commodity in the local urban transport for over a decade; the exit takes immediate effect and follows extensive review of Uber's business priorities across Africa
America United States New Jersey recorded the lowest number of shootings in 2023 since record keeping began in 2009, while as of October 2023 California had the most mass shootings in the United States, with 26 total shootings since 1982
Europe Denmark Danish Queen Margrethe II took her last trip as sovereign in the golden carriage before officially renouncing the throne on 14 January, abdicating in favour of her son, as announced as a surprise on New Year's Eve
Europe Belarus A new law granting himself permanent immunity from criminal prosecution has been signed by President Lukashenko; it also prevents opposition leaders living in exile from running in future presidential elections
Africa Mauritius The first centenarian of the year 2024, Mrs Rookmeen Jugurnauth, celebrated her 100th birthday at Domaine Seetloo, in Solferino, Vacoas, with family and friends
Africa Burundi Homosexual marriage is an 'abominable practice', and gay couples to be 'stoned to death' because they have 'chosen the devil' and attract the divine 'curse', said Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye
Asia Pakistan The Senate drew the ire of the major political parties after passing a resolution calling for the postponement of the general elections scheduled for 8 February 2024, in a resolution introduced by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawal Khan
Asia North Korea The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is his 'most likely successor', according to the man listed as the next head of Seoul's spy agency
Europe Austria Ahead of federal elections later this year in which the far-right is expected to do well, President Alexander Van der Bellen in his New Year's message encouraged people to engage more with those who have different viewpoints
Asia South Korea Around 100.000 people gathered at various locations across Busan to see the first sunrise of the year, though it was delayed by 20 minutes due to heavy clouds; Haeundae and Gwangan Beach areas drew around 65.000 individuals, while 20.000 visited temples
Africa Uganda A well-known Lgbtq rights activist in Uganda, Steven Kabuye, who works with the Coloured Voices Media Foundation, was stabbed, sustaining serious injuries
America Costa Rica As of January 1, 2024, Costa Rica has revised minimum wages, witnessing nearly a 2% increase for the private sector
Africa Malawi Temwa Chawinga has been named the best female goalscorer of 2023 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics: she is the first non-European to achieve this goal and the third winner of the award since it was established for women
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina In a series of indictments announced over the New Year period, 15 suspects were charged with various wartime crimes including attacks on villages that left dozens of Bosniaks and Croats dead and executing hundreds of men from Srebrenica