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
Asia Yemen "Our military operations will not stop," declared the Houthis of Yemen, saying they will not cease attacks on ships in the Red Sea, despite the US announcing a new maritime protection force to counter them
Oceania Solomon Islands The global scabies programme of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute completed the first round of mass distribution of an anti-parasitic drug in the Solomon Islands and Fiji, helping to protect millions of people from the disease
America Venezuela Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has appealed her disqualification from running in the 2024 presidential elections; challenging the decision, Machado asserted her legitimacy based on a strong victory in the opposition primaries
America Antigua and Barbuda A series of heavier taxes next year will hit consumers; drinkers and smokers will be hit by a 10% excise tax on alcohol and tobacco, and the tax will also include cannabis products
Europe Belarus The output of import-substituting goods in 2023 is expected to amount to $29 billion; two years ago it was about $26-27 billion and next year it is set to exceed $30 billion
America Bahamas The Bahamas Women's Health Initiative hosted its fifth annual Christmas lunch, feeding 40 young mothers enrolled in the Adolescent Health Clinic and PACE School
America Panama Panama initiated the "ordered closure" of Cobre-Panama, the largest Central American mine, following the Supreme Court's ruling of its activities as unconstitutional due to its environment harm, impacting the economy and leading to employee layoffs
America Nicaragua Recently crowned Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios has become a symbol of resistance, triggering the government to accuse the pageant and Palacios of an "anti-patriotic conspiracy," resulting in arrests and a crackdown on the competition
Asia China Autumn migration of birds in China has roughly ended and monitoring of wintering habitats is ongoing, according to China's National Forest and Grassland Administration; authorities have intensified monitoring of harvesting areas to avoid man-made damage
Europe Bulgaria A petition to maintain the national holiday of the Republic of Bulgaria on 3 March received over 10.000 signatures in support of holding a referendum
America Peru A redesigned S/200 banknote has been introduced, featuring local artist Tilsa Tsuchiya Castillo's image on the obverse, and highlighting regional flora and fauna on the reverse
Asia Azerbaijan 4 candidates are running in the extraordinary presidential elections to be held in Azerbaijan on February 7 after Elshad Musayev, chairman of the Great Azerbaijan Party, has presented his candidacy
Africa Botswana Botswana MPs strongly opposed the proposal to remove the passport requirement for travel between Botswana and Zimbabwe