Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
America Ecuador Plans for a national referendum to implement a stricter anti-crime legislation and tighten security measures have been announced in a bid to curb an upward trend of escalating crime rates and violence in Ecuador
Africa Libya The Iraqi Embassy in Tripoli resumes processing consular transactions for Iraqi citizens today; efforts were made to obtain the approval of the Interior and General Directorate of Passports to introduce a mobile passport issuing and renewing system
Europe Germany The country's greenhouse gas emissions have dropped to their lowest level in 70 years; the decline is largely attributable to the decrease in coal-fired power plant production and the economic recession, which has led to less demand for energy
Africa Gabon The country obtained a World Bank loan of $68,5 million to facilitate access to legal identity and digital services, with implementation of the project called 'Digital Gabon'
Africa Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, arguing that government stability is "the only key to development", stated that without political stability, all infrastructure built and under construction will only be used to take photographs
America Nicaragua Members of the US government’s global religious freedom watchdog have added their voices to a growing group of calls for the release of imprisoned Catholic leaders in Nicaragua, arguing that it’s time for legislative action against the nation
America Peru With the recent discovery of nineteen unrecorded bird species putting the country's total at 1.879 species, Peru now has the world's greatest diversity of birds, the country's authorities announced with a ceremony
Europe Luxembourg Luxembourg’s companies with global revenues of at least €750 million will pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15% with the start of 2024 as lawmakers passed the new law in parliament’s last session of 2023
Asia Brunei Several filling stations will be temporarily closed between 9am to 11am this month to check the accuracy of fuel dispensing pump’s readings as per Chapter 151 of Weights and Measures Act by the Ministry of Finance and Economy’s Weights and Measures Unit
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
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
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
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