Africa Cameroon In an unprecedented disruption to academic calendar, the Ministry ordered the immediate rescheduling of all remaining papers for the ongoing 2026 examination session after a severe security breach compromised confidential materials across digital networks
America Antigua and Barbuda A total of 409 fire calls, out of which 376 classified as major calls, while the remaining 33 minor, were received in 2023 by the Fire Department of Antigua and Barbuda according to official report
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
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
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 North Macedonia North Macedonia weathered a series of ethnically-charged incidents in 2023, a relatively calm period despite economic hardships, and opens 2024 with the prospect of a politician from the country’s ethnic Albanian minority becoming prime minister
Europe Sweden The country recorded its lowest temperature in 25 years for the month of January: minus 43,6 degrees Celsius at the Kvikkjokk-Årrenjarka station in the far north
Africa Niger The Niger Football Federation has inaugurated the Fenifoot training academy for young people aged 12 to 15, after eight years of project gestation; it comprises 4 units: administrative, sports, pedagogical and health
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
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 Tunisia The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists called for the immediate release of journalist and radio columnist Zied El Heni, who was arrested on 28 December following comments he made on Ifm private radio in which he criticised the Minister of Trade
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
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
Africa Botswana Batswana have been urged to turn up, as voter registration for 2024 general election starts, although a number of major parties have not yet held their primary elections to select candidates