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
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 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 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
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
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
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 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
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
Africa Cameroon A new tax compliance certificate, which can be downloaded online via the Harmony platform, has been established to obtain an exit visa in order to boost the fight against tax evasion by forcing those who have to travel to comply with their payments
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
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 Switzerland Around one million counterfeit Swiss watches were confiscated worldwide in 2023, says the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry despite a constant monitoring for fake "Swiss Made" on websites or socials and training for customs officers in many countries
Asia Malaysia Gerbang Alaf Restaurants, licensee of McDonald's in Malaysia, has sued the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Malaysia movement alleging that it published a series of social media posts linking the fast-food franchise to Israel's military offensive in Gaza