Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
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
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 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 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
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
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 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 United Kingdom Junior doctors demanding better working conditions have begun an unprecedented six-days strike expected to bring massive disruption of non urgent care and tens of thousands services cancelled, amid flu peaks and a surge in the need of hospital care
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
Europe Moldova Moldova is officially a member of the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, an initiative of coordination in crisis situations and natural dangers, since the beginning of this year
America Chile A streamlined process to enhance tourism between Argentina and Chile has been introduced by Customs Authority that only requires bureaucratic procedures for private vehicles with trailers; this initiative marks a shift towards more ‘paperless’ tourism