Alexander Saraff Marcos

Russian authorities drafted a law to access the geolocation data of Internet users in Russia

Telecommunications operators in Russia may start turning over location data of all of their network users to the Russian authorities starting in September. The government wants to create a database with the location of Russian Internet users across the country.…

January 30, 2024

A Korean airline will weigh its passengers to obtain better estimates… and improve their safety

Asiana Airlines has announced they will be weighing passengers, to obtain data and to comply with Korean safety standards. Studies have shown passenger weight has been changing over time and that incorrect information poses safety risks.…

January 24, 2024

President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, in Congress

Disabled to be redefined in Spanish Constitution for “diversity, inclusion and visibility”

Only the third reform ever to change the Spanish Constitution passed nearly unanimously in Congress. Spanish social groups have advocated for the use of different terms to refer to handicapped people than the wording in the constitution.…

January 21, 2024

The youth “exodus” occurring in Portugal: Its causes and consequences

A comprehensive study on Portuguese emigration indicated that 70% of emigrants from Portugal are young: between the ages of 15 and 39. The study went further and estimated that almost one third (30%) of young Portuguese people live abroad on a permanent basis. …

January 18, 2024

Salary cut to drink coffee, a symbol of financial struggle in Swedish municipalities

Some Swedish municipality employees have to take a pay cut to have access to coffee at work, a survey shows. Municipalities in Sweden have been struggling to survive amidst rising costs, and cutbacks are predicted at Swedish schools.…

January 16, 2024

Ecuador’s escalation against organized crime reaches nationwide conflict

It is unclear what kinds of allowances will be given to armed officers in the state of exception. The National Assembly also said that they will “not obstruct any public authority” during the state of exception. Over the last few years, Ecuador and the National Assembly have moved towards facing organized crime through military force, as public safety has declined.…

January 12, 2024

Image of McBride Park in Vancouver, British Columbia

Supreme Court in British Columbia, Canada allows drug carriers to remain near playgrounds

The Supreme Court of British Columbia found that blocking drug users from public spaces was associated with more overdoses, which could cause "irreparable harm." Drug carriers with 2.5 grams or less of substances can legally approach playgrounds, pools and skate parks until the end of March at least.…

January 8, 2024

Stack of phones, built using electronic components

Korea’s sudden trade deficit with China due to shift in electronics market

While Korea has consistently been at a significant trade surplus with China for 31 years, this year will put a stop to that trend. The Chinese technological industry has gained standing in the world market, leading to a rare trade deficit for Korea.…

December 22, 2023

Australia raises standards for cosmetic surgery: psychological assessment required

People looking to receive any cosmetic surgery procedure will need to have a mental health assessment prior to it. Such was one of the new rules limiting the cosmetic surgery industry in Australia, motivated by research linking mental health issues with desire for cosmetic surgery.…

December 18, 2023

US and Chinese flags with US dollars in between. Several companies in China are now US-sanctioned.

US sanctions over 150 foreign suppliers of the Russian military

Two of the sanctioned companies by the United States are based in Switzerland and South Korea, which have their own Russian sanctions. The companies sanctioned for supplying the Russian military are mainly based in China, the UAE and Turkey.…

December 15, 2023

A foamy shoreline seen from above on the beach.

“Forever chemicals” have made their way to the Netherlands seawater

The seawater on the Netherlands coast is being studied for the presence of a type of chemical, PFAS, which is common in everyday products in Europe and abroad. The chemicals are very difficult to remove from the environment and are connected to a number of health issues.…

December 14, 2023

Two Lithuanian passports; it is not possible to have dual citizenship as a Lithuanian

A referendum on dual citizenship in Lithuania: maintaining ties and gaining influence internationally

A referendum to be held next year will determine whether Lithuanians can have more than one citizenship, with the authorities aiming to maintain ties with the country among the Lithuanian diaspora, but also hoping to gain influence abroad. The population seems in favor, but the outcome of the vote is not so certain.…

December 13, 2023

Kailasa Representative speaks at UN Minority Forum

Kailasa: the territory-less Hindu country reaching diplomatic agreements with Paraguay and United States officials

The United States of Kailasa, a self-proclaimed nation and a religious movement released a statement defending their rights as a nation. The entity published a collaboration proclamation from Paraguay signed in October by two government officials, which led to the firing of Paraguay’s Minister of Agriculture.…

December 12, 2023

Vice-chancellor of Bolivia at a press conference announced the country's addition to MERCOSUR.

By joining MERCOSUR, Bolivia hopes to turn around its trade deficit

MERCOSUR has allowed adding Bolivia as a member. The government hopes this move will give leverage to negotiate with major partners, to increase its industrial exports and turn around its trade deficit.…

December 7, 2023

A map of Europe shows the intricate borders separating the countries. Now the definition of rape divides officials in the EU.

Consent-based definition of rape creates friction in the EU

Friction has sparked from within the EU, as countries are unable to agree on a definition of rape. The European Parliament (EP) decried the decision of Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and other ministers, to deny the proposal to define rape only according to consent across the EU. The issue remains contested.…

December 6, 2023

The square where Costa Ricans gathered to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the abolition of the military.

Costa Rica celebrated its 75^th year without a military

On the 1st of December, Costa Ricans gathered to commemorate the 75 years since the official abolishment of the military. The gathering took place at Abolishment Square, where the former president, José Figueres Ferrer, symbolically destroyed the wall of the former military headquarters with a mace.…

December 5, 2023

In Sweden, the case of a time when a fertility doctor used his own sperm for inseminations

A journalistic investigation revealed that a village doctor in Sweden used his own sperm to inseminate women in the 1970s and 1980s, when insemination was not yet regulated by the law. The doctor said that he was trying to help after the law allowed children to know the identity of their biological father.…

December 4, 2023

Christmas shopping bags pile up. In Poland, shopping will be prohibited on Christmas Eve.

In Poland, stores will remain closed on Christmas Eve this year

A centrist Christian political party, Poland 2050, proposed to change the existing trade ban law, which would have allowed stores to open on Christmas Eve. For the government…

November 29, 2023

Discharge documents are handed from boss to employee. Government workers are striking to prevent being fired.

State workers to strike in Argentina due to Milei’s upcoming mass layoffs

Argentina's President-elect, Javier Milei, is to discharge all the people in political roles hired in 2023. Additionally, cabinet heads from all ministries are to be discharged, as well as their services like security and chauffeurs.…

November 28, 2023

A pile of used cigarettes scattered on the floor. New Zealand had a plan to remove all smoking by 2027.

New Zealand to roll back “generational” smoking ban

New Zealand had large-scale plans to enforce a tobacco ban that would reduce smoking by 95% by 2025. The new Prime Minister of New Zealand has said he plans to cancel the ban, citing a number of possible "unintended consequences" as the reason.…

November 28, 2023

World news letter — November 24, 2023

A focused recap of international news stories by Newsendip…

November 24, 2023

Tesla’s negotiations with unions in Sweden seem at an impasse

Swedish trade unions and Tesla have been in negotiations for a collective agreement for several months. Though the unions have been on strike since October, Tesla has refused to accept their terms…

November 24, 2023

Aged man emancipates from home, which Spanish people do at later ages than most EU countries.

Over half of Spanish people safely emancipate at 38 years of age, labor union reports

A new report on employment and job security showed that young Spaniards emancipated increasingly at older ages over the last few years. The emancipation age is among the highest of all EU countries.…

November 24, 2023

University campus, as the study was published from a university hailing from Sydney, Australia.

Study gives “unprecedented visibility” to data about child sex offenders in Australia

A survey of 1,945 Australian men on sexual feelings for children and sexual offenses against them constitutes "the largest study of its kind ever undertaken globally"…

November 20, 2023

World news letter — November 17, 2023

A focused recap of international news stories by Newsendip: Intriguing iced lemon trend smashes through Hong Kong, while a pet snail from Africa smashes through social media, bringing with it health concerns. Other stories cover UK universities failing and a new sustainable farming idea.…

November 17, 2023

Child playing on the floor. A childcare organization is accused of misconduct.

Greece: A “forged” letter attempting to absolve NGO Ark of the World founder of sexual indecency with minors

Father Antonios Papanikolaou, founder of a Greek charitable nonprofit organization, was accused by two minors of sexual misconduct. A letter has surfaced, allegedly written by one of the minors, saying the claims of misconduct were fake. The mother of the 16 year-old boy has said that this letter is a forgery, as well as her own signature on it.…

November 17, 2023

Ailing UK Universities need a “brighter future” with government help or would depend on international students

UK Universities argue that "finances will be stretched" in the next few years, as most of them are currently in a deficit. Top UK Universities have requested more funding from the government and specific visas as they may have to depend on international students.…

November 15, 2023

Three hands are held out, each holding a different giant african snail with different size and colors.

Giant African snails: A pet for some, a potential carrier of dangerous infections for humans study says

A team of researchers from the University of Lausanne took on the task of examining a growing popular and exotic pet: the giant African snail. They found that this snail is a potential carrier of infections for humans, while owners can be seen sharing posts on social media touching their pets.…

November 14, 2023

World news letter — November 10, 2023

A recap of international news stories by Newsendip: Climate change looks grim in Canada but green in Kenya, a global climate summary by the UN. Other stories cover global wine production and poverty in the Netherlands hitting rock-bottom.…

November 10, 2023

Homero Figueroa, spokesperson of the Dominican Republic government

Haitian nationals clash with Dominican civilians amidst a canal and their contentious border

A tense relationship between the two neighboring countries heated up this week due to border and country disputes.…

November 9, 2023

In Italy, three-fourths of a billion euros seized from Airbnb for knowingly failing to pay taxes

The order of seizure of 779 million euros from the offices of Airbnb Italy come after years of Airbnb's attempt to avoid taxes on rentals…

November 7, 2023

Taliban drug ban of opium has far-reaching consequences

The Taliban’s ban of opium production in April 2022 is showing results now. Previously the largest exporter of opium, Afghan farmers must find substitute crops to survive, as the rest of the world may have to find substitutes for opiates.…

November 6, 2023

Pablo Escobar’s hippo population to be sterilized

The government of Colombia said they would sterilize some of the hippos originally brought by Pablo Escobar. Authorities are considering culling some after they were declared an invasive species last year.…

November 3, 2023

The first baby born in Europe after two mothers shared the pregnancy

In Spain, a baby was born after two mothers shared the same pregnancy. A first in Europe.…

November 3, 2023

Francisco Bastillo, former Chancellor of Uruguay

Uruguayan chancellor resigns after leaked phone calls persuading colleague to withhold evidence

Francisco Bastillo, the chancellor of Uruguay has turned in his official resignation, due to leaked evidence suggesting he tried to obstruct justice. Audios were leaked with Mr. Bastillo telling the vice chancellor to "lose her phone" to obfuscate evidence that implicated officials in handing an alleged drug trafficker a passport.…

November 2, 2023

In Norway, a kindergarten plan to protect minority languages but with a fence separating children

Plans for a new municipal kindergarten in Porsanger, Norway, reveal intent to use a fence to divide children by what language they speak. Initiated to protect minority languages, local politicians have spoken out against the idea.…

October 31, 2023

In Belgium, the government publishes an online “black list” of entrepreneurs

Belgium's Ministry of Justice published a database called "JustBan", with information of around 10,000 management bans from the courts. Citizens of Belgium and the European Union will be able to access this information to identify "fraudulent entrepreneurs".…

October 30, 2023

Chimpanzees to be added to the shortlist of menopausal animals

A 21-year study of chimpanzees showed that females are subject to menopause, an uncommon trait among mammals. This raises questions about the evolution of chimps and by extension, of humans.…

October 29, 2023

Mohamad Muizzu, the president of Maldives

A closer look into the regional impact of the Maldives’ presidential election

Mohamad Muizzu, the recently elected president of the Maldives, has found himself at odds with the Indian government. Though he claims he is not "pro-anybody," there are deeper signs that the Maldives will continue to fit into China's greater plans.…

October 28, 2023

Mystery still surrounds recently-damaged baltic undersea cables and gas pipeline

An undersea gas pipeline and two data cables connecting Scandinavia and Estonia were found damaged in October. Investigation into the issues has found that the damage came from the exterior and singled out an Asian vessel as the main suspect, though it is not confirmed if it was intentional.…

October 24, 2023

Alexander Saraff Marcos

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