For the 1st time, Argentina reimbursed the IMF with Chinese currency rather than dollars
For the first time, Argentina partially reimbursed its debt to the International Monetary Fund with yuans instead of U.S. dollars…
In Colombia, the launch of a pilot program to assist migration procedures to the U.S.
In Colombia, the Movilidad Segura, a U.S.-led pilot program to facilitate the visa application process for the United States, opened. But the initiative is not for the Colombians.…
Germany needs to dispose of 755 million expired face masks bought during the COVID-19 pandemic
Germany gets rid of hundreds of millions of expired surgical and FFP2 masks that cannot be used or placed on the market anymore. They will most likely be incinerated.…
Japan stops its 4‑year export restriction on South Korea
Japan decided to stop export restrictions toward South Korea, which will mark the end of a four-year trade feud between the two countries.…
Romania ends special old-age pensions for Parliament members, again
Romania voted for the end of old-age pensions specific to members of Parliament, the first step to bring more reforms to the state pension system.…
The Netherlands and the ban on real estate investment: Homeownership more accessible but not cheaper
The Netherlands' largest cities have introduced restrictions on investors from renting real estate they buy. The share of owner-occupiers grows and the neighborhood population changes. But rents have increased while house prices didn't go down.…
In Belgium, Lidl will soon stop offering free charging for electric vehicles
In Belgium, several large retailers offer free charging for their customers' electric vehicles. But Lidl, a pioneer in this incentive, will soon ask drivers to pay for the electricity.…
Laptop and smartphone batteries sold in the E.U. will need to be easily removable by users
The European Parliament approved a directive in which portable batteries in appliances will be designed so that end-users can easily remove and replace them.…
In Japan, lawmakers pass a Dementia Basic Act for elderlies to live with “hope and dignity”
With an aging population, Japan seeks to improve the care of people with dementia.…
No more wheel suitcases in Dubrovnik
Tourists in Dubrovnik, Croatia, will not be able to roll their luggage on the stone-paved streets of the old city anymore.…
King of Malaysia shows concern about the debates around the use of the word ‘Allah’
The King of Malaysia has expressed concern that the current debates about the use of the word "Allah" could affect national unity if not resolved immediately.…
In India, Maharashtra State seeks to improve safety for women solo travelers
Mumbai's State of Maharashtra introduced a policy to improve women's entrepreneurship in the tourism industry and ensure safe journeys for women travelers.…
In 2023, 36% of Chileans think Pinochet was right in carrying a coup
Nearly 50 years after Augusto Pinochet seized power with armed forces and installed a military dictatorship, a third of Chileans still think he was right to do so.…
A New Zealand religious community convicted of child labor tries to keep its bank accounts open
Bank of New Zealand wants to close the accounts of Gloriavale, a Christian community convicted of child labor. But Gloriavale is fighting in Court to keep them open.…
In Israel, the government blames monopolies for the rising prices
In Israel, authorities want to crack down on companies with leading market positions, like Coca-Cola, which they blame for the rising prices in the country.…
Turkey Constitutional Court opens the door for refunding fines applied during anti-COVID-19 rules
Turkey Constitutional Court ruled that administrative fines applied to people violating measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic should be refundable. Authorities took most decisions without sufficient legal basis.…
Mexican President declared persona non grata in Peru by a Congress Commission
The Foreign Relations Commission of the Peruvian Congress declared the Mexican President persona non grata in Peru after he said Dina Boluarte was a usurper.…
Romania violates the right to respect for private and family life of same-sex couples, ECHR rules
The ECHR ruled that Romania violates the right to respect the private and family life of 21 Romanian same-sex couples because it doesn't legally recognize their unions.…
The mystery around the purchase of useless ventilators by Hungary remains
Hungary bought thousands of useless ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. But documents about a deal signed with a Malaysian company would have already been shredded by authorities.…
In Oslo, cocaine use among high school students doubled in two years
In Oslo, a survey of over 25,000 high school students shows a large majority doesn't do drugs. But cocaine use doubled in two years.…
The Czech Republic asks for rent for land Russia was using for free
The Czech Republic canceled resolutions from the Soviet Union era that allowed Russia to use Czech land for free.…
The end of cash? Swiss Federal Council wants to secure its access with the constitution
The Federal Council of Switzerland wants to secure the accessibility of cash by including it in the constitution.…
Sanctioned Russian billionaire loses appeal against squatters living in his building in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Appeal Court upheld a decision that allows squatters to reside in the building owned by Arkady Volozh, a Russian billionaire whose assets are frozen in Europe.…
Russian government requests to Google to remove content grew by 71% in 2022
The Russian government has been the most active in asking to remove content from Google for years. In 2022, the number of requests increased by 71 percent. But unlike what Google displays on its website, it mostly complied with takedown requests from Russian authorities.…
A dentist in Indonesia arrested for performing hundreds of illegal abortions
Abortion in Indonesia is authorized only in a few cases, and hundreds of thousands of women have an abortion clandestinely.…
Italian government wants to remove tax on high-powered combustion cars
The Italian government plans to remove a tax specific to cars with powerful thermal engines originally created to limit the use of polluting cars.…
In Uganda, the “embarrassing” death of a Minister of State
Uganda State Minister Charles Engola was shot dead last week by one of his guards. For President Yoweri Museveni, the event is "an embarrassment" for the army whose soldiers "turn into mercenaries" seeking to earn money with civil jobs.…
When the price of carbon affects New Zealand’s budget
Last December, New Zealand decided to lower carbon prices to reduce consumer price inflation. But added to a failed auction for selling carbon emission quotas in March, the government now lacks NZ$1.2 billion for this year's budget.…
In Chile, the Republican Party gets the lead to replace a constitution it wants to keep
With the election to choose new advisers of the Constitutional Council, Chile's right-wing parties will have broad autonomy in drafting a new constitution. But the far-right Republican Party always wanted to keep the current one.…
A French indicted for murdering his Finnish girlfriend with a laptop charger in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, a 25-year-old French man is indicted for the murder of his Finnish girlfriend. He is accused of killing her with a laptop cable last year and hiding her body in the apartment's wardrobe.…
Greenpeace ranked the European capitals by public transport affordability
Greenpeace studied 30 European countries and their capitals for the best and worst public transport ticketing systems. Dublin ranks last behind London, Amsterdam and Paris.…
Canada Indigenous public service employees to get paid leave for traditional practices
As part of agreements on working conditions between the federal government of Canada and the largest public sector union, Indigenous employees of the Treasury Board will get paid leave for traditional activities.…
In Romania, a bank fooled by hundreds of counterfeit banknotes
In Romania, a bank accepted hundreds of counterfeit banknotes. The ATM didn't detect they were fake.…
Towards the end of lotteries financing Swedish political parties?
In Sweden, the government will work on a ban on lotteries financing political parties, advancing the negative consequences of gambling. But it also aims to deprive an important source of funds from the Social Democrats, the country's largest party now in the opposition, that other parties don't have.…
Egypt resumes daylight saving time, seven years later
After seven years without applying it, Egypt announced it would resume daylight saving time this year. Officials hope to save energy, and collect foreign reserves from natural gas exports.…
South Africa backpedals after controversial comments about withdrawal from the International Criminal Court
As the president of Russia Vladimir Putin is expected to visit South Africa during a BRICS meeting in August, the government is embarassed to have to deal with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.…
In Poland, pedestrians can also receive a fine for using their phones
Poland has been strengthening controls and penalties for drivers to improve road safety. But pedestrians are also required to pay attention when they cross roads.…
Mexico announced the presidential jet was finally sold to Tajikistan
Mexico finally sold the presidential jet after years without finding a client. The aircraft bought for 219 million dollars eleven years ago has now been sold for 92 million dollars to Tajikistan.…
Research shows nanoplastics found their way to the brains of mice
Nanoparticles of polystyrene can penetrate the neural system of mice. The size of the particles, as well as the biomolecules surrounding them, seem to have a significant influence on the uptake. More research needs to be conducted to understand the potential medical consequences on humans.…
Too many ads: The Netherlands restricts online gambling advertising
Online games of chance have been allowed in the Netherlands for less than two years, but the country bans non-targeted advertising because the number of ads for online gambling and betting has skyrocketed.…