Romania wants to reactivate Black Sea offshore gas projects
The coalition government of Romania agreed on amendments to reactivate Black Sea offshore gas projects to reduce its dependency on Russian gas…
Jair Bolsonaro and the pay raises of civil servants
A few months before the next presidential elections in which he would seek a second term, the president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro is trying to find a way out of a tricky position regarding civil servant salaries.…
Oreo, Dr Pepper, Doritos: Mexico seizes thousands of products with misleading labels
Mexican authorities confiscated thousands of food items because they mislead consumers about their nutritional values…
The U.S. crackdown on the largest Irish drug trafficking organization
The United States joins efforts with Ireland in taking down the most important drug trafficking organization in the country managed by the Kinahans.…
Gifts sent by China to Israel for Passover not bugged after all
The Chinese embassy in Israel sent gifts to officials for Passover. They were suspected to hide a listening device for a moment.…
New Zealand Climate change Minister: “A pandemic is not the way”
Data from New Zealand showed that the slower activity during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decline of greenhouse gas emissions but that becoming carbon neutral is still a long way to go.…
Peru migration office apologizes for glitch in issuing passports
Dozens of Peruvians have been unable to travel because they didn't receive their passport on time due to a technical issue from the migration office.…
Constitutional Court of Slovenia repeals the law increasing doctors’ salary cap
In order to fight COVID-19, the government of Slovenia passed a law that increased the maximum pay of doctors and dentists working in the public sector. But the Constitutional Court decided to annul it considering it was not a necessary measure to reduce the consequences of the COVID-19 infection outbreaks.…
Bill banning party switching in Malaysia postponed again
Malaysia is seeking to ban politicians from switching parties, hoping to reduce political instability. But Parliament debates on the legislation have been once again postponed to a later date.…
Pupils in South Africa were hospitalized after eating space cakes sold by a classmate
At least nine pupils have been hospitalized in South Africa after they ate space cakes sold by another student.…
Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen return to Lebanon
After months of tensions with Gulf states, Lebanon welcomes the return of ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen.…
Why Spain backing Morocco’s plan in Western Sahara is important
The decision of Spain to support Morocco's plan for the autonomy of Western Sahara under its sovereignty really shows international relations have intertwined links.…
Bogotá mayor bans male passengers on motorcycles to fight crime
After several days of protests, bikers came to an agreement with the mayor of Bogotá which will prohibit drivers from having a male passengers during weekend nights in an effort to combat crime.…
Police violence in the Netherlands increased 26% in 2021 vs. 2019
Dutch Police used more violence in 2021 compared to 2020 and 2019, which authorities explain by increased discontent from society and people questioning authority.…
A French jackpot lottery winner created a fund to protect the environment
A French lottery winner has decided to invest most of his fortune to finance projects that would limit deforestation, revive biodiversity or support caregivers.…
Scottish conservatives want the conversion therapy ban to be inclusive of trans people
The UK conservative government plans to exclude trans people from a bill that would ban conversion therapies but the Scottish Conservative party disagrees, a month ahead of local elections.…
A driver set himself of fire at the gates of the Russian embassy in Romania. Investigations still ongoing
A car crashed to the gatea of the Russian embassy of Romania. The driver set himself of fire according to the prosecutor. Romanian authorities urge not to draw premature political conclusions.…
Mexico Supreme Court finds revolving door’s 10-year ban for former presidents excessive
The Supreme Court of Mexico found that the law barring senior public officials from working for the private sector for 10 years is "disproportionate". AMLO considers the decision an "aberration".…
Nigeria suspends dozens of millions of phone numbers
The government of Nigeria ordered the suspension of millions of phone numbers. Nigerians are barred from calling with those numbers until they verify the SIMs with their identity.…
Ghana’s ambition to attract 1 million tourists from Europe in 2024
Ghana will invest $40 million to attract 1 million tourists annually from Europe by 2024. It plans to benefit from growing need for nature-based tourism.…
Brussels airports fined by data protection authority for their body temperature checks
Belgium's data protection authority fined two airports for having checked body temperatures, sensitive personal health data, with thermal cameras during the COVID-19 pandemic with "no legal basis".…
Qatar drops the criminal prosecution against a Mexican woman who wasn’t married
A Mexican woman who worked for the FIFA World Cup organization committee faced a 7-year prison sentence and 100 lashes despite having been assaulted. Mexico advised her to marry the aggressor to avoid the sentence for extramarital affair.…
Latvia bans the pro-Russian invasion ‘Z’ from public events
Latvia bans public display of symbols celebrating the Russian invasion of Ukraine like the Z. It also prohibits events close to Soviet monuments.…
Why the security deal the Solomon Islands want to sign with China worries the neighbors
The Solomon Islands is about to sign a security agreement with China. For neighbors like Australia, the security deal is seen as a threat to see China setting up a military presence in the Pacific as Beijing increases its influence in the region.…
Russia reportedly confiscated watches of Swiss watch maker Audemars Piguet
Russia seized luxury watches from Audemars Piguet which is perceived by Swiss authorities as retaliation for economic sanctions.…
Ireland expels Russian diplomats suspected of espionage in a coordinated decision with other EU members
In a coordinated move with other European Union members, Ireland decided to expel Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.…
Germany activates the first level of a gas emergency plan ‘as a precaution’. What it means
Germany has activated the early warning level of a gas emergency plan in case Russia decides to interrupt its supply of gas. Authorities assure there is no shortage of gas supply.…
Fearing criminal use, the Netherlands suspends a communication service dedicated to inmates
The Netherlands has suspended a digital messaging service that enabled inmates to stay in touch with the outside world more easily. Authorities are concerned criminal activities can be carried out via the system.…
An Italian porn actress found dead and cut into pieces
An unknown woman was found cut into pieces in northern Italy. She has now been identified as a 26-year-old Italian mother and porn actress. The alleged murderer confessed his crime, kept her in her freezer before dumping her in nature and even used her own phone and car.…
Hundreds of Niger nationals repatriated from begging in the streets of Senegal
Niger has repatriated several hundred Niger nationals who lived in precarious conditions in Senegal.…
Short victory for the President of Uruguay after referendum
With a short majority, Uruguay decided to keep 135 disputed laws enacted under Luis Lacalle Pou's administration in a referendum that ended up being an approval test for the government.…
The Philippines restarts full-scale military exercise with the U.S.
The Philippines and the U.S. resumed their large-scale Balikatan military exercise after two years disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty about the continuity of joint military drills between the two allies.…
Germany announces a significant pension raise for 2022
German pensioners will experience a significant raise in 2022. Such an increase was not seen in almost 40 years in western Germany.…
Lithuania forecasts its economy for 2022 and Ukraine war impact
The Bank of Lithuania forecasts its economy could grow by 2.7% but also decline by 1.2% in 2022. Inflation rate would be above 10%, twice December's forecast.…
Cooking oil in Indonesia: swings between shortage, price hike and an alleged mafia
Indonesia has been trying to regulate its domestic market of cooking oil, leading to shifts between shortage and price hikes. Trade Minister alleged a "cooking oil mafia" was responsible for speculation.…
A Polish deserter declared dead by Belarus
Authorities of Belarus declared a Polish soldier who deserted last December was found dead in Minsk. Authorities don't exclude a criminal act.…
Shortage of sugar on Russian store shelves
Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russians have been experiencing shortage of some goods, and especially sugar. As the ruble value falls, some organizations prefer indexing their price on the dollar.…
French Interior Minister open to autonomy of Corsica
French Interior Minister said he is open to the autonomy to Corsica as the assault of a nationalist convict spurred violent protests. For the first time French officials may consider the autonomy of Corsica, only few weeks before the next presidential elections.…
Malaysia allows further pension fund withdrawals to cover pressing needs
Malaysians struggling to make ends meet will be allowed to withdraw money from their pension fund, at the expense of their future retirement plans.…
Egypt will control the price of unsubsidized bread for 3 months
In the context of food price increases, Egypt will control the price of bread to limit inflation on a particularly essential food commodity for Egyptians.…