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Society
Portuguese more at risk of poverty in 2021, first setback since 2014
People in Portugal were more at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2021. The first setback for this indicator of increased income inequalities in the country since 2014.
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Politics
Investigations open for the use of spyware Pegasus by Mexico, but not on the current government despite recent accusations
Mexico was a big client of the spyware Pegasus and two investigations are open for its use in the previous government. But there is no investigation against the current administration despite recent reports Pegasus is still being used.
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Politics
The ‘ambitious’ plan of the Netherlands to reduce nitrogen emissions with the buy-out of hundreds of farms
The Netherlands is trying to reduce its nitrogen emissions between unsuccessful measures and distrust among farmers. The latest plan is to buy out the largest nitrogen emitters, mostly hundreds of farms.
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Business
Egypt government wants to temporarily lift tax on imports of some cars
The government of Egypt agreed on a bill that would allow oversea Egyptians tp import cars without tax in the territory. In return, the country will collect some foreign reserves for five years.
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Business
Struggling with power supply, South Africa needs to organize recurrent power outages affecting the lives of many
Eskom, South Africa's national power utility, organizes recurrent power outages as it is struggling with meeting national demand, affecting the country's economy and daily lives of many.
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Health & Science
In a rare diamond from Botswana, scientists found the existence of water deep inside Earth
A team of scientists analyzed a diamond from Botswana revealing that considerable amounts of water are stored deep inside Earth.
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Politics
Australia plans to repatriate women and children from Syria
The government of Australia plans to repatriate at least 20 women and 40 children from camps in Syria according to media reports. The previous government was wary of doing so arguing threats to security.
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Business
Canada reviews its Cannabis Act, 4 years after it legalized marijuana
Canada will assess the impact of its legalization of cannabis for recreational use while business industry players see growth already slowing down four years after it was enforced.
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Politics
Norway wants to raise tax on renewable energy and salmon, profits from natural resources
The coalition government of Norway proposes to raise taxes on its aquaculture and renewable energy industries which make profits from natural resources, Norway's "common property". Unusually, Norway has a deficit in the next year's budget.
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Society
Supreme Court of India rules unmarried women also have the right to abortion
The Supreme Court of India ruled that unmarried women have also the right to conduct an abortion. The judgment is considered a landmark decision as it paves the way for further court decisions adapted to "changing social mores".
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Politics
Romania is considering Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, potentially the first European client. Like in 2018?
Defense Minister of Romania has confirmed his country is considering acquiring the Iron Dome technology, Israel's cutting-edge air defense system. It would be a first in Europe, but their interest in the Iron Dome isn't that new.
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Politics
Border reopening between Colombia and Venezuela, a new step in relations between neighbors
Colombia and Venezuela reopened their border closed for seven years mostly because of political differences. The election of left-wing Gustavo Petro at Colombia's presidency started a change in diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
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Society
More Catholics in Northern Ireland than any religions combined for the first time in 160 years, Census says
There are more Catholics than for any other religion combined in Northern Ireland for the first time in 160 years, the latest population census shows. Almost one in five don't have a religion.
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Business
A German environmental association calls for pausing Christmas ‘lighting orgies’ to save energy
Christmas lights will most likely see restrictions in several part of Europe because of the energy crisis. The managing director of a German environmental association calls for a pause of these "lighting orgies."
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Business
With online scams on the rise, banks in Malaysia need to move away from SMS authentication
Cases of online scams are increasing in Malaysia, and authorities try to strop the trend as online banking is expected to grow substantially over the next years.
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Politics
No refrigerators in office, work from home, closing school premises. Slovakia considers potential energy savings during winter
As winter is coming and energy prices are soaring, Slovakia's administration has been considering various ways to save energy in public buildings.
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Business
Argentina removes aid for electricity and gas bills for 10% of households
Argentina announced measures to tackle energy price increases. The 10% of households considered to have enough purchasing power will not receive protection from market fluctuations, but savings on public spending will remain small.
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Business
Ryanair furious against a tax in Hungary. The CEO calls the minister of economy an “idiot”
Hungary will apply an 'excess profit' tax on airline companies while Ryanair and others are losing money.
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Politics
Norway MPs had a remuneration freeze in 2021. This year’s increase will most likely offset it
Members of Parliament of Norway were supposed to freeze their remuneration. But they will eventually have a raise, not only for 2022 but for 2021 also.
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Society
Online insults in Japan can lead to one year in prison
Japan passed a bill that makes online insults punishable to jail. The law will be revised in three years if it turns out to restrict freedom of speech.
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Politics
A Russian politician submitted a bill to revoke the recognition of Lithuania’s independence
A Russian politician proposed a draft bill to repeal Russia's recognition of the independence of Lithuania.
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Society
More than 15% of people suffer from hunger in Brazil in 2022
More than 33 million people in Brazil suffer from hunger in 2022, a figure that almost doubled in two years.
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Society
Hong Kong launches a “counter-terrorism hotline”
Hong Kong authorities launch a counter-terrorism hotline and consider offering financial rewards to citizens who provide useful information to the police.
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Society
Hungary condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for its treatment of an Iraqi asylum seeker attached to a leash
Hungary has been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights because the use of handcuffs and leash to an asylum seeker "amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment".
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Health & Science
Authorities of Malaysia say there is no overall shortage of medicines as some doctors worry and ask people not to panic buy
The minister of Health of Malaysia gathered pharmaceutical industry players to evaluate the reports of a shortage of common medicines as some doctors are worried and asked people not to panic buy or hoard medication.
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Health & Science
In Canada, British Columbia will temporarily decriminalize possession of small quantities of some illicit drugs
The province of British Columbia in Canada was granted an exemption so that adults with less than 2.5 grams of heroin, cocaine, meth or MDMA are not charged and don't see their drugs seized.
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Politics
Hungary excludes cars registered abroad from state-controlled fuel prices
Hungary has decided that its state-controlled fuel prices will only be available to Hungarians. Cars registered abroad will pay the full price.
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Society
More reports against discrimination in the Netherlands for the 3rd consecutive year
The Netherlands recorded more reports of discrimination in 2021, a third consecutive year of increase, mainly due to people who felt discriminated because of health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Business
CEO of Securitas Sweden ‘deeply saddened’ by the behavior of employees going to brothels and suspected of paying bribes
A documentary reveals that some employees of Securitas Sweden regularly buy sex and are suspected of having bribed for a contract with the city of Malmö
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Society
The largest increase in minimum wage in 29 years in Chile enacted by the president
The minimum wage in Chile will have its largest increase in 29 years. The law also includes subsidies for small companies and allowances to the most vulnerable households
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Politics
British ambassador summoned by Indonesia because of an LGBT+ flag
Indonesia expressed its disappointment to the U.K. ambassador in Jakarta after the embassy raised the rainbow flag to support LGBT+ rights.
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Society
More than 100 million people displaced in the world, the highest ever recorded by UNHCR
More than 100 million people in the world are forcibly displaced, the highest record the United Nations Refugee Agency ever recorded.
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Society
An attractive destination before the pandemic, young adults now leave New Zealand
A significant number of young New Zealanders is leaving the country as borders reopen raising questions whether it's temporary or New Zealand is still attractive.
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Health & Science
Greenpeace Italy denounces the ‘scam of compostable plastics’
Greenpeace Italy says compostable bioplastics actually end up in inadequate waste recycling plants, incinerators or landfills
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Society
Mexico Supreme Court considers random immigration controls unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of Mexico ruled that random immigration controls carried out in the territory were discriminatory and against the right to free movement.
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Business
Potential gains and losses of remote working in Ireland evaluated by the government
Remote working in Ireland after the pandemic may save an equivalent of 1,400 euros and almost 4 days of commute each year
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Society
Romania Education Minister wants to ban teachers from tutoring pupils they have in class
Teachers in Romania shouldn't get paid to be tutors to the pupils they have in class but the rule is not respected.
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Business
Record-high labor shortage in the Netherlands: more vacancies than people looking for a job
With a 3.5% unemployment rate, the Netherlands experience a record-high labor shortage with more open positions than people without a job.
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Business
Tomatoes, onions, lettuce…to support its farmers, Botswana plans to keep banning imports of vegetables
Botswana implemented a long-term ban on import of 16 vegetable commodities and doesn't plan to stop it.
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Society
Data explained: E.U. economy greenhouse gas emissions for 2021 are below pre-pandemic levels, but not Q4
Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union for 2021 are below pre-pandemic levels but the last quarter actually saw an increase in emissions to 2019.
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