World news letter – January 20, 2024

2 mins read
January 20, 2024

A focused recap of international news stories by Newsendip: drug cartels managing internet services in Mexico, coffee costs cut from job pays in Sweden, a trend of fewer visa restrictions between African countries, and more.

  1. Narco antennas in Mexico
  2. Coffee breaks deducted from pay in Sweden
  3. Visa requirements between African countries removed
  4. Portuguese youth abroad
  5. An EU agreement “too pro-LGBT” for some
  6. Term “disabled” replaced in Spanish constitution
  7. A far-reaching proposal against Singapore’s sexual convicts

When drug cartels in Mexico act as telecom operators

In the Mexican State of Michoacán, internet towers have spread out randomly around various municipalities. Local drug cartels have planted those “narco antennas” not to communicate amongst themselves and evade authorities, but to act as telecommunications operators for the population. They charge residents between 400 and 500 pesos (23 to 29 dollars) a month for their use and threaten them with the worst if they don’t. A lucrative extortion business that is said to bring about 150,000 dollars a month to a drug cartel.


Salary cut to drink coffee at work in Sweden

‘Fika’ is a coffee-related tradition in Sweden, the third world’s largest coffee consumer per capita, in which people take a break to have a coffee and socialize, normally accompanied by a baked treat. But in the smaller municipalities, coffee is no longer complementary, and workers can get deducted a few dozen kroner (a dozen dollars) per month directly from their pay if their job contract says they drink coffee. A symbol of the financial struggles of local public offices in light of the rising costs while they are to face budget costs that would affect schools.


African countries reducing visa requirements for tourism

In 2023, several African countries have removed or substantially relaxed visa restrictions between themselves. Gambia, Benin, Rwanda, Kenya have all completely abolished visa requirements for all African travelers. A series of moves aimed at boosting regional tourism when nearly half of Kenya’s foreign tourists come from other parts of Africa nowadays. But intra-African flights cost 45% more than flights worldwide. And what country leaders see as a business opportunity also relies on sometimes volatile diplomatic relations.


A third of young Portuguese live abroad

About a third of Portuguese between 15 and 39 years old live permanently abroad. While the number of Portuguese people leaving the country has gradually decreased over the past decade, it has seen a rebound since 2022. Low incomes and the ever-increasing real estate prices in the country are key factors for emigration. Yet, Portugal experiences a migration surplus, with more people coming into the country than leaving. Nevertheless, with the arrival of digital nomads and, more importantly, retirees, which boost real estate prices, Portugal’s migration flow contributes to an aging population.


The Samoa agreement with the EU not well accepted in Ethiopia

The Samoa Agreement, a new legal framework for the European Union’s relations with the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States signed in November replaced the 23-year-old Cotonou Agreement in which a country like Tanzania received over 2.3 billion euros (2.5 billion dollars) in aid. However, 30 countries have refused to sign the new agreement. They fear it would be pro-LBGT because an article requires that signatories commit to “the promotion of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without discrimination.” In Nigeria and in Ethiopia, two countries criminalizing homosexuality, the controversy is raging against the Samoa agreement.


“People with disability” in the Spanish constitution

On Thursday, the Spanish Congress voted almost unanimously on changing the term “disminuido” in the constitution referring to disabled people, which is considered hurtful by advocacy groups. Literally meaning “diminished” — but written “handicapped” in the constitution’s official English translation — the text will refer to “personas con discapacidad,” or “person with a disability,” placing a reference to the person before the disability as recommended by the United Nations and the European Union. The president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, admitted the change “arrived late” in a country where it was legal to forcibly sterilize disabled people until 2020. The Senate will need to vote on the modification before the constitution can be officially modified.


Singapore detaining sexual convicts indefinitely?

Singapore’s government proposed a new bill before Parliament, which would give even further leeway regarding serious crimes. It could allow authorities to detain sexual offenders indefinitely, even beyond their prison terms, if they’re deemed a public threat. People accused of sexual assault could take part in mandatory forensic medical exams or go to prison if they refuse.

Clément Vérité

Clément is the executive editor and founder of Newsendip. He started in the media industry as a freelance reporter at 16 for a local French newspaper after school and has never left it. He later worked for seven years at The New York Times, notably as a data analyst. He holds a Master of Management in France and a Master of Arts in the United Kingdom in International Marketing & Communications Strategy. He has lived in France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Samoa Agreement
Previous Story

EU agreement causes controversy in Ethiopia as deemed “too pro-LGBT”

President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, in Congress
Next Story

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