A recap of international news stories seen by Newsendip: Relations between Ukraine and Romania, noise during protests in South Korea, the end of Bolivia’s gas reserves, and more.
- Roumania, Ukraine, and a “Moldovan language”
- Ethiopia and the access to the Red Sea
- Bolivia gas reserves end prematurely
- A call in Slovenia to expand its human trafficking definition
- Anonymity for a sex offender in New Zealand?
- South Korea and the noise during protests
Between Romania and Ukraine, relations go beyond defense or grain export discussions
At the request of Romania, the “Moldovan language,” a legacy of the Soviet era, is no longer recognized in Ukraine. But the matter was not as pressing for Ukraine, which did it to strengthen the relations between the two countries. His president recalled not to let Russia a chance to seize language matters to divide.
Ethiopia’s difficult quest to regain access to the sea
Since Erithrea’s independence in 1993, Ethiopia is a landlocked country and has no direct access to the sea. Ethiopia relies on the port of Djibouti but doesn’t want to pay the fee of 2 billion dollars per year anymore. Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia refused Ethiopia’s requests, asserting the safeguarding of their territorial sovereignty. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed mentioned future conflicts could arise.
Bolivia gas reserves ending prematurely, Argentina doubles down on shale gas production
Bolivia’s yearly gas exports to Argentina are expected to end two years before the initial estimate. As Bolivia’s gas reserves deplete across the board, Argentina wants to exploit its fracking gas source in “La Vaca Muerta,” which requires reversing pipelines.
A call in Slovenia to expand its human trafficking definition
Slovenia, as a transit country for many migrants and workers, has concerns over increasing exploitation and trafficking of labor. The Ministry of Interior calls for expanding its definition of human trafficking to improve workers’ rights and supervision of victims as they often do not recognize themselves as victims.
New Zealand Supreme Court to decide on name suppression appeal from convicted sex offender
In New Zealand, three victims of a sex offender decided to speak out and have their names public. They want the name of the offender, who was proven guilty, disclosed so that he is “publicly accountable”. But the perpetrator and another undisclosed party ask for anonymity. The case is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
South Korea restricts demonstration laws, including a reduction of noise level
The Korean government has further limited public assembly by reducing their duration and noise level, and allowing protests to be prohibited near the new President’s Office. During protests, noise should not exceed 95 decibels and stay below 65 decibels near residential areas, libraries, schools and general hospitals. Only one noise violation will be allowed per hour in these areas by the police, and this standard will be applicable to noise lasting at least 5 minutes per hour instead of 10 minutes before. The decision has received backlash for its unconstitutional impacts.
