Today’s newsletter covers Rwanda’s borders, Swedish nuclear waste, Norwegian offshore wind farms, Chilean pensions, adoptions in the Netherlands, and more.
Rwanda reopens its border with Uganda
Rwanda announced on January 28 it would reopen its border with Uganda on Monday. They were shuttered for nearly three years because of tensions between the two countries. The country leaders have a long personal history.
Sweden approves the world’s first final repository for nuclear waste
On January 27, Sweden became the first country in the world to approve a definitive storage system for civil nuclear waste. It’s said to be “safe for 100,000 years” but has never been tested under real conditions.
Norway is torn between exporting offshore wind power or keeping it for the Norwegians
Norway will have opportunities to export electricity from its future offshore wind farms. But it requires investment in hybrid cables that increases the energy bill of Norwegians. Half the government wants to be able to be connected to foreign power grids while the other half argues it should first and foremost serve Norwegians.
Chile increases the pensions of 2.4 million people
Chile passed the Universal Guaranteed Pension bill that increases the pensions of 2.4 million people. Financed by a tax on real estate and luxury goods, the complimentary payment is actually not universal.
The Netherlands is not legally accountable for birth mothers who unwillingly placed their child for adoption between 1956 and 1984
Between 1956 and 1984, approximately 13,000 mothers surrendered one or more babies for adoption in the Netherlands when adoption was legal but abortion wasn’t. Unmarried mothers were stigmatized by society. A group of mothers claimed the Dutch State was liable for omitting to inform them about solutions to raise their child alone properly.
Some more news from the world
- In Canada, a “freedom convoy” of truckers drive to Parliament Hill in Ottawa to protest against a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Their supporters along the road say it goes beyond the vaccine mandate and ask for the end of COVID restrictions.
- Lebanon, Syria and Jordan signed an agreement in which Jordanian electricity would be supplied to Lebanon via Syrian territory. The United States facilitated the deal to alleviate the power partially cuts Lebanon regularly experiences. The project waits for World Bank funds to start.
- The Philippines signed a contract with India to buy an anti-ship missile system for its navy worth US$375 million. It is the first major military export for India.
- Boris Johnson was accused of prioritizing rescuing some animals and pets from Afghanistan over people. The British Premier dismissed the allegations as “complete nonsense,” but emails suggested he personally authorized rescue efforts for pets and animals.
- After riots on July 11, Cuba indicted 790 people for acts of vandalism, including 115 minor Cubans between 16 and 18 years old, the Office of the Attorney General admitted on January 24. For months, the country denied having jailed anyone.
