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The State of Democracy in Different Regions around the World

According to a survey by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), only 8% of the world’s population actually lives in a full, functioning democracy.

 

Meanwhile, another 37% of population lives in some type of “flawed democracy”, while 55% of the world does not live in democracy at all, based on the EIU’s latest Democracy Index Report.

 

Factors that have caused numerous declines to country democracy scores in recent years include Events such as the war in Ukraine and restrictive, long-lasting COVID-19 measures. Since the source report first began tracking scores in 2006, the global average has fallen from 5.52 to 5.29.

The State of Democracy in Different Regions around the World #Infographic

How has Europe Reduced Its Natural Gas Consumption?

 

Since the war started in Ukraine, there have been reductions in Russian gas supplies and to address this issue, the countries of European Union had set a goal of reducing their natural gas consumption by 15 percent between August 2022 and March 2023 compared to the average of the past five years. In December, Eurostat announced that the EU is on track with that goal, with gas consumption in the EU-27 falling by about 20 percent over the August-November period (compared to the 2017-2021 average).

 

How has Europe Reduced Its Natural Gas Consumption? #Infographic



A most recent EU ruling has compelled Meta to make considerable changes to its targeted ad policy in Europe. This means that Meta is expected to alter its current ad systems, including its process of acquiring user permission for accepting personalized ads in its apps.

 

In addition to that, Meta is expected to pay EU regulators a fine of $US414 million and obtain legal consent directly from all of the 408 million EU users of its platforms for accepting personalized ads.

 

Although Meta already has the agreement for individual permission included in its terms and conditions, the EU ruling demands a more clear consent that aligns with the GDPR guidelines.  

EU Regulators Demand Meta to Change its Targeted Ad Service Policy



As per the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new rule will require digital gatekeepers to ensure open markets in Europe. What this means for tech giant Apple is that it will begin allowing its users to install alternative app stores on iOS in the region; which is something that Apple has never before done, as it has only allowed access to its native App store on its devices.


 

Passing of the EU’s DMA law would also mean that Apple will have to allow installing of software downloaded from the web as well, which is what the company’s executives have previously termed as “a cybercriminal’s best friend.”

Apple Will Have to Allow Third-Party App Stores on iOS Devices in Response to Upcoming EU Law

All Songs with Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams


Spotify is a registered Swedish audio streaming and media services provider. It was found on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It is one of the leading music streaming service providers, with over 456 million monthly active users, including 195 million paying subscribers, as of September 2022.

 

Spotify is relatively a new application. It was launched in Europe in 2008 and ultimately moved into the American market in 2011. Since then, the Stockholm-based company has become the world’s most popular audio streaming service with users across 183 markets.

 

With such a vast user base, many famous artists on Spotify have seen their biggest hit songs engage millions of streams. In July 2021, Spotify formed the Billions Club, which is a playlist that comprises of every song to reach the 1 billion milestone.

 

All Songs with Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams #Infographic

EU struggles with Covid-19 vaccine administration

As the AstraZeneca vaccine was suspended in various European countries due to the controversy that linked the vaccine with blood clotting in various people. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) have not found a clear link between the two however, the agency does acknowledge that there could be a possibility of a link between the vaccine and rare blood clot cases associated with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). But, since no direct link has yet discovered, EMA suggests this possibility be further investigated.

EU struggles with Covid-19 vaccine administration #infographic

Lockdown restrictions continue in Europe

While several parts of the world have started to get vaccinated and lift restrictions gradually, European countries are still in lockdown. However, many countries in Europe have started to ease the restrictions.

In countries including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and a few more, the non-essential shops and restaurants are ordered to remain closed, but the schools have been reopened. Furthermore, public places such as museums, parks, zoos, hairdressers are also open for the public or soon to be opened in the locked-down countries of Europe. Many shopping places have made a new trend of taking an appointment before shopping in-stores which has gained popularity among various European nations. Switzerland and Germany have revealed tentative plans for the reopening of outdoor dining with some restrictions to be implemented by the end of March; however, both nations have made it clear that the plans will be implemented depending on the number of cases in the country.

In France, the second lockdown has been shifted to a national curfew that stresses upon the closure of restaurants. A similar situation is seen in Belgium Luxembourg. On the other hand, the restaurants and other businesses are allowed to open in Switzerland and Austria; however, restaurants are still ordered to stay closed for public dine-in or dine-out.

Lockdown restrictions continue in Europe #infographic

 

Teachers’ time spending habits in European schools

Teaching and education has taken a toll in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The sudden shift to online classes has seen a lot of struggle from both ends – student’s and the teachers. Usually the classes are up to 3 hours where teacher spends time in the classroom this rounds up to 723 hours per year of teachers spending their times in classrooms.

Teachers’ time spending habits in European schools #infographic

 

The European drug carnage

Drugs dubbed as a man’s worst enemy. They can destroy lives and families of the person who uses them. Even a small amount can make a person go crazy for more. Cocaine is the worse kind of drug out there because it can really make someone insane. They are life takers.


A newly published European Drug Report showed the deaths caused by drugs in Europe. The continent has always had drug problems and most of the countries have the worst situation. From young ones aged 15 to older folks aged 65, people of all ages had done drugs at least once in their lives.

The European drug carnage #infographic

COVID-19 Cases in EU and the US

Ever since the COVID-19 turned into a global pandemic, the number of cases in the United States has been the highest. It has been the same condition for a lot of European countries as well, in which the names of Germany and especially Italy made it to the top of the list. As the cases began to slow down, European countries gradually started opening their public spaces, keeping all the necessary precautions in mind.

And although the European Union lifted travel restrictions on the first of July, it has also advised that restrictions should remain imposed for travellers coming in from countries where the pandemic situation is still out of hand and the number of cases is high. However, lifting travel restrictions has not turned in out in favour of European countries.

COVID-19 Cases in EU and the US #Infographic


Hungary facing financial irregularities, worst in the EU

The European Anti-Fraud Office, or by its French abbreviation OLAF, released its annual report, which indicates that Hungary has the most financial irregularities of any EU member state this year. OLAF is certified and tasked with investigating fraud and corruption with the EU budget within the European constitution and is also responsible for creating anti-fraud legislation and policies.

Hungary facing financial irregularities, worst in the EU #infographic

The European CBD Market in 2020

In the world of drugs, the discussion of legality is crucial and can get confusing too. Many drugs have the power to heal when taken in certain forms. But they can bring around countless other side effects as well. Thereupon, the form and quantity of drug matters when it comes to how and how much it will affect a person.

Likewise, cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is one of the many compounds obtained from cannabis plants. In the past few years, the popularity and acceptance of CBD have gained momentum. This is due to the fact of it being proven for therapeutic purposes. But on the other hand, there are also some conspiracies attached to it, since it is a cannabis product after all.

The European CBD Market in 2020 #Infographic

COVID-19 and Railways in Europe

 Transportation has been heavily affected in the wake of the global pandemic. Not just flights, but even trains all over the world had to come to a halt due to coronavirus precautionary measures. But despite these measures, how did then people manage to travel from one place to another, in case of emergencies?

In Europe, railway services have not been completely abandoned. The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has established a set of measures, a protocol to assure the safety of people travelling on trains. The Agency has stated that these rules are to be applied at all times for the passengers and the entire staff.

COVID-19 and Railways in Europe #Infographic


According to reports from Reuters, TikTok will be setting up its first data center in Ireland. The social media company already has a hub dealing with regional regulatory in the country and now aims to expand its presence there. 

TikTok made this move after its parent company, ByteDance, mentioned that it was planning to move the app's headquarters overseas, and a British media reported that the destination for the relocation could be London. 

The Chinese company  is reported to invest a total of 420 million euro in Ireland, while China has ongoing issues with the West, including disagreements on trade, handling of coronavirus, and the political situation in Hong Kong. Donald Trump and lawmakers in America have also stated that the company is a 'national security risk', followed by Trump's statement about banning TikTok in the U.S if its U.S. operations aren't sold to Microsoft. 

TikTok is Ready to Open its First Data Centre in Ireland




Google just announced that it is planning to build a new subsea cable that will be linking the U.S., U.K., and Spain. The new cable is named after the pioneering computer scientist, Grace Hopper and will join Google's various other private subsea cables including the Curie, Dunant, and Equiano cables.


Grace Hopper is reported to go online in 2022. Google is planning to get it built by SubCom, that the company had collaborated with for its Dunant and Curie cables as well. 


Furthermore, Google also plans to launch a new Google cloud in Madrid soon, so perhaps it is working on connecting the region to its global network. The new cable will be Google's first cable in Spain and first private subsea cable route to the U.K.

Google is Building a New Private Subsea Cable in Spain

The Tallest Buildings on Every Continent
For nearly 40 years, the Empire State Building in New York, NY held the title of world’s tallest building. Skyscrapers have advanced so much since it was completed in 1931 that the Empire State Building is no longer even one of the five tallest buildings in New York City. As other countries raced to construct what could be dubbed the tallest building in the world, many interesting skyscrapers and structures were built. Many of the groundbreaking high-rise buildings of the past are dwarfed by the luxury towers of modern times.

The Tallest Buildings on Every Continent #Infographic

Spain's Top Ten Best Places to Visit

One of the most sophisticated European countries, Spain offers you a unique blend of culture- the art, the food, unique entertainment such as flamenco dances and Spanish guitar music. It's all just too good to be true. Not to forget that Spain also has a very rich history and therefore, you can also find lots of mosques and castles there due to the Christian-Muslim interaction in the past.

 One of the famous architectural wonders you can visit is the Alhambra, situated in Granada, Andalusia. It is an old fortress which started off initially small in 889 when it was built, but slowly it was transformed into a large, regal palace for the king. The Alhambra is a fusion of two art styles, namely Gothic and Islamic and it is popular all over the world for it. It's even included in art history books as one of the most remarkable architectural monuments, so visiting it should surely not be missed.

Spain's Top Ten Best Places to Visit #Infographic

Train Travel in Europe

Every year, Europe attracts millions of tourists and it's no wonder why. The culture and landscapes of every country are different and that is what makes it the most interesting. If you have only ever travelled between European countries by plane, well, we can't really undo the past! However, your future travelling plans to various European countries can be made more exciting if you have never experienced train transit before.

 Not that travelling by plane is a bad way to go, but train travelling has its own set of pros which we just can't ignore. Let's start off with the first one- beautiful sights! Who would want to miss the lush European landscapes and country scenes while listening to music or even in silence? Secondly, European train travel is known to have a good record of being on track. Literally and non-literally, they have well-maintained, comfortable trains that also leave and arrive on time.

Train Travel in Europe #Infographic

The Top 10 Bicycle-Friendly Cities Worldwide

 In this modern age where we are talking about self-driving cars and the rise of vehicle production, bicycles still haven't lost importance. We can truly appreciate bicycles by the fact that not only are they sporty and help keep us fit, but they are also super environment-friendly. They don't let out giant puffs of smoke, threatening the air and the health of people and creatures around them. They help us enjoy nature more, breathing in the fresh air as we roll down some path between the trees or even a modern city, they give us a different experience amidst the hustle-bustle, provided there is supportive infrastructure.

 There are a lot of factors to think about if you are planning on cycling. These include weather, safety issues, infrastructure, and many more. Suppose you love cycling, but the place where you live doesn't have a proper path designated to cycling and most of the times, it's just too dangerous to cycle along with massive vehicles on the main road. Unless of course, there is a separate lane dedicated to cyclists.

The Top 10 Bicycle-Friendly Cities Worldwide #Infographic

Switzerland's 12 Most Stunning Places in Spring

 With its gigantic and mighty mountains, Switzerland is known as the ultimate romantic destination. It has remained one of the most peaceful countries due to no association with international political conflicts. It is located in the European continent, however, it is a non-EU country, which means that it is not a member of the European Union, but just associated with it thanks to a few treaties. It is part of the Schengen zone, and therefore, it will also be a part of the ETIAS Visa countries, the visa service which is due to launch in 2021.

 Tourists from all over the world visit Switzerland in the winter, to enjoy the cold experience while breathing in the experiences of the Alps. Swiss chocolate and hot chocolate drinks make the experience even more memorable. Apart from the hot chocolate drinks and swiss chocolates, the country is also famous worldwide for its watches, hiking trails and ski resorts. Although, it's not just in Winter that you should be visiting Switzerland.

Switzerland's 12 Most Stunning Places in Spring #Infographic

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