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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

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