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Digital nomadism redefines work and travel across the globe

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 The rise of digital technologies has blurred the lines between work and travel, creating a new era where professionals with the flexibility to work remotely can explore the world while maintaining their careers. Digital nomadism, a trend that has gained global traction in recent years, is reshaping traditional work norms by enabling people to work from virtually anywhere. The uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to reconsider their lifestyles. Economic pressures, especially on younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z, have spurred a shift toward more adaptable living, moving away from rigid, traditional work and lifestyle concepts. Amid this transformation, digital nomadism, often conceptualized as “working while traveling,” has gained prominence. Remote work has shifted from an advantage to a necessity for many professionals, driving them to seek environments that offer both career opportunities and personal freedom. More than 50 countries have responded to the growing trend by offering special visas for digital nomads, typically allowing stays of up to 12 months. A report from data reporting and analytics solutions provider Demand Sage said that digital nomadism, embraced by over 35 million workers worldwide, reflects the peak of technological innovation, changing societal values, and an entrepreneurial spirit. -Who are digital nomads? There are five types of digital nomads; freelance digital nomads; digital nomad business owners; salaried digital nomads; experimental digital nomads and armchair digital nomads. Fields such as graphic design, software development, digital marketing and copywriting are popular among digital nomads, with Americans representing nearly half (16.9 million) of the global digital nomad population. Ariana Nicole, an American digital nomad, describes her first travels to Spain and Mexico as a search for a place that felt like home. After starting her journey three years ago, Nicole’s passport now bears stamps from more than a dozen countries. Initially working as a hybrid IT consultant, she convinced her employer to adopt remote work. She eventually transitioned to freelance graphic design and content creation via social media. Having lived in nearly 15 countries, Nicole says her heart belongs to Colombia. While her decision-making process is spontaneous, she is guided by her interest in Spanish and recommendations from other travelers. Yet the allure of constant travel brings challenges. Nicole, like many digital nomads, has experienced “travel burnout,” a feeling of longing for stability and routine. While digital nomadism surged during the pandemic, Nicole notes that the trend has since slowed down. -Combining work and travel: possible, but challenging Papel Popov, who moved to Georgia with his wife in 2020 to work remotely for a financial tech startup in Russia, has fully embraced the digital nomad lifestyle. For the past four years, he has mostly lived in Türkiye, occasionally visiting other countries to maintain his nomadic lifestyle. Popov highlights how digital nomadism has allowed him to balance work and travel, emphasizing the importance of a reliable internet connection for productivity. Joining the global nomad community are Jess Parvin and Sergio Sala from the US, who are also living the digital nomad lifestyle. Parvin, a graphic designer, says freelancing gave her the freedom to travel while maintaining her work. Sala, a web designer with 10 years of experience, has traveled to over 50 countries, finding his way in digital nomad communities across the world. While digital nomadism offers flexibility, it also presents challenges such as loneliness and language barriers. Sala, who has lived in countries like Thailand and Mexico, highlights the difficulty of navigating visa processes and finding accommodation in new places. For Sala, Mexico’s diversity and charm hold special appeal, while Thailand remains a favorite due to its safety and vibrant digital nomad community. Digital nomads like Sala advise those considering the lifestyle to first secure a stable online income before taking the plunge into a nomadic career.

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Haiti summons French envoy over Macron’s remarks

Africa /

 Haiti’s foreign minister summoned the French ambassador Thursday to address “unacceptable remarks” by President Emmanuel Macron at the G20 summit this week in Brazil, in which he accused the Caribbean country’s transitional council of being “total morons” for firing its prime minister. “Honestly, it is Haitians who killed Haiti by letting in drug trafficking,” Macron was caught on video saying.  “They are completely dumb. They should never have fired him,” he added, referring to the dismissal of former Prime Minister Garry Conille by Haiti’s transitional presidential council just days ago. Conille, who was appointed by the council to the position in May, worked for several years at the United Nations before returning to the country to pave the way for presidential elections next year and to restore stability.  After learning he was dismissed following a power struggle with the council over control of the government, he said the measure to oust him was unconstitutional.  Conille was replaced on Nov. 11 by businessman Alix Didier Fils Aimé. “They are complete idiots. They should never have taken him out. The prime minister was wonderful,” Macron said. The controversial remarks drew protests from Haitian authorities on Thursday.  Haiti’s Foreign Ministry said that French Ambassador Antoine Michon had been summoned following the remarks, which the ministry branded as “unfriendly and inappropriate.” Macron pledged Thursday that “France will never look away in the face of a crisis,” adding “there will never be a double standard in the face of tragedy, whether in Haiti, Venezuela or on the doorstep of Europe.”  Haiti’s Foreign Ministry said that at the meeting, Michon pledged that France would stand by Haiti to help restore security and carry out elections. France has pledged to contribute €4 million ($4.18 million) to the UN fund that finances the security mission destined to restore security in Haiti.

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Record 43,000 participants compete in Ethiopia’s 10km race

Africa /

Over 43,000 runners participated in Ethiopia’s 24th annual international 10km road race, setting a new record with nearly 5,000 more participants than last year. The race, held at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, was attended by distance running legends, including race founder Haile Gebrselassie. Gebrselassie, speaking at the event on Sunday, emphasized the importance of attracting elite athletes from around the world while maintaining the race’s quality and atmosphere. “It’s not just about numbers, but about bringing top talent and keeping the race competitive,” he said. The Sofi Malt Great Ethiopian Run, now awarded World Athletics Label status, featured prominent athletes, including Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the newly-crowned world marathon record holder. It was her first time racing in Ethiopia, and she expressed her excitement about the experience and the enthusiastic crowd. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Asayech Aychew claimed victory with a time of 32 minutes and 13 seconds. In the men’s race, defending champion Binyam Mehari improved on his previous time to win in 28 minutes and 25 seconds. Both winners received cash prizes of 250,000 Ethiopian birr (approx. USD $2,000), part of a total prize purse of 1.3 million birr.

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Netanyahu: ICC arrest warrant against me “black day in history”

Africa /

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision on Thursday, November 21, to issue arrest warrants against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of committing war crimes during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a defiant statement, Netanyahu called the ruling a “black day in the history of nations,” and criticized the ICC, which he said had become “the enemy of humanity.” He rejected the charges, which include accusations of starvation, murder, and persecution, arguing that Israel had provided “hundreds of thousands of tons of food” to Gaza, and blamed Hamas for the humanitarian crisis. The ICC panel, however, found that there were reasonable grounds to believe both men were responsible for crimes against humanity, particularly related to the ongoing starvation in Gaza. Despite this, Netanyahu stated that the arrest warrants would not deter him from continuing Israel’s military campaign. The ICC’s move marks a significant moment, as it is the first time that a sitting leader from a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes by the global court. However, since Israel is not a state party to the ICC, the practical implications of the warrants remain uncertain, especially given the strong support Netanyahu has from the United States and other allies. The decision has already raised tensions with Israel’s European partners, some of whom signaled they may act on the warrants should Netanyahu travel abroad. However, Netanyahu’s government has dismissed the ICC’s jurisdiction, with the United States and Israel both rejecting the court’s authority on the matter. The ICC’s chief prosecutor had requested the warrants six months prior, and the decision further isolates Netanyahu and Gallant on the international stage, increasing the diplomatic pressure on Israel.

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Zambian authorities concerned about 3 recent fatal elephant attacks

Africa /

Authorities in Zambia said Wednesday they are worried after three deaths were recorded, and a critical injury, in separate elephant attacks in as many days. They cited the deaths of two men and a woman. Most of the encounters occurred during the night. One elderly person is fighting for his life after an encounter. “All these and similar other incidents are regrettable and could have been otherwise avoided had they all adhered to wildlife protected area ethics and rules of avoiding walking at night and molesting elephants,” Dominic Chiinda, from the National Parks and Wildlife Department said in a statement in the national capital of Lusaka. He advised residents to exercise extra caution when traversing wildlife hotspots by giving the right of way to elephants when on their corridor and resisting surrounding or harassing elephants with incessant noise and throwing objects at them. “Reduce movements, particularly at night and being too close to elephants, avoid following elephants and taking close photos or selfies and remain calm when you see an elephant,” he added. Due to its vast savanna, the southern African nation has a rich elephant population, with at times migrations from neighboring countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Most cases of human-animal conflict have also been attributed to human encroachment on national parks and Game Management Areas (GMAs). The issue has also been debated on the floor of the parliament, with select members being granted honorary wildlife police officers to supplement the number of wildlife officers policing Zambia’s 20 national parks and 36 GMAs.

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UN warns ‘Haiti is at a dire crossroads’

Africa /

Haiti is mired in an unprecedented crisis as gang violence escalates, threatening state authority, a UN official said Wednesday. “Haiti is at a dire crossroads. Extreme levels of gang violence continue to erode state authority and pose an alarming threat to the people of Haiti and to international peace and security in the region, with no improvement in sight,” Miroslav Jenca, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, said at a UN Security Council meeting. He said the current situation in Haiti “is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating.” Noting that the instability has reached new heights, Jenca said that gangs now control an estimated 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. He said armed groups have encircled the city, “attacking government buildings and infrastructure while using extreme violence, including sexual violence, as a weapon of subjugation.” Highlighting the severe humanitarian toll, he said that more than 20,000 people have fled their homes in just four days this month, adding to the nearly 700,000 displaced by violence earlier this year. Jenca also criticized the insufficient funding for the $674 million UN Humanitarian Response Plan, which is only 43% financed. He also noted the efforts of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission led by Kenya and said just 400 personnel have been deployed out of a planned 2,500. Without additional international support, Jenca warned that Haiti risks a “complete breakdown of state authority.” “Such an outcome would be inexcusable for the people of Haiti, who have endured far too much already,” he added, urging the global community to step up security assistance and crack down on the illicit flow of drugs, weapons and ammunition fueling the gang violence. – Haiti’s escalating crisis Haiti, with a population of over 11 million, faces severe challenges, including political instability, economic turmoil and a worsening security crisis. According to the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, armed gang violence has claimed 3,900 lives since the beginning of the year. The surge in violence has also led to significant political changes. Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in April this year, prompting the establishment of a transitional council. Garry Conille was appointed prime minister on May 28 but was replaced on Nov. 11 by businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé following a council decision.

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Mali: Choguel Maïga dismissed after criticizing military junta

Africa /

Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maïga was dismissed on Wednesday, November 20, following a decree read on national television by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Alfouseyni Diawara. The decree, signed by transitional President Assimi Goïta, officially removed Maïga from his position. Maïga, appointed in 2021 after Mali’s second coup in a year, had publicly criticized the ruling junta on November 16, during ceremonies marking the recapture of Kidal. He expressed frustration over being sidelined from key decision-making, particularly regarding the timeline for Mali’s political transition. His comments sparked widespread protests in the capital, Bamako, and other cities, with demonstrators calling for his resignation. A faction of the Malian military, known as the Collective of Military Defense (CDM), accused Maïga of “treason” and “denunciation” following his criticism of the country’s military leaders.

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U.S. vetoes U.N. resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire

World /

The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Wednesday that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. The resolution, which was supported by 14 of the council’s 15 members, including U.S. allies Britain and France, was blocked because it demanded the immediate release of hostages held by Palestinian militant groups, a condition the U.S. opposed. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood stated that the U.S. could not support a resolution that did not prioritize the release of hostages, particularly given the situation of over 100 hostages from 20 countries. He emphasized that allowing Hamas to continue holding hostages without consequence would reward its tactics. The Palestinian deputy ambassador, Majed Bamya, expressed anger at the veto, highlighting the ongoing death toll of Palestinians, which the Gaza Health Ministry reports at over 43,000, and called for a ceasefire to protect all lives. Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama condemned the veto, accusing Israel of carrying out genocide and promising that the council’s elected members would push for stronger action. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, defended the U.S. veto, stating that the resolution would have led to more violence, not peace. Hamas condemned the veto, accusing the U.S. of complicity in the destruction of Gaza. The U.S. veto highlights ongoing tensions within the Security Council regarding the conflict, with Russia and China having previously vetoed U.S.-sponsored resolutions. Despite the veto, the elected members of the council reaffirmed their commitment to ending the conflict, securing the release of hostages, and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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Dozen soldiers killed in attacks by Boko Haram on Nigeria

Africa /

More than a dozen soldiers were killed Tuesday in multiple attacks on a military base in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, said local and military sources. The terrorists attacked the base in the remote town of Kareto in the Mobbar Local Government Area with improvised explosives and shot at it from different directions, residents told Anadolu. Heavy shooting was heard from the base as troops engaged Boko Haram militants in a gun battle, residents said. They said the terrorists returned hours later to resume their attack with some civilians also hit by bullets. The attacks came days after a raid by Boko Haram that led to the deaths of some soldiers. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum conveyed his condolences to the military “I convey our heartfelt condolences to the armed forces and families of the deceased over the demise of our fellow compatriots. May Allah rest their souls and grant fortitude to the affected families,” the governor said in a statement issued by Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security Usman Tar. Zulum said the state government identified with the military over the loss. Nigeria has been experiencing 14 years of terrorist attacks which have led to the deaths of more than 100,000 people and the displacement of three million, according to the county’s National Emergency Management Agency.

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Serbia: Putin would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons

World /

Russian President Vladimir Putin would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if his country’s security and military are threatened and if he has no other option, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned Tuesday. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia, reports said Monday, citing US officials. Earlier Tuesday, Putin signed a decree approving Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, nearly two months after he announced changes in his address at the Russian Federation Security Council standing conference on nuclear deterrence on Sept. 25. According to Vucic, the world is one step away from a disaster and the next step could lead to a nuclear conflict. ”When you have 10 steps to complete disaster, we have crossed the ninth. I will tell you openly what I think. I think that no one will hesitate to use all the weapons they have…In the West, they will say that Putin is playing games and threatening with this, but he is actually afraid, and I will tell you that few people know President Putin like I do,” he said in an address to the public. ”If the security of Moscow and its forces are threatened…he will not hesitate for a moment,” he stressed. Vucic said Serbia is not ready for a possible escalation of the conflict. “We are completely unprepared. We have room for 257,000 people in shelters, and we will have to…start rebuilding the infrastructure again, at least to reach the number of a million, a million and a half that we can accommodate in shelters. “We will work on this diligently. I apologize to the citizens that we did not start this work on time, but we will deal with it,” he added. As the Ukraine conflict surpasses its 1,000-day mark, its complexities deepen, shaped by external crises and escalating military developments, underscoring the dire need for renewed diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation.

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