De Correspondent, a Dutch publication launched in 2013, focuses on providing context and solutions-oriented stories through constant communication with readers. Funded by memberships and ad-free, it has seen significant success and is now expanding globally under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Ernst-Jan Pfauth. The publication aims to export its founding principles of in-depth journalism and reader engagement beyond the Netherlands, despite challenges in reaching diverse global communities. Pfauth advises newsrooms to engage with their audiences early in the story development process to build a community and move away from clickbait journalism.

The Location Privacy Protection Act, introduced by Senator Al Franken in 2011 to prevent unauthorized location tracking, faced opposition from the tech industry, including companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, due to concerns over the impact on location-based services. Despite the public's growing need for data privacy regulation, especially after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the U.S. has not passed a major federal data privacy law since 2009. The tech industry's significant lobbying power, with companies spending millions annually, has been a major factor in stalling legislation. The European Union's GDPR represents a stricter approach to data privacy, which contrasts with the U.S.'s sectoral and self-regulatory model. The article suggests that while public outcry and recent privacy breaches have prompted legislative proposals, the tech industry's influence continues to challenge the establishment of comprehensive privacy laws in the U.S.

The European leveraged finance market is experiencing a surge in activity with new deals and packed pipelines, raising questions about the sustainability of this momentum and potential for a market cool-down.

As the year comes to an end, 9fin provides a leveraged finance update and shares festive cheer with a quiz inspired by the year's events in leveraged finance.

The article discusses the emergence of the Feministisk Initiativ (F!), an intersectional feminist party in Denmark, which recently participated in Copenhagen's municipal elections. Despite Denmark's international reputation as a progressive country, it has seen stagnation in gender equality and a rise in anti-immigration sentiment. F! aims to address these issues with policies such as equal parental leave, gender quotas, and anonymized job applications. The party, inspired by similar movements in other Scandinavian countries, did not win seats but gained enough votes to consider running in the parliamentary elections. The article highlights the challenges and potential impact of F! on Danish and global feminism, as well as the broader context of gender equality in Denmark, including the gender pay gap and political representation.

The 2008 financial crisis, marked by Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy, not only devastated the global economy but also eroded public trust in media. Critics argue that financial journalists failed to adequately warn the public about the impending crisis. Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist, reflects on the media's role, acknowledging that while the media did issue warnings, they were often overshadowed by a general atmosphere of optimism. Emmott notes that financial journalists have since become more skeptical and advocate for stricter regulatory measures. However, he highlights the current challenges posed by the media's business model, particularly the loss of revenue to tech giants like Facebook and Google, which has led to a focus on short-form, entertainment-driven content over in-depth investigative reporting.

The Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR), a neo-Nazi organization founded in Sweden, is expanding its presence in Nordic countries, including Denmark. Known for its anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and anti-gay stance, the group aims to create an ethnically pure pan-Nordic nation. Despite not explicitly calling for violence, NMR members have been involved in violent confrontations and criminal activities. The group's visibility and membership have grown, particularly in Sweden, where it accounts for the majority of activity in racist organizations. Efforts to counter the NMR include public rallies, legal actions, and community-level initiatives.

Muslim women in Denmark, led by the organization Kvinder i Dialog, are defying a new ban on face coverings in public places, viewing it as an act of civil disobedience and a protest against what they perceive as racist, Islamophobic, and oppressive politics. The ban, which does not specifically mention the niqab or burqa, is enforced with fines and has been criticized by human rights groups as a violation of women's rights. Despite the ban, women like Sabina and Sarah are determined to assert their right to live as practicing Muslims in Denmark, even if it means facing fines or changing their daily routines. The ban has sparked a wider debate about social cohesion, gender equality, and the integration of immigrant cultures in Denmark.

Sweden faces a growing problem with hand grenade attacks, primarily linked to gang violence and organized crime. The issue has historical roots in the legal treatment of hand grenades and their smuggling from the Balkans. Recent legal reforms aim to address the problem, but experts argue that broader solutions targeting gang violence and socioeconomic conditions are necessary. The Swedish Police have faced challenges due to organizational changes, and there is debate over the effectiveness of proposed amnesty programs for illegal weapons. The Sweden Democrats attribute the rise in violence to immigration, a view not fully supported by research.

The #Teknisktfel movement in Sweden, inspired by the global #MeToo movement, has brought to light widespread sexual harassment in the tech industry. Initiated by seven women, the movement has collected nearly 500 testimonies and aims to address systemic issues rather than individual perpetrators. Despite Sweden's reputation for gender equality, only 21% of engineers are women, and the tech industry is struggling to attract and retain female talent. The movement has led to increased awareness and discussions about workplace culture, with activists working on policy changes to combat harassment and discrimination.

The article discusses the reversal of the traditional migration pattern due to Europe's economic crisis, with Europeans, particularly Spaniards, moving to Morocco in search of employment. Marcos Martinez Bacelo, a Spanish mechanic, represents this trend as he left his family in Spain to work in Morocco after facing unemployment. The number of Spaniards in Morocco has increased significantly, with many working without benefits but still managing to live comfortably due to the favorable exchange rate. The article also touches on the cultural differences experienced by Spaniards in Morocco and the desperation of those seeking work. It highlights the impact of the crisis on the Spanish restaurant industry and the shift in migration patterns as a surprising outcome of the economic downturn.

The article discusses Cowork Klitmøller, a coworking space in Klitmøller, Denmark, founded by local surfer Rasmus Johnsen. Klitmøller, known as 'Cold Hawaii', is a small fishing village that has become a surf hotspot in Europe. Johnsen's initiative aims to foster a community where locals and visitors, including surfers and professionals, can work and interact harmoniously. The coworking space is part of a broader effort to rebrand and promote tourism in Northwest Denmark without alienating the local population. Cowork Klitmøller features a unique design, including a sauna and hot tub, and is located near the North Sea, offering easy access to surfing. The space has nine permanent residents and a community of 'beta-residents' who use the facilities part-time. Johnsen has no plans to expand Cowork into a larger enterprise but hopes to encourage a collaborative environment between visitors and locals. Another coworking space, Surf & Work, is also being developed nearby in Vorupør.

Denmark's new feminist party, Feministisk Initiativ (F!), led by Muneeza Rosendahl, is pushing for gender equality and intersectional feminism in Danish politics. Despite Denmark's progressive reputation, the country has stagnated on gender equality, with significant issues like a gender pay gap and inadequate protection for domestic violence victims. F! aims to address these issues with policies like equal parental leave and gender quotas. The party's platform is inspired by intersectional feminism and aims to counteract the rising anti-immigration sentiment in Denmark. Although F! did not secure seats in the recent municipal elections, it garnered significant support, indicating a public desire for a feminist party. The article highlights the challenges and potential impact of F! in Denmark's political landscape.

Denmark's new feminist party, Feministisk Initiativ (F!), is pushing a bold agenda focused on gender equality and intersectional feminism. Despite Denmark's progressive reputation, the country has stagnated on gender equality, with significant issues like a gender pay gap and inadequate protection for domestic violence victims. F! aims to address these issues with policies like equal parental leave and gender quotas. The party has gained some support in recent elections and hopes to influence broader political discourse. However, challenges remain due to Denmark's established multiparty system and the rise of anti-immigration sentiments.

Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a ballroom dance teacher and Boston Marathon bombing victim, inspired a prosthetics innovation by Hugh Herr, director of the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab. Herr, a double leg amputee, developed a bionic limb that allowed Haslet-Davis to dance the rhumba. The limb uses motors, springs, and microprocessors to create a natural gait and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. Herr's team commercialized the prosthetic through BiOM, which has provided limbs to over 900 amputees, including 400 wounded US soldiers. The technology is still evolving, with goals to connect bionic limbs to the brain and add sensory feedback. The high cost of prosthetics remains a barrier, but efforts like No Barriers Boston aim to provide sport-specific prosthetic limbs to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings.

Shakuntala Devi, known as the 'Human Computer', was honored with a Google Doodle for her mathematical prowess. The article highlights several 'human calculators' throughout history, including Scott Flansburg, Alexis Lemaire, Willem Klein, Mike Byster, and Zerah Colburn, who have demonstrated extraordinary mental calculation abilities. These individuals have achieved world records, contributed to educational programs like Brainetics, and assisted scientific organizations such as CERN with complex computations.