Brazil

The Amazon Region is facing an unprecedented drought driven by extreme weather events; it is causing rivers to reach record-low levels and supply shortages for over half a million people in river-accessible communities

The Supreme Court has begun voting on the decriminalization of abortion, potentially allowing it up to 12 weeks into pregnancy, a significant shift as abortion is currently permitted only in specific cases, including rape and life-threatening situations

Over 32 million children in poverty and 40 million vulnerable to climate risks, make the need for child-focused Sustainable Development Goals crucial, emphasized UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in her visit to Brazil

Homophobic slurs are now punishable by prison, a decision welcomed by rights activists, that puts such hate speech on par with racist hate speech; the country’s Supreme Court has ruled that penalties range from two to five years in prison

The country has implemented its cryptocurrency regulation, with the central bank as the primary supervisor of the crypto economy; the move aims at preventing scams, at regaining trust, and positioning Brazil as a global leader in crypto regulation

Former President Jair Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly spreading false information about the country's election system; while he may not face criminal penalties, a conviction could result in an eight-year ban on running for office