America Brazil The federal import tax on international purchases of up to US$ 50 made through e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress has been erased; experts say it is a strategic move in view of October's upcoming general elections
America Colombia Colombia has implemented 30% tariffs on more than 70 products from Ecuador, escalating a trade dispute triggered by Ecuador’s similar levy over border security and trade deficit concerns, while Bogotá has also suspended electricity sales
Africa Ghana Chamber of Aquaculture and the WEF have launched Africa's first Blue Food Innovation Hub aiming to drive $10 million in sustainable investment and transform Ghana's aquatic food sector, now worth $600 million
Europe Greece Greece recorded the highest share of cross-border service imports in the EU according to latest Eurostat data, relying heavily on services delivered directly from abroad, with cross-border supply accounting for 68,8% of total imports from non-EU countries
Oceania Papua New Guinea Protests in Bomana prison resulted in a number of inmates requiring medical attention and two needing first aid care in Port Moresby; the detained were asking better health care services after the death of an inmate allegedly denied medical attention
Africa Nigeria The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urged the President to “direct Minister of Communications to withdraw the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019: unconstitutional, unlawful, inconsistent with international obligations
Africa Ethiopia Tigray’s elite is now split and every policy issue – from IDP returns to demobilisation – is interpreted with the perspective of one or the other group; clashes with government forces in Tselemti and Wajirat districts could shake a frail ceasefire
America Bolivia Bolivia has entered a severe socioenvironmental crisis this year as illegal mining, organized crime in the Amazon, infrastructure projects threatening water sources and the weakening of environmental institutions have put Indigenous peoples at risk
Asia Oman The artificial rainfall station in the province of Khasab has been completed; it is expected to enhance rainfall and groundwater in areas surrounding the site in the northwest and south directions, up to a distance of 70 kilometers
Africa Uganda First 19.200 doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug to be injected twice a year, have been delivered to Uganda, donated by Global Fund; approved by the National Drug Authority in January, it is a key step in efforts to curb infections
Asia Myanmar Mid-March has been set by the junta as the target date for convening a new parliament; critics say the process lacks credibility and is designed to entrench military control following the 2021 takeover
Africa Tunisia Deepening Tunisia-Algeria ties spark mounting scrutiny and criticism in Tunisia, where citizens fear a loss of sovereignty amid a rising wave of authoritarian interdependence
Asia East Timor A new episode of "Government Page" TV Show has been recorded; featuring the Minister of National Liberation Combatants Affairs, Gil da Costa Monteiro aka “Oan Soru”, it is dedicated to National Liberation Fighters
Asia United Arab Emirates Over 700.000 visitors attended this season’s Liwa International Festival, confirming the success of large-scale events; the 23-days festival in Al Dhafra, transforming Tal Moreeb area, UAE’s tallest sand dune, into one of the busiest winter destinations