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
Africa Madagascar Faced with steady increase in sexual offences, the Council of Ministers has come out in favour of harsher punishments for child rapists and the government is reportedly considering new measures, including life imprisonment, chemical or surgical castration
Asia Japan A Japanese court has sentenced to death Shinji Aoba, the man behind the 2019 attack on Kyoto Animation, one of Japan's most important animation studios; Aoba, now 45, set fire to the studio's headquarters, causing 36 deaths and several injuries
Africa Egypt EC Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi announced that EU is Egypt's main trading partner and accounts for 27% of total trade on the occasion of 10th meeting of Association Council between EU and Egypt, marking the 20th anniversary of the Association Agreement
Europe Spain Temperatures are expected to rise in the southern regions of the country; according to the Diario de Ibiza, temperatures should normally hover around 20°C in this time of year, while they could reach record highs of 28°, sparking fears
Europe Italy There are 10.000 more prisoners than the official capacity, which leads the democratic country to face a very serious overcrowding, a high number of suicides, a lack of basic services and repeated situations of poor protection of rights
America Bolivia Bolivia's Constitutional Court has barred former president Evo Morales from seeking re-election in 2025, overturning a 2019 ruling that allowed him a fourth term
Asia Turkmenistan The World Trade Organisation reported that the country intends to finalise its Memorandum on Foreign Trade Regime by mid-2024; the submission of this document is one of the conditions for WTO accession
Europe Lithuania The purchase of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany has been decided at government level and the Lithuanian State Defence Council authorising the start of negotiations for an order
Europe Switzerland Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport was closed again morning Sunday 19th due to a bomb threat, after a series of false bomb threats were made at it last October; the terminal was evacuated and flight operations were temporarily suspended
Africa Malawi Malaria Initiative by the US Presidency has proposed $23 million in funding to support Malawi's Malaria Operational Plan for the 2024 fiscal year
Asia United Arab Emirates UAE residents stuck in daily traffic are estimated to lose the equivalent of one day a month, according to motorists who spoke to Khaleej Times
Asia Yemen Turbulence in Red Sea caused tanker prices to soar 182%, changing the dynamics of global shipping, according to Bloomberg; tanker industry revenues are soaring to unprecedented levels with rates on some routes rising by the most in a single day since 2022
Asia Sri Lanka The Government Medical Association yesterday started an indefinite strike, as the government temporarily suspended the disturbance, availability and transport allowance, which had been increased by Rs 35.000 ($110) from January, as previously promised