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Brazil Declares Acai a National Fruit Amidst Biopiracy Concerns
Brazil declared the acai berry a national fruit in January 2026, a move intended to protect the country's ownership of the popular "superfood" and combat biopiracy, according to Phys.org. The declaration comes amid growing concerns that foreign companies are staking claims to the Amazon's biological riches without sharing benefits with the communities who traditionally harvest and process the fruit.
The decision highlights the issue of biopiracy, defined as the exploitation of a country's genetic resources without equitable compensation to the local communities who possess traditional knowledge of those resources. The popularity of acai bowls, often topped with granola, has brought increased attention to the potential for foreign entities to profit from Brazil's natural resources without proper acknowledgment or benefit-sharing, Phys.org reported.
In other news, the 2026 Australian Open saw American tennis players facing questions about the political climate in the United States, particularly regarding former President Trump, according to Vox. Ben Shelton was among those asked about what it means to celebrate the U.S. at this time.
Meanwhile, tensions surrounding immigration policies continue to be a global issue. NPR Politics reported that Spain's government announced it would grant legal status and work permits for up to a year to potentially hundreds of thousands of unauthorized immigrants, primarily from Latin America and Africa. These immigrants are considered vital to the country's economy. The measure was implemented through an expedited decree, bypassing a stalled bill, and stands in contrast to increasingly restrictive immigration policies in other parts of Europe and the United States.
In the U.S., multiple sources, including Time, reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook urged President Trump to de-escalate tensions following an incident in Minneapolis. This occurred amidst growing controversy surrounding Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino's aggressive enforcement tactics and the increasing role of bystander videos in shaping public understanding of law enforcement actions.
Also in January 2026, Variety reported that Tiago Melo's sci-fi satirical drama "Yellow Cake" debuted its trailer ahead of its world premiere in the Tiger Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Urânio Filmes is handling world sales for Melo's second feature film.
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