Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People party won Costa Rica's presidential election in a landslide victory, marking a shift further to the right in Latin American politics, according to The Guardian. The right-wing populist secured the presidency after campaigning on a platform of cracking down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. Her nearest rival, center-right economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results became clear on Sunday.
In other news, a study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights concluded that international law, designed to limit the effects of war, is at a breaking point. The report, covering 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months, found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, with torture and rape committed with near impunity, The Guardian reported.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump lowered reciprocal tariffs on India from 50 to 18 percent, a move met with relief in India, according to BBC Business. Precise details of the agreement remained sketchy. India had been paying the highest tariffs in the world after Trump raised import duties on Indian goods from 25 to 50 percent in August of the previous year, citing Delhi's purchase of discounted Russian oil as helping fund Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. Trump's decision followed a phone call with India's Prime Minister on Monday.
Elsewhere, gold, silver, and platinum prices experienced a rollercoaster, with prices near an all-time high before slumping last Friday, BBC Business reported. Experts warned potential sellers to be cautious of being ripped off amid the volatility in commodities trading. Brian Leonard, who queued outside Hatton Garden Metals in London to sell a silver plate, noted that precious metals remained much more valuable than the previous year.
In Bangladesh, political parties are making numerous promises ahead of the February 12 election, Al Jazeera reported. Mohaiminul Rafi, 27, who has been preparing for Bangladesh's civil service exams, is hearing promises of jobs, cash, and loans as election campaigning continues. Students are a key target group for Bangladesh's political parties.
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