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Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema expressed his admiration for a traditional Ghanaian outfit, while the EU ordered TikTok to change its "addictive design" and China overturned the death sentence of a Canadian citizen, in a busy week of international news. Additionally, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries trading with Iran, and thousands of businesses in Malawi closed in protest over tax changes.
President Hichilema's comments came after the president of Ghana wore a traditional "fugu" outfit during a Ghana-Zambia Business Forum held in Lusaka this week, sparking online debate. Some Zambians had mockingly referred to the outfit as a "blouse," but Hichilema countered by stating he would be "ordering more of that stuff" for himself, according to BBC World. Ghana's foreign minister noted the social media buzz as a sign of young people reclaiming their cultural roots.
Meanwhile, the European Union told TikTok it must change its "addictive design" or face heavy fines, as reported by BBC Technology. The EU's investigation, which began in February 2024, found the video-sharing platform had breached online safety rules. The European Commission stated TikTok did not "adequately assess" how features like autoplay could harm users, including children, and failed to implement measures to mitigate risks. A TikTok spokesperson told the BBC the findings presented a "categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform" and that the company planned to challenge them.
In other international developments, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran, as reported by BBC World. The order, issued on Friday, does not specify the tariff rate but uses 25% as an example. It could apply to goods imported into the US from any nation that "directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran." Trump reiterated his stance of "no nuclear weapons" for Iran.
China overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, according to The Guardian, in a possible sign of a diplomatic thaw. Schellenberg was detained on drug charges in 2014 before Canada-China ties deteriorated in 2018. This decision comes as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to boost trade ties with Beijing.
Finally, thousands of businesses in Malawi closed in protest over new tax changes, as reported by The Guardian. Demonstrations across Malawi's four main cities led to a delay in the introduction of the new tax regime, which business owners claimed would cripple their livelihoods. Tens of thousands of people had signed petitions that were presented to tax authorities this week.
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