Thousands of businesses in Malawi closed in protest this week against new tax changes, while China overturned the death sentence of a Canadian citizen, and Canada and France opened consulates in Greenland. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal faced torrential rain from Storm Leonardo, and Cuba expressed willingness to engage in talks with the United States.
In Malawi, shop owners and small businesses demonstrated in the four main cities, forcing a delay in the introduction of a new Electronic Tax Invoicing System (EIS). Protesters feared the new tax regime would cripple their livelihoods, according to source 1. Tens of thousands had signed petitions, which were presented to tax authorities.
Across the Atlantic, China overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian official confirmed on Friday. Schellenberg was detained on drug charges in 2014. This move is seen as a possible sign of a diplomatic thaw, as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to boost trade ties with Beijing, according to source 3.
In Greenland, Canada and France opened diplomatic consulates in Nuuk on Friday, demonstrating support for their NATO ally Denmark and the Arctic island. This move comes after US efforts to secure control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, as reported by source 4. Canada had previously promised to open a consulate in Nuuk in 2024.
The Iberian peninsula was also hit hard by Storm Leonardo, with Spain and Portugal experiencing torrential rain and strong winds. Spain's state meteorological agency issued its highest red alert for heavy rainfall in Cádiz and parts of Málaga. The slow-moving system has brought severe weather alerts since Tuesday, according to source 2.
Finally, Cuba expressed its willingness to engage in talks with the United States. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated his government was open to discussions, according to source 5, amid the island's deepening economic crisis. This comes after months of threats from Donald Trump.
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