Situation Reports

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has rejected a call by the African Union (AU) for Kinshasa to delay the announcement of its final election results, AFP reported Jan. 18.

The Colombian government is considering not recognizing the National Liberation Army (ELN) as a political actor, El Colombiano reported Jan. 18.

Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika has signed a presidential decree convening the electoral college for presidential elections on April 18, TSA Algerie reported Jan. 18.

U.S. officials have confirmed that the unveiling of an Israel-Palestine peace plan has again been delayed, beyond the initial four-month deadline laid out by U.S. President Trump in September 2018, The National reported Jan. 18.

China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) produced all-time record profits and revenues in 2018 despite signs of a slowdown in the country's economy, the South China Morning Post reported Jan. 18.

Italy's Cabinet has approved measures to introduce welfare payments for low-income Italians and reduce the country's retirement age, Reuters reported Jan. 17.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Argentine President Mauricio Macri agreed on Jan. 16 to gradually reduce the Common Market of the South’s (Mercosur) import tariffs on manufacturing inputs and “technological goods," El Cronista reported Jan. 18.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is reportedly backing the idea of removing some or all tariffs on Chinese imports through a trade deal in March, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 17.

The government of Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has cut the number of proposed projects it will pursue under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from 35 to 9 at Beijing's request, The Kathmandu Post reported Jan. 18.

The Swedish parliament has elected Stefan Lofven as prime minister for a second term, Radio Sweden reported Jan. 18.