General
Nigeria Suspends Food Import Duties, Partners with States to Boost Farming
In an effort to combat rising inflation and alleviate food shortages, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a 150-day duty-free import window for various food commodities. This measure, intended to stabilize food prices and ease the economic burden on Nigerians, will suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on food imports through both land and sea borders.
Key Points:
- Duty-Free Import Window: Effective immediately, a five-month period has been established during which maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas can be imported without incurring duties, tariffs, or taxes. These imports will be sold at a Recommended Retail Price to ensure affordability.
- Partnerships with States: The government will collaborate with state authorities and the military to identify and cultivate arable lands, providing substantial support to smallholder farmers. This initiative is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan, aimed at achieving food security and economic stability.
- Economic Context: In 2023, Nigeria spent $2.13 billion on food imports, despite having a robust agricultural sector. High food import bills have persisted due to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and climate change. This new directive aims to reduce the demand for foreign exchange used by food importers.
- Government Support: To counteract the impact of rising prices and supply shortages, the government plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes each of wheat and maize in their semi-processed states, targeting small-scale processors and millers across the country.
- Impact on Local Agriculture: While this move is expected to mitigate immediate food inflation, experts warn it may weaken the domestic agricultural sector by making it difficult for local farmers to compete with imported goods. Sustainable agricultural policies and infrastructure improvements are crucial for long-term food security.
- Challenges and Recommendations: Persistent issues such as poor transportation infrastructure, market access, and security continue to affect food production and distribution. Experts suggest declaring a state of emergency in the food sector and implementing comprehensive measures to boost local production and self-sufficiency.
Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari emphasized the importance of these measures in bringing relief to Nigerians and supporting the agricultural sector through enhanced land cultivation and sustained farmer support. However, he acknowledged the need for long-term solutions to ensure food security beyond the temporary tariff suspension.
As Nigeria navigates this critical period, the government’s proactive stance on food imports and agricultural collaboration will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness in stabilizing the nation’s food economy and alleviating the hardships faced by its citizens.
Google has reacted strongly to reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) may propose forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser as part of antitrust remedies. The DOJ is expected to present its final recommendations to a judge this week in response to an August ruling that deemed Google a monopoly in online search.
Bloomberg reported the DOJ might also push for new restrictions on Google’s artificial intelligence (AI), Android operating system, and data usage practices. In a statement, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland criticized the proposal, saying, “The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case.”
Mulholland warned that such measures would harm consumers, developers, and U.S. technological leadership at a critical time for innovation.
Chrome is the dominant web browser worldwide, commanding 64.61% of the global market as of October, according to Similarweb. Google’s search engine, with an estimated 90% global market share, benefits significantly from being the default search option in Chrome and other browsers, such as Safari on iPhones.
Judge Amit Mehta previously described default search engine agreements as “extremely valuable real estate” for Google, noting that competitors would need to spend billions to secure similar deals.
The DOJ has hinted at potentially breaking up Google to address concerns over its ability to leverage products like Chrome, the Play Store, and Android to maintain its search monopoly. Final proposals are expected to include remedies aimed at limiting Google’s dominance across multiple platforms.
Google remains firm in its opposition, maintaining that the proposed measures would negatively impact users and innovation. The outcome of the DOJ’s recommendations will shape the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech industry.
Switzerland and Italy have been compelled to redraw sections of their shared border in the Alps due to the ongoing effects of melting glaciers, driven by climate change. The revised boundary will affect areas near the iconic Matterhorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks, and regions close to well-known ski resorts such as Zermatt.
The Swiss-Italian border is traditionally defined by glacier ridgelines or perpetual snow areas. However, as glaciers shrink, these natural demarcations have shifted, prompting both nations to adjust the border accordingly. A draft agreement was reached in May 2023 by a joint commission, and Switzerland officially approved the changes last Friday, with Italy’s final approval still pending.
The new borders, which will impact locations like Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin, aim to address the practical needs of both countries, particularly in terms of maintaining natural areas. The clarified boundaries will also help resolve responsibility for managing these regions as the landscape continues to evolve.
Melting glaciers have revealed a number of surprising discoveries in recent years, including the remains of a German climber missing since 1986, found last July near the Matterhorn. Such discoveries highlight the rapid rate at which the glaciers are retreating and the broader impacts of climate change on the region.
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for “offensive behaviour” during recent World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
The suspension stems from two separate incidents. In the 3-0 win over Chile on September 6, Martinez controversially repeated his provocative celebration from the 2022 World Cup by holding a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch. This was Argentina’s first match since their Copa America victory in the United States in July.
Four days later, after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia on September 10, Martinez hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch.
The Argentina Football Association expressed disagreement with the suspension but acknowledged that Martinez was “responsible” for his actions. The ban means Martinez will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
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