**Summary:** The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a new policy stating that only biological women will be eligible to compete in the female category in Olympic sports, effective from the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Eligibility will primarily be determined by a negative test for the SRY gene, which is present only in biological males.

**Key points:**
- The new rule aims to protect the fairness, safety, and integrity of the female category in all IOC sporting disciplines.
- Athletes with XY chromosomes (biological males) and those with androgen-sensitive disorders of sexual development must compete in male categories.
- Exceptions may be made for athletes with conditions like complete androgen insensitivity syndrome who do not benefit from testosterone's anabolic effects.
- The policy was developed by a working group in response to controversies, including those surrounding boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at Paris 2024.
- The IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, stated that it is unfair and sometimes unsafe for biological males to compete in the female category.

**Why it matters:** This decision marks a significant shift in Olympic eligibility criteria regarding transgender athletes, basing inclusion in the female category on biological markers rather than previous hormone-based guidelines.

inquirer.net - Transgender women athletes banned from women's Olympic events

EL PAÍS - El COI anuncia que solo las mujeres biológicas podrán participar en disciplinas femeninas

IOC Bans Transgender Women from Competing in Female Olympic Events

**Summary:** South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa was disinvited from the G7 summit in France, scheduled for June in Évian, due to continuous pressure from the United States. Pretoria claims the US threatened to boycott the event if South Africa attended.

**Key points:**
- The withdrawal of the invitation was announced by the South African presidency on Thursday, March 26.
- US pressure is reportedly linked to South Africa accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice and accusations of persecuting white farmers.
- French President Emmanuel Macron had personally invited Ramaphosa during the G20 summit in South Africa in November 2025.
- South Africa stated the decision would not affect the bilateral relationship with France.

**Why it matters:** This incident highlights significant diplomatic tension between the US and South Africa, impacting South Africa's participation in high-level international forums like the G7.

News24 | France withdraws Ramaphosa’s invitation to G7 summit due to US pressure

Sommet du G7 en France : Emmanuel Macron a annulé l’invitation de Cyril Ramaphosa, affirme l’Afrique du Sud

South Africa disinvited from G7 in France after US pressure: Pretoria

South Africa Disinvited from G7 Summit in France Amid US Pressure

**Summary:** The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) officially launched the inaugural cohort of its Accelerator Programme, bringing together eight high-potential startups for a kick-off week in Cairo from March 23-27, 2026. Selected from over 1,600 applications, these ventures focus on building digital infrastructure to scale intra-African trade.

**Key points:**
- Eight selected startups will receive investment up to US$250,000, complemented by mentorship and market access.
- Participating startups operate in sectors like cross-border payments, digital logistics, and supply chain finance.
- The programme aims to accelerate startup expansion across the continent, supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement.
- The Cairo kick-off week included meetings with Afreximbank leadership, including President Dr. George Elombi.

**Why it matters:** This initiative positions Afreximbank as a key catalyst for Africa's trade and innovation ecosystem by providing structured support for scalable, continent-wide digital solutions.

allafrica.com - Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa's Digital Trade Ecosystem

Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort in Cairo

google.com - Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa’s Digital Trade Ecosystem

**Summary:** Cabral Libii, a Cameroonian opposition deputy, revealed that the law extending the mandate of deputies beyond its constitutional term was adopted without a documented formal vote, challenging its legitimacy. The parliamentary debates showed four distinct positions, but no official count of raised hands or ballots exists.

**Key points:**
- The National Assembly of Cameroon adopted a law extending the mandate of deputies past its normal constitutional end.
- Libii noted that procedures require a vote by raised hands for ordinary laws, but no images or official count are available.
- The situation is framed by recurring postponement of legislative and municipal elections since 2007.
- Four distinct positions were expressed during debates, ranging from inevitability to formal opposition based on law.

**Why it matters:** The lack of a traceable, formal vote undermines the democratic legitimacy of the mandate extension, leading to questions about the validity of the elected officials' support.

camer.be - Prorogation des mandats au Cameroun : Cabral Libii révèle qu'il n'y a pas eu de vote

Cabral Libii claims no formal vote occurred for mandate prorogation in Cameroon

magazine.pagesjaunes.online - Procédure judiciaire : Plainte d’Abaa Oyono contre les services de sécurité

**Summary:** Several provinces in Morocco are expected to experience thunderstorms and hail until Friday, March 27, 2026. One report specifically mentions heavy rain in the suburbs of Marrakech.

**Key points:**
- Weather forecasts predict thunderstorms and hail across multiple Moroccan provinces.
- The severe weather is expected to last until Friday.
- Heavy rain was reported in the suburbs of Marrakech.

**Why it matters:** This weather event indicates potentially disruptive conditions across parts of Morocco, including heavy rain in the Marrakech area.

أمطار قوية ضواحي مراكش

Morocco: Thunderstorms and Hail Expected Until Friday in Several Provinces

**Summary:** The European Parliament voted to advance the implementation of a trade agreement with the USA negotiated last year, which involves the temporary abolition of EU industrial tariffs. The approval is conditional, requiring the USA to fully adhere to its commitments, including imposing a maximum 15% tariff on most EU products.

**Key points:**
- The deal is part of an agreement struck between US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in August of the previous year.
- The implementation requires approval from both the European Parliament and the Council of EU states.
- Conditions include a clause to suspend the deal if the US imposes new tariffs and a 'sunset' clause setting the expiration date for the measures at March 31, 2028, unless renewed.
- Parliament had previously halted work on implementation in January due to threats by Trump regarding Greenland and uncertainty following a US Supreme Court ruling on Trump-imposed tariffs.

**Why it matters:** This move progresses a significant transatlantic trade agreement, although the conditions set by the EU Parliament indicate ongoing political sensitivity regarding compliance from the US administration.

Zölle: EU-Parlament stimmt für Umsetzung von US-Handelsvereinbarung

Liveblog USA unter Trump: EU-Parlament stimmt für Umsetzung von US-Handelsdeal

Dall'Europarlamento via libera con condizioni all'intesa sui dazi con gli Stati Uniti

EU Parliament Approves Conditions for US Trade Deal Implementation

**Summary:** Serbian political figures are divided on the country's foreign policy direction, with one opposition leader stating that the choice of foreign policy will determine the fate of the Serbian people, while another opposition leader filed criminal charges against the ruling party for alleged misuse of funds during a rally.

**Key points:**
- Miloš Jovanović (Novi DSS) stated that Serbia is at a crossroads and that aligning with the EU path while not sanctioning Russia is impossible.
- Srđan Milivojević (DS) accused the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of paying 231 million dinars for 'extras' to attend a March 21st rally in Belgrade Arena.
- Analysts suggest Serbian foreign policy, largely directed by President Aleksandar Vučić, lacks strategy, leading to improvisation and limited results, with the EU showing excessive tolerance.
- Ana Brnabić (President of the National Assembly of Serbia) stressed the need to concretize parliamentary cooperation with Republika Srpska, including financing memorial centers for Jasenovac victims.

**Why it matters:** The debate highlights deep internal political divisions regarding Serbia's geopolitical alignment (East vs. West) and raises concerns about the transparency and legality of ruling party campaign financing.

Spoljna politika Srbije bez jasne strategije ? - DW

Parlamentarni forum Srbija - Republika Srpska; Brnabić: Važno da se saradnja konkretizuje - RTV

Milivojevic (DS): SNS dao 231 milion dinara na statiste za skup u Beogradskoj areni - Nedeljnik

Jovanović (Novi DSS): Pitanje našeg spoljnopolitičkog izbora odrediće sudbinu srpskog naroda - Nedeljnik

Serbian Political Leaders Clash Over Foreign Policy and Party Financing

**Summary:** The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the "gravest crime against humanity." The resolution, introduced by Ghana, also calls for reparatory justice, including the return of cultural artifacts and concrete reparations.

**Key points:**
- 123 states voted in favor of the resolution, which was adopted on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
- Reparatory measures sought include financial compensation, debt relief, and development aid.
- President John Dramani Mahama hailed the decision as historic but cautioned it is the beginning of the struggle for justice.
- Israel, the USA, and Argentina voted against the resolution; Germany abstained.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated the trade created a racist ideology to justify the unforgivable.

**Why it matters:** This non-binding resolution is considered a landmark diplomatic step in addressing the enduring legacy of slavery and advancing calls for accountability and restitution for people of African descent worldwide.

Quarte Bot