**Summary:** The 2026 Belgian personal income tax return will contain 699 codes, a reduction of 47 codes from the previous year, according to the cabinet of the Minister of Finance, Jan Jambon. This simplification is part of a broader federal tax reform aimed at reducing exemptions and deductions.

**Key points:**
- The number of codes (699) is the lowest level ever reached for the tax declaration.
- The reduction is due to the elimination of little-used tax deductions, such as those for domestic employees or electric quadricycles.
- The means freed up by these simplifications are intended to finance a general tax reduction for working individuals.
- Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) stated this is an important step toward a simpler tax system that rewards work more.

**Why it matters:** This ongoing simplification effort aims to create a less complex tax regime, with the stated goal of better rewarding work through associated tax reductions.

La Libre - La déclaration d'impôt 2026 comptera moins de codes

RTBF Actus - L'administration simplifie la déclaration à l’impôt des personnes physiques : 47 codes en moins cette année

Belgian 2026 Tax Return to Feature Fewer Codes Following Simplification Efforts

**Summary:** Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé is pursuing a calculated diplomatic balancing act, positioning himself as an arbiter between the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while maintaining relations with France and the West alongside negotiations with Russia. This strategy is occurring amidst domestic tensions in Togo concerning rural land disputes and impunity.

**Key points:**
- Russian Defense Minister Andreï Belousov met with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé in Lomé on March 9, 2026, without official communication.
- Togolese rural areas face severe injustice due to land destruction by Fulani herders' cattle, leading to arrests of local youth in Fondah.
- Peasants in rural Togo report that disputes are often settled in favor of herders, fueling suspicions that the cattle belong to influential regime figures or military officials.
- The lack of rigorous regulation for transhumance in Togo is noted, contrasting with Benin's existing legal framework.

**Why it matters:** Gnassingbé's diplomatic maneuvering reflects broader geopolitical shifts in West Africa, while internal issues like rural conflict threaten national stability and food sovereignty.

Icilome - La transhumance ou l’impunité organisée contre les paysans au Togo

Icilome - Tribune – Togo : Quand l’impunité rurale devient une violation des droits humains

Jeune Afrique - Faure Gnassingbé : entre la Russie, la Cedeao et l’AES, l’équilibrisme comme levier de pouvoir

Togo's Faure Gnassingbé balances Russia ties with ECOWAS and AES relations

**Summary:** Colonel Théophile Ndounda Leboussi was officially installed as the head of the Direction générale de la documentation et de l’immigration (DGDI) in Libreville, in a ceremony led by the Minister of the Interior, Adrien Nguema Mba. This change sees General Bernard Gnamankala move to head the Service d’Interception et de Liaison des Affaires Militaires (SILAM).

**Key points:**
- The Minister of the Interior, Adrien Nguema Mba, set priorities including reinforcing operational efficiency and modernizing work tools.
- Colonel Lucien Mboumba will serve as the Deputy Director General of the DGDI.
- The new director pledged to implement the political and strategic vision of the President of the Republic.
- The leadership change occurs amid a context of reform emphasizing better organization and increased efficiency within the services.

**Why it matters:** The leadership change at the strategic DGDI signals a focus on security sector reform and modernization within the Gabonese administration.

infosgabon.com - Gabon – Congo : Libreville s’aligne sur Brazzaville et parie sur la stabilité régionale

gabonactu.com - DGDI : Théophile Ndounda Leboussi officiellement installé à la tête de la direction

infosgabon.com - Armée gabonaise : Oligui Nguema veut refonder la formation pour bâtir une élite militaire crédible

Gabon: Colonel Théophile Ndounda Leboussi installed as new DGDI head

**Summary:** Global oil prices dramatically jumped, with Brent crude reaching $112 per barrel, following reports of an air strike hitting a natural gas facility in the Middle East. In response, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić convened an urgent meeting with relevant ministries and institutions to assess the fuel market situation and reserves.

**Key points:**
- Brent crude oil reached $112 per barrel in Asian markets, marking an increase of over 5% from Tuesday's prices.
- The price surge followed Iranian media reports about an air strike targeting a facility at the world's largest natural gas field.
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will meet with competent ministries and institutions today regarding the fuel market and reserves.
- Related international reports mention threats by Trump regarding the destruction of Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran attacks Qatar's LNG facilities.

**Why it matters:** The sharp increase in global energy prices, linked to Middle East instability, is prompting immediate governmental action in Serbia to secure fuel market stability and national reserves.

Pobjeda - Košta: Zaštititi najranjivije potrošače u Evropi, rat na Bliskom istoku gura cijene energenata gore

Euronews - Vučić sazvao hitan sastanak: Analiziraće se situacija na tržištu goriva, cene nafte u svetu dramatično skaču

Oil Prices Surge to $112/Barrel; Vučić Calls Emergency Meeting

**Summary:** Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced the replacement of longtime Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez with General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez. This cabinet shake-up follows the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by US forces on January 3, 2026.

**Key points:**
- Vladimir Padrino Lopez, a key ally of Maduro, led the military since 2014 and faced US sanctions over corruption allegations.
- The new Defence Minister, Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, is also sanctioned by the US and EU for human rights violations and repression.
- Gonzalez Lopez previously served as director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) and head of the Presidential Honor Guard.
- Padrino Lopez's departure is part of a broader cabinet reorganization in the interim government.
- The interim government has faced pressure to implement reforms, having released political prisoners and passed an amnesty law.

**Why it matters:** The change in the head of the military, a pillar of the Chavista power structure, occurs amidst ongoing international tensions and US pressure on Venezuela to open its oil and mining sectors to foreign investment.

Delcy Rodríguez destituye a Vladimir Padrino y designa a un responsable de graves violaciones

Delcy Rodriguez replaces Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino

Nuevo ministro de Defensa de Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez destituye a Vladimir Padrino

González López, el nuevo ministro de Defensa en Venezuela sancionado por EE.UU. y la UE | PERFIL

Delcy Rodriguez Replaces Vladimir Padrino as Venezuela's Defence Minister

**Summary:** Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales, alias “Lobo Menor,” was arrested in Mexico City following a coordinated operation involving Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. He is investigated as the alleged intellectual author of the 2023 assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

**Key points:**
- The suspect initially identified himself as Colombian citizen Juan Carlos Montero Mestre.
- The arrest, named Operation “Jericó,” followed surveillance in Medellín and Itagüí, Colombia, before locating him in Polanco, Mexico City.
- The detainee was among those most wanted by Ecuador and had an Interpol Red Notice.
- He is linked as the leader of the organized armed group Los Lobos, with alleged transnational criminal connections.
- Following his capture, the individual was transferred to Colombian territory for extradition proceedings.
- Authorities are investigating his possible use of false Colombian documents and links to alias “Iván Mordisco”.

**Why it matters:** This capture highlights significant international security cooperation between Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador against transnational organized crime. It represents a major step in the ongoing judicial process related to the high-profile assassination of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate.

Capturan en México a presunto autor intelectual del crimen de Villavicencio - Diario El Norte

Detienen en CDMX al ‘Lobo Menor’, vinculado al asesinato del candidato presidencial de Ecuador – El Financiero

Suspected intellectual author of Villavicencio murder captured in Mexico

**Summary:** The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia announced that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026, as the crescent moon for Shawwal was not sighted on Wednesday, March 18. Similarly, the UAE Presidency announced that Thursday, March 19, would complete Ramadan, making Friday, March 20, the first day of Eid al-Fitr in the Emirates.

**Key points:**
- Saudi Arabia's decision followed astronomical calculations indicating the impossibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent.
- The UAE's declaration was based on reports from the 'Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee' affiliated with the UAE Council for Sharia Edict.
- The Saudi announcement influences other countries that often align their dates with Saudi Arabia's declaration.
- Thursday, March 19, 2026, will be the final day of fasting for Ramadan in Saudi Arabia.

**Why it matters:** The official announcement of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for millions of Muslims in the region, setting the date for the major religious festival.

غدا المتمم لشهر رمضان .. والجمعة أول أيام عيد الفطر في الإمارات - زاد الاردن الاخباري

السعودية تعلن الجمعة عيد الفطر - زاد الاردن الاخباري

Ramadan: Saudi Arabia declares Friday Eid al-Fitr - Daily Post Nigeria

L’Aïd al-Fitr célébré le vendredi 20 mars en Arabie Saoudite - Leral.net

Saudi Arabia and UAE Announce Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026

**Summary:** The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board retroactively stripped Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title, declaring Morocco the winner via a 3-0 forfeit victory. This controversial decision, announced nearly two months after the final, has caused widespread indignation and accusations of political motivation.

**Key points:**
- The decision was based on Article 84 of the regulations, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match.
- Senegalese press reacted strongly, calling the decision a 'scandal' and the 'biggest theft in football history'.
- Figures like Augustin Senghor stated the Appeals Board substituted the referee, and that the true champions would be recognized.
- The controversy has drawn international attention, with Samir Nasri alerting on credibility issues for CAF.
- Senegal plans to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).

**Why it matters:** This unprecedented and tardy ruling by CAF has severely damaged the credibility of the continental football governing body and risks creating lasting institutional fractures.

Quarte Bot