Good morning.

📞 US President Trump and Russian Putin will have a direct phone call today (morning ET) to discuss the proposed peace plan for Ukraine.

Three headlines to kick off your Tuesday.

💥 Breaking: Extensive Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Kill Over 300

Beginning at 0200 local, Israel conducted extensive strikes across Gaza hitting 35 targets across the strip. Several senior Hamas leaders were killed in the strikes, along with hundreds of civilians. Israel also issued evacuation notices, establishing a ‘red zone’ along the entire Gaza border, forcing thousands of families to move. The strikes came after two months of relative peace during Phase One of a ceasefire when the hostage and prisoner changes took place, and aid was allowed back into the Gaza Strip. BBC - Live Updates 

🇮🇱 Netanyahu Moves to Fire Domestic Intelligence Head

Netanyahu moved to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, an unprecedented action against Israel's domestic security agency head, amid investigations into the Prime Minister's advisers for allegedly receiving Qatari payments. Bar refused to resign, citing "sensitive investigations" and hostage recovery efforts, while Israel's attorney general warned the dismissal may be illegal due to Netanyahu's conflict of interest. More - Axios

🛫 White House deportation clash

The White House defied a judge's order to halt deportations of 261 alleged gang members to El Salvador, claiming the ruling came too late and "had no legal basis." Trump invoked the rarely-used 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify the removals, sparking constitutional concerns about executive power and due process. More - BBC

Live Country Data, Connected in Minutes

We’re all short of time and one thing I am incredibly focused on with Decis is getting you the information you need as easily and quickly as possible. Why would you have to jump through hoops to set up a data service or wait for the analyst to get you a country brief?

So when I built the API, the intent was to make everything as smooth as possible: the sign up, coverage selection, connection to your systems.

What does that mean in reality?

It means you can be set up and connected in just a couple of minutes. Here’s how.

Try the API yourself - api.decis.ai 

(And if you beat my time, let me know.)

Americas Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇧🇿 Belize, 🇧🇴 Bolivia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇸🇻 El Salvador, 🇬🇹 Guatemala, 🇭🇹 Haiti, 🇭🇳 Honduras, 🇯🇲 Jamaica, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇳🇮 Nicaragua, 🇵🇦 Panama, 🇵🇾 Paraguay, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia, 🇸🇷 Suriname, 🇧🇸 The Bahamas, 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago, 🇺🇸 United States Of America, 🇺🇾 Uruguay, 🇻🇪 Venezuela

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇩🇲 Dominica, 🇬🇩 Grenada, 🇬🇾 Guyana, 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis, 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Regional News Summary

Brazil's economy is currently navigating a complex landscape marked by both growth and contraction. On one hand, the country's grain output is projected to reach a historic 323.8 million tons by 2025, reflecting a robust agricultural sector. However, the services sector has shown signs of strain, contracting by 0.2% in January amid rising interest rates. This duality is further complicated by trade tensions, particularly stemming from the Trump administration's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which have prompted criticism of President Lula's handling of the situation. Meanwhile, Brazil's auto sector has seen a resurgence, with production hitting a five-year high in February, indicating resilience in certain industries despite broader economic challenges [SOURCE - The Rio Times].

In the political arena, Brazil's landscape remains contentious. President Lula faces backlash for his response to U.S. tariffs, while the country's top court prepares to deliberate on a case against former President Bolsonaro, which could have significant implications for Brazil's political future [SOURCE - Breitbart].

Environmental issues have also taken center stage, with Brazil criticized for deforestation linked to preparations for a climate summit. In contrast, São Paulo's tourism sector is projected to drive a $57 billion economic surge by 2025, showcasing the potential for growth in sustainable industries [SOURCE - Times of India].

As Brazil grapples with these challenges, Mexico is facing its own set of issues, particularly in trade relations with the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum has opted not to retaliate against U.S. steel tariffs until April, a strategic decision aimed at de-escalating tensions. However, the impact of these tariffs is already being felt, with some SNAP recipients in New Mexico at risk of losing benefits [SOURCE - Foreign Policy in Focus].

Despite these tensions, Mexico has seen positive economic developments, including a $670 million investment from Mabe, a local company, and the establishment of an AI bootcamp in Mexico City to meet the growing demand in the tech sector [SOURCE - Mexico News Daily]. However, crime remains a significant concern, highlighted by the recent capture of a top drug trafficker and the ongoing issue of missing children, which underscores the dangers faced by families searching for loved ones [SOURCE - El País].

In Argentina, economic forecasts predict an inflation rate of 23.3% and a growth rate of 4.8% for 2025, as the country seeks to stabilize its economy through an IMF deal. However, protests have erupted over budget cuts, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and police [SOURCE - Rio Times]. The political landscape is equally tumultuous, with former President Pedro Castillo going on hunger strike to protest his detention amid a broader political crisis [SOURCE - MercoPress].

Venezuela's migration crisis continues to evolve, with the government resuming repatriation flights for irregular migrants in the U.S. This decision follows a crackdown on Venezuelan migrants by the Trump administration, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis [SOURCE - MercoPress]. (See the headlines for more on US deportations of Venezuelans.)

Additionally, Venezuela is strengthening ties with Russia, as both countries prepare to sign a strategic partnership agreement [SOURCE - TASS].

In Colombia, the government is grappling with rising violence, prompting measures to address the situation. A recent incident involving the shooting of a Colombian diplomat in Brazil highlights the security concerns faced by diplomatic personnel [SOURCE - The Rio Times].

Carpe tomorrow!