Customs ban exports, imports via land borders indefinitely

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.⁣

This Wednesday is International Wetlands Day. Worldwide, wetlands cover 12.1 million km². But more than 30 percent have been lost over the past 50 years, despite them playing a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change. One example is the Mangroves National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's the only marine park in the country and it's home to a wide variety of plants and rare animals, including sea turtles. But the park is increasingly threatened by poaching and illegal logging. The construction of a deep water port in the vicinity has also sparked controversy. Our correspondents report.

New Zealand plans to waive hotel quarantine requirements, first for its nationals stuck abroad, and eventually for all. The US will begin discharging troops who refuse the vaccine.

India is expected to launch a digital version of its currency, the rupee. The plan for the sovereign-backed digital currency comes as the popularity of cryptocurrencies is on the rise.

Foreign tourists are welcome in Australia once again after nearly two years. Meanwhile, German officials say COVID travel restrictions will be eased early next month.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a border? It may be the infamous border wall in the United States, the barbed wire fencing used in several European countries, or simple border posts with armed guards - all used to keep migrants out. The vast majority of the world's borders are actually relatively nondescript, often even beautiful. That's what photographer Valerio Vincenzo reveals in his photography book borderline. He joined Erin Ogunkeye on Perspective.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday⁣.⁣

One of Nigeria's five authors of her National Anthem, Professor Babatunde Ogunnaike is dead. Professor Ogunnaike emerged as one of five, whose words and phrases were combined to form the national anthem.

For a long time, many saw Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a comic actor who stumbled into the presidency. During the confrontation with Russia, however, the 44-year-old has matured into a respected statesman.

In an interview with FRANCE 24 on Monday, former US national security adviser and retired lieutenant general Herbert Raymond McMaster said that Ukraine can win the war with Russia, remarking that President Vladimir Putin had already lost the conflict in a sense by not winning outright.

The NSU, Hanau, the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market — these names evoke memories of terrorist attacks in Germany's recent past. As leaders meet to commemorate the victims, some say more needs to be done to help them.

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣⁣