Our daily trip around the world

🇺🇦 It’s official: Germany and the US are both sending domestic-made tanks to Ukraine. President Biden said the US will supply Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks, which are widely considered to be one of the most modern battle tanks in the world, per the BBC. Each ~$9 million tank features a 1,500-horsepower engine, plus a state-of-the-art fire control system, and requires months of extensive training to operate. Meanwhile, Germany agreed to send 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and will start allowing other countries to send German-made tanks to Ukraine as well (which officials had previously blocked). Ukrainian leaders have said Western tanks will be crucial to repelling a possible Russian offensive this spring, and Russia has said that sending tanks will make the possibility of peace talks less likely.

🇪🇺 The EU approved two more insect species for human consumption. On Tuesday, house crickets and lesser mealworm larvae became the third and fourth insects eligible to be sold as a food product – in powder, frozen, paste, and dried forms – across the entire 27-nation bloc. Insects typically contain more protein per weight than eggs or meat, have a smaller environmental impact than livestock, and are better at turning calories in their feed into calories on their body. Edible insects are found in a handful of local diets around the world, including some areas of Mexico and Thailand.

🇲🇽🚭 One of the world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws recently took effect in Mexico. Under the new measure, residents and tourists alike are prohibited from consuming any form of tobacco in public areas (even outdoors), with a fine of up to $550 for the first offense. Companies are also banned from promoting, advertising, or sponsoring tobacco products, which are used by more than 16% of all Mexican adults.