*Ecuador’s energy and mining minister, Antonio Goncalves, has announced that electricity rationing will be eased in some parts of the country due to higher water levels at hydroelectric power stations. He said that whilst scheduled power cuts will continue over the next week (30 September - 6 October), the duration of the blackouts could be reduced. Water levels at Ecuador’s largest hydroelectric station, Coca Codo Sinclair (Napo province), are “showing signs of stabilising”, Goncalves said, while “recent rainfall along the Coca River has enabled a reduction in the hours of power rationing in some parts of the country”. However, he added that “despite this progress, the drought and low water levels continue to pose a challenge”.