Libre News of The World Express Edition. Monday the 28th of April 2025

On this episode of Libre News of the World Express edition, Canada braces for a pivotal election with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals pulling slightly ahead amid rising nationalist sentiment and friction with the U.S. (for more information visit The Washington Post). Meanwhile, President Trump faces mounting domestic controversies even as he engages internationally at Pope Francis's funeral and meets Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy (for more information visit The Washington Post). Trump also stirred tensions by demanding free passage for U.S. ships through the Panama and Suez Canals, challenging long-standing maritime agreements (for more information visit The Wall Street Journal). The International Monetary Fund revised downward its Caribbean growth forecast, citing global pressures and tighter financing (for more information visit Reuters). In Brazil, the Central Bank left the door open to a possible May interest rate hike amid ongoing inflation uncertainty (for more information visit Bloomberg). Colombia celebrated a major drop in multidimensional poverty according to DANE, although challenges persist for vulnerable groups (for more information visit El Tiempo). Chile accelerated approval of lithium projects to meet global demand, partnering with firms like Eramet, Quiborax, and Codelco (for more information visit Reuters). Argentina entered a period of national mourning as Pope Francis was laid to rest, with tributes led by San Lorenzo football club (for more information visit La Nación). China moved to boost tourism by slashing tax refund thresholds for foreign shoppers (for more information visit South China Morning Post). A 6.7 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand’s South Island, prompting evacuations and causing major infrastructure damage (for more information visit The New Zealand Herald). In monetary news, the Bank of Japan weighs delaying rate hikes amid global tariff tensions (for more information visit Reuters). Lee Jae-myung surged to the front in South Korea’s snap presidential race after Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment (for more information visit The Korea Times). In Vietnam, Dong Nai province launched the country’s largest hot air balloon festival, blending culture and spectacle (for more information visit Vietnam News). Namibia announced free university education beginning in 2026, a historic investment in youth and national opportunity (for more information visit The Namibian). In Turkey, peace talks with the PKK are back on the table after Abdullah Öcalan called for disarmament (for more information visit Al Jazeera). Saudi Aramco expanded investments into synthetic e-fuels to extend the life of combustion engines (for more information visit Financial Times). A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port caused massive casualties and damage, blamed on negligent handling of chemicals (for more information visit Al Jazeera). The Gaza conflict worsened as the death toll climbed over 52,000, with humanitarian conditions rapidly deteriorating (for more information visit Al Jazeera). France announced a sweeping public sector reform aiming to cut billions in spending by merging or dissolving state agencies (for more information visit Le Monde). Pope Francis was laid to rest with a modest ceremony attended by world leaders at Santa Maria Maggiore (for more information visit Vatican News). Spain committed €1.3 billion to industrialized social housing construction to ease its housing crisis (for more information visit El País). Portugal’s euthanasia law hit a new roadblock after the Constitutional Court found several elements unconstitutional (for more information visit Público). Birmingham battled a severe rat infestation fueled by a prolonged bin workers' strike (for more information visit The Guardian). In Ireland, concerns grew over plans to introduce pepper spray into the prison system amid overcrowding (for more information visit The Irish Times). Germany sought an EU borrowing exemption to ramp up defense spending without breaching fiscal rules (for more information visit Deutsche Welle). Norway’s political temperature continued to rise ahead of the parliamentary elections, with economic and security debates dominating (for more information visit The Local Norway). Iceland fast-tracked its defense policy review amid growing global instability (for more information visit Iceland Review). Travel disruptions worsened between India and Uzbekistan after Pakistan’s airspace closure following the Pahalgam attack (for more information visit The Times of India). Russia claimed full control over the Kursk region with North Korean troop support, although Ukraine disputed these claims (for more information visit Reuters). Ukraine rejected a U.S. peace plan that proposed recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea, defending its territorial integrity (for more information visit The Kyiv Independent). And finally, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in response to a deadly terrorist attack, raising fears of regional escalation (for more information visit The Hindu).