
18 hours ago
Libre News of The World. Friday the 28th of August 2026
Today’s Libre News of the World traces a planet being reshaped by trade conflict, war, climate pressure, technological expansion and a renewed struggle over strategic resources. In Canada, economic tensions with the United States are reaching supermarket shelves through the resurgence of “Buy Canadian,” while Washington’s prolonged war with Iran increasingly centres on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a disruption also driving Qatari diplomacy and affecting global shipping and energy security.
Climate and infrastructure risks loom large. Panama’s El Niño emergency threatens water supplies, electricity generation and Canal traffic, while a catastrophic Himalayan glacial collapse has devastated communities across Tibet and Nepal. Australia, meanwhile, is preparing national standards for the immense energy, water and land demands of AI data centres.
Critical minerals and energy are becoming instruments of sovereignty. Brazil is seeking tighter control over strategic mineral resources, Chile is opening a carefully regulated path for private lithium investment, Uzbekistan is accelerating renewables as gas production falls, and Sweden is considering state support for new nuclear generation.
Political and economic institutions are also shifting. Colombia’s pension reform has largely survived constitutional scrutiny; Argentina is attempting to entrench monetary discipline; Portugal is redesigning welfare around employment; Spain is implementing Europe’s new migration framework; and Iceland prepares to vote on reopening EU membership negotiations.
Across Asia and Europe, security remains fluid. Japan plans another record defence request, India and China are expanding border safeguards, Russia and the United States maintain intelligence contact despite stalled Ukraine diplomacy, and Russia has launched another major aerial assault on Ukraine. From Greenland’s demand for a stronger Nordic defence voice to Germany’s discovery of a telecom vulnerability, today’s stories reveal governments adapting to a world where economic resilience, technological systems, climate exposure and national security are increasingly inseparable.
Boundaries between domestic and global policy are rapidly fading.
Sources
Argentina
Headline: Milei wins lower-house approval for a sweeping Central Bank overhaul designed to block future monetary financing of government
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Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) — https://www.bcra.gob.ar/publicaciones/informe-monetario-mensual-julio-de-2026/
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Infobae — https://www.infobae.com/economia/2026/08/26/reforma-de-la-carta-organica-del-bcra-las-6-claves-para-entender-el-proyecto-que-ya-tiene-media-sancion-de-diputados/?outputType=amp-type (BCRA)
Australia
Headline: Australia moves to regulate the AI data-centre boom with national rules for energy, water and land use
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Prime Minister of Australia / National Cabinet — https://www.pm.gov.au/media/meeting-national-cabinet-26-august-26
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ABC News / 7.30 — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/proposal-to-turn-former-ford-factory-into-giant-data-centre/107075906 (Prime Minister of Australia)
Azerbaijan
Headline: Azerbaijan and Armenia explore linking power grids as peace process moves toward economic integration
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Armenpress — https://armenpress.am/en/article/1258821
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Public Radio of Armenia — https://en.armradio.am/2026/08/25/armenia-and-azerbaijan-discuss-cross-border-electricity-cooperation-in-lachin/
Brazil
Headline: Brazil moves to tighten control over critical minerals as global powers compete for its rare-earth wealth
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Câmara dos Deputados — https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/1269666-camara-aprova-criacao-da-politica-nacional-de-minerais-criticos-e-estrategicos
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CNN Brasil — https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/infra/alcolumbre-confirma-votacao-de-pl-dos-minerais-criticos-na-proxima-semana/
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Agência Brasil — https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/politica/noticia/2026-08/governo-e-congresso-acertam-pautas-para-esforco-concentrado-de-votacao
Canada
Headline: ‘Buy Canadian’ movement surges again as U.S. trade war reshapes how Canadians shop
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Public Services and Procurement Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/selling-federal-government/buy-canadian.html
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Winnipeg Free Press / The Canadian Press — https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/26/buy-canadian-purchasing-patriotism-sees-renewed-push-amid-rising-tariffs
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Global News — https://globalnews.ca/news/12036392/loblaw-country-of-origin-buy-canadian/ (Canada)
Chile
Headline: Chile signs its first lithium production contract exclusively with a private company, signalling a new push to unlock the industry
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La Tercera / Pulso — https://www.latercera.com/pulso/noticia/gobierno-firma-ceol-con-quiborax-para-producir-litio-desde-descartes-mineros-en-arica/
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Diario Financiero — https://www.df.cl/economia-y-politica/macro/gobierno-firma-con-quiborax-el-primer-ceol-exclusivo-con-privados-para
Colombia
Headline: Colombia’s Constitutional Court saves Petro’s landmark pension reform — but sends part of it back to Congress
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Cámara de Representantes de Colombia — https://www.camara.gov.co/presidente-de-la-camara-nicolas-barguil-anuncia-todas-las-garantias-para-subsanar-reforma-pensional/
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El Espectador — https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/corte-constitucional-avala-la-reforma-pensional-de-gustavo-petro/
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El Espectador — https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/reforma-pensional-de-petro-que-sigue-despues-de-la-aprobacion-de-la-corte-constitucional/ (Camara)
Egypt
Headline: MSC begins returning Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal as global shipping cautiously abandons the Cape detour
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Suez Canal Authority — https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/MediaCenter/News/Pages/sca_22-08-2026.aspx
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The Maritime Executive — https://maritime-executive.com/index.php/article/msc-follows-other-container-carriers-in-reutrn-to-suez-canal-and-red-sea
France
Headline: Saudi Arabia commits €6bn to three theme parks near Paris as Macron deepens strategic partnership with Riyadh
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Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/france-saudi-arabia-agree-on-7bn-theme-park-project-near-paris
Germany
Headline: German mobile networks exposed sensitive phone data to callers, prompting global security warning
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Bayerischer Rundfunk — https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/sicherheitsluecke-mobilfunknetze-verrieten-sensible-handydaten,VTPFtd7
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ARD / Tagesschau — https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/br-recherche/sicherheitsluecke-mobilfunknetz-100.html
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BR press office — https://www.br.de/presse/inhalt/pressemitteilungen/br-recherche-sicherheitsluecken-in-mobilfunknetzen-100.html
Greenland
Headline: Greenland demands a seat in Nordic defence decisions as Arctic security reshapes its relationship with Denmark
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Danish Prime Minister's Office — https://stm.dk/presse/pressemeddelelser/2026/de-nordiske-stats-og-regeringsledere-droefter-styrket-forsvarssamarbejde-til-nordisk-sommermoede-i-danmark/
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KNR — https://www.knr.gl/da/nyheder/groenland-kraever-plads-ved-bordet-i-nordisk-forsvarssamarbejde
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Nordic Council of Ministers — https://www.norden.org/en/news/joint-danish-and-faroese-presidency-nordic-council-ministers-2026
Iceland
Headline: Iceland votes Saturday on whether to reopen EU membership negotiations
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RÚV — https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2026-08-27-hvad-raedur-thinu-atkvaedi-a-laugardaginn-484951
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Vísir — https://openad01.visir.is/g/20262926114d/fjorutiu-og-eitt-thusund-thegar-greitt-atkvaedi
India
Headline: India and China open a new phase of border talks with fresh military hotlines and a push for early progress
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Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs — https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjbzhd/202608/t20260826_12011002.html
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The Indian Express — https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-china-to-advance-boundary-talks-for-early-harvest-set-up-2-new-hotlines-2-more-meeting-points-10851191/
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All India Radio / Akashvani — https://newsonair.gov.in/india-and-china-reaffirm-commitment-to-peace-and-tranquillity-in-border-areas/
Iran
Headline: Qatar sends prime minister to Tehran as Iran faces pressure to reopen Hormuz and return to U.S. talks
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IRNA — https://en.irna.ir/news/86247266/Baqaei-Qatari-PM-to-visit-Tehran-on-Thursday
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Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs — https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/latest-articles/latest-news/details/2026/08/25/advisor-to-prime-minister-and-official-spokesperson-for-ministry-of-foreign-affairs--qatar-continued-its-efforts-to-encourage-return-to-negotiations-between-us--iran
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The Peninsula Qatar — https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/26/08/2026/prime-minister-to-visit-iran-tomorrow-mofa-spokesperson
Ireland
Headline: Ireland delays fuel-tax restoration as Middle East energy shock keeps pressure on government
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Irish Examiner — https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41902582.html
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TheJournal.ie — https://www.thejournal.ie/fuel-cut-extension-7143554-Aug2026/
Israel
Headline: Nearly entire U.S. Senate Democratic caucus tells Netanyahu to curb West Bank settler violence and halt settlement expansion
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U.S. Senate Democratic Caucus — https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/news-leader-schumer-sen-schiff-sen-booker-lead-45-senators-in-urging-netanyahu-to-immediately-crack-down-on-settler-violence-in-west-bank-protect-us-citizens
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The Jerusalem Post — https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-906646
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Human Rights Watch — https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/08/20/west-bank-israel-backed-settler-violence-drives-displacement
Italy
Headline: Italy extends diesel tax relief again as energy shock keeps emergency subsidies alive
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Italian Council of Ministers / ANSA — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/pmi/2026/08/26/cdm-prorogati-taglio-accise-diesel-e-credito-dimposta-per-autotrasporto_2f43b319-d50f-4e42-ba68-59f5158816d0.html
Japan
Headline: Japan prepares record ¥8.9tn defence request as five-year military buildup reaches its final year
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Ministry of Defense, Japan — https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/fy2026_20260302a.pdf
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Xinhua — https://english.news.cn/20260808/d5ec96e4c59048e5b2150d8fb6153156/c.html
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Japan Ministry of Finance — https://www.mof.go.jp/english/policy/budget/budget/fy2025/02.pdf
Nepal
Headline: Himalayan glacial collapse devastates Nepal–Tibet border, killing more than 160 as hundreds remain missing
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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) — https://www.icimod.org/press-release/major-flash-flood-sweeps-through-nepals-rasuwa-district-raising-fears-of-further-downstream-flooding/
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The Kathmandu Post — https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/08/27/826-missing-after-bhotekoshi-flood-including-590-tourists
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Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/7262dac22e31258955efa5c28c8fe917 (ICIMOD)
New Zealand
Headline: New Zealand’s under-16 social-media ban gains cross-party majority — but runs out of parliamentary time before election
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New Zealand Government / Beehive — https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-moves-ban-u16s-social-media
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1News — https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/25/govt-says-no-time-for-social-media-bill-after-labour-backs-it/
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Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-social-media-ban-under-16-e6a4f600a60ee41d27bbb4232b5df705
Panama
Headline: Panama declares a national emergency over El Niño as water stress threatens communities, power generation and the Panama Canal
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Presidency of Panama — https://www.mingob.gob.pa/gobierno-declara-estado-de-emergencia-nacional-por-causa-del-fenomeno-de-el-nino/
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TVN Panamá — https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/panama-fenomeno-nino-alerta-suministro-agua-potable-once-cuencas_1_2257652.html
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Panama Canal Authority — https://pancanal.com/en/panama-canal-adopts-additional-measures-to-address-reduced-precipitation-in-the-canal-watershed/ (mingob.gob.pa)
Portugal
Headline: Portugal folds 13 welfare benefits into one as new system ties support more closely to work and social participation
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Diário da República — https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/decreto-lei/166-2026-1156670556
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DECO PROteste — https://www.deco.proteste.pt/familia-consumo/cidadania/noticias/prestacao-social-unica-vai-mudar-apoios-sociais
Russia
Headline: Russia confirms rare CIA–SVR contact in Moscow as Washington seeks a path through the Ukraine deadlock
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Interfax — https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1013155
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Kommersant — https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8908955
Saudi Arabia
Headline: Trump sends Saudi nuclear pact to Congress — but ties it to recognition of Israel
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U.S. Department of Energy — https://www.energy.gov/articles/united-states-and-saudi-arabia-reach-historic-nuclear-cooperation-agreement
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Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/2be6c822995be2a9f2a39b2c05e8f9b0
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Saudi Press Agency — https://www.spa.gov.sa/fa/N2639735
Scotland
Headline: Scotland faces tougher 2027 budget after £728m tax reconciliation and rising cost pressures
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Scottish Fiscal Commission — https://fiscalcommission.scot/scottish-fiscal-commission-urges-the-scottish-government-to-be-clear-about-pressures-on-spending-plans-tuesday-25-august-2026/
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Institute for Fiscal Studies — https://ifs.org.uk/articles/ifs-response-scottish-fiscal-commissions-august-2026-fiscal-update
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Fraser of Allander Institute — https://fraserofallander.org/2026-08-fiscal-update/
South Korea
Headline: Bank of Korea raises rates again as AI-chip boom lifts growth but keeps inflation and housing risks alive
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Bank of Korea — https://www.bok.or.kr/eng/bbs/E0000634/view.do?depth=400423&menuNo=400423&nttId=11064193&programType=newsDataEng&relate=Y
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Yonhap News Agency — https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260827001251320
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The Korea Times — https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20260827/bok-raises-benchmark-rate-to-3-as-inflation-woes-persist
Spain
Headline: Spain begins asylum overhaul as EU’s new migration system reaches one of its busiest frontiers
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Ministerio del Interior — https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/detalle/articulo/Interior-promueve-la-reforma-de-las-leyes-de-proteccion-internacional-para-adecuarlas-al-Pacto-Europeo-sobre-Migracion-y-Asilo/
Sweden
Headline: Fortum seeks state backing for new nuclear reactors in Sweden as Stockholm's nuclear push gathers momentum
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Swedish Government — https://regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2026/08/regeringen-tar-emot-ansokan-om-stod-till-nytt-karnkraftsprojekt/
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Sveriges Radio / P4 Kalmar — https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/just-nu-energijatte-vill-bygga-ny-karnkraft-i-oskarshamn
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Fortum / NuCore Energi — https://news.cision.com/se/fortum-sverige/r/fortumagda-projektbolaget-nucore-energi-ab-inleder-diskussioner-om-ramverket-for-ny-karnkraft-i-sver,c4387977
Türkiye
Headline: Türkiye gets the Syrian outcome it fought for as SDF dissolves and integrates into state forces
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Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye — https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/english/haberler/detay/head-of-communications-duran-we-will-continue-to-stand-by-the-syrian-people-in-all-their-diversity-in-their-pursuit-of-peace-and-prosperity
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Hürriyet Daily News — https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/sdfs-dissolution-major-geopolitical-shift-in-region-ankara-226088
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Syrian Arab News Agency — SANA — https://sana.sy/en/syria/2338549/
Ukraine
Headline: Russia launches hours-long missile and drone assault across Ukraine as Kyiv's air-defence shortage deepens
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Ukrainian Air Force / ArmyInform — https://armyinform.com.ua/2026/08/27/syly-ppo-zbyly-vnochi-oniks-sim-balistychnyh-raket-ta-222-bpla/
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The Kyiv Independent — https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-as-russia-launches-ballistic-missiles-at-the-capital-and-other-regions-across-ukraine/
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Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/c841f3aa849a38ddca94e2dd44556c3a
United Kingdom
Headline: Britain prepares households for cyber and security shocks as attack exposes vulnerabilities in its power network
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Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/5811d9e6-f48d-43ac-bc05-c273287a27d0
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The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/23/iran-linked-hackers-blamed-cyber-attack-british-power-plant
United States
Headline: Six months into the Iran war, Washington’s objective shifts toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz as an exit remains elusive
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CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-strait-of-hormuz-sanctions/
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Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-goals-six-months-bb91832b61fa98fe12790d0a887719e0
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ABC News — https://abcnews.com/International/live-updates/iran-live-updates?entryId=135926896&id=135895428 (CBS News)
Uzbekistan
Headline: Uzbekistan's gas shortage is forcing a strategic shift toward renewables and imports
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan — https://www.president.uz/en/lists/view/9492
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The Times of Central Asia — https://timesca.com/can-uzbekistans-green-transition-offset-its-gas-decline/
Vietnam
Headline: Vietnam overtakes China and Mexico to become America’s largest trade-surplus partner as tariffs reshape supply chains
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U.S. Census Bureau — https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5520.html
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The Wall Street Journal — https://www.wsj.com/world/the-country-that-has-the-biggest-trade-surplus-with-the-u-s-is-now-vietnam-0169b5cd
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Báo Điện tử Chính phủ / Viet Nam Government News — https://en.baochinhphu.vn/viet-nams-foreign-trade-up-over-27-in-first-half-111260704101148237.htm
Zimbabwe
Headline: Zimbabwe’s economy shows its strongest stabilisation in years as inflation falls, reserves rise and Citi calls a turnaround
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Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe — https://www.rbz.co.zw/index.php/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-statements/1639-2026-mid-term-monetary-policy-statement
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Bloomberg, via Moneyweb — https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/africa/citi-sees-zimbabwe-breaking-from-past-in-economic-turnaround/
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NewZimbabwe.com — https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimbabwe-is-turning-around-faster-than-anyone-thinks-says-us-investment-bank-citi/
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