Libre News of The World. Friday the 2nd of January 2026

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Today on **Libre News of The World** we followed severe winter disruptions grounding flights across **Canada** ([https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/thousands-of-passengers-grounded-in-canada-as-air-canada-porter-westjet-jazz-and-more-airlines-face-with-147-cancellations-and-618-delays-at-toronto-vancouver-montreal-winnipeg-inukjuak-and-mor/](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/thousands-of-passengers-grounded-in-canada-as-air-canada-porter-westjet-jazz-and-more-airlines-face-with-147-cancellations-and-618-delays-at-toronto-vancouver-montreal-winnipeg-inukjuak-and-mor/)), a worsening healthcare affordability crisis in the **United States** ([https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/31/healthcare-americans-poll-data-insurance](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/31/healthcare-americans-poll-data-insurance)), and electoral tensions in **Central America** after Honduras’ disputed presidential vote ([https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-backed-asfura-wins-honduras-presidency-after-weeks-delays-disputed-2025-12-24/](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-backed-asfura-wins-honduras-presidency-after-weeks-delays-disputed-2025-12-24/)). **Panama** faced diplomatic fallout over the demolition of a monument honouring the Chinese community ([https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/beijing-condemns-the-demolition-of-a-monument-honoring-the-chinese-community-in-panama/](https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/beijing-condemns-the-demolition-of-a-monument-honoring-the-chinese-community-in-panama/)), while **Cuba** adjusted to new U.S. travel and visa scrutiny ([https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/dominican-republic-joins-jamaica-bahamas-antigua-and-barbuda-dominica-saint-lucia-cuba-and-others-in-facing-new-travel-changes-in-the-us-as-the-old-system-comes-under-scrutiny-everything-you-need-to-know/](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/dominican-republic-joins-jamaica-bahamas-antigua-and-barbuda-dominica-saint-lucia-cuba-and-others-in-facing-new-travel-changes-in-the-us-as-the-old-system-comes-under-scrutiny-everything-you-need-to-know/)). **Brazil** grappled with Jair Bolsonaro’s legal pressure and China’s beef tariffs ([https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/)), **Colombia** introduced electric tourist carriages in Cartagena ([https://apnews.com/article/b7b9f43cb7c0afb344aa626708afbfd6](https://apnews.com/article/b7b9f43cb7c0afb344aa626708afbfd6)), and **Chile** entered 2026 amid political shifts and conservation efforts in Patagonia ([https://www.theguardian.com/world/chile-patagonia-new-park-2025](https://www.theguardian.com/world/chile-patagonia-new-park-2025)). **Argentina** raised electricity, gas and water tariffs as export pressures grew ([https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/a-partir-del-1-de-enero-de-2026-asi-quedan-las-tarifas-de-luz-gas-y-agua-en-el-amba-nid31122025/](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/a-partir-del-1-de-enero-de-2026-asi-quedan-las-tarifas-de-luz-gas-y-agua-en-el-amba-nid31122025/)). **China** outlined economic, military and trade priorities for the new year ([https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-imposes-curbs-beef-imports-protect-domestic-industry-2025-12-31/](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-imposes-curbs-beef-imports-protect-domestic-industry-2025-12-31/)). **Australia** marked a sombre New Year with trade concerns tied to Chinese beef tariffs ([https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-01/sydney-sombre-new-year-celebrations-/106190882](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-01/sydney-sombre-new-year-celebrations-/106190882)), while **New Zealand** welcomed 2026 with policy changes and cybersecurity concerns ([https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/01/01/government-new-year-changes-how-theyll-affect-your-wallet/](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/01/01/government-new-year-changes-how-theyll-affect-your-wallet/)). In **Japan**, business leaders warned over the weak yen ([https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-business-lobby-chiefs-urge-government-tackle-weak-yen-media-reports-2026-01-01/](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-business-lobby-chiefs-urge-government-tackle-weak-yen-media-reports-2026-01-01/)). **Singapore** managed record New Year crowds at Marina Bay ([https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/countdown-2026-marina-bay-kallang-police-crowds-5769616](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/countdown-2026-marina-bay-kallang-police-crowds-5769616)). **Vietnam** enacted sweeping data protection, wage and labour reforms ([https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnam-s-fight-against-cybercrime-enters-a-new-era-with-personal-data-law-2478062.html](https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnam-s-fight-against-cybercrime-enters-a-new-era-with-personal-data-law-2478062.html)). In **Africa**, Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya was declared election winner ([https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20251231-guinea-coup-leader-doumbouya-elected-president](https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20251231-guinea-coup-leader-doumbouya-elected-president)). **Turkey** launched nationwide anti-terror raids detaining IS suspects ([https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-detains-125-suspected-daesh-members-in-anti-terror-operations/3086632](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-detains-125-suspected-daesh-members-in-anti-terror-operations/3086632)). **Saudi Arabia** introduced new excise tax rules from January 1 ([https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/646991](https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/646991)). **Iran** saw widespread protests over inflation and economic pressure ([https://www.iranintl.com/en/202512305610](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202512305610)). **Israel** reviewed demographic changes as growth slowed ([https://www.themarker.com/allnews/2025-12-31/ty-article/0000019b-73fd-dd15-a3fb-fbffd2ad0000](https://www.themarker.com/allnews/2025-12-31/ty-article/0000019b-73fd-dd15-a3fb-fbffd2ad0000)). **France** rolled out SMIC increases and social reforms ([https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20251231.OBS111092/ce-qui-change-au-1-janvier-2026-nouveau-conge-de-naissance-hausse-du-smic-et-du-prix-du-tabac.html](https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20251231.OBS111092/ce-qui-change-au-1-janvier-2026-nouveau-conge-de-naissance-hausse-du-smic-et-du-prix-du-tabac.html)). **Italy** reopened debate on electoral reform ([https://www.reuters.com/world/italys-tajani-calls-electoral-reform-with-majority-bonus-before-next-national-2025-12-31/](https://www.reuters.com/world/italys-tajani-calls-electoral-reform-with-majority-bonus-before-next-national-2025-12-31/)). **Spain** implemented new retirement-age and road-safety rules ([https://tododisca.es/prestaciones/gobierno-confirma-nueva-edad-jubilacion-espana-1-enero-2026/](https://tododisca.es/prestaciones/gobierno-confirma-nueva-edad-jubilacion-espana-1-enero-2026/)). **Portugal** marked 40 years in the EU amid severe weather alerts ([https://www.cmjornal.pt/mundo/detalhe/von-der-leyen-destaca-que-adesao-de-portugal-a-ue-foi-um-marco-na-unidade-europeia](https://www.cmjornal.pt/mundo/detalhe/von-der-leyen-destaca-que-adesao-de-portugal-a-ue-foi-um-marco-na-unidade-europeia)). **Azerbaijan** celebrated the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis ([https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/4137293.html](https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/4137293.html)). The **UK** and **Scotland** braced for snow and ice warnings ([https://news.sky.com/story/snowfall-expected-across-much-of-uk-as-new-warnings-issued-13489006](https://news.sky.com/story/snowfall-expected-across-much-of-uk-as-new-warnings-issued-13489006) and [https://news.stv.tv/scotland/snowy-start-to-2026-as-new-years-day-yellow-weather-warning-for-snow-and-ice-issued](https://news.stv.tv/scotland/snowy-start-to-2026-as-new-years-day-yellow-weather-warning-for-snow-and-ice-issued)). **Ireland** boosted wages and welfare payments ([https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41755113.html](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41755113.html)). **Germany** entered 2026 amid coalition talks and winter warnings ([https://www.dw.com/en/germany-coalition-talks-winter-warnings/a-67899912](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-coalition-talks-winter-warnings/a-67899912)). **Scandinavian Europe** dealt with the aftermath of Storm Johannes ([https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/RjRagJ/tre-doede-etter-uvaer-i-sverige](https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/RjRagJ/tre-doede-etter-uvaer-i-sverige)). **Iceland** lowered electricity fees ([https://www.rarik.is/frettir/laekkun-gjaldskrar-og-ny-thettbylisgjaldsvaedi](https://www.rarik.is/frettir/laekkun-gjaldskrar-og-ny-thettbylisgjaldsvaedi)). **Uzbekistan** launched major economic and procurement reforms ([https://kun.uz/en/news/2025/12/30/uzbekistan-to-scrap-direct-contracts-in-public-procurement-from-2026](https://kun.uz/en/news/2025/12/30/uzbekistan-to-scrap-direct-contracts-in-public-procurement-from-2026)). **Russia** raised the national minimum wage ([https://ria.ru/20260101/mrot-2065893985.html](https://ria.ru/20260101/mrot-2065893985.html)). **Ukraine** reported New Year drone attacks on infrastructure ([https://kyivindependent.com](https://kyivindependent.com)). **India** combined new excise duties with cold-wave warnings ([https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-tobacco-stocks-fall-india-imposes-new-excise-duty-cigarettes-2026-01-01/](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-tobacco-stocks-fall-india-imposes-new-excise-duty-cigarettes-2026-01-01/)).

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