Libre News of The World Super Express Edition. Thursday the 24th of April

On this episode of Libre News of The World Super Express edition, we zoom across the globe to unpack a fast-moving day of headline developments and shifting geopolitics. In India, business optimism surged as private sector activity reached an eight-month high in April, driven by a jump in export orders and record manufacturing job growth, with the HSBC Composite PMI hitting 60.0 (Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-private-sector-business-activity-surges-8-month-high-april-pmi-2025-04-23/). Meanwhile, the economic mood in Europe was starkly different. Germany’s private sector slipped back into contraction, dragged down by weak service performance and trade headwinds, with the composite PMI dipping to 49.7 (Handelsblatt: https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/konjunktur-deutschlands-wirtschaft-im-april-wieder-geschrumpft/100044243.html), and the UK recorded its sharpest downturn in over two years, with a PMI of 48.2 and concerns mounting over tax burdens and shrinking exports (The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/23/uk-business-activity-contracts-april-global-trade-pmi). Portugal is seeking fiscal leeway from the EU to increase defense spending without penalties, tapping into a continent-wide military rearmament trend (Diário de Notícias: https://www.dn.pt/politica/portugal-pede-flexibilizacao-orcamental-para-gastos-com-defesa-18428947.html). Spain is ahead of the curve, pledging €10.5 billion more in military investment to hit NATO targets early (El País: https://elpais.com/espana/2025-04-22/sanchez-eleva-el-gasto-en-defensa-para-cumplir-la-meta-de-la-otan-en-2025.html). In Brazil, a $300 million mega-farm aims to revolutionize cocoa production as West Africa struggles, offering a glimpse into a new agricultural future (Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/brazils-would-be-cocoa-king-aims-revolutionize-industry-with-giant-farm-2025-04-22/). Across Africa, the IMF is pushing for faster debt restructuring to contain risks as growth expectations are revised to 3.9% for 2025 (Bloomberg Africa: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-22/imf-urges-faster-africa-debt-revamps-as-growth-outlook-darkens). Turkey’s Finance Minister traveled to the U.S. to assure markets that the country’s economic program remains on track, despite soaring interest rates and domestic political tension (Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/2f5babc7-7a20-4c17-bf3d-ec18c28757b0). In Riyadh, India and Saudi Arabia inked key agreements on energy and defense, deepening bilateral cooperation during Prime Minister Modi’s visit (The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-saudi-arabia-deepen-energy-defence-ties/article67849547.ece). Meanwhile, Ukraine accused China of aiding Russia’s military by allowing Chinese nationals to work at a drone production facility—claims Beijing denies as tensions continue to rise (Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-chinese-citizens-working-drone-production-site-russia-2025-04-22/). And finally, in a move welcomed by conservationists, Iceland’s sole whaling firm canceled its fin whale hunt for the second straight year, citing market collapse and public pressure (Iceland Review: https://www.icelandreview.com/news/icelands-only-whaling-company-cancels-2025-hunt/). Stay with us for more breaking coverage on Libre News of The World Super Express edition.