Libre News of The World. Thursday the 5th of November 2026

Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! Today on Libre News of The World...

Democrats are projected to take control of both houses of the United States Congress following sweeping midterm election victories, while Canada and Washington renew trade negotiations amid signs of progress on longstanding disputes.

Across Latin America, Panama scales back independence celebrations as communities recover from a devastating earthquake, while Cuba faces mounting electricity shortages. Brazil advances constitutional reforms targeting organised crime, and Colombia approves legislation offering conditional sentence reductions to criminal organisations. Chile confronts exceptional El Niño rainfall, while Argentina pursues ambitious international gas export agreements.

Economic developments dominate the Asia-Pacific. Australia raises interest rates to an 18-year high, New Zealand's unemployment reaches its highest level in nearly 11 years, and China adjusts foreign-currency reserve requirements. Vietnam surpasses one trillion American dollars in merchandise trade, while Japan considers a substantial expansion of defence spending.

In the Middle East, fragile negotiations between Iran and the United States face renewed military tensions. President Donald Trump proposes ending American military assistance to Israel ahead of schedule, while Saudi Aramco reports sharply higher profits despite regional disruptions. Egypt formalises a billion-dollar World Bank financing agreement.

Across Europe, France releases emergency diesel reserves, Spain's transport minister resigns following deadly railway disasters, and Britain and the European Union reportedly advance an agreement easing post-Brexit food trade. Ireland faces a potential nationwide public sector strike, while Poland reinforces its Russian border.

Cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems raise concerns in Italy and Iceland, as Turkey scrutinises Google's artificial intelligence search tools.

Finally, Russia confirms fresh Ukraine peace talks despite continuing attacks on energy infrastructure, while United Nations monitors investigate deadly strikes on a Ukrainian humanitarian aid centre. India's navy rescues 20 Iranian sailors from pirates off Somalia.

These news summaries were prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence as part of Libre News of The World's editorial production process. Every effort has been made to ensure factual accuracy, but occasional errors or omissions may occur. We appreciate your understanding and welcome your feedback as we continue improving the quality of our reporting.

Libre News of The World produces original editorial content based on reporting published by third-party news organisations. Unless explicitly stated, we do not claim to have conducted the original reporting ourselves.

If you'd like to support independent, advertising-free journalism and help us continue producing global news coverage every day, please consider joining us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/LibreNewsofTheWorld

Sources

Libre News of The World — Editorial Source Register

001 — 🇨🇦 Canada

Canada and United States Intensify Trade Negotiations as Washington Withdraws Key Demands

1. https://calgary.citynews.ca/2026/11/03/more-intense-u-s-trade-negotiations-have-started-carney-says/

2. https://www.am800cklw.com/news/trump-official-who-derailed-trade-talks-is-now-reviving-them-sources-tell-ctv-news-lutnick-led-push-to-re-engage/

002 — 🇺🇸 United States — REVISED

Democrats Win Control of Both Houses of Congress in Sweeping US Midterm Victory

1. https://apnews.com/article/ef6199e25927a9ac9f4c18eae0e497cd

2. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-04/democrats-claim-victory-over-republicans-2026-midterm-elections/107338138

Maria PASS — Updated election projections

003 — 🇵🇦 Panama

Panama Scales Back Independence Celebrations as Earthquake Recovery Reaches 55,000 People

1. https://www.mingob.gob.pa/comunicado-oficial-25/

2. https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/index.php/publicacion/presidente-mulino-ordena-construir-de-forma-urgente-2-700-casas-a-damnificados-por-el-terremoto

3. https://www.prensa.com/politica/mulino-encabezara-actos-patrios-del-3-de-noviembre-con-agenda-austera-por-solidaridad-con-afectados-por-el-terremoto/

4. https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/panama-celebra-sus-fiestas-patrias-con-desfiles-mientras-las-zonas-golpeadas-por-el-terremoto-intentan-recuperarse/

004 — 🇨🇺 Cuba

Cuba Loses Another Turkish Floating Power Plant as Electricity Crisis Deepens

1. https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/cuba-patana-turca-erol-bey_1_1132752.html

2. https://www.cubanet.org/la-central-flotante-turca-erol-bey-se-va-de-cuba/

3. https://www.cibercuba.com/apagones/sen/partes/2026/11/03/

005 — 🇧🇷 Brazil

Brazil's Senate Unanimously Approves Major Security Reform to Combat Organised Crime

1. https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2026/11/03/senado-aprova-pec-da-seguranca-publica-sem-reducao-da-maioridade-penal

2. https://apnews.com/article/brazil-senate-crime-lula-bolsonaro-75f83595a1d436bdcb4864d28cf76ea9

006 — 🇨🇴 Colombia

Colombia's Senate Approves Major Criminal Justice Reform as Government Moves Beyond Petro's Peace Strategy

1. https://www.senado.gov.co/index.php/el-senado/noticias/7687-ley-de-sometimiento-llega-a-plenaria-del-senado-estos-son-los-principales-cambios

2. https://caracol.com.co/2026/11/03/senado-aprobo-la-ley-de-sometimiento-del-gobierno-de-abelardo-de-la-espriella/

3. https://www.lasillavacia.com/en-vivo/senado-aprueba-ley-de-sometimiento-el-debate-sigue-en-camara/

4. https://www.vanguardia.com/politica/2026/11/03/ley-de-sometimiento-fue-aprobada-en-el-senado-falta-el-debate-en-camara/

007 — 🇨🇱 Chile

Historic El Niño Brings Record Rainfall to Chile as Copper Production Slumps

1. https://www.cr2.cl/un-nino-historico-un-verano-extremo/

2. https://www.bcentral.cl/areas/estadisticas/imacec?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block

3. https://copesa-la-tercera-staging.web.arc-cdn.net/nacional/noticia/llega-el-calor-a-la-zona-central-inestabilidad-disminuira-pero-persistira-el-riesgo-de-tormentas-por-el-nino/

4. https://www.bloomberglinea.com/latinoamerica/chile/el-super-nino-amenaza-el-cobre-de-chile-y-podria-encarecer-los-alimentos/

008 — 🇦🇷 Argentina

Argentina Moves Towards Major LNG Export Agreements with Europe and Asia

1. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ypf-ceo-says-contracts-argentina-lng-are-being-signed-europe-asia-2026-11-03/

2. https://argentina-lng.ypf.com/

3. https://argentina-lng.ypf.com/assets/pdf/Firma-JDA-XRG.pdf

4. https://www.todoenergias.com.ar/post/argentina-lng-cuenta-regresiva-26-noviembre-canos-postergados-contratos-gnl

5. https://www.ambito.com/energia/avanza-la-mayor-inversion-privada-la-historia-argentina-ypf-puso-fecha-firmar-el-acuerdo-argentina-lng-n6335786

009 — 🇨🇳 China

China Moves to Slow Yuan's Rise with First Foreign-Currency Reserve Increase in Five Years

1. https://www2.xinhuanet.com/fortune/20261103/80f848e7f7e547b2a7b72ef4c64c3262/c.html

2. https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3373053/pboc-raise-reserve-requirement-ratio-foreign-exchange-deposits-2-percentage-points?module=inline&pgtype=article

3. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-raise-forex-deposit-reserve-ratio-6-starting-november-15-2026-11-03/

010 — 🇦🇺 Australia

Australia Raises Interest Rates to 18-Year High as Inflation Outlook Worsens

1. https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-30.html

2. https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/smp/2026/nov/overview.html

3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-03/rba-lifts-interest-rates-november-2026-highest-rate-in-18-years/107340050

4. https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2026/mc-gov-2026-11-03.html

011 — 🇳🇿 New Zealand

New Zealand Unemployment Hits 11-Year High Days Before Closely Contested Election

1. https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/11/04/new-jobless-figures-unemployment-rate-rises-to-57/

2. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-unemployment-climbs-57-q3-2026-11-03/

012 — 🇯🇵 Japan

Japan Considers Nearly Doubling Five-Year Defence Spending to US$500 Billion

1. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-defence-ministry-sees-defence-buildup-5078-bln-under-new-five-year-plan-2026-11-01/

2. https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/wp/wp2026/html/ns004000.html

3. https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/zenkoku/compact/202609/0020827241.shtml

4. https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/articles/-/338769

013 — 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Vietnam's Trade Surpasses US$1 Trillion for First Time as Foreign Investment Surges

1. https://www.nso.gov.vn/bai-top/2026/11/bao-cao-tinh-hinh-kinh-te-xa-hoi-thang-muoi-va-10-thang-nam-2026/

2. https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-exports-near-500bn-in-10-months-with-us-as-largest-buyer-103261103182750673.htm

3. https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-trade-us-1-trillion-2026.html/

4. https://baochinhphu.vn/vuot-moc-1000-ty-usd-kim-ngach-xuat-nhap-khau-xac-lap-muc-cao-nhat-tu-truoc-toi-nay-102261103135046083.htm

014 — 🇸🇴 Somalia

Somalia Condemns Israeli Ambassador to Somaliland as Diplomatic Dispute Escalates

1. https://www.sonna.so/en/article/Somalia-Rejects-Israel%E2%80%99s-Purported-Appointment-of-Ambassador-in-Hargeisa

2. https://somaliatoday.com/politics/somalia-rejects-israeli-envoy-and-embassy-plans-in-somaliland-2026-11-03/

3. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/israels-first-ambassador-to-somaliland-presents-credentials-in-hargeisa

015 — 🇹🇷 Turkey

Turkey Orders Google to Protect News Publishers as AI Search Faces Competition Investigation

1. https://haber.rekabet.gov.tr/haber/googlein-yapay-zeka-ozetlerine-adil-paylasim-tedbiri-2

2. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/11/turkey-probes-googles-ai-search-tools-orders-protections-news-websites

3. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiye-launches-antitrust-probe-into-google-over-ai-search-features-3231544

4. https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/turkiye/rekabet-kurulu-ndan-google-a-gecici-tedbir-karari-2552565

016 — 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco Profits Surge 35% Despite War-Related Disruptions to Oil Production

1. https://www.aramco.com/en/news-media/news/2026/aramco-announces-third-quarter-2026-results

2. https://www.arabnews.com/business/aramcos-q3-profit-jumps-345-to-363bn-3009542

3. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/aramco-posts-345-rise-third-quarter-profit-2026-11-03/

017 — 🇪🇬 Egypt

Egypt Signs US$1 Billion World Bank Agreement as Regional War Deepens Economic Pressures

1. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/05/08/new-us-1-billion-world-bank-group-development-financing-to-support-egypt-s-private-sector-led-job-creation-macroeconomic

2. https://dailynewsegypt.com/2026/11/01/egypt-signs-1bn-world-bank-financing-agreement-under-second-phase-of-reform-programme/

3. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/02/egypt-signs-1-billion-world-bank-deal-as-war-compounds-economic-pressures/

018 — 🇮🇷 Iran

Iran and US Remain Far Apart on Peace Agreement as Fresh Strikes Heighten Tensions

1. https://www.tasnimnews.ir/fa/news/1405/08/12/3738968/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%81-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AE-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%BE-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA

2. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-foreign-minister-says-talks-with-saudi-arabia-are-ongoing-yemen-fighting-2026-11-03/

019 — 🇮🇱 Israel

Trump Says US Will End Annual Military Aid to Israel Two Years Early

1. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-us-will-stop-paying-israel-after-year-end-2026-11-03/

2. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjvjpppagl

3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/finance-ministry-officials-said-taken-off-guard-by-trump-announcing-imminent-halt-to-military-aid/

020 — 🇫🇷 France

France Releases 10 Million Barrels of Emergency Diesel Reserves as Fuel Prices Begin to Fall

1. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/actualites/baisse-du-prix-du-gazole-des-le-1er-novembre-dans-les-stations-services

2. https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/afp/carburants-le-gazole-amorce-sa-baisse-apres-le-destockage-261103

021 — 🇪🇸 Spain

Spain's Transport Minister Resigns After Second Deadly High-Speed Rail Disaster

1. https://efe.com/espana/2026-11-03/puente-dimite-ministro-transporte/

2. https://www.eldiario.es/politica/puente-dimite-sorpresa-comunica-sanchez-decision-ultimo-minuto_1_13635818.html

3. https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/transportes-movilidad-sostenible/Paginas/2026/031126-ayudas-afectados-urda.aspx

4. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-readies-aid-rail-crash-victims-transport-minister-face-lawmakers-2026-11-03/

022 — 🇮🇹 Italy

Italy Convenes Emergency Cybersecurity Meeting as Supermarket Refrigeration Attacks Spread Across Europe

1. https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/notizie/radiocor/economia/dettaglio/cybersicurezza-pchigi-nessun-allarme-dopo-attacchi-sistemi-refrigerazione-nRC_03112026_1324_415180047.html

2. https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2026/11/03/caccia-agli-hacker-dei-frigo-pochi-danni-ma-massima-attenzione_0956464f-20d8-42c8-bfee-90ff08126b4b.html

3. https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/03/italy-holds-emergency-talks-as-supermarket-fridge-attacks-spread-across-europe

023 — 🇵🇹 Portugal

Portugal Plans Strict Water and Renewable Energy Rules for Expanding Data Centre Industry

1. https://observador.pt/2026/11/03/centros-de-dados-terao-grande-exigencia-legal-em-relacao-ao-consumo-de-agua/

2. https://digital.gov.pt/pt/estrategia-digital/plano-nacional-de-centros-de-dados

3. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-readies-strict-water-energy-rules-data-centre-boom-2026-11-03/

024 — 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani News Agency Reports Entry Bans on 14 Iranians Amid Regional Tensions

1. https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/azerbaijan-declares-14-iranian-citizens-promoting-hostility-and-making-calls-against-the-country-persona-non-grata-list-533789

2. https://www.azernews.az/nation/266755.html

025 — 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

UK and EU Settle Draft Food Trade Agreement to Remove Major Post-Brexit Checks

1. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/nov/03/deal-finalised-remove-brexit-checks-food-animal-products

2. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-10-21/36806

3. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/post-brexit-agreements/

4. https://bmmagazine.co.uk/business/uk-eu-food-deal-draft-text-agreed/

026 — 🏴 Scotland

Scottish Parliament Warns Nearly £5 Billion Budget Gap Threatens Public Finances

1. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/committee-reports/fpac/2026/11/3/fpacs072026r3

2. https://www.parliament.scot/about/news/news-listing/2026/november/insufficient-evidence-to-determine-if-scottish-tax-and-spending-plans-affordable-says-committee

3. https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,finance-committee-calls-on-scottish-government-for-much-greater-transparency-over-5bn-fiscal-gap

4. https://news.stv.tv/politics/report-unable-to-say-if-snp-spending-is-affordable-due-to-lack-of-transparency

5. https://fiscalcommission.scot/17-september-2026-forecasts-for-scottish-income-tax-block-grant-adjustments-and-reconciliations/

027 — 🇮🇪 Ireland

Ireland Faces Nationwide Public Sector Strike as European Leaders Prepare for Dublin Summit

1. https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/11/03/public-sector-workers-prepare-for-second-strike-after-rejecting-pay-offer/

2. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41932854.html

3. https://www.thejournal.ie/public-sector-strike-ireland-8-7213356-Nov2026/

4. https://www.thejournal.ie/epc-european-political-community-summit-dublin-7213646-Nov2026/

5. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2026/11/12/

028 — 🇬🇱 Greenland

Greenland's Parliament Approves Landmark US–Denmark Arctic Security Agreement

1. https://www.inatsisartut.gl/da/samlinger/oversigt-over-samlinger/2025/em2026/dagsorden/19/

2. https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/liveblog-usa-aftale-vedtaget-i-inatsisartut

3. https://stm.dk/en/press/press-releases/agreement-between-greenland-denmark-and-the-united-states/

4. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/09/agreement-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-kingdom-of-denmark-together-with-the-government-of-greenland-to-amend-and-supplement-the-agreement-of-27-apri/

029 — 🇩🇪 Germany

Germany Awards €12 Billion in Power Plant Contracts to Secure Electricity Supply

1. https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2026/20261103_StromVKG.html?nn=660040

2. https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/energie/bundesnetzagentur-gaskraftwerke-100.html

3. https://www.bne-online.de/stromvkg-neue-kapazitaeten-teurer-strom/

030 — 🇵🇱 Poland

Poland Reinforces Russian Border After Warnings of Possible Sabotage and Armed Incursions

1. https://www.gov.pl/web/premier/bezpieczenstwo-polski-nie-moze-byc-przedmiotem-politycznej-gry

2. https://www.onet.pl/informacje/onetwiadomosci/wojska-specjalne-na-polnocy-polski-cezary-tomczyk-dla-onetu-mielismy-bardzo-konkretne/v49z0fz,79cfc278

3. https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/specjalsi-przy-granicy-z-obwodem-krolewieckim-moze-dojsc-do-wtargniecia-uzbrojonych-ludzi-7347001207216608a

031 — 🇮🇸 Iceland

Iceland Confirms Refrigeration Cyberattacks as European Food Retailers Face Widespread Disruption

1. https://cert.is/frettasafn/vidvorun-netarasir-a-kaelibunad/

2. https://www.krisinformation.se/en/latest/news/cyberattacks-on-freezing-and-refrigeration-systems/

3. https://spilari.nyr.ruv.is/utvarp/spila/hadegisfrettir/25243/bhs823

032 — 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Launches $7.8 Billion Investment Programme in Historic Bukhara Region

1. https://president.uz/oz/lists/view/9810

2. https://kun.uz/en/news/2026/11/03/bukhara-region-launches-145-projects-worth-78-billion-including-major-wind-farms-and-hotels-59141

3. https://daryo.uz/en/2026/11/03/uzbekistan-launches-654mn-worth-of-projects-in-bukhara-begins-construction-of-another-7-1bn/

033 — 🇷🇺 Russia

Russia Confirms New Ukraine Peace Talks as Fresh Strikes Cripple Energy Infrastructure

1. https://www.interfax.ru/world/1126750

2. https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/9079579

3. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1230372.html

4. https://kyivindependent.com/witkoff-reveals-location-date-for-new-trilateral-peace-deal-negotiations/

034 — 🇺🇦 Ukraine

UN Warns of Possible Laws-of-War Violations After Deadly Attack on Ukrainian Aid Centre

1. https://ukraine.un.org/en/325659-ukraine-mass-casualty-attack-zaporizhzhia-region-shows-devastating-impact-glide-bombs-un

2. https://ukraine.un.org/en/325644-flagrant-attack-2-november-killed-civilians-and-first-responders-relief-distribution-site

3. https://english.nv.ua/nation/33-dead-more-than-50-people-may-be-trapped-under-the-rubble-after-russian-bombing-of-komyshuvakha-50655969.html

4. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russian-bomb-strikes-kill-24-at-humanitarian-aid-center-in-zaporizhzhia-oblast/

035 — 🇮🇳 India

Indian Navy Rescues 20 Iranian Sailors from Pirates in Major Operation off Somalia

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2331872&lang=1&reg=6

2. https://apnews.com/article/somalia-piracy-indian-navy-iranian-rescue-hijacking-126cc7e5af41ac328a3a51fd340c12a3

3. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iran-thanks-india-after-airborne-commandos-recapture-pirate-held-vessel-azini-off-somalia-rescue-20-crew-members/articleshow/135486241.cms