Libre News of The World. Thursday the 9th of July 2026.

Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! Today on Libre News of The World, we examine a world shaped by geopolitical confrontation, economic uncertainty and strategic competition. The United States faces rising inflation expectations that complicate Federal Reserve policy as Canada posts a four-year-high trade surplus while remaining heavily dependent on the U.S. market. Panama reaffirms its sovereignty over the Panama Canal amid renewed international attention, while Cuba grapples with protests following another nationwide power-grid collapse. Brazil's presidential campaign becomes entwined with U.S. trade policy, Colombia enters a tense political transition after President Gustavo Petro rejects the legitimacy of president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, and Chile launches an employment recovery plan in response to a prolonged economic slowdown. Argentina advances a proposal for a U.S.-style government shutdown mechanism as part of President Javier Milei's fiscal reforms, while China's submarine-launched ballistic missile test heightens Indo-Pacific security concerns. Australia orders an independent review of the AUKUS submarine programme, New Zealand raises interest rates for the first time in three years, Japan records its first current account deficit in four months, South Korea reports a record current account surplus driven by AI semiconductor exports, and Vietnam reconsiders coal expansion as global instability complicates its LNG strategy. Nigeria's Dangote Group announces plans for a major refinery in Kenya, Türkiye signs a natural gas export agreement with Syria, Saudi Arabia condemns an attack on one of its oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Egypt secures a long-term LNG supply agreement with QatarEnergy. The Middle East remains at the centre of global attention as the U.S.–Iran ceasefire collapses following renewed strikes and retaliation, while Israel confronts growing concern over a possible U.S. sale of F-35 fighter aircraft to Türkiye. Across Europe, Marine Le Pen launches her 2027 French presidential campaign despite an upheld conviction, Italy faces friction with Washington over access to military bases, Spain unveils sweeping anti-corruption reforms, Portugal responds to escalating wildfire threats with European Union assistance, Germany approves a €65 billion corporate tax package, Finland expands defence cooperation at the NATO summit, Iceland begins its presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Ireland uses its European Union Council Presidency to push action on Gaza, Ukraine and competitiveness, Greenland's sovereignty returns to the forefront after renewed U.S. claims, and the United Kingdom prepares for a by-election after Nigel Farage resigns his parliamentary seat. Scotland launches a nationwide artificial intelligence strategy for public services, Azerbaijan protests a Russian drone strike on SOCAR infrastructure in Ukraine, Uzbekistan advances the Trans-Afghan Railway project, Russia intensifies recruitment of foreign workers to address wartime labour shortages, Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russia's logistics network, and India confronts the deadly consequences of another monsoon-triggered landslide in Kerala. Sources used in today's Editorial Register: Canada Statistics Canada / cited via Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trade-surplus-may-sharply-up-four-year-high-2026-07-07/ Government of Canada — https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/campaigns/canada-us-engagement Department of Finance Canada — https://budget.canada.ca/update-miseajour/2026/report-rapport/intro-en.html United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York — https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/ny-fed-survey-reports-rising-near-term-inflation-expectations-june-2026-07-07/ Wall Street Journal — https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-07-07-2026/card/inflation-expectations-on-the-rise-fed-survey-says-AymLmH7hR0AbKgKRvMZ2 Panama Presidency of the Republic of Panama — https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/ Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-says-us-will-not-let-china-take-over-panama-canal-2026-07-01/ Associated Press — https://apnews.com/ Cuba Unión Eléctrica (UNE) — https://www.facebook.com/OSDE.UnionElectrica Granma — https://www.granma.cu/ Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/cuba-struggles-restore-power-island-following-nationwide-grid-collapse-2026-07-07/ Brazil Office of the U.S. Trade Representative — https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/july/public-hearing-proposed-responsive-action-section-301-investigation-certain-acts-policies-and Folha de S.Paulo — https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/07/flavio-diz-nos-eua-que-tarifas-beneficiariam-lula-e-que-agora-seria-o-pior-momento-para-adota-las.shtml Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/d376eb50aa2b7f82b407dd0e47e8e44a Colombia Consejo Nacional Electoral — https://www.cne.gov.co/calendario-electoral-cne El Espectador — https://www.elespectador.com/politica/elecciones-colombia-2026/se-escalo-la-tension-entre-el-presidente-petro-e-instituciones-en-plena-epoca-electoral/ El País — https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2026-07-06/petro-desconoce-la-legitimidad-del-gobierno-entrante-abelardo-no-gano-las-elecciones.html Chile Gobierno de Chile — https://www.gob.cl/en/news/state-of-the-nation-2026-learn-about-the-progress-and-announcements-made-by-president-jose-antonio-kast/ El País (Chile) — https://elpais.com/chile/2026-07-01/kast-advierte-que-chile-tiene-una-enfermedad-economica-nos-dimos-cuenta-tarde.html OECD — https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2026/06/oecd-economic-outlook-volume-2026-issue-1_8be0dba6/full-report/chile_670cc596.html Argentina Buenos Aires Times — https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/economy/milei-wants-us-style-shutdown-mechanism-for-argentinas-government.phtml Ámbito Financiero — https://www.ambito.com/javier-milei-anticipo-que-prepara-un-shutdown-del-poder-ejecutivo-como-eeuu-cuando-se-agota-el-presupuesto-se-apaga-el-estado-n6297278/amp El País — https://elpais.com/argentina/2026-07-08/milei-quiere-importar-el-shutdown-de-estados-unidos-para-apagar-el-estado.html China Xinhua News Agency — https://english.news.cn/20260707/ Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/china-submarine-ballistic-missile-test-pacific-2026 CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-ballistic-missile-test-launch-submarine-south-pacific/ Australia Australian Department of Defence — https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2026-07-08/independent-review-aukus-optimal-pathway ABC News Australia — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/aukus-submarine-review-announced-by-government/105498214 The Australian Financial Review — https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/government-orders-independent-review-of-aukus-submarine-program-20260708-p5m0xx New Zealand Reserve Bank of New Zealand — https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news-and-events/news/2026/07/ocr-increased-to-2-50-to-return-inflation-to-2-percent 1News — https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/08/ocr-live-updates-rates-hiked-or-held-in-todays-nail-biter-call/ Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/4ea668cd-dfb1-44ca-b0a8-6f3d1d8d0327 Japan Ministry of Finance Japan — https://www.mof.go.jp/english/policy/international_policy/reference/balance_of_payments/preliminary/pg202605e.htm The Japan Times — https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/07/08/economy/japan-current-account-deficit-may/ Nikkei Asia — https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-posts-first-current-account-deficit-in-four-months South Korea Bank of Korea — https://www.bok.or.kr/eng/main/main.do Yonhap News Agency — https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260708001500320 The Korea Herald — https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10801514 Vietnam Government News (Báo Chính phủ) — https://en.baochinhphu.vn/ Vietnam Economic Times (VnEconomy) — https://en.vneconomy.vn/ Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/vietnam-looks-more-coal-power-plants-iran-war-complicates-lng-plans-2026-07-08/ Nigeria Dangote Industries Limited — https://dangote.com/ Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/dangote-fund-proposed-kenya-refinery-with-cash-bonds-an-ipo-2026-07-07/ Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/afed164c-9a33-48a4-a9c4-3e47b15dcdf4 Türkiye Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Türkiye — https://enerji.gov.tr/haber-detay?id=24271 Daily Sabah — https://www.dailysabah.com/business/energy/turkiye-to-export-natural-gas-to-syria-under-new-energy-deal Middle East Eye — https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkiye-syria-sign-natural-gas-export-agreement Saudi Arabia Saudi Press Agency — https://spa.gov.sa/en/N2629569 Arab News — https://www.arabnews.com/node/2650019/saudi-arabia Al Arabiya English — https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2026/07/07/saudi-arabia-condemns-iran-s-targeting-of-its-tanker-wedyan-in-hormuz Egypt Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources — https://www.petroleum.gov.eg/en/media-center/news/details/2026/07/07/minister-of-petroleum-witnesses-signing-of-long-term-lng-supply-agreement-with-qatarenergy Ahram Online — https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/551284/Business/Economy/Egypt-signs-longterm-LNG-supply-deal-with-QatarE.aspx Zawya — https://www.zawya.com/en/business/energy/egypt-signs-long-term-lng-supply-deal-with-qatarenergy-k8v2r7hj Iran Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-targets-sites-bahrain-kuwait-after-wave-us-strikes-2026-07-08/ Associated Press — https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/07/08/stocks-rates-oil-iran-ai/5c816a2a-7a89-11f1-b194-f872dd4ec5aa_story.html Reuters (Markets) — https://www.reuters.com/world/india/gold-eases-fresh-us-iran-tensions-lift-oil-prices-rate-hike-bets-2026-07-08/ Israel Times of Israel — https://www.timesofisrael.com/hegseth-set-to-visit-israel-amid-concerns-over-potential-f-35-sale-to-turkey/ Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hegseth-meet-netanyahu-over-possible-sale-f-35s-turkey-source-tells-reuters-2026-07-08/ Jerusalem Post — https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-901780 France Le Monde / AFP — https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/3c0ecc58-630b-4d74-8abd-b17eb73116cf Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/6f568635e0ad2f16260c40131d828153 Italy ANSA English — https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2026/07/08/italy-did-very-bad-with-decisions-on-its-bases-trump-says Corriere della Sera — https://www.corriere.it/politica/2026/07/08/trump-attacca-l-italia-sulle-basi-sigonella.shtml Il Sole 24 Ore — https://www.ilsole24ore.com/ Spain El País — https://english.elpais.com/spain/2026-07-08/pedro-sanchez-announces-15-anti-corruption-measures-to-regain-public-trust.html Euronews — https://www.euronews.com/2026/07/08/spains-pm-pedro-sanchez-announces-anti-corruption-plan Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/spain-sanchez-corruption-reforms-july-2026 Portugal Government of Portugal — https://portugal.gov.pt/gc25/comunicacao/comunicados/governo-declara-situacao-de-alerta-em-todo-o-territorio-continental- European Commission — DG ECHO — https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/eu-deploys-wildfire-support-face-multiple-fires-across-portugal-and-france-2026-07-06_en The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/wildfires-southern-europe-evacuations-tour-de-france-portugal-spain-greece-heatwave Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan — https://mfa.gov.az/en/news OC Media — https://oc-media.org/ Associated Press — https://apnews.com/ United Kingdom The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/07/why-farage-quitting-mp-scrutiny-gifts-clacton-reform-uk Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/nigel-farage-reform-uk-future-donations-scandal-5875dcf037074b013117833f35ab17a3 The Times — https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/nigel-farage-resigns-clacton-mp-latest-news-live-statement-3nrlkkd7m Scotland (United Kingdom) Scottish Government — https://www.gov.scot/news/scotlands-artificial-intelligence-strategy/ The Herald (Scotland) — https://www.heraldscotland.com/ BBC News Scotland — https://www.bbc.com/news/scotland Ireland Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU — https://irish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/ Council of the European Union — https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/ The Irish Sun — https://www.thesun.ie/news/17253662/micheal-martin-eu-not-doing-enough-stop-israel-palestine/ Greenland Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/ccdb72ecd9b470885b8d028ab77746a0 Sermitsiaq — https://sermitsiaq.ag/ Australian Financial Review — https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/trump-revives-greenland-claim-threatens-to-pull-us-troops-from-europe-20260708-p60dgw Germany Federal Ministry of Finance — https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/ Deutsche Welle — https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-tax-package-to-boost-investment/a-73126778 Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/df0f2c3f-8cb8-46f5-9f9b-4c7a5d92baf4 Finland Finnish Government / Ministry of Defence — https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/236553176/finnish-minister-of-defence-hakkanen-signs-12-agreements-in-ankara-to-boost-defence-industry Yle News — https://yle.fi/a/74-20235197 Financial Times — https://www.ft.com/content/b5590af8-b60e-4270-90cf-862d0a5e28cd Iceland Government of Iceland – Ministry for Foreign Affairs — https://www.government.is/news/ Council of the Baltic Sea States — https://cbss.org/ RÚV English — https://www.ruv.is/english Uzbekistan Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan — https://mintrans.uz/news Kun.uz — https://kun.uz/en/news/2026/07/07/remittances-to-uzbekistan-rise-13-despite-falling-share-from-russia-7ffbe4 Afghanistan International — https://www.afintl.com/en/202602137415 Russia The Moscow Times — https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/08/russia-expands-foreign-worker-recruitment-as-labor-shortage-deepens-a89746 BOFIT — https://www.bofit.fi/en/monitoring/weekly/ Carnegie Politika — https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika Ukraine Ukrainska Pravda — https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/ The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/08/ukraine-war-briefing-kyiv-targets-kremlin-shadow-tankers-as-russian-strikes-continue-in-capital Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/83bcba8bb972ce248a805bc576a7322c India Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/1fd8d65607023deb9a074b688b1d22ef The Hindu — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ India Meteorological Department — https://mausam.imd.gov.in/ These news summaries were prepared using AI technology. While every effort has been made to ensure factual accuracy, occasional mistakes or omissions may occur. Your understanding is appreciated, and we warmly welcome any feedback to help us 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. We do not claim to have conducted the original reporting unless explicitly stated. Ad-free episodes are available at https://www.patreon.com/LibreNewsofTheWorld