Eduardo Luna OGU
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Legislative Elections in Russia: Voters Called to the Polls for the First Time Since the Start of the War in Ukraine
Russian voters went to the polls on Friday, September 18, for the first day of legislative elections, which will continue through Sunday. President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party is expected…
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Decline in Freshwater Stocks: World Meteorological Organization Warns of Serious Implications for the Future
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Thursday, September 17, that the Earth retains less freshwater than before. In its annual global assessment, the UN agency reported that 2025 was…
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In Southern Angola, the Specter of a New Drought Under “Super El Niño”
Southern Africa has been on the front lines of climate disruption for about a decade, and the situation could worsen with the approaching “super El Niño.” Provinces near the Namibian…
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In Japan, Nuclear Restart Compromised by Data Falsification Scandal
A data falsification scandal has shaken Japan’s nuclear industry and weakened its policy of restarting atomic energy. Chubu Electric Power manipulated seismic data for its Hamaoka plant to limit adaptation…
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Germany Wants a European Tax on Oil Companies’ Windfall Profits to Offset Rising Energy Prices
Several countries led by Germany called on Friday for a European tax on oil companies’ windfall profits. The push came during a ministerial meeting in Dublin. German Finance Minister Lars…
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Denmark Inaugurates One of Europe’s First Large-Scale CO2 Storage Sites
The Greensand project has begun storing carbon dioxide under a former oil platform in the North Sea. Energy group Ineos announced the launch on Friday. Its CEO called Greensand the…
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McKinsey Case: Financial Prosecutor Announces Seizure of 65 Million Euros in Tax Fraud Investigation
French prosecutors seized about €65 million from McKinsey through Belgian authorities. The sum represents 96 percent of the tax loss the consulting giant allegedly evaded. The seizure happened on August…
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Five European Countries Agree to Set Up “Return Hubs” for Rejected Asylum Seekers
Denmark, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece are moving forward with plans for return centers outside the EU. They hope to reach an agreement with a third country by early…
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Volkswagen Approves Historic Restructuring Plan, 100,000 Jobs to Be Cut by 2030
Volkswagen’s supervisory board approved a historic restructuring on Thursday, cutting 100,000 jobs over five years. That includes 50,000 already decided in Germany since 2024. Total cuts reach about 15 percent…
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In Germany, Low Gas Storage Levels Fuel Fear of a New Crisis
Germany’s gas reservoirs are only 53 percent full. That is far below previous years’ levels. The low storage revives bad memories of winter 2022, when Russian deliveries stopped. Summer storage,…
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Climate change: ‘Future threats reinforce the fear of social downgrading and individual social mobility strategies’
More than 115,000 hectares have burned in France this year. It is the worst fire season in recent history. Many hope this shock will finally spark action. But a 2024…
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European Power Grid Faces Sabotage and Cyberattack Threats
Europe is taking the risk of a major blackout seriously. Tensions with Russia are rising. France plans a crisis simulation in 2027. In Lithuania, a key substation near the Polish…
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France’s First Battery-Powered Regional Train
France’s first battery-powered regional train entered service on Monday, August 31, running between Nîmes and Vauvert in the Gard department. The Occitanie region, SNCF, and Alstom will test the train…
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UK and Belgium Record Hottest Summer Ever in 2026
The summer of 2026 was the hottest ever recorded in the United Kingdom and Belgium, according to their meteorological agencies. The UK’s average temperature reached 16.5°C, while Belgium recorded 20.3°C.…
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France’s 2026 Wildfires Set Carbon Record
France’s wildfires this year have released over 1.5 million tonnes of carbon, according to Copernicus. That is nearly four times the annual average since 2003. It is the highest ever…
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Algeria Wildfires Kill Hundreds
Unprecedented wildfires swept through eastern Algeria between August 26 and 30. The interior ministry reported 12 deaths on Wednesday but has not released updated figures. Independent counts suggest over 200…
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Drought Weakens Swiss Economy as Rhine Hits Record Lows
The Rhine River is at its lowest level in history. Cargo traffic near Basel has nearly stopped. The river is Switzerland’s only direct link to the sea. It flows to…
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Gas Bills Jump in Europe as Middle East Tensions Drive Price Surge
Gas prices go up 5.6 percent on September 1. The reason: ongoing Middle East conflict. For 6 million households, the bill rises from €162.89 to €172.05 per megawatt-hour. Since April,…
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Trump Targets US National Parks in Multiple Moves
The US government is considering giving away a small part of Yosemite National Park to a private developer. The plan has sparked outrage. It is not the only attack on…
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El Niño Threatens to Push Up Food Prices in Europe
The return of El Niño in 2026 threatens global agricultural production and could drive up food prices. Inflation, expected to ease with hopes of opening the Strait of Hormuz, has…
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Dutch Court Hands Life Sentence to Rwandan Man for Genocide Role
A Dutch court has sentenced a Rwandan man to life in prison for his role in the murder of thousands during the 1994 genocide. The Hague district court found Eugene…
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Iceland Votes on EU Membership in Tight Referendum
Voting has closed in Iceland’s referendum on EU membership. The question is whether to resume negotiations with the European Union. Polling stations shut on Saturday, August 29. However, a clear…
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Indonesia Chokes on Haze as Blazes Intensify
In Indonesia’s Kalimantan, fires have ravaged tens of thousands of acres, with suffocating smoke reaching Malaysia and putting Singapore on alert. Suwadi, a resident of Indonesian Borneo, can barely see…
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The Future of Ukraine’s Drone Democracy
Ukraine confirmed Yevhenii Khmara as defense minister on August 19. The appointment followed weeks of uncertainty after mass protests over President Zelensky’s firing of Mykhailo Fedorov. Khmara is a special…
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A Great Rebalancing Is Coming
En: Think TanksGlobal trade imbalances are growing. China, Germany, and a few others run large surpluses. The US runs the world’s biggest deficit. For America, this means either more unemployment or more…
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Iceland Rejects EU Membership Talks
Icelanders have rejected a government proposal to resume EU accession talks. Official results show 52.8 percent voted “no” and 47.2 percent voted “yes.” The vote took place on Saturday, August…
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US Deports Afghan Man Who Helped US Military to Africa
The Trump administration has deported dozens of people to the Central African Republic. Among them is an Afghan man whose family members worked with the US military. He is in…
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Venezuela Says It Keeps Sovereignty in US Oil Deal
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, says the country is preserving its sovereignty. This comes after a deal to hand over billions of barrels of oil to the United States. The…
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Turkish, Somali Forces Free Hijacked Cargo Ship
Turkish and Somali forces have freed a cargo ship held by pirates off Somalia’s coast. The operation took place near Puntland, a semi-autonomous region. Somali authorities said 14 pirates died…
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Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Loses External Power for Over a Week
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine has been without external power for more than a week. The UN’s nuclear watchdog issued the warning. The plant is occupied by Russia.…