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World news — August 20, 2026

World publications published on August 20, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive.

115 publications

  1. WorldMiddle East

    Petroperú Loses Arbitration Ruling Against Consorcio de Terminales del Perú

    Petroperú, the state-owned oil company, has lost an arbitration ruling against Consorcio de Terminales del Perú (TdP). The ruling, issued on August 7, requires Petroperú to pay a total of over US$ 2.56 million in compensation, administrative costs, and fees. This includes US$ 1.55 million for additional investment recovery fees, around S/ 800,000 for administrative expenses, over S/ 1.87 million for arbitration tribunal fees, and defense costs of TdP. The ruling also allows TdP to deduct all accrued fees since the start of operations, amounting to US$ 4.45 million.
    6 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldAsiaMiddle East

    West Bank Voter Registration Surpasses 87% for Legislative Elections

    The Central Elections Commission has announced that the voter registration rate in the West Bank for the upcoming legislative elections has reached 87.2%. This increase is attributed to the addition of over 32,000 new voters to the registry, bringing the total number of registered voters in the West Bank governorates to over 1,620,000. This rate is considered very high by both local and international standards.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  6. WorldRegulatorsSanctionsResignationMiddle East

    Ukraine Imposes Sanctions on 'Masha and the Bear' Creators

    Ukraine has introduced sanctions against the creators of the Russian animated series 'Masha and the Bear', including the studio 'Animaccord', its founder, general director, and key personnel. The series is accused of spreading pro-Russian narratives and posing a threat to Ukraine's national security. The sanctions were part of a broader package that also targeted Russian defense industry enterprises, companies belonging to 'Rusal', and former Ukrainian MP Yuri Ivaniushchenko.
    14 sourcesSee all sources
  7. WorldMiddle EastEarthHealthcare

    Government Prepares for El Niño: Allocates S/179 Million for River Interventions

    The government of Keiko Fujimori has issued Decree No. 008-2026 to address the imminent danger of heavy rainfall associated with the El Niño phenomenon. The decree authorizes the National Water Authority (ANA) to intervene in critical points in six regions, with a focus on reducing the risk of flooding and landslides. The government has allocated more than S/179 million for cleaning, de-silting, forming dams, and installing dynamic barriers. The ANA has identified 70 high-vulnerability critical points that require urgent attention. The government has also established mechanisms for monitoring the use of resources and has obligated the ANA to publish quarterly reports and a final report on the actions carried out.
    28 sourcesSee all sources
  8. WorldBillAsiaMiddle East

    Flooding in Rio Grande do Sul: Families Displaced, Schools Closed

    Heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, have forced around 40 families to leave their homes in Jaguarão. The Rio Jaguarão has exceeded its flood level, affecting both Brazilian and Uruguayan cities. Schools in the region have been closed, and classes suspended due to the flooding. Authorities are on alert due to forecasts of more rain and strong winds in the coming days.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  9. WorldExecutiveRegulatorsNorth AmericaLogistics

    Nevada Gubernatorial Candidate Aaron Ford's Stance on Data Centers

    Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democratic candidate for governor, has pledged to pause new tax abatements for data centers, audit existing ones, ban evaporative cooling, and force the industry to pay for its own water and electricity if elected. Ford criticizes incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo's administration for granting tax incentives to data centers, which he claims are draining Nevada's water and increasing energy bills. Ford's campaign released a position paper outlining his plans to end 'Joe Lombardo’s gravy train' and impose 'some of the strictest rules in America' on the data center industry. However, Ford's campaign has been criticized for ignoring his own role in creating Nevada's data center tax abatement program in 2015 and for proposing regulations that are already being implemented by the industry.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  10. WorldRegulatorsNorth AmericaBudget

    NYC Considers Grants for Local Grocers Affected by City-Run Stores

    New York City is exploring the possibility of providing financial assistance to local grocery stores that are struggling to compete with Mayor Zohran Mamdani's city-owned supermarkets. The initiative, proposed by Waverly Neer, senior vice president of groceries at the city's Economic Development Corporation, has been met with criticism, with some describing it as 'utterly insane'.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  11. WorldMiddle EastNorth America

    Brazil to Negotiate US Tariffs, Reciprocity Process Unlikely Before December

    The Brazilian government is actively negotiating with the United States to mitigate the effects of recently imposed tariffs. The Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Marcio Elias, has classified the tariffs as 'illegal', 'unjustified', and 'abusive'. Despite the ongoing process of reciprocity, it is unlikely that any measures will be finalized before December. The government has stated its commitment to dialogue and negotiation while defending Brazil's interests.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  16. WorldAsiaMiddle EastIsrael

    World Breakdancing Record Set in Kazan

    A world record for breakdancing was set in Kazan, Russia, with 430 people simultaneously performing the windmill (Gелик) move at the Central Stadium. The record was set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of breakdancing in Tatarstan and was part of the International Breakdancing and Street Art Tournament 'КОМБОнейшн'. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 50 and came from 127 cities in Russia, as well as Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and Kazakhstan.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  18. WorldRegulatorsMiddle EastFood Security

    U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Cuba

    The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Cuba, targeting various companies and officials. The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to pressure the Cuban government and limit its influence. Nine state-owned companies, including those in the mining, metal, and construction sectors, as well as three officials and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), have been targeted. The U.S. accuses these entities of supporting the Cuban regime's repressive apparatus and promoting 'marxism'. Cuba's Foreign Minister has criticized the sanctions, stating they hinder basic services and are part of a 'failed obsession' against Cuba.
    78 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldMiddle East

    Kilometer-Long Queues for Gasoline in Zahedan and Zabol

    Citizens in Zahedan and Zabol, Iran, are facing long queues at fuel stations, waiting for hours to receive their gasoline quota. The queues, sometimes stretching kilometers, are causing time waste, fatigue, and dissatisfaction among residents who demand better management and reduced waiting times. The fuel supply situation in Sistan and Baluchestan province has been criticized for being different from other parts of the country, with residents in long queues while others can refuel without problems.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldMiddle East

    New Wildfire Threatens Aldea del Fresno, Spain

    A new wildfire has broken out west of Madrid, near Aldea del Fresno, with smoke columns rising near residential areas. The fire has forced the confinement of over 3,500 people, with authorities ordering residents to stay in their homes and evacuating several homes due to the proximity of the flames. Nine firefighting aircraft and ground crews are battling the blaze, which started due to high temperatures and strong winds. The fire is the latest in a series of wildfires that have swept through the region in recent weeks, with over 60,000 people evacuated in July alone.
    7 sourcesSee all sources