World briefing · 25 October 2026
Storm Boelo Hits UK, Penang Landslide Halts Construction
Severe weather in the UK and Malaysia disrupts logistics and construction, while protests in Portugal and Spain impact business operations.
The picture
Deteriorating 15 · Stable 6 · Improving 3 · Mixed 9 (33 countries) · How this is judged →
Storm Boelo causes significant disruptions in Scotland, affecting logistics and energy sectors with power outages and travel chaos. In Malaysia, a landslide in Penang halts condo construction, leading to delays and increased safety scrutiny for construction firms and logistics operators. Meanwhile, in Portugal and Spain, unrest from housing protests and violent demonstrations in Barcelona create operational challenges for businesses, particularly in retail and logistics.
Operational risk
Storm Boelo causes major disruptions in Scotland
Impact Logistics and energy sectors face significant disruption, with power outages and travel chaos affecting operations.
Sources: STV ↗, The Scotsman ↗, London Evening Standard ↗
Penang landslide halts condo construction, kills doctor
Impact Construction firms and logistics operators in Penang face delays and increased safety scrutiny following the landslide.
Sources: Malaysiakini ↗
Stability risk
Police dismantle housing protest camps in Lisbon, Porto
Impact Employers in Lisbon and Porto face operational disruptions due to police actions against housing protests.
Sources: Público ↗, Diário de Notícias Madeira (dnoticias.pt) ↗, RTP ↗
Protests in Arunachal Pradesh over hydropower project
Impact Energy companies and public-sector planners face delays and increased costs due to unrest over the hydropower project.
Sources: Times of India ↗
Barcelona protests lead to 128 arrests, vandalism
Impact Retailers in Barcelona face disruptions and damages as protests escalate.
Sources: Libertad Digital ↗
Regulatory risk
Turkey issues 617 processing licenses in September
Impact Manufacturers and exporters benefit from reduced import costs, enhancing competitiveness.
Sources: Yeni Safak ↗, haber7.com ↗
NCDC approves N100,000 weekly for Ebola contacts
Impact Ebola contacts receive financial support, aiding compliance with health measures and reducing economic strain.
Sources: Punch ↗, Vanguard Nigeria ↗
Lebanon's Gold Repatriation Faces Legal Hurdles
Impact Lebanese financial institutions face uncertainty over asset security and potential legal claims affecting gold reserves.
Sources: Leb Economy ↗, An-Nahar النهار ↗
STF extends voting hours amid transport issues
Impact Election logistics companies face extended operations as voting hours are prolonged nationwide.
Sources: O Globo ↗
LIG D&A Faces Potential Sanctions Over Bribery
Impact Defense contractors and partners of LIG D&A face potential disruptions in ongoing and future contracts.
Sources: eDaily ↗
Each headline links to the story in its country briefing, where every source is linked.
Countries published today
- Argentina: Neuquén Declares Weather Emergency; Milei Monitors Brazil Stable
- Brazil: STF Extends Voting, CV Expands Control
- China: BYD Expands in Europe, Shanghai Index Changes Mixed
- Colombia: Debt Swap Eases Pressure, Gas Supply Restored Improving
- Egypt: Manufacturing Rises, No Fuel Price Hike, Sugar Exports Surge Improving
- France: Calmer Protests, Business Impact in Chambéry Mixed
- Germany: Audi's $4bn US Plant, Freiburg Power Outage Mixed
- India: Arunachal Protests, Smartphone Shift, Stock Market Drop
- Indonesia: Rupiah Weakens, Nuclear Export Talks, Weather Modification
- Iran: Iran-Pakistan Trade Resumes, Tehran Stock Falls Mixed
- Iraq: Iraq Sells Oil at Discounts, Advances Port Projects Mixed
- Israel: Netanyahu's Sanctions Warning, Election Security Tightens
- Italy: Protests in Bologna, Internet Outage in Rome
- Jordan: Oil Prices Surge, Drug Smuggling Foiled Stable
- Kenya: Health Workers Return, Toll Deals Planned Improving
- Lebanon: Lebanon's Gold Dilemma, French Unrest, Oil Market Mixed
- Malaysia: Penang Landslide Halts Construction; Langkawi Floods
- Mexico: Transport Strike Risks, Durango Export Losses
- Morocco: E-cigarette Tax Hike, FIFA Tax Break, Transport Support Stable
- Netherlands: Storm Boelo Disrupts Schiphol, Walibi Unrest
- Nigeria: Naira Plummets, Ebola Contacts Monitored
- Poland: Tax Reform Rejected, Storm Disrupts Baltic Ferries Mixed
- Portugal: Police Clash with Housing Protesters, Flights Canceled
- Russia: Crimea Power Limits, Flight Restrictions Lifted Stable
- Senegal: Budget Tensions Rise, Free Medical Services in Kaolack
- South Africa: Durban Baobab Seizure, ANC's Service Record Mixed
- South Korea: Record Surplus Boosts Korea, LIG D&A Faces Sanctions Mixed
- Spain: Barcelona Unrest, Spanish Education Decrees
- Syria: Diesel Crisis Hits Economy, Weather Alert Issued
- Turkey: Turkey's Processing Licenses, Silver Prices Drop Stable
- Ukraine: Russian Strikes Hit Retail, Kyiv Power Outages
- United Kingdom: Storm Boelo Disrupts UK, Healey's Budget Faces Criticism
- United States: Pentagon's FORTRESS Plan, Navajo Evacuations Stable