El Niño Preparedness: Uruguay launched a nationwide plan after INUMET confirmed El Niño is firmly established and expected to intensify into a very strong event, with heavy rains likely in late 2026 and early 2027; the government is coordinating with mayors across all 19 departments and warns up to 25,000 people could be displaced, with scenarios pointing to thousands needing evacuation and emergency support. Public Security Strategy: Uruguay is rolling out a 10-year National Security Plan aimed at cutting homicides through a whole-of-government, “democratic” approach rather than the harsher, mass-incarceration model used elsewhere in the region. Tech & Data Centres: Uruguay’s business community will be watching regional AI infrastructure momentum as India’s commerce minister met Microsoft to discuss expanding data centre capacity and advancing the India AI Mission, backed by major Microsoft investment. Digital Platforms & Misinformation: Meta’s Oversight Board urged the company not to replace professional fact-checking with Community Notes as Meta tests the system across Latin America, including Uruguay. International Links: Uruguay’s foreign minister met India’s Jaishankar on BRICS summit sidelines, focusing on trade, connectivity, culture, and cooperation with CELAC and MERCOSUR. Labor Risk Abroad: A report on recruitment scams targeting Latin Americans highlights a case of an Uruguayan who was promised a job in Russia and died in Ukraine, underscoring growing risks for workers lured by “employment” offers.