She reaffirmed her commitment to judicial reform and pledged to hold elections under a revamped electoral authority.

In a national address delivered on Thursday, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez presented an overview of the political, economic, cultural, spiritual and democratic transformation initiatives carried out throughout the year.

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During her address, she underscored the Venezuelan government’s independence in directing public policies and making strategic decisions.

“The decisions behind this transformation are made here, signed here and announced here, before you. Sovereignty is not negotiable,” Rodriguez said, emphasizing that Venezuela’s political horizon is measured by a sequence of objectives to be achieved, while maintaining international relations based on mutual respect.

Nearly 10 months after the U.S. military attack, Rodriguez referred to the “two perspectives” shaping Venezuela: that of those who view the changes as an excessive opening and that of those who believe the changes are happening too slowly. The Venezuelan acting president then stressed that her administration operates and positions itself at the point where these two perspectives intersect.

“Governance takes place between these two tensions, and we have chosen a path that will lead us steadily to a successful outcome,” she said, urging citizens to assess the government’s performance more objectively and dispassionately.

“I am not asking you to have faith. I am asking you to judge me by the facts. Less fighting, more solutions,” Rodriguez said, setting out the standard by which she wants her administration to be evaluated: “An announcement is not worth what it promises. It is worth what is delivered.”

Her statements come as U.S. President Donald Trump envisions Venezuela becoming the 51st state of his country, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeks to set the pace of Venezuela’s political process. In response to those ambitions, Acting President Rodriguez outlined her main priorities.

1. All Decisions Are Made in Venezuela

In keeping with the defense of national sovereignty, Rodriguez described the transformation proposed under the “Venezuela Reborn” plan as a “democratic, orderly, institutional and verifiable transformation.”

This translates into three aspirations that matter in every Venezuelan household: “that your child can return, that the power does not go out, and that your salary is enough to make ends meet. That is what rebirth means,” she said.

“Return will always be voluntary, dignified and guaranteed,” Rodriguez promised Venezuelans living abroad. She assured them that anyone who decides to return will find “a country that welcomes them with respect, their documents in order and employment opportunities.”

2. A Justice System Open to Witnesses

Regarding criminal justice reform, Rodriguez invited “independent organizations to verify each of these steps in complete freedom and transparency.”

She recalled that the reform is currently advancing through a nationwide consultation intended to hear everyone’s views, with technical assistance from the European Union and cooperation from the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Its purpose is to build “a fairer, more humane, transparent and impartial justice system.”

To date, nearly 9,000 people have benefited from the Amnesty Law, which ended criminal proceedings “stemming from the confrontation in which we were immersed,” Rodriguez said, emphasizing that more than 1,000 people have already regained their freedom.

In September, Rodriguez had acknowledged that the Law Against Hate “had been applied abusively.” Accordingly, the reform to that law introduced by the National Assembly seeks to eliminate criminal penalties and strengthen its educational purpose.

Once enacted, the reform will require the justice system to review the cases of individuals prosecuted under the law. This is in addition to instructions to security forces that no one may be detained without a court order, except when caught in the act of committing a crime, and a reminder that peaceful protest is a constitutional right that requires respect for the physical integrity of public officials.

“The responsible exercise of politics is guaranteed for everyone. The doors are open,” the Venezuelan acting president said.

3. Elections with the World as a Witness

“This is not a dialogue for the sake of appearances. These are difficult issues, and they cannot be resolved in a single day,” Rodriguez said, referring to one of the issues on the agenda of the dialogue table established under the Democratic Coexistence and Peace Program.

In October, the Venezuelan government and representatives of the 2015 National Assembly held a third round of talks in Caracas.

The agenda focuses on “upcoming electoral processes, reform of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the recovery of resources for post-earthquake socioeconomic assistance,” Rodriguez said, highlighting that the dialogue table had demanded that the United Kingdom return the seized Venezuelan gold.

In response to those calling for early elections, an urgency encouraged by the far right, Rodriguez recalled that “Venezuela’s political horizon is not measured by a date on the calendar, but by a sequence of objectives we must achieve.” At the end of that sequence are the ballot boxes.

“There will be elections, all those required by our Constitution, organized by a renewed electoral authority and with the world as a witness,” the Venezuelan acting president pledged.

She stressed that the process aims to establish an electoral authority “accepted by everyone,” guarantee internal democracy within political parties and leave behind the “times of confrontation that nobody wants anymore.”

Addressing those who hold different views, she said: “This transformation also belongs to you. I am not asking you to change your opinion. I am asking you to judge by the facts and come to the table, with equal rules for everyone.”

4. Contracts, Wages and Reconstruction

“You have the right to make demands, and I am listening,” Rodriguez said, emphasizing that dialogue on economic issues is already producing concrete results.

Thanks to the new regulations that have been approved, the Venezuelan government has managed to sign 61 contracts in the hydrocarbons sector, while another 44 contracts are under negotiation.

Authorities are also making progress in talks on mining and in assessing “nonessential assets held by the state that could be offered to the private sector or returned to their former owners.”

Workers’ wages are being discussed at a negotiating table that brings together trade union federations, business chambers and government authorities. For 2027, “increases in workers’ income across the country at four different points during the year” are planned. These increases “may in no case be lower than the economic growth recorded in the preceding quarter.”

To families who are still rebuilding their homes after the earthquake, Rodriguez promised that reconstruction efforts would not stop and that every month she would show them what had been done, where and when.

5. Legality as a Method

“When I said at the United Nations that legality was the way forward, it was not just a phrase. It was a method,” the Venezuelan acting president said during her national address.

She recalled that her administration continues to restore access to news websites “that had been subject to administrative measures as a result of the confrontation we experienced.” Restrictions imposed during the years of confrontation are now being reversed under the same legal framework that Rodriguez has made her governing method.

She urged Venezuelan journalists to act responsibly and respect citizens’ rights, while asking the foreign press not to stigmatize “the image of our country, nor its people and national identity.”

Finally, in response to those who fear that the transformations will entail too many concessions to traditional economic power groups, Rodriguez assured them that “nothing that has been built will be lost. What works will be protected, and what is wrong will be corrected.”

She urged young people to believe again, because these reforms are intended to ensure that “when it is their turn to decide the country’s direction, they will find institutions, not rubble.”

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Presidential Press – MIPPCI

Republicans are losing ground in a state where Democrats are seeking to retain Senate seats and win the governor’s race.

Less than a week before the midterm elections, polls predict that voters in Georgia are not leaning toward Republicans in a state that plays a decisive role in U.S. politics and gave Donald Trump a narrow victory in the 2024 presidential election.

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“Republicans are disappointed. Trump promised he would lower prices, and obviously, it was a scam,” said David, a Democratic volunteer who goes door to door in neighborhoods across the city of Macon to make sure no progressive vote is lost.

Polls point to a likely victory for Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seeking reelection against Republican Mike Collins and could even become a presidential candidate in 2028.

Democrats need to hold on to their seats in Georgia and Michigan and flip four Republican-held seats in swing states to win a Senate majority.

They are also hoping to make Keisha Lance Bottoms the first woman and first African American to serve as governor of Georgia, although polls show a dead heat with Republican Rick Jackson.

🇺🇸 Obama blasts Trump’s ‘chaos and cruelty’ ahead of US midterms

Former US president Barack Obama delivered scathing criticisms of current leader Donald Trump at a rally in Georgia to support Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. pic.twitter.com/CyTKSsO8up

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 30, 2026

A Divided Battleground State

In Georgia, every vote counts. Trump defeated Harris in 2024 by 115,000 votes, while Joe Biden won in 2020 by just 12,000 votes, a margin Trump unsuccessfully challenged with allegations of fraud.

Few states embody the electoral pendulum as well as Georgia, where a population boom and decades of economic growth have transformed a Republican stronghold in the South into a state where either party can win.

While the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to Coca-Cola, CNN and Delta Air Lines, is a major source of Democratic votes, the state’s iconic peach orchards, by contrast, are turning Republican red.

💙 GEORGIA VOTE BLUE UPDATE:

With ONE day of early voting left, Democratic voters are still showing up strong, outpacing red counties relative to 2024!

Over 2.5 million ballots have been cast statewide—let’s keep expanding our lead! 🗳️✨

📍 Cast your early ballot today and… pic.twitter.com/eVxIZbSiB9

— Seth Taylor (@SethTaylor1991) October 30, 2026

The Battle for the African American Vote

The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the cradle of the civil rights movement, Georgia also has an African American population of more than 30%, above the national average.

Mobilizing those voters was one of Obama’s goals when he chose Atlanta for his final major campaign rally last Wednesday. “Obama represents hope, faith and class. He is the best of the best; what we have now is garbage,” said Patricia, an African American voter who attended the event.

So far, voter turnout in the Southern state has already broken records, with more than 2.3 million people casting early ballots, surpassing the previous high set during the 2022 midterm elections.

Although early voting figures cannot predict the outcome, some indicators favor Democrats, with higher turnout in urban centers and more moderate participation in rural areas.

trump’s net approval across all 50 states w/ less than one week until midterms

(only 10 states rate the president net positively, and approval is underwater in most states with key races)

maine: -29
michigan: -25
georgia: -24
iowa: -20
texas: -19
ohio: -19
alaska: -13
south… pic.twitter.com/CfeTa2I2Uv

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) October 29, 2026

The Cost of Living at the Center of the Campaign

Aware of what is at stake, Trump has visited Georgia twice in two weeks, most recently last Saturday, when he announced a multibillion-dollar investment by Audi to build a plant that would bring thousands of jobs, according to him.

The economy dominates a campaign shaped by public frustration over the high cost of living and rising gasoline prices amid the war in Iran.

“Women voters in counties across the Atlanta metropolitan area tend to be decisive. Gasoline and food prices are the main issues,” political scientist Kerwin Swint said.

Obama has tapped into the frustration of Americans struggling to make ends meet with a viral joke that has angered Trump: He compared the White House’s gold decor to the tacky aesthetic of The Cheesecake Factory restaurants.

Outside his rally, a man was selling T-shirts depicting the White House transformed into one of those restaurants. He said they sold out in the blink of an eye. Tuesday will show whether that is a reflection of what will happen at the ballot box.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

On Thursday, 16 civilians were killed and 22 injured following a drone attack on the Hyiq Jari 2 camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, according to residents and accounts gathered by the Ethiopian newspaper Addis Standard. The incident comes amid ongoing clashes between the federal army and rebel groups in the north of the country.

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The camp, located in the South Wollo administrative zone, was struck by as many as five drone attacks, occurring at intervals of approximately fifteen minutes. Witnesses reported that the explosions hit the site while the displaced people were inside their shelters.

“The drone attacked the camp at least five times, at fifteen-minute intervals, while the internally displaced people were inside their shelters. We never expected a drone to attack the camp,” one witness told Addis Standard.

The victims include children, women, and the elderly. The attack also resulted in the burning of around twenty dwellings, though these details have not been independently verified.

NEW COMMENTARY | Containing the New War in Northern Ethiopia

War has returned to northern Ethiopia, raising fears of a wider conflict involving Eritrea. In our EU Watch List, we explain how the EU can facilitate talks and prevent escalation.https://t.co/Q6hzxtsqGD pic.twitter.com/mGhDJVkh0A

— Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup) October 16, 2026

Humanitarian crisis

The camp houses more than 1,800 internally displaced people, who are facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian organizations have significantly scaled back their assistance, limiting access to food, shelter, and medical care.

“We have neither shelter nor food. Perhaps the best thing to do is to go to the city and sleep on the streets, hoping that someone might take pity on us and help. We have no other choice right now,” said one of the displaced individuals.

Those affected also noted that regional authorities have failed to respond to their pleas for support. Neither the Ethiopian government nor the insurgent groups have commented on who was responsible for the attack. The violence is taking place as the Ethiopian Army battles rebel groups in the north of the country. On September 23, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) announced a defensive war from that region, following months of escalation and recurring drone strikes.

AMHARA FANO NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Foreign Affairs Department Urgent Call for International Action regarding Indiscriminate Aerial Attacks in Ethiopia pic.twitter.com/q2uBGl9EUj

— Amhara Fano National Movement – Foreign Affairs (@AFNM_FA) October 23, 2026

Since then, federal forces have made gains, particularly in Tigray, though fighting persists in other areas. An alliance of seven rebel and opposition groups—including the TPLF, the Amhara nationalist movement Fano, and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)—was recently formed with the stated goal of toppling the Ethiopian government.

Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of ​​supporting the rebels and conducting incursions into its territory—an accusation that Asmara denies. This escalation has reignited fears of a new, large-scale war, similar to the 2020–2022 conflict between the TPLF and the federal government, which, according to the African Union, resulted in at least 600,000 deaths.

So far this year, economic performance has weakened in several major eurozone economies.

On Friday, Eurostat released a preliminary report showing that gross domestic product (GDP) in the eurozone grew by 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, slowing from 0.6 percent in the second quarter.

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GDP in the European Union (EU) increased by 0.5 percent quarter on quarter, down from 0.7 percent in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, GDP growth edged up to 1.3 percent in the eurozone and 1.5 percent in the EU, compared with 1.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, in the second quarter.

Eurostat cautioned that the preliminary estimates were based on incomplete data and remained subject to revision. Nevertheless, the eurozone economy stagnated in the first quarter before rebounding in the second. Economic performance weakened in several major eurozone economies.

Germany’s GDP increased by 0.2 percent quarter on quarter, down from 0.3 percent in the second quarter. France’s economy contracted by 0.1 percent after remaining unchanged in the previous quarter, while Italy’s GDP stagnated after growing by 0.2 percent.

Euro zone GDP grew 0.4% in Q3, double the 0.2% expected, per Reuters. Germany +0.2%, Spain +0.6%, Italy flat, France -0.1%. Resilience now, but surging energy costs and borrowing costs cloud the outlook. (via @Reuters) pic.twitter.com/EgK2RmCqL6

— The Macro Memo (@TheMacroMemo_) October 30, 2026

Spain recorded growth of 0.6 percent, compared with 0.7 percent in the second quarter. Elsewhere in the EU, Ireland recorded quarterly GDP growth of 5.5 percent, the highest among member states with available data, while Lithuania posted the sharpest contraction, at 1.0 percent.

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its three key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, warning that continued increases in energy prices posed upside risks to inflation and downside risks to economic growth.

Bert Colijn, chief economist at ING, said that persistently rising energy prices, including natural gas prices, would pose additional challenges to eurozone growth during the winter months.

The relatively high level of interest rates and weakening business demand for loans would also weigh on economic activity, he noted, citing the ECB’s bank lending survey.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally will take place from January 9 to 23, 2027, spanning from the Portuguese Algarve to Marrakech. This exceptional change of venue follows the decision not to hold the event in Saudi Arabia due to conflicts involving the Houthis; however, the organizers have confirmed that the Arab nation will return as a host in 2028.

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The total route will cover 7,824 kilometers, 4,341 of which will consist of special stages. The competition will begin in Loulé-Faro, in Portugal’s Algarve region, where the prologue will be held on January 9, followed by the first timed stage the next day.

This will mark the third time that Portugal has served as the starting point for the event. From there, the rally caravan will travel through southern Spain toward Morocco—without any competitive stages taking place on Spanish soil—before crossing into Africa via a sea transit to Nador.

Morocco will host eleven stages, with a rest day scheduled in Agadir. The itinerary will traverse the country from north to the far south, passing through Bouarfa, the Atlas Mountains, Smara, and areas near Dakhla, before heading back north. Participants will venture into the deserts of the country’s deep south, ultimately concluding the event in Marrakech on January 23, following twelve stages and six bivouacs.

This change of venue marks the return of the Dakar Rally to the African continent for the first time in 20 years. Morocco served as a transit point for the race for fourteen editions, up until 2007.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

Una publicación compartida por Czech fan mission – Dakar rally 2027 (@rallyedakar)

The event, created by Thierry Sabine, held its first edition between Paris and Dakar, starting in 1978 and concluding in January 1979. Currently organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation, it is one of the toughest and most demanding rally-raid competitions in the world, combining speed, endurance, navigation, and the ability to overcome mechanical breakdowns over the course of several days.

The 49th edition will kick off the 2027 season of the World Rally-Raid Championships, sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM).

The Dakar features six major speed categories: Motorcycles—with a maximum engine displacement of 450cc, divided into the RallyGP, Rally2, and Original by Motul classes; Ultimate, which includes prototypes built specifically for rally-raid; Stock, consisting of off-road vehicles derived from production models; Challenger, for lightweight prototypes; SSV, for lightweight side-by-side vehicles; and Trucks, which have their own classification and set of regulations.

Additionally, the competition is accompanied by the Dakar Classic—a regularity rally for historic vehicles—and the “Dakar Future Mission 1000,” a program designed to develop and evaluate alternative propulsion technologies. The name “Paris-Dakar” originates from the original route between the French capital and the capital of Senegal, although the starting city has changed over the years.

At least 527 people are expected to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

On Friday, Ukrainian legislator David Arakhamia, head of the ruling Servant of the People party, confirmed that the evacuation of residents from Oleshky—a frontline town in the Kherson region—is continuing while the ceasefire remains in effect.

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Al least “25 buses have been prepared to evacuate 750 residents, with more than 50 medical personnel and nine ambulances on standby and separate transport has also been arranged for pets,” Irish journalist Brian McDonald posted on social networks.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said that 527 people from Oleshky were expected to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

The evacuees would enter Ukraine from Belarus. Once in Ukraine, they will undergo medical examinations, receive initial medical care, and be provided with essential supplies and accommodation.

On Thursday, a Ukrainian delegation led by Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets departed for Oleshky on a humanitarian mission, which was made possible by an agreement with Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova, with coordination of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

With about 2,000 people remaining at present, Oleshky lies on the left bank of the Dnieper River. The town has been under Russian control since February 2022 and is facing a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies amid continued fighting.

The humanitarian mission followed an agreement on a temporary ceasefire in the area to facilitate aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. The ceasefire is scheduled to remain in effect until 10:59 p.m. Moscow time on Nov. 1.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

On Thursday, Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Pérez Mackenna inaugurated the 63rd Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ECA) in Punta Arenas. The expedition is set to carry out nearly 50 research projects, involving more than 150 scientists, between November and the end of March.

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During the ceremony, the Foreign Minister highlighted Chile’s position as a gateway to Antarctica for international scientific programs. “The trust Chile enjoys in the realm of international relations, combined with the prestige of its public institutions and its logistical and infrastructural capabilities, represents an asset of immense value for attracting more countries to choose Chile as their gateway to Antarctica,” stated Pérez Mackenna.

Foreign Ministry reports indicated that the number of countries using Punta Arenas as a departure point for the “White Continent” has grown from 12 to 21 since 2004. Furthermore, eight other nations have occasionally passed through the capital of the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region. “They use our ports and airports for their own vessels and aircraft, or they contract services in the Magallanes region to facilitate their scientific expeditions,” the minister noted.

The 63rd Antarctic Scientific Expedition includes operations at bases and field camps across the Antarctic Peninsula and the continent’s interior—including Union Glacier, located approximately 1,000 kilometers from the South Pole. The teams will conduct research across various fields of Antarctic science—an area the Foreign Minister described as strategic and inseparable from Chilean foreign policy.

En PuntaArenas se realizó el lanzamiento oficial de la 63ª Expedición Científica Antártica "ECA63" del @inach_gob

En la instancia, el Comandante en Jefe de la Tercera Zona Naval, Contraalmirante Juan Soto Herrera, presentó los detalles del despliegue naval para este periodo pic.twitter.com/qXflnac41l

— Armada de Chile (@Armada_Chile) October 30, 2026

The text reads, “The official launch of the 63rd Antarctic Scientific Expedition (“ECA63″) by @inach_gob took place in Punta Arenas. During the event, the Commander-in-Chief of the Third Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Juan Soto Herrera, presented details regarding the naval deployment for this period.”

“Antarctic science has a very distinct character; it is a strategic field—inseparable from Chile’s foreign policy—that helps us explore and gain knowledge about a vast territory that is crucial to the future of both our country and the planet,” Pérez Mackenna affirmed.

Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty—originally signed by 12 countries in 1959—which designates the territory for science and international cooperation. Although the continent is not governed by any single state, countries such as Chile, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand maintain historical territorial claims.

Chile operates at least ten Antarctic bases: five are managed by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH), while the others are run by the Armed Forces. The country’s first facility in the territory was inaugurated in 1940, following a decree by President Pedro Aguirre Cerda that established the boundaries of the Chilean Antarctic territory.

#Chile | Severe storms and a tornado have damaged at least 25 homes in Requínoa and left over 10,000 customers without power in Santiago. Authorities have issued emergency alerts as they assess the damage.#ChileStorms #Tornado #SevereWeather #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/p1XM7r0xMz

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2026

The rules-based international order is eroding and the line between economic security and national security has disappeared, Carney stated.

On Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched “The Plan for a Stronger Canada,” the country’s first national security strategy in over two decades aimed at countering evolving security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty.

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The prime minister’s office said in a news release that the rules-based international order is eroding and the line between economic security and national security has disappeared, noting that national security now relies not only on defense and resource capabilities, but also on the strength of the economy, the resilience of institutions, and the partnerships with allies.

The strategy outlines five main priorities: strengthening economic security and resilience by transforming strategic industries and securing supply chains; advancing a disciplined foreign policy to diversify partnerships; rebuilding and strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces; enhancing public safety against foreign interference, espionage, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime; and modernizing intelligence capabilities to anticipate and counter emerging threats.

“In a rapidly changing, more dangerous, more divided world, Canada must have the capacity to defend our sovereignty, the resilience to withstand emerging threats, and the determination to shape our own future. Our Plan for a Stronger Canada will build that strength. So that we can live our lives as we choose, in the greatest country in the world,” PM Carney said, adding that the Canada will update the strategy at least every four years.

Mark Carney on Canada's new national security strategy: "The last strategy was written for a different world. And today's national security strategy reflects profound new realities. Most fundamentally, what it does is it recognizes that the requirements of sovereignty have… pic.twitter.com/76d8VUmVIZ

— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson_) October 29, 2026

The Strategy Focuses On What We Can Control: Carney.

The new Canadian security strategy considers events that have occurred over the past year and a half, including foreign policy statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The plan defines Canada’s core national interests and establishes a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach that brings together our economic strength, foreign policy, defense and intelligence capabilities, and public safety initiatives,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

To this end, the Canadian government has set out the following guidelines:

“1. Strengthen Canada’s economic security and resilience against threats: Canada has what the world wants. Securing our sovereignty in key sectors and delivering our resources and expertise to the world will reinforce Canada as a strategically important player in the global economy.

To strengthen our economic sovereignty, Canada is transforming our strategic industries with historic investments, securing our supply chains, maximising our energy security, and investing in Canadian innovation to position Canada as a global leader across critical industries.

2. Advance a disciplined foreign policy that diversifies Canada’s partnerships and builds strategic capabilities: No one country, no matter how powerful, can manage these challenges alone. The primary goal of our foreign policy is to support Canadian strategic autonomy and resilience through deep cooperation in the full range of strategic capabilities with likeminded partners.

Much of this work is underway. Canada is diversifying our trade and building stronger partnerships to create greater security and prosperity for Canadians, and forging new partnerships with allies that are anchored in our common values, respect our complementary strengths, and enhance our collective sovereignty and prosperity.

3. Rebuild and strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to defend Canada and Canadian interests: The work of defending Canada is the work of building Canada. To protect Canada’s sovereignty, strengthen our strategic autonomy, and meet our NORAD and NATO targets, the Canadian government is changing how we invest in defence.

We are building a stronger, more resilient Canadian defence industrial base capable of equipping, sustaining, and scaling up the CAF, accelerating procurement, and working with the Defence Investment Agency to deliver the Defence Industrial Strategy, strengthen strategic autonomy, and create lasting economic opportunities for Canadians.

By transforming our military and defence supply chain, strengthening Arctic security, and contributing to stability in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond, Canada will be able to protect itself at home and act as a responsible ally and partner abroad.

4. Protect Canadians and strengthen public safety against criminal and national security threats: Canadians should feel safe and free to take part in every facet of Canadian society.

We will work with all levels of government, Indigenous Peoples, and Northern communities to strengthen our defences and build resilience against threats facing Canadians. We will intensify efforts to counter foreign interference, espionage, violent extremism, and transnational organised crime, including sabotage, extortion, fraud, online exploitation, financial crime, money laundering, and sanctions evasion, while protecting Canadians and our institutions from foreign information manipulation.

5. Modernise Canada’s intelligence capabilities to anticipate and counter emerging threats: Our ability to collect, analyse, and leverage intelligence, together with our partners, ensures we are prepared to tackle emerging threats.

Canada will strengthen our sovereign intelligence capabilities, deepen and diversify our intelligence partnerships, and modernise Canada’s intelligence enterprise by updating authorities to reflect evolving threats and technologies while safeguarding Canadians’ rights.”

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Xinhua – PM Office

Violations could result in a civil penalty of up to US$25,000 sought by the state’s attorney general.

On Wednesday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law aimed at protecting minors from the growing risks of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.

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“As a mother and grandmother, I believe kids deserve to be kids, without dangerous AI chatbots putting their safety and mental health at risk. Today, I signed new laws to protect them. Big Tech, you’re on notice: New York will not let you profit at the expense of our children,” she said.

The new legislation prohibits companies from offering a range of chatbot features to users under the age of 18, which include pretending to be human, building emotional dependency, encouraging self-harm or engaging in sexually explicit conversations.

Under the new law, violations could result in a civil penalty of up to US$25,000 sought by the state’s attorney general. The bill also establishes a public website where New Yorkers could file complaints against chatbot companies for potential violations.

New York signs law barring minors from AI companion chatbots

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the measure Wednesday.

Tech industry group Tech:NYC criticized the law's vague language. pic.twitter.com/a69TdVSdWC

— WW3 SOON (@Web3__Youth) October 30, 2026

“The law is not limited to products marketed as AI companions. Its definition can reach other conversational generative AI products, including AI characters, creator replicas, roleplay tools, and general-purpose chatbots. Businesses offering these features to users in New York should review their products, age-assurance systems, and data practices before the effective date,” outlet My Adult Attorney pointed out.

“A ‘covered AI companion’ is a generative AI system with a natural-language interface, including text or voice, that provides ongoing, adaptive responses to user inputs. A business does not avoid the law simply by calling its chatbot an assistant rather than a companion.”

“The restrictions concern users physically located in New York. An operator need not be located in New York to face enforcement. Conversely, the statute treats access by a user physically outside New York as conduct wholly outside the state. The focus is the user’s location, not merely residence,” My Adult Attorney added.

Previously, several U.S. states have passed laws to restrict use of chatbots for children and enforce stronger safety requirements for AI companies.

In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring chatbot developers to conduct and publish annual child safety risk assessments and submit their products to independent audits. Newsom also signed a law to ban social media platforms from deploying addictive features for users under the age of 16.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

Pressure from Washington has led to the suspension of air routes and the withdrawal of international companies.

On Wednesday, the National Office of Statistics and Information published a report showing that the U.S. energy blockade has caused a decrease in tourism to Cuba.

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This Caribbean nation received 65.1 percent fewer international visitors in the first nine months of this year than in the same period of 2025. Cuba received 477,707 international visitors from January to September, down 890,140 from the same period a year earlier.

Canada, Cuba’s largest source market for international tourists, saw the steepest decline, with visitor numbers falling by 430,460. Arrivals from Russia decreased by 67,205, while visits by Cubans living abroad dropped by 60,081. The number of visitors from the U.S. fell by 42,984.

Tourism is one of the Caribbean country’s main sources of foreign currency, but the sector is going through a crisis marked by suspended air routes, hotel closures and the withdrawal of international companies.

CUBAN FM RESIST THE BLOCKADE AT THE UN

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stood up to US Ambassador Mike Waltz at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, in a confrontation that laid bare the deepening hostility over Washington's escalating economic war of aggression on the… pic.twitter.com/3Fqg5K0PzX

— Sovereign Media (@sov_media) October 29, 2026

In July, the Cuban government said that U.S. pressure had prompted seven international hotel chains to withdraw from the island, including Spain’s Melia, Iberostar and Barcelo.

The crisis has been compounded by U.S. restrictions on oil supplies imposed since January, including threats of tariffs on countries supplying fuel to the island, as well as expanded sanctions introduced in May.

Cuba has been subject to a U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade for more than six decades. In June, Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power approved a package of 176 economic and social reform measures aimed at liberalizing the economy, including provisions to attract new investors and expand private-sector participation in tourism.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

Rabeh pointed out that the shooter echoed statements by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally leaders.

On Friday, Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh accused the French far right of having “ideologically armed” the perpetrator of the racially motivated terrorist attack that took place a week ago.

RELATED:

Psychiatric Evaluation Does Not Change Terrorist Classification of Trappes Shooting

Rabeh, a member of the left-wing Generation+ party, said statements made by the suspect in the attempted massacre repeated verbatim remarks by leaders of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN).

“From the very beginning, the shooter claimed responsibility for his actions and established a connection with the RN’s ideas… Sebastien Chenu (the party’s vice president) used exactly the same words as the arrested suspect, saying that Trappes is ‘a haven for Islamists,’” the mayor said.

Rabeh accused Le Pen’s party of having “ideologically armed” the terrorist and expressed concern that “this may only be the first attack of this kind.” He also accused far-right parties of using “poisonous words” that take root in “fragile, sick minds that see themselves as being on a crusade to defend an unhealthy vision of France.”

The Generation+ politician mayor stated that the far-right violence incorporates elements of the so-called “great replacement theory,” according to which the population of European descent is being replaced by another population of immigrant origin. He advocated banning the theory from public debate, even if doing so requires a constitutional reform.

Plusieurs centaines de personnes ont assisté mercredi soir à Saint-Denis à l’hommage rendu par @BallyBagayoko et la ville à Pengo Bossio Wangi et les victimes de l’attentat raciste de Trappes. Merci à la famille d’avoir eu des mots forts et dignes, appelant à l’unité, à la… pic.twitter.com/2sxs6c5yam

— Eric Coquerel (@ericcoquerel) October 30, 2026

The text reads, “On Wednesday evening in Saint-Denis, several hundred people attended a tribute—organized by Bally Bagayoko and the city—for Pengo Bossio Wangi and the victims of the racist attack in Trappes. I am grateful to the family for their powerful and dignified words, in which they called for unity, justice for Pengo, and a peaceful struggle against ‘racism, which has no place in France.’ This Friday evening, I will be in Trappes for the march organized by the Trappes municipal government and its mayor, Ali Rabeh.“

The Trappes mayor called for reviving the “cordon sanitaire” to prevent any rapprochement with far-right parties, a political barrier that has been seriously weakened in recent years. He also strongly criticized centrist politicians such as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who place the far right and far left on the same footing.

Rabeh expects “thousands of people” to attend a rally against racism in his city late Friday afternoon. The event is expected to draw lawmakers, mayors, and left-wing presidential candidates, including Social Democrat Raphaël Glucksmann, left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon and Green politician Marine Tondelier.

The Trappes mayor did not comment on the absence of right-wing candidates from the march but said that “everyone is welcome.”

“I am not asking for anyone’s political support. I am asking everyone to face their responsibilities and examine their conscience,” Rabeh said, referring to the absence of government representatives from the afternoon rally.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Saca admitted to diverting more than $300 million in public funds during his 2004-2009 presidency.

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Former Salvadoran President Elias Antonio Saca was released on Thursday after completing a 10-year prison sentence for embezzlement and money laundering involving more than $300 million in public funds.

RELATED: Bukele Says El Salvador Could Dismantle Haiti’s Gangs

The 61-year-old former president appeared in court to formally register his release after serving his sentence in full, without early-release benefits, his lawyer, Mario Machado, said.

Saca was sentenced in September 2018 to five years for embezzlement and another five for money laundering. Under a plea agreement, he admitted to diverting and laundering more than $300 million during his 2004-2009 administration, avoiding a potential 30-year prison sentence.

He was arrested in 2016 during his son’s wedding. Prosecutors accused him of siphoning money from the state budget for himself and others, including more than $7 million transferred to his former political party, the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA).

¡El ex presidente de El Salvador, Elías Antonio Saca, recupera su libertad tras 10 años en prisión! 🌟 https://t.co/3kuzLOrsGl pic.twitter.com/ML3B51eew2

— Diario La Tribuna (@LaTribunahn) October 30, 2026

Text Reads: Former El Salvador president Elías Antonio Saca regains his freedom after 10 years in prison! 🌟

During the trial, Saca acknowledged exploiting weaknesses in government oversight to transfer public funds to private accounts. He also disclosed that he had issued regulations allowing him to classify information about financial transactions as state secrets, shielding the transfers from scrutiny.

According to his testimony, the money was transferred over the course of his five-year presidency into 13 private bank accounts belonging to his former private secretary, Elmer Charlaix, and two other presidential staff members.

In 2019, Saca was convicted in a separate bribery case after offering $10,000 to a court employee in exchange for information about proceedings against him. A judge ruled that the additional sentence would be incorporated into his existing 10-year term.

He was also ordered to repay $260 million to the state. In another case involving the diversion of funds from Taiwan, he was sentenced to pay an additional $6 million. It remains unclear whether he has fulfilled that obligation.

Saca, a businessman and radio broadcaster who served as president under ARENA, is one of four former Salvadoran presidents to have faced corruption charges. His successor, Mauricio Funes, fled to Nicaragua in September 2016 and died there in 2025.

More than 2,000 Salvadoran troops have been deployed to Haiti after an ambush left four military personnel missing.

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El Salvador has deployed more than 2,000 military personnel to Haiti in a mission to recover four soldiers missing since an ambush near Port-au-Prince, with President Nayib Bukele saying the operation could also be used to dismantle the country’s armed gangs.

RELATED: Haiti: Anti-Gang Force Confirms Finding Remains, Bukele Denies Those to Be Salvadoran Missing Military

“If we defeated the gangs here in El Salvador, we can defeat them there,” Bukele told reporters Thursday during an official visit by Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. He said, however, that El Salvador would withdraw the same day if the four missing military aviation technicians were returned alive.

The Salvadoran Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the deployment involved more than 2,000 members of the country’s armed forces and was part of a large-scale operation backed by several countries and international organizations.

Pèp ayisyen,

Nou prèske fin deplwaye sòlda nou yo ak ekipman nou yo sou tè Ayiti. Sa a se pa yon operasyon kont pèp ayisyen an, ni yon envazyon peyi Ayiti. Nou pa yon gwo pisans. Nou pa gen okenn enterè ni pou nou vin domine pèp ayisyen an, ni pou nou mete men sou richès Ayiti.… pic.twitter.com/AZ1XvdeJje

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) October 29, 2026

Text Reads: Haitian people, We have nearly finished deploying our soldiers and equipment on Haitian soil. This is not an operation against the Haitian people, nor an invasion of the country of Haiti. We are not a great power. We have no interest in coming to dominate the Haitian people, nor in laying hands on Haiti’s wealth. We are a modest country that is developing. The only thing we want is for our four aviation technicians to return home. And we’re giving the gangs a lesson—these gangs that make the Haitian people suffer, that kill people the population loves, that prevent them from living a normal, free life, without fear. It’s almost just us footing the bill for this operation. Even though we receive a bit of logistical help from a few other countries, it’s with our own modest funds that we’re covering 90% of the expenses. It costs us dearly, but we’ve learned from our own suffering: justice and peace have no price. We went through the same suffering that Haiti is going through today. We lived through a nightmare that was even more horrific than what the Haitian people are enduring right now. We know what that means: living in fear, not trusting politicians, not believing anyone who promises to help you. Because no one came to help us, and those who did come didn’t have good intentions in their hearts. But we managed to escape it. After 200 years of suffering, finally we’re living in peace, and today we are the safest country on the continent. We didn’t come to Haiti to make money, because no one is paying us to do it. We came to Haiti to fight against the wicked. But here’s what I’m asking of you: trust us, pray to the one true God, and ask Him to heal Haiti. “If at that time my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, where I am, I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 Help us help Haiti. And when our mission is finished, we’ll return home. Perhaps the next generation of Haitians will remember us as friends who came to help one day.

Bukele rejected suggestions that the deployment amounted to an invasion, insisting that his government had no intention of occupying Haiti or asserting control over its population. In a post on X earlier Thursday, he said the mission had received authorization at both national and international levels and was focused on rescuing the missing personnel alive.

He also vowed to confront the gangs responsible for their abduction, arguing that Salvadoran forces knew how to deal with criminal organizations of this kind. Bukele described the confrontation as a battle between good and evil, saying his government stood on the side of good.

El Salvador had already been participating in the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), but its involvement in Haiti’s security crisis deepened after an ambush on Oct. 18 on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The attack targeted a vehicle carrying four Salvadoran military personnel, who have been missing since the incident.

The Salvadoran contingent includes special forces personnel and represents the largest deployment by a single country in Haiti since the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) ended in 2017. The UN mission operated in the country from 2004 to 2017.

Reports circulated last Saturday that human remains potentially belonging to the four missing personnel had been found. Bukele dismissed those reports.

Bukele has maintained that recovering the four personnel alive is the operation’s primary objective and said their return would prompt the immediate withdrawal of Salvadoran forces.

A three-kilometer ash plume prompted evacuations within a six-kilometer radius as officials raised the volcano’s alert level to 3.

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Philippine authorities ordered the evacuation of communities within six kilometers of Mayon volcano on Friday after a moderately explosive eruption sent an ash plume 3,000 meters above its crater, prompting warnings of further volcanic activity and possible lava flows.

RELATED: Climate Science and Emissions Cuts Face Growing Resistance Ahead of COP31

The eruption began at 11:53 a.m. local time (03:53 GMT) and lasted nearly six minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). It generated a dense ash cloud that rose rapidly to 3,000 meters above the summit.

Phivolcs raised Mayon’s alert level to 3 on a five-point scale, warning that the volcano had entered a new phase of magmatic eruption and faced an increased risk of a hazardous event. The agency said lava flows could descend the volcano’s slopes in the coming days or weeks.

Following the eruption, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ordered local authorities to evacuate residents living within a six-kilometer radius of the crater on Friday afternoon.

The Philippines’ Mayon Volcano has erupted, sending ash plumes 3,000 metres above its summit.

Authorities have raised the alert to Level 3, signalling that the volcano has entered a new phase of eruption. pic.twitter.com/45eGH25Hf0

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 30, 2026

The directive, signed and shared by the provincial governor, also suspended classes at all educational levels in public and private schools across the affected area until further notice.

Police and military personnel will enforce security measures to prevent access to the danger zone, where all activities have been prohibited.

Authorities also warned residents to remain alert for possible mudflows and avalanches of volcanic material along rivers and streams flowing down the volcano. Phivolcs advised pilots to avoid flying over the summit.

The agency forecast ashfall in Daraga, Camalig and Guinobatan, as well as other communities in Albay province, in the southeastern part of Luzon island.

Mayon is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes. The country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region marked by intense seismic and volcanic activity.

The move comes amid a federal dispute over election oversight and a court ruling blocking efforts to set aside more than 20,000 mail-in ballots.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he would deploy election lawyers and observers across the state to protect voters’ rights, escalating a confrontation with President Donald Trump’s administration over federal involvement in polling places ahead of the elections.

RELATED: More Than 26.6 Million Have Voted Early in U.S. Midterms

The legal teams will be sent to key districts with closely contested races, Newsom said, warning against unauthorized interference in the electoral process.

“A warning to Donald Trump: I’m deploying election lawyers to key battleground districts in California to protect every vote. And I just made it a FELONY to illegally seize ballots,” the Democratic governor wrote on social media platform X.

Newsom also approved legislation making the unlawful seizure of election ballots a felony, establishing criminal penalties for unauthorized interference with ballots.

A warning to Donald Trump:

I’m deploying election lawyers to key battleground districts in California to protect every vote.

And I just made it a FELONY to illegally seize ballots.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 29, 2026

The measures follow the Trump administration’s announcement that it would deploy federal agents to polling places to prevent potential electoral irregularities. Trump has repeatedly accused California of failing to address alleged voter fraud.

Speaking Wednesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Newsom criticized the administration’s approach, accusing the White House of trying to suppress votes and create grounds to challenge the election results.

He argued that the administration was seeking to create conditions that could later be used to question the outcome and allege fraud.

The dispute has also reached the courts. On Wednesday, a federal judge rejected a Justice Department request to set aside more than 20,000 mail-in ballots cast in California while authorities verified voters’ citizenship.

The judge warned that withholding the ballots would cause widespread disruption and interfere with an electoral process already underway.

California officials had also questioned the reliability of the voter list submitted by the federal government and rejected its request to verify voters’ citizenship before ballots were counted.

The Justice Department confirmed it would appeal the ruling, setting the stage for further legal disputes between federal and state authorities before the election process concludes.

Unions and left-wing groups plan further demonstrations in November, calling for the release of opposition figure Luisa González.

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Nearly 100 people marched through Ecuador’s capital, Quito, on Thursday to protest President Daniel Noboa’s government, launching a new wave of demonstrations ahead of local elections scheduled for Nov. 29.

RELATED: Ecuador Readies Snap Regional Elections Amid Opposition Exclusion Accusations

Organized by the country’s main trade unions and left-wing political parties, the peaceful march moved through the historic center before reaching the attorney general’s office. Protesters gathered outside the building carrying banners demanding the release of Luisa González, a former presidential candidate and one of the leading opposition figures.

González, who belongs to the political movement associated with former President Rafael Correa, was placed in pretrial detention in a case involving alleged money laundering. Prosecutors accuse her of involvement in the irregular financing of her first presidential campaign in 2023.

Chanting “Out, Noboa, out,” demonstrators also called for improvements to public education and healthcare. Some participants urged voters to cast null ballots in the upcoming local elections.

Natasha Rojas, a politician and activist, described the mobilization as a defense of democracy, civil liberties and the rights of Ecuadorians. She argued that the government was losing public support and warned that its policies would fuel further protests.

Nelson Erazo, president of the Popular Front, accused state institutions, including the attorney general’s office and the comptroller’s office, of being used to target social activists and political leaders.

He said the demonstration brought together groups seeking political change and demanding that Ecuadorians be able to express themselves freely, with guarantees of access to education, healthcare and employment.

Opposition organizations have announced further demonstrations on Nov. 7 and 15, followed by a march alongside feminist groups on Nov. 25 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Another mobilization is planned for Dec. 10, in coordination with international organizations, to defend human rights.

The destruction of schools, universities and cultural institutions threatens Palestinian education, historical memory and future generations.

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United Nations experts have warned that the systematic destruction of Gaza’s education system and the killing of Palestinian journalists are undermining Palestinian society’s ability to educate future generations, preserve its history and document events in the occupied territories.

RELATED: Israel Kills Four Palestinians in Gaza Despite Ceasefire

Speaking Thursday at a briefing organized by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at the organization’s headquarters in New York, the experts condemned the destruction of educational institutions and the growing restrictions on press freedom across the occupied Palestinian territories.

Farida Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education, described the devastation in Gaza as “scholasticide,” defined as the systematic and deliberate destruction of education. She reported that 98% of schools and all 13 universities in the territory had been destroyed.

The damage extends far beyond educational facilities. According to the experts, 13 libraries, 195 heritage sites, 227 mosques, at least three churches and Gaza’s central archives have also been destroyed. The archives held 150 years of collective memory, representing a significant loss of Palestinian historical records.

Gaza’s children are losing more than classrooms and textbooks. Three years of Israel’s genocide have disrupted their education, killed teachers and classmates, and left many struggling with hunger, trauma and the basic skills they need to learn.https://t.co/Fz7cmDzbzB

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 25, 2026

The consequences for education are also evident in the occupied West Bank. Shaheed reported that 10 of the 48 schools in East Jerusalem were demolished in September. She also cited 224 security incidents during the first half of the year that affected 152 schools and 20,450 students.

The experts also raised alarm over the killing of Palestinian journalists and media workers, warning that the loss of those documenting events in Gaza has compounded the restrictions on freedom of expression.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, recalled that nearly 300 journalists and media workers had been killed in Gaza since October 2023, making the territory an increasingly deadly place for members of the press.

The most immoral army
will continue to slaughter innocent people

No matter which fugitive or potential war criminal leads Apartheid Israel.

They will.
Until or Unless WE THE PEOLE force it to stop.

Stop the Genocide now.
Together we can and we will. https://t.co/KoKmHMzWAw

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) October 29, 2026

Albanese warned that silencing witnesses not only allows crimes to be committed but also conceals them, allowing impunity to become part of the process.

The experts called on the international community to take immediate action by halting arms transfers, protecting journalists and sustaining humanitarian assistance through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). They also warned that the ceasefire announced the previous year had failed to bring relief, with more than 1,500 Palestinians killed since it took effect.

The Fund outlined four priorities for turning economic stabilisation into stronger growth and job creation as it backed a new $900 million disbursement.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday urged Argentina to maintain its economic programme, warning that sustained policy implementation and stronger international reserves remain essential to reducing country risk as concerns grow over a possible technical recession.

RELATED: Billions Dollars Stolen in Historic Cryptocurrency Cyberattack

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the government should continue implementing its current policies while ensuring that the benefits of economic stabilisation translate into stronger growth and employment.

“Our best advice for Argentina to continue reducing its country risk is to continue with its strong policy implementation, that is, to keep implementing the programme as it has been doing,” Kozack told a news conference in Washington.

She stressed that accumulating net international reserves and strengthening the country’s external position were fundamental to reducing financial risks. The Fund’s broader message, she added, was to maintain the current policy direction while extending the benefits of stabilisation across the economy.

🇦🇷💸 | Ante las declaraciones directas del presidente de la nación Argentina, Javier Milei, la escalada de la crisis económica golpea con dureza a la sociedad, donde la mayoría de la población lucha diariamente contra el endeudamiento y la precariedad laboral. La realidad es que… pic.twitter.com/J4RLdc4uvQ

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 22, 2026

Text Reads: | In light of the direct statements from Javier Milei, president of the Argentine nation, the escalation of the economic crisis is hitting society hard, where the majority of the population struggles daily against debt and job precariousness. The reality is that surveys reveal that nearly 6 out of 10 Argentine citizens have had to go into debt to survive amid the drastic drop in purchasing power. At the same time, the lack of employment and the loss of social rights worsen a landscape that deeply affects the quality of life of families, especially the youth. Popular discontent is growing in the face of official responses that seem to ignore the urgency of the crisis, forcing us to understand “The Other Side of the Coin”.

Addressing questions about the possibility of Argentina recording two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, Kozack outlined four priorities agreed upon with the government to support growth and job creation.

These include deepening capital and mortgage markets to expand access to financing, introducing greater flexibility in the labour market to encourage private-sector employment, advancing infrastructure projects awarded through concession agreements, and facilitating strategic investment through the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI).

Projects approved under the investment incentive scheme already exceed $76 billion, according to the IMF.

The Fund’s latest assessment comes as its staff and Argentine authorities reached an agreement on Tuesday on the third review of the country’s Extended Fund Facility programme, potentially unlocking a disbursement of approximately $900 million.

Kozack said the IMF Executive Board could consider the review in early December.

The Fund said the programme had continued to deliver results despite a more challenging international environment. Net international reserves exceeded the June target by approximately $4 billion, while the Central Bank purchased nearly $16 billion in foreign currency during the year.

The Treasury also raised more than $5 billion in domestic markets. With support from official creditors, the government secured $3.2 billion in guaranteed financing from international banks and was working to obtain an additional $1 billion before the end of the year.

The agreement maintains Argentina’s target of a primary fiscal surplus equivalent to 1.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, with a similar fiscal effort planned for 2027. It also preserves the existing exchange rate band system.

However, the economic outlook remains weaker than previously expected. In October, the IMF lowered its 2026 growth forecast for Argentina from 3.5% to 2.1%, underscoring the challenge of turning stabilisation gains into sustained economic expansion.

Haiti has postponed its presidential and legislative elections once again, pushing the first round from December 13 to July 18, 2027, as armed gangs and a decade-long institutional vacuum leave the country with no elected official since 2016.

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The move had been expected since the start of the month, when the council extended the deadline for candidate registration to October 31 without setting a new voting date.

The first round of the presidential and legislative elections, together with the constitutional referendum, now falls on July 18, 2027. A second round -including presidential and legislative runoffs and local elections- is scheduled for October 4 of that same year. The campaign, originally due to begin on October 5, will open on April 15, 2027, roughly three months before polling day.

RELATED: UN Security Council Reaffirms Mandate in Haiti Despite Attacks

Under the updated schedule, candidate registration will remain open through February 9, 2027, while voter registration is extended to May 20. The council’s online platform shows that nearly 890,000 voters are registered on the electoral roll, far short of the 7.7 million people of voting age.

Despite repeated calendar revisions, candidates have continued to register for the elections. According to the Provisional Electoral Council ’s latest updates, over 7,300 candidates have registered for different elected positions. The provisional list includes 19 candidates for President, 369 for the Senate, 1,293 for the Chamber of Deputies and 5,623 for local elections.

Haïti a de nouvelles dates pour les élections présidentielle, législatives et municipales à venir :
18 juillet 2027 pour le premier tour – 4 octobre 2027 pour le deuxième tour, selon une communiqué du Conseil électoral provisoire. pic.twitter.com/A4raK78ifp

— Frantz Duval (@Frantzduval) October 29, 2026

Text reads: “Haiti has new dates for the upcoming presidential, legislative and municipal elections: July 18, 2027 for the first round – October 4, 2027 for the second round, according to a communiqué of the Provisional Electoral Council.”

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) framed the decision as an effort to keep the process moving. “The updated calendar aims to facilitate the continuation of electoral operations under conditions that allow the stakeholders concerned to fulfill their obligations in accordance with the provisions of the legal framework,” the council explained in a statement accompanying the new plan.

The body also pledged to move forward “with dialogue, professionalism and rigor,” targeting elections that are inclusive, credible and transparent. It promised to respect “the right of each citizen to participate in the democratic life of the country.”

That language contrasts sharply with conditions on the ground. Haiti has not held an election since 2016, when Jovenel Moïse won the presidency. He took office in February 2017 and was assassinated on July 7, 2021, at his residence in Port-au-Prince.

Since that killing, no elected official has occupied any post in the country’s state structure. Successive transitional governments have cycled through without managing to organize a vote. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the current leader, has governed on an interim basis since November 10, 2024.

The elections were first set for August 30 of this year. The political and security crisis, driven by armed gang violence and the failure to restore institutional stability, forced a postponement to December 13. That date has now been abandoned for July 18, 2027.

Gangs Hold the Capital

Armed gangs control most of Port-au-Prince. The main force arrayed against them is the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), created in September 2025 under a UN Security Council mandate and renewed for six additional months when it reached its first anniversary.

The latest delay unfolds as hundreds of Salvadoran soldiers search the Haitian capital for four kidnapped colleagues. Those troops belonged to the GSF and vanished on October 18, when armed gangs ambushed them on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

The #GSF confirms that it has received, through a third-party humanitarian organization, remains suspected of being those of the four personnel from the Salvadoran contingent currently missing.
At this stage, the GSF is not in a position to confirm that the remains are those of… pic.twitter.com/JvfLg1DfCG

— Gang Suppression Force – Haiti (@GSForceHaiti) October 25, 2026

PM Fils-Aimé presides over a country under siege. He holds no elected mandate himself, and the security conditions that have justified every postponement show no sign of easing.

For Haitians, the wait has now stretched past a decade without a chance to cast a ballot. Each interim administration has promised elections and delivered another delay. The violence cited as the obstacle has, in turn, deepened with every year of institutional drift.

Whether July 2027 becomes a genuine election day depends on factors no schedule can secure: safe streets, working electoral machinery and a minimum of political consensus. As things stand, the only firm date in Haiti is a next postponement.

Billions of dollars in crypto assets were reportedly stolen in separate hacks targeting Binance and Polymarket, triggering a market selloff and raising fresh concerns over digital asset security worldwide.

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The cryptocurrency industry faced one of its most turbulent days this Thursday as reports of massive security breaches involving Binance and Polymarket triggered sharp market declines, widespread panic among investors, and renewed concerns over the security of digital asset platforms.

While Binance investigated what could become the largest cryptocurrency hack in history, Polymarket temporarily halted operations following a cyberattack linked to a third-party service provider.

RELATED: Artificial Intelligence Pioneers Call for International Body to Oversee Cybersecurity Standards

The crisis began when reports emerged suggesting that Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, had suffered a major security breach. Initial estimates indicated that nearly $600 million in crypto liquidations occurred across exchanges within a single hour as traders rushed to reduce risk amid growing uncertainty.

We are working non-stop to resolve this issue. Binance will cover all losses.

As a precaution, all deposits and withdrawals are temporarily suspended while our team conducts security checks, freezes funds, and works with law enforcement.

We are working around the clock and will… pic.twitter.com/zufWJ6V05D

— Binance (@binance) October 30, 2026

As the situation unfolded, blockchain analysts reported that wallets allegedly tied to the attackers had received digital assets worth more than $5.5 billion. Later disclosures suggested that the amount associated with the incident could exceed $5.7 billion across multiple cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, USDT, and USDC.

The market reaction was immediate. Bitcoin fell below the $80,000 threshold, while Binance Coin (BNB), the exchange’s native token, dropped sharply. Other major cryptocurrencies also recorded significant losses as investors sought safety amid fears of a systemic security event affecting one of the sector’s most important institutions.

Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ and the founder of Binance, stated that the available information appeared to indicate that the platform had suffered a hack. Although no longer involved in the day-to-day management of the company, Zhao expressed hope that all customer funds would ultimately be protected.

Binance, for its part, sought to reassure users, stating that customer assets remained secure and urging the community to remain vigilant against scams and phishing attempts that often proliferate during high-profile security incidents. The company also temporarily suspended several Binance Alpha services, including CEX Buy Token, Alpha Instant, and predictive trading-related functions linked to spot wallet funds.

As investigators worked to determine the full scope of the breach, Binance announced that approximately $2.54 billion worth of assets had already been frozen through emergency security measures. The exchange emphasized that only verified information would be released as the investigation continued.

We are aware of differing figures circulating publicly regarding the amount frozen, including references to $1.8 billion.

For clarity, the current verified total frozen is $2.54 billion. This figure may continue to increase as our teams work closely with law enforcement,… pic.twitter.com/Kx68qptfXk

— Binance (@binance) October 29, 2026

The turmoil was compounded by a separate cyberattack targeting Polymarket, one of the world’s most prominent prediction market platforms. The company temporarily suspended trading operations for nearly an hour after identifying a security incident involving an external service provider.

According to reports, attackers may have exploited a vulnerability connected to DebugBear, a third-party performance and analytics tool used by the platform. The breach allegedly resulted in the theft of roughly $2.65 billion to $2.7 billion worth of cryptocurrencies from user wallets, making it one of the largest incidents ever reported in the prediction market sector.

Following the attack, Polymarket notified British authorities, as preliminary information suggested the operation may have originated from the United Kingdom. At the same time, users reported missing funds and emptied wallets across community channels, raising concerns about the broader implications of third-party software vulnerabilities within the crypto ecosystem.

Despite the disruption, Polymarket moved quickly to restore operations and pledged to compensate affected users. In public statements, the company promised to reimburse all verified losses, an effort aimed at restoring confidence and preventing a prolonged loss of trust among traders.

POLYMARKET HALTS TRADING AFTER HACKERS DRAIN USER FUNDS WITHOUT PASSWORDS OR SEED PHRASES

Attackers allegedly exploited users’ active sessions to sell their positions and withdraw funds directly through Polymarket’s own system.

The attack reportedly originated from a… pic.twitter.com/GJB7MTrBfH

— Bitcoin News (@BitcoinNewsCom) October 29, 2026

Security Under Fire

The dual incidents have reignited a longstanding debate over cybersecurity standards in the cryptocurrency industry. For years, exchanges and digital asset platforms have promoted increasingly sophisticated security systems, yet the scale of the reported losses at Binance and Polymarket suggests that even major players remain vulnerable to large-scale attacks.

If confirmed at the estimated levels reported by analysts and security firms, the Binance breach would surpass all previous cryptocurrency thefts on record, marking a pivotal moment for the digital asset industry. Combined with the Polymarket attack, the events of October 29 erased billions of dollars in market value, exposed potential weaknesses in platform security infrastructure, and highlighted the systemic risks that continue to accompany the rapid growth of the global cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The cyberattack has renewed warnings about cybersecurity protections, investor confidence and risks associated with the use of digital financial platforms.

As investigations continue, regulators, security experts, and investors alike will be watching closely to determine not only how the attacks occurred, but also what they reveal about the resilience of the crypto industry in an era of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.