The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) will celebrate Cuban Culture Day, (October 20) with a national event titled “Art and Homeland” (in spanish Arte y Patria), scheduled to take place from Monday, October 19, to Friday, October 30. The program includes panel discussions, concerts, exhibitions, exchange forums, and activities centered on artistic creation, history, and the defense of national identity.

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The event draws inspiration from the National Anthem, composed by Pedro “Perucho” Figueredo—a piece whose notes accompanied a decisive moment in Cuban history and remain a symbol of independence and emancipation.

“What better way to celebrate our national identity—that deep-rooted sense of ‘Cubanness’—than through art and music?” stated Magda Resik Aguirre, First Vice President of UNEAC, in remarks to the organization’s communications team.

Representatives from the UNEAC presidency and leadership will participate in the *Fiesta de la Cubanía* (Festival of Cuban Identity) in Bayamo—a city intrinsically linked to the birth and establishment of the national anthem as a patriotic symbol. The gathering will also commemorate the 65th anniversary of the writers’ and artists’ organization.

“Art and Homeland” is part of the Faithful Art (Arte Fiel) campaign, which honors the centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and the 65th anniversary of UNEAC. It also incorporates celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), an institution dedicated to promoting Cuban culture, social engagement, and artistic excellence.

🎼🥁El espacio Detras de la Portada que mensualmente organizan la Sección de Musicología y la Asociación de Músicos de la Uneac, dedicará su próxima edición al DVD La Familia, de Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.#ArteFiel #65Uneac#MuñequitosDeMatanzas pic.twitter.com/cO5sGAiilb

— UNEAC (@UNEAC_online) October 17, 2026

The text reads, “The “Behind the Cover” (Detrás de la Portada) event, organized monthly by the Musicology Section and the Musicians’ Association of UNEAC, will dedicate its next edition to the DVD La Familia by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.”

The program includes discussions on the fight against racism and racial discrimination. The panel “Fidel and the Cuban Color: Racism and Discrimination 140 Years After the Abolition of Slavery” will be organized by UNEAC’s José Antonio Aponte Commission. Additionally, there will be a panel dedicated to the novel Paradiso by José Lezama Lima, marking six decades since its first publication.

The program will begin on October 19 at Sala Villena with a panel dedicated to Paradiso and the presentation of the DVD La Familia—produced by BisMusic from a concert by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas at the 2023 Jazz Plaza Festival. The group will subsequently give a special performance in the gardens of UNEAC.

On October 21, the printmaking exhibition Roots (in spanish Raíces) will open, followed by a gathering of *trova* musicians celebrating Cuban culture. The following day will feature the presentation of the Domingo Ravenet Curatorial Award and the opening of the exhibition Cartographies of Destiny (in spanish Cartografías del destino) by Santiago Rodríguez Olazábal.

From October 26 to 30, juries will convene to evaluate the admission of new members to UNEAC, both through its various associations and provincial committees. This process is part of the “Fidel Castro Ruz Centenary Special Growth” initiative and will include young creators from the AHS (Hermanos Saíz Association) who have established a solid body of excellent work.

The closing event on October 30 will include a segment titled “Chamber Music in Cuba” and a performance by Ernán López-Nussa alongside the ensemble Raptus, as part of the 15th Chamber Music Festival.

Resik noted that the organization will adjust schedules and venues to maintain its connection with the public and local communities, “We are fulfilling a duty we have as creators—to dedicate ourselves to the people, to our audience, and to the Cuban public”,explaining.

#Cuba | Havana says talks with Washington remain stalled as US oil restrictions worsen fuel shortages and disrupt essential services, including healthcare.
Cuba continues to call for dialogue ahead of the October 29 UN vote on the blockade.#OilBlockade #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/fycySzWm5T

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 16, 2026

Las operaciones militares abarcaron Yenín, Nablus y Ramala, restringiendo el tránsito de agricultores en la cosecha de aceitunas en la Cisjordania ocupada.

At least nine people died and another 16 were injured this Saturday in Saudi attacks in the province of Taiz, in southwestern Yemen, Houthi media reported amid the military escalation with the coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

At Least 67 Dead in Yemen Due Saudi Attacks: At Least Nine Killed in Saudi Attack on Southwestern Yemen

The Al Masirah television channel reported that “nine people – including women and children – have died and another 16 have been injured in a new atrocity committed by the coalition’s air force” led by Riyadh.

It accused the coalition of attacking “civilian homes” with four bombings in the Humayr al Jabal area, in the Maqbanah district, located in the northwest of Taiz province.

The channel added that “several civilians remain trapped under the rubble of their homes,” while rescue efforts are “being hampered.”

🇸🇦⚡️🇾🇪 ⚠️ Saudi attacks on Taiz's old airport after Yemeni forces made progress on various fronts in western Taiz. pic.twitter.com/6rnwgtJaZd

— #Inside_News (@insider_der) October 17, 2026

So far, the military coalition has not commented on the matter, and the attack could not be independently verified.

For its part, the Yemeni Army claimed to have launched 1,417 “precise and direct attacks in the last 24 hours, using combat aircraft, drones, field artillery and multiple rocket launch systems” against the Houthis, as part of the “Dawn of Yemen” counteroffensive.

Military spokesman Majid al Nuzaili stated in a statement that the operations resulted in approximately “800 casualties – among dead and injured, as well as the destruction or disabling of more than 190 vehicles.”

He assured that in Taiz the Armed Forces “heroically repelled successive waves of attacks, while combat aviation precisely struck the positions and reinforcements of the militias, inflicting serious losses in both personnel and equipment,” but maintained that these attacks “are strictly limited to legitimate military targets.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia announced this Saturday on his X account that they intercepted and destroyed four drones in the Riyadh, eastern and southern Saudi regions in recent hours, without specifying concrete points.

The Yemeni Army maintains its counteroffensive against the rebels, which has air cover from Saudi Arabia, a country that in turn is the target of Houthi attacks for its participation in the Yemeni war since 2015 at the head of a military coalition in support of the internationally recognized government.

La diputada electa del PT destacó el fin de la jornada laboral 6x1 como una victoria histórica para los trabajadores.

En la primera vuelta electoral, la disputa dejó un escenario de extrema polarización y un nutrido grupo de votantes indecisos y abstencionistas.

La aviación saudita descargó más de 100 ataques en 24 horas y dejó 17 heridos en aldeas del distrito de Dhoran Anis, con armamento prohibido.

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) lifted, effective immediately this Friday, the measures that had restricted Mexican airlines from establishing new flights to the U.S. from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City (AICM).

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In a joint statement, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) reported that the decision was reached through coordinated efforts between the governments of Mexico and the United States, as well as progress made in fulfilling bilateral aviation commitments.

The measure revokes Order 213-2, through which the DOT had restricted existing, proposed, and future operations by Mexican carriers. According to the Mexican government agencies, this resolution represents a step forward for air connectivity between the two countries and reopens the possibility of developing routes and flight frequencies from the AICM and AIFA to the U.S. market.

The Government of Mexico attributed this outcome to a process of dialogue and technical cooperation, which was strengthened following a Memorandum of Consultations signed in May 2026. “Since then, Mexico has made progress on the agreed-upon commitments,” the statement noted.

Mexican airlines can expand service to US cities after Washington lifted restrictions that blocked new routes from Mexico City’s two biggest airports https://t.co/Dvkt3zBGp3

— Bloomberg (@business) October 17, 2026

The SRE and SICT indicated that the lifting of these restrictions reflects the desire of both administrations to move toward a new phase in the bilateral aviation relationship—one grounded in dialogue, respect for sovereignty, institutional cooperation, and the application of international standards.

The restriction had been announced on October 28, 2025, by the then-Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and affected Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus. Washington accused Mexico of failing to comply with the bilateral air transport agreement and of favoring domestic carriers in the allocation of flight slots.

The dispute stemmed from a decree that shifted cargo flights from AICM to AIFA. At the time, President Claudia Sheinbaum maintained that the relocation was a technical decision, not a political one.

Mexico pledged to continue working with U.S. authorities to create greater opportunities for passengers, workers, and airlines, as well as to consolidate an aviation system that is safe, competitive, modern, and reliable.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum inaugurated a new campus of the National Rosario Castellanos University in Nicolás Romero, State of Mexico, on Sunday, as her government pushes to expand access to public higher education. The campus will open with 800 students, half attending… pic.twitter.com/RlLWCV54xR

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 12, 2026

Guatemalan lawyer and former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was shot dead this Saturday by several hitmen in a sports complex in the capital of Guatemala, while playing soccer, official sources reported.

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Solórzano Foppa, who was director of Criminal Analysis (2013-2016) of the Public Ministry and head of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (2016-2018), gained notoriety for leading criminal intelligence in high-impact investigations —including key expert reports in the ‘La Línea’ case that forced the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina in 2015— and for taking on the defense of imprisoned journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín.

🚨 #URGENTE | Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, exfiscal del Ministerio Público y exsuperintendente de Administración Tributaria (SAT), figura entre las dos víctimas mortales reportadas tras un ataque armado ocurrido esta mañana en el interior de Campo Marte, zona 5 de la Ciudad de… pic.twitter.com/eZ9oLUP8Nj

— Canal Antigua (@CanalAntigua) October 17, 2026

The armed attack occurred this Saturday morning at the Campo Marte facilities, a busy sports complex located in the east of the Guatemalan capital, when armed men burst onto the field where the victim was playing sports and shot him at point-blank range.

In the incident, a second person, not immediately identified by the authorities, also died, while police officers and forensic experts cordoned off the scene to begin investigations.

During his time at the tax institution, Solórzano Foppa promoted judicial interventions and inspections that forced important companies and industries to pay millions in evaded taxes, which allowed for historical collections in the fight against tax evasion and fraud.

In 2023, he was arrested and prosecuted for obstruction of criminal action and unfaithful sponsorship, in a case directly linked to the legal defense of Zamora Marroquín, founder of the defunct newspaper ‘elPeriódico’.

Neuri Rossetto afirmó en Shanghái que los proyectos progresistas dependen de la movilización de las clases trabajadoras.

Los Tigres castigaron a placer al cuerpo monticular del conjunto Escarlata.

La producción anual de hidrógeno en el país supera los 39 millones de toneladas.

Los suministros se reanudaron tras una interrupción.

El país aspira a situarse entre los tres mayores exportadores mundiales de aceite de girasol.

A pocas horas de la jornada democrática, millones de venezolanos afinan los detalles organizativos para refrendar un modelo de gestión directo.

​La captura fue resultado de labores de inteligencia coordinadas por la cartera de Defensa, con la participación de efectivos de la Guardia Nacional.

On October 22–23, 2026, the Hotel Parque Central will host the “Workshop on Biosimilars: Innovation and Access in Healthcare,” organized by the import-export company FARMACUBA, the entity announced.

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Over the course of two days, specialists and institutions from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors will share experiences regarding the introduction, regulation, clinical evaluation, commercialization, and medical applications of biosimilars in Cuba.

The program includes panels on the policy, introduction, and final processing of biosimilars in Cuba; commercialization and promotion strategies; as well as regulatory aspects, clinical evaluation, and the medical applications of these products.

FARMACUBA will present information on the biosimilars for which it holds the rights, and will discuss market opportunities and economic benefits linked to their development and commercialization. The event will also provide an opportunity to establish connections with Cuban representative offices abroad, embassies, and potential international clients.

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Una publicación compartida por Empresa FARMACUBA (@_farmacuba_)

Presentation of Rituximab

A key highlight will be the official presentation of Rituximab, identified as the first biosimilar to undergo final processing in Cuban biopharmaceutical facilities. During the workshop, its regulatory and clinical outcomes, medical applications, and aspects related to its introduction and commercialization within the National Health System will be presented.

The second day will feature interactive virtual meetings with Cuban representatives abroad, embassies, and prospective foreign buyers. This initiative aims to promote the international reach of biosimilars developed under the auspices of FARMACUBA.

Additionally, a catalog of biosimilars will be presented, and the role of Rituximab in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas will be examined.

The workshop will serve as a forum for exchange among national and international specialists, intended to expand knowledge, explore avenues for collaboration, and examine new alternatives for the development and commercialization of biosimilars in Cuba.

FARMACUBA

Facilitator in the introduction and commercialization of biosimilars, strengthening the link between pharmaceutical innovation and national healthcare.

As an importer, exporter, distributor, and marketer of pharmaceutical products, the company is part of the BioCubaFarma business group, which operates under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

It ensures the provision of necessary resources to the Cuban pharmaceutical industry, while also managing the export of medicines and technical services to international clients.

In line with the country’s new economic and commercial strategy—designed to boost the development of the business sector—FARMACUBA aims to set a benchmark both domestically and internationally within the pharmaceutical industry. This presents a unique opportunity to expand knowledge, forge strategic alliances, and explore new avenues for collaboration.

El impacto sobre la cadena de frío concentra la mayor alarma, tres de cada cuatro empresas alimentarias reportan pérdidas de productos.

Venezuela’s acting Delcy Rodríguez, announced the Plan Venezuela Alimenta and the draft of a Communal Economy Law, an initiative to coordinate the productive sectors, including communes, entrepreneurs and agribusiness, to eradicate hunger and strengthen territorial food security.

Venezuela’s Acting President Rodriguez Meets with FAO Director: Venezuela Promotes Venezuela Feeds Plan and Local Economy Law to Achieve “Hunger 0”

“We have just arrived from Rome, from our participation in the World Food Summit, and I have to tell the Venezuelan people, very responsibly, we are very close again to the Zero Hunger goal,” she reiterated.

At the same time, she explained that this alliance seeks to consolidate an efficient model that guarantees access to food in every corner of the national territory.

“From there I announced the Venezuela Feeds Plan, where we are going to coordinate all productive spaces, from the commune, businesses, agribusiness, to achieve this goal that is so human, so extraordinarily vital, such as the right to food and Zero Hunger,” Rodríguez highlighted.

La tierra es fuente de vida y esperanza. 🇻🇪🌱

En el Día Mundial de la Alimentación, reconocemos el esfuerzo de nuestros campesinos, agricultores, ganaderos, pescadores y trabajadores de la agroindustria, quienes hacen posible que los alimentos lleguen a las mesas de nuestro… pic.twitter.com/MYe6P2oOby

— Miraflores Al Momento (@MirafloresAM) October 16, 2026

On her return from the FAO summit in Rome, President Rodríguez announced in Caracas that she had requested technical cooperation to strengthen the Plan Venezuela Alimenta.

The Head of State announced the upcoming presentation of a new legislative project: the Local Economy Law, an instrument that will integrate the current Communal Economy regulations to boost community production from the grassroots.

“(…) We are going to present a new Law, which is the Local Economy Law, which includes the Communal Economy Law, all community, local, territorialized efforts, in this supreme objective which is Zero Hunger for Venezuela (…), we will achieve it very soon. Before 2030 we will be meeting this goal,” affirmed the National President.

Rodriguez also urged participation in the popular consultation on 18 October, where more than 37,000 projects will be voted. In addition, he reported that the Communal Economy Law will be expanded to include other productive actors.

Several hundred people protested in Kyiv this Saturday to demand the resignation of the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, due to criticism of his management and the alleged lack of preparedness of the city for winter.

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The protest was organized by representatives of civil organizations, activists, and veterans who denounce systemic problems in the management of the Ukrainian capital, according to the public broadcaster Suspilne.

In their opinion, Klitschko has not ensured adequate preparation of the city for autumn and winter. In front of the State Administration building, protesters carried banners with slogans such as “Klitschko, resign!” or “Your inaction is costing Kyiv residents their lives!”.

But they also expressed their discontent over the increase in municipal public transport fares, the destruction of green areas and their transfer for urban development projects, as well as insufficient funding for the Ukrainian army from the municipal budget.

Ukrainians took to Kiev's City Hall in a massive protest, demanding Mayor Vitali Klitschko's resignation.

Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/1ymjeez4mJ pic.twitter.com/FQdiZMJHte

— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) October 17, 2026

Protesters chanted slogans such as “Kyiv without Klitschko” and “Shame!”, according to Suspilne, which also highlighted that some residents came to the protest to express their support for the mayor.

“Klitschko is our mayor” and “Hands off Klitschko,” read the banners of his supporters, according to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, which states that the protest, at its peak, gathered up to a thousand participants.

On the eve of the demonstration, Klitschko’s Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) faction had asked residents of the capital to avoid mass gatherings this Saturday, citing the security situation and the threat of Russian attacks.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Sergei Koretsky, described the energy situation in Kyiv as “one of the most difficult” due to increasing Russian attacks. Mayor Vitali Klichkó had previously advised residents to evacuate temporarily.

President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the municipal authorities for their alleged ineffectiveness in protecting energy infrastructure, to which Klichko replied that air defense was not the city’s responsibility and that they could not prevent the effects of Russian attacks.