US President Donald Trump’s approval has fallen to a new low, two weeks before the midterm elections, in which the Republican Party is playing for control of Congress, according to a new poll by Ipsos, The Washington Post and ABC News.

Trump’s Attack on Mail-In Voting Seeks to Create an Advantage for Republicans: Trump Popularity Drops To Record Low Weeks Before Midterm Elections

The poll reflects the worst support figure among Americans: only 33% of those surveyed approve of his management, compared to 66% who disapprove; 52% express strong disapproval.

This approval rating (33%) is four percentage points lower than that registered last July and 12 points lower than in February 2025, when his approval registered 45%.

This is the lowest level the president has ever had, even considering any other time in his first term, The Washington Post noted.

NEW ABC News/Ipsos poll: Trump’s approval rating has plunged to 33%, down from 45% at the start of his second term. A record 66% disapprove.

Among Republicans, approval has fallen from 88% to 79%. Just 39% strongly approve of Trump, down from 63% in February 2025.

Winning! pic.twitter.com/p6kKeoJELQ

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 18, 2026

Among likely voters, Trump’s approval is 38 percent, while 62 percent disapprove.

Overall, the results show that voters are concerned about the cost of living and the president’s decision to go to war against Iran, which has affected the price of gasoline.

In fact, 71% of respondents consider the price of gasoline to be “unaffordable,” a figure higher than the 28% registered in February, before the war in Iran caused an increase in fuel costs.

Added to this is that 72% of respondents stated that the country is moving in the wrong direction, which represents an increase of five points compared to April.

US measles outbreak reaches 4,410 cases in 2026, with Pennsylvania hit hardest as health officials urge families to complete MMR vaccination.

Related: U.S. Lifts Ban on New Flights from AIFA and AICM

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US Measles Outbreak Surpasses 4,410 Cases in 2026

The US measles outbreak has reached 4,410 confirmed cases in 2026, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC.

The figure is more than double the total recorded during all of 2025 and represents the country’s highest level of measles transmission since 1991.

The CDC said the cases had been reported across 45 states and Washington, D.C. as of October 15. The agency also reported 451 hospitalizations, equivalent to approximately 10 percent of confirmed infections.

Health officials say the outbreak reflects a sustained decline in vaccination coverage across the country. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to medicine, and communities with low immunization rates are especially vulnerable to rapid transmission.

The CDC has deployed specialists from its Epidemic Intelligence Service to support contact tracing, community containment and local public-health responses in the most affected areas.

The agency has urged residents in outbreak zones to ensure that they have received the two recommended doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine.

The vaccine is considered highly effective and has been used for decades to prevent measles, a disease that can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, permanent disability and death.

The current outbreak has exposed the consequences of declining immunization rates, vaccine misinformation and the weakening of public-health infrastructure in several US communities.

US Measles Outbreak Hits Pennsylvania Hardest

CDC measles surveillance | Pennsylvania Department of Health

Pennsylvania has become the epicenter of the US measles outbreak, with 1,260 confirmed cases across 43 counties.

The state has reported 238 hospitalizations and five measles-related deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pennsylvania’s outbreak has grown rapidly. The state reported only 106 cases in 2025, meaning the current total represents an increase of more than ten times compared with last year.

Health officials have described the situation as the most severe measles emergency in the United States and have intensified contact tracing, isolation measures and vaccination campaigns.

South Carolina has reported the second-highest number of cases, with 670 infections. The state has recorded 67 hospitalizations and no confirmed deaths.

Utah follows with 535 cases, including 53 hospitalizations and no reported deaths.

Wisconsin has recorded 256 cases, 25 hospitalizations and no deaths. Texas has reported 192 cases, 19 hospitalizations and no deaths.

New York has recorded 103 cases when state and New York City figures are combined. The state has reported 10 hospitalizations and no deaths.

The CDC said children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 account for 42 percent of infections, or 1,856 cases.

Adults over the age of 20 account for approximately 40 percent of cases, while children under five represent about 17 percent.

The distribution shows that measles is affecting people across all age groups, although unvaccinated children remain particularly vulnerable.

The CDC reported that 96 percent of patients had no documented record of MMR vaccination. The figure highlights the central role of immunization gaps in the spread of the virus.

Measles can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

A person with measles can transmit the virus to as many as 12 to 18 people who are not immune. That makes measles one of the most transmissible infectious diseases in the world.

Symptoms usually begin with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a sore throat. A rash typically appears several days later, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.

Complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis and long-term neurological damage. Young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk.

Vaccine Gaps Drive Measles Resurgence

Pan American Health Organization | World Health Organization—Measles

The resurgence of the US measles outbreak is being driven by declining vaccination coverage and the accumulation of susceptible people in communities across the country.

The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 after achieving sustained reductions in domestic transmission. The designation meant that the virus was no longer circulating continuously within the country.

That achievement depended on high vaccination coverage, strong surveillance systems and rapid responses to imported cases.

However, the number of nonmedical school exemptions has increased in recent years. Some families have declined vaccination because of religious beliefs, personal objections or distrust of public-health institutions.

Anti-vaccine groups have also spread misinformation about the MMR vaccine, including false claims linking it to autism. Scientific studies have repeatedly found no credible evidence supporting that claim.

The decline in trust has left some communities below the threshold needed for herd immunity.

Health experts say that at least 95 percent of a community must be immune to prevent sustained transmission of measles. The threshold is higher than for many other vaccine-preventable diseases because measles is so contagious.

When coverage falls below that level, imported cases can quickly trigger outbreaks, particularly among children who have not been vaccinated.

The CDC has reported that 18 of this year’s cases involved international visitors to the United States. Imported infections can introduce the virus into communities with low immunity and lead to extensive local transmission.

The outbreak has also raised concerns about the country’s measles-elimination status. If transmission continues for more than 12 consecutive months, the United States could lose the designation it achieved in 2000.

The Pan American Health Organization, known as PAHO, has warned that the risk of measles transmission across the Americas is very high.

The organization reported that the region had recorded its highest number of confirmed measles cases in 22 years. As of epidemiological week 28, countries and territories in the Americas had reported 47,459 confirmed cases.[paho]

PAHO said the increase was linked to ongoing outbreaks, low vaccination coverage, accumulated immunity gaps and greater population mobility associated with international travel and mass gatherings.

The organization has urged countries to strengthen routine vaccination, improve surveillance and respond rapidly to suspected cases.

PAHO has also warned that declining immunization rates threaten the protection achieved over previous decades and could expose communities to repeated health crises.

The organization has called on governments to ensure that vaccines are available, accessible and trusted by local communities.

Geopolitical Context

The US measles outbreak has implications beyond public health because it reflects the weakening of international cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Measles does not respect borders. A single infected traveler can introduce the virus into a country or region with low immunization coverage.

The outbreak in the United States could affect travel, schools, workplaces and health systems in neighboring countries. Canada, Mexico and other nations in the Americas have already reported significant increases in measles cases.

PAHO has urged countries to coordinate surveillance and share information to prevent further regional spread.

The crisis also highlights the political consequences of vaccine misinformation. Public trust in health institutions has declined in many countries, making it harder for authorities to promote vaccination campaigns.

The United States has faced growing resistance to routine immunization, particularly in communities where political polarization has influenced attitudes toward public-health measures.

The current outbreak could force federal, state and local authorities to strengthen vaccination requirements, improve access to clinics and invest in community outreach.

Health experts say the response must combine vaccination with accurate information, accessible healthcare and support for families who have questions about vaccines.

The immediate priority is to increase MMR coverage in affected communities and prevent further hospitalizations and deaths.

The CDC has emphasized that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide long-lasting protection and are essential for preventing severe disease.

The current outbreak demonstrates that measles can return quickly when immunization coverage weakens. Restoring herd immunity will require coordinated action by federal agencies, state governments, healthcare providers and local communities.

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Wainwright explosion at a Canadian military base kills at least seven and injures dozens as officials rule out terrorism and investigate the deadly fire.

Related: Carney Warns Against External Attempts to Divide Canada

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Wainwright Explosion Kills at Least Seven at Canadian Base

The Wainwright explosion at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta has left at least seven people dead and dozens injured, according to reports by CBC News and Global News.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, during a live-fire training exercise at the military base, located approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton.

Canada’s Department of National Defence confirmed that a fire broke out in the training area at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time. The Canadian Armed Forces said the blaze resulted in fatalities and injuries but has not yet released an official casualty count.

Military sources cited by Canadian media said the explosion occurred when a munition used during the training exercise struck a natural gas line or gas well.

The impact reportedly triggered a large detonation and a fast-moving fire that spread beyond the boundaries of the training area.

High winds, with gusts reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour, helped the flames spread rapidly through dry grassland and nearby rural areas.

The Canadian Armed Forces said emergency responders from military and civilian agencies worked quickly to contain the fire and assist those affected.

By Saturday evening, the Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure had been protected. Authorities did not order an evacuation of residents in the surrounding area.

The Department of National Defence said the full extent of the impact remains under assessment. It added that casualty details will not be released until relatives have been notified.

The government has ruled out terrorism as a possible cause. Officials said there were no indications that the explosion was connected to an attack or deliberate act of violence.

The incident has nevertheless prompted a major investigation involving the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

🔥🇨🇦 Un "incidente grave" provocó un gran incendio en la base militar canadiense de Wainwright, Alberta.#teleSUR #Canadá pic.twitter.com/y9jylOuH7P

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 18, 2026

Wainwright Explosion Triggers Major Emergency Response

Canadian Armed Forces statement | Alberta Health Services

The Wainwright explosion activated emergency protocols across hospitals in the Edmonton region.

Local health authorities declared a code orange alert, a designation used for external disasters or mass-casualty incidents.

Injured personnel were transported to hospitals including the University of Alberta Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.

Medical teams prepared for a large number of patients with burns, trauma injuries and respiratory problems caused by smoke and toxic gases.

Firefighters faced difficult conditions because the fire involved both explosive material and hydrocarbon infrastructure.

The combination of live ammunition, natural gas and dry vegetation created a complex emergency that required coordination among military firefighters, civilian fire departments and specialized rescue teams.

Strong winds made the fire difficult to control and increased the risk that flames could spread to nearby communities.

Authorities asked residents to avoid the area so that emergency vehicles could move freely and rescue operations could continue without obstruction.

The Wainwright area is home to one of Canada’s largest military training facilities. The base is used for live-fire exercises involving tanks, artillery, infantry units and other military equipment.

CFB Wainwright is also an important NATO training site. Allied forces from several countries use the installation for exercises designed to improve interoperability and combat readiness.

The base covers a vast rural area and includes training ranges, administrative facilities, housing and support infrastructure.

The explosion occurred during a routine training exercise, according to the Department of National Defence. Officials have not identified the unit involved or the type of munition used.

Investigators will need to determine whether the incident resulted from an error in targeting, a malfunction in the munition, inadequate safety procedures or an unexpected hazard related to the gas infrastructure.

The Canadian Armed Forces said the immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying their families.

The names of the victims have not been released. Officials said identification and notification procedures are ongoing.

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Sunday that four service members had died. He said dozens more were seriously injured and described the fire as one of the worst peacetime tragedies affecting Canada’s military on domestic soil.

“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Carney said.

The prime minister said his government was working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities.

He added that he and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith were in close contact, along with their respective ministers and relevant officials.

Defence Minister David McGuinty traveled to Edmonton on Sunday to monitor the investigation. He said the situation remained “very active and delicate.”

McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were participating in the investigation and that authorities would provide further information once the facts had been established.

🇨🇦 Al menos siete muertos y decenas de heridos dejó una explosión e incendio en la base militar CBF Wainwright en Alberta. #teleSUR #Canada pic.twitter.com/tSvGpCS0Bi

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 18, 2026

Canada Investigates Military Training Safety

Canadian Armed Forces | Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Wainwright explosion has raised questions about safety procedures during live-fire exercises at military bases.

Live-fire training is essential for preparing soldiers for combat operations, but it also carries significant risks when it takes place near explosive or flammable infrastructure.

Military authorities regularly conduct risk assessments before exercises to identify hazards, establish safety zones and coordinate emergency responses.

Investigators will examine whether those procedures were followed and whether the presence of gas infrastructure near the training area was properly identified.

They will also review weather conditions, ammunition handling, communication between units and the response of emergency teams.

The investigation could lead to changes in training protocols, safety distances, mapping procedures or the coordination between military and civilian authorities.

The incident occurred during a period when Canada has been increasing military preparedness amid global security tensions.

Canada is a member of NATO and has supported allied operations in Europe and other regions. The country has also increased investment in defense capabilities in response to international instability.

CFB Wainwright plays a central role in that effort because it provides space for large-scale training exercises involving Canadian and allied forces.

The base has hosted soldiers from NATO member states and partner countries. Its facilities allow forces to train in conditions that cannot easily be reproduced at smaller installations.

The explosion could therefore affect training schedules and force readiness in the short term.

Military authorities may suspend certain exercises while investigators examine the site and review safety procedures.

The incident also highlights the risks faced by military personnel during routine operations. Training accidents can occur even when soldiers are not deployed in combat zones.

The Canadian Armed Forces has expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Officials have asked the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues. They have also urged people to rely on official statements rather than unverified reports circulating on social media.

Geopolitical Context

The Wainwright explosion has implications for Canada’s military readiness and its role within NATO.

Canada has increased its defense commitments in recent years amid tensions involving Russia, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.

The country has contributed troops, equipment and training resources to NATO operations, while also maintaining a military presence in international missions.

CFB Wainwright is important to those efforts because it allows Canadian and allied forces to conduct large-scale exercises under realistic conditions.

A major accident at the base could affect the planning of future exercises and require additional investment in safety infrastructure.

The incident also highlights the connection between military training and energy infrastructure. Canada is a major producer of oil and natural gas, and many military facilities are located near pipelines, wells and other energy installations.

That proximity creates risks that must be managed through mapping, safety zones and coordination between military authorities and energy companies.

The explosion may prompt a review of those procedures across Canadian military bases.

The tragedy also has domestic political implications. Alberta has been the scene of debates over energy policy, provincial autonomy and Canada’s federal structure.

The incident occurred one day before Albertans voted in a referendum on separation from Canada. The explosion could affect public attention and political discussion in the province.

For now, the government’s priority is to support the victims and determine the cause of the disaster.

The Canadian Armed Forces has said it will release additional information only after families have been notified. Until then, the full human and operational impact of the Wainwright explosion remains under assessment.

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A guide compiles images and data of 82 species of macrofungi recorded in a park in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which harbors a diversity of these organisms fundamental to ecosystems and that often go unnoticed in urban green spaces.

Ecuador Records 15 Ant Species for the First Time: A Guide Records 82 Species of Macrofungi in a Park in the Capital of Ecuador

The work, which included the participation of researchers linked to the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), the National Institute of Biodiversity of Ecuador (Inabio) and a company focused on the study of fungi known as Mycena LLC, was carried out in the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, one of Quito’s emblematic natural spaces.

🍄#NuevaPublicación | El #INABIO, en colaboración con la Reserva Ecológica Sumak Kawsay In Situ y la @ueaeduec, presentó la "Guía fotográfica y descriptiva de Macrohongos Sumak Kawsay In Situ". Descárgatela aquí: https://t.co/yO1FyJJyQD pic.twitter.com/Ca1TY2b1Hw

— INABIO.EC (@INABIO_EC) July 3, 2026

The document presents species and records from different taxonomic groups, including representatives of the orders Agaricales, Auriculariales, Boletales, Gomphales, Russulales, and Trechisporales, as reported by Inabio in a statement.

“The images allow observing the variety of forms and characteristics of the identified macrofungi, from umbrella mushroom specimens to coral-like structures and shelf fungi that grow on various substrates such as leaf litter, tree trunks, and on the ground,” added the Ecuadorian entity.

The guide offers a visual tool to recognize the variety of macrofungi in the forested area and highlights the importance of continuing to document the biodiversity of the fungi present in the natural spaces of the Ecuadorian capital.

According to Inabio, the record also represents an opportunity to bring scientific research closer to the public and encourage interest in the observation and conservation of Quito’s natural heritage.

Lula Flávio Bolsonaro debate begins Sunday on Band as both candidates clash over Brazil’s future one week before the October 25 runoff.

Related: Lula Signs Constitutional Amendment Reducing Brazil’s Workweek to 40 Hours

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Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Face Off in First Debate

The Lula Flávio Bolsonaro debate takes place Sunday in São Paulo as Brazil’s presidential runoff enters its final week.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro will meet for the first time in a televised debate promoted by the Band television network.

The encounter is considered a crucial moment in the campaign, which will conclude with the runoff election on October 25.

The debate will be broadcast live from Band’s studios in São Paulo beginning at 8:00 p.m. Brasília time. It is expected to last approximately two hours.

The program will be transmitted through a media pool that includes Band, TV Gazeta, TV Cultura, Jovem Pan and the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.

The debate will also be available through BandNews TV, BandNews FM, Bandeirantes radio, Band’s YouTube channel, Band’s website and the BandPlay platform.

The two candidates have avoided a direct confrontation throughout the first round. Their decision to participate in Sunday’s debate therefore marks a significant change in campaign strategy.

During the first round, Lula chose not to participate in televised debates. Instead, he gave interviews to TV Record and the Flow podcast at times that coincided with other candidates’ debate appearances.

Flávio Bolsonaro, meanwhile, had conditioned his participation on Lula’s presence. As a result, the two candidates avoided facing each other directly during the first-round campaign.

The situation changed after both candidates advanced to the runoff. Lula said that debates had become more important because the contest is now one-on-one.

“Now it is important to have television debates, because now it is face to face, now it is one against one,” Lula said.

Flávio Bolsonaro also changed his position after Lula confirmed his attendance. The senator had initially rejected the invitation but later said he would participate.

He publicly challenged Lula on social media, saying that the president had agreed to attend only after Bolsonaro said he would not participate.

“Lula, you are so predictable, aren’t you? As soon as I said I would not go to the debate, the next minute you said you would go. Of course I’m going, I just wanted you to confirm it,” Bolsonaro wrote.

The exchange reflects the high level of tension between the two campaigns as Brazil approaches a closely contested runoff.

Lula Flávio Bolsonaro Debate Format Explained

Band presidential debate rules | Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court

The Lula Flávio Bolsonaro debate will include three main blocks.

The first and third blocks will begin with questions from journalists. The candidates will then have time for direct exchanges, allowing them to question one another, respond to criticism and offer rebuttals.

The second block will also include direct confrontation between the two candidates.

The format gives each candidate freedom to manage their speaking time during the direct exchanges. They may move around the studio, ask questions and respond to their opponent without following a fixed timetable for every intervention.

The format is designed to encourage direct confrontation rather than limiting the candidates to short scripted responses.

Band’s anchors Eduardo Oinegue and Adriana Araújo will moderate the debate and ask questions on behalf of the network.

The questions are expected to cover major policy issues, including the economy, health care, education, public security and social programs.

The candidates will also deliver opening statements and closing remarks. Those moments will allow them to present their main proposals and make direct appeals for votes.

A draw determined the order of responses and the candidates’ positions on stage. Flávio Bolsonaro will stand on the left side of the studio, while Lula will occupy the right side.

The debate will provide the first opportunity for viewers to compare the candidates’ personalities, arguments and responses under pressure.

The encounter is especially important because recent polls have shown a narrowing gap between the two candidates.

A Datafolha survey published on October 10 gave Lula 50 percent of valid votes in a runoff scenario, compared with 50 percent for Flávio Bolsonaro. The result indicated a technical tie.

A Quaest poll published on October 15 showed a similar result, with Lula receiving 49 percent and Bolsonaro 51 percent among valid votes. The difference was within the survey’s margin of error.

Those figures mean that the debate could influence undecided voters and those who may still change their minds.

The candidates will seek to define the terms of the campaign. Lula is expected to defend his government’s economic record, social programs and international diplomacy.

Flávio Bolsonaro is expected to criticize inflation, crime, public spending and the performance of the Workers’ Party government.

The debate may also address Brazil’s international relations, including its position on the war in the Middle East, relations with the United States and cooperation with Latin American countries.

The candidates’ contrasting visions of Brazil are likely to become a central issue. Lula represents a progressive project based on social inclusion, public investment and multilateral diplomacy.

Flávio Bolsonaro represents a conservative project that emphasizes public security, lower taxes, reduced state intervention and closer alignment with right-wing forces.

TV Globo Prepares Final Debate Before Runoff

TV Globo election coverage | Reuters coverage of Brazil’s election

Attention will quickly turn to the second Lula Flávio Bolsonaro debate, scheduled for October 23 on TV Globo.

The final debate will take place in Rio de Janeiro, two days before the runoff vote.

TV Globo is Brazil’s largest television network, and the debate is expected to reach a much larger audience than the Band encounter.

The program will be moderated by journalist César Tralli and broadcast after the network’s main evening news program, Jornal Nacional.

The debate will also be transmitted simultaneously by GloboNews and the G1 news portal. Viewers will be able to follow the event through TV Globo, GloboNews, G1 and Globoplay.

The Globo debate is expected to be the last major televised confrontation before Brazilians vote on October 25.

Both campaigns are still evaluating their final participation, although the event has been formally scheduled by the network.

The debate could be decisive if the race remains close. Candidates may use the final encounter to address undecided voters and reinforce their core messages.

The runoff campaign has been marked by intense mobilization in the streets, social media disputes and accusations between the two camps.

Lula’s supporters have accused Meta platforms of censoring accounts linked to the president, while Bolsonaro’s campaign has promoted claims of government bias and economic mismanagement.

The accusations have increased tensions and made the debates even more important as a space for direct confrontation.

The first-round campaign was marked by a lack of direct debates among the leading candidates. The runoff has changed that dynamic because the election is now limited to two contenders.

The debates give voters a clearer opportunity to evaluate each candidate’s proposals and responses to criticism.

They also allow candidates to correct false statements, challenge their opponents’ records and present their plans for government.

The outcome of the runoff will determine Brazil’s political direction for the next four years. It will also influence the country’s economic policy, environmental agenda and international relations.

Geopolitical Context

The Lula Flávio Bolsonaro debate has implications beyond Brazil because the country is Latin America’s largest economy and a major global agricultural producer.

The election will affect Brazil’s approach to climate policy, the Amazon, trade, regional integration and relations with China, the United States and the European Union.

Lula has promoted a more active role for Brazil in multilateral institutions and has sought closer ties with countries in the Global South.

His government has emphasized cooperation with China, support for regional integration and a diplomatic approach to international conflicts.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign is associated with a more conservative foreign-policy orientation and closer alignment with right-wing governments and movements.

The election will therefore influence debates over Brazil’s role in the world and its relationship with the United States.

The runoff is also taking place amid heightened political polarization. The two campaigns represent competing visions of Brazil’s democracy, economy and social model.

Lula’s supporters see the election as an opportunity to preserve social programs and protect democratic institutions.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s supporters argue that Brazil needs a change in direction to address crime, inflation and economic stagnation.

The debates will provide voters with a final opportunity to compare those visions before casting their ballots.

The first debate on Band and the final encounter on TV Globo could play a decisive role in determining who will govern Brazil after October 25.

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João Veloso, the spokesman for young people camped in Lisbon’s Rossio square, has called for rent limits, repeal of the new lease law, and greater state intervention in the real estate market.

France Reports 855 Arrests in Paris After Protests: Lisbon’s Camped in Rossio Square Spokperson Asks for a Ceiling on Rents

In addition, he has proposed a general strike in Portugal to put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. “What we want are rent ceilings and an end to the new tenancy law,” sijo Veloso.

As he explained, the new regulations allow landlords to raise rents “100 or 200 euros from one year to the next,” while the previous legislation set a limit of 2%, he said.

PORTUGAL SE SUMA A LA OLA DE PROTESTAS EN EUROPA 🇵🇹🔥

Miles de manifestantes se concentraron en la plaza del Rossio, en Lisboa, para exigir el derecho a la vivienda y rechazar la precariedad laboral. La movilización cobra mayor fuerza tras la reciente represión policial en… pic.twitter.com/BnfH19r3ML

— Madelein Garcia (@madeleintlSUR) October 18, 2026

The spokesperson called for public measures to expand the supply of affordable housing. “What we also want are effective measures from the State, such as public housing, using public properties to rent to people,” he noted.

Veloso criticized the government for selling state properties to private companies, which, he denounced, then obtain significant profits from these properties.

The leader acknowledged the influence of housing protests held in Spain and France. “Of course, there is influence from the encampments in Spain and also from the mobilizations in other countries, such as in France,” he affirmed, and defended the need to coordinate mobilizations to demand measures that facilitate access to affordable housing.

The spokesman particularly urged the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), the main Portuguese trade union, to support the call.

“It is important that the CGTP listens to the people, takes to the streets and goes on a general strike so that we can effectively confront this Government and, who knows, bring down the Montenegro Government,” he declared.

The Rossio encampment is part of youth mobilizations for the right to housing, which have also taken place in other Portuguese cities, including Porto.

Venezuela popular consultation lets more than 5,400 communes choose from 37,205 community projects, expanding participation to condominium boards.

Related: Venezuela Holds the Second National Popular Consultation of 2026

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Venezuela Popular Consultation Becomes Democratic Tradition

The Venezuela popular consultation is taking place across the country on Sunday, October 18, as more than 5,400 communes choose between 37,205 community development projects.

Venezuela’s Sectoral Vice President for Planning, Ricardo Menéndez, said the Second Popular Consultation of 2026 reaffirms the principles of grassroots democracy and strengthens the country’s participatory political system.

Menéndez described the consultation as a space that brings neighbors together to improve daily life and build broad national consensus.

The official said the exercise has become part of the democratic culture of the Venezuelan people. He argued that participation has gradually become a cultural practice within each commune, helping to create a new form of government and reorganize the state.

Menéndez linked the process to the political project promoted by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has called for the redesign of state institutions around community participation.

The consultation allows residents to decide which projects should receive public financing and which priorities should guide local development.

The process is based on proposals selected during open community assemblies. Residents first identify local needs, then rank projects and submit them for a national vote.

The initiative seeks to move beyond traditional representative democracy by giving communities a direct role in allocating public resources.

More than 5,418 communes are participating in the vote. Each community is choosing among seven projects selected during assemblies held in the weeks leading up to the consultation.

The projects were developed through the Concrete Action Agendas, a planning process designed to identify local needs and organize community priorities.

The proposals address basic services and infrastructure needs, including drinking water, road repairs, school rehabilitation, health centers, electricity, public lighting, agriculture and sports facilities.

The consultation is taking place in 11,495 voting centers across Venezuela. Authorities said the centers will remain open as long as voters are waiting in line.

The process is supported by more than 12,700 electoral tables and approximately 48,086 communal councils organized within the country’s communes.

Unlike ordinary elections, the popular consultation allows citizens aged 15 and older to participate. The rule expands participation to young people who are not yet eligible to vote in general elections.

🇻🇪 Venezuela inicia hoy 18 de octubre la Segunda Consulta Popular Nacional de 2026. Millones de ciudadanos participan en más de 11.000 centros de votación*en todo el territorio nacional. #18Oct #ConsultaPopular2026 #ConsultaPopular #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/bNHaAyEqay

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 18, 2026

Venezuela Popular Consultation Expands Participation

Venezuela’s Ministry of Popular Power for Communes | Venezuela’s National Electoral Council

The Venezuela popular consultation includes a major new feature: for the first time, condominium boards are participating in the process.

Approximately 120,000 condominium boards and neighborhood organizations are voting on 428 projects related to health, school rehabilitation, roads, agriculture and sports areas.

The inclusion of condominium boards expands the consultation beyond the traditional communal councils and communes that have participated in previous editions.

The change reflects an effort to involve urban residents who organize through apartment buildings and housing associations rather than through formal communal structures.

The government says the incorporation of condominiums will allow resources to reach communities that previously had limited access to participatory budgeting.

The initiative is also intended to strengthen links between residents, local authorities and state institutions.

The 428 condominium projects were selected through assemblies held in buildings and residential complexes. Residents identified needs such as repairs to common areas, water systems, electrical installations, elevators, roofs and access routes.

The projects are concentrated in several states, including Anzoátegui, Aragua, Carabobo, Lara, Miranda, Zulia and Caracas.

The pilot program covers approximately 40,097 families and includes 461 condominiums and 83 neighborhood organizations.

Authorities say the experience will be evaluated before condominium boards are incorporated more broadly into future consultations.

The expansion is significant because urban housing has become a central issue in Venezuela. Many buildings require maintenance after years of limited investment, economic pressure and damage caused by natural disasters.

The consultation also responds to the impact of the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Some communities have proposed projects to rehabilitate vulnerable housing and repair public infrastructure affected by the tremors.

The government says the process ensures that resources are directed according to community priorities rather than decisions made exclusively by central authorities.

The consultation is the eighth national popular consultation organized since 2024 and the second held during 2026.

The first consultation of 2026 took place on March 8. The second was originally scheduled for July 12 but was postponed because of the June earthquakes.

Delcy Rodríguez announced the new date after community organizations requested additional time to address the damage caused by the seismic events.

The consultation is therefore taking place amid reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the earthquakes, including La Guaira and other parts of central Venezuela.

The government has emphasized that the process is supported by Article 70 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which recognizes referendums, consultations and other forms of direct participation.

The constitutional framework provides the legal basis for citizens to participate in decisions affecting public life, including the selection of local development projects.

Community Projects Target Basic Services

Venezuela’s Ministry of Planning | Venezuela’s Communes and Social Movements

The Venezuela popular consultation is designed to direct public resources toward projects identified by residents themselves.

The proposals reflect the immediate needs of communities across the country. Water supply is one of the most common concerns, with approximately 14 percent of the projects related to improving access to drinking water.

Water shortages have affected many Venezuelan communities because of damaged infrastructure, irregular electricity supply and limited maintenance capacity.

Other projects focus on road repairs, public lighting, electricity, school rehabilitation, health centers, sports facilities and agricultural production.

The projects are intended to address both immediate needs and longer-term development goals.

In Mérida state, for example, more than 1,700 community projects are being voted on. Local priorities include roads, water, education and public services.

In Caracas, communities have proposed projects to rehabilitate vulnerable housing damaged by the June earthquakes, repair building facades and improve communal spaces.

The consultation gives residents the opportunity to select the project they consider most urgent. The winning project is expected to receive financing, while other proposals may be included in a project bank for future funding.

The process is intended to prevent resources from being allocated according to political discretion or administrative convenience.

The government says the consultation is part of a broader effort to build what it calls a communal state. That model seeks to strengthen local organizations and give communities greater authority over public resources.

The communal model is based on the idea that citizens should participate directly in decisions affecting their neighborhoods, rather than relying solely on elected representatives.

The government argues that the consultation creates a new form of governance in which communities become the foundation of public planning.

Critics question whether the process has sufficient transparency and whether resources are distributed equitably across all regions.

They also point to Venezuela’s economic difficulties, including inflation, shortages and limited access to foreign currency, which can affect the implementation of approved projects.

The government has responded by saying that the consultation is a mechanism for organizing communities and directing scarce resources toward priority needs.

The participation of condominium boards and neighborhood associations could make the process more inclusive, but it also increases the administrative challenge of verifying projects and ensuring that funds are used correctly.

The consultation’s results will provide information about the priorities of Venezuelan communities. They may also influence future planning and budget decisions.

Geopolitical Context

The Venezuela popular consultation has political significance beyond local development because it forms part of the government’s effort to strengthen communal democracy.

The process is designed to consolidate the role of communes, communal councils and neighborhood organizations in public administration.

The government presents the consultation as a response to external pressure and as evidence that Venezuela’s political system remains active despite economic difficulties and international sanctions.

The consultation also has a regional dimension. Venezuela’s communal model has been promoted as an alternative to traditional representative democracy and has influenced political debates in other Latin American countries.

The inclusion of condominium boards could expand the model to urban communities that have historically been less connected to communal structures.

The process may therefore influence how other governments think about participatory budgeting, local planning and community organization.

The consultation is taking place during a period of reconstruction following the June earthquakes. The government is seeking to demonstrate that communities can participate in decisions about recovery and public investment.

The popular consultation also reinforces the government’s argument that public resources should be directed toward social needs rather than private profit.

The challenge will be to ensure that approved projects are completed and that communities can monitor their implementation.

The Venezuela popular consultation is therefore both a voting exercise and a broader political process aimed at reorganizing the state around community participation.

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Around 200 people were arrested in Belgium during demonstrations this Saturday against cuts in education, the police, the federal government, and the rise of the far-right, which ended with heavy clashes between security forces and protesters, local authorities reported today.

Belgium: Massive Anti-Fascist Protest in Brussels: Around 200 Arrested in Belgium During Protests Against Education Cuts

In Brussels, where the largest concentration occurred, 150 people were arrested. Most, 118 cases, were administrative arrests, while 32 were judicial detentions due to the alleged throwing of projectiles at the police, resistance to authority, and arson, Belgian media affirmed.

Among the 32 detainees are 15 minors, they added. The police in the Belgian capital also reported that five members of the police force were slightly injured during the demonstration.

A wave of cost-of-living, education and housing protests swept across Europe, with France at the center and violent clashes in several cities.

🇫🇷 France: About 550,000 marched nationwide; Limoges town hall and a Lyon tourist office were set on fire, around 1,800 people were…

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 18, 2026

On the other hand, during the protest in the French-speaking city of Liège 45 other arrests were recorded, 12 of them minors. Both demonstrations began peacefully on Saturday morning, consisting of young people, teachers and trade unionists.

However, at noon there were clashes with the police during the march of the protesters, which lasted until late in the afternoon.

The police used water cannons and tear gas against participants in Brussels, while some of the protesters smashed public furniture, vehicles and set fire to a container.

Public transport was also affected in the capital, with several metro and bus lines cut off or diverted.

Global South Media Center launches in China with teleSUR, Prensa Latina, Brasil de Fato and Pan Africa TV to strengthen Southern media cooperation.

Related: China Deploys Liaoning Carrier Strike Group to Western Pacific for Military Drills

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Global South Media Center Launches in China

The Global South Media Center was established in China on Sunday as a new platform for cooperation among media organizations from Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The initiative, known by its Spanish acronym CMPSur, was created by four media outlets with correspondents in China: teleSUR, Cuba’s Prensa Latina, Brazil’s Brasil de Fato and Ghana’s Pan Africa TV.

The launch took place during the Global South Academic Forum, held in Shanghai on October 17 and 18 under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernization.”

The forum brought together political leaders, academics, researchers and media representatives from Asia, Africa, Latin America and other developing regions.

Jeff Xiong, secretary general of the Global South Academic Forum, said the new media center seeks to strengthen joint journalistic production and build narratives from the perspective of the peoples of the South.

The platform aims to deepen links between China and other Global South countries while challenging the dominant communication frameworks of the Global North.

Xiong highlighted the role of the Global South Academic Forum in creating the conditions for multinational cooperation. He also expressed hope that additional media organizations from developing countries would join the initiative.

The Global South Media Center plans to expand the circulation of stories about China among audiences in Africa, Asia and Latin America through collaboration among outlets from different regions.

The initiative reflects a growing effort by Southern media to coordinate reporting, share content and develop common perspectives on development, governance and international relations.

The center will not replace the editorial independence of its founding organizations. Instead, it is expected to provide a framework for exchanging material, coordinating coverage and promoting joint productions.

The creation of the platform comes at a time when media organizations in developing countries face increasing pressure from concentrated technology platforms, algorithmic distribution and dependence on foreign digital infrastructure.

The Global South Academic Forum has become a space for discussing those challenges alongside broader questions of governance, development and international cooperation.

Global South Media Center Focuses on AI and Sovereignty

Global South Academic Forum | UNESCO—Media development and information

The Global South Media Center was announced during a panel on communication, party governance and social mobilization.

Participants discussed how media organizations can respond to the expansion of artificial intelligence and growing technological inequalities between developed and developing countries.

Alejandro Gómez, vice president of Prensa Latina, defended technological sovereignty and informational independence as essential conditions for Southern media.

He said developing countries must build their own capacities rather than relying exclusively on infrastructure and platforms controlled by external actors.

Gómez proposed the creation of a permanent training mechanism in artificial intelligence for journalists and media organizations in the Global South.

The initiative would be developed in cooperation with Chinese institutions and other specialized organizations. It could include training in AI-assisted reporting, data verification, digital security, content production and responsible use of new technologies.

The Prensa Latina executive also emphasized the need for Southern media to produce their own narratives about international transformations.

He argued that dominant global media frameworks often condition coverage of countries such as Cuba and limit the visibility of perspectives from developing nations.

The proposal reflects a broader concern that artificial intelligence may reinforce existing inequalities if Southern countries do not participate in the design, regulation and use of these technologies.

AI tools can help journalists analyze information, translate content, identify trends and improve audience engagement. However, they can also reproduce biases, amplify misinformation and concentrate power in companies that control the underlying models.

For media organizations in the Global South, the challenge is to use new technologies without becoming dependent on foreign platforms or losing control over editorial decisions.

The Global South Media Center could therefore play a role in training, research and the development of shared technological standards.

teleSUR President Patricia Villegas also defended South-South cooperation as a means of strengthening communication sovereignty.

She said media organizations in the South must reduce their dependence on digital infrastructures and technological platforms controlled by external actors.

Villegas warned about the influence of algorithms on the circulation of content. She argued that platforms can determine which stories reach audiences and which voices remain marginal.

The teleSUR president called for greater collaboration among Southern media, including the exchange of productions and the transfer of technological capacities.

She highlighted China’s role as a strategic partner for expanding communication cooperation and strengthening the ability of developing countries to produce and distribute their own content.

Villegas also referred to the creation of teleSUR+ in July 2026. The collaborative platform brings together audiovisual material, texts and photographs produced by media organizations and creators from the Global South.

She also mentioned the Global South correspondent network in Beijing, which includes Brasil de Fato, Prensa Latina and Brazil’s TVT, with the planned incorporation of an African media outlet.

The correspondent network provides a practical model for the new media center. It allows participating outlets to share reporting, coordinate coverage and reduce the costs of maintaining international bureaus.

Southern Media Seek a Common Global Voice

UNESCO—Global Media and Information Literacy | International Federation of Journalists

The Global South Media Center represents an effort to build a more coordinated voice for developing countries in the international information system.

Media organizations from the South often face unequal access to technology, advertising revenue, satellite capacity, distribution networks and international audiences.

Many outlets rely on platforms owned or controlled by companies based in the Global North. Those platforms can shape visibility through algorithms, moderation policies and commercial priorities.

The new center seeks to address that imbalance by promoting cooperation among media with shared interests in sovereignty, development and multilateralism.

The initiative also responds to the need for greater representation of Southern perspectives in coverage of China, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mainstream media in the Global North have often presented developing countries through narratives focused on crisis, instability or dependence. Southern media organizations argue that those narratives ignore local experiences, historical context and the diversity of development models.

The Global South Media Center aims to provide alternative coverage that reflects the voices of communities, governments and social movements in the South.

The platform could support reporting on infrastructure, public health, education, food sovereignty, climate adaptation, digital governance and regional integration.

It could also promote stories about cooperation among developing countries, including China’s role in infrastructure, technology and trade.

The center’s creation is part of a wider effort to strengthen South-South cooperation in communication.

The Global South Academic Forum has promoted exchanges among academics, institutional representatives and media organizations on governance, development, international cooperation and the role of developing countries in global affairs.

The forum’s discussions have included state capacity, social mobilization, institutional innovation and the use of party organizations to strengthen governance.

Those themes are closely connected to the media agenda. Communication is not only a technical issue; it is also part of how societies organize political participation and respond to global challenges.

The panel in Shanghai emphasized that media organizations must prepare for the impact of artificial intelligence while defending editorial independence and public interest journalism.

Participants argued that technological innovation should not replace journalists but should support their work by improving research, verification and audience access.

The Global South Media Center could therefore become a space for developing ethical guidelines on AI, protecting journalists’ rights and promoting responsible use of new technologies.

Geopolitical Context

The launch of the Global South Media Center has geopolitical significance because communication has become a central arena of global competition.

Countries and media organizations increasingly compete to shape narratives about development, security, technology and international cooperation.

China’s role in the initiative reflects its growing engagement with Africa, Asia and Latin America. Beijing has expanded partnerships in infrastructure, trade, education and digital technology through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

For Southern media, cooperation with China offers access to training, technology and new distribution channels. It also allows them to diversify their sources of information and reduce dependence on traditional Western media networks.

For China, the platform provides an opportunity to strengthen its image among Global South audiences and present its development experience through media organizations from the region.

The initiative does not eliminate political differences among participating countries. Media organizations in the Global South have different political systems, editorial traditions and national interests.

However, the center reflects a shared concern about technological dependence and the unequal distribution of global communication power.

The platform could also influence debates about digital sovereignty, data governance and the regulation of artificial intelligence.

Developing countries have increasingly argued that international standards should address the concentration of technological power and protect the right of nations to control their own digital infrastructure.

The Global South Media Center may become part of that broader discussion by promoting training, content exchange and cooperation among media organizations.

Its success will depend on whether participating outlets can sustain joint projects, develop shared standards and expand the initiative beyond its founding members.

The launch of the Global South Media Center marks an attempt to build a stronger communication network for countries seeking greater influence over the global information order.

SEO Title: Global South Media Center: 4 Outlets Launch Bold New Platform in China

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This Sunday, Venezuela holds the Second National Popular Consultation of 2026, the eighth since 2024, where communities vote to select state-funded development projects.

Venezuela Opens 12,769 Polling Stations for Community Vote: Venezuela Holds the Second National Popular Consultation of 2026

More than 5,418 communes will choose from 37,205 previously selected projects in community assemblies, with 11,495 polling stations open throughout the country as long as there are voters.

For the first time, condominium boards are participating. A total of 120,000 neighborhood organizations are voting on 428 projects linked to health, school rehabilitation, roads, agriculture, and sports areas.

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces deployed more than 130,000 troops from the Republic Plan to protect 12,700 polling stations.

Citizens in Caracas and communities nationwide have begun voting in the 2026 National Popular Consultation to select local development and infrastructure projects for direct community funding.

Local communities in Petare and across the Capital Region are participating in the… pic.twitter.com/net5IbRrQw

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 18, 2026

This will be the eighth National Popular Consultation since 2024, and it is supported by article 70 of the Constitution as a means of popular participation and protagonism.

The number of participation instances (communes or communal circuits) has grown from 4,000 in the first consultation of 2024 to more than 5,300 in recent consultations.

The president in charge of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has called on the population to actively participate in the 2026 National Popular Consultation to strengthen the work of popular power and citizen participation.

“So let’s go to democracy, to participation and to the emotion that always brings us to an election. Let’s choose these projects, like one of Villa Zoila, and we will have the best results for each project,” said Rodríguez yesterday during to the community of Villa Zoila.

Nearly 3,000 events nationwide urged voters to cast ballots early ahead of November 3 elections that will determine control of Congress.

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The No Kings movement held nearly 3,000 rallies and marches across the United States on Saturday, urging voters to cast their ballots early in the November 3 midterm elections, as the Trump administration intensified its efforts to challenge mail-in voting and scrutinize ballots cast by suspected noncitizens.

RELATED: Trump’s Attack on Mail-In Voting Seeks to Create an Advantage for Republicans

The nationwide mobilization, held under the slogan “No Kings: Vote Early,” drew millions of participants, according to USA Today, with events in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The demonstrations came two weeks before elections that will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term.

Organizers said the campaign aimed to turn mass mobilization into electoral participation by encouraging voters to make voting plans, cast their ballots early and help protect every eligible vote. They argued that historically high turnout would make it harder for the Trump administration to challenge the results by alleging fraud.

“Across thousands of events in all 50 states and DC today, we are turning enormous people power into direct voter power,” the No Kings Coalition said in a social media statement. It described the initiative as a nationwide effort to encourage early voting and build a network of Americans prepared to defend eligible ballots.

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Text Reads: Demonstrations in Washington, U.S., under the slogan “No Kings: Vote Early,” seek to channel political protest into electoral participation. They call for placing limits on President Trump and protecting the Constitution ahead of the elections.

The coalition also pointed to the rising cost of groceries, gasoline, electricity and other daily necessities, arguing that decisions made by political leaders directly shape families’ lives and economic prospects. It presented the early-voting campaign as the next step in reclaiming political influence after a year of mass demonstrations.

In Atlanta, city council member Michael Julian Bond urged rally participants to encourage others to vote before Election Day rather than wait until the last minute.

“The Constitution gives you a power. That is the power of the vote,” Bond told the crowd.

In Phoenix, Arizona, Democratic Senator Rubén Gallego linked the campaign to opposition to the Trump administration’s policies, accusing the president and congressional Republicans of worsening economic conditions for ordinary Americans while enriching their allies.

“Today, we voted early to send a message loud and clear: no to separating our families, no to corruption, no to no oligarchs, no to stupid forever wars, and no kings.,” Gallego wrote on X.

Today, we voted early to send a message loud and clear: no to separating our families, no to corruption, no to no oligarchs, no to stupid forever wars, and no kings. https://t.co/qtT9Gp7Lwf

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) October 17, 2026

Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari, who also attended the Phoenix rally, called the upcoming election “the most important election of our lives.” She cited the administration’s deportation policies, the war in Iran, cuts to health care and food assistance, and widespread corruption allegations as central issues facing voters.

Ansari questioned whether Americans would accept immigration enforcement practices that frighten communities and separate families, policies that leave millions without health care, or what she described as a transfer of wealth from working people to billionaires.

The protests unfolded amid heightened political tensions over Trump’s deployment of military personnel to several cities governed by Democrats. The administration has justified the deployments as a way to combat crime and support immigration enforcement operations.

The demonstrations were backed by a broad coalition of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, Black Voters Matter Fund, Indivisible, MoveOn, Public Citizen, State Voices and Voto Latino.

The push for early voting also came as the Trump administration pursued legal action against mail-in ballots. Trump has repeatedly attacked mail voting and continued to claim, without evidence, that electoral fraud cost him the 2020 presidential election.

On Thursday, the administration sued California election officials, asking a judge to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots in the midterm elections cast by people the federal government considers likely to be noncitizens until their immigration status can be verified.

On Friday, the Justice Department warned local election officials that processing and counting ballots submitted by suspected noncitizens could expose them to criminal investigations and prosecution.

Also on Friday, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla of California, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Dick Durbin of Illinois wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche, demanding assurances that the Justice Department would not seize ballots or other election materials before the midterm results were certified.

A deadly incident at CFB Wainwright overwhelmed Edmonton hospitals as strong winds fueled a major fire.

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A deadly incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta left at least seven people dead and dozens injured Saturday, triggering a major fire that spread into surrounding rural areas and prompted a large emergency response as strong winds hampered firefighting efforts.

RELATED: Carney Warns Against External Attempts to Divide Canada

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said officers were called to the base shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area. Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed the deaths and injuries but said authorities were still working to establish what had happened.

The scale of the casualties remained unclear late Saturday. Hospitals in Edmonton, about 180 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of the base, were receiving large numbers of patients as health-care facilities struggled to cope with the influx.

“This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton,” Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News. “It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15- to 25-year disaster.”

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Text Reads: A “serious incident” has triggered a large fire at the Canadian Armed Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the incident and stated that he is working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities.
🕯️ Minister of Defence David McGuinty confirmed that the event resulted in “fatalities and injuries.” The Department of National Defence indicated that it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further details as they become available.
🏘️ The Municipality of Wainwright confirmed that the fire has spread beyond the base’s perimeter into the surrounding area and is being actively managed by authorities. No evacuation orders have been issued at this time.
🔥 CFB Wainwright is located approximately 210 kilometers east of Edmonton and is one of the most operationally active Canadian Army facilities in the country.

Meanwhile, firefighters battled the blaze into the night as powerful winds drove flames beyond the base and into nearby rural areas. A windstorm had battered large parts of Alberta during the day, with gusts reaching 100 kilometers per hour, toppling trees and sending signs and garbage cans flying.

By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright reported that the fire was being contained and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation order had been issued for residents of the district.

The town of Wainwright, near the base, has about 7,000 residents.

McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.” He said members of the Canadian Armed Forces were at the scene and that the RCMP was involved in the investigation.

“I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” he said.

“We will have more to say in the coming hours and days,” McGuinty added.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic,” saying it was affecting many military personnel. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources would be deployed.

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for those affected in a social media post, saying, “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.”

A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta.

Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.  

We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 18, 2026

Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and McGuinty to offer support. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.

The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada. Elections Alberta said two polling locations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early Saturday and that ballots were transported securely.

CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases. It houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.

Nationwide demonstrations left 150 security personnel injured, one person dead and a historic town hall in Limoges severely damaged by fire.

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French authorities reported 855 arrests in the Paris metropolitan area after nationwide protests on Saturday escalated into clashes, looting and property damage. One person died in Paris, while a fire severely damaged the historic town hall in Limoges.

RELATED: Demonstrations in Paris and Lyon Result in Significant Damage

The Paris Police Prefecture released the arrest figure on Sunday, covering cases recorded by 8 a.m. Investigations were continuing, including the review of video footage to identify additional suspects, authorities said.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 1,200 arrests nationwide as of 8 p.m. Saturday and said 150 police officers and gendarmes had been injured. A more recent national tally was not immediately available.

The demonstrations, organized by several groups including students, trade unions and former leaders of the Yellow Vests movement, drew 550,000 people nationwide, according to Nuñez. Organizers estimated attendance at more than 800,000.

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Text Reads: Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the number of people detained during the police crackdown on protests across various parts of the country.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 550,000 people took part in demonstrations nationwide, 110,000 of them in Paris.
The demonstrations—which included students, “Yellow Vests,” and climate activists—were also met with a crackdown in Marseille, Nice, Lyon, and Lille.
Volunteer medics reported a disproportionate use of force, including the deployment of stun grenades, high-intensity sound devices, and pepper spray.

In Paris, 110,000 people took part in the scheduled march, according to the Interior Ministry. The demonstration began at Place de la République and proceeded without major incidents until its conclusion. However, the police prefecture reported that separate groups, including what it described as radical left-wing elements, attacked security forces and looted shops.

From mid-afternoon, several unscheduled marches involving hundreds of people, and in some cases more than 1,000, were accompanied by looting and vandalism. The damage was concentrated around Place de la République and also affected Boulevard de Sébastopol and Boulevard Saint-Honoré. Police said the situation had stabilized by around 11 p.m.

Thirteen members of the security forces and two firefighters were injured during operations in Paris. The police prefecture also reported that one person had died after suffering a cardiac arrest but provided no further details.

Damage remained visible in central Paris on Sunday morning, with shattered shop windows, broken glass scattered across streets and barricades made from bins, barriers, bicycles and street furniture.

Fire damages historic Limoges town hall

In Limoges, firefighters brought a major blaze at the city’s historic town hall under control on Sunday and were working to extinguish the remaining hotspots, Haute-Vienne Prefect Maurice Barate told French television channel LCI.

Authorities said several demonstrators had forced their way into the building on Saturday and deliberately started a fire inside. The flames spread to the upper floors and reached the roof, which subsequently collapsed.

Mayor Guillaume Guérin said the town hall had been almost completely destroyed but pledged that municipal services would continue operating despite the damage.

“They have destroyed a building that the people of Limoges love, but they have not destroyed the public service,” Guérin said. “A monument is burning, but not the Republic.”

Barate said around 5,000 people had taken part in the Limoges demonstration, including several hundred individuals he described as radicalized and extremely violent. After the attack on the town hall, some demonstrators moved toward the prefecture, while others looted businesses in the city center, he said.

The prefect condemned the attacks on public buildings and businesses, describing the fire as deliberate. Guérin expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested and argued that officers deployed during the protest had lacked sufficient resources to contain the violent participants.

Built between 1876 and 1883, Limoges town hall is a listed historic monument featuring architectural elements inspired by the late Renaissance and the reign of Louis XIII.

The complaint alleges excessive force during an October 16 university protest in Buenos Aires, where at least 550 people required medical attention.

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Argentina’s Provincial Commission for Memory (CPM) has filed a criminal complaint against President Javier Milei’s government and security officials over a police crackdown on a university protest in Buenos Aires that left at least 550 people requiring medical attention. The filing accuses security forces of abuse of authority, dereliction of official duties and other crimes.

RELATED: Argentina Abstains on UN Colonialism Vote Despite Malvinas Rhetoric

The complaint concerns the October 16 Federal University March and a demonstration against Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) 70 in Plaza del Congreso. It names the Unified National Security Command and authorities in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, alleging that the security operation exceeded legal limits.

The operation involved the Federal Police, Naval Prefecture, National Gendarmerie, Airport Security Police and Buenos Aires City Police. According to the CPM, officers intervened while the mass demonstration was underway, forcing university leaders to interrupt their reading of the main statement from the stage.

The commission reported that officers fired rubber bullets directly at protesters’ faces and heads and used water-cannon trucks against demonstrators. At least 550 people required medical attention, and at least 120 tear-gas grenades were fired, according to the organization.

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Journalists and human rights monitors injured

A CPM report documented injuries to 50 media workers and 15 members of the commission, which is chaired by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel and Dora Barrancos.

Among those injured were Página/12 photographer Guido Piotrkowski, who was struck twice in the chest by rubber bullets, and TeleSISA journalist Laura Quispe, who sustained nine rubber-bullet impacts.

Footage circulated by the Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) showed officers aiming at protesters’ eyes. Later that evening, television cameras recorded Gendarmerie officers collecting spent cartridges from the streets and placing them in bags. The CPM raised concerns about the preservation of potential evidence.

Six people arrested during the demonstration

Six people were arrested during the protest and its dispersal. Two students from Nicolás Avellaneda School were detained at 5:11 p.m. at the intersection of Montevideo and Sarmiento streets.

One student, aged 14, was held for two hours. The other, aged 17, was charged with resisting authority and faces criminal proceedings under the recently introduced juvenile justice regime.

Police later arrested four adults — three men and one woman — at the intersection of Chacabuco Street and Avenida de Mayo. Human rights organizations said the woman, a student at the National University of Tres de Febrero, was stopped because she was carrying a Colombian flag. All four were charged with resisting authority.

Commission seeks records and independent investigation

The CPM’s complaint alleges that the actions of officers and their political superiors were coordinated and carried out under orders from senior officials who knowingly authorized the use of coercion outside the legal framework and in violation of Argentina’s international commitments.

The commission has asked the national and Buenos Aires city security ministries to provide a complete list of personnel deployed during the operation, details of the vehicles, weapons and equipment used, and copies of orders transmitted over police radio frequencies.

It is also seeking information about officers who photographed or filmed protesters, including whether they had prior judicial authorization, as well as footage from the city’s surveillance cameras.

The CPM has called for independent forensic examinations and for the collection, custody and analysis of testimony, commercial recordings and other evidence to remain under the control of the competent court or prosecutor. The request specifically excludes the security forces implicated in the events from handling that evidence.

Venezuela expects planned hydrocarbon investments to generate 324,000 jobs over the next five to 10 years, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez says.

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Venezuela expects $76 billion in investment in its hydrocarbon sector over the next five years, with projects projected to generate 324,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced Saturday.

RELATED: Venezuela Promotes Venezuela Feeds Plan and Local Economy Law to Achieve “Hunger 0”

Addressing the 2026 Energy, Oil and Gas Conference in Maracaibo, Zulia state, the Venezuelan Acting President reported that 61 hydrocarbon agreements had been signed, while another 44 remained under negotiation. She emphasized that the arrangements were intended to deliver returns for investors while benefiting the country.

The new energy contracts also include provisions for oil fields to generate their own electricity, Delcy Rodríguez explained. The measure is expected to free up capacity in the national power system and improve electricity supply for the population.

To attract investment and expand hydrocarbon production, Venezuela is offering several business models, including joint ventures, productive participation contracts, technical and financial partnerships, and specialized service agreements.

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Text Reads: Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, highlighted the Hydrocarbons Law as a cornerstone for transforming the Venezuelan energy sector.
At the conclusion of the 2026 Energy, Oil, and Gas Conference, the acting president emphasized that the legislation offers a flexible fiscal regime and absolute legal certainty to investors.
She pointed to Article 19, which guarantees the participation of domestic capital in the 61 agreements already signed and the 44 currently under negotiation, with the working class at the core.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez highlighted provisions in the country’s Hydrocarbons Law that allow taxes and royalties to be adjusted according to the scale of each investment. The legislation also establishes arbitration and dispute-resolution mechanisms intended to provide legal certainty for investors.

The law further requires the state, organizations and companies to incorporate Venezuelan-owned businesses into procurement processes under conditions designed to ensure the effective use of domestic goods, services, labor and capital.

In Zulia, oil production has risen from 70,000 barrels per day to 370,000 barrels per day, according to figures presented by Delcy Rodríguez. She projected that output would reach 400,000 barrels per day by the end of the year and forecast that the state would begin producing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in 2027 as production expands.

The conference, known as CEPEG 2026, took place alongside the Zulia Energy Forum. Organized by the Venezuelan Petroleum Chamber, the events brought together more than 150 domestic and international companies, including oil operators and service providers, to discuss investment models, technological development and the revival of hydrocarbon production in the region.

Acting President attended alongside Héctor Obregón, president of state oil company PDVSA, and Anabel Pereira, vice president for administration and digital government.

The Venezuelan Acting President projected that the agreements signed and under negotiation would contribute to the creation of 324,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs over the next five to 10 years, presenting employment growth as one of the expected benefits of increased investment in the hydrocarbon sector.

More than 37,000 community projects are up for a vote in Venezuela’s second National Popular Consultation of 2026.

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Venezuela opened 12,769 polling stations on Sunday for its second National Popular Consultation of 2026, with communities voting on more than 37,000 projects proposed to address local needs.

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The consultation involves 48,086 communal councils organized into communes, with voting taking place at 11,495 polling centers nationwide. Some 36,000 community members are serving on polling station boards, with technical support from the National Electoral Council (CNE).

The projects focus primarily on public services, social development and the local economy. Water infrastructure accounts for 14% of the proposals, acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Friday during a visit to the Villa Zoila social mission base in Caracas. Road improvements, street lighting, electricity, other public services and productive activities are also among the priorities identified by communities.

More than 428 proposals submitted by condominium boards are included in the vote, marking the first time these organizations have participated in the community consultation, according to the announcement.

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The proposals are linked to the government’s Seven Transformations (7T) framework and reflect development priorities identified at the community level.

Rodríguez said the consultation gives Venezuelans a direct role in deciding how local needs are addressed, describing it as a way to strengthen community participation and popular power.

“The community must be in charge of decisions about the everyday issues affecting our people and our communities,” she said.

She also described the consultation as a significant advance in Venezuela’s political system and said the model of citizen participation should be preserved.

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces will deploy more than 130,000 personnel nationwide under Plan República during Sunday’s vote. The operation is intended to help maintain public order and ensure security throughout the electoral process.

The consultation allows participating communities to vote on locally proposed projects, with water infrastructure, road improvements and other essential public services among the priorities highlighted by Rodríguez.

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

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.

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.

Guatemala Reports 137 Bodies Abandoned in Plastic Bags, Sheets and Sacks in 2026: Former Anti-Corruption Prosecutor of Guatemala Murdered on a Soccer Field

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’.