Plurinational State of Bolivia, landlocked in central South America
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
Keiko Fujimori has been sworn in as Peru’s president, vowing a hardline approach to crime and instability after a tumultuous decade of leadership. She pledges military involvement in high-crime areas during emergencies and seeks to bolster ties with the United States while addressing El Niño impacts and inequality.
The European, North American and Asian confederations have publicly questioned Gianni Infantino’s leadership after the aborted Football Forward Enterprise plan to sell a stake in the World Cup. They call for an independent review and promise to seek unity in leadership that serves football.
Latin American governments are renewing ties with Israel, recognizing sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and restoring diplomatic channels after years of strain. Venezuela and Colombia are central to a broader regional realignment, with other states re-engaging in Israeli cooperation and security ties.
A 40-year-old Jefferson County resident has died of complications described as measles-related, the county coroner has announced, bringing Pennsylvania state officials' total to three deaths linked to this year's outbreak. The CDC's public tracker currently shows no measles deaths and federal officials are reviewing whether the Pennsylvania fatalities meet their criteria.
Colombia’s new hardline president has escalated operations against dissident groups, with recent raids and drone-assisted attacks reported across several departments. The government says operations will continue to target ELN and other factions, amid ongoing clashes and civilian harm.
Explosions at a Bolivian military barracks in Viacha have killed at least two people and injured many, with police warning of further blasts. Fireworks and pyrotechnic stockpiles were stored at the site; authorities say the cause is under investigation and a national mourning period has been declared.
Lewes Town Council has unanimously approved a motion recognizing the intrinsic value of local trees, hedgerows and forests. The measure establishes a town-wide, rights-based framework to protect urban greens, aligning Lewes with international rights-of-nature trends while aiming to boost climate resilience and deter inappropriate development.
A synthesis of recent sleep studies shows wearables may misjudge sleep quality, narcolepsy treatment advances gain regulatory traction, and weekend catch-up sleep ties to lower hypertension risk, prompting a nuanced view of how to monitor and improve sleep.
A Systemiq-led study has found Himalayan glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than a decade ago and that just 21 of an estimated 40,000 glaciers are being monitored on the ground. The research has linked accelerated melt, expanding unstable glacial lakes and thawing permafrost to rising risks of floods, landslides and a mid-century peak-water decline that will affect agriculture, hydropower and millions downstream.
Messi has announced his retirement from international duty and will be honoured in a farewell match on 6 October in Buenos Aires. Argentina will host Benin, Burkina Faso and Bolivia in a FIFA window with reductions in capacity due to sanctions. Several players face suspensions from the World Cup final. The event marks Argentina’s return home after the tournament and signals changes ahead for the national team.
Researchers have described a previously unrecognised small wildcat from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests and given it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo. Genetic analysis has shown the tilcayo split from related tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago. Scientists have confirmed the species from sanctuary animals, museum specimens and camera-trap records but they still do not know its full range or population size.
Argentina’s national team is negotiating Scaloni’s extension while preparing for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. Lionel Messi will bid farewell in the final Benin match as Scaloni steers a transition after a record run of success.
Palestinian President Abbas has addressed the UN via a pre-recorded video, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is delivering a live address. Abbas has called for ending the war in Gaza, a withdrawal from Gaza, and a political process toward an independent Palestinian state. Netanyahu is focusing on Israel's security concerns and Iran, with some world leaders planning protests in New York.
Argentina faces an uncertain future after Lionel Messi confirms international retirement. The 2026 World Cup icon has dominated the national team for 21 years, prompting questions about leadership, strategy, and the post-Messi era as the federation maps out its next steps.
The United States reports a new deportation of a Nicaraguan dissident who was released after protests in 2018. He has been deported to Managua and detained again in the same prison where fellow critics were tortured. Human rights groups say the crackdown has driven hundreds of thousands to flee, while Washington presses for accountability amid ongoing expulsions.
Colombia has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, restoring diplomatic ties with Israel after severing them in 2024 over Gaza. The move is welcomed by Colombian and Israeli officials as a step to rebuild dialogue and security and trade cooperation. Protests in Bogota contest the decision amid ongoing Gaza war coverage.
Official satellite data has shown Amazon forest loss fell 41.8% to 3,335 sq km in the 12 months to July 2026, the smallest annual loss since monitoring began in 1988. Brazil’s government credits strengthened enforcement and revived anti-deforestation programs, while a presidential run-off between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro will determine whether protections continue.