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South American teams Bolivia and Venezuela secured notable wins, with Bolivia defeating Brazil 1-0 and Venezuela losing to Colombia 6-3. Portugal and Norway achieved important victories in European qualifiers, while Jamaica and Honduras lead their regional groups. The qualification race for the 2026 World Cup continues with key matches across continents.
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Éder Smic Valencia, a promising 16-year-old Colombian soccer player, was killed in a car accident in Guachene while on holiday. He was about to join Red Bulls II in the U.S. and had been a top scorer in youth and national teams. Authorities are investigating the crash.
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Colombian military forces have rescued 45 soldiers kidnapped by armed groups linked to FARC dissidents in Cauca. The incident underscores ongoing violence in coca-producing regions, with soldiers held for days before release. President Petro calls for dialogue amid persistent instability.
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African teams Morocco and Tunisia have secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, while South Africa and Nigeria face critical qualification matches. In South America, Bolivia and Colombia are vying for playoff spots, with Venezuela's coaching overhaul following a defeat. Qualification races are intense across regions.
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In September 2025, the US military conducted at least three strikes on vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking near Venezuela, killing at least 17 men described as narcoterrorists. President Trump ordered the strikes, citing threats to US security, while Venezuela condemned the actions as illegal aggression and called for UN investigations amid rising regional tensions.
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Colombia's transitional justice body, the JEP, has sentenced seven ex-FARC leaders for kidnapping and war crimes, marking the first individual sanctions in the peace process. The leaders face reparations work and restrictions, with some denying involvement. The rulings aim to address decades of conflict and victim suffering.
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Researchers in Japan and Japan-based farmers have won an Ig Nobel Prize for a humorous study showing that painting cows with zebra-like stripes reduces fly landings and stress. The research, inspired by zebra evolution, involved painting Japanese Black cattle and observing fly behavior, with promising results for small-scale, chemical-free pest control.
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Former South Carolina state legislator RJ May pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography involving toddlers and young children on social media in spring 2024. He faces up to 20 years in prison, must register as a sex offender, and resigned earlier this year amid allegations. Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026.
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Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, speaking at the UN, urged US soldiers to disobey orders from Donald Trump, calling for a global army to support Palestinians. The US responded by revoking Petro's visa, citing reckless actions. Petro also announced plans to recruit volunteers for Gaza.
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Colombia's Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio announced the revocation of a U.S. visa amid escalating diplomatic tensions over issues including drug policy, Gaza conflict, and U.S. naval activity in Venezuela. President Petro's visa was revoked after a protest in New York, highlighting strained relations with the U.S. as Colombia asserts sovereignty.
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Colombia has begun manufacturing its own combat rifles to replace Israeli-sourced weapons, following its 2024 severance of ties with Israel over Gaza war. President Petro's anti-Israel stance has led to diplomatic fallout, including US visa revocations and halted US arms purchases. The move reflects broader regional shifts and Colombia's political stance.
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A Scottish group claiming ancestral land rights was evicted after occupying council land, while in Colombia, the Nukak tribe is reclaiming their ancestral Amazon territory amid ongoing threats from illegal logging and coca cultivation. Both stories highlight conflicts over land and indigenous rights.
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Brazil's premium coffee exports to the US have plummeted nearly 70% after President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods in August. While Jacu Bird coffee, a high-end product, has avoided tariffs, the broader sector suffers, prompting Brazil to seek new markets amid ongoing trade tensions.
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Greta Thunberg, detained during the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, reports poor detention conditions, dehydration, and being forced to pose for photos. She is among over 70 foreign nationals set for deportation from Israel, with diplomatic efforts ongoing for her return to Sweden. The incident has sparked international criticism.
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San Francisco hosts its annual Fleet Week, featuring the Colombian Navy's ARC Gloria and the Canadian Snowbirds. The event attracts over a million visitors, with ship tours, military displays, and aerobatics, celebrating armed forces and international friendship. The event continues Dianne Feinstein's civic tradition.
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England became the first European team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with other teams from Africa, Asia, and Oceania also securing spots. Forty-three teams will qualify through continental tournaments, with two more in intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March. The three host nations qualify automatically.
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On October 14, 2025, Venezuela announced the closure of its embassies in Norway and Australia following opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize win. The government cited diplomatic restructuring and strategic alliances with Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. Machado dedicated her prize to the Venezuelan people and US President Donald Trump, while Maduro condemned her without mentioning the award.
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Since early September, the US has conducted at least six military strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, killing 27 people. The operations, justified as part of a legal armed conflict with drug cartels, have heightened regional tensions and raised legal questions. The Biden administration claims these actions are lawful, but critics argue they violate international law and lack sufficient evidence.
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Ecuador is experiencing increased violence, including bridge bombings, car bombs, and protests linked to criminal groups and government crackdowns. Indigenous protests and criminal attacks are escalating amid security operations and political tensions, with ongoing investigations and military responses. The situation remains volatile as authorities seek stability.
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Recent assessments reveal that nearly half of Europe's wild bee species are threatened, with habitat loss and climate change driving declines. Meanwhile, conservation efforts in North America focus on restoring habitats for the zebra swallowtail butterfly and pawpaw trees, highlighting the global decline of pollinators and the importance of habitat preservation.
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The US military targeted a suspected drug-carrying submarine off Venezuela, claiming it was built for transporting narcotics. Survivors were reported, raising questions about the legality of the strikes amid regional tensions and accusations from Venezuela. The operation is part of a broader US campaign against drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
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President Petro accuses the US of violating sovereignty after a US military strike in Caribbean waters kills a fisherman and targets alleged drug traffickers. Trump criticizes Petro, claiming Colombia enables drug production and halts US aid. The situation escalates amid accusations and military actions.
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President Petro condemns US military strikes on vessels in Caribbean, calling them illegal and a violation of sovereignty. Trump threatens aid cuts and tariffs, accusing Petro of drug trafficking. The US has increased military actions, killing dozens, while Colombia recalls its ambassador and vows to seek international support.
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Colombia's Superior Tribunal has overturned the conviction of former president Álvaro Uribe, citing 'structural deficiencies' in the case. Uribe, who was sentenced in August for witness tampering linked to paramilitary ties, maintains his innocence. The ruling impacts Colombia's political landscape ahead of 2026 elections.
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The US has increased military strikes against vessels linked to drug trafficking, expanding operations into the eastern Pacific. Since September, at least 57 people have been killed in these targeted attacks, which are part of a broader campaign against narco-terrorism linked to Venezuela and the Caribbean. The strikes include night operations and are justified as part of a war on drug cartels.
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On October 24, 2025, Donald Trump announced at the White House that he has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to notify Congress of plans to escalate military actions against drug cartels, including potential land strikes. The move signals a significant escalation in US efforts to combat drug trafficking, amid rising tensions with Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro.
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Since September, the US has conducted at least 18 strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 60 people. The operations, authorized by President Trump, aim to target narcotics but face legal and international criticism for potential extrajudicial killings.
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The US has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford and five destroyers to Latin America amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. The move follows recent military strikes targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking, raising fears of a broader conflict and accusations from Caracas of US efforts to overthrow Maduro.
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On October 24-25, 2025, the US Treasury sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of enabling drug trafficking. The move escalates tensions between Petro and US President Donald Trump, who has cut aid and threatened tariffs. Petro denies the allegations, pledging to continue fighting drug trafficking amid US military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific.
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A series of recent tragic incidents include a toddler murder in Michigan, a woman killed in Israel, a wrongful death in Colombia, and a fatal shooting in Texas. These events highlight ongoing safety concerns and unresolved cases, with authorities actively investigating each case as of October 30, 2025.
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On November 16, 2025, Ecuadorians voted against allowing foreign military bases, including US bases, with 61% opposing the measure. This referendum defeat is a political setback for President Daniel Noboa, who supports foreign cooperation to combat drug trafficking. Concurrently, Wilmer Chavarria, leader of the Los Lobos cartel, was arrested in Spain after faking his death and coordinating criminal activities from Europe.
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Colombia's government has conducted airstrikes that killed at least 12 minors this year, including children forcibly recruited by armed groups. Human rights advocates call for a suspension of strikes to prevent further casualties, as military operations and political tensions continue amid ongoing conflict with dissident rebel factions.
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EU leaders are discussing Ukraine's accession amid ongoing vetoes, notably Hungary's opposition. While Ukraine has made reforms, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is blocking formal negotiations, citing concerns over sovereignty and economic impacts. The EU is exploring 'frontloading' reforms to bypass veto delays, with Ukraine aiming for 2028 accession.
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The US has conducted at least 19 military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming they are drug trafficking narco-terrorists. The campaign, justified by the US as a conflict with drug cartels, faces widespread legal and regional opposition, with critics calling the strikes illegal extrajudicial killings.
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Camilo Castro, a Colombian resident, was released after being detained in Venezuela since June. French diplomacy, credited by officials, facilitated his return to France amid concerns over enforced disappearances by Venezuelan authorities following disputed elections.
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Colombian authorities have recovered artifacts from the San José galleon, sunk in 1708, as part of a scientific mission. The ship's exact location remains secret amid ongoing legal disputes over ownership of the treasure, which is believed to be worth billions.
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Multiple countries have conducted raids on the Lev Tahor community, a sect accused of child abuse and human trafficking. In Guatemala, 160 minors were rescued last December. Recent operations in Colombia and Colombia have led to the detention of members and the rescue of children, with authorities questioning sect members and considering deportations.
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Colombian authorities have launched corruption investigations involving former ministers and congressional leaders linked to vote-buying schemes supporting President Petro's reforms. Meanwhile, a court in Antioquia convicted Santiago Uribe of murder and conspiracy, reigniting allegations of paramilitary ties from Colombia's past. These cases highlight ongoing political and legal turmoil.
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High-end Miami waterfront condos see a surge in interest from New Yorkers, driven by political changes and the 'Mamdani effect.' Developers report a 166% increase in inquiries, with wealthy buyers eager to relocate before potential tax hikes. Miami's global ranking and affordability compared to other markets boost its appeal.