Republic in South America, shaping regional politics and relief efforts
The State Department has said it will revoke B‑1 and B‑2 business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for people who have sought or are seeking asylum. The action, coordinated with DHS and described as rolling, would reclassify many pending asylum holders and would not necessarily cause immediate deportations; officials expect legal challenges.
Tadej Pogacar has abandoned the Vuelta a España after a heavy crash on stage eight. He held a commanding lead before the incident, injuring his left shoulder and face and prompting an ambulance transfer. Enric Mas now leads the general classification, while Pogacar’s withdrawal marks the first time he has failed to finish a Grand Tour.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
Two separate bomb attacks have marred Abelardo de la Espriella’s first week in office, killing at least one officer and wounding others. The army has attributed one tollbooth blast near Cali to dissident FARC factions and reported a drone strike on a police station in Cesar. De la Espriella has pledged a forceful crackdown and the US has pledged a $1bn security package.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has seen European and several other confederations pull back support after the aborted Forward Enterprise plan to privatise parts of the World Cup, amid varied backing from South American and African bodies.
Petro has claimed thousands of tally sheets were manipulated after counts were transmitted to Colombia’s election agency. Officials and observers reject the fraud claims, and Abelardo de la Espriella is set to be sworn in this week, as Colombia prepares for a tightly watched transition.
Houthis have launched repeated drone, missile and naval strikes that have damaged Yemen’s Mocha port, killed dozens and forced the port’s suspension. The group has claimed a drone hit on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, while Yemeni government forces have mounted counter‑attacks across multiple fronts.
Brazil has downgraded ties with Argentina amid a diplomatic spat linked to Brazil’s election cycle, while U.S. actions and regional acrimony intensify. Investigations into a deadly Brazilian air crash add to scrutiny of aviation safety and governance.
Infantino says the project has created divisions that are no longer in line with its original objective, signaling renewed tensions as stakeholders reassess its direction.
The US is considering an off-ramp from the Iran conflict as officials say air strikes alone may fail to meet goals. Discussions involve top advisers and notes of potential agreements with Iran and Oman over Hormuz shipping routes. Officials deny public discussion of confidential conversations.
Lime reports growing usage in London and other cities, focusing on expanding in current markets while improving reliability. The company highlights AI-driven placement to boost availability, as it navigates regulatory scrutiny and safety concerns around e-bikes.
A 12-day Sri Lanka group tour, chronicled by a solo traveler, shows how organised trips now attract millennials while highlighting social dynamics, logistical hiccups, and evolving bonds with local guides. The narrative follows the writer’s shift from solo exploration to extended travel after meeting a guide, amid a backdrop of scenic sites and practical challenges.
A powerful earthquake has struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar, Chocó. The USGS has measured magnitude 7.4 while Colombia's geological service initially reported 6.6. The quake has caused building collapses across Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales, killed dozens, injured many and forced large-scale evacuations and search operations.
Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, joining the United States as the only UN member state to back Israel’s claim. The move follows the new president’s pledge to align more closely with Israel and to restore ties after disagreements with the previous administration. Reactions are swift, with Syria and other regional powers condemning the decision as a breach of international law.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, focusing damage in Chocó and Valle del Cauca. The government has declared a state of emergency as rescuers search for survivors. Officials report confirmed deaths and injuries, with continued aftershocks and mounting infrastructure damage.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing a renewed crisis as multiple football confederations have pulled endorsement ahead of the 2027 re-election. While CAF and CONMEBOL continue to back him, UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC have joined calls for accountability after the aborted plan to privatize World Cup revenues. Trump has publicly backed Infantino, calling replacing him a terrible mistake.
A new wave of Houthi strikes targets Yemeni government sites and Red Sea shipping, raising fears of a broader return to civil conflict. The attacks follow a series of cross-border strikes and a blockade threat that has intensified regional security concerns.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, with Cali, Pereira and surrounding regions bearing the brunt. Rescuers are digging through rubble as the death toll climbs and thousands of buildings are damaged. The new president has declared a state of emergency and mobilised security forces to lead the response.
Israel and Venezuela have agreed to resume consular services and establish a coordination mechanism for their citizens amid a broader realignment in Latin America and Caracas’s thaw with Washington.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to spend up to $20 million to outfit ICE officers and agents with CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. gloves that deliver electrical shocks to gain quick compliance. The devices, produced by Compliant Technologies, are intended as a non-lethal de-escalation tool but have drawn civil rights concerns and questions about misuse. Training and policy work are ongoing, with some jurisdictions already using similar devices.
A magnitude-7.4 quake has devastated western Colombia, killing hundreds, injuring thousands and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Rescue teams are racing to locate survivors as the country declares a state of emergency and mobilizes international aid.
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.
Colombia is joining the Shield of the Americas coalition, aligning with the US-led effort against drug cartels. The announcement comes as the Trump administration urges allies to reject the ICC, arguing the court intrudes on sovereignty. Rights groups warn of legal and civilian risks amid intensified regional security operations.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has devastated western Colombia, with thousands displaced, hundreds dead or missing. Officials warn that reconstruction will require a coordinated push from government, private sector, and humanitarian groups as hospitals, schools, and roads are damaged. Rescue efforts are ongoing amid challenging conditions.
Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary as the island endures its worst crisis in living memory, with power shortages, water scarcity, and sanctions shaping daily life. Raul Castro remains an influential figure as the regime faces mounting external pressure and internal hardship.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
The FIFA president has drawn support from several signatories ahead of next year’s vote, even as a revolt grows over a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. European and regional federations have warned of consequences, and some signatories have withdrawn support amid governance concerns.
The Colombia earthquake has been verified as a natural event caused by strike-slip faulting, not by HAARP. Experts say the quake’s depth and energy point to natural tectonics, while conspiracy theories about HAARP have been dismissed.
Since Aug 2026, reports indicate Russia is struggling to replenish its forces in Ukraine. Pressures include coercive recruitment, street roundups, and incentives for volunteers. Western estimates show high monthly casualties, while Moscow relies on contract soldiers and potential mobilisations to sustain operations.
The United States has imposed tariffs on Brazilian exports, with duties up to 37.5%, prompting Brazil to seek diplomatic consultations. Lula da Silva says Brazil will defend its position and warns against foreign meddling in the October elections. The dispute follows tensions over visa revocations and ambassador nominations, with both sides signaling potential retaliation but avoiding immediate escalation.
Colombia has faced a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, with rescue efforts continuing in Cali, Pereira and Quibdó. President de la Espriella has appealed to the United States for tariff relief to aid business recovery as Washington pledges $26.5 million in emergency aid.
The Trump administration has extended counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, coordinating joint air, sea, and land actions with allies. Reports indicate Ecuador and other regional partners are joining ground operations, while critics warn of civilian harm and sovereignty concerns. The campaign has killed hundreds in boat strikes and faces legal and diplomatic scrutiny.
A 7.4-magnitude quake has devastated western Colombia, killing hundreds and injuring thousands. Authorities say tens of thousands are displaced; rescue teams are shifting from search to debris removal as the death toll rises and missing persons number in the hundreds. International aid responses are under way, with Colombia declaring an economic emergency.
A 6.7 magnitude quake near Aniso in Ayacucho has caused damage to homes, schools and healthcare facilities. USGS data shows the quake on Thursday; Peru’s civil defence and local authorities report power outages and injuries, with authorities coordinating relief and emergency response.
Mexican authorities are enforcing a new transit arrangement for deported nationals, routing Mexicans via Guatemala and Honduras before return to Mexico within 24 hours, as the United States widens cooperation with Latin American partners. Officials say this tactic is aimed at deterring migration, while Mexico protests and seeks clarity on legal protections for its citizens.
Bloomberg reports that governments are trimming spending and proposing an economic rescue plan to cut the 2027 deficit, while debt servicing costs rise in other nations as ministries submit proposals for the next fiscal year.
Infantino is facing a leadership crisis as CONCACAF, UEFA and AFC push for his resignation amid a failed World Cup privatization plan. He is meeting Dominican officials while allies seek to rally support and counter moves to unseat him ahead of the March 2021 presidential election. FIFA has not commented on ongoing requests for change.
A federal judge has vacated a policy that would have blocked immigrant visas to 75 countries, ruling Secretary of State Rubio exceeded his authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act. The decision reinforces consular officers’ control over visa eligibility and sparks renewed debate over the administration’s immigration agenda.
Barrack’s comments about Israel’s status over the Golan Heights have sparked renewed international criticism and intensified debate over U.S. policy dating back to 2019. The ambassador says the remarks describe historical status, not UN positions, and emphasizes that ongoing negotiations shape the region’s future.
The U.S. Southern Command has confirmed lethal strikes against low-profile vessels linked to drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. The administration is pressing allied nations to extend operations onto land; critics warn of civilian harm and legal questions. Officials say the goal is to disrupt narco-terror networks and stem drug flows into the United States.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers are negotiating a broader overhaul of wildfire-response liability before a Friday deadline. Talks have stalled amid internal disagreements, with a frontline debate over how utilities should be funded for fire damages and how quickly survivors are paid.
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.
Greenland’s inquiry into the forced contraception campaign has released two reports; one stops short of calling genocide, while the other notes possible violations of rights. Greenland’s government will set up a reconciliation process, with compensation now approved for victims and cooperation with Denmark.