South American republic facing regional security and climate challenges
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has completed a three‑country tour of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to expand military and counter‑drug cooperation with right‑wing governments. Washington has pledged funding, vessels and designations of gangs as foreign terrorist organisations while US forces have intercepted and sunk vessels linked to Ecuadorian criminal groups.
Alex Saab has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in Miami and will forfeit $195 million as part of a deal to cooperate with US investigations. The plea follows a long-running case tied to alleged bribes, shell companies, and the CLAP program in Venezuela.
Nauru has inaugurated an embassy in Jerusalem, signaling unwavering support for Israel and aiming to expand its diplomatic presence in the capital. Israeli officials describe the move as boosting Jerusalem’s global standing and anticipate more countries following suit in the coming months.
Marco Rubio has toured Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to push for closer US security and trade ties amid a regional rightward shift. Washington designates criminal rings as foreign terrorist organizations and pledges new funding, ships and cooperation to back partner governments.
Amnesty International has found that migrants from Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and South Africa were lured by fake civilian jobs to Russia and then conscripted into the Russian army. The group says coercion, passport seizure and false promises amount to trafficking in many cases. Ukraine and Russia have long recruited foreigners for their wars, with thousands serving on both sides.
The United States is stepping up a regional push against major drug-trafficking groups, designating several Latin American gangs as foreign terrorist organisations and expanding military-security cooperation. The move comes during a high-profile visit by the US secretary of state to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and signals intensified pressure on groups with narcotics that reach across borders.
Republicans have held a two-day midterm convention in Dallas dominated by President Donald Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance. Vance has delivered a high-profile 40-minute speech that elevated his status as a potential 2028 standard-bearer while Trump has repeated ambitious claims — including a $5,000 payment pledge — and rhetoric that multiple outlets say includes misleading assertions about investment and the economy.
A Cuban man in the United States under Cuban Adjustment Act processing must choose to return to Cuba or risk deportation after a courtroom moment, ending five years of U.S. life amid economic hardship and family separation. New details show the broader uncertainty for Cubans with I-220A forms as courts revisit eligibility.
The latest round of tit-for-tat strikes has targeted Iranian oil tankers and U.S. ships in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, with Iran and the U.S. exchanging retaliatory blows. The flare-up follows Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities and heightens fears for global oil shipments through the Hormuz chokepoint.
A series of articles shows how tree-planting and forest management are reshaping climate resilience, biodiversity and policy. From Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative to debates over biodiversity net gain in the UK and sustainable timber in Brazil, the coverage reveals both progress and persistent challenges in sustaining green growth.
Prime Big Deal Days will run on Oct. 6-7, with early promotions already live. Amazon, Target and Walmart are launching competing sales as shoppers prepare for the holiday season. The two-day event marks a fall shopping surge ahead of Black Friday.
The State Department has reprogrammed $52 million in foreign military financing from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, signaling a pivot toward the Western Hemisphere amid concerns about narcotics, migration and China’s growing presence. The move follows earlier efforts to reduce European spending and troop deployments in NATO, aligning with a renewed Monroe Doctrine approach.
Global Witness reports 124 killings of land and environmental defenders in 2025, led by Colombia (39) and Brazil (26). Indigenous people and small-scale farmers bear the brunt, with a notable overlap with organised crime. The total since 2012 reaches 2,375, though the rate shows some regional variation.
Travel pieces from Business Insider UK and Independent highlight Syros as a less-touristed Greek island with authentic charm, affordable stays, and opportunities for beach-hopping, local dining, and cultural immersion, contrasted with pricier, crowded destinations nearby.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has led Brazil's first-round presidential vote, finishing ahead of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but without an outright majority. With neither candidate reaching 50%, the race has moved to an October 25 run-off. Bolsonaro's far-right Liberal Party has won large congressional representation, while both campaigns are preparing for a tight second round.
The US State Department has approved visas for a scaled-down Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. Washington has placed travel curbs and bans on luxury purchases for the delegation while denying visas to Palestinian Authority leaders, prompting a separate General Assembly vote allowing Mahmoud Abbas to speak virtually.
Syrian President al-Sharaa has told the UN that Israel’s strikes in Syria are unacceptable and that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian. He has urged withdrawal from border areas and signaled openness to a security agreement, as talks with Israel show progress toward a broader peace.
The United States has expanded its offensive against narco-traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Since early September, authorities say more than 200 people have died in strikes targeting vessels, as Washington argues it is at war with drug cartels in Latin America. Critics say there is little transparent evidence linking the attacks to drug trafficking.
Multiple suspects linked to the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president have been extradited to the United States for trial in Florida, where prosecutors are pursuing conspiracy and murder charges. The move underscores a long-running effort to hold all participants accountable as Haiti grapples with gang violence and political instability.
A wave of doping cases has affected athletes across multiple sports this week, with legal actions and disciplinary rulings shaping careers and competition. The stories highlight how authorities are tightening rules and how athletes respond to allegations and sanctions.
Nearly 20 fires are active across Colombia as El Niño drives hotter, drier conditions. Villa de Leyva fire is about 50% contained; authorities warn the crisis could worsen with winds and heat. Ecuador faces its own blazes as regional officials monitor 29 fires, with thousands of hectares burned.
The UN Special Rapporteur has concluded that US strikes on 68 vessels in international waters since September last year have killed at least 223 people and may constitute crimes against humanity. The report says self-defence claims are not supported by evidence, and calls for investigations and accountability.
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.
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.
Syria’s President has reaffirmed that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory and has called on Israel to withdraw from areas seized after December 2024. Israel’s defence minister pledges that any territory seized will remain Israeli, while the UN still regards the Golan as Syrian. The exchange follows a UN General Assembly address and renewed threats of action from both sides.
Syria says intelligence services have thwarted a Hezbollah‑affiliated cell in the Yarmuk basin, arresting three individuals and revealing plans to prepare rocket launch platforms. Hezbollah denies any link, stating it has no presence in Syrian territory. The case unfolds as Israel warns of potential attacks ahead of October elections.
Two civil lawsuits allege that federal agents’ operations in Minneapolis, part of Operation Metro Surge, violated the rights of Renee Good and others. The suits seek damages and name high‑level officials and officers among the defendants. The cases follow killings that sparked widespread protests.
As Brazil heads to a high-stakes presidential vote, Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro remain the leading contenders. Voters will decide whether Lula secures a fourth term or Bolsonaro returns his family to power. The race also shapes Brazil’s stance on the Amazon and relations with the United States, with a broad field of other races on Sunday’s ballot.
Incumbent Lula faces far-right rival Bolsonaro in Brazil’s pivotal presidential election. Polls show a tight race with a potential runoff on Oct. 25. Both candidates frame the contest as a choice over democracy, sovereignty and regional influence as Latin America shifts politically.
Brazil's first-round vote has failed to produce an outright winner, forcing a runoff between Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro on Oct. 25. With nearly 99% counted, Bolsonaro leads Lula by about two points, raising questions about polling accuracy and the race's trajectory as both campaigns court voters in a tightly fought general election.
Pacific leaders are urging urgent action to keep 1.5°C within reach, secure climate finance, and prioritise ocean health ahead of COP31 in Turkey. Tuvalu and Fiji host pre-COP events, highlighting island vulnerabilities and calls for immediate funding and partnerships.
Human Rights Watch has accused the US of violating international law by expelling third‑country nationals to African states with which they have no ties. HRW says more than 500 people have been deported since 2025, amid opaque deals and allegations of abuse, detention, and risk of refoulement. The US government defends its policy as a security tool.
A strong earthquake centered near Pitaloza Arriba has triggered tsunami warnings for Panama and neighboring coastal nations. Tremors have shaken Panama City as aftershocks continue; authorities are assessing damage and advising calm as schools and services respond.