Central American republic bordered by Honduras, Guatemala and the Pacific.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has arrived in Miami after a five-year prison sentence in Cuba. The exile follows a U.S. parole grant and mounting diplomatic pressure. He is the cofounder of the San Isidro Movement, whose members have faced persistent repression in Cuba.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has announced there will be no more elections and his congress has begun drafting constitutional changes to extend the presidential term and block opposition candidates. The proposal would make terms seven years and bar those labeled "traitors" or "coup plotters" from office; the UN and the US have condemned the moves.
Britain’s Wimbledon run is contrasted by a worrying pattern: a wild card’s surprise semi-final runs mask a wider lack of sustained success. The sport’s centre of gravity remains abroad and domestic grassroots funding is under scrutiny.
The Representation of the People Bill is under debate as MPs push to tighten rules on political donations and spending. The debate comes amid revelations of large crypto-linked contributions to Reform UK and scrutiny of foreign influence, with Labour urging a universal, tight cap on donations. The government has introduced a moratorium on crypto donations while considering new checks on donor legitimacy.
Spain vs Argentina finals update: Argentina captain Messi reacted to an interaction with a former Spain defender during a tense final in New York. Fernandez was sent off after a foul on Cubarsi; a referee spray mishap occurred; Barton’s officiating history is highlighted.
Mexico has filed criminal complaints in the United States over Mexican nationals killed in ICE custody or during enforcement operations, as tensions rise with Washington following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. The move follows multiple fatalities since Trump returned to office and comes as Mexico presses for investigations and UN scrutiny.
A ministerial on the resurgence of political terrorism convenes to coordinate action against far-left violence. Leaders from 65+ countries are examining left-wing extremism, with visas and designations expanding in several nations.
Broadcasters weigh airing a primetime Trump speech on election security as FCC investigations loom; several networks have limited or preempted coverage, while others are airing clips or streaming live updates.
A major earthquake near Chiapas, Mexico has prompted tsunami warnings for nearby coasts. Authorities report no confirmed deaths, but injuries and evacuations are taking place across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Aftershocks of magnitudes up to 6 follow the initial tremor.
France’s Kylian Mbappé has reclaimed the Golden Boot race lead with eight goals after France’s 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco. Lionel Messi is level on eight, with Haaland and others close behind as the world’s top scorers push toward the final stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Nicaragua’s government has announced the cancellation of elections scheduled for November 2027 as Congress extends the presidential term by one year. Ortega, governing with Rosario Murillo, has tightened control since 2007, jailing opponents and reshaping institutions. Rights groups warn of a deeper crackdown, while international actors condemn the move.
The United States has set new tariffs on imports tied to forced labor, with 10% duties on partners that have begun enforcing bans and 12.5% for those that have not. The changes take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 24, as part of a broad push to enforce labor standards in global supply chains.
The CBS News division, led by Bari Weiss, has seen a wave of departures at 60 Minutes, including Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, Tanya Simon, and other veterans. Anderson Cooper has left, and Scott Pelley was fired, as the network faces internal tensions and questions about editorial direction. New hires across the program aim to stabilize coverage and restore trust amid ongoing changes and a larger merger dispute involving Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is defending sovereignty as talks with the US fray over election interference fears. Milei’s rhetoric and Bolsonaros’ campaign moves intensify regional tensions ahead of Brazil’s October vote. Diplomatic spats include visa revocations and downgrades, amid a broader regional shift toward conservative leadership.
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.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
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.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a Reform UK plan to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel, detain those on board, and return them to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal, military and diplomatic scepticism, French officials have condemned it, and rivals say it aims to distract from party financial scandals.
The twin earthquakes have devastated La Guaira, leaving thousands homeless and destroying hundreds of buildings. The interim government has expanded access to international aid while authorities struggle to chart the full scope of the disaster and ongoing recovery.
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.
Independent cafes and roasteries are gaining prominence as consumers seek quality experiences. The Glasgow Coffee Festival has grown, new UK roaster competition launched, and personal stories of roasters highlight a broader taste for craft coffee.
Andy Burnham has paused the early release of prisoners while reviewing eligibility, with some killers and grooming offences still eligible. The move follows political pressure and the ongoing strain on prison capacity, and signals further balancing acts ahead as the Sentencing Act comes into effect.
Reform UK has unveiled plans to deport foreign nationals or house them in third-country facilities to free up UK prison spaces. The proposals, advocated by Nigel Farage, include negotiations with El Salvador and possible use of Baltic options. The government is under pressure over its early-release scheme, while critics warn of human-rights risks.
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.
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.
Venezuela has released more than 130 political prisoners under the Programme for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, with dozens of detainees reunited with families outside El Rodeo I. The move follows US-brokered talks and a pledge to reform the judiciary, while protesters urge full freedom for all political prisoners.
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 speedboat captain has been arrested and charged after a capsizing off New York’s Statue of Liberty killed a 5‑month‑old and a 27‑year‑old. Investigators say the vessel was overcrowded, lacked infant life jackets, and the operator entered the U.S. illegally. He is in ICE detention and faces potential deportation and prison time.
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.
Forecasters have confirmed a very strong El Niño that has pushed Pacific sea-surface temperatures well beyond historical thresholds and is already altering global weather. The Met Office says the event is unprecedented in modern records; governments in Central and South America have declared alerts as droughts and extreme heat are damaging crops and water supplies now and into 2027.
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.
The US-SOUTHCOM operation has interdicted and sunk a floating refueling vessel linked to the Los Choneros criminal network. Crew members were removed and handed to Ecuadorian authorities as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt narco-trafficking networks in the Eastern Pacific.
This week has seen several medical research and regulatory developments. Insilico Medicine has reported that its experimental drug rentosertib changed blood‑protein patterns that aging clocks read as three to four years younger in a small trial. Stanford teams have published studies showing they can grow hindbrain neurons separately and implant human cortical organoids into mice. The US health department has appointed permanent directors for three FDA centers.
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.
Nigeria’s political and religious leaders are urged to promote peaceful, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. Tinubu-backed church leaders call for unity and restraint while condemning violence and incitement; opposition and security concerns are highlighted in ongoing unreleased tensions.
A UK study involving nearly a million adults finds that drinking beverages at very hot temperatures increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The risk rises with frequency, with six or more hot drinks daily, though overall risk remains small. Researchers urge cooling beverages before drinking.
The Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador is expiring this week, but no firm end date has been announced. DHS has indicated it will decide at the appropriate time, with protections remaining in place until then. Officials note that TPS extensions could affect about 200,000 Salvadorans and broader policy changes.
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.
El Niño is strengthening, with forecasts predicting historic intensity. Reports show drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor and a UK weather shift toward wetter, stormier conditions. Scientists warn impacts will extend into 2027 as temperatures rise globally and rainfall patterns shift.
Mega-donations to Reform UK have reshaped its campaign capabilities, fueling a nationwide push while triggering fresh questions over donor transparency and rules. The party argues the funds will build a robust ground operation; critics warn of sleaze and potential regulatory changes ahead.
A consortium-led investigation shows the US has struck third-country deportation deals with states and UN agencies to move undocumented migrants out of the US. By early 2026, thousands have been deported to countries like Cameroon, Eswatini, and Ghana, with hundreds of millions allocated to signatories and to UN agencies. Critics warn of coercion and opaque negotiations.
AP News and Independent report on the King of the Streets event during National Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting lowriding’s cultural roots, community celebration, and recent policy changes in California that ease cruising restrictions. The story follows participants including Roberto Hernandez and Johnny Castro as they reflect on identity, craft, and acceptance.
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.
The U.S. case against David Hearn over vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been permanently dismissed after prosecutors found new evidence showing contractor flaws. The judge notes potential political interference from the White House and President Trump’s public comments as a key factor in the decision. Three related cases were also dropped.
Eduardo Bolsonaro has been ordered to begin serving a four-year prison sentence for lobbying the Trump administration, with his passport canceled. The ruling comes weeks before Brazil’s presidential runoff between Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Analysts say the case intensifies the political clash between Brazil’s rival camps as foreign pressure and legal battles shape the race.
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.