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At least 64 people dead, shelters packed as heavy rain and floods swallow Mexico

At least 64 people dead, shelters packed as heavy rain and floods swallow Mexico

"Heavy rains and floods occurred in five Mexican states left at least 64 people dead and 65 missing, according to Civil Protection.

Poza Rica, in the state of Veracruz, is facing a severe humanitarian crisis after the Cazones River overflowed. Footage filmed on Monday shows inundated roads and material damages. Authorities in the state of Veracruz urged the affected population or those in risk zones to evacuate their homes and take refuge in the various shelters activated in the state.
 “When we were told to leave, we didn’t believe anything. But at the end of the day, when the whistle blew, it was because the water was already in front of the house. We wanted to get away with what we had. Everything was lost: mattresses, stoves, refrigerators… We have nothing,” explains one local resident after being evacuated. 
State and federal authorities, together with the army, navy, and emergency teams, have launched a joint relief operation to provide immediate assistance and begin cleanup work, including the removal of mud and debris from affected neighbourhoods. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum visited the city of Poza Rica on Sunday. Sheinbaum, accompanied by Veracruz Governor Rocio Nahle and senior military officials, supervised sanitation efforts and met families who lost their homes. “She didn't come to get where we walk. And that's not fair. Let her come now, let her see it now, she said ‘it just happened the day before yesterday, it just happened yesterday…’ Madam, it has to start moving, this has to move because it smells bad. What did she come for, to show off? Why did he come to show off?“, said one angry neighbour.
 Sheinbaum acknowledged the scale of the destruction and announced that cleanup and recovery operations would be intensified with the support of the Secretariat of National Defense, the Secretariat of the Navy, the state government, and municipal authorities. The National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) reported that fatalities have been confirmed in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Queretaro, and Veracruz, with dozens of people still missing. The federal government said support operations for all affected areas will continue in the coming days.
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Small island, big dream - Fans celebrate as Cape Verde clinches first World Cup qualification in win over Eswatini

Small island, big dream - Fans celebrate as Cape Verde clinches first World Cup qualification in win over Eswatini

"Celebrations erupted at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde stadium in Praia on Monday as Cape Verde made history by securing its first-ever World Cup qualification after defeating Eswatini 3-0. Footage shows fans waving Cape Verdean flags while cheering on their national team. Meanwhile, players can be seen taking selfies with the crowd and signing fans' flags. "It's an incredible feeling. It's a source of pride today to be able to qualify for the World Cup. This was impossible just a few years ago. We're a very small country, but we have a lot of courage," said Willy Semedo, one of the players. "It's a dream," Logan Costa, another player. "It's a dream for all of us. Being part of this generation is the work of all the generations that came before. Today, we're proud to be taking our country back to the World Cup." Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira scored to secure a home win for Cape Verde. The Blue Sharks finished four points ahead of Cameroon - who were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola - and claimed first place in Group D. Cape Verde is now the second smallest country by population to qualify for the upcoming FIFA tournament, after Iceland. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 national teams competing. The tournament is set to kick off in June, with the final scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey."

'Your vote can solve our problems!' - Massive crowd rallies for Quiroga in Cochabamba ahead of Bolivia's presidential runoff

'Your vote can solve our problems!' - Massive crowd rallies for Quiroga in Cochabamba ahead of Bolivia's presidential runoff

"Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga and his running mate, Juan Pablo Velasco, ended their campaign in Cochabamba on Monday, rallying supporters ahead of Bolivia's presidential runoff. Footage shows thousands attending the Alianza Libre campaign closing, with live music, candidate speeches, and appearances by elected officials. Quiroga addressed the crowd, emphasising the need for economic reforms and national unity, and criticising the current government’s policies. "Why are we asking for your vote? Because we want to respond to the people's problems. Today, we are all distressed because prices are skyrocketing, and when you go to the market, your money isn't enough, your basket comes out empty, and your family goes hungry," he said. He pledged to attract foreign investment and create jobs, particularly in sectors such as hydrocarbons, lithium, agriculture, and mining. He also proposed measures to address inflation and fuel shortages. Vice-presidential candidate Juan Pablo Velasco focused on promoting unity and rejecting negative campaigning. "In our hearts and minds, there is no space for hate. There is no space for resentment. We are focused on building a dignified Bolivia for young people, for the elderly, for the miners, for the workers, for everyone who makes up this society," he added. It comes after the first round of voting on August 17, which ended two decades of left-wing rule. Rodrigo Paz moved from the bottom of the polls to first place with 32 percent of the vote, ahead of former president Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, who obtained 26.70 percent of the vote. The runoff election, scheduled for October 19, will pit the PDC, led by Paz and his running mate Edman Lara, against the Libre Alliance, headed by Quiroga and his vice-presidential candidate, tech entrepreneur Juan Pablo Velasco. Both parties will conclude their national campaigns on Wednesday, October 15, with the PDC hosting its final rally in Tarija, while the Libre Alliance wraps up in La Paz. Meanwhile, Bolivia continues to face rising inflation, fuel shortages, and foreign-debt concerns. Economists predict the next president will face a tough choice: seek international credit with conditions or rapid domestic reforms that could be politically risky."

'From vision to action' - Philippines ramps up national defence efforts under new revitalised SRDP law amid tensions with China

'From vision to action' - Philippines ramps up national defence efforts under new revitalised SRDP law amid tensions with China

"The Philippines is strengthening its local defence industry under the revitalised Self-Reliant Defence Posture (SRDP) law, aiming to boost domestic weapons production in response to escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. Speaking at the SRDP Forum in Quezon City on Friday, Defence Undersecretary Ireneo Cruz Espino said the government is shifting "from vision to action" in building a self-sufficient defence sector. "The Philippines is being recognised as a strategic defence hub, opening doors for co-production, local manufacturing, and licensed defence technologies," Espino said. "The Self-Reliance Defence Posture Revitalisation Act [is] a bold step toward a stronger, more self-sufficient national defence," he added. Signed into law on October 8, 2024, Republic Act No. 12024, or the SRDP Revitalisation Act, removes key restrictions that previously limited local manufacturers from supplying the military. The measure promotes technology transfer, incentivises local defence production, and seeks to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Espino added that the revitalised SRDP law paves the way for future production of more advanced weapon systems within the Philippines through government incentives and contracts to domestic firms. The two-day forum highlighted local military innovations, from small arms to next-generation drones and unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAVs and USVs), highlighting the growing role of domestic production in national defence. "The importance of having a drone manufacturing company in the Philippines is that it offers innovation, self-reliance, and dependency in our country," said aeronautical engineer Andry Annah Jane Lanuza. "If it is manufactured here, for sure, we will become a drone hub of Asia. Mark my word, Philippines," said Tjader Regis, president of Davao UAV. The Philippines' renewed defence push comes as the country's military faces growing concerns over China's potential use of drone swarms for surveillance and attacks, particularly in the disputed territories of the South China Sea. "