- 9 minutes ago
18/10/2026
FTS 14.30
*More than 350 police officers deployed to dismantle migrant camps in Ceuta.
*Iran’s parliament approves Akhlaghi as new defense minister.
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FTS 14.30
*More than 350 police officers deployed to dismantle migrant camps in Ceuta.
*Iran’s parliament approves Akhlaghi as new defense minister.
teleSUR
These and more stories now! 🌐Join teleSUR's community and be part of a space where your ideas matter. https://chat.whatsapp.com/KLABTE41aSj3ioYabXQQ6K 🗣 Don't be left behind, join teleSUR's Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98Z437Noa2tjytCt1N Web💬 https://www.telesurenglish.net/ X🧶 https://twitter.com/telesurenglish Instagram 📸 https://www.ins tagram.com/telesurenglish/?hl=es Facebook 📱 https://www.facebook.com/teleSUREnglishOfficial Youtube ⏯ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmuTmpLY35O3csvhyA6vrkg Tiktok👌🏼 https://www.tiktok.com/@telesurenglish?_t=8hMLCY0a6z7&_r=1
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NewsTranscript
00:08In Venezuela, over 11,000 polling centers are currently active for the 8th National Popular Consultation,
00:15where criminal secrets are brought in four projects to be found in each commune.
00:22Spain's National Police deployed more than 350 officers on Sunday to dismantle the migrant encampments,
00:29still operating in Ceuta, nearly three months after mass arrivals from Morocco.
00:36Members of Iran's parliament have approved the appointment of Mehrdad Akalaki Ketabchi
00:42as the new Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics.
00:53Hello and welcome to From the South.
00:55My name is Pablo Micheliche from the Telesur Studios in Caracas, Venezuela.
00:59We begin with the news. Stay with us.
01:15Voting is underway across the Venezuelan territory as more than 11 polling centers are open for the popular consultation,
01:22enabling communal secrets to select local community projects for direct funding.
01:27Let's recall that in this process, each commune is selected from a short list of local projects
01:33resulting from prior community debates on local needs and resource investment.
01:38This nationwide consultation follows the submission of thousands of community-proposed projects for resource allocation,
01:45primarily focusing on public services, social development and the local economy,
01:51with participation also extending to condominium boards in the east side of the capital and abroad.
02:04And as Venezuela's national popular consultation continues nationwide,
02:09with over 37,000 projects being put to a vote from the Comandante Eco-Socialist Comune in El Valle Parish,
02:17Caracas,
02:17our correspondent Denise Arabi shares more details.
02:23From repairing neighborhood infrastructure to supporting local production,
02:27Venezuelans communes are using the second national popular consultation of 2026
02:31to turn community proposals into concrete projects.
02:35We are at the Comandante Eco-Socialist Comune, where close to 11,500 people organized in 11 communal councils
02:43will choose among the seven submitted projects.
02:46These include the reparation of sensitive communal spaces, such as gas cylinder boots, elevators and public fences and grates,
02:53as well as the construction of a new elderly care center.
02:57The vote is part of a model that connects local organizations with the allocation of public funding,
03:02allowing residents to decide which initiatives should move forward.
03:06Before Election Day, communities discuss the proposals in assemblies,
03:10weighing different needs and selecting the projects that will end on the ballot.
03:15With more than 5,000 communes participating, the popular consultation also highlights the importance of coordination
03:21between neighborhoods, communal councils and other organized sectors of society.
03:27Beyond the vote itself, the implementation of these projects is central to the process,
03:31directing resources toward local initiatives, help strengthen productive activities,
03:37address long-standing infrastructure needs and keep economic activities circulating within communities.
03:43The consultation, therefore, goes beyond selecting projects.
03:46It seeks to consolidate a system in which communities help determine their development path
03:51and take an active role in bringing their decisions to life.
03:54This is all for the moment, but we will be back with more on how the voting day is unfolding
04:00across the Miranda State and Caracas.
04:02We go back to you now.
04:04In Venezuela, the mayor of Caracas, Carmen Melendez, called on young people to exercise their right to vote
04:10in the election of projects submitted in the proper consultation.
04:21So everyone go vote. Those over 15, remember it. The youth. The mobilized youth. The youth with high moral.
04:30Everyone mobilize early. Early. Don't leave it for the afternoon. We need to get up and go vote for our
04:37communes project.
04:38You're all invited to the historic day of electoral celebration in our communes and to vote for the priority project.
04:48It's day of victory for direct, protagonistic, and participatory democracy.
04:55It's day of victory for the democracy.
05:00And planning minister Ricardo Menendez highlighted the importance of the public consultation, which aims to assist communities through state funding.
05:10This is extremely important for the entire country and for all Venezuelans because it is a day for affirming the
05:17fundamental elements of our country's concept of democracy.
05:20In Venezuela, democracy is grassroots. It is a radical democracy that involves everyone.
05:26It is the space where neighbors meet. It is a space where each of us addresses the fundamental issues that
05:33have to do with changing our lives.
05:35From the perspective of daily life, just as it is the problem of streetlights, the problem of water, the problem
05:42of having a functioning well in a populated area, any of this,
05:46it is about the possibility of having productive spaces between the community.
05:51In other words, it is the possibility of having discussions about everyday issues. Issues that, in some way, will lead
05:58to broad consensus from the perspective of the Republic.
06:03Throughout the years, popular consultations in Venezuela have brought about changes and several benefits for organized communities.
06:10Let's learn about some of them in the next piece.
06:16Improvement of public services. Tens of thousands of projects have been funded and implemented to address everyday needs, such as
06:24access to drinking water, upgrading electricity grids, street lighting, road infrastructure and gas supply.
06:32Community and social infrastructure. These projects have enabled the renovation of health centers, community clinics, housing, schools, sports facilities and
06:42sanitation projects such as sewer systems.
06:47Boosting local production. In recent additions, a significant portion of the projects has shifted its focus from merely repairing infrastructure
06:56to creating production chains, purchasing agricultural machinery, collection centers and support for textile and food enterprises.
07:06Direct and leading participation. Popular consultations have given residents from communes, communal councils, condominium boards and youth movements members the
07:17authority to propose, debate and directly vote on crucial projects for the development of their surroundings.
07:26Direct allocation of resources. Approved funds are transferred directly to people's power organizations and communal circuits for the implementation and
07:36oversight of the projects themselves.
07:41And let's have now a look at how many popular consultations have been held in Venezuela in the last years.
07:53The first popular consultation took place on April 21st, 2024, with more than 27,000 communal projects being submitted through
08:03assemblies in the country's 4,500 electoral and communal districts.
08:07Four months later, the second consultation took place in which a total of 30,784 projects were submitted in 4
08:17,505 communal districts.
08:20By 2025, the third consultation saw nearly 36,000 projects registered throughout the National Electoral Council and the community assemblies.
08:30The fourth popular consultation also took place in 2025, and a total of 10,672 projects were approved.
08:40During this event, the country's 5,336 communal circuits selected two projects per territory for immediate implementation.
08:51On July 27th, 2025, the fifth consultation was dedicated to the youth.
08:57A total of 10,394 youth center projects were approved and funded.
09:03The Venezuelan government confirmed funding for the proposal that took both first and second place in each participating commune or
09:10communal circuit.
09:13The sixth consultation took place in November 25th, and saw 33,091 projects submitted and nominated by 4,856 communes
09:25and communal circuits.
09:27Finally, the seventh consultation took place on March 8th, 2026, coinciding with International Women's Day, with more than 36,000
09:36projects submitted across 5,336 communal circuits.
09:43And now we have a short break coming up.
09:45First, remember that you can join us on TikTok at Teleshot English, where you will find news in different formats,
09:50news updates and much more.
09:52We will be right back and stay with us.
10:04Welcome back.
10:05Spain's National Police deployed more than 350 officers on Sunday to dismantle the main migrant encampments.
10:13Still operated in Sauta nearly three months after mass arrivals from Morocco in July 30 and 31st.
10:19The operation began early in the morning and covered several locations, including Poblado Regulares, the former Tarahal warehouses, and the
10:27Ibica Camp near the Temporary State Center for Immigrants.
10:30Police established checkpoints around the affected areas and organized transfers by bus.
10:37Adults were taken to the Temporary Foreigner Assistance Center for identification, registration, and initial assessment, while minors were transferred to
10:46police headquarters to complete the required procedures.
10:49The operation follows measures announced by Spain's interior ministry to end the presence of migrants living in the streets and
10:56wooded areas across the city.
10:57However, dismantling the camps does not necessarily resolve the humanitarian situation.
11:02The next steps for those displaced will depend on administrative procedures and the availability of places in reception facilities.
11:17Now in Portugal, protesters against the housing crisis set up a camp in Rocio Square, in the historic heart of
11:24Lisbon.
11:25Hundreds rallied at night in the tourist hub following a march that drew thousands nationwide, demanding action on housing and
11:32living costs.
11:33In this scenario, protesters condemned rent liberalization, judging that the government protects owners, not tenants.
11:43According to official data, Portuguese housing prices rose 1-24% between 2015 and 2024, roughly twice as fast as
11:52the European Union average.
11:54The Lisbon camp amplified a protest that started in Porto, where dozens of tents were already set up as housing
12:01discontent spreads across Europe.
12:10We are here for our future, but we are also here for all the mothers, parents, and everyone else who
12:18cannot afford a place to live,
12:22and who are living with a noose around their necks.
12:28They work to survive, not to live.
12:32People work 12 hours a day, are completely exploited, and the government does nothing.
12:38The government governs in its own interests, not for the people.
12:47I think this movement needs to last as long as possible.
12:51It's the only way to make our voices heard.
12:54I am 49 years old.
12:57I make a living doing odd jobs.
12:59I earn roughly 1,000 euros a month.
13:03If I do odd jobs, that's 50 euros a day, and I can count it towards my pension.
13:10Nobody can manage to live with the burden that rent represents these days.
13:18In 2015, I was renting a one-bedroom flat mission in 20 square meters for 180 euros.
13:24That was in 2015, so it's been 11 years.
13:28Today, for 180 euros, I cannot even rent a mattress.
13:33More than 1,800 people have been arrested across France following violent demonstrations
13:39or at the cost of living, with authorities reporting clashes, looting, and arson in several cities.
13:45Interior Minister Laurent Nunes confirmed the nationwide arrest a figure on Sunday.
13:51In Paris alone, police reported 855 arrests, describing the number as a record.
13:57Prosecutors say 517 people remained in custody, including 171 minors,
14:03although the figures were still provisional as arrests continued into Sunday morning.
14:08The protests drew around 550,000 people nationwide, according to authorities,
14:15while organized and estimated participation are approximately 800,000.
14:19Meanwhile, damage was reported across the capital, where retailers estimated
14:24that around 1,500 shops and businesses had been affected nationwide,
14:30with losses potentially reaching hundreds of millions of euros.
14:40Paul Leo XIV made his first public appearance on Sunday
14:45after being discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
14:48The Holy Father addresses thousands of people in the St. Peter's Square
14:52in his first weekly Angelus prayer since leaving hospital after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
14:58During the appearance, the Supreme Pontiff announced that he will gradually resume his usual activities
15:03and express his gratitude for the prayers and show of solidarity from the faithful and healthcare workers.
15:09Let's recall that Paul Leo XIV only went surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung
15:15after a malignant tumor was detected.
15:25Anti-government protests continued in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Sunday for a sixth consecutive day,
15:32as Prime Minister Eddie Rama rejected calls for his resignation amid growing public pressure.
15:37Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Education Ministry, chanting for Rama to step down.
15:43Police later deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
15:47The demonstrations have drawn thousands of people demanding improved university conditions,
15:53lower tuition fees and stronger action against corruption.
15:58Meanwhile, concerns over police safety have prompted businesses and institutions in central Tirana
16:03to reinforce their doors and windows with metal shutters.
16:08Municipal workers have also removed paving stones from the streets to prevent them from being used
16:14as projected during possible confrontations.
16:18Despite the continued demonstrations, Rama has ruled out stepping down
16:22as protests over irrigation and corruption continue to put pressure on his government.
16:31And let's take a short break.
16:33But before we invite you to watch the new episode of our special program,
16:37Overlap Conversations from Across the World, where we will discuss Brazil at a crossroads,
16:43the 2026 election with our host Belen de los Santos and special guest Jeff Shion.
16:48Join us live through our official YouTube channel and our Telesur English Broadcast final
16:53on October 18 at 9pm Caracas time and on October 19 at 9am Beijing time.
17:00We will be right back and stay with us.
17:20Welcome back.
17:21Iran has accused Israel and the United States of destabilizing maritime security
17:26and disrupting international commercial navigation.
17:28During a meeting of the Council of Foreign Minister of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
17:34to address the region's challenges, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arashi warned
17:40that Washington is undermining the security of international commercial shipping.
17:44In this regard, the Iranian top official stressed that Tehran is maintaining diplomatic efforts
17:50to prevent an escalation of tensions and assert that the United States has disrupted the dialogue
17:56process by violating its commitments.
17:59Arashi also stated that the Israeli occupation is the root cause of regional instability due
18:04to its aggressions and illegal expansion in Palestinian territories.
18:14members of Iran's parliament have approved the appointment of Mehardad Akhlahi Katabshi
18:20as the new Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics.
18:24The official was confirmed with 237 votes in favour and 15 against out of 277 lawmakers present
18:32at the parliamentary session where the vote was held.
18:35The new minister stressed that, upon taking office, he will work to deliver a decisive and far-reaching response
18:42if the United States and Israel commit another miscalculation,
18:46assuring that those governments will bear the consequences of their aggression.
18:51Akhlahi also stated reporting the structure of the Defence Ministry and adapting it to current threats,
18:58a part of his programme, along with strengthening the resistance front.
19:08On Sunday, hundreds of Palestinians attended the funeral of 75 people whose remains were recently recovered
19:15from beneath the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli forces during the early month of Israel's Genocide Award.
19:22Gaza's civil defence reported that the remains were recovered over recent weeks in the Darash neighbourhood in northeastern Gaza City.
19:29The buildings were bombed with residents inside during the early month of the war that began in October 23,
19:36and the victims belonged to around 20 Palestinian families.
19:42In this scenario, the civil defence said efforts to recover bodies from beneath the rubble continue to face severe difficulties
19:49due to a lack of equipment and heavy machinery.
20:00In Israel, just a few days before the elections scheduled for October 27, people took to the streets in Tel
20:07Aviv to protest the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
20:10Processors condemned the war in Gaza and the sector violence targeting Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
20:17In addition, they demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take responsibility for the October 7 security failures.
20:24Netanyahu faces allegations that he ignored Egypt's warnings prior to the incursion led by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
20:32According to reports, the former head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, warned Israeli authorities about the possibility of a large
20:40-scale attack.
20:41For his part, Netanyahu denied having received such a warning,
20:45ascending that he had not meetings or contract with Kamel in the previous month.
20:55Baran hosted the ministerial session of the 9th Strategic Dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council,
21:03a meta promoting expanding trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.
21:08The dialogue seeks to maintain constructive exchange on sensitive features on the global and regional agenda.
21:13In this scenario, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed support for the ongoing peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East.
21:21On the sidelines, Lavrov met with his Saudi counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan to discuss key bilateral issues.
21:29During the talks with Gulf Cooperation Council Ministers, the Russian top diplomat stated that strengthening ties with GCC member states
21:38is a fundamental priority for Moscow diplomacy.
21:46The President of the TELASUR Multiplata Forum, Praticcia Villegas, participated in the Global South Academic Forum 2026 being held in
21:55Shanghai,
21:56an event dedicated to governance, cooperation and institutional innovation.
22:00In this scenario, Villegas recognized the resilience of the Venezuelan people in the wake of the January 3rd US invasion.
22:09I represent a triumph of life over dead.
22:12I live in a country that was invaded on January 3rd and whose president was kidnapped and we also have
22:17victims tomorrow.
22:19So being here means being a survivor and being a witness to the resilience of a huge people like the
22:25Venezuelan people,
22:26where the main headquarters of TELASUR is located.
22:30The 2026 Beijing Marathon and National Marathon Championship got underway in China's capital at 7.30 a.m. on Sunday,
22:39bringing together professional athletes and recreational runners in a combined competition.
22:43More than 265,000 people registered through online platforms for this year's event, reflecting a strong demand for participation of
22:53those applicants.
22:5432,000 runners were selected through a lottery to take part in the race.
22:59This year's main feature is the integration of the Beijing Marathon with the National Marathon Championship.
23:05Professional athletes compete for championship points and rankings, while recreational runners take on the course to pursue personal bests and
23:14complete their first marathon.
23:16The combined format brings elite competition and mass participation into a single event, expanding opportunities for runners while adding a
23:24national championship contest to one of Beijing's major sporting events.
23:34And with this information, we have come to the end of this news brief.
23:37Remember that you can find these and many other stories on our website at TelesurEnglish.net and that you can
23:42also join us on social media.
23:44We're on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok.
23:47For Telesur English, my name is Pablo Micheliche. Thank you for watching.