- 12 minutes ago
21/10/2026
FTS 14.30
*Candidate Lula Da Silva leads rally ahead of runoff.
*U.S. National Debt reaches historic $40.4 trillion record.
teleSUR
FTS 14.30
*Candidate Lula Da Silva leads rally ahead of runoff.
*U.S. National Debt reaches historic $40.4 trillion record.
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NewsTranscript
00:11Cuba accuses the United States of pressuring governments to influence an upcoming
00:16United Nations vote on the economic blockade against the island.
00:24In Brazil, President and re-election candidate Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva led a massive rally
00:30in Juazeiro ahead of the presidential runoff schedule for October 25th.
00:41The United States national debt reached a historic record of $40.4 trillion, with Treasury
00:46figures projecting it will surpass 120% of GDP within a decade.
00:58Hello and welcome to From the South, I'm Alejandra Garcia from Telesur Studios in Caracas, Venezuela.
01:03We begin with the news, so stay with us.
01:19During a press conference, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced extreme pressure and
01:24coercion from the United States' director at governments ahead of the upcoming United Nations
01:29vote against the economic blockade.
01:31Rodríguez stated that the US State Department has instructed global embassies to pressure nations
01:37into voting against the resolution or abstaining.
01:40According to the official, these directives include threats of sanctions, visa denials and
01:46secondary economic penalties affecting international trade.
01:50In this context, Rodríguez maintained that the energy blockade and related restrictions are
01:56intentionally designed to generate hardship and destabilize the country,
02:01describing these actions as political coercion against sovereign states.
02:14They seek to alter and divert the attention of the essential.
02:20And the essential is that a military, nuclear, economic, technological superpower commits an
02:27act of act of genocide typified in the Geneva Convention, brutally violates international law,
02:48international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and constitutes a massive flagrant
02:55systematic violation of the human rights of all Cubans.
03:03Cuban Foreign Minister also denounced that the United States' blockade causes intentional
03:08humanitarian damage designed to destabilize the country and generate hardships for the Cuban families.
03:18They intend to blame the Cuban government for the humanitarian damage caused by the blockade.
03:27It is not in any way, as the US government sometimes calls it, collateral damage.
03:40These are planned damages designed specifically to destabilize the country
03:49by generating suffering and despair to Cuban families.
03:53They also contain the lie that the U.S. blockade is legal and that it allows trade with Cuba in
04:02third countries.
04:21In Brazil, President and re-election candidate, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva,
04:26led a massive rally in Juazeiro in the state of Bahia, organized in support of his candidacy ahead of the
04:32presidential runoff, scheduled for October 25th.
04:35The event took place amidst a strong popular mobilization from support from allied political forces,
04:43consolidating the President's presence in northeast Brazil.
04:47The rally was attended by the Governor of Bahia, a large group of political leaders from the state,
04:52and the President of the Brazilian Socialist Party.
04:56With this rally, Lula da Silva is intensifying his election campaign,
05:00a made a race against far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, ahead of the second round of elections.
05:14Also in Brazil, far-right presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro
05:19gathered supporters in Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas state, at a campaign event just days before the runoff election,
05:27in which he will face President Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election.
05:31The rally was part of the Bolsonaro's strategy to gain an advantage ahead of the runoff in a highly polarized
05:38Brazilian political landscape.
05:40His visit to the Amazonas capital aims to solidify his voter base in an area that is important for its
05:47demographic significance,
05:49and its symbolic importance in the discussions about development, the environment, and public management.
05:55However, Bolsonaro's presence evokes critical episodes experienced by the city during his father's administration,
06:03when patients died due to a lack of medical oxygen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
06:18Also with the decisive vote approaching in Brazil, the presidential race has tied into a visual tie.
06:24The latest Quest poll shows Flavio Bolsonaro at 45% and Luis Inázo Lula da Silva at 44%.
06:32Amid the narrowing gap, Lula has unveiled key social initiatives, including an expansion of Bolsa Familia
06:39and free weekend public transport.
06:41For the full details from Rio de Janeiro, Belén de los Santos has the details.
06:46Hello, studios, exactly here from Rio de Janeiro.
06:49One of the main news of the week is this new poll, the Quest poll.
06:53It is actually one of the polls that many analysts are following because it's one of the most prestigious.
06:59And it came out today and it's showing a difference of just one point between Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula da
07:06Silva.
07:06Flavio Bolsonaro is standing at 45% according to this latest data and Luis Inázo Lula da Silva at 44%.
07:14This continues a trend in which this gap has been more and more narrow as the days go by.
07:22Some of the key things that have been happening for the campaign, particularly on the side of Luis Inázo Lula
07:29da Silva,
07:30that we have to keep in mind for this week in particular.
07:33We have an increase in the Bolsa Familia plan.
07:37Let's recall that this is a very important plan that is constantly actualized
07:42and it benefits those most vulnerable with the basics that they need for everyday life.
07:49It's an important plan, particularly for the government of Luis Inázo Lula da Silva,
07:53and really just a flagship project overall in terms of social needs and social benefits.
08:00Then we had this proposal of President Lula da Silva as well to open all banks' secrecy,
08:07so to lift it so that all information for the past eight years for him and his family would be
08:13out in the open
08:14as long as Flavio Bolsonaro was willing to do the same.
08:18This is a proactive measure in order to propose to the entire population,
08:23amid accusations of corruption on one side or the other, that the president has nothing to hide.
08:30And of course, pushing the candidate of Bolsonaro into a corner to see if he, who has been speaking,
08:37for example, in the last debate about the corruption of the Workers' Party, if he is willing to do the
08:42same.
08:43So, another point that might have an important impact in the public's opinion.
08:48And finally, today, a proposal that had been announced before,
08:52the constitutional amendment to free transport, public transportation during the weekends,
08:59and the impact that that could have as well.
09:01Again, in the most vulnerable sectors, particularly those who need that possibility in order to enjoy
09:08in the weekend their rest, their time, just as they can now enjoy those two paid rest days
09:15after the six times one scale of labor was abolished with the constitutional amendment that was passed last week.
09:23So, major news and the key is, how is this impacting on the population?
09:28And how will this continue with this trend continuing to close the gap between the candidates?
09:34And we'll see, of course, the results on October 25th.
09:38I go back to you now.
09:40Thank you, Belén. And now we have a short break coming up.
09:43But first, remember, you can join us on TikTok at The Lessard English,
09:47where you'll find news in different formats, news updates, and much more.
09:52We'll be right back, so don't go away.
10:07Welcome back to From the South.
10:08The United States national debt has reached a historic record of $40.4 trillion,
10:14following a surge of nearly $400 billion in just two months. Treasury Department figures
10:19indicate that the national debt is projected to surpass 120% of U.S. gross domestic product
10:25within the next decade. The federal government now spends approximately $970 billion annually
10:32solidly on debt interest payments, an amount that exceeds its total national defence budget.
10:38Financial analysts at the Peterson Institute for International Economics warned that without
10:43structural fiscal reforms, total debt could reach $50 trillion in six years, severely straining
10:50public finances and eroding resources for social spending.
11:02Thousands of protesters in Portugal voted as well on Wednesday to rebuild housing camps in Lisbon and
11:07other cities, defying police interventions that led to 55 arrests. Law enforcement authorities
11:12confiscated tents and clear protest sites in Lisbon and Porto without advance notice. Citing a 1974 Public Assembly law,
11:22organizers stated that the demonstrations remained peaceful and announced plans for coordinated actions,
11:28including a proposed general strike regarding housing costs. In this context, the protests target housing
11:36on affordability, rising rents and foreign property investment, which demonstrators argue have restricted housing access across the country.
11:53I think that it is non-negotiable for people to have a place to live and feel safe, where they
11:59can be at peace with their families.
12:00Our homes are where we wield our peace and our emotional safety. At this point, it is all big circus.
12:08I think lives have reached such a limit, dehumanization has reached such a limit,
12:13cruelty has reached such a limit, all limits were passed.
12:20I think that in Lisbon, as in several European capitals, but perhaps here more than in other places,
12:26the cost of housing became a prohibitive thing for most people, not just for young people. It reached a
12:32ridiculous level. I think people are just showing their discontent in a democratic manner.
12:43The UK public debt also exceeded £3 trillion, about $4 trillion for the first time, reaching £3,005
12:51trillion at the end of September 2026. According to the British National Statistics Office, the figure
12:58equals 94% of the country's gross domestic product and exceeds by £91,700 million, about $122 billion
13:08than the level reported a year earlier. Meanwhile, net public sector debt, which reflects the budget
13:15deficit reached of £24,500 million in September, exceeding official forecasts by £1,900 million. The
13:29rise in global borrowing costs and UK inflation, which surged to 3.5% in September, drastically reduced
13:37the government's fiscal manoeuvring room, forecasting possible tax adjustments or restraints on public
13:52spending. The French government imposed nighttime restrictions and stepped up police presence
13:58in several cities following the riots that occurred during protests against the high cost of living
14:03and the deterioration of public services. The measures include localised curfews in parts of Paris and
14:10other cities, as well as restrictions on demonstrations. The government announced a larger deployment of
14:16security forces in anticipation of new protests. According to official figures, nearly 2,400 people
14:23were arrested and almost 1,000 security officers were injured. Meanwhile, more than 3,000 businesses were
14:30damaged or looted during a day of protests that brought together hundreds of thousands of people across the country.
14:43And Greece also joined the wave of youth protests sweeping through Europe to demand the right to decent
14:48housing, with thousands of tents set up by students in Athens, iconic Stintagma Square and the Thessaloniki.
14:56The protest calls for fair rents, a larger budget for public education, and an end to real estate
15:02speculation and touristification, which affect thousands of young people across the continent. To contain the
15:08and also monitor the protests scheduled for this Wednesday, Greek authorities deployed more than 3,000
15:15police officers, while the primary school teachers union joined the protest with a 24-hour strike to
15:22demand 20% salary increases and housing assistance for transfer teachers. The demands were joined by about
15:2820 students' associations calling for more public housing and affordable electricity rates.
15:41And then we have a second show break coming up. Before, we want to invite you to visit our Facebook
15:46page
15:46at Telesur English that you'll be able to watch our top stories, special life coverage and much more. Follow our
15:53page, also activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
15:58We'll be right back, so don't go away.
16:26Welcome back to From the South.
16:28The United Nations humanitarian agencies warned that incoming winter rains are severely worsening
16:33living conditions in Gaza, where nearly 2 million people urgently require safe shelter. United
16:39Nations relief officials confirmed that persistent disrelease restrictions on construction materials,
16:45acute international funding shortages and continuous force displacements have trapped hundreds of thousands
16:51of families in fragile weather-damaged tents. Humanitarian groups also warned that over
16:574,000 heavily damaged buildings across the Gaza Strip face immediate collapse, urging an end to
17:03blockade restrictions to allow reinforced shelter materials into the enclaves as the population faces
17:10systemic conditions of displacement and extermination under Israeli occupation.
17:21Also, the United Nations has warned that nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza face
17:28severe flood risks as winter weather approaches. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
17:35reported that over 400,000 people are in high-risk zones with nearly 300,000 families requiring
17:43urgent shelter assistance. Current relief inventories cover only 18% of those affected,
17:50while over 60% of temporary returns across these place camps are severely damaged. The severe weather
17:56vulnerability coincides with critical cuts to United Nations food assistance and ongoing blockade
18:02restrictions on basic emergency supplies into the territory.
18:12Also in Palestine, the food situation in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate,
18:17with citizens facing higher prices, less availability of products, the dishonest blockade,
18:22and cuts to humanitarian aid. According to the United Nations World Food Programme,
18:26lack of funding forced a reduction in aid from 1.6 million people in September to 1.1 million in
18:33October,
18:34in addition to reducing the distribution of rations and hot meals. In this regard,
18:39the temporary suspension of commercial shipments also limited access to basic foods,
18:43such as eggs and milk. The agency warns that nearly 1.4 million people face severe food insecurity,
18:50while concerns about the health and nutrition of Palestinian children are growing.
19:05Also, eight fishermen were killed in Yemen following targeted airstrikes attributed to Saudi
19:10coalition forces off the coast of the East Province. Local authorities reported that Saudi aircraft
19:16launched a double-tabbed airstrike against two fishing vessels targeting survivors as they
19:22attempted to escape on a secondary boat. The Red Sea Fisheries Authority condemned the bombardment,
19:28emphasizing that the victims were unarmed civilian workers. The attack comes amid a renewed military
19:34escalation, with Ansar Allah reporting 93 aerial and missile strikes across eight Germany provinces
19:41in a 24-hour period affecting civilian populations.
19:52In other informations, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
19:5815.9 million people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, despite improved rainfall and
20:04agricultural production. In this regard, poverty, the high cost of inputs and limitations in health and
20:10nutrition services prevent millions of families from accessing food. Projections warrant that the
20:16number could rise to 19.2 million people during the winter, while cases of child malnutrition are
20:23rising and nearly one-third of nutritional care centres have closed or suspended their services.
20:28Given this scenario, humanitarian organisations are urging strengthening of immediate aid and the
20:34promotion of sustainable solutions to restore the population's livelihoods.
20:47In the meantime, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially launched Tafog TV, a new regional broadcast
20:53network created by the Alliance of Sahel States with Russian backing. Broadcasting from Bamako in French and
21:00native languages including Bambara, Hausa, Moray and Fulfulani. The joint network aims to establish
21:07information sovereignty across the Sahel Confederation and counter Western media narratives. Directed by
21:14veteran journalist Salif Sanogo, Tafog TV provides new coverage, geopolitical analysis and fact-checking
21:22programming. The station operates under a strategic partnership with Russian public media for technical
21:28exchange and journalistic training representing a key milestone in the anti-neocolonial media
21:34architecture being built by the Sahel states.
21:43And with these informations we have come to the end of this news brief. Remember you can find
21:48this and many other stories on our website at telesurenglish.net. Also join us on social media,
21:54we are on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and of course TikTok. I'm Telesurenglish. I'm Alejandra Garcia. Thank you for watching.
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