HAVANA TIMES – We bring you some of the top international news stories compiled by Democracy Now on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Netanyahu Moves to Fully Lock Down West Bank Ahead of Israeli Elections
Oct 23, 2026
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered preparations for a full lockdown of the occupied West Bank and the complete closure of the city of Hebron. Earlier today, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians who had reportedly shot five Israeli soldiers near an illegal settlement. Two of the Israeli soldiers died. After the attack, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for Israel to restrict the movement of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank.
Itamar Ben-Gvir: “Their movements on the road should be stopped. We must stop allowing them from driving on the roads of Judea and Samaria. The lives of our residents of Judea and Samaria, of our citizens, our soldiers, our police officers and our fighters, are a million times more important than the freedom of movement.”
This comes amid escalating attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the run-up to Tuesday’s elections in Israel. Israeli troops conducted raids across the West Bank today, detaining dozens of Palestinians. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities detained 11 foreign activists Thursday after participating in a Palestinian olive harvest in the West Bank. On Wednesday, Israeli forces briefly detained 80 rabbis, volunteers and activists accompanying Palestinian farmers. Those detained included New York congressional candidate Brad Lander.
As Trump Threatens New Strikes, U.S. Ambassador Says Iran War Could Last Another Year
Oct 23, 2026
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has told the Financial Times that the U.S. war on Iran could last another year. This comes as President Trump has threatened to launch new strikes on Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that overthrowing Iran’s government remains Israel’s “primary objective.” A senior Iranian official told Drop Site News that Tehran’s latest intelligence assessment indicates a high likelihood that the U.S. and Israel could launch a large-scale bombing campaign before Tuesday’s Israeli elections.
Study: European Heat Waves Killed 50,000 in 2026 as Toll of Climate Crisis Grows
Oct 23, 2026
In climate news, a new study finds this year’s summer heat waves in Europe killed a staggering 50,000 people, with climate change responsible for two-thirds of the deaths. The study looked at deaths in 854 cities, but not deaths that occurred in rural areas, meaning the actual death toll is likely far higher.
French Student Union Denounces Macron Ban on “Illegitimate” Protests
Oct 23, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron has banned what he called “illegitimate” demonstrations across France following weeks of student-led protests. Macron said the ban extends to all demonstrations not organized by unions. France’s main student union blasted Macron’s order, saying, “Macron is trampling upon the freedom to protest in our country, and is spitting on the values of the republic he claims to defend.”
On Thursday, students rallied in Paris after being given last-minute approval to protest.
Lao: “It’s important, because if we give in to pressure, if we give in to fear, unfortunately, we won’t achieve anything. That’s why today we need to mobilize. We must not give up, because, for the moment, we’re not being listened to, and we will carry on until we’re heard.”
Serbia: 150,000 Rally in Student-Led Protest Ahead of Sunday’s Election
Oct 23, 2026
In Serbia, about 150,000 protesters demonstrated in Belgrade in a student-led rally against longtime Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić. On Sunday, Serbia will hold parliamentary elections that could decide whether Vučić’s ruling party keeps control. The student movement is running 250 candidates in the election. At Thursday’s rally, protesters decried the Serbian government.
Bogdan Pavković: “It means changing of this awful, horrendous system, which cheats on us, which spies on us, which beats us. We want to support healthy bases like love, compassion. We want to have a normal economy, normal education to support all the values which will grow us together in the future.”
Students Lead Protests in Indonesia over Economic Crisis & Forest Fires
Oct 23, 2026
In Indonesia, student-led protests over unemployment, rising fuel costs and forest fires are continuing. On Thursday, hundreds of students rallied in Banjarmasin, which has been blanketed by haze from fires.
Rizky: “What we’re seeing today is a reflection of the fact that our anger has reached its peak.”
Press Crackdown in Egypt: Mada Masr Editor Lina Attalah Referred to Trial
Oct 23, 2026
The Egyptian government is escalating its crackdown on press freedom. On Thursday, the prominent independent journalist Lina Attalah was referred to trial on charges of operating a website without a license. Attalah is the editor-in-chief of the news site Mada Masr. She was questioned by prosecutors for six hours earlier this week. This comes just weeks after Egyptian authorities arrested six journalists at the investigative media platform Matsadaash, detaining the entire newsroom.
Elon Musk Invests $1 Billion in Skydance, Threatens Democratic Lawmakers
Oct 23, 2026
Elon Musk has invested about $1 billion in Skydance, the massive entertainment and media conglomerate. Earlier this month, Paramount Skydance completed its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing CBS, CNN, HBO, Paramount+ and other major media properties under the same ownership. Skydance CEO David Ellison and his father Larry are major supporters of President Trump.
This comes at a time when Elon Musk has spent $366 million in the current election cycle to help Republicans. On Wednesday, Musk posted a warning to Democratic lawmakers who are threatening to investigate him if they gain control of Congress after the midterms. Musk wrote on his social media platform X, “Live by the sword, die by the sword. Those who pick fights with me should understand that I will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets…”
Book Claims Saudi and Emirati Leaders Set Up Secret Bank Accounts for Jared Kushner
Oct 23, 2026
Image Credit: Daniel Torok
Vanity Fair has published an excerpt from a forthcoming book about Jared Kushner alleging that Saudi and Emirati leaders secretly put at least $2 billion into bank accounts for Kushner after he promised to push their agenda with President Trump, his father-in-law. Journalist Matthew Cole reports Dutch spies learned of the secret arrangement after hacking into Kushner’s iPhone. Cole also reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged Kushner to deposit some of the money in the Israeli central bank. Kushner denied the report, saying, “The allegations made by this author are completely insane, categorically false, and never happened.”
NYT: Justice Department Investigates Ex-DHS Adviser Corey Lewandowski
Oct 23, 2026
Image Credit: Grzegorz Wajda / SOPA Images via Reuters Connect
The New York Times is reporting the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski. Sources told the paper the probe is investigating whether he profited from his role as a top adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Ecuador: Opposition Leader Arrested in Noboa’s Widening Crackdown on Left
Oct 23, 2026
In Ecuador, former leftist presidential candidate Luisa González has been arrested on alleged campaign financing irregularities. González is an ally of former President Rafael Correa. She denied the accusations as “absurd” and said they were politically motivated. Her arrest comes amid intensifying attacks on the opposition by the government of right-wing, Trump-backed Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. This is the head of the leftist Citizens’ Revolution party.
Gabriela Rivadeneira: “What has just occurred is part of a systematic campaign to try to silence opposition voices in this country. A dictatorship is being established in this country, in Ecuador, promoted by the permanent breakdown of the rule of law, the breakdown of the democratic system.”
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Cuba Accuses U.S. of Threatening to Punish Nations Who Support U.N. Resolution Against Embargo
Oct 23, 2026
Cuba has accused the Trump administration of threatening countries with tariffs, travel restrictions and other retaliatory sanctions to pressure them into voting against an upcoming United Nations resolution demanding the U.S. lift its decadeslong economic embargo on Cuba. For decades, a majority of the U.N. General Assembly has opposed the economic blockade. This is Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla: “These methods of pressure include the threat of imposing punitive tariffs; the suspension of cooperation programs; the denial of visas to government officials, their family members and their children; support for forces opposed to the respective governments; the threat of encouraging overthrow or subversion; interference in election processes; and the threat of politically destabilizing those countries.”
ICE Agents Filmed Trying to Rip Toddlers from Guatemalan Father’s Arms in Providence
Oct 23, 2026
In Providence, Rhode Island, anger is mounting after a video went viral showing ICE agents attempting to arrest a Guatemalan father as he held his two distraught toddlers in his arms. Two agents are seen repeatedly trying to rip the two young children from their father. The man, who has only identified himself as Sebastian, said he was taking his young children to their babysitter before heading to work in construction.
A woman recording the video is heard confronting the agents, asking them for a warrant. One of the agents threatened to pepper-spray her, screaming in her face that she needed to stay at least 25 feet away.
The agents ultimately let the man go, telling him to report to ICE in a few days or they would arrest his entire family. Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley said in a statement, “Where is our humanity? How is this keeping anyone safe?”
Pentagon OKs Testing Heat Ray Weapon on Migrants Along U.S.-Mexico Border
Oct 23, 2026
CNN reports the Pentagon has authorized the Department of Homeland Security to test a nonlethal “heat ray” for potential use on migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed the memo last month, allowing DHS to test the military-grade weapon. The so-called Active Denial System shoots an invisible energy beam that reportedly causes a burning sensation that penetrates the skin. Its electromagnetic waves can reach more than half a mile away. The U.S. military briefly deployed the heat ray weapon to Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago but never used it in combat.
DOJ Charges Virginia Senate Leader, Louise Lucas
Oct 23, 2026
Image Credit: Facebook/L. Louise Lucas
The Trump administration has charged one of the most powerful Democratic lawmakers in Virginia with racketeering and money laundering conspiracy in connection to a cannabis business she co-owns with family members. Six other people were indicted, as well.
Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas serves as president pro tempore in the Virginia Senate. She is the first woman and first African American to hold that position. Lucas has also been a vocal critic of President Trump.
In recent years, the Trump administration has targeted numerous high-profile Black women, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia and New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver.
Polling Firm Admits It Fabricated Polls
Oct 23, 2026
A polling firm cited by major news outlets has admitted it fabricated its data. Wedgewood Polls made the admission after the polling website FiftyPlusOne raised questions about its polls. It remains unclear who was behind Wedgewood. In a statement, the firm said it released fake polls to “demonstrate the vulnerabilities, lack of oversight, and overall low barrier to entry in the modern political polling industry.” The fake polls may have affected real political races. In June, Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the race shortly after a fake Wedgewood poll suggested her support was plummeting. McMorrow said the fake poll “killed” her campaign.