In a notable departure from tradition, the Icaro International Film Festival held a special ceremony at the National Palace of Culture in the capital. Elias Jimenez, the Festival’s Executive Director, revealed that the event, typically reserved for the festival’s conclusion, was moved forward for a significant purpose. The decision was influenced by the presence of delegates from the Federation of Latin American Schools of Image and Sound (FEISAL), who are currently in the country. During the ceremony, the prestigious Icaro of Honor was awarded to ‘The Utopia of the Eye and the Ear,’ a pioneering school originally led by the renowned Fernando Birri. Jimenez emphasized the profound impact of the International School of Cinema and Television (EICTV) in San Antonio de los Banos, which has been instrumental in nurturing filmmakers across Latin America through its comprehensive programs and workshops. He also highlighted the visionary role of Colombian literary giant Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose ideas have significantly contributed to the growth and dissemination of cinema in the region. The Icaro International Film Festival continues to serve as a global platform, celebrating the artistic achievements of audiovisual creators from Guatemala, Latin America, and beyond.
标签： Cuba
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Venezuelans vote in 4th National Popular Consultation (+Photos)
Angel Prado, Minister for Communes, Social Movements, and Urban Agriculture, announced that the National Electoral Council (CNE) and Community Electoral Commissions have established 9,963 polling stations across 8,630 voting centers nationwide. This extensive setup is part of the preparations for the upcoming elections, which mark the 9th electoral event of the year, including three constitutional processes. Additionally, 19,926 Electoral Commissions have been activated to oversee the smooth operation of each voting center. These commissions consist of poll members tasked with ensuring transparency and efficiency during the voting process. The elections follow grassroots assemblies where citizens submitted proposals, resulting in the selection of 36,674 projects across 5,336 Community Circuits. Among these, 10,662 projects will be presented to citizens for voting, with implementation set to begin next week. The top two projects will receive funding, with the first-place winner financed by the national government and the runners-up supported by 24 departmental governments and 335 municipalities. This initiative builds on the success of 23,000 projects approved and executed over the past 18 months, which included community financing plans and the acquisition of technological equipment for youth.
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Drone attack hits power plant east of Moscow
In a recent incident, the Shatura hydroelectric power plant in Russia was targeted by a drone attack this Sunday. While air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed several drones, some managed to breach the plant’s perimeter, igniting a fire that has since been brought under control. The governor of the region, Andrei Vorobyov, confirmed the details via his Telegram channel, emphasizing that the attack did not disrupt the electricity supply to Shatura, a city with a population of approximately 36,000.
Vorobyov highlighted the swift activation of backup power lines to ensure uninterrupted service. Additionally, mobile modular boiler units were deployed to the municipality to provide heating support until the situation stabilizes. The governor reassured the public that the head of the Shatura municipality and emergency response teams are actively managing the situation on-site, stating, ‘The situation is under control; there is no danger to residents.’
This incident follows a broader escalation in drone warfare, as the Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 75 Ukrainian attack drones over the past day. These drones were allegedly targeting multiple regions in the European part of Russia, underscoring the growing tensions in the ongoing conflict.
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Ecuadorian group affirms blockade on Cuba violates rights
In a recent communication to Alena Douhan, the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, the Ecuadorian organization CPAZ highlighted the detrimental effects of the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. The embargo, which has been in place for over six decades, has been described by CPAZ as ‘an act of genocide and the principal violation of human rights’ against the Cuban population. The group emphasized that the sanctions, particularly those reinforced between March 2024 and February 2025, severely impact essential sectors such as health, food, education, and technology access. CPAZ pointed out that these measures prevent Cuba from obtaining critical resources like medicines, medical equipment, agricultural inputs, credit, and advanced technologies. Additionally, the organization criticized the extraterritorial provisions of the Helms-Burton Act, which deter foreign investment and penalize third-country companies engaging with Cuba. The statement underscored the dire consequences for Cubans, including restricted access to cancer medications, HIV/AIDS treatments, diagnostic equipment, and surgical supplies, as international suppliers avoid trade with Cuba due to fear of U.S. sanctions.
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Restoration of Ernesto Guevara Museum Progresses in Cuba
At a site declared a National Monument in 1990, restoration teams are diligently working across various sections, with primary focus on repairing train cars and constructing a protective wall to mitigate the impact of a nearby river. This unique location, designed by the acclaimed Cuban architect Jose Delarra, commemorates the derailment and capture of an armored train by Che Guevara’s troops in December 1958 during the Battle of Santa Clara—a decisive moment in the Cuban Revolution. The military convoy, laden with soldiers and weapons, was en route to reinforce dictator Batista’s troops in eastern Cuba but was intercepted by Che’s forces, altering the course of history. Lilian Laura Rodriguez, the museum’s director, highlighted the collaborative efforts of local entities, including Cuban Railways, the Institute of Hydraulic Resources, and the Provincial Directorate of Culture, in addressing the site’s primary challenges. The restoration plan aims to complete the first two train cars by December 29, marking the 67th anniversary of the historic event. Despite ongoing restoration work on planters, paving stones, and other sculptural elements like columns and pedestals, the museum remains open to the public, offering a glimpse into Cuba’s revolutionary past.
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Israel arrests dozens of Palestinians after raids in the West Bank
In a series of coordinated operations across the West Bank, Israeli forces have arrested 55 individuals in Beit Ummar, located in the southern Hebron Governorate, alongside nine arrests in Nablus and one in Tulkarm. Concurrently, a military checkpoint was established in the village of Al-Mughayyir, where soldiers conducted extensive vehicle searches, leading to significant traffic disruptions. These actions come amid a surge in violent incidents involving Jewish settlers targeting Palestinian communities, exacerbating existing tensions in the region. Palestinian sources report that extremist settlers carried out 766 attacks against Palestinians in October alone. The situation further intensified yesterday when Israeli forces killed two young men in Kafr Aqab, a town north of occupied East Jerusalem. According to the NGO Defense for Children Palestine, over fifty Palestinian children have lost their lives due to Israeli fire since the start of the year, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the territory.
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Demonstration in Bologna against Israeli crimes in Gaza
The historic Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, the capital of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, became the epicenter of a fervent protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Demonstrators, armed with Palestinian flags and impassioned slogans, marched through the city streets, as reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano. The protest, fueled by outrage over the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza—which have reportedly claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives—quickly escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement. Police deployed water cannons and charged at the protesters, who retaliated by hurling firecrackers, stones, and bottles. The streets between Via Lame, Via Marconi, Ugo Bassi, and Piazza Malpighi transformed into chaotic battlegrounds, with makeshift barricades intensifying the conflict. The clashes left eight police officers injured and 15 demonstrators under investigation. Meanwhile, the city center remained tense late into the night, with a heavy police presence working to restore order and prevent further escalation. The protest coincided with a scheduled Euroleague basketball game at the Paladozza sports center, where authorities had stationed a significant police force to block demonstrators from reaching the venue.
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Bolsonaro arrested in Brazil after Supreme Court Justice’s decision
In a landmark ruling, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for orchestrating a coup conspiracy following his defeat in the 2022 general elections. The decision, announced on September 11, found Bolsonaro guilty of multiple charges, including organized crime, coup d’etat, and the abolition of democratic rule. Only one of the five justices dissented in the First Chamber’s verdict. Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, had been under house arrest since August 4 for violating precautionary measures and was subsequently transferred to the Federal Police headquarters in the Federal District. His legal team has appealed the decision, arguing that the conviction was based on insufficient evidence and contradictions in the ruling. They also maintain that Bolsonaro had no direct involvement in the alleged crimes. Despite the appeal, the former president’s defense has not yet exhausted all legal avenues to challenge or reduce the sentence. The ruling specifically targets Bolsonaro and does not affect others convicted in connection with the violent post-election plot.
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Gaza’s health system has collapsed due to Israeli aggression
The healthcare system in Gaza is facing an unprecedented crisis, as described by Munir Al-Barsh, the Director General of the Ministry of Health in the Palestinian coastal enclave. With a population exceeding two million, Gaza’s hospitals are grappling with severe shortages of essential resources, including medicines and medical supplies. Al-Barsh revealed that 84% of basic medicines and 40% of emergency medicines are unavailable, while the lack of medical supplies has surpassed 71%. Critical items such as gauze and medical solutions are in critically short supply, with reserves expected to last only a month. This scarcity is severely impeding the delivery of primary healthcare services. Additionally, the healthcare infrastructure is collapsing due to inconsistent fuel supplies, which are essential for powering health facilities. Communications systems have failed, and laboratories are nearly entirely shut down. Despite a recent truce and Israel’s commitment to allow aid, only five trucks carrying medical supplies enter Gaza weekly—a starkly insufficient amount to address the dire needs of the population. The situation underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent a full-scale humanitarian disaster.
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Uruguayan workers express job dissatisfaction
A comprehensive report on the Workplace Happiness Index, jointly presented by consulting firm SSOL, the Montevideo Institute of Business Studies, and professional services firm CPA Ferrere, sheds light on employee satisfaction levels across various industries. Conducted between June and July this year, the study surveyed 3,284 professionals and examined multiple dimensions of workplace well-being. The findings reveal that 42% of workers report moderate happiness, while only 5% achieve optimal job satisfaction. Alarmingly, 47% of employees are actively seeking new job opportunities. The research identifies critical factors influencing employee happiness, including work flexibility, adequate days off, workplace infrastructure, camaraderie, and effective teamwork. These insights underscore the importance of fostering a supportive and adaptable work environment to enhance employee retention and productivity.