MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Stories for October 23rd 2026
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Friday, October 23rd 2026 - 18:19 UTC
The Pope cancels a visit to Assisi as a medical precaution, two weeks before his South American tour
Pope Leo XIV has cancelled a visit planned for Tuesday, October 27, to Assisi, in central Italy, after his doctors advised against helicopter travel so soon after the lung surgery he underwent on October 13. It is the first engagement on his schedule to be called off since the operation, two weeks before the start of his tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
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Friday, October 23rd 2026 - 10:25 UTC
US confirms concern over the impact of Argentina’s Falklands bill on its companies
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau acknowledged in Buenos Aires on Thursday that Washington is closely watching the impact that Argentina’s National Sovereignty Defence bill, which toughens sanctions against those involved in hydrocarbon exploitation in the Falklands, could have on its companies. Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno defended the initiative.
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Friday, October 23rd 2026 - 10:13 UTC
Lula and Bolsonaro agree to open their bank and phone records days before the runoff
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro signed an agreement at the Superior Electoral Court on Thursday to simultaneously lift the secrecy of their bank, tax and phone records, and those of relatives and linked companies, three days before Sunday’s presidential runoff. Release of the data now depends on a decision by Judge André Mendonça, the case rapporteur.
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Friday, October 23rd 2026 - 10:02 UTC
Lula and Bolsonaro chase non-voters in the final stretch of Brazil’s campaign
Two days before Brazil’s presidential runoff, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are focusing their final efforts on the same target: the roughly 33 million voters who stayed away in the first round. With polls showing a statistical tie and just 1% or 2% undecided, mobilising those who stayed at home on October 4 could decide the outcome.
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Friday, October 23rd 2026 - 09:48 UTC
Sanders and Democratic lawmakers ask Meta to explain alleged favouritism towards Bolsonaro
US Senator Bernie Sanders and 11 other Democratic lawmakers on Thursday asked Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg to explain the alleged unequal treatment by Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp of the campaigns of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who face each other on Sunday in Brazil’s presidential runoff.
