The October report “Economic Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean,” presented by the World Bank, warns that Bolivia could end 2026 with a 2.8 % drop in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the organization, this would make it the nation with the most pronounced economic contraction in Latin America and the Caribbean, “in a scenario marked by the macroeconomic stabilization process and the shift in its economic policy,” the report states.

The data places Bolivia “last among the economies of the region and further deteriorates the outlook compared to the previous estimate.” However, the World Bank projects that the Bolivian economy will experience a partial recovery in 2027, although it will still be in negative territory, with a projected contraction of 1.7 %.

The country has yet to stabilize in the face of changes in economic policy compared to the model implemented in recent years. In this regard, the World Bank notes that “since the end of 2025, Bolivian authorities have reduced fuel subsidies and tightened monetary policy as part of measures aimed at addressing accumulated imbalances.”

On the other hand, in the middle of this year, the nation adopted a flexible exchange rate regime. However, “pressures on international reserves, the foreign exchange market, public finances, and fuel supplies persist, problems that have forced the government to implement adjustment measures as it seeks to restore macroeconomic stability.”

M.Pino

Source: xinhuanet

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La entrada World Bank warns Bolivia’s GDP could fall 2.8 % apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Mexican health authorities announced the authorization of lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The medication is long-acting and will be administered via subcutaneous injection twice a year.

The drug’s registration was confirmed last week by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), which indicated that an analysis of the available evidence regarding its quality, safety, and efficacy was conducted.

Similar alternatives are already being used in other countries such as Brazil and the United States, as well as in the members of the European Union, “which have this alternative for preventing HIV infection, according to the health organization.”

An alternative to previous medical regimens

Health authorities emphasize that lenacapavir represents “a new option compared to PrEP regimens that require daily doses or more frequent injections, a feature that could facilitate adherence to preventive strategies.”

The alternative was proposed in July of last year by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting “its potential for people who have difficulty maintaining daily treatments or face barriers such as stigma or frequent access to health services.” In June of the same year, the drug was authorized by the FDA in the United States.

M.Pino

Source: dw

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La entrada Mexico to implement semiannual HIV prevention injection apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The presidential and legislative elections in Haiti, initially scheduled for December 13 of this year, were suspended without a new date being announced by the Provisional Electoral Council.

The country is facing a severe security crisis and institutional instability that are once again affecting the electoral processes.

All processes related to the elections have been suspended. The decision was made last week after consultations with political actors and modifications to the electoral decree by the Council of Ministers.

The Provisional Electoral Council indicated that the electoral campaign for the first and second rounds is suspended, but the voter registration process continues. They are working on a new timeline that will incorporate the modifications made to the aforementioned decree, “in addition to the technical and operational requirements necessary to organize the elections.”

M.Pino

With information from france24 and other national and international media outlets

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La entrada Presidential and legislative elections in Haiti without a definitive date apareció primero en Bitfinance.

During the first half of 2026, Spanish companies invested €13.232 billion abroad, expanding their focus to the United States and the United Kingdom as their main destinations.

In their aim to attract foreign capital, Spanish companies are concentrating on areas such as financial services, food, and telecommunications, which, according to recent estimates, account for 33 %, 19 %, and 15 % of their investments, respectively.

“In the first half of 2026, gross Spanish investment abroad reached €13.232 billion, 13.2 % more than in the same period of 2025,” according to the latest data from the Foreign Investment Registry of the State Secretariat for Trade.

The United States leads the way in foreign investment, followed by the United Kingdom and Australia. The position of the first two is not circumstantial. “In terms of accumulated stock, the Ministry projected that in 2024 the United States would be the main destination for Spanish investment, with 16 % of the total, and the United Kingdom with another 14 %. Latin America accounted for another 30 %, which paints a picture of a foreign investment portfolio with a strong Anglo-Saxon and Latin American component.”

Behind Spanish investment abroad are large business groups and companies with the capacity to operate internationally, “especially in financial, industrial, and energy activities,” which includes the insurance and manufacturing sectors.

M.Pino

Source: economia3

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La entrada Spanish companies’ investment abroad reaches €13.232 billion apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The growth in oil refining capacity for the period 2026-2030 is estimated at 4.2 million barrels per day, with 95 % concentrated in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

This trend would be supported by increased demand for refined products, although current projects must be taken into account.

BloombergNEF’s projections could materialize during the second half of this decade, “after the decline recorded last year.” The estimated figure is “well above the projected growth in demand for refined products and would represent a trend reversal after several years of moderation in new capacity and high levels of facility closures.”

In this scenario, excess capacity could intensify, boosting competition and putting downward pressure on utilization rates and refining margins, particularly at less competitive facilities.

Africa and Asia-Pacific account for 95 % of global net growth

Both regions are leading the growth in refining capacity through 2030, a phenomenon driven by “stronger demand prospects, import substitution strategies,” and significant investment in export-oriented facilities and integrated complexes with the petrochemical industry.

Short-term growth appears largely robust. China and India account for 71% of the total new capacity planned for 2026 and 2027; most of these projects are already operational or under construction. The downside is the decreasing visibility as the decade progresses, “since a larger proportion of the capacity planned for 2028-2030 is still in the early stages of development, increasing the risk of delays and cancellations.”

Global energy outlook

Differences are emerging in the global trade flows of crude oil and refined products. For example, China faces a supply glut that could drive a new wave of consolidation among smaller, independent facilities. Meanwhile, India and Africa are expanding their capacity to achieve greater self-sufficiency. In contrast, the European and US markets could face further refinery closures.

The Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the flow of goods from refineries in the region, as well as raw materials from the Persian Gulf, impacting refined product markets and shifting the competitive advantage toward refineries in the Atlantic Basin. The ongoing conflict with Iran reinforces the need to strengthen storage capacity and focus attention on pipelines and logistical infrastructure.

M.Pino

Source: elperiodicodelaenergia

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La entrada Global refining capacity to grow by 4.2 Mb/d between 2026 and 2030 apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The U.S. Air Force, in collaboration with Australia, conducted the first test of the new HACM hypersonic missile to evaluate its performance under realistic conditions.

During the test, the missile was launched for the first time over an Australian test range to gather crucial data on its performance. “The goal is to decide in 2027 whether to initiate accelerated acquisition of the missiles.”

Regarding the device, it is known to be equipped with a subjet engine and capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 5. “The missile will carry a conventional warhead and can be launched from bombers such as the B-52H Stratofortress and, in the future, the B-21 Raider and the B-52J Stratofortress, to precisely attack high-value, heavily defended targets from a safe distance.”

The project has experienced substantial delays, and although the first test has already been conducted, further processes will be necessary before the purchase, expected next year, can be authorized.

M.Pino

Source: actualidad-rt

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Supreme Decree 018-2026-MINEDU, from the Ministry of Education of Peru, officially prohibits the use of cell phones in private and public schools throughout the country.

The restriction covers Regular, Special, and Alternative Basic Education modalities during pedagogical activities and seeks to protect children’s mental health, prevent cyberbullying, and improve academic performance.

The Decree establishes exceptions and the safekeeping of devices in schools. Although “the regulations prohibit the use of cell phones inside and outside classrooms, even at scheduled school events,” there are “specific exceptions for emergencies, duly documented health conditions, and pedagogical projects in secondary education. In the latter case, the teacher in charge must authorize the use of the device within the curriculum.”

Educational institutions must incorporate this measure into their regulations and comply with the specifications related to the protection and safeguarding of students’ devices in a designated storage area. It is clearly specified that “teaching staff are strictly prohibited from reviewing students’ personal files or content.”

Failure to comply with the decree will result in corrective measures with a formative approach, without resorting to humiliating treatment.

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Source: puntodecorte

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La entrada Peru bans cell phone use in public and private schools apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The Financial Stock Market Summit will be held on October 19 and 20 at the Chacao Cultural Center, where experts will gather to discuss topics related to the corporate market, debt, returns from international markets, and equities. Venezuelan fixed income, investor professionalization, and energy markets, among others, will be discussed.

It is organized by the Institute for Banking and Financial Training (Insbanca) and has the support of the Embassy of Spain and the Venezuelan-Spanish Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Cavespa).

National and international speakers will be present to address current issues in the corporate market.

Gustavo Santini, Director of Innovation and Development at Insbanca, indicated that the main objective is “to promote financial education so that our young people, our adults, and our senior citizens can make better financial decisions. This will help the country grow.” He also stated that the event aims to “foster the growth of the stock market and the productive sector,” considering that the capital market in Venezuela “is currently thriving with high growth expectations.”

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With information from Contrapunto and other national media outlets

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La entrada Venezuela to host Financial Stock Market Summit on October 19 and 20 apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Those who enjoy the popular Roblox game have likely been tempted at some point to look for a way to get free Robux. This virtual currency (Robux) can unlock a wide variety of experiences within the platform. Younger players, in particular, may want more Robux due to a combination of FOMO (fear of missing out) and the desire to improve their online status. ESET, a leading company in proactive threat detection, warns of the importance of differentiating between “free” and “earned” when it comes to obtaining Robux, in order to distinguish between legitimate offers and avoid scams.

There are official Roblox programs, as well as programs from trusted partners like Microsoft, that allow you to complete tasks and/or answer questions to earn a Roblox gift card. Additionally, Roblox offers 25 % more Robux when users legitimately purchase the virtual currency through the website, computers, or gift cards. There are also ways to monetizar contenido dentro de Roblox. For example, through subscriptions, charging access fees, selling items or skills that other Roblox users can buy, offering private servers, or marketing models and add-ons for other creators in the Creator Store. It’s even possible to sell avatar items in the Marketplace and earn a share of the profits.

However, these are opportunities to earn Robux, and they can be more difficult to access than they seem. In other words, you really don’t get anything for free.

“Roblox makes it very clear: ‘There is no such thing as free Robux, free subscription offers, cheats, or codes.’ What does exist, unfortunately, are numerous scammers trying to trick you into giving away your personal information and account login details by promising free Robux,” says Mario Micucci, Cybersecurity Researcher at ESET Latin America.

ESET maintains that there are as many variations of these scams as there are legitimate ways to earn Robux. Here are some of the most common:

• “Free” Robux generators that ask for your Roblox username and, in some cases, request that you complete surveys or install software. As you might expect, the criminals only want your username to try to hijack your account. The surveys are often designed to collect personal information without the user’s knowledge, and the software may include malicious code. Roblox is a popular platform among cybercriminals for distributing malware.
• Phishing pages that you reach after clicking a link in an email, unsolicited message, or malicious ad. These pages mimic the official Roblox website to steal your credentials.
• Fake giveaways on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Discord. The administrator claims to be giving away thousands of free Robux, but the provided link is malicious.
• Limited-time offers, which can arrive via phishing emails or social media posts and ads. The goal is to create a sense of urgency to trick you into making a bad decision, such as clicking a link or sharing personal information in exchange for supposed “free Robux” that don’t actually exist.
• Fake gift cards are another opportunity for scammers to get what they want. They may offer to exchange personal information, login credentials, or even money for a gift card code that doesn’t actually exist.

Legitimate promotions will never ask for your password or two-step verification code

“Any site that asks for login credentials or a supposed ‘human verification’ outside of the official Roblox website is a scam, unless you can independently verify that it is an official Roblox page or an authorized partner,” warns the ESET researcher.

ESET advises that legitimate promotions will never ask for your password or two-factor authentication (2FA) code. They also won’t use limited-time offers or attention-grabbing promises. They won’t warn you that you could lose Robux if you don’t act quickly. And they will never ask you to download a supposed “Robux generator.”

“Be wary of any special offers related to Robux. Never share your login credentials or personal information with other users. Also, avoid clicking on suspicious links or entering your passwords on non-Roblox websites,” advises Micucci.

If you are a parent or guardian and you are worried that your child might fall for these types of scams, it is important to take a moment to talk about these concerns. The main goal is to teach good digital security habits, such as not sharing passwords or clicking on suspicious links. It’s also important to help them understand that “free Robux” doesn’t exist and that this virtual currency has a real cost.

ESET maintains that it’s important for children to feel comfortable approaching adults with any problem, regardless of what happened. This can only be achieved by calmly explaining why they can’t freely access their credit card and why they can only use the platform responsibly.

If you believe a child or teenager has already been the victim of a scam, ESET recommends changing the account login credentials (and any other shared credentials), enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and verifying that the recovery email address hasn’t been changed. Review linked payment methods for suspicious activity and consider contacting the bank or freezing the card. If there are concerns about malware, it’s important to scan the device with a reliable security solution. Above all, do not blame the child, but listen to them, reassure them, and help them follow these steps.

To learn more about ESET and this topic, you can check:  https://www.welivesecurity.com/es/seguridad-menores/robux-gratis-estafas-roblox/.

Other useful preventative information regarding cybersecurity and protection can be found at: https://www.eset.com/ve/, and on their social media channels @eset_ve. Also on Instagram (@esetla) and Facebook (ESET).

With information and reference image provided by ESET and Comstat Rowland

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The 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government will take place in Madrid on November 4 and 5, with the participation of the leaders of the 22 countries that make up the Ibero-American Community. It will be presided over by His Majesty King Felipe VI.

This year’s motto is: “Ibero-America. Together we build our Community. Together we project it into the future and into the world.”

The priorities of the Madrid Summit are geared towards finding tools to address major global challenges:

• Ibero-American Digital Alliance: Its purpose is to promote digital transformation and AI at the service of people, to eliminate the digital divide and guarantee the protection of children, adolescents, and people in vulnerable situations.
• Ibero-American Network for Disaster Risk Reduction: It will promote cooperation among countries in the face of natural disasters, with more proactive, coordinated, and resilient disaster risk management mechanisms in Ibero-America.
• Ibero-American Charter of Care and Support: The approval of this Charter “represents a shared commitment to placing care at the center of the region’s public policies, focusing on the recognition of care as a right, a need, work, and an essential public good.”
• Recognition of studies and degrees: focused on facilitating mobility and expanding opportunities for young people. “Deepening academic cooperation is the goal of the IV Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Higher Education, which will take place on October 21 and 22 in Alicante. Among its objectives is the “approval of the Ibero-American Charter on Academic Mobility, which seeks to facilitate academic recognition in the most frequent mobility situations, from undergraduate to postgraduate studies.”
• Ibero-American cooperation: to make it more efficient and effective in order to achieve more strategic planning and promote more concerted cooperation with a global focus. This will allow political consensus to be transformed into “tools with direct impact for citizens. Likewise, greater international projection is sought through alliances and a more significant role for Conference observers.”

M.Pino

Source: segib.org

(Reference image source: Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash)

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