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Weekly Wrap-Up: Alberta’s Vote for Unity, French Protests Intensify, and Brazil’s Presidential Showdown
Written by Fin Bird
Edited by Annika Lilja
Last Oct 24, 2026
In North America…Alberta Votes to Remain Part of Canada
Voters in Alberta decisively turned down a historic referendum proposal to initiate secession from Canada. Following a campaign marked by bitter debates over federal energy policy, natural resource taxation, and provincial autonomy, preliminary results showed nearly two-thirds of voters opting to preserve the union. Canadian federal leaders welcomed the decisive vote as a major relief for national stability, while regional independence factions pledged to maintain pressure on Ottawa over greater decentralised economic powers.
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In South America…Brazil Braces for Crucial Run-Off Election
Brazil’s presidential election has reached a decisive moment, with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva facing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely contested runoff on 25 October. Their final televised debate highlighted deep divisions over the cost of living, public security, welfare and corruption. The result will have profound consequences for Latin American geopolitics, determining whether its largest economy continues under Lula’s left-wing leadership or shifts towards the conservative politics associated with the Bolsonaro family.
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In Europe…Protests Grip France as Civil Unrest Escalates
France has experienced renewed unrest as demonstrations over living costs, public services, wages and education continue to mount pressure upon President Emmanuel Macron’s government, ahead of the Presidential elections in 2027. On 24 October, more than 100,000 people reportedly protested in Paris alone, with police deploying tear gas and water cannons in several cities.
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In Africa…Deadly Drone Strikes Deepen Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan’s devastating conflict continues to exact heavy civilian casualties, with officials in the Abeyi region reporting the killing of more than 150 people to drone strikes in a market. The attack was attributed to Sudan’s military by local authorities, although that responsibility has not been independently established at the time of writing. Since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, the country has faced widespread displacement, hunger and the collapse of essential services.
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In Asia…Japan’s Prime Minister Marks a Year in Power
On Wednesday, Sanae Takeichi, Japan’s first female Prime Minister, marked one year in office. Despite persistent inflation and rising regional tensions, her government has managed to maintain relatively strong public support. A recent FNN poll put her cabinet’s approval rating at 62.5%, suggesting a degree of political stability that eluded several of her predecessors. However, economic pressures and security challenges remain significant tests for her government, as highlighted by the recent expansion of defence and intelligence-sharing initiatives with South Korea.
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And in Other News…World Leaders Face a Biodiversity Deadline
Nearly 200 countries are meeting in Armenia for the UN’s COP17 biodiversity summit, confronting slow progress towards the goal of protecting 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030. Funding and implementation remain major obstacles, raising questions about whether international environmental commitments can translate into meaningful action.
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