Morocco

Senegalese authorities confirm that at least 34 people lost their lives when a small migrant boat capsized near the Loumpoul dunes, about 180 km north of Dakar. One survivor was rescued from the wreck. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 21, but officials later revised the figure upward. The day before the tragedy, police intercepted 142 migrants on a similar vessel, including women, babies and children from five West African nations. Meanwhile, El Hierro in the Canary Islands has declared a state of emergency after more than 3,300 arrivals on roughly 30 boats since early November.

The UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO ceased operations on 1 Nov 2026 after the Security Council did not renew its mandate at a 30 Oct meeting. The force had operated for 35 years since its 1991 launch, monitoring a ceasefire. Russia vetoed a U.S. draft that would have backed Morocco's autonomy plan under its sovereignty, and a rival Russian resolution to extend the mission was defeated. Morocco's royal palace welcomed the outcome, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front called it unacceptable. A smaller team is handling the liquidation of assets.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday calling for an end to the United States' embargo on Cuba, with 130 countries in favour, 17 against and 25 abstaining. The vote, held for the 34th consecutive year, is the lowest support for the measure since 1995, down from more than 160 countries the previous year. Western states including Germany, Italy and Latvia abstained for the first time in 34 years. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused Washington of coercion, while U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz denied that Cuba faces a blockade.