Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.

This week, Honduran migrants head to the United States; the Trump administration speaks out about alleged Khashoggi murder; Japan unveils plan for foreign workers; and more.

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Americas

A group of 2,000 Honduran migrants is heading north towards the U.S.-Mexico border despite authorities’ efforts to control the influx. The group, originating from San Pedro Sula, is hoping to escape violence and poverty, and has successfully made its way through the Guatemalan borders—which do not require visiting visas to enter. As they continue their march to reach Mexico—and ultimately the United States—President Trump has threatened to cut financial aid to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador in case they do not enforce restrictions to hold back the move.

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• Presidency 'within reach,' Brazil's Bolsonaro is on 'cruise control' – Reuters

Central & South Asia

Indian minister Jawed Akbar resigned after he was accused of sexual harassment by 20 women, following the rise of the #MeToo movement on social media in India. Claiming that the allegations are part of a political conspiracy, the former minister is retaliating by pressing charges of defamation against one of the accusers, Priya Ramani, who he claims has "wilfully, deliberately, intentionally, and maliciously" slandered his reputation. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms think tank, Akbar is among 48 other Indian members of parliament who have been accused of harassing women.

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• Afghan candidate dies in bombing, at least the 10th killed during election campaign – CBC

China & East Asia

In an attempt to tackle Japan’s declining population and shortage in labor workers, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced a new plan to attract more foreign workers. The policy, which will take effect in April 2019, has been met with controversy as hundreds of demonstrators belonging to a group called "Japan First" took to the streets to denounce the plan, arguing that the government should first improve working conditions and opportunities for Japanese citizens. Japan currently operates a strict immigration policy that has allowed only 1.3 million foreign workers to legally reside in the country. Under the new plan, the population of foreign workers is estimated to grow by 40 percent, yet economists are doubtful about its effects, claiming that "the labor shortage is a reality, but if you bring in foreigners, working conditions will not improve and the minimum wage will not rise."

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• China’s currency is expected to fall below its own 'red line,' prompting more complaints from the United States – CNBC

Europe & Russia

Following the rejection of the first Brexit proposal, UK Prime Minister Theresa May is attempting to assure EU leaders who are starting to prepare for the possibility of a no-Brexit scenario. May noted that "the last stage will need courage, trust, and leadership on both sides." In return, the 27 EU leaders agreed to call off a November summit that was planned to discuss the agreement, thus allowing more time for deliberations. The British economic insecurity is putting more strain on the need to reach a deal since businesses, such as Airbus, are leaving the country and companies, such as BlackRock and JPMorgan, are redirecting hundreds of their jobs and investments overseas. EU leaders indicated this week that they might be open to extending the Brexit deadline by a year.

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• New photos show Russia’s building up its military on NATO’s doorstep, but the alliance says it won’t be intimidated – Business Insider

Middle East & North Africa

President Trump admitted it "certainly looks" like journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration has made it very clear to Saudi Arabia that a thorough investigation into his alleged murder must be conducted. Investigations have resulted in the disclosure of the identity of some of the 15 Saudi men who landed in Turkey on the day of the disappearance, including Salah Muhammad al-Tubaiqi, an expert forensic consultant, and Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, who is closely connected to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and who was captured by surveillance footage entering and exiting the consulate on the day of Khashoggi’s disappearance. Vice President Mike Pence warned of serious consequences "if what has been alleged occurred, if an innocent person lost their life at the hands of violence" and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnunchin pulled out of an investment conference due to be held in Saudi Arabia next week.

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• United States to merge diplomatic mission serving Palestinians with embassy in Israel – The Washington Post

Southeast Asia & Oceania

A new report from the University of Oxford found that 84 percent of Southeast Asia's fossil fuel plants are emitting too much carbon, making them "incompatible" with UN thresholds created to address climate change and keep global temperatures at safe levels. "We are moving away from a situation where groups can make unsubstantiated claims about how their assets or investments are aligned with climate change mitigation or the Paris Agreement," said the founding director of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme. With the majority of factories failing to meet climate standards, the report highlighted "the scale of premature closures required to meet climate change objectives and the potential for significant asset stranding in the future."

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• Controversy over Australia’s refugee camps grows as senior doctor departs – CNN

Sub-Saharan Africa

A young midwife working for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Borno was executed by Boko Haram after the Nigerian government’s negotiations with the extremist group failed. Twenty-four-year-old Hauwa Liman is the second humanitarian social worker to have been abducted and killed by the insurgents, and their deaths "are thought to be due to the overthrow of a more moderate leadership of the Islamic State-allied Boko Haram faction." In 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped almost 300 schoolgirls, which prompted the global advocacy campaign of #BringBackOurGirls.

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• Somali victims recount Africa’s deadliest terrorist attack – Voice of America

Stay informed. We’ll see you here again next week.