International
Joe Biden’s administration weakened by immigration crisis
December 24 |
The arrival of thousands of migrants from Mexico every day puts pressure on states and police at the U.S. borders, a crisis that exposes the administration of Democrat Joe Biden to strong attacks from his Republican adversaries. In recent weeks, Border Patrol reported some 10,000 crossings per day, a higher rate than in previous months.
More than 2.4 million migrants were intercepted by land between October 2022 and September 2023, an influx also higher than in previous years. The reasons for this recent influx are less clear. The Border Police blames “disinformation distilled by human traffickers towards vulnerable people.”
Several immigrants interviewed by AFP on Thursday in Texas spoke of rumors of an imminent border closure. Since Tuesday, railroad tracks at the Eagle Pass and El Paso bridges in Texas have been closed due to a “resurgence” of irregular migrant entries on freight trains.
In Eagle Pass, vehicle crossings have been suspended again since the beginning of the month, as well as at a crossing point in Arizona and another in California. Border Police say they are having to redeploy their personnel to concentrate on intercepting and registering migrants.
After accusing President Biden of “deliberate inaction” in the face of the situation, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott on Monday signed a controversial law criminalizing illegal entry into his state.
The law creates a “criminal offense of illegally entering Texas from a foreign country,” punishable by six months to 20 years in prison for repeat offenses.
The text, which could go into effect in March, gives state authorities the power to arrest immigrants and deport them to Mexico, prerogatives that in principle fall to federal authorities.
Several human rights organizations, including the influential American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed suit to challenge it as unconstitutional.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
International
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
Kash Patel did not provide further details, but police sources told CBS News that the potential attack was “inspired” by the Islamic State (ISIS).
“This morning, the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested several individuals in Michigan who were allegedly planning a violent attack during the Halloween weekend,” Patel wrote on X.
“Thanks to swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a possible terrorist act was prevented before it could be carried out,” he added.
CBS reported that five people between the ages of 16 and 20 were arrested on Friday. At least one of them was reportedly acquainted with a former member of the Michigan National Guard, who was arrested in May for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on a U.S. military facility in the Detroit suburbs.
International
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed concerns over China’s growing military activity near Taiwan during a meeting on Friday with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Kuala Lumpur.
“It was a constructive and positive meeting,” Hegseth wrote on X. “I emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and raised U.S. concerns about China’s actions around Taiwan,” the self-governed island that Beijing claims and does not rule out invading.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. According to Trump, Taiwan was not discussed during their talks.
“The United States does not seek conflict and will continue to firmly defend its interests, ensuring it maintains the capability to do so in the region,” Hegseth added in his message.
Friday’s encounter followed a September 9 video call between Hegseth and Dong. Their previously planned meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was canceled due to Dong’s absence from the event.
Trump’s sit-down with Xi — their first since 2019 — resulted in some trade agreements but avoided addressing the issue of Taiwan, a long-standing source of tension between the world’s two largest powers.
Trump has taken a more ambiguous stance on Taiwan’s future compared with former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly stated that Washington would support Taipei if China launched an invasion. The Republican president has also criticized Taiwan for “stealing” the U.S. semiconductor industry.
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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