International
Biden approves the speech of the Democratic senator who called for elections in Israel
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, expressed on Friday his approval of the speech of the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, who called for elections in Israel considering that his Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is an “obstacle to peace.”
“He gave a good speech and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only for him, but for many Americans,” Biden told the press when he started a meeting in the White House with the Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar.
The US president also confirmed that Schumer had previously informed the White House that he was going to deliver that speech before the plenary of the Senate.
Schumer, the first Jew to occupy the position of leader of the majority of the Senate, accused Netanyahu on Thursday of being one of the biggest “obstacles to peace” in the region and called for elections to be held in Israel.
It is the most critical message of a senior leader of the Democratic Party against the Israeli government since the beginning of the offensive against the Gaza Strip, which started after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7
The Likud party, led by Netanyahu for decades, responded to Schumer that Israel “is not a banana republic, but an independent and proud democracy.”
The relationship between Netanyahu’s far-right government and Joe Biden’s Democratic Administration is going through a moment of tension due to Israel’s blockade of the entry of humanitarian aid by land into the Gaza Strip.
The United States supports Israel’s war against Hamas by sending weapons, but is expressing increasing frustration with the humanitarian consequences of the offensive.
There is also increasing concern in the Democratic Party about the impact that the Gaza War may have on the November U.S. presidential elections, in which Biden will seek his re-election.
During the meeting with Biden, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) claimed the need for “a ceasefire as soon as possible” in Gaza that allows the entry of food and medicine, as well as the exit of the hostages from Hamas.
“We need to talk about how we can make this happen and also move towards the two-state solution,” Varadkar added.
The Irish Prime Minister met with Biden in compliance with the tradition of visiting the United States on the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day, which will be celebrated next Sunday.
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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