International
Russia assures that Ukraine will lose the war despite the new US military aid package
Russia assured today that Ukraine will lose the war despite the new military aid package of $61 billion approved on Saturday by the US House of Representatives.
“But this will not alter the situation on the battlefield. The criminal regime of Kiev will be defeated,” wrote Viacheslav Volodin, president of the Duma or chamber of deputies of Russia, on his Telegram channel.
Russia warned the United States, which on Saturday approved a new $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, that its current support for Kiev will end in a “fiasco” as well-nound as in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg celebrated last night that the United States House of Representatives has approved “a new and important” aid package to Ukraine and assured that this will contribute to “making us all safer, both in Europe and in North America.”
“I am pleased that the United States House of Representatives has approved a new and important aid package for Ukraine. Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe and North America,” Stoltenberg said on social network X.
The leaders of the main institutions of the European Union (EU) also welcomed the fact that the United States House of Representatives has approved a new aid package for Ukraine and called for the preservation of unity between Europeans and Americans to continue supporting Kiev.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that Ukraine “deserves all possible support against Russia” and, after the affirmative vote of the House of Representatives, urged the US Senate to ratify this package “as soon as possible”, because “there are lives at stake.”
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, stressed that the approval of this aid package “sends a clear message to the Kremlin,” and that is that “those who believe in freedom and the Charter of the United Nations will continue to support Ukraine and its people.”
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, added that, with the package approved this Saturday by the US House of Representatives, Ukraine “will have the transatlantic support it needs to face Russian aggression.”
The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, pointed out that “the only way to peace is to help the Ukrainian people defend themselves” and stressed the value of the EU and the United States remaining “united for freedom and against aggression.”
The US House of Representatives approved on Saturday a package of 95 billion dollars (about 89 billion euros) of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, after the bill has remained stagnant for months due to the blocking of a group of Republican legislators opposed to continuing to finance Kiev.
Each item has been voted independently and the 61 billion (about 57 billion euros) for Ukraine have received the green light with 311 votes in favor, among which there were both Democratic and Republican congressmen, compared to 112 against, in a session in which the Democrats cheered and waved Ukrainian flags.
In recent months, both Stoltenberg and other European NATO leaders had been pressing the United States to unblock this aid package as soon as possible, at one point in the Ukrainian Army it has been in trouble to defend itself against Russia’s offensive due to the shortage of weapons and ammunition.
The president of Ukraine himself, Volodymyr Zelensky, had previously stated that it would depend on this package of US aid that the Kiev forces could maintain their positions or be forced to withdraw gradually.
Now, the bill endorsed this Saturday by the House of Representatives will have to be validated by the Senate, where the Democratic Party has a tight majority.
After the approval, President Joe Biden celebrated in a statement that legislators have voted to promote “the national security interests” of the country and to “send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the global stage.”
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
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.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
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
-
International3 days agoHurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
-
International2 days agoFloods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
-
International4 days agoMelissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
-
International4 days agoHurricane Melissa leaves Jamaican residents homeless as recovery efforts begin
-
International3 days agoU.S. considering airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, reports say
-
International4 days agoArgentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”
-
International4 days agoUS Deputy Secretary criticizes Mexico’s call to end Cuba trade embargo at UN
-
International4 days agoTrump orders immediate U.S. nuclear testing, ending 30-year moratorium
-
International4 days agoVenezuela warns citizens who call for invasion risk losing nationality
-
International3 days agoTrump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
-
International4 days agoMexico advances continental shelf claims at UN Commission in New York
-
International4 days agoBrazilian president defends coordinated anti-drug operations after deadly Rio raid
-
International3 days agoUNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
-
International2 days agoFBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
-
International3 days agoPope Leo XIV revives Global Compact on Education to confront cultural crisis
-
International3 days agoU.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
-
International10 hours agoAt least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
-
International4 days agoSimeón Pérez Marroquín, ‘El Viejo,’ detained for role in Miguel Uribe Turbay assassination plot
-
International10 hours agoU.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers