International
The Pentagon says that Gaza’s humanitarian dock will operate again this week but “temporarily”
The U.S. Department of Defense reported on Tuesday that the humanitarian dock located off the coast of the Gaza Strip will be operational “again this week,” but stressed that it is a “temporary measure” and that there are “better ways” to bring aid to the Palestinian enclave.
“We hope it will be operational again this week (…) We have always said that the dock is a temporary measure. I have no date to announce in terms of when it will cease its operations,” said the press secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, Patrick Ryder, at a press conference.
The dock, which has been used since May 17 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by order of US President Joe Biden, was withdrawn on Friday and towed to Ashdod (Israel) to avoid possible damage caused by the strong waves.
“We are looking forward to it being operational again soon to deliver the aid,” Ryder replied when asked if the dock, whose installation cost 230 million dollars, could be dismantled as early as next month.
The installation consists of two structures: a floating dock to which the ships loaded with humanitarian assistance are moored and a roadway through which the trucks that carry the supplies to the ground travel.
The Pentagon already announced on May 28 that it had to temporarily remove part of the pier since the road that joined it with the beach was damaged by a storm and needed repair.
The rough sea also caused two U.S. Army ships to be stranded.
On the other hand, the representative of the Pentagon added today that, “as far as (aid) launches from the air are concerned,” they have “the capacity and the intention” to continue carrying them out.
More than 3,500 metric tons (3,858 tons) were delivered through the maritime corridor for delivery by humanitarian organizations, according to the U.S. Central Command. (Centcom).
Since then, Centcom has also participated in almost 40 missions of this type in Gaza to deliver, among other things, more than 1,050 metric tons of bulk food, water and prepared meals.
The last humanitarian air launch of this type took place on June 9, when a U.S. C-130 threw more than 10 metric tons of “ready-to-eat meals” (padded food) in northern Gaza.
The UN has repeatedly stressed that neither the artificial dock nor these actions are sufficient in the face of Gaza’s needs.
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
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