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Ecuador faces worst oil spill in a decade, affecting 15,000 people and five rivers

At least 15,000 people have been affected in the Ecuadorian town of Quinindé following the “worst” oil spill in the past decade recorded in the coastal region, contaminating at least five rivers, according to Mayor Ronald Moreno.

Initial investigations suggest that a landslide caused by heavy rains damaged a pipeline of the state-run Transecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) last week, resulting in the leakage of tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil into waterways flowing through Esmeraldas province, which borders Colombia and lies along the Pacific coast.

Artisanal Fishing Impacted

“We have 4,500 affected families, meaning around 15,000 citizens who at this moment can barely even breathe,” Mayor Ronald Moreno explained in an interview with Ecuavisa. Among these families, about 2,000 live along the banks of several rivers, now covered in black, oily stains.

The spill has contaminated at least five tributaries that flow into the Pacific Ocean, where many locals rely on artisanal fishing. Some anchored boats and fishing nets are now coated with dark patches of crude oil.

“In just a few days, if this continues, we won’t be able to fish, and that’s our livelihood,” said Luis Cabezas, a resident of Rocafuerte, adding that “nine boats (and their nets) are covered in oil” due to the contamination, causing losses estimated at $50,000.

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In the village of Camarones, the oil slick has prevented boats from going out to sea, noted Moisés Espinoza, stating that “there is no catch.” “How are people supposed to survive?” he asked.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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