International
Colombians mobilize in support of Petro’s government
July 20 |
The Central Unitary Workers’ Union (CUT) of Colombia called for a new march this Thursday in support of the government of President Gustavo Petro, to commemorate Independence Day.
Affiliated unions of the CUT will participate in the demonstration, as well as those that make up the Colombian Federation of Educators (Fecode). Likewise, the Unitary Departmental Command (CUT) of the department of Bolivar announced that it would join the mobilization.
The concentration will take place from 14H00 (local time) at Plaza Bolivar, in Bogota (capital), where the workers’ support to the labor, pension and health reforms to be presented by the Government before Congress during the second semester of this year will be ratified.
Previously, the president of the CUT, Fabio Arias, stated that the central will support the Government of change, “all its progressive social reforms, which attends the clamor and vindication of workers and many sectors of the population, most especially with the health reform, labor and pension reform.”
“We are summoning the citizens in general and the population, the ordinary people and particularly the workers to be present, in all the regions, the streets, and public squares to support the social reforms”, he added.
Regarding the legislative period that begins this Thursday, Fecode considered that the Congress “will have to make crucial decisions that will determine whether to pave the way for the main reforms promoted by the Government or whether to impose new barriers that would maintain the status quo, as the big economic unions want”.
Similarly, the teachers’ federation added that it will also mobilize to express its rejection of the “school vouchers” project, which, according to the organization, promotes the commercialization of public education and the privatization of teaching.
This is a bill presented to Congress by Senator Paloma Valencia, of the Democratic Center (party of former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, 2002-2010), which promotes that children in vulnerable situations enter private schools and their studies are paid for by the Colombian State.
Valencia alleged that the private education system has a higher educational quality than the public one and that, by enrolling in the latter, minors would be condemned to a poor education, instead of supporting the Government’s decision to allocate a larger budget to education and to create better working conditions for the members of the school community.
Regarding this proposal, Fecode underlined that “it constitutes a new attempt by the Creole right wing to hand over the public education budget to private individuals, revive clientelism and business at the cost of destroying the public education system and reversing its secular and democratic character”.
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
-
International4 days agoJamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island
-
International2 days agoHurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
-
International4 days agoMelissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
-
Central America4 days agoNew dismembered bodies found in San Juan river days after mass killing in Palencia
-
International3 days agoHurricane Melissa leaves Jamaican residents homeless as recovery efforts begin
-
Central America4 days agoFour guatemalan soldiers arrested for stealing weapons from Northern Air Command
-
Central America4 days agoArévalo accuses Porras and judge of undermining democracy in Guatemala
-
International4 days agoArgentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”
-
International2 days agoU.S. considering airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, reports say
-
International3 days agoUS Deputy Secretary criticizes Mexico’s call to end Cuba trade embargo at UN
-
International3 days agoVenezuela warns citizens who call for invasion risk losing nationality
-
International3 days agoTrump orders immediate U.S. nuclear testing, ending 30-year moratorium
-
International3 days agoBrazilian president defends coordinated anti-drug operations after deadly Rio raid
-
International2 days agoTrump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
-
International3 days agoMexico advances continental shelf claims at UN Commission in New York
-
International19 hours agoFloods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
-
International2 days ago
UNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
-
International2 days agoU.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
-
International3 days agoSimeón Pérez Marroquín, ‘El Viejo,’ detained for role in Miguel Uribe Turbay assassination plot
-
International2 days agoPope Leo XIV revives Global Compact on Education to confront cultural crisis
-
International19 hours agoFBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens