International
Fire causes closure of Metropolitan Park in Chile
December 23 |
Chilean authorities announced this Friday the complete closure of the Metropolitan Park on San Cristobal hill in order to extinguish all remaining outbreaks of the fire that started last night.
The decision was made by the Undersecretary of Housing, Gabriela Elgueta, who said that “the five accesses to the park will be closed to be able to do the work of liquidation of the fire that is already under control. An aircraft will come to allow this”. This closure includes a local swimming pool and the Zoo.
On the other hand, the director of the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), Christian Little, corrected the figure of 5 hectares affected, specifying that only 2 had been affected.
However, in view of the hypothesis of intentionality in the fire, Little said that “it will soon be known”, and assured that “he has specialized investigation units” working on the case together with the “Carabineros Criminalistics Department (Labocar) and the Investigation Police”.
According to the presidential delegate for the Metropolitan Region, Constanza Martínez, the number of forces and institutions that were working to contain the fire was “enormous”, and that it “could be controlled in the early hours of the morning”. Although she pointed out that there was “a small resurgence during the morning”, but at the same starting point.
The official pointed out that the country is currently experiencing a hot summer, and that the next few days will have temperatures of “around 34 degrees”. Martinez said this meant “a double call for responsibility.”
“Almost 100 percent of fires are caused by human action or omission. Therefore, also when there are higher temperatures, the amount of humidity also drops, there is a greater amount of wind and there are more possibilities that a spark or a cigarette or leaving a bottle somewhere can cause fires,” he added.
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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