International

Tribal violence in Papua New Guinea: dozens killed in deadly clashes

A violent conflict between tribes in a remote mountainous region of Papua New Guinea has resulted in a massacre that has left dozens of people dead, highlighting the growing violence in these tribal clashes fueled by access to high caliber weapons.

The clash, which took place in the Highland province of Enga, has led to varying death tolls, with local reports citing more than 60 victims while police put the figure at at least 49. This tragic situation has been described by the superintendent of the Papua New Guinea Police as “the largest massacre that has been seen in Enga, perhaps also in the entire Highlands, in Papua New Guinea.”

The conflict broke out when one tribe ambushed another that was going to attack them, triggering armed clashes with assault rifles and military-style weapons between several tribes and their allies. Images circulating on social media showed a devastating scene, with bodies scattered along an unpaved road or piled up in police trucks.

These tribal conflicts, rooted in territorial disputes and other reasons, were usually resolved with more rudimentary weapons such as machetes and spears. However, access to modern weapons, mainly through illegal smuggling, has exacerbated violence and increased the number of victims in these clashes.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered to send aid to Papua New Guinea to address tribal violence in the country, which has been a historic partner of Australia since its independence in 1975. This tragic incident underlines the social and political challenges it faces. Papua New Guinea, including widespread poverty and corruption, despite its wealth in natural resources.

20251101_amnistia_mh_cuotas_728x90

20251101_amnistia_mh_sin_intereres_728x90

20251101_amnistia_mh_sin_multas_728x90

20250701_dengue_728x90

20250901_vacunacion_vsr-728x90

20250901_minsal_tetra_-728x90

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90

20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90

20250715_donacion_sangre_central_728x90

20231124_etesal_728x90_1

20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90

domfuturo_netview-728x90

20240604_dom_728x90

CEL

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.

20251101_amnistia_mh_cuotas_728x90

20251101_amnistia_mh_sin_intereres_728x90

20251101_amnistia_mh_sin_multas_728x90

20250701_dengue_728x90

20250901_vacunacion_vsr-728x90

20250901_minsal_tetra_-728x90

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90

20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90

20250715_donacion_sangre_central_728x90

20231124_etesal_728x90_1

20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90

domfuturo_netview-728x90

20240604_dom_728x90

CEL

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.