International
Hurricane Beryl to bring dangerous winds and storm surge to windward islands
The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed that Beryl is now a hurricane and is expected to intensify rapidly.
“Beryl is now a hurricane and is forecasted to intensify rapidly. It is expected to bring potentially deadly winds and a storm surge to the Windward Islands as a major hurricane. A hurricane warning is already in effect for Barbados,” the NHC reported.
As of yesterday, Beryl was located 1,785 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados and 4,805 kilometers east-southeast of the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It was advancing westward at a speed of just over 30 kilometers per hour.
Authorities indicated that Beryl was generating sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 85 kilometers per hour.
The NHC’s forecast showed that the tropical system was moving westward along the northern coast of South America, with the projected path showing it east of the coasts of Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Additionally, Beryl could produce sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour. According to the NHC, Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the average formation date for the first hurricane being August 11.
In light of this weather situation, hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, with a tropical storm warning for Martinique and Tobago.
“Interests in other parts of the Lesser Antilles should closely follow Beryl’s progress. Additional watches and warnings are likely to be required today for parts of the area,” the NHC communicated prior to declaring Beryl a hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center has forecasted a very active season this year. U.S. authorities have assessed a 70% probability of having between 17 and 25 named tropical cyclones, of which eight to 13 could become hurricanes.
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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