International
The UN says it works with the de facto Afghan Government to assist in floods
The UN said it is working with the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan to assist the population after the heavy floods that have caused at least 300 deaths and left thousands of people without shelter or resources in the north of the country.
“The UN and its partners in Afghanistan are coordinating with the de facto authorities to assess needs and provide emergency assistance quickly,” the spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a brief statement, who conveyed her condolences.
Guterres expressed his sadness and solidarity with the Afghan population for the disaster caused in recent hours by the flash floods in the province of Baġlān, which the Food Program (WFP) estimates at 300, while the Afghan Government reduces to 153 in total in several provinces.
The WFP, which is distributing food to the survivors, indicated that the floods have also destroyed 1,000 houses in Baġlān.
The main spokesman of the fundamentalists, Zabiullah Mujahid, said in a statement that the interim Government has ordered the mobilization of “all available resources to carry out the rescue operations.”
Afghanistan has witnessed heavy snowfall, heavy rains and sudden flooding in recent weeks.
The Asian country is considered one of the most vulnerable in the world to climate change. In addition to the least prepared to adapt, according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
To the vulnerable situation is added the interruption of a good part of international aid. The freezing of the country’s funds, after the Taliban took power in August 2021.
International
HMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
The rate of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, which is similar to the flu, in northern China is decreasing, a health official said on Sunday, amid international concern about a potential pandemic.
HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the human respiratory syncytial virus, causes symptoms similar to the flu or a cold, such as fever, cough, and nasal congestion. Symptoms often resolve on their own, although they can lead to lower respiratory tract infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
“Human metapneumovirus is not a new virus and has been with humans for at least several decades,” said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press conference by the National Health Commission of China.
Wang added that the recent increase in cases of the virus, first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, is due to better detection methods.
International
Elon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
Rescuers are working to contain the wildfires in Los Angeles, where the death toll stands at least 24. Amid the tragedy, billionaire Elon Musk announced the deployment of Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to help the victims.
“We’re going to place Cybertrucks with Starlinks and free WiFi in a grid pattern in the areas that need it most in the Los Angeles/Malibu metropolitan area,” Musk posted on X.
“Security personnel will also be added to the vehicle, along with snacks and drinks for passersby,” he explained.
The Cybertrucks being used are scheduled deliveries, so Musk apologized in advance.
“We apologize to those awaiting Cybertruck deliveries in California over the next few days. We need to use those trucks as mobile base stations to provide power to Starlink internet terminals in Los Angeles areas without connectivity. A new truck will be delivered by the end of the week,” he stated.
International
Trump announces creation of external revenue service to collect foreign tariffs
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the creation of a body to “collect tariffs, duties, and all revenue from foreign sources,” comparing it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which collects taxes from Americans.
“We will begin charging those who profit at our expense through trade, and they will finally start paying what they owe,” Trump said in a message on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He indicated that the new body, to be called the External Revenue Service, will begin operations on January 20, the day Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. and when he is expected to make the first decisions of his second term.
The Republican also criticized “soft and pathetically weak trade deals” that have been in place until now.
“The U.S. economy has provided growth and prosperity to the world while we taxed ourselves,” he stated.
Trump has been insisting on raising tariffs for months and has even declared that “tariff” is, for him, “the most beautiful word in the dictionary.”
HMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
Elon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
President Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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