- 5 days ago
02/01/2026
FTS 16.30
*Bolivian workers’ union protests continue in rejection of Decree 5503.
*China concludes military exercises around the island of Taiwan.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
FTS 16.30
*Bolivian workers’ union protests continue in rejection of Decree 5503.
*China concludes military exercises around the island of Taiwan.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
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NewsTranscript
00:00The President of the United States of the United States
00:10Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sent a message to the people of the United States
00:14assuring them that they have a friendly government in Caracas to strengthen dialogue and peace.
00:21The Bolivian Workers' Central Union blamed the national government for the radical
00:29socialization of protest actions, pointing out that the Decree 5503 is selling the country
00:35to neoliberals, pointing out that the Decree 5503 is selling the country to neoliberal interests.
00:46And the People Liberation's Army of China concluded the joint military exercises mission
00:51just as 2025 around the island of Taiwan.
00:54Hello and welcome to From the South. I'm Alejandra Garcia from Telesur Studios in Habana, Cuba.
01:01We begin with the news.
01:16In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy at the Miraflores Palace.
01:21The meeting between the Venezuelan President and Special Envoy Xi Jinping is part of the 2026 work agenda
01:28and will allow for a review of the cooperation map between the two nations.
01:34The Asian giant is Venezuela's main trading partner in the region with 51 years of diplomatic relations.
01:40The meeting was attended by Vice President Delci Rodriguez and Foreign Minister Ivan Gil, while the Chinese delegation was represented by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Venezuela and the Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his attaché.
01:47And we stay in Venezuela.
01:54President Nicolás Maduro sent a direct message to the people of the United States assuring them that they have a friendly government in Caracas.
02:01During an interview with writer and journalist Ignacio Ramonet, the Venezuelan leader distinguished the U.S. people from the actions of their government,
02:08while affirming that Venezuelans are a friendly people.
02:09For his part, the head of state denounced the excessive use of force for the people of the United States.
02:14And we stay in Venezuela.
02:15President Nicolás Maduro sent a direct message to the people of the United States assuring them that they have a friendly government in Caracas.
02:21During an interview with writer and journalist Ignacio Ramonet, the Venezuelan leader distinguished the U.S. people from the actions of their government,
02:30while affirming that Venezuelans are a friendly people.
02:33For his part, the head of state denounced the excessive use of force by the United States as an international crime.
02:40President Maduro also argued that U.S. policy in the country is isolated and evidences the failure of Washington's strategy to take over the South American country's resources.
02:53Finally, the head of state assured that the people of Venezuela are against the war.
02:58To the people of the United States, I even tell you, here you have a friendly government.
03:10I know the United States well.
03:14I have driven around New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Queens, Manhattan, Washington.
03:21I have driven around a lot.
03:23I told the president of the United States that.
03:25I know a lot.
03:26I know a lot.
03:29I know Constitution Avenue, which is beautiful.
03:32Pennsylvania Avenue, where the statue in Hubbard to Bolivar is located.
03:37The Lincoln Memorial, which is beautiful.
03:39And I have driven there a lot.
03:41And the people of the United States should know that they have a friendly, peaceful people here and a friendly government too.
03:49They should know that our slogan is very clear since that this is a gift I have here for our day. Our slogan is very clear. No war. Yes. Peace.
04:04In this context, the head of state defended the Venezuelan democracy model and defied critics and the hegemonic media to go to the communes to debate directly with the people.
04:17This year we had four national consultations.
04:20This year we had four national consultations, but of course, for AP, CNN, AFP and for the Western media direct democracy doesn't exist.
04:30What exists for them is the permanent attack against the Bolivarian Venezuela.
04:37But here I defy anyone who wants to debate, whoever, no matter their name or position, I defy them to go to any neighborhood in Caracas and debate with our people, not with me, with the people so they can see how a new democracy is being built.
04:56We don't claim to be models for anyone, but we are proud of what we are building so the people are being empowered, forging themselves and training themselves.
05:11And also in an exclusive interview with Telesur, Alexander Babakov, Vice President of the Russian State Duma, reaffirmed his firm stance in rejecting the threats and aggressions of the United States against Venezuela.
05:24I believe that the Venezuelan people are united behind their president, their leader, and I believe that this is the main real obstacle to the implementation of the plan to invade the country.
05:37I believe that the escalation of the situation is centered on two aspects. The first is external, that is, the reaction of the international community. In this sense, our role is fundamental. We must convey our position that this type of action against any state is intolerable. And the second is internal. Until any attempt at destabilization is ruled out, in my opinion, the use of force against the country will be impossible.
06:04Since the war, we know that Western countries tend to avoid direct contact with the armed forces of the countries they attack. Because the West understands that where the spirit and the nation are strong, they have no chance of victory.
06:19And the Bolivian Workers Central Union blamed the national government for the radicalization of protest actions, pointing out that Supreme Decree 5503 is selling the South American country to neoliberal interests.
06:34In this regard, the Secretary of the Secretary of the Secretary of the Secretary of the Secretary of the Secretary, Mario Argoio, stated that the demonstrations that began on December 19, 2025, aimed to protect the interests of the Bolivian people in the face of the imposition of a measure that, under the products of macroeconomic stabilization, endangers the working classes.
06:53In this regard, Argoio also denounced a campaign of intimidation carried out by the government of Rodrigo Paz, which includes the deprivation of liberty of union leaders involved in the protest.
07:05In this context, the Workers' Union announced a large mobilization for Saturday, January 3. The march will start from the municipality of Calamarca to the government headquarters under the slogan, Bolivia is not for sale.
07:20And now we have a short break coming up, but first remember you can join us on TikTok at Telesur English, where you will find news in different formats, news updates and much more.
07:32We'll be right back and stay with us.
07:50Welcome back to From the South. We go to Afghanistan, where at least 17 people died due to a sudden flooding caused by heavy rains and snowfall that brought an end to the prolonged drought in the country.
08:06According to the authorities, the first heavy rains and snowfalls of the season caused unexpected flooding in several regions of the country, where 11 people have been reported injured and at least 17 dead so far.
08:20The flash floods also impacted the infrastructure of the affected districts, killing livestock and aggravating the living conditions of 1,800 families in rural and urban communities that were already vulnerable before the weather event.
08:35According to the spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority, Mohammad Yousaf Hamad, the severe flooding that has disrupted daily life in the country.
08:50And the 6.5 magnitude earthquake recorded this Friday in Mexico City left to one person dead during the evacuation of a building.
09:00The victim was identified as a 67-year-old person who fell down the stairs while leaving the building where they were on the second floor in the Alamos neighborhood Benito Juarez Borough in Mexico City.
09:13The paramedics from the Mexican Red Cross responded to the scene and confirmed that the person no longer had vital signs.
09:20Likewise, the seismic movement left at least 12 people injured as well as falling utility poles and trees as well, and reports of power outages in various communities.
09:32Regional authorities reported that they are assessing two structures due to the risk of collapse, and as a preventive measure, 34 buildings and 5 homes are being inspected as well.
09:43And Mexico's meteorological authorities have issued orange and yellow alerts due to the forecasted frost and low temperatures in Mexico City.
09:57A statement was issued specifying that the orange alert is in effect for early hours in the municipality of Tlalpan,
10:04where frost is expected to reach one of the 3 degrees Celsius.
10:09Meanwhile, the yellow alert is in effect in Alvaro Obregón, Magdalena Contreras, Milpa Alta, and Xochimilco, where temperatures between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius are expected.
10:21The population was also advised to dress accordingly, cover their nose and mouth, protect children, the elderly and animals, and consume plenty of liquids, fruits and vitamins A and C.
10:34In other information, in the United States, official data revealed that in 2025 at least 40,000 people were shot, leaving more than 14,600 people dead and more than 26,100 injured.
10:56Preliminary statistics published by the Gun Violence Archive revealed a figure also showing that the country saw at least 407 mass shooting incidents in 2025.
11:08The data also indicates that at least 224 children aged 11 or younger were killed by gunshots, while another 461 in the same age group were injured during the same period.
11:21The figures also showed that more than 1,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 died in shootings and 2,733 were injured.
11:32The toll of the firearm-related deaths include homicides, murders, defensive use of weapons and accidental shootings.
11:39And in Colombia, the city of Cali is hosting an event dedicated to celebrating the culture of the Colombian Pacific region.
12:06This initiative, organized by the Black Roots Cultural Foundation, will take place in the Pla Soleta de San Francisco.
12:13The program will offer an immersion in the traditions of the Pacific coast with samples of its cuisine and typical beverages,
12:21sale of handicrafts, Afro-beauty services and paintings inspired by the coastline.
12:28In this scenario, the spiritual component will be present with a cultural mass which integrates faith with local customs as well.
12:37In addition, there will be a special musical session with vinyl records that will review the sounds of the region since the 1960s.
12:45In this context, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism expect about 108,000 visitors to this fair.
12:55Meanwhile, in Vietnam, an innovative cultural exhibition, Hanoi Light and Heritage, is blending art and technology to offer an immersive experience of the Vietnamese capital's 13 centuries of history.
13:18This exhibition, organized by local authorities and the company Vietsoftropro, uses 3D mapping on silk, visual reality, interactive walls and kinetic LED lights so that the public can touch, see and feel the national heritage.
13:35It is a space that invites visitors to travel from the ancient symbols of the citadel of Thang Long, projected on fabrics, to a vanguard as the image of Hanoi in 2050, passing through visual tours of emblematic sites.
13:51The exhibition aims to make history more accessible and exciting, connecting the past with the future through multi-sensory experiences.
14:00And now we have a second show break coming up. Before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Thalesur English,
14:12there you will be able to watch our top stories, special live coverage and much more.
14:16Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on our most recent events.
14:21Final show break, we'll be right back.
14:23Welcome back to From the South.
14:35The People's Liberation Army of China concluded the joint military exercises mission Justice 2025 around the island of Taiwan.
14:44The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defence emphasized that these manoeuvres served to demonstrate military preparedness
14:53and also to counter separatist activities and foreign intervention intentions.
14:58In addition, Beijing stressed that attempts to stop reunification will never succeed
15:03and that any provocative acts regarding the Taiwan issue will be met with strong countermeasures.
15:10For its part, the government rejected the statements by Taiwanese leader Lai Xinte,
15:15who asserted that the exercises increased both uncertainty and risk in the region,
15:21while for Beijing they are legitimate and necessary for its sovereignty.
15:25In Russia, the number of adult victims after Ukraine's drone strike in the Kherson region rose to 27.
15:47According to the latest reports from Russian investigative committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko,
15:5327 people, including two minors, were killed in the terrorist attack.
15:57In addition, 31 people, among them five minors, were taken to medical institutions with injuries of very severity.
16:05The attack, perpetrated by the Ukrainian military on a hotel and a cafe in the settlement of Korly,
16:11took place overnight on New Year's, while several civilians gathered to celebrate the date.
16:18In the aftermath, the Russian authority assured that the responsible will be identified and brought to justice.
16:25In the United Kingdom and other information, four activists from the Palestine Action Group are in critical condition
16:37and in a life-threatening situation after being on a hunger strike since October 20, 2025.
16:44All of them, together with some 20 members of the organization, aged between 20 and 31,
16:51faced charges under the anti-terrorism law for participating in protest actions in the vicinity and facilities of two companies
17:00that supply military technology to Israel.
17:03Since July 2025, more than 2,300 people have been arrested for protesting in support of Palestine Action Group,
17:12including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
17:22Also in this context, in Northern Ireland, citizens demonstrated in Belfast on New Year's Eve,
17:28in solidarity with the Palestine Action Group activists.
17:32With renewed calls for freedom and justice for Palestine amid the ongoing genocide at the hands of Israel,
17:39the rally kicked off from Riders Square at noon and made their way to the front of the crying House government offices.
17:47The march follows a similar protest held outside the Royal Courts of Justice in the Northern Irish city on Sunday
17:54by members of the Belfast-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
17:58These actions are part of a growing international campaign urging the British government to intervene
18:04as the health of the detainees in hunger strike deteriorates.
18:17A little bit in this context as well.
18:19On Friday, the Israeli military renewed its attacks in multiple areas in southern Lebanon
18:25in a continued escalation that violates international agreements and Lebanese sovereignty.
18:30The Tel Aviv warplanes reportedly launched multiple strikes across the south governorate,
18:35including air raids in localities in Yassin and Saida districts.
18:40In addition, Israeli aircraft struck the Nabathia district in the governorate of the same name.
18:46And furthermore, earlier in the day, a helicopter targeted an excavator in the border town of Haida al-Shahab,
18:53near the frontier with the occupied Palestine.
18:56The actions are part of the Zionist regime's ongoing violations of the ceasefire deal signed in 2024,
19:03and also represent direct pressures of Lebanese sovereignty,
19:07intensifying tensions along the border amid growing regional stability.
19:12Also, Iran has warned the United States against further interfering in the Persian nation's domestic affairs
19:23as tensions continue to grow between Teheran and Washington following recent threats by President Donald Trump.
19:29Precisely, Iran is accusing the U.S. government of trying to misinterpret demonstrations over economic demands for its own geopolitical interests.
19:40This after, on Friday, Trump used alleged concerns about the safety of Iranians as a pretext for a possible military offensive.
19:48In response, Teheran Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bakayeh stressed that the nation will not allow any kind of foreign interference,
19:58pointing out that U.S. politicians have a long history of hiding their interventionist ambitions regarding sovereign nations under the guise of alleged rescues.
20:08And let's take a closer look at the political background of the tensions between Washington and Teheran.
20:19Since returning to the White House in January 2025,
20:23Trump has reactivated the policy of hostility against Iran, which he initiated during his first term.
20:30This strategy includes sanctions, aim at crippling the Iranian economy and reducing its oil revenues in the global market,
20:38as well as curbing the development of its nuclear program.
20:41Let's also recall that the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear bases in June 2025,
20:47and in this scenario, the Iranian government has declared that the sanctions and digressions are part of a plan
20:53to weaken its sovereignty and slow down its technological and military development.
20:58And speaking of Iran, the country commemorated the sixth anniversary of the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani with official ceremonies in Teheran.
21:14Under the slogan Man of Iran, thousands of citizens and high-ranking officials remember the former commander
21:21in an atmosphere of mourning and religious devotion.
21:25During the ceremony, Iranian President Massoud Peshisqian highlighted Soleimani's figure as a living role model for freedom-seekers and defenders of justice.
21:35Peshisqian also condemned the United States and Israel for perpetrating state terrorism under the products of civilization, democracy and freedom.
21:44The President also stated that they are targeting those seeking global freedom, such as Soleimani, engineer Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, scientists, military commanders and other prominent figures.
21:56As highlighted, Qasem Soleimani was born on March 12, 1957 and grew up in a peasant family in southeastern Iran's Kirman province.
22:14It was with the 1980 Iran-Iraq war that Soleimani quickly emerged as an important military figure in the newly established Islamic Republic.
22:24And between 1997 and 1998, he took command of the Kurds forces, an elite unit in charge of protecting the revolution beyond Iran's border.
22:34He was killed on January 3, 2020, by a US airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport,
22:42in an attack denounced as a violation of international law and described as well by Iran as an example of state terrorism.
22:55And like this, we have come to the end of this news brief.
23:00Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website at telesurenglish.net.
23:04Also, join us on social media. We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok as well.
23:10For Telesurenglish, I'm Alejandra Garcia. Thank you for watching.
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