- 5 hours ago
* US scales back military drills with south Korea
* Iran rejects US threats and land blockade plans
* Iran rejects US threats and land blockade plans
Category
đź—ž
NewsTranscript
00:08In Colombia, communities work toward assisting earthquake-affected families amid what many label as a lacking response from the national
00:16government of Abelardo de la Espriella.
00:22United States President Donald Trump has ordered substantial reduction in joint military exercises within South Korea, citing Haikos and his
00:29personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
00:36Iran stated on Monday that the new sanctions the United States has threatened to impose on the Islamic Republic will
00:41have no effect on its position on the war.
00:49Hello, welcome to Front the South. I am Lorena Font from the Telestudios Studios in Caracas, Venezuela. We'll begin with
00:54the news. Stay with us.
01:14And with the lack of consistent figures in the wake of the earthquake on August 10, Colombia's President Abelardo de
01:19la Espriella presented a new assessment in the city of Buenaventura.
01:25At this time, we have 120,328 affected families and 186,016 affected individuals.
01:38Unfortunately, we have 289 fatalities. Our solidarity, love and support go out to the families of these victims. We have
01:524,187 injured and 103 missing.
01:56The priority is to address the emergency involving the missing because the most important thing here is to save lives.
02:05We have 26,945 homes destroyed, 127,557 homes damaged and 66 buildings that have collapsed.
02:20In Bogotá, Colombia, working class families, young people and business owners in the outskirts are transforming their own garage and
02:27open spaces into collection centers to send tons of aid to the hardest hit areas of ChocĂł and the Pacific
02:33Coast.
02:33Tatiana Portela brings us the report.
02:38Relief collection centers in working class neighborhoods are becoming bastions of hope.
02:43Here, where daily life is marked by long-standing deprivation and inequality, solidarity is not a luxury. It is a
02:50community response driven by young people.
02:57Today, we would like to invite you to help us in this time of need by donating to relief efforts
03:04for the 7-4 magnitude earthquake that struck the department of ChocĂł.
03:09People are arriving, and we know that schools are also holding drives, inviting their students and families to join in,
03:14whether by helping a neighbor or coming here to a collection center like La Perlante.
03:18At Corabastos, the country's largest agricultural market, merchants and working families are joining forces. Without institutional funding, but driven by
03:29collective effort, they're turning their daily work into tons of aid for the hardest hit areas.
03:34It's a commitment, a responsibility, and a logistical challenge. And often we lack resources. But we have to understand that
03:43there are many kind-hearted people.
03:45For example, I want to single out and mention the truck owner, Eduard, a potato merchant from Corabastos.
03:53I called him and said, we need a truck to transport eight metric tons. It was just a phone call,
03:59and he said, I'll be there in an hour.
04:01He arrived at the pickup point, and there was no problem. The people of Corabastos helped out a lot. We
04:07did it in a single day.
04:08We collected seven or eight metric tons in just one day with the help of all the merchants.
04:13From the town square to the neighborhood, the Cuevedo family opened up the garage of their home in Malenta to
04:18turn it into an operations center.
04:22Many of these donations also come from the whole family, from all our friends, from all our loved ones, from
04:27the entire Malenta neighborhood.
04:28We've truly gathered a lot of things to be able to help them. They're leaving today because the plan is
04:33for the truck to leave for Cuevedo tomorrow, right? For Cuevedo.
04:36And the truck to Buenaventura leaves on Tuesday. So we'll continue accepting donations over the next few days to fill
04:42it up to Buenaventura.
04:46This support network is joined by international solidarity. The Venezuelan people, who know firsthand the harsh reality of emergencies, are
04:54showing their support through culture.
04:56Through music, Latin American unity transcends geopolitical borders and demonstrates that the Brotherhood of Peoples is the primary force for
05:04reconstruction.
05:05In Venezuela, we went through this just over a month ago. And honestly, it was a terrifying experience. But it
05:13also brought us back together as a nation, as Latin Americans.
05:17It reminded us that together we can build our country, continue to grow and help others. And that has been
05:24part of the concept behind the concert, in addition to raising funds.
05:28It's not just about the money that can be raised, but the intention behind it.
05:33A week after the earthquake, the wounds remain open, but popular solidarity continues unabated.
05:39From the streets of Bogota to Choco and the deep Pacific, the impoverished neighborhoods demonstrate that true reconstruction cannot wait.
05:47It arises from organization, dignity and the bond between communities.
05:52Tatiana Portela, Telesur, Bogota, Colombia.
05:56Also in Colombia, the release of images allegedly showing Housing Minister Jaime Andrés Beltrán in Santa Marta sparked criticism for
06:04various political sectors.
06:05Some are calling for his resignation.
06:08The list is circulated during the long weekend amid the emergency caused by the earthquake and while the Ministry of
06:13Housing should be taking the lead in assisting the victims.
06:16According to a National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, more than 26,000 homes were destroyed and another 127,000
06:24were damaged, along with damage to roads, schools and health centers.
06:28Given this situation, a position congressman called for the official's resignation.
06:33The executive branch has not yet confirmed when the footage was filmed whether the minister was on vacation or what
06:40his schedule was during those days.
06:59A 5.7 magnitude aftershock struck Indonesia's eastern island of Flores on Monday, two days after a powerful magnitude 7
07:07.7 earthquake hit the region,
07:08killing 53 people and leaving 137 injured, displacing nearly 30,000 others.
07:15The aftershock struck at 8.46 am local time at a depth of 35.6 km.
07:21Its epicenter was located about 42 km northwest of Ende, the most populated town on Flores, according to the U
07:28.S. Geological Survey.
07:30A tsunami warning was issued following the latest tremor.
07:33Meanwhile, thousands of displaced residents were still waiting for aid on Monday, with many sheltering in camps outside school, police
07:41stations and government offices.
07:47Authorities in Hawaii are warning of flash floods and landslides as heavy rain from tropical storm Lala continues to affect
07:54the islands.
07:55Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday after bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to Hawaii the previous
08:01day without making a landfall.
08:03The storm is moving west at about 31 km per hour and is expected to maintain that path throughout Tuesday
08:09night.
08:10Hawaii officials warned of intense rain and thunderstorms across Maui Nui, Ohio and Kauai, urging residents to shelter from strong
08:18winds gusts.
08:19Authorities have reported one weather-related traffic death, around 100 damaged homes, two swept away by water and numerous fallen
08:27trees and power poles.
08:28The National Hurricane Center says Lala could threaten again into a hurricane by Tuesday or Wednesday.
08:41Two people have lost their lives and hundreds have been evacuated after two wildfire traversed parts of the Greek island
08:47of Salamis on Sunday.
08:48One of 570 people were evacuated by Coast Guard's patrol boats and other vessels.
08:54According to the Coast Guard, approximately 265 firefighters were deployed along with planes and helicopters.
09:01According to reports, the two victims were found in the Peristeria area.
09:05Greek authorities said the Peristeria fire spread to nearby residential areas within seven minutes, as strong winds fueled its advance.
09:13Authorities had classified the island as being at high risk for wildfires before the fire broke out and the strong
09:19winds contributed to their quite quick spread.
09:27And now we have a short break. Coming up, we'll be right back. Stay with us.
09:51Welcome back to From the South.
09:52The United States President Donald Trump has ordered a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea,
09:58sending high costs and his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
10:03The decision comes as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills begin,
10:06despite military warnings regarding North Korea evolving tactical capabilities and defense cooperation with Russia.
10:14Defense officials emphasized that this year's planned drills were designed to counter emerging threats,
10:19including drone tactics and cyber warfare deployed by North Korean forces in regional conflicts.
10:24While South Korean officials stated they are reviewing Washington's stance to maintain regional stability,
10:30security analysts warned that the scaling back-menu versa could undermine joint deterrence on the Korean Peninsula.
10:44Chinese President Xi Jinping led a large-scale commemorative ceremony on Monday in Beijing,
10:49the country's capital, to mark the 100th anniversary of Jiang Zemin's birth.
10:53The ceremony clearly demonstrated the continuity and unity of the Communist Party.
10:57In the presence of representatives from various sectors of society, in the Great Hall of the People,
11:03he highlighted Jiang's indeliable contribution to safeguarding the costs of Chinese socialism,
11:08breaking new ground in reform and opening up and achieving moderate prosperity for the people,
11:13as well as successfully carrying the costs into the 21st century.
11:17Yan Zemin, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 96, led China during a crucial phase of its
11:24transformation,
11:25as it evolved from a marginal economy into a driver of global growth.
11:36The evil outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history,
11:41with at least 2,325 people killed, according to government data.
11:46The country's Public Health Institute reported Sunday that confirmed cases have reached 4,945,
11:52including 101 new cases in just 24 hours.
11:56The outbreak has now spread to six of the country's 26 provinces,
11:59with more than 3,400 cases reported in Ituri province where the epidemic was first detected.
12:05On Friday, the United Nations warned that Ebola was winning in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
12:11saying the disease was killing one person every 30 minutes.
12:14The current outbreak has also become the fastest-growing known Ebola outbreak on record.
12:25In this context, the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Ituri province is increasingly disrupting access to routine healthcare,
12:31with pregnant women among those most affected.
12:34Fear of infection is keeping many expectant mothers away from medical facilities.
12:39At Lelikia Hospital in the provincial capital, Munia, medical staff say prenatal visits have declined,
12:45despite efforts to reassure women and encourage them to continue regular check-ups.
12:50The United Nations Population Fund says the outbreak is also having an indirect impact on maternal mortality,
12:56according to the United Nations.
12:59Maternal deaths increased from 33.1 to 5.8 per week between May 25 and July 19.
13:07National data also showed that deaths occurring outside healthcare facilities
13:11nearly double the trend often associated with delayed medical care and untreated complications.
13:24When women miss appointments, it becomes difficult to know in time if the fetus has a problem.
13:29We can sometimes detect these complications before they become serious.
13:33But when women stay home for fear of infection, we see more complications,
13:37including still births and premature births.
13:43It was really stressful because I was in a clinic near the Ebola treatment center.
13:49Even when the nurses and midwives came to see us, it sometimes traumatized me.
13:55We had also witnessed many Ebola-related deaths.
13:59I thought to myself, Lord, I don't want to risk catching this disease.
14:11Several healthcare facilities were closed for a period of time.
14:14We too were closed for 21 days.
14:16Healthcare staff were quarantined to ensure that no one showed any signs of the disease
14:20and thus prevent any potential contamination of patients.
14:24Then we disinfected the entire facility before reopening it to patients.
14:28I would like to reassure women that the hospital is now safe.
14:32It is better to come here for treatment than to manage complications at home.
14:36We have to recover the disease.
14:50Six people were killed in an Ukrainian missile attack in the Russian region of Elgorod near the border,
14:55local authorities announced on Monday.
14:57Regional Governor Alexander Shubayev specified that six civilians were killed and four were injured,
15:03including a 14-year-old minor.
15:05According to the governor, a building burned down and a car was damaged at the site of the attack.
15:10The 14-year-old was hospitalized along with another injured adult,
15:15while two people received medical attention at the scene.
15:24Let's take a short break now, but before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Telesur English.
15:29There you'll be able to watch our top stories, special live coverage and much more.
15:33Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
15:39Financial break. No go away.
16:06Welcome back to From the South. We continue now in the Middle East.
16:09As Iran stated on Monday that the new sanctions the United States has threatened to impose on the Islamic Republic
16:14will have no effect on its position on the war.
16:17The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Bahehi, stated that these measures have no effect on Iran's
16:23position
16:23and also accused Washington of being trapped in a vicious cycle of war, discrimination, pressure and sanctions.
16:29On August 9, Trump stated that he intended to de-escalate the military conflict following nearly two weeks of attacks
16:36in July
16:37and that his immediate plan is to ramp up economic pressure on Tehran and wait for it to return to
16:43the negotiating table.
16:44The Islamic Republic has been subject to the United States and international economic sanctions for decades,
16:50including, for example, one on selling its soil on international markets.
17:00Moving on to Palestine, the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, said on Sunday it has appealed to the War of Peace
17:07to pressure Israel into accepting the United States-backed roadmap for a ceasefire in Gaza.
17:12The group made the request following a meeting in Egypt with United States Envoy Jared Kushner and other mediators.
17:18Hamas said it had called on the board in mediating countries to compel Israel to approve the roadmap
17:24for the second phase of the ceasefire plan.
17:27Kushner held an unusual meeting Sunday with Hamas leader Khalid al-Hayah
17:31in a new diplomatic effort to advance the steels ceasefire negotiations.
17:36Kushner is also expected to meet with the Israeli Prime Minister on Monday
17:39as pressure grows over Israel's rejection of the 15-point United States-backed roadmap.
17:50The United Nations personnel have delivered food and water to Palestinian families trapped in Qasra,
17:55south of Nablus, after a week long siege by Israeli settlers.
17:59The United Nations personnel reportedly from UNICEF reached three Palestinian homes in the Ras Al Ain area
18:05and delivered food and a water tanker to residents.
18:08The families, including around 15 people and two children under the age of seven,
18:13have been without water, electricity and basic supplies since August 9th
18:17when settlers surrounded the properties and Israeli forces declared the area a close military zone.
18:22The United Nations and the Palestinian Foreign Ministry have condemned the siege as criminal and inhumane.
18:36Unfortunately, since last Sunday morning eight days ago, the occupation has been wasting time.
18:41It can evacuate this mountain of settlers.
18:44This mountain is classified as Area B, in which the Palestinian Authority has absolute powers.
18:49In addition, these residents have the legitimate right to be in their homes and houses.
18:54Unfortunately, the settlers have cut off their electricity and water and harassed them all the time.
19:05A group of about 30 settlers attacked us, the entire team, including the water technicians.
19:10I withdrew towards one of the besieged houses and entered it.
19:15Then the army arrived in the area while I continued my work restoring the electricity.
19:22I connected the power to one house and then moved on to the next, where I was surprised to find
19:26the army.
19:27The army arrested me and the men who were with me.
19:33Israel Minister of National Security, Tamar Ben-Givir, publicly stated that between 30 and 40 people in Gaza should be
19:40killed every night.
19:42The statements were made during a podcast with a former Israeli hostess in which Ben-Givir criticized the reduction in
19:49Israeli attacks on Gaza
19:50and expressed his disagreement with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
19:53He also claimed that there are people in Gaza who are not worthy of living and that they should not
20:00even be considered as human beings.
20:02As a result, the minister's statements have been condemned by human rights organizations and Palestinian media,
20:08which described then as incitement to genocide as part of the campaign waged by Tel Aviv regime against the existence
20:14of the Palestinian people.
20:16Let us recall that Ben-Givir faces multiple international and local charges for inciting racism,
20:21glorifying violence against civilians and abusing detainees.
20:30Amid a series of earthquakes that have struck Indonesia on recent dates, the country celebrates its 81st Independence Day on
20:37Monday, August 17.
20:38During Indonesia's Independence Day ceremony in the capital, Jakarta, President Parabobo Subianto asks participants to pray for those affected by
20:47disaster in Isnusa, Tengara,
20:48and other parts of the country while leading a nationwide moment of silence in honor of the heroes of independence.
20:56Indonesia declared its independence on August 17 in 1945, bringing an end to Dutch colonization.
21:02Since then, the country has embarked on a path of growth, regional integration, and active participation in international trade.
21:27Moving on to other topics in China, the firm and life performance markets are gaining momentum,
21:32with booming cultural activities also generating spillover benefits across the wider consumer economy.
21:38The country's 2026 summer box office included press sales surpassed $1.5 billion as the afternoon of August 16,
21:46according to the box office tracker Beacon.
21:49Among the highest grossing films is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East ranking
21:54in more than $118.6 million in ticket sales just six days after its release.
22:01The impact of the thriving film market extends beyond the box office.
22:05By the end of July, China had added over 300 cinemas and more than 2,000 screens nationwide,
22:12making a movie going more accessible and part of everyday life.
22:16Live performances are also drawing larger crowds across the country.
22:20Concerts, music, festivals, and immersive shows have become popular choices for consumers as well.
22:30And like this, we have gone to the end of this since brief.
22:33Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website at telestudyenglish.net
22:37and join us on social media. We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok.
22:43For Telestudy English, I'm Lorena Fong. Thank you for watching.
22:47We'll see you next time.
22:48We are on Facebook.
22:52We are on Facebook.
22:58We are on Facebook.
22:58We will see you next time.
22:58We're on Facebook.
22:59We're on Facebook.
22:59We are at Dirici watch.
Comments