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* China pushes back against Trump's threats of economic measures on Iran and allies
* Gaza holds mass funeral for 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks
* Gaza holds mass funeral for 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks
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00:11Colombia's President Abelardo del Espriella announced this Wednesday that the death toll
00:14from the earthquake had risen to 314. Venezuela's Acting President Delsi Rodriguez led the reopening
00:23of key businesses in La Guayra and the distribution of loans to entrepreneurs. United States President Donald Trump
00:33announced a new campaign of economic pressure against Iran and warned of the consequences
00:37that any country that helps Iran will face.
00:46Hello, welcome to From the South. I am Lorena Fon from the Telesur Studios in Caracas, Venezuela.
00:51Moving in with the news, stay with us.
01:13Colombia's President Abelardo del Espriella announced on Wednesday from Bogotá that the death toll from the earthquake had risen to
01:18314.
01:19On the same day, Del Espriella declared a state of social and ecological emergency.
01:24The President also signed the decree late at night after announcing that more than 30,000 homes had been affected
01:32and that an agreement had been reached with insurance companies to expedite solutions.
01:36The decree has already been signed by all ministers and is now following the administrative process toward the Constitutional Court.
01:42Meanwhile, officials' figures illustrate the scale of the challenge.
01:59We have received reports of impacts in 15 departments and 471 municipalities.
02:07As of now, 262,054 people have been affected, representing 147,464 Colombian families. Unfortunately,
02:24314 of our fellow citizens have lost their lives. To their families, I reiterate, on behalf of the national government,
02:30on my own behalf, and of course on behalf of my family, our deepest condolences.
02:40Our prayers are with you, and we continue to stand by you in this time of deep sorrow.
02:47We also have 4437 injured and 262 missing persons.
02:56In addition, the Colombian president, Del Espriella declared a state of economic emergency, arguing that it was necessary to address
03:04the consequences of the earthquake.
03:05Amid the tragedy affecting the country, the Colombian president reiterated his accusations against the outgoing government of Gustavo Petro,
03:13but did not present any evidence of an alleged fiscal crisis.
03:16Also announced his intention to dismantle his predecessor's social legacy by cutting spending on social programs promoted by Gustavo Petro,
03:23former government.
03:31We are going to review and reduce spending associated with programs from the previous administration that are not priorities in
03:38light of the country's current needs.
03:39At the same time, we will seek alternative sources of financing.
03:45Former Colombian president Gustavo Petro stated that the actions of Abelardo de la Espriella's government rejecting international aid and politicizing
03:52relief efforts have had fatal consequences for those affected by the earthquake in the country.
04:02It led Abelardo to partialize the aid, an action that is in fact a military intelligence operation by Israel on
04:10Colombian soil, without any experience in rescuing survivors from collapsed buildings that they themselves demolished.
04:16And to reject international aid, general and humanitarian aid, and politicizing it has cost hundreds of lives.
04:23People who died unnecessarily.
04:29There are 426 people missing today.
04:32We do not know if they are alive or dead, and that number exceeds the number of deaths reported so
04:37far.
04:45In addition, Gustavo Petro warned of the danger that foreign powers such as Israel and the United States might be
04:51the ones to manage the aid provided in the wake of the earthquake.
05:04There will be a major debate that begins now, the debate on how to rebuild, starting from a fundamental economic
05:11foundation.
05:11We need 30 million pesos.
05:14Where are we going to get them from?
05:26From the charity of the rich, as the press announces, when they have not even donated one trillion pesos in
05:32charity, let alone 30 million, public debt must be paid by society as a whole.
05:37And if we pay for the reconstruction with debt, that will now mean more destruction.
05:49In one part, it will be built up, and in another, it will be destroyed.
05:53The Israelis and Americans will surely tell the government to use gold, land, or oil fracking contracts, or emeralds, or
06:00the natural resources the territory possesses.
06:08Is that reconstruction, or is it called plunder, which is the next danger we face?
06:21In this context, Senator, for the historic pact, Iván Zapedal stated that Colombia is a sovereign nation and emphasized that
06:29any foreign presence for the purpose of military operations must be authorized by the Senate of the Republic.
06:44Colombia is a sovereign nation, as clearly established in Article 173 of the Constitution.
06:54Seventh, we call on all political forces to quickly agree on a regulatory framework that allows for direct contracting by
07:00the national government, with the community action boards and community organizations to advance reconstruction plans and projects, and the comprehensive
07:07improvement of the affected areas.
07:16Colombians, in this difficult time, we must stand united around what matters most, life, dignity, solidarity, and Colombia sovereignty.
07:25Colombians and Colombians, in this difficult time, we must stand united around what essential.
07:33No affected families should be left alone, that no community be forgotten, no matter how remote its rural location may
07:39be, and that this tragedy give rise alongside physical reconstruction.
07:50To a national consensus on the duty to protect our natural environment, our people, and our homeland.
07:57A national agreement on the duty of protecting our nature, our people, and our country.
08:05On Wednesday, an attack attributed to the National Liberation Army was reported in Colombia in the municipality of Norosí, in
08:12the department of Bolívar, in the north of the country, which spread terror at a preschool with more than 300
08:17children.
08:18The militia led an attack using drones and rifles against the local police station, while more than 300 preschool and
08:24mid-elementary school children were attending classes at an educational institution located just 100 meters from the police post.
08:31In response to the situation, the principal and teachers sheltered the children, who endured hours of terror.
08:38Given the seriousness of the events, academic activities were suspended until further notice.
08:43The irregular offensive left several police officers injured.
08:55And now we have a short break coming up, but first remember you can join us on TikTok at Telesur
09:00English, where you will find news in different formats, news updates and more.
09:05We'll be right back, stay with us.
09:34Welcome back to From the South.
09:36On Wednesday, Venezuela's acting president, Elsie Rodriguez, led the reopening of key businesses in La Guayra and the distribution of
09:42loans to entrepreneurs.
09:43These actions are part of the economic-threatening and social assistance efforts for communities affected by the June 24 earthquakes.
09:50Following an initial phase focused on stabilizing supply that benefited 1,766 entrepreneurs, this new capital allocation aims to restore
10:00and revitalize the state's productive capacity.
10:02Throughout public and private banking, the Venezuelan acting president provided 478 loans to entrepreneurs to help them resume their commercial
10:11activities and bolster the productive sectors.
10:13In this scenario, the government reformed its commitment to ensuring the well-being of Venezuelan families and the sustainable development
10:20of the local economy.
10:30We are here next to a drugstore, and it brings me great joy to see how economic activity in the
10:35state of La Guayra is also beginning to renew.
10:38It is beginning to gain new momentum.
10:41And these 478 loans we are providing today to support economic activity and entrepreneurship, through public banks, the National Credit
10:50Bank, and private banks, we have joined forces to support you and provide financing so that you can resume your
10:56economic activities.
10:58This is the path we are on.
11:00This is the path we are on, recovery and rebirth.
11:02And we are witnessing the rebirth of La Guayra, the recovery.
11:06And we are witnessing the rebirth of La Guayra, the recovery.
11:11Also, the acting head of state has highlighted the better resilience of the Venezuelan people in the face of the
11:16impact caused by the recent earthquake that struck the country.
11:23And despite the damage, I have received studies indicating that this double earthquake was the worst in world history.
11:32These are technical studies that are even coming in from other countries, which are studying this double earthquake because of
11:37its characteristics.
11:40But I say that what matters most is the miracle that is our people.
11:46And it is you who are here working hard, recovering, getting back on your feet, and starting over to move
11:51forward. Keep moving forward.
11:56And that in a very short time, we'll be able to have our state of La Guayra back on its
12:00feet again, so that those who lost their homes can find a place to live.
12:03We're working hard on this.
12:09And my embrace of solidarity is always with those who lost loved ones, which is the hardest thing that can
12:14happen to us, that can happen to us in life.
12:20So I thank God that we can then unite to recover, to get back on our feet, and to keep
12:24moving forward.
12:28In Venezuela, the Ministry of Habitat and Housing has launched a new service for the single housing registry aimed at
12:34families affected by the earthquakes of June 24 that affected the country.
12:38The process will take place at the Ministry of State's offices based on the last digit of the ID card
12:44number.
12:45On Thursdays, those ending in 1, 2, and 3 will be served.
12:48On Fridays, those ending in 4, 5, and 6.
12:51And on Mondays, those ending in 7, 8, 9, and 0.
12:55Service will be provided from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12:58This initiative is intended for families who lost their homes or whose properties were classified as writ-taked and who
13:05were not included in the first round of assessments.
13:14The Venezuelan government reported receiving 30 tons of solidarity from European Union countries for those affected by the June 24
13:21earthquakes.
13:22The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced that supplies from Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands have arrived in
13:29Venezuela.
13:29The Ministry thanked these countries for their assistance, describing it as a great gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and international cooperation.
13:37The Ministry also reported that the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Aid Operations coordinated the shipment of emergency
13:44supplies.
13:45The supplies will strengthen the capacity for an immediate response, improve medical care, and provide assistance to earthquake-affected people.
14:08The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
14:09Honduras has placed nearly 80% of its territory under alert.
14:13It is a severe drought worsened by El Niño weather phenomenon affecting communities across the country.
14:18The government says 234 of Honduras' 298 municipalities are facing low-reservoir levels, crop losses, and livestock deaths.
14:26The measures are intended to free up resources to respond to the crisis.
14:31The capital, Tegucigalpa, home to 1.7 million people, is among 75 areas placed under the highest-level red alert.
14:38Other municipalities have been assigned different levels of emergency, with no end date announced.
14:43The hardest-hit areas are in Central America's Dry Corridor and other regions spanning parts of Honduras, El Salvador, and
14:51Nicaragua,
14:52that is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.
15:03The red alert is already a national emergency because more than half of the municipalities in Honduras are in crisis,
15:1075 under red alert and 72 under yellow alert.
15:14It's a critical situation. Some are suffering from water shortages and others from severe drought,
15:20which is already affecting food supplies and the ability to feed people.
15:24Here in the Central District, we've been in a water emergency since May.
15:29Ecuador is facing a severe environmental crisis after recording 1,314 wildfires between July 1 and August 19,
15:37a critical dry season period that has devastated some 9,760 hectares of vegetation across the country.
15:44The Andean provinces of Pichisha, Mbabura, Suai, and Chimborazo account for the highest number of incidents,
15:50making August the most destructive month so far this year, with 683 fires alone burning over 7,000 hectares.
15:57Emergency crews are still fighting three active outbreaks in Karchi and Loja provinces.
16:02The National Secretariat of Risk Management has deployed more than 1,700 personal and technical resources,
16:09coordinating firefighters, military forces, and local communities.
16:12While national capacities have so far precluded the need for international assistance,
16:17authorities have issued an urgent appeal to strengthen prevention measures against unauthorized burning.
16:34Residents of Tocopilla City in Antofagasta region began cleanup efforts after the severe storm that triggered a debris flow
16:41in northern Chile on Tuesday.
16:43Leaving at least one person dead, 2,000 evacuated and homes flooded, and communities cut off.
16:49The debris flow occurred when intense rainfall swelled rivers and activated several ravines,
16:53causing large volumes of water, mud, and sediment to surge into urban areas, sweeping away vehicles and blocking roads.
17:02In this context, the President Jose Antonio Castro declared a state of catastrophe for Tocopilla
17:06and deployed human and material resources to address the situation.
17:10In parallel, the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response
17:14maintained the red alert for a meteorological event across the entire Antofagasta region,
17:19in force since Tuesday, and to remain in place as long as conditions weren't.
17:31Let's take a short break, but before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Tocopilla City English,
17:35there you'll be able to watch our top stories, special live coverage, and much more.
17:39Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
17:45Final short break, don't go away.
18:11Welcome back to From the South.
18:13The United States President Donald Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign against Iran on Wednesday,
18:18warning of what he called tremendous consequences for any country that helps or does businesses with the Islamic Republic.
18:24In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the initiative as unprecedented economic water and isolation campaign.
18:31He said that Washington will target channels used to bypass sanctions and maintain financial flows to Iran,
18:37including oil smuggling, currency exchanges, cash transfer, money-changing operations,
18:42ship registries, and front companies.
18:44Trump demanded that all such activities stop immediately and warned that the United States would monitor countries and entities,
18:51allowing them to continue.
18:59In this regard, China has slammed the United States President of Economics warfare against Iran and allies,
19:05saying more sanctions will not help solve the outstanding issues.
19:08Precisely on Thursday, during a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Yan urged the United States and Iran to
19:15act responsibly,
19:16after President Donald Trump threatened to impose sweeping sanctions on countries helping Tehran.
19:22Sanctions and pressure tactics are not the solution China calls on parties to act responsibly and stick to the political
19:28and diplomatic approach,
19:29Lin told reporters in Beijing.
19:31Trump threats have escalated his campaign to isolate Iran, seeking to cut off financial and commercial channels to provide the
19:38Persian nation with economic support.
19:47Meanwhile, on a Wednesday, Israeli military forces and settlers carried out illegal raids in the occupied West Bank.
19:53According to local sources, Israeli forces fired tear gas and stone grenades in the Khuzrat village south of Nablus,
19:59which led to confrontations with Palestinian youths.
20:02In addition, Chinese settlers raided the towns of Beit Furik and Beit Ha.
20:06The sources also report that Israeli troops blocked roads, looted numerous homes in various neighborhoods,
20:13and turned some into military posts.
20:15These ongoing acts of aggression include the killing and detention of Palestinians,
20:19the destruction and demolition of homes, the burning of mosques, and the destruction of agricultural land.
20:33China and South Korea are seeking to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties following high-level talks in Seoul.
20:40Our correspondent in the Asian giant, Bruno Falchi, has the details.
20:44Greetings, comrades.
20:46From here in Shenzhen, I report that China and South Korea are moving to strengthen their relations following the Chinese
20:54Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Seoul,
20:58which concluded on August 20.
21:01Today, it was the first visit by a Chinese Foreign Minister to South Korea in five years,
21:09and focused on bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
21:15During the meetings, both countries agreed to accelerate negotiations on the second phase of their free trade agreement,
21:25and expand cooperation in trade, supply chains, technology, and people-to-people exchange.
21:33On the regional front, Wang Yi reaffirmed China's support for a political and peaceful solution for the Korean Peninsula issue,
21:44and called for a return to dialogue and peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas.
21:51South Korea President Lee Jae-myung, for his part, called for a closer strategic communication with Beijing on regional issues,
22:02and highlighted the progress in ties between the two countries.
22:07And the next stage could take place exactly here in Shenzhen,
22:12where China is actively considering a possible meeting between the President Xi Jinping and Lee Jae-myung,
22:21during the APEC Leaders Summit scheduled for November in the city,
22:28although the meeting has not yet been confirmed.
22:32With this news from here in Shenzhen, we go back with you in the studios.
22:40Japanese citizens gathered outside the National Light Building in Tokyo on Wednesday to protest
22:45Prime Minister Sanae Takayashi's push for higher defense spending and constitutional revision.
22:50Local media reports say Japan's defense-related budget for fiscal year 2027
22:55could raise approximately US$63 billion, raising concerns over the government's military expansion plans.
23:02Demonstrators called for greater investment in domestic welfare and disaster relief,
23:07while opposing what they described as a dangerous move toward militarization.
23:12Protesters also criticized efforts to revise the Constitution, particularly Article 9, which renounces war.
23:25And like this, we have come to the end of this brief.
23:28Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website at telestudyenglish.net,
23:32and join us on social media. We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok.
23:38For Telesur English, I am Lorena Foam. Thank you for watching.
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