Category Archives: headline

headline

Mexico: 600 Migrants Found Hidden in 2 Trailers Traveling North

(CNN) Mexican authorities have reported finding some 600 migrants hidden in two trailers traveling through the state of Veracruz, according to the country’s National Migration Institute (INM).

In a statement, the migration agency said that they discovered 145 women and 455 men in closed box cars that were heading north towards the US border.
A substantial majority of the migrants — around 400 people — come from neighboring Guatemala, while significant numbers also come from Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Bangladesh.
Twelve countries in total are represented in the migrants’ profiles, with El Salvador, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Ghana, India and Cameroon making up the remainder.
The INM said they had started processing the people and would inform child protection agencies in the cases of unaccompanied minors and families, and will then decide whether to send them back to their home countries or give them the opportunity to remain in Mexico through a regularization procedure.
In July, US Customs and Border Protection apprehended 212,672 people trying to cross the border between Mexico and the United States — the highest number of arrests at the border in two decades.
Between October 2020 and June 2021, more than 1 million migrants were arrested at the border. The crisis has prompted the US to run radio ads in Central America to try to deter people from migration.
In the 2021 fiscal year, there were 557 deaths registered by US Border Patrol — the highest number since records began and a significant increase from 254 deaths in 2020.
Migration is very common from Central American countries like Honduras, where storms, violence, corruption, food insecurity, and a lack of economic opportunity have left many with no other choice.
Elsewhere in Latin America, a crackdown on immigration policies accompanied by an exodus of Venezuelans and large numbers of Haitians moving through the continent have led to a migrant crisis in the region.
In mid-2020, international migrants represented 2.6% of South America’s whole population, a significant increase from the less than 1% registered in 2015, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

CNN’s Daniela Mohor W. and Jeevan Ravindran contributed to this report.

The post Mexico: 600 Migrants Found Hidden in 2 Trailers Traveling North appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Chile Voters Go to Polls Amid Deep Divisions

By Rachelle Krygier
BBC Monitoring, Miami

Chile was long held up as a model of political stability and economic growth in South America.

But that image was shattered when violent anti-government protests began to spread though the country in late 2019.

In the first general election since, voters face a choice between sharply diverging political visions for the future.

The leading candidates reflect the social tensions and political polarisation that have gripped the nation as a result of that internal upheaval.

This situation has been exacerbated by the social and economic strains of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The most recent opinion polls show far-right candidate José Antonio Kast in the lead, followed by left-wing former student leader Gabriel Boric.

Chilean presidential candidate for the Apruebo Dignidad party Gabriel Boric gestures during a debate at the Chilean Institute of Rational Administration of Companies (ICARE), in Santiago, on November 11, 2021
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If elected, Gabriel Boric would become the youngest Chilean president

With a total of seven candidates in the running for the presidency, it is unlikely that any one candidate will get the 50% of the votes necessary to win outright in the first round.

A second round scheduled for 19 December is therefore looking highly likely.

Besides choosing a new president, Chileans will also be electing a new 155-member Chamber of Deputies and 27 members of the 50-seat Senate, as well as regional councillors.

Divisions and anger

The election is being held at a time when Chile’s political scene is unusually agitated and with the deep-rooted anger displayed during the anti-government protests of 2019 and 2020 still raw.

One of the demands made by the protesters was for a new constitution to replace the one which dates back to the military rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet.

A Constitutional Convention elected in May 2021 and installed in July has started work on drafting a new document.

Among the changes being considered are including specific guarantees of indigenous and gender rights to access to natural resources.

All of these have fed into the presidential election campaign, provoking debate and in some cases controversy.

Outgoing President Sebastián Piñera is not standing in Sunday’s election but whoever succeeds him will have to deal with the security situation in the southern La Araucanía region, where indigenous Mapuche activists have been waging a long battle for ancestral land rights.

A group of constituents and members of the original peoples of Chile, belonging to the Constitutional Convention, participate in a march from the headquarters of the assembly to the Palacio de la Moneda, in Santiago, Chile, 04 November 2021.
The declaration of a state of emergency has proven controversial

President Piñera declared a state of emergency in four of the worst-hit provinces on 12 October following increased arson incidents and shooting attacks against police and residents.

Front runners and their proposals

The most recent opinion polls have 55-year-old José Antonio Kast in the lead, followed by 35-year-old Gabriel Boric.

Chilean presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast from far-right Republican Party meets with Chilean-based international media reporters in Santiago, Chile, November 12, 2021.
José Antonio Kast has been leading in the polls

The race for third place is expected to be a close one between right-leaning Franco Parisi, centre-left candidate Yasna Provoste and Sebastian Sichel, the centre-right candidate of the governing “Chile Podemos Mas” coalition.

His critics have branded Mr Kast as an “ultra-right supporter of dictatorship” because of his sympathetic comments for the rule of the late General Pinochet, who seized power in a military coup in 1973.

Others are comparing Mr Kast to Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Mr Kast has been critical of the rewriting of the constitution and has also presented himself as tough on law and order, calling for a stronger response to illegal immigration and to the violence in La Araucanía.

Analysts say this has resonated with many Chileans who were frightened by the scenes of anarchic protest and chaotic looting that accompanied the 2019 unrest.

In contrast, Gabriel Boric’s youth and his moderate left-wing stance is proving attractive to Chileans who favour the idea of progressive reforms and a new constitution.

Mr Boric’s economic proposals include plans to increase the state’s role, replace the private pension system with a public alternative, boost taxes on big companies and wealthy individuals, and bolster state spending on social services like health insurance.

Some local analysts have presented the upcoming electoral contest as a “generational war”, with the older Mr Kast appealing to middle-aged and older voters, while Mr Boric was seen wooing the younger vote.

“Candidates are talking to different generations,” the director of the Criteria polling agency Cristian Valdivieso said.

However, surveys also showed Mr Kast’s supporters were also mostly from lower socio-economic sectors and from non-metropolitan regions, while Mr Boric’s backers mostly came from the middle and higher economic classes.

The post Chile Voters Go to Polls Amid Deep Divisions appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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South Australia just hours away from opening borders

South Australia is just hours away from opening its borders, with the state government's entry website already sent more than 25,000 applications.

As of 12.01am, interstate visitors will be allowed to enter the state provided they are fully vaccinated and have applied through the government's EntryCheckSA process.

Quarantine requirements depend on where a person has arrived from. International visitors or domestic arrivals from areas deemed "high risk" will need to quarantine for seven days.

READ MORE: Wild weather to lash three Australian states

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall updates the media.

Most interstate arrivals will need to take a COVID-19 test in the 72 hours prior to arriving in South Australia.

Premier Steven Marshall said that the state had been working on becoming COVID-ready for "months".

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Traffic queued at the pop up Covid-19 testing site at Waterworld in Ridgehaven in Adelaide, South Australia.

"A lot of people have been waiting for this day. They've been dislocated from friends and family and of course they've been dislocated from business opportunities," Mr Marshall said.

South Australia's current double-dose vaccination rate is 77.4 per cent, shy of the state's anticipated 80 per cent target to open state borders.

Police reinforcements have been sent to the state's land borders, as authorities expect hundreds of residents to enter the state via road after midnight.

A full list of risk levels can be found on the SA Health website.

headline

Australians expected to spend billions in Black Friday sales

They are the biggest Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Australians are expected to part with around $5.5 billion over four days from this Friday with many retailers pulling the trigger early to get their hands on a slice of the spend.

It's a much-needed boost for retailers following months of lockdown in eastern states.

READ MORE: Wild weather to lash three Australian states

They are the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Two years ago, November surpassed December as the biggest retail spending month of the year and this year will be no different.

Shoppers no longer wait for the Boxing Day sales, instead are focusing on securing bargains in the lead up to Christmas rather than just after.

Retail figures due out this Friday as the sales kick off in earnest are expected to show a 3.5 per cent lift in spending in October.

Some Westfields have also extended their trading hours for Friday.

They are the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Westfield Parramatta will stay open till midnight; Bondi Junction till 10pm and Penrith, Liverpool and the city till 9pm.

For the first time, the supermarkets are also embracing the sales that originated in the US on a grand scale.

From Wednesday, Coles will discount a range of gift cards by 15 per cent, and sell heavily discounted repurposed Apple iPads, phones and watches and toys including Lego and Barbies.

There'll be 50 per cent off cosmetics and home decor in-store as well as 1270 online-only offers.

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They are the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Woolworths is discounting more than 3000 products from Wednesday while their marketplace will have half-price goods ranging from food processors to toys and Nespresso machines.

Aldi has labelled its sale "Black Wednesday" offering things like cheap inflatable spas and electric scooters while also offering big discounts on well-known brands like Scanpan and Bonds.

Online retailer OzSale began its sale today with up to 80 per cent off full prices on Ted Baker, Bonds, Champion, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

New offers will be released each day this week.

CEO Kalman Polak is expecting to double their orders from this time last year to ship 2400 cubic metres worth of stock in just five days.

"We think we might have between five to 10 times more traffic on our site than we normally have any other day," he told 9News.

He said the consumer appetite for discounts at the moment is huge.

READ MORE: New clue found in search for William Tyrrell

They are the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Costco is running 12 days of deals right now that end on Friday and Amazon launched its sale today with new offers each day.

If it's a cheap holiday you're after, Wotif.com is among the travel sites with cheap hotel offers, particularly in Phuket.

Flights are due to resume to Thailand in January.

Furniture retailers are also offering half price on select bedding, dining and sofas.

Professor Gary Mortimer from the QUT Business School said this will be the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale on record.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," he said.

"They've really shifted that promotional calendar so November is now much bigger for sales than December."

READ MORE: Austria hit with snap lockdown ahead of Christmas

They are the biggest Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales on record with every retailer jumping on the bandwagon this year from supermarkets to travel sites.

Professor Mortimer said Australians are expected to spend around $5.5 billion this year, up 10 per cent on last year's Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

Whether you get your online orders in a timely manner remains to be seen with many retailers already struggling with delivery delays.

headline

Thunderstorms and heavy rain continue across Queensland and NSW

Thunderstorms and rain are expected to continue across New South Wales and Queensland for the rest of tonight and into tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said severe thunderstorms will carry on in south-east Queensland, between Harvey Bay and Mackay, through tonight.

Thunderstorms will also continue in north-east NSW throughout the evening and into tomorrow.

LIVE UPDATES: Borders to open to students, workers

A number of rescues have taken place in NSW today after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in the Hunter region and north-east of the state.

A person became trapped inside their car after trying to cross floodwaters on Idaville Road in Merriwa in the Hunter region about 6.30am today.

He was found standing on the tray of his submerged ute as the river rose due to being inundated with rain.

A person had to be rescued after they were trapped in floodwaters in the Hunter region.

Merriwa Rescue crews were joined by NSW Police and Ambulance to save the man, who was then taken to hospital.

His car was left in the floodwaters.

"It seems the individual has not appreciated the speed or the depth of the water that was flowing across the causeway and unfortunately half way along his vehicle has been swept off the causeway," Andrew Luke from Merriwa Rescue Squad said.

Multiple rescues from NSW floodwaters

It sparked another warning for residents not to cross swollen rivers, or enter floodwaters.

"It's probably a stark reminder to others who decided it was a good idea to try it today," Mr Luke said.

Merriwa Rescue Squad said this was the second rescue this morning.

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) also carried out a rescue in Forbes yesterday when a motorist was cut off by floodwaters.

She was driving down the Lachlan Valley Way when floodwaters cut off her access and she was unable to turn around.

The motorist was cut off by floodwaters in Forbes.

The NSW RFS helicopter happened to be flying around the area and was able to land and safely relocate the woman.

"It's important to note that some roads maybe cut off with little warning."

"So even if there are no warning signs or road closed signs never drive through flood waters," NSW RFS said.

The NSW Hunter region has been particularly impacted by flooding today.

9News reporter Olivia Grace-Curran captured Dora the horse swimming through floodwaters in the Upper Hunter.

The horse's paddock has been turned into a pool after it became inundated.

A horse has been captured swimming through floodwaters in the NSW Upper Hunter.

Floods also impacted Tamworth in the NSW north-east amid heavy rainfall.

Some residents were unable to go into work as Calala Lane was filled with flood waters, cutting off their route.

The road has since reopened.

Some students sitting their HSC in Tamworth had to relocate.

Tamworth High School and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School advised their HSC students to attend different schools to sit their exams, and advised all other students to remain at home or report to their closest public school.

Flooding has hit the Tamworth area as more rainfall is expected today.

Moderate flood warnings remain in place for the Castlereagh River at Mendooran and the Peel River in Tamworth.

The Central West which has already been battered by flooding has an upgraded major flood warning for the Lachlan River at Jemalong.

Multiple minor flood warnings have been issued for inland rivers in the north-west and central west.

A Hazardous Surf Warning has been issued for the Macquarie and Hunter Coasts.

READ MORE: New clue found in William Tyrell search

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said another trough is expected to cross the state on Wednesday and Thursday this week, bringing more severe weather.

"Renewed flooding is possible in the inland rivers where there are minor to major flood warnings current," the BoM said.

The wild weather has already turned deadly, with a woman in her 30s has dying after being hit by a falling tree branch on the NSW Central Coast.

While two boys had to be rescued after being trapped in floodwaters in the NSW Lachlan River, with a police officer jumping in to save them.

Queensland

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for central Queensland, including Mackay.

The storm may bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1462667129409388545

Further north, severe thunderstorms with heavy rain moved through south-east Queensland today.

This morning, Toowoomba was hit by severe storms, and Caboolture was lashed with torrential rain.

A total of 72mm of rain was recorded in Ma Ma Creek near the Lockyer Valley in just one hour and 23.6 mm fell in Brisbane between 6am and 9am.

The storm cell is expected to bring wet weather all week.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said there will be more severe storms and heavy rainfall this summer.

"There is a risk of increased weather activity in the coming months, so our communities need to be ready," Assistant Commissioner Gary McCormack said. 

It comes as the BoM said there is a 66 per cent chance of a higher-than-average number of cyclones and rainfall for Australia's eastern region. 

headline

Melissa Caddick's assets to be sold to repay $23m in stolen funds

Missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick's assets could soon be sold to repay more than $23 million she stole from her friends and clients.

Ms Caddick is suspected of stealing millions before she vanished from her Dover Heights home just over a year ago.

In a major win for her victims, some of Ms Caddick's assets will be sold, but not all of the money she took will be returned.

READ MORE: Wild weather to lash three Australian states

Before Melissa Caddick disappeared in November 2020, the Sydney business woman ripped off more than 60 investors to the tune of $25 million dollars.

The $6 million Dover Heights mansion is among Ms Caddick's assets to be carved up after the Federal Court officially appointed receivers and liquidators.

Anthony Koletti, Ms Caddick's husband, now stands to lose his home.

"It's the next stop – and indeed a critical and beneficial step – for investors who have lost money with Melissa Caddick," Bruce Gleeson, from Jones Partners Principal, said.

READ MORE: New clue found in search for William Tyrrell

A bunch of flowers at the fence in front of the Dover Heights home of Anthony Koletti, Melissa Caddick and her 15 year old son reside. Part of Melissa Caddicks remains were found at Bournda Beach on the South Coast of NSW. Dover Heights, Sydney, NSW. 26th February, 2021. Photo: Kate Geraghty

The property sale will only be a fraction of what Ms Caddick owed to 72 clients who she stole more than $23 million from over eight years.

Ms Caddick spent the money on designer cars, clothing, jewellery, and overseas trips instead of investing it.

She vanished a day after ASIC raids last November.

Some of her remains later washed up on a South Coast beach.

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Police believe Ms Caddick may have taken her own life after vanishing from Dover Heights.

The coroner's report is yet to be handed down.

The next step in the selling of Ms Caddick's assets may be complicated as her parents partly own her Edgecliff property, where they could claim ownership.

This means it may not be sold off.