International

Colombia prepares for the possible eruption of Nevado del Ruiz

Photo: EFE

April 3 |

The first preventive evacuation works in the rural area of Villamaría in the department of Caldas, in the northwest of Colombia, began this Monday morning due to the threat of eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which resumed its activity in recent days.

The governor of Caldas, Luis Carlos Velásquez, reported that, in the coming days, 40 families from Villamaría will be taken to safe places. “In the area there are 300 homes that are located in the high, middle and low jurisdiction of the volcano,” he specified.

Velásquez explained that this decision was taken in order to avoid the risk that exists in case of an eruption of the volcano.

He also said that 23 educational institutions, located within 10 kilometers (km) around the geological structure, were asked to conduct classes virtually after the Easter break.

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The volcano increased its seismic activity in the last days, forcing to declare an orange alert and public calamity in that area to “focus resources and actions”, according to the extraordinary bulletin of the Colombian Geological Service.

John Makario Londoño, director of geohazards, explained that the “orange alert means that the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano is more likely to erupt in the coming days or weeks”.

Velásquez emphasized that this measure is “preventive” and, in that sense, he called not to generate panic and not to share photos of active volcanoes that do not correspond to the situation currently being experienced in the department.

Meanwhile, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reminds that, although volcanic activity may vary or decrease, it will not return to the yellow alert level until a “prudential time” of a few weeks has passed, in which “trends and patterns can be observed that allow inferring its possible decrease”.

Likewise, it warns that the level will be raised to red in the event of “an acceleration of the processes that suggest an imminent eruption or that the eruption itself occurs”.

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In a meeting held by the authorities of Manizales, capital of the department of Caldas, with the Seismological and Volcanological Observatory of the city, it was agreed that the Official Fire Department of the city will be the entity in charge of providing information in case of an eventual emergency.

Subsequently, the SGC detailed that the seismic activity remains located in the southwestern sector of the volcano and at a distance from the crater between 2.0 and 5.0 kilometers.

Likewise, the Colombian SGC said that there were confirmed ash emissions and degassing due to the movement of fluids inside the volcano, which in 1985 caused the largest natural disaster in Colombia.

“The maximum height of the gas and/or ash column observed yesterday (Sunday) was 1,200 meters measured from the top of the volcano,” the statement notes.

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International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

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International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

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International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

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Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.