International

At least eight dead after avalanche in Cundinamarca, Colombia

Photo: Coviandina

July 18 |

At least eight people died and nine others were reported missing on Tuesday as a result of an avalanche recorded in the sector of Quetame, Cundinamarca, in the central region of Colombia, according to the latest report from Governor Nicolas Garcia…

The head of the Executive of Cundinamarca said that rescuers recovered eight bodies, while the search continues for more missing persons, including several minors.

“Due to the heavy rains in the municipality of Guayabetal there was an avalanche that we are currently attending with Risk Management and relief corps,” said the governor.

According to local media, members of the Police and the Risk Management Unit are at the scene carrying out rescue and rescue work.

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At the same time, firefighting units from Cáqueza, Guayabetal, Chipaque, Fómeque and Ubaque have also been incorporated, while the authorities specified that the number of missing persons is around 25.

The fire captain of the official corps of Cundinamarca, Álvaro Farfán, pointed out that, after a first inspection, the first affected people were transferred to medical centers in Villavicencio and Cáqueza.

“The death that reaches Quetame, Cundinamarca, demonstrates the imperative need to order the territory around water and free its spaces in the POT Plans of the municipalities. Mayors must prioritize this principle,” said Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

On the other hand, Concesionaria Vial Andina announced that the road to El Llano is in total closure with no estimated opening time due to the overflowing of the Marcelita and Estaquecá streams.

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International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

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International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

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Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.