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☆ Colombia to break diplomatic ties with Israel over actions in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | Michael Rios | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Colombia says it will break diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday over its actions in Gaza. Colombian President Gustavo Petro made the announcement at a rally at the Bolívar Square in Bogotá on Wednesday. Its devastating response has since killed more than 34,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro at a rally in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2024. Bolivia cut diplomatic ties with Israel last year, citing “crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people” in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Petro, ” Israel, ” Katz, Luisa Gonzalez Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, Reuters CNN, Colombian Foreign Ministry, Israel, Hamas Locations: Colombia, Israel, Gaza, Colombian, Bogotá, Bogota, Bolivia

☆ Colombia to Sever Ties With Israel Over Gaza War
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Colombia will sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its prosecution of the war in Gaza, President Gustavo Petro announced in Bogotá on Wednesday, describing the Israeli government as “genocidal.”His announcement came in a speech in Colombia’s capital city in front of cheering crowds that had gathered for International Workers’ Day. “The times of genocide, of the extermination of an entire people cannot come before our eyes, before our passivity,” Mr. Petro said. “If Palestine dies, humanity dies.”Colombia is the second South American nation to break off relations with Israel after Bolivia, which cut ties in November over its strikes in Gaza. Belize also cut diplomatic ties with Israel that month. “Israel and Colombia always enjoyed warm ties.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, “, ” Mr, Petro, Petro’s, ”, Israel Katz, ’, Mr, Colombia’s, Katz, Netanyahu Organizations: International Workers, Israel, Security Locations: Colombia, Israel, Gaza, Bogotá, Colombia’s, American, Bolivia, Chile, Honduras, Belize, “ Israel, Gaza City

☆ The world’s best airports for 2024, according to Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For the last decade, Singapore’s Changi International Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport have been going back and forth, battling over the title of ‘world’s best’. European airports dominateNine of the top 20 best airports are in Europe, including Vienna, Madrid and Istanbul. Kansai International Airport (KIX), which serves the Osaka area, scored the award for the world’s best airport baggage delivery. El Dorado International Airport (BOG), which serves Bogota, Colombia, was voted the best airport in South America, while Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) won the honor of best airport for Latin America and the Caribbean. The world’s best airports for 20241.

Persons: CNN — Ali, Frazier, ‘, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, It’s, Charles de Gaulle, ORY, Indira, Skytrax, Paris Charles de Gaulle Organizations: CNN, The Red Sox, Yankees, Doha, Singapore, Singapore’s, Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International, Hamad International, Airport, ” Qatar Airways Group’s, Oryx, Paris, Paris ’, Rome Fiumicino Airport, Zurich, Vantaa, Haneda, New, Chubu Centrair International, Kansai International, Vancouver International, Melbourne Airport, MEL, Australia, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Cape Town Airport, King Shaka International, El Dorado International, Panama Tocumen, TWA, New York JFK, Hyatt Regency Shenzhen, Hilton Munich Airport, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Doha Hamad, Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, Dubai, Munich, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Rome Fiumicino, Vienna, Madrid, Barajas, Vancouver, Kansai, Melbourne, Copenhagen Locations: Singapore’s Changi, Doha’s, Qatar’s, Singapore, Doha, “, Frankfurt, Germany, Europe, Vienna, Madrid, Istanbul, Paris, Skytrax, Rome, Helsinki, HEL, Japan, Asia, Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, North America, Down, Pacific, India, Cape, Africa, Durban, Bogota, Colombia, South America, Panama, America, Caribbean, New York, China, Tokyo, Vantaa

☆ Who is Juan Merchan? What to know about the judge in Trump’s hush money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan is a seasoned jurist who is no stranger to Trump’s orbit. In the lead-up to the start of the trial, Trump fanned the flames on social media with his views on the judge. “Judge Merchan was always well-prepared, accessible, and – most importantly in the Weisselberg matter – a man of his word. Trump also claimed Judge Merchan has ruled against him in pretrial motions “because his daughter makes money by working to ‘Get Trump.’”Loren Merchan has not commented publicly on the case. David Paterson appointed him to the New York State Court of Claims in 2009, the same year he began serving as an acting New York Supreme Court judge.

Persons: Donald, Juan Merchan, Allen Weisselberg, Steve, Trump, Merchan, “ Judge Merchan, ” Nicholas Gravante, Weisselberg, ” Gravante, Judge Merchan, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Donald Trump, bode, ” Agnifilo, ” Merchan, ’ Trump, Loren Merchan, Joe Biden, didn’t, ‘ Get, ’ ” Loren Merchan, “, ” Trump, ”, Anna Gristina, Timothy Parlatore, “ I’ve, ” Parlatore, Brendan Tracy, ” Tracy, Earl Ward, it’s, ” Ward, Michael Bloomberg, David Paterson Organizations: CNN, The, New, Trump Organization, Trump, Republican, Attorney’s Office, Democratic, Super Liberal Democrat, ‘, ‘ Get Trump, Authentic, Bloomberg News, Manhattan Mental Health, Attorney’s, Bronx Defenders, Mental Health, New York, Court, Democratic Gov, New York Times, Baruch College, Times, Hofstra University Locations: York, Manhattan, “, Senegalese, Long Island, New, Bronx, Bogotá, Colombia, United States, New York City, Jackson Heights , Queens, New York

☆ In a Global Cycling Capital, Riders Fear Becoming Crime Victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( James Wagner | Nathalia Angarita | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bicycles are an essential part of the Colombian identity — ubiquitous, cheaper and, in some urban communities, often a faster way to get around. No Colombian city embodies riding on two wheels more than the capital, Bogotá, where the metropolitan area of nearly 11 million inhabitants has no subway system and some of the world’s worst traffic jams. The city has over 1.1 million bicycles, according to officials, and records nearly 900,000 bicycle trips per day. But a number of robberies and assaults of cyclists this year have left many riders in Bogotá on edge. A recent news report estimated that a bicycle was stolen in the capital every 42 minutes and small gangs of thieves have targeted cyclists.

Persons: “, ”, Carlos Fernando Galán Organizations: Bogotá’s Locations: Bogotá

☆ One of the world’s highest cities starts rationing water as reservoirs fall to critical levels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But this marks the first time in recent history that Bogotá has been forced to implement water rationing measures. Mayor Carlos Galán announced that water rationing measures for Bogotá would begin on April 11. El Niño is a natural climate pattern originating in the Pacific Ocean along the equator, which influences weather around the globe. In a country as politically divided as Colombia, the urgency of addressing El Niño is a rare point of consensus. Bogotá’s water rationing plans have been supported by the country’s president, who has historically had a testy relationship with the city’s mayor.

Persons: Colombia CNN —, Montgomery Burns, “, El Niño, Ivan Valencia, Carlos Fernando Galán, ” Galán, It’s, El, Bogotá, Magdalena, ”, Armando Sarmiento, Sarmiento, Mayor Carlos Galán, Fernando Vergara, Niño, Susana Muhamad, ” CNN’s Heather Law, Ana Melgar Organizations: Colombia CNN, ”, Bogotá’s Javeriana University, CNN, Bogotá, El Niño Locations: Bogotà, Colombia, Bogotá, San Rafael, El, Colombian, Latin America, Mexico City, Magdalena, Colombia’s, Bogota, Mayor, Sarmiento

☆ Ecuador’s raid on Mexico’s embassy shocked Latin America. Here’s why it may still pay off for Daniel Noboa
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa during his inauguration at the National Assembly in Quito on November 23, 2023. A close ideological ally of Correa, Lopez Obrador had since December allowed Glas to live at the Mexican embassy—territory that is technically off limits for local authorities. Lopez Obrador last week seemed to criticize the election that brought Noboa to power, suggesting the climate of fear created by Villavicencio’s murder had favored Noboa. President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a briefing at Palacio Nacional on March 12 in Mexico City. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesWhile Lopez Obrador is at the sunset of his political career, Noboa is just getting started and seeks a strong platform to run for re-election next year.

Persons: “, ”, Jorge Glas, Ecuador’s, Daniel Noboa, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Fernando Villavicencio, Alfredo ‘ Fito ’ Macias, RODRIGO BUENDIA, Glas, Rafael Correa, Lopez Obrador, Evo Morales, Peru’s Pedro Castillo, Correa, Villavicencio’s, Santiago Orbe, ” Orbe, Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Hector Vivas, Emilio Lezama, Bukele, Latinobarometro, It’s, it’s Organizations: Bogota CNN —, Colombian, National, Getty, Ecuadorian, CNN, Palacio Nacional, International Court of Justice Locations: Bogota, America, Guyana, Quito, Mexican, Mexico, Latin America, AFP, Ecuador, Glas, Vienna, Ukraine, Mexico City, El, El Salvador

☆ Colombia’s capital Bogotá to ration water as El Niño adds to drought
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Heather Law | Ana Melgar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, will begin rationing water this week as several of its reservoirs face unprecedented lows amid a drought made worse by the El Niño climate pattern. Speaking to the media on Monday, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said reservoirs had reached “historically low” levels and been worsened by El Niño, which causes high temperatures and impedes precipitation. The country and region have experienced long periods without rain since June 2023 due to El Niño, the city wrote on its official website. The plan will see nine different zones take turns rationing water services. Each zone’s water restrictions will begin at 8 a.m. local time and last 24 hours before shifting to the next zone in line.

Persons: Carlos Fernando Galán, El Niño, Gustavo Petro, El, Galán, ” Organizations: CNN, Bogotá Locations: Bogotá, El, Colombia, Mexico, Mexico City

☆ Travel news: The world’s best airports for food and drink
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. CNN —This week in travel news: Europe’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, a groundbreaking “blended wing” plane, North America’s solar eclipse and the world’s best airports to arrive at hungry. Airport diningThere’s no more captive consumer than a traveler caught between airport security and the departure gate, which is why Food & Wine’s 2024 roundup of the world’s best airports for food and drink got our mouths watering. “Like interest on a bank account we never knew we had.”Solar eclipse across North AmericaVideo Ad Feedback A total solar eclipse will darken skies across the US. There won’t be another total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States until 2044, so make sure you’re prepped.

Persons: bartenders, Shakira, Blake Scholl, ”, don’t, CNN’s Chris Isidore, he’s, won’t Organizations: CNN, hawker, Singapore, Narita International, Dubai International, Pathfinder, America, Disney Locations: Changi, Raffles, Tokyo, Dubai, Italy, Umbria, Africa, Kalandula Falls, Angola, South America, American, Costa Rican, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, California, Colorado, vida, Mexico, United States, Spain, “ Andalusia, North America, Alicudi, Bogota

☆ Argentina and Colombia move to mend ties after Milei calls Petro a ‘terrorist murderer’ in CNN interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Marlon Sorto | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentina and Colombia say they have taken “concrete steps” to improve frayed relations between the two countries after far-right Argentine leader Javier Milei called his left-wing Colombian counterpart a “terrorist murderer” in a CNN interview. In a joint statement Sunday, the two nations’ foreign ministries said they had held talks under orders from Milei and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The measures include the return of both countries’ respective ambassadors after Colombia last week expelled all Argentine diplomats from Bogota following Milei’s comments to CNN. “You can’t expect much from someone who was a terrorist murderer,” Milei said in the interview of Petro, a former guerilla who became Colombia’s first left-wing president in 2022. Colombia recalled its ambassador to Argentina in January following similar comments from Milei, Reuters reported.

Persons: Javier Milei, ”, Gustavo Petro, “, ” Milei, Petro, Colombia’s, Milei, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ” López Obrador, López Obrador, Argentinians “, Nicolás Maduro Organizations: CNN —, Colombian, CNN, Reuters, Venezuela’s, Español Locations: CNN — Argentina, Colombia, Argentine, Milei, Bogota, Argentina, Venezuela, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Nazi

Central Bank is ‘mechanism of fraud’Milei also reiterated his intention to shut down the country’s central bank, calling the institution a “mechanism of fraud.”“A central bank is a fairly recent invention. Milei admitted his reform push has stalled in Argentina’s Congress in recent weeks, but his government maintains the intention to close the central bank within three years. In the interview, Milei claimed his government’s greatest success since entering office in December has been to beat the hyper-inflation and achieve a fiscal surplus for the first time in years. Milei celebrated Argentina’s fiscal surplus, achieved last month for the first time in years, and said that fiscal stability is “a beacon” of his government. Argentina’s poverty rate is over 50%, according to a report from the Argentina’s Catholic University in Buenos Aires.

Persons: ” “, Gustavo, Petro, Javier Milei, Andrés Oppenheimer, Miami Herald –, Colombia’s, Milei, ”, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ” López Obrador, López Obrador, Argentinians “, ” “ Israel, ” Milei, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, “, it’s, Oppenheimer, ’ Milei, Argentina’s Organizations: CNN, Colombian, Colombian Foreign Ministry, Miami Herald, Israel, ” Defense, Trump, Israeli, Republican, Democrats, Central Bank, Ulysses, Argentina national, Argentina’s Catholic University Locations: Bogotá, Argentine, Gaza, Israel, Buenos Aires, United States, Argentina’s

☆ JetBlue cuts routes spanning Los Angeles to Lima in race to lower costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A JetBlue Airways plane prepares to take off from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 31, 2024. The carrier will reduce its departures from Los Angeles International Airport from about 34 a day to 24, focusing on profitable transcontinental routes that include its Mint business class cabin, according to a memo to staff, which was seen by CNBC. Cuts include service from Los Angeles to San Francisco; Seattle; Miami; Las Vegas; Reno, Nevada; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Along with transcontinental flying, JetBlue said it will focus on "bread and butter" routes along the East Coast, and those serving Caribbean vacation destinations. JetBlue is charting its path as a stand-alone airline after a judge blocked its plan to purchase Spirit Airlines in January.

Persons: Dave Jehn, Joanna Geraghty, Carl Icahn Organizations: JetBlue Airways, Fort, Hollywood International, Spirit Airlines, Pratt & Whitney, Airbus, Los Angeles International Airport, CNBC, JetBlue, American Airlines Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Las Vegas ; Reno , Nevada, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, Bogota, Colombia, Quito, Ecuador, Lima, Peru, Kansas City , Missouri, Austin, Atlanta, Nashville, Salt Lake City, New York, Detroit, East Coast, Northeast

☆ ‘Havana syndrome’: Despite symptoms, NIH research finds no evidence of mysterious ailment in brain scans
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Some current and former CIA officers have raised concerns that a CIA task force in charge of investigating Havana syndrome soft-pedaled its investigation, CNN has previously reported. The control group was small and not perfectly matched to those with Havana syndrome. In the second study, researchers tested hearing, balance, eyesight and neuropsychological state, and they looked at blood biomarkers, in the two groups. Headache was a common concern among the participants with Havana syndrome. The study concluded that whatever caused Havana syndrome seems to create symptoms “without persistent or detectable physiologic changes.

Persons: David Relman, don’t, ” Relman, ’, AHIs, Relman, Trump, ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” Dr, Leighton Chan Organizations: CNN, National Institutes of Health, Stanford, CIA, AHIs, CNN Health, NIH Locations: Havana, Cuban, Bogota, Colombia, Vienna, Austria

☆ Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s sons publish unfinished novel that the late author wanted ‘destroyed’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Pau Mosquera | Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Gabriel García Márquez’s last novel, “Memories of My Melancholy Whores,” was published 20 years ago, but the late Colombian author’s legacy did not end there. On Wednesday, the day García Márquez would have turned 97, the now-finished novel, “Until August,” was published by the author’s sons Rodrigo and Gonzalo García. But, as the pair acknowledge in the book’s preamble, García Márquez didn’t want the work to be released. The Colombian author’s memory loss undermined his confidence in his work, his sons said. García Márquez’s sons have confirmed that there are no other unfinished novels in storage.

Persons: CNN — Gabriel García Márquez’s, ”, —, “, Rodrigo, Gonzalo García, didn’t, García, Gonzalo, Gabriel García Marquez, Fernando Vergara, ” Rodrigo, García Márquez, Márquez, Ana Magdalena Bach, Cristóbal Pera Organizations: CNN, University of Texas, Cervantes Institute, Random Locations: Colombian, Madrid, Bogota, Colombia, Caribbean, “

☆ Why Some Colombians Call Their Mothers ‘Your Mercy’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Julie Turkewitz | Nathalia Angarita | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

After Altair Jaspe moved from Venezuela to the Colombian capital, Bogotá, she was taken aback by the way she was addressed when she walked into any shop, cafe or doctor’s office. In a city that was once part of the Spanish empire, she was no longer “señora,” as she would have been called in Caracas, or perhaps, in her younger years, “muchacha” or “chama.” (Venezuelan terms for “girl” or “young woman.”)Instead, all around her, she was awarded an honorific that felt more fitting for a woman in cape and crown: Your mercy. Would your mercy like a coffee? Will your mercy be taking the appointment at 3 p.m.? Excuse me, your mercy, people told her as they passed in a doorway or elevator.

Persons: Altair Jaspe, “ Locations: Venezuela, Bogotá, Caracas

☆ The ‘Luxury Route’ to the U.S. for African Migrants
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Annie Correal | Federico Rios | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

As record numbers of people cross into the United States, the southern border is not the only place where the migration crisis is playing out. Nearly three thousand miles to the south, inside Colombia’s main international airport, hundreds of African migrants have been pouring in every day, paying traffickers roughly $10,000 for flight packages they hope will help them reach the United States. The surge of African migrants in the Bogotá airport, which began last year, is a vivid example of the impact of one of the largest global movements of people in decades and how it is shifting migration patterns. With some African countries confronting economic crisis and political upheaval, and Europe cracking down on immigration, many more Africans are making the far longer journey to the U.S.

Locations: United States, Bogotá, Europe

☆ God's Man in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +34 min

Trump's departure from the White House hasn't stopped him from using the old administration's star power to fuel Capitol Ministries' growth. But regardless of what happens this coming November, Capitol Ministries is quickly becoming the face of American GOP-style evangelicalism around the world. Other than Ralph's wife, Danielle, and a few members of Capitol Ministries' administrative staff, the room was almost entirely men. Rick Perry spoke to Drollinger at Capitol Ministries' global summit in Washington, DC. And yet, on the question of whether and why to support Israel, Drollinger was indeed looking to Revelation for answers.

Persons: Cheyne, —, He'd, Christ, Rick Perry, Cheriss, Trump, Mike Johnson —, Ralph Drollinger, Drollinger, Alex Acosta, Perry, Acosta, Mike Pompeo, Betsy DeVos, Sonny Perdue, Ben Carson, Jeff Sessions, hasn't, Danielle, you've, Donald Trump, Capitol Ministries doesn't, Samson, Matthew, didn't, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rick, I'm, Ralph Drollinger's, Daniel Ortega, Ralph, he'd, Washington —, Ortega, Douglas Coe, Maria Butina, Joe Biden, forbearance, Bruce Westerman, Bruce Westerman of, Glenn, Thompson, George Washington, Fame, Mike Johnson, Benjamin Netanyahu, Johnson, Washington, Moses, I've, Westerman, I'd, Netanyahu, God, that's, he's, we're, That's, Israel, King David, wilder, MAGA, David Barton, WallBuilders, doesn't, George W, Bush, Donald Trump's, Mattathias Schwartz Organizations: Hill Club, Business, Israel, Mmm, Christ, Capitol Ministries, Capitol Hill, Capitol Ministries Bible, Trump Cabinet, BI, GOP, Capitol, White, Capitol Ministries ', Trump, NBA, of Energy, Trump's, American GOP, Pacific, BI Drollinger, Capitol Hill Club, Washington Hilton, Senate, Training, Liberty, Gettysburg, Capitol Ministry, NPR, United States Congress, Washington Bible, Republican, Democratic, Times, Wall Street Journal, Brown University Locations: Washington , DC, Arkansas, Hebrew, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, United States, Texas, Washington, Seoul, Kathmandu, Iowa, Rwanda, Ukraine, Washington ,, Drollinger, Nicaragua, California, Nicaraguan, Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, schwartz79@protonmail.com

☆ Space nukes are raising tensions between Moscow and Washington. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Kari Bingen director of the aerospace security project and senior fellow in the international security program at the Centre for Strategic International Studies. Space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapons — or so-called space nukes — are a type of weapon designed to damage or destroy satellite systems. "It's an indiscriminate weapon," Bingen said. The deployment of a space-based nuclear weapon would mark a major advancement of Russia's military capabilities and a serious escalation of geopolitical tensions. Kari Bingen director of the aerospace security project and senior fellow in the international security program at the Centre for Strategic International Studies.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexander Ryumin, Mike Turner, Joe Biden, It's, Kari Bingen, Bingen, Juan Barreto, Putin, CNBC's Silvia Amaro Organizations: Sputnik, Chelyabinsk, Afp, Getty, U.S, White, CNBC, . House Intelligence, Bloomberg, Centre, Strategic International Studies, Analysts, Strategic International, United Nations Office, Outer Space Affairs, Elon Musk, Reuters, U.S ., Space Foundation, The, NATO, General, Saturday, Munich Security Conference Locations: Russian, Chelyabinsk Region, Chelyabinsk, Washington, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, China, Bogota, U.S, The U.S

☆ Colombia Turns Drug-Fumigation Planes Into Fire Fighters
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia on Wednesday added eight aircraft, some previously used to fumigate drug crops, to its fire-fighting fleet as it braces for more dry El Nino weather that has stoked major wildfires. President Gustavo Petro declared a natural disaster in January as fires ravaged areas of the world's second-most bio-diverse country. Petro attended an event in Tolima province displaying the four AT-802 Air Tractor planes and four Black Hawk UH-60 helicopters, originally donated by top ally the United States, that were refitted to drop water and chemicals to quell flames. The planes were used to spray the herbicide glyphosate on illegal plantations of coca, the chief ingredient in cocaine, until 2015 when the flights were stopped due to health concerns related to the chemical. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Petro, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Tractor Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Nino, Tolima, United States

☆ A Gen Xer moved from California to Colombia after overcoming a rare disease. The cost of living is much cheaper, and life is more peaceful.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Andy Wiesmann, 62, settled in Medellín, Colombia, after spending much of his life in California's Inland Empire. He couldn't afford an apartment in California, and he decided to move out of the country to preserve his health and happiness. Leaving California for MexicoWiesmann grew up about 60 miles east of Los Angeles and spent most of his life there. His relationship ended amid his hospital stay, and he moved back to California — though he didn't have any place to stay. Wiesmann said he has little intention of leaving Colombia except for vacations to see his kids in California and New York.

Persons: Andy Wiesmann, Wiesmann, I've, Mexico Wiesmann, he's, he'll, they're Organizations: Service, Golden State, Business, US Locations: Medellín, Colombia, Inland, Golden, California, Mexico, Los Angeles, East, Africa, Virginia, United States, Cabo San Lucas, cafés, Bogota, New York, South America

☆ I quit my dream job at 32 and spent $34,000 to travel the world—here are my 4 biggest regrets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Helen Zhao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

I was 28 years old when I landed my dream video producer job at CNBC. After all, I'd spent most of my adult life focused on the future. So I quit my job at 32, bought a one-way ticket to Peru, and spent a year and a half — and $34,000 — exploring 18 countries across South America and Asia. I spent a lot of my life savings, delaying other goalsThe $34,000 I spent on my sabbatical was a significant portion of my life savings. Siem Reap, Cambodia Helen ZhaoI wish I'd continued investing throughout my travels, putting $200 each month into a large-cap index fund.

Persons: I'd, Helen Zhao, I'm, Roth, Cambodia Helen Zhao Organizations: CNBC, UCLA, Roth IRA Locations: Peru, South America, Asia, Rio De Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Brazil, Rio, Bogotá, Colombia, Los Angeles, Siem Reap, Cambodia

☆ Cristóbal Del Sobar: Chilean golfer sets new PGA Tour record round
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristóbal del Solar wrote his name into the history books on Thursday, as the Chilean golfer shot a 13-under 57 at the Astara Golf Championship to set the new record for the lowest round ever shot at a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. Del Solar’s bogey-free feat bests the previous record set by Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and “Mr. “Incredible, man,” del Solar told reporters. “Hopefully, I’ll celebrate Sunday as well,” del Solar added. Last week, del Solar’s Chilean compatriot Joaquin Niemann shot a 12-under 59 at the LIV Golf season opener in Mayakoba, Mexico, carding an eagle and 10 birdies.

Persons: CNN —, Del Solar’s, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, “ Mr, Jim Furyk, Ellie Mae Classic, ”, “, You’re, ’ “, Hector Vivas, Brian Campbell, Michael Johnson, Ireland’s David Carey, Joaquin Niemann Organizations: CNN, Florida State, Country Club de Bogotá, PGA, Paco, PGA Tour’s, Solar, LIV Locations: Chilean, Bogota, Colombia, Mayakoba, Mexico

But in a brief statement issued just minutes before midnight, both sides said that they have extended the cease-fire for 180 days. The statement says the National Liberation Army, known by its Spanish acronym ELN, will “temporarily and unilaterally suspend economic detentions” in order to contribute to the cease-fire. A cease-fire between the government and ELN started in August, and has reduced fighting between both sides. According to Colombia’s Defense Ministry, the National Liberation Army is holding at least 38 hostages. Monday’s statement said that the conditions under which the rebels will cease kidnappings will continue to be discussed in an upcoming round of talks in April.

Persons: —, ELN, “, Otty, Gustavo Petro, Luis Díaz Organizations: National Liberation Army, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Colombia’s Defense Ministry Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, extorsion

☆ Colombia Government, ELN Rebels Are Yet to Agree Ceasefire Extension -ELN
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have not yet agreed to extend their bilateral ceasefire for another six months, the rebel group said on Monday. The government of President Gustavo Petro restarted peace talks with the ELN in 2022 as part of a policy of 'total peace', to end Colombia's six-decade conflict, which has left more than 450,000 dead. An initial six-month ceasefire expired last week and was extended for five days, a measure that will end on Monday night. "Measures are being taken to resolve factors of crisis factors and add new elements of commitment to be fulfilled by both parties, with the purpose of agreeing on an extension of another six months of this temporary and national bilateral ceasefire," the ELN delegation said in a statement. The statement was released ahead of the close of a sixth cycle of talks between the rebel group and the government in Cuba's capital, Havana.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Oliver Griffin, Franklin Paul Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Cuba's, Havana

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Volunteers in central Chile tried to remove charred metal, broken glass and other debris Monday from neighborhoods devastated by wildfires over the past several days, as officials raised the death toll to 122. The fires appeared to have diminished by Monday morning after burning intensely since Friday on the eastern edge of the city of Viña del Mar. An additional 10 victims were added to the death toll on Monday afternoon, bringing it to 122, said Marisol Prado, the director of Chile’s Forensic Medical Service. Viña del Mar's Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said that at least 370 people have been reported missing in the city of about 300,000 residents. Hundreds of people affected by the fires returned to their homes on Monday to search through the debris.

Persons: Villa Alemana, Gabriel Boric, Marisol Prado, Prado, Viña, Macarena Ripamonti, — —, Rueda Organizations: — Volunteers, Forensic Medical Service, Viña del Locations: SANTIAGO, Chile, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Viña del, Santiago, del Mar, Villa, Bogota, Colombia

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