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Alert Raised for Poás Volcano as Eruptive Activity Increases in Costa Rica

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Alert Raised for Poás Volcano as Eruptive Activity Increases in Costa Rica

San José, Costa Rica – Costa Rican authorities have raised the alert level for the Poás Volcano, located in the central province of Alajuela, following heightened eruptive activity this week. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has issued a red alert for the Poás Volcano National Park, an orange alert for the cantons of Grecia and Sarchí, and a yellow alert for several nearby cantons, including Río Cuarto, Zarcero, Naranjo, Poás, and Alajuela.

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This increase in activity comes after multiple eruptions, with the volcano spewing gas and ash plumes that reached heights of up to 4,000 meters above the crater. On Wednesday, two eruptions occurred, followed by another eruption on Monday, further raising concerns about the safety of nearby communities.

Authorities have urged extreme caution for residents living under the orange alert, where ashfall and hazardous gases are present. The use of masks and damp cloths to seal windows and doors is strongly advised. Communities on yellow alert, which may also experience ashfall and gases due to shifting wind patterns, are being advised to wear face masks for protection.

Since March, the National Emergency Commission has been monitoring the volcano closely due to its persistent activity, which has included gas and ash eruptions and rock falls. The Poás Volcano, which stands at 2,708 meters above sea level, is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Its National Park, famous for its stunning crater, has been closed to the public since March.

In addition to air quality concerns, authorities have issued a special warning about the rivers near the volcano. Volcanic material in the water could pose health risks, and residents are advised to avoid handling or approaching the rivers.

Poás Volcano’s increased activity has resulted in periodic park closures in the past. Notably, between 2017 and 2018, the park was closed for 16 months due to persistent volcanic emissions, significantly impacting the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism. Although the park is currently closed, authorities are actively working to assess and manage the evolving situation to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels for the latest information on the volcano’s activity and safety measures.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Migrants in Tapachula, Mexico, Eager to Join Mayan Train and Industrial Projects Promised by Sheinbaum

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Migrants in Tapachula, Mexico, Eager to Join Mayan Train and Industrial Projects Promised by Sheinbaum

Tapachula, Mexico – Migrants along the Mexico-Guatemala border are expressing strong interest in working on major infrastructure projects such as the Mayan Train, the Interoceanic Corridor, and new industries promised by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. These developments are part of a plan to strengthen the region as an industrial hub in Central America and to provide new job opportunities to help mitigate migration.

In Tapachula, the largest city on the border, migrants and local business leaders spoke to EFE about their optimism following a recent meeting between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Sheinbaum. The two leaders discussed bringing the Mayan Train and industrial manufacturing hubs to the region, aiming to create jobs and improve local economies.

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Denis Olivera Aguirre, secretary of the Association for the Development of Markets in Tapachula, believes these projects will attract more migrants due to the employment opportunities they will create. “In their home countries, people are facing serious security and economic challenges. When they see new sources of employment in Mexico and Guatemala, they will be drawn here,” Olivera said. He added that the closure of U.S. borders under President Donald Trump’s policies might make this region a new job source for migrants.

Tapachula Mayor Aarón Yamil Melgar Bravo pointed out that Sheinbaum had previously declared that Tapachula would become the economic capital of the state of Chiapas and even of Central America. The city has nearly 400 hectares of land available for industrial projects, including the completion of railroad tracks connecting the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to Puerto Chiapas, which would facilitate trade between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as between North and Central America.

“Once the rail network is finished, we’ll be able to unload and load containers for both ships and trains, boosting trade. The other rail branch will extend to Suchiate, on the Guatemala border,” Melgar explained.

Sheinbaum has repeatedly emphasized that addressing the root causes of migration is key. Following a record-breaking 925,000 irregular migrants in Mexico in 2024, she has called for a strategy focused on providing well-paying jobs rather than deploying security forces. “We need to provide jobs so people don’t migrate out of necessity,” Sheinbaum said in a statement on April 11. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration with Guatemala to develop the region into a migration hub that benefits both countries.

For many migrants, these developments are seen as a hopeful opportunity. Venezuelan migrant Luz Marina described the plans as a “great proposal,” especially for those seeking work in Mexico after U.S. migration restrictions under President Trump. “We are ready to help Mexico and Guatemala,” she said. “There are many of us who want better working conditions, and we are eager to contribute. A workforce of 700, 800, or even 1,000 migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti could make a significant impact.”

Cuban migrant Deivy Gurrola also voiced support for the initiatives, urging Mexican authorities to facilitate regular residency for migrants wishing to work on these projects. “We want to be able to work, pay rent, and support ourselves,” she said. “We’re looking for work that suits our needs and would allow us to live here in Mexico.”

The growing interest among migrants comes as Mexico has seen a significant increase in deportations, with more than 24,000 deportees in the first eight weeks of President Trump’s new term, including over 4,500 foreigners. However, Sheinbaum has promised to provide support for those who choose to stay in the country and take part in the industrial and infrastructure developments underway in the region.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Rural Violence Persists in Brazil Despite Drop in Murders, Report Finds

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Rural Violence Persists in Brazil Despite Drop in Murders, Report Finds

São Paulo, Brazil (EFE) – Brazil recorded 2,185 incidents of rural violence in 2024, the second-highest figure since 1985, even as murders linked to land conflicts fell significantly, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT).

The CPT, an entity tied to the Brazilian Catholic Church, reported that while total rural conflicts decreased by just 2.9% from a historic high of 2,250 in 2023, violence in the countryside remains entrenched, particularly in disputes over land and water.

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Land conflicts rose to 1,768 cases, the highest level in a decade. These confrontations included threats, forced evictions, destruction of homes, arms trafficking, and illegal property appropriation. In parallel, exposure to pesticides also intensified, affecting over 17,000 families.

The report also highlighted a growing trend in conflicts over water resources, which jumped 16% from 2023, marking the highest tally in five years.

Rise of Rural Militias

One of the most alarming findings in the report was the emergence of armed militias formed by large landowners to suppress rural communities and land occupations. The CPT cited the “Invasão Zero” (Zero Invasion) movement in Bahia state as a key example.

“Invasão Zero” is reportedly composed of powerful rural elites who not only engage in violent evictions but also seek political influence by sponsoring legislation aimed at criminalizing land rights activism.

The group has been linked to the 2024 murder of Indigenous leader Maria Fátima Muniz de Andrade, known as Nega Pataxó. According to the CPT, the killing was allegedly carried out by a landowner with police involvement.

Murders Decline, but Indigenous People Still Targeted

Despite the disturbing trends in land and water conflicts, the number of murders associated with rural violence dropped sharply from 31 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. The CPT noted that this decline coincides with the second year of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s progressive administration.

Nonetheless, Indigenous populations remain disproportionately affected. “They continue to be the primary victims of rural violence in Brazil,” the CPT emphasized.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Trump and Zelensky Clash Over Crimea as Ukraine Reaffirms Red Lines Amid U.S.-Backed Peace Push

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Trump and Zelensky Clash Over Crimea as Ukraine Reaffirms Red Lines Amid U.S.-Backed Peace Push

Washington/Kyiv – U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded sharp public criticisms on Wednesday over the terms of a proposed U.S.-brokered peace plan, with the future of Crimea emerging as a central point of dispute. The exchange revealed deep divisions between Washington’s political leadership and Kyiv as they navigate a potential path to ending the war.

From Kyiv, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “There’s nothing to talk about; this is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” he declared during trilateral talks in London involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian representatives.

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Zelensky later posted a message on Telegram reminding the world of the official U.S. stance during Trump’s first term, citing a 2018 declaration by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejecting Russian claims over Crimea.

The Ukrainian leader’s firm stance came in response to Trump’s remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, where the president described Zelensky’s statements as “very damaging” and “incendiary.” Trump wrote, “Crimea was lost years ago under Barack Obama. It’s not even a point of discussion.” He went further, suggesting that Ukraine’s resistance could prolong the war: “He has nothing to brag about! Ukraine’s situation is desperate: he can achieve peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the entire country.”

Trump maintained that an agreement was “very close” and expressed hope to help “Ukraine and Russia emerge from this complete and total disaster.”

Photograph from April 17, 2025, of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who refuses to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea. EFE/Stringer

Yermak: Ukraine Will Not Compromise on Sovereignty

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, reaffirmed Kyiv’s position after meeting with Trump’s envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg. “Ukraine will remain steadfast in all circumstances to its basic principles, as these are the foundation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Yermak stated.

He added that Ukraine is ready for “an immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire” as a precursor to formal negotiations, expressing hope that this would align with Trump’s vision for ending the conflict.

Leaked Details of Trump’s Peace Proposal Raise Alarm in Kyiv

According to reports by Axios and The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s peace plan could include official U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and de facto acceptance of Russia’s control over much of the territory seized since the 2022 invasion. Other elements reportedly include a demand that Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO and cede control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to international authorities under U.S. oversight.

The proposed concessions have sparked alarm in Kyiv, where any recognition of Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian land is widely seen as unacceptable.

JD Vance Issues Warning from India

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking from India on Wednesday, confirmed that the administration’s peace proposal is “very explicit” and issued a stark warning: “The time has come for both sides to accept it, or the United States will withdraw from the process.”

With diplomatic tensions rising and battlefield conditions still fluid, the debate over how far Ukraine should go in pursuit of peace—and how far the U.S. is willing to back Kyiv—continues to test the resilience of the Western alliance.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

U.S. Vice President JD Vance Recalls Final Meeting with Pope Francis Hours Before His Death

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U.S. Vice President JD Vance Recalls Final Meeting with Pope Francis Hours Before His Death

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Vice President JD Vance reflected on what he called a “pretty crazy” and deeply moving moment after meeting Pope Francis just hours before the pontiff’s death, making Vance the last high-ranking foreign official to see him alive.

Speaking to reporters in India on Wednesday before returning to Washington, Vance recounted his brief meeting with the pope on Easter Sunday morning at the Vatican. “I’ve thought about it a lot. It was pretty crazy,” he said. “Obviously, when I saw him, I didn’t know he had less than 24 hours left on Earth. I think it was a huge blessing.”

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The Vice President, who is Catholic, described the encounter as solemn and said he had sensed the pope’s fragile condition. “I knew he was very ill. I hadn’t realized how sick he was,” he added.

Vance praised Francis as “a great shepherd” and a defender of “the marginalized, the poor, and the sick,” choosing to focus on the pope’s pastoral legacy rather than political differences. “I’m aware that he had some disagreements with some of our Administration’s policies. He also strongly agreed with some of them. I’m not going to tarnish his legacy by talking about politics. I believe he was a great Christian pastor, and that’s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.”

Pope Francis welcomed Vance for a short meeting at 11:30 a.m. local time on Easter Sunday at his residence in Santa Marta. He passed away early Monday morning at 7:35 a.m., marking the end of a historic papacy that spanned more than a decade.

SOURCE : VATICAN NEWS/EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

World Bank President Signals Shift, Willing to Lift Veto on Nuclear Energy

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World Bank President Signals Shift, Willing to Lift Veto on Nuclear Energy

Washington, D.C. – World Bank President Ajay Banga on Tuesday reaffirmed his intention to lift the organization’s longstanding ban on financing nuclear energy projects, signaling a potential shift in global development policy amid intensifying climate and energy security challenges.

Speaking at a panel hosted by the Bretton Woods Committee — a nonprofit advocating international financial cooperation — Banga said the World Bank will consider nuclear financing “wherever it deems appropriate,” with the issue set to be discussed by the Bank’s board of directors in June.

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“I would like to find a way for us to be a constructive partner in this,” Banga said during the institution’s spring meetings alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Now, that doesn’t mean I can see the World Bank going out tomorrow morning to finance $50 billion in some country, because we know that, whatever the calculation, it will take twice as long and twice as much.”

He added that nuclear, along with gas and renewables, will be on the agenda in June, when the board considers new tariff structures and strategies aimed at supporting the global energy transition. “We will talk about it as a way to help the transition, but also as a way to enable access to affordable energy around the world,” Banga said.

The World Bank has long avoided funding nuclear power due to concerns over safety, costs, waste management, and political sensitivities. Banga’s remarks suggest a more pragmatic approach that reflects growing international interest in small modular reactors and nuclear’s role in decarbonization, particularly in energy-hungry developing economies.

SOURCE : EFE. | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Modi Cuts Saudi Visit Short After Deadly Kashmir Attack Kills 26 Tourists

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Modi Cuts Saudi Visit Short After Deadly Kashmir Attack Kills 26 Tourists

New Delhi, India – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Wednesday, abruptly ending his official visit to Saudi Arabia following a brutal terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead and over 20 injured. The assault is among the deadliest on civilians in the region in recent years.

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According to official footage, Modi convened an emergency high-level briefing at the airport immediately upon landing in the Indian capital. He was joined by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.

The Attack in Pahalgam

The massacre occurred Tuesday in the Pahalgam region of Anantnag district, a popular tourist destination. According to survivors cited in Indian media, armed militants opened fire at close range in a grassland area, reportedly targeting individuals based on their religious identity.

Authorities suspect four insurgents were involved, though no arrests have been reported yet. A large-scale search operation is underway in the Baisaran area, involving both the Indian Army and Kashmir Police.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to take over the probe. A senior official from the Kashmir divisional commissioner’s office confirmed that an NIA team would arrive in Pahalgam shortly.

A Dark History of Violence

This latest atrocity marks a serious escalation in a region long marred by conflict. The deadliest attack in recent memory was a 2019 suicide bombing that killed over 40 Indian paramilitary officers. Another notable civilian massacre occurred in March 2000, when 36 villagers were killed in a southern Kashmiri village.

Indian police officers and paramilitary soldiers stand guard as an ambulance crosses a road near Pahalgam, south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. EFE/EPA/FAROOQ KHAN

The Kashmir dispute has remained unresolved since the partition of British India in 1947, with India and Pakistan claiming the region in full but controlling separate parts. Since 1989, an armed insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir has claimed tens of thousands of lives. India accuses Pakistan of backing militants, a charge Islamabad denies.

Nationwide and International Condemnation

The Pahalgam attack has drawn widespread condemnation from Indian leaders and the international community. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both denounced the violence. Global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, also condemned the killings and expressed solidarity with India.

Kashmir on High Alert

On Wednesday, the Kashmir Valley was placed under intensified security. Hundreds of police and military personnel patrolled the streets of Srinagar and nearby towns, including Pahalgam, where sirens echoed throughout the day. A complete shutdown was observed, with shops, businesses, and educational institutions closed. University exams scheduled for the day were postponed.

The entire region remains on edge as security forces continue their search for the perpetrators, and the nation mourns one of the most horrific civilian tragedies in recent memory.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

The UN Secretary-General will travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral

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The UN Secretary-General will travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral

United Nations – UN Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Rome on Saturday for the funeral and subsequent burial of Pope Francis , his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said at his daily press conference on Tuesday.

Likewise, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, and Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, among others, also confirmed their attendance today.

The spokesperson did not provide any further details about Guterres’ trip, but limited it to a mere “paying respects” to the memory of Pope Francis, and ruled out any speeches or messages he would deliver.

He also rejected the possibility that this moment would serve as a venue for a meeting, formal or informal, between Guterres and Donald Trump, who have not even spoken since last November, following the US president’s victory in the presidential elections.

The UN Secretary General’s similarities with Pope Francis

The spokesperson acknowledged that there was great agreement between Guterres and Pope Francis, especially on three issues: climate change, the defense of migrants, and always standing by the most vulnerable, such as victims of war or disasters

However, Dujarric declined to answer whether Guterres has any expectations for the next pope or what priorities he should have in the upcoming pontificate.

Guterres, a practicing Catholic, wrote a lengthy message on Monday after learning of the pope’s death in which he noted that during Francis’s papacy, the UN “was deeply inspired by his commitment to the goals and ideals of our organization.”

He also highlighted the fact that Francis was “a man of faith for all faiths,” as demonstrated by his work “with people of all beliefs and backgrounds,” referring to his ecumenical work and his conciliatory messages toward the world’s other religions.

SOURCE : UN/EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Trump speaks with Netanyahu about tariffs and Iran, saying they are on the same page

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Trump speaks with Netanyahu about tariffs and Iran, saying they are on the same page

Washington, USA – US President Donald Trump held a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday regarding tariffs and talks with Iran on a nuclear deal, and asserted that they are “on the same page on all issues.”

“Just spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on numerous topics including trade, Iran, etc. The call went very well. We are on the same page on all issues,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

File photo of US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. EFE/EPA/Shawn Thew

Trump and Netanyahu met on April 7 at the White House to discuss tariffs imposed on Israel, and during that meeting, the US president announced the start of negotiations with Iran for an agreement on its nuclear program.

“We are united in the goal of Iran never obtaining nuclear weapons. If it can be done diplomatically, the same way it was done with Libya, I think it will be good. But whatever happens, we must ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu told Trump during the meeting.

For her part, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharen Heskel warned at a press conference on Tuesday that Iran “cannot have nuclear capabilities” while Washington and Tehran discuss the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Record Early Voter Turnout in Canada Ahead of April 28 General Election

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Record Early Voter Turnout in Canada Ahead of April 28 General Election

Toronto, Canada – Approximately 7.3 million Canadians went to the polls between Friday and Monday at early voting centers across the country for the April 28 general election, marking a 25% increase compared to early voting in the 2021 elections, Elections Canada reported Tuesday.

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The independent electoral agency noted that the final tally is expected to rise, as data from some polling stations is still pending.

This surge in early participation reflects the high stakes many Canadians associate with this year’s election, which was called early on March 24. A large segment of the population considers it the most consequential vote in decades, citing growing concerns over threats to national sovereignty allegedly raised by U.S. President Donald Trump since his return to office on January 20.

Roughly 28 million Canadians are eligible to vote in the general election on Monday, which will determine the composition of the 343-seat House of Commons and, ultimately, the formation of the next federal government.

The Canadian General Election

With the election just days away, a new daily tracking poll conducted Tuesday by Nanos Research shows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party leading with 42.6% support—holding a 5.5-point advantage over the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, which stands at 37.1%.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) follows with 10.4%, while the Bloc Québécois (BQ) trails at 5.9%.

Poll analysis released Tuesday by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) projects a decisive Liberal victory, forecasting an outright majority with 191 seats. The Conservatives are projected to win 123 seats, the BQ 23, and the NDP 5.

As the nation awaits the final results, the unprecedented early turnout signals a highly engaged electorate and a potentially historic shift in Canada’s political landscape.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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