News In Diaspora
Colombia Declares State of Emergency Over Severe Flooding Killing 18
Colombia has declared a state of emergency in response to severe flooding that has claimed at least 18 lives and forced thousands from their homes in the country’s northern cattle region.
Authorities reported that rising waters from an overflowing dam and several rivers submerged homes in Córdoba, one of the hardest-hit departments, affecting more than 150,000 residents.
The floods have damaged over 4,300 homes and inundated vast areas used for farming and livestock grazing. The country’s cattle ranchers’ association confirmed that at least 1,200 cattle perished due to the disaster.
Earlier reports from Colombia’s disaster relief agency indicated 22 fatalities nationwide, though this figure was later revised to 18.
President Gustavo Petro issued the emergency decree on Wednesday, granting the government authority to implement urgent measures for 30 days. The order allows resources to be directed to affected areas without requiring congressional approval.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as heavy rainfall persists across northern Colombia, raising concerns about additional flooding and further displacement of residents.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his readiness for one-on-one talks with President Vladimir Putin to work out a permanent ceasefire to end the Ukraine war.
Zelensky reiterated the commitment on Wednesday at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the first NATO-Ukraine Council meeting.
“I’m ready for direct negotiations with Putin to end this war,” he said in Kyiv. “Rather than wait while everybody finishes all the conflicts in the world.”
Zelensky noted that ballistic missiles are Russia’s “last argument” in the war, confirming his country has been responding with the American-made Patriot systems.
The leader insists the recent strikes by Ukraine were justified, as they were carried out in response to the Russian attacks on its territory.
“If they continue using drones and missiles against us, we will be doing the same,” Zelensky vowed. “But we respond exclusively against oil refineries or justified military targets.”
The President, however, hinted that the greatest threat Ukraine currently faces is Russia’s capability to produce up to 120 ballistic missiles per month.
Rutte praised Ukraine for its resilience, saying the nation has become so successful that Putin was only able to organize the May 9 parade with an official presidential decree by Zelensky.
Iran has warned residents in northern Israel to leave their homes if Israel follows through on its threat to attack Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The warning was issued by Iran’s central military command and reported by the state-run IRNA news agency.
According to the statement, the message was a response to an Israeli military evacuation order issued for Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut.
The commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said residents in northern Israel should evacuate in the event of an Israeli strike on the area, signalling a further escalation in tensions between the two sides.
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