On Saturday, at the busiest crossing point along Mexico`s porous southern border with Guatemala, evidence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-immigration-deal-will-work-if-mexico-plays-its-part-225505">Mexico`s promised crackdown</a> on waves of new arrivals trying to reach the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-reaches-deal-with-us-on-migration-averting-tariff-war-trump-225346">United States </a>was nowhere to be seen.

Within sight of a bridge connecting Mexico to Guatemala, a fleet of about 16 rafts carried migrants hoping to escape poverty and gang-related violence in Central America.

A few police appeared briefly at dawn on the Mexican shore, people said, but they vanished as fast. Nothing else outwardly changed despite a deal struck in Washington on Friday in which Mexico vowed to stem the northern flow of migrants with a crackdown on illegal crossings across the Guatemala border.

The travellers, often exploited by cross-border guides called "coyotes" and security forces out to make a buck, said the business of illegal immigration was unaltered by the deal in Washington.&nbsp;

Over the past few months, Mexico has stepped up efforts to stem the flow of immigrants. In May, authorities detained nearly 23,000 migrants, triple the number in January and about twice the monthly average in the first five months of last year.

However, most of that activity has taken place further from the border between Chiapas state and Guatemala. On Friday, negotiators agreed to send up to 6,000 members of the National Guard security force into Chiapas after Trump`s calls for Mexico to secure the frontier.&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that deployment would start on Monday. For now, the decades` old business of ferrying people across the river to dodge usual passport controls has not been interrupted.

Another common practice that undermines Mexico`s efforts is corruption among low-paid police forces.

Seven Salvadorians and Hondurans who said they crossed the river by raft on Friday at dawn told Reuters that Chiapas state police officers had pulled them out of small public buses on their way to the Mexican border town of Tapachula where they were heading to seek papers.

"They took 100 Mexican pesos ($5) from me, 200 from him, about 1,000 altogether between us - and that other family," said Jaime Mejia, 44, a Salvadoran pastor, squatting on a Tapachula sidewalk, nodding down the block at clutches of bedraggled men, women and children perched among bags and bundles.

The toll paid to the police, he said, left the group without money to pay for lodging. Chiapas security officials and Mexico`s interior ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mejia said he fled the town of La Libertad, El Salvador, after members of the country`s dominant gang, MS-13, told him to surrender his church to them to stash their weapons and drugs.&nbsp;

Asked about the immigration talks between the Trump and Lopez Obrador governments that could decide their fate, Mejia and more than 20 other migrants who spoke with Reuters on Friday and Saturday shrugged, shook their heads and looked blankly.

Friday`s deal averted a US-Mexico tariff war, with Mexico also agreeing to expand asylum programs. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose 5% import tariffs on all Mexican goods starting on Monday if Mexico did not commit to do more to tighten its borders.

Tapachula, a first stop for many migrants on their journey north, was overflowing with migrants, from Central America, Cuba and elsewhere.

After the shakedown by police, Mejia and his group headed to the city`s office of the Mexican refugee agency to apply for asylum in Mexico. Each one was given a number to reappear days later for an interview, Mejia said.&nbsp;

But they found that the migration shelters -only three in town - were overflowing. With no money left, they had to bed down in the street.

Olga Sanchez, head of the Jesus El Buen Pastor migrant shelter, said she had been caring for about 700 people since about November. Among those at the shelter were about 200 children.

On Saturday, at the busiest crossing point along Mexico`s porous southern border with Guatemala, evidence of Mexico`s promised crackdown on waves of new arrivals trying to reach the United States was nowhere to be seen.

On Saturday, at the busiest crossing point along Mexico`s porous southern border with Guatemala, evidence of Mexico`s promised crackdown on waves of new arrivals trying to reach the United States was nowhere to be seen. Within sight of a bridge connecting Mexico to Guatemala, a fleet of about 16 rafts carried migrants hoping to escape poverty and gang-related violence in Central America. A few police appeared briefly at dawn on the Mexican shore, people said, but they vanished as fast. Nothing else outwardly changed despite a deal struck in Washington on Friday in which Mexico vowed to stem the northern flow of migrants with a crackdown on illegal crossings across the Guatemala border. The travellers, often exploited by cross-border guides called "coyotes" and security forces out to make a buck, said the business of illegal immigration was unaltered by the deal in Washington. Over the past few months, Mexico has stepped up efforts to stem the flow of immigrants. In May, authorities detained nearly 23,000 migrants, triple the number in January and about twice the monthly average in the first five months of last year. However, most of that activity has taken place further from the border between Chiapas state and Guatemala. On Friday, negotiators agreed to send up to 6,000 members of the National Guard security force into Chiapas after Trump`s calls for Mexico to secure the frontier. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that deployment would start on Monday. For now, the decades` old business of ferrying people across the river to dodge usual passport controls has not been interrupted. Another common practice that undermines Mexico`s efforts is corruption among low-paid police forces. Seven Salvadorians and Hondurans who said they crossed the river by raft on Friday at dawn told Reuters that Chiapas state police officers had pulled them out of small public buses on their way to the Mexican border town of Tapachula where they were heading to seek papers. "They took 100 Mexican pesos ($5) from me, 200 from him, about 1,000 altogether between us - and that other family," said Jaime Mejia, 44, a Salvadoran pastor, squatting on a Tapachula sidewalk, nodding down the block at clutches of bedraggled men, women and children perched among bags and bundles. The toll paid to the police, he said, left the group without money to pay for lodging. Chiapas security officials and Mexico`s interior ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mejia said he fled the town of La Libertad, El Salvador, after members of the country`s dominant gang, MS-13, told him to surrender his church to them to stash their weapons and drugs. Asked about the immigration talks between the Trump and Lopez Obrador governments that could decide their fate, Mejia and more than 20 other migrants who spoke with Reuters on Friday and Saturday shrugged, shook their heads and looked blankly. Friday`s deal averted a US-Mexico tariff war, with Mexico also agreeing to expand asylum programs. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose 5% import tariffs on all Mexican goods starting on Monday if Mexico did not commit to do more to tighten its borders. Tapachula, a first stop for many migrants on their journey north, was overflowing with migrants, from Central America, Cuba and elsewhere. After the shakedown by police, Mejia and his group headed to the city`s office of the Mexican refugee agency to apply for asylum in Mexico. Each one was given a number to reappear days later for an interview, Mejia said. But they found that the migration shelters -only three in town - were overflowing. With no money left, they had to bed down in the street. Olga Sanchez, head of the Jesus El Buen Pastor migrant shelter, said she had been caring for about 700 people since about November. Among those at the shelter were about 200 children.

It's business as usual at Mexico's southern border despite Trump deal

At least 18 citizens in Guatemala were killed on Wednesday night after they were hit by a semi-trailer truck on a highway, Guatemalan rescue officials said.

The accident occurred at the entry point to the western town of Nahuala, which has a population of around 65,000, the majority of whom are K’iche’ Maya.

"In total there are 18 deaths that have been counted in this tragedy," fire department spokesman Cecilio Chacaj told AFP.

The driver fled the scene in his truck and his whereabouts are unknown.

The truck did not have its lights on when it struck the group of people which may have been why the driver did not spot them, according to local media.

At least 18 citizens in Guatemala were killed on Wednesday night after they were hit by a semi-trailer truck on a highway, Guatemalan rescue officials said. The accident occurred at the entry point to the western town of Nahuala, which has a population of around 65,000, the majority of whom are K’iche’ Maya.

At least 18 citizens in Guatemala were killed on Wednesday night after they were hit by a semi-trailer truck on a highway, Guatemalan rescue officials said. The accident occurred at the entry point to the western town of Nahuala, which has a population of around 65,000, the majority of whom are K’iche’ Maya. "In total there are 18 deaths that have been counted in this tragedy," fire department spokesman Cecilio Chacaj told AFP. The driver fled the scene in his truck and his whereabouts are unknown. The truck did not have its lights on when it struck the group of people which may have been why the driver did not spot them, according to local media.

At least 18 Guatemalans dead after being hit by truck

A new US-bound caravan of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-caravan-presses-on-towards-us-despite-offer-of-jobs-from-mexico-173922">Honduran migrants</a> grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-use-emergency-power-to-build-wall-end-shutdown-189577">support for a border wall</a>.

Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez told reporters that there were between 800 and 1,000 people travelling together and headed towards the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala.&nbsp;

Central American migrant caravans heading towards the United States have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with Trump using the groups to seek backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;

Television footage on Tuesday showed groups of mostly young men, carrying bags of belongings, leaving the notoriously violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula and flagging down rides to catch up with the caravan that left the same city on Monday.

"I am going to the United States to see if there is an opportunity to work because here in Honduras there is nothing," a 25-year old named Cristian told reporters.

The group will likely face weeks of travel to get to the US border.&nbsp;

Around 2,500 migrants from a previous wave of Central Americans who crossed Mexico have been camping in squalid shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

Trump has described the migrants as an invading force and sent troops to reinforce the border last year. On Monday, the Pentagon announced it would extend the deployment of around 2,350 troops to the US border through the end of September.&nbsp;

As a partial government shutdown dragged into its 25th day on Tuesday, Trump invoked the new caravan on Twitter to pressure US lawmakers. Democrats have resisted Trump`s insistence that Congress shell out $5.7 billion for wall funding.

"A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump said. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!" 
&nbsp;

A new US-bound caravan of Honduran migrants grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up support for a border wall.

A new US-bound caravan of Honduran migrants grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up support for a border wall. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez told reporters that there were between 800 and 1,000 people travelling together and headed towards the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala. Central American migrant caravans heading towards the United States have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with Trump using the groups to seek backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Television footage on Tuesday showed groups of mostly young men, carrying bags of belongings, leaving the notoriously violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula and flagging down rides to catch up with the caravan that left the same city on Monday. "I am going to the United States to see if there is an opportunity to work because here in Honduras there is nothing," a 25-year old named Cristian told reporters. The group will likely face weeks of travel to get to the US border. Around 2,500 migrants from a previous wave of Central Americans who crossed Mexico have been camping in squalid shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana. Trump has described the migrants as an invading force and sent troops to reinforce the border last year. On Monday, the Pentagon announced it would extend the deployment of around 2,350 troops to the US border through the end of September. As a partial government shutdown dragged into its 25th day on Tuesday, Trump invoked the new caravan on Twitter to pressure US lawmakers. Democrats have resisted Trump`s insistence that Congress shell out $5.7 billion for wall funding. "A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump said. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!"

US-bound Honduran migrant caravan grows as Trump argues for wall

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!".

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Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079083702943211520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-guatemalan-migrant-child-dies-in-us-custody-186481">two migrant children</a> from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Jakelin Caal </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Maquin</a>, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police.

Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border.

The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police.

The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">government shutdown in the country</a> which may continue till 2019.

The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises.

Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews".&nbsp;

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For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079096156708319232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit!". Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × ...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of two migrant children from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl Jakelin Caal Maquin, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police. Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border. The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police. The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial government shutdown in the country which may continue till 2019. The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises. Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews". For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 ×

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will eliminate all economic assistance to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in retaliation for the caravans of Central American migrants arriving at the southern border.

"Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries - taking advantage of US&nbsp;for years!," the president wrote on Twitter.

Trump made a similar threat in October, when he said he would "substantially" cut aid to countries making up the Northern Triangle of Central America, but his words were not followed by any action.

During the 2018 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, the US allocated $84 million in assistance to Guatemala, $58 million to Honduras and $51 million to El Salvador, according to figures from the State Department.

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.....Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries - taking advantage of U.S. for years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1078638249562775552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Some those funds was channeled through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), while the Pentagon provided a total of $42 million across Central America in 2017 to support the war on drugs.

The White House's proposed 2019 budget includes $69 million in aid to Guatemala, $66 million to Honduras and $46 million to El Salvador, a reduction of 29 percent from the levels of fiscal 2018.

The president cannot unilaterally block the disbursement of aid authorized by Congress for the region, according to the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a think-tank.

Immigration to the US from the countries of the Northern Triangle has increased in recent years.

Since October, at least 9,000 Central Americans, mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, entered Mexico in several caravans hoping to reach the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-entirely-close-us-mexico-border-unless-wall-demands-met-187046">US border</a> and apply for asylum.

Roughly half of them are gathered in Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego.

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We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall &amp; also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. Hard to believe there was a Congress &amp; President who would approve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1078625779670503426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Donald Trump threatened Friday to seal off the US-Mexico border "entirely" if Congress does not approve billions of dollars in funding for a wall.

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will eliminate all economic assistance to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in retaliation for the caravans of Central American migrants arriving at the southern border.

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will eliminate all economic assistance to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in retaliation for the caravans of Central American migrants arriving at the southern border. "Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries - taking advantage of US for years!," the president wrote on Twitter. Trump made a similar threat in October, when he said he would "substantially" cut aid to countries making up the Northern Triangle of Central America, but his words were not followed by any action. During the 2018 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, the US allocated $84 million in assistance to Guatemala, $58 million to Honduras and $51 million to El Salvador, according to figures from the State Department. .....Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries - taking advantage of U.S. for years! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2018 × Some those funds was channeled through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), while the Pentagon provided a total of $42 million across Central America in 2017 to support the war on drugs. The White House's proposed 2019 budget includes $69 million in aid to Guatemala, $66 million to Honduras and $46 million to El Salvador, a reduction of 29 percent from the levels of fiscal 2018. The president cannot unilaterally block the disbursement of aid authorized by Congress for the region, according to the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a think-tank. Immigration to the US from the countries of the Northern Triangle has increased in recent years. Since October, at least 9,000 Central Americans, mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, entered Mexico in several caravans hoping to reach the US border and apply for asylum. Roughly half of them are gathered in Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego. We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2018 × President Donald Trump threatened Friday to seal off the US-Mexico border "entirely" if Congress does not approve billions of dollars in funding for a wall.

'Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for US,' says Trump vowing to end all aid

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">'</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730"> can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">surprise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730"> visit to Iraq</a>

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-delegation-to-travel-to-china-early-in-january-for-trade-talks-186717">US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks</a>

A US&nbsp;trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January&nbsp;7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745">UAE media releases images of princess Latifa after reports of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745">forcible</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745"> return</a>

United Arab Emirates media on Wednesday released images of Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, following reports in international media that she was forcibly returned after fleeing the Gulf Arab state.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-expands-medical-checks-after-guatemala-boy-dies-mother-in-despair-186747">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-expands-medical-checks-after-guatemala-boy-dies-mother-in-despair-186747"> expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair'</a>

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US&nbsp;custody this week, the US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-parliament-formally-sets-april-9-election-date-in-dissolution-vote-186749">Israeli parliament formally sets April 9 election date in dissolution vote</a>

Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself on Wednesday, formally setting April 9 as the date for an election widely seen as a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weather potential corruption charges.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq. US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. UAE media releases images of princess Latifa after reports of forcible return United Arab Emirates media on Wednesday released images of Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, following reports in international media that she was forcibly returned after fleeing the Gulf Arab state. US expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair' Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death. Israeli parliament formally sets April 9 election date in dissolution vote Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself on Wednesday, formally setting April 9 as the date for an election widely seen as a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weather potential corruption charges.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US&nbsp;custody this week, the US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died on Monday, and his father, Agustin, 47, came from the western municipality of Nenton in Huehuetenango province, Guatemalan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marta Larra said. The pair trekked to the Mexico-US&nbsp;border, joining thousands of others who have left their remote area.

Gomez, belonged to a family of indigenous Maya, was the second child to die this month in US&nbsp;custody after crossing from Mexico, following the December&nbsp;8 death of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl also from Guatemala.

"I'm sad and in despair over the death of my son," the boy's 32-year-old mother, Catarina Alonzo, told Reuters by phone from her home in the tiny village of Yalambojoch, speaking through a translator because of her limited Spanish.

The latest fatality prompted sharp criticism from some Democrats, and US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced policy changes on Wednesday aimed at preventing future deaths of children in custody.

All children in Border Patrol custody have been given a "thorough medical screening," and moving forward all children will receive "a more thorough hands on assessment" as soon as possible after being apprehended, whether or not the adult with them asks for one, Nielsen said in a statement.

Gomez's parents, who speak a Maya language called Chuj and little Spanish, have requested an autopsy be done as quickly as possible so their son's body can be repatriated to Guatemala, Larra said. The results are expected in about a week, she added.

The US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has not released an official cause of death.

Most families in Nenton, a mountainous area near the Mexican border, are of indigenous origin and subsist on corn and beans, as well as money sent back from relatives working in the United States and Mexico, according to a local government report.

Huehuetenango sends the highest number of migrants abroad from Guatemala every year, Larra at the foreign ministry said.

Nielsen said the death of migrant children in US&nbsp;custody is rare, noting that in the fiscal year ending September&nbsp;30, six migrants died under the CBP's auspices, none of whom were children. It had been more than a decade since a child died in CBP custody, she added.

"It is now clear that migrants, particularly children, are increasingly facing medical challenges and harbouring illness caused by their long and dangerous journey," Nielsen said, noting she would travel to the border later this week to observe the medical screenings and conditions at Border Patrol stations.

She placed some blame for the risks faced by migrant children on their families. "Smugglers, traffickers, and their own parents put these minors at risk by embarking on the dangerous and arduous journey north," Nielsen said.

Investigation demanded

Gomez and his father were detained on December&nbsp;18 in El Paso, Texas, for illegally entering the country, the agency said.

They were given hot food, snacks, juice and water, and two days later, were transferred to the El Paso Border Patrol Station, CBP said. On Dec. 23, they were moved to the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station in New Mexico.

On the morning of December&nbsp;24, an agent noticed Gomez "was coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes," CBP said, and the father and son were transferred to a nearby hospital.

The boy was found to have a fever and cold and was released with a prescription for an antibiotic and Ibuprofen. That evening, Gomez started vomiting, and his father declined medical help because his son had been feeling better, CBP said.

A few hours later, Gomez again began feeling nauseous and was taken back to the hospital, where he died just before midnight. CBP previously said he had died early on Tuesday.

US&nbsp;House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on Wednesday for the DHS internal watchdog, the Inspector General's office, to investigate Gomez's death.

Other Democrats expressed outrage.

US&nbsp;Representative Raul Ruiz of California said on a conference call that CBP facilities he had visited last week near El Paso were "dehumanizing" and not equipped to handle emergencies in remote areas of the Mexico-US&nbsp;border.

"This is under the care and the responsibility and the custody of the United States government, and they do not meet the most minimal basic standards of humanitarian health," he said. 
&nbsp;

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died on Monday, and his father, Agustin, 47, came from the western municipality of Nenton in Huehuetenango province, Guatemalan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marta Larra said. The pair trekked to the Mexico-US border, joining thousands of others who have left their remote area. Gomez, belonged to a family of indigenous Maya, was the second child to die this month in US custody after crossing from Mexico, following the December 8 death of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl also from Guatemala. "I'm sad and in despair over the death of my son," the boy's 32-year-old mother, Catarina Alonzo, told Reuters by phone from her home in the tiny village of Yalambojoch, speaking through a translator because of her limited Spanish. The latest fatality prompted sharp criticism from some Democrats, and US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced policy changes on Wednesday aimed at preventing future deaths of children in custody. All children in Border Patrol custody have been given a "thorough medical screening," and moving forward all children will receive "a more thorough hands on assessment" as soon as possible after being apprehended, whether or not the adult with them asks for one, Nielsen said in a statement. Gomez's parents, who speak a Maya language called Chuj and little Spanish, have requested an autopsy be done as quickly as possible so their son's body can be repatriated to Guatemala, Larra said. The results are expected in about a week, she added. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has not released an official cause of death. Most families in Nenton, a mountainous area near the Mexican border, are of indigenous origin and subsist on corn and beans, as well as money sent back from relatives working in the United States and Mexico, according to a local government report. Huehuetenango sends the highest number of migrants abroad from Guatemala every year, Larra at the foreign ministry said. Nielsen said the death of migrant children in US custody is rare, noting that in the fiscal year ending September 30, six migrants died under the CBP's auspices, none of whom were children. It had been more than a decade since a child died in CBP custody, she added. "It is now clear that migrants, particularly children, are increasingly facing medical challenges and harbouring illness caused by their long and dangerous journey," Nielsen said, noting she would travel to the border later this week to observe the medical screenings and conditions at Border Patrol stations. She placed some blame for the risks faced by migrant children on their families. "Smugglers, traffickers, and their own parents put these minors at risk by embarking on the dangerous and arduous journey north," Nielsen said. Investigation demanded Gomez and his father were detained on December 18 in El Paso, Texas, for illegally entering the country, the agency said. They were given hot food, snacks, juice and water, and two days later, were transferred to the El Paso Border Patrol Station, CBP said. On Dec. 23, they were moved to the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station in New Mexico. On the morning of December 24, an agent noticed Gomez "was coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes," CBP said, and the father and son were transferred to a nearby hospital. The boy was found to have a fever and cold and was released with a prescription for an antibiotic and Ibuprofen. That evening, Gomez started vomiting, and his father declined medical help because his son had been feeling better, CBP said. A few hours later, Gomez again began feeling nauseous and was taken back to the hospital, where he died just before midnight. CBP previously said he had died early on Tuesday. US House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on Wednesday for the DHS internal watchdog, the Inspector General's office, to investigate Gomez's death. Other Democrats expressed outrage. US Representative Raul Ruiz of California said on a conference call that CBP facilities he had visited last week near El Paso were "dehumanizing" and not equipped to handle emergencies in remote areas of the Mexico-US border. "This is under the care and the responsibility and the custody of the United States government, and they do not meet the most minimal basic standards of humanitarian health," he said.

US expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair'

Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert and evacuated around 4,000 people Monday after the Fuego volcano erupted for the fifth time this year, sending bursts of ash and lava down the mountain before its activity decreased.

Memories are still painfully fresh of the volcano's eruption in June, which swept away villages and left nearly 200 people dead and 235 missing.&nbsp;

The Institute of Volcanology's director Pablo Oliva said the volcano's activity level had dropped significantly by late Monday, but that it was too early to tell locals to return to their homes.

A spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency CONRED had earlier said it decided to evacuate the municipality of Escuintla and two other districts. Some 4,000 people were taken to temporary shelters as a precaution.

The spokesman, David de Leon, said the eruption became increasingly violent after it began Sunday morning, leading to fears for the safety of the thousands of people who live on the slopes of the 3,763 meters (12,246 feet) high mountain.

A column of ash rose about 1,000 meters above the crater and areas west of the volcano -- 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Guatemala City -- were under a barrage of gas-ash and fiery rocks, CONRED said.

A previous eruption on October 12-13 was characterized by increasingly loud booms and lava flow. On that occasion, 62 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and a highway around the mountain was closed.

Many of those evacuated on Monday said they had feared a repeat of the deadly June eruption.&nbsp;

"We were scared and that's why we evacuated," said Miriam Garcia, from the village of El Rodeo which was largely spared the deadly eruption.&nbsp;

"You have to get out as soon as possible because when that (volcanic material) comes close, you no longer have time to leave, even if you run because it comes very fast," said Oscar Juarez from El Rodeo.

Activity inside Guatemala's two other volcanoes, Pacaya and Santiaguito, has increased in recent months but they have not entered the eruptive phase.

Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert and evacuated around 4,000 people Monday after the Fuego volcano erupted for the fifth time this year, sending bursts of ash and lava down the mountain before its activity decreased.

Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert and evacuated around 4,000 people Monday after the Fuego volcano erupted for the fifth time this year, sending bursts of ash and lava down the mountain before its activity decreased. Memories are still painfully fresh of the volcano's eruption in June, which swept away villages and left nearly 200 people dead and 235 missing. The Institute of Volcanology's director Pablo Oliva said the volcano's activity level had dropped significantly by late Monday, but that it was too early to tell locals to return to their homes. A spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency CONRED had earlier said it decided to evacuate the municipality of Escuintla and two other districts. Some 4,000 people were taken to temporary shelters as a precaution. The spokesman, David de Leon, said the eruption became increasingly violent after it began Sunday morning, leading to fears for the safety of the thousands of people who live on the slopes of the 3,763 meters (12,246 feet) high mountain. A column of ash rose about 1,000 meters above the crater and areas west of the volcano -- 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Guatemala City -- were under a barrage of gas-ash and fiery rocks, CONRED said. A previous eruption on October 12-13 was characterized by increasingly loud booms and lava flow. On that occasion, 62 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and a highway around the mountain was closed. Many of those evacuated on Monday said they had feared a repeat of the deadly June eruption. "We were scared and that's why we evacuated," said Miriam Garcia, from the village of El Rodeo which was largely spared the deadly eruption. "You have to get out as soon as possible because when that (volcanic material) comes close, you no longer have time to leave, even if you run because it comes very fast," said Oscar Juarez from El Rodeo. Activity inside Guatemala's two other volcanoes, Pacaya and Santiaguito, has increased in recent months but they have not entered the eruptive phase.

Thousands evacuated as Guatemala volcano erupts, then eases

Guatemalan authorities on Monday declared a red alert after the Fuego volcano erupted again, forcing about 3,000 residents to flee.

A fiery glow rose from the crater of Fuego which is erupting for the fifth time this year, one month after the last one and following a June 3 rain of rocks, ash and toxic gases that left almost 200 people dead and 235 missing.

A spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency CONRED, David de Leon, said 214 residents who live on the slopes of Fuego, mostly in the southern municipality of Escuintla, were moved to safe zones and more will follow.

He said about 2,000 people in total have been asked to leave the area of the 3,763-meter (12,246-foot) volcano, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Guatemala City.

Since the eruption began Sunday morning, lava rises 500 meters above Fuego's crater, while the ash column exceeds one kilometer above the volcanic cone and is causing a rain of particles, the Institute of Volcanology said.

The previous eruption lasted from October 12-13 with loud booms and lava flow. It caused the evacuation of 62 people and closed a highway.

Guatemalan authorities on Monday declared a red alert after the Fuego volcano erupted again, forcing about 3,000 residents to flee. A fiery glow rose from the crater of Fuego which is erupting for the fifth time this year, one month after the last one and following a June 3 rain of rocks, ash and toxic gases that left almost 200 people dead and 235 missing.

Guatemalan authorities on Monday declared a red alert after the Fuego volcano erupted again, forcing about 3,000 residents to flee. A fiery glow rose from the crater of Fuego which is erupting for the fifth time this year, one month after the last one and following a June 3 rain of rocks, ash and toxic gases that left almost 200 people dead and 235 missing. A spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency CONRED, David de Leon, said 214 residents who live on the slopes of Fuego, mostly in the southern municipality of Escuintla, were moved to safe zones and more will follow. He said about 2,000 people in total have been asked to leave the area of the 3,763-meter (12,246-foot) volcano, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Guatemala City. Since the eruption began Sunday morning, lava rises 500 meters above Fuego's crater, while the ash column exceeds one kilometer above the volcanic cone and is causing a rain of particles, the Institute of Volcanology said. The previous eruption lasted from October 12-13 with loud booms and lava flow. It caused the evacuation of 62 people and closed a highway.

Red alert after Guatemala volcano erupts again, 3,000 flee

Migrants form Human Chains to cross river at Guatemala and Mexico border

WION Gravitas: US bound migrants clash at Guatemala-Mexico border

Violent clashes at Guatemala-Mexico Border

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-marches-on-towards-us-172677">rolled on regardless toward the US border</a>.

Trump kept up his almost-daily Twitter attacks on the approaching caravan, calling it a national emergency and said he had alerted the US border patrol and military.

"We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid" that the United States provides to the three Central American countries, he said.

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Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1054356145798856704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mexican authorities had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later crossed the river below in makeshift rafts before marching north.

The caravan of around 3,000 migrants was heading Monday to the town of Huixtla, around 40 kilometres further on from Tapachula in Chiapas State where they slept Sunday night.

"Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in," Trump said in one tweet.

"I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Energy (sic). Must change laws!"

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Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1054351078328885248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Activists say the journey through of at least 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) through Mexico to the US border could take a month.

"We are well aware that this country (Mexico) didn't receive us as we expected, and they can return us to Honduras, and we also know there are drug traffickers who kidnap and kill migrants," Juan Flores, one of those migrants, told AFP.

"But we live with more fear in our country, so we carry on forward," he added.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also warned that the migrants "may be victimized by human smugglers or others who would exploit them."

"We also are deeply concerned by the violence provoked by some members of the group, as well as the apparent political motivation of some organizers of the caravan," Pompeo said in a statement.&nbsp;

About a thousand migrants, including women and children, were still stranded on a border bridge hoping to enter Mexico legally via Guatemala.

Mexican authorities insisted those on the bridge would have to file asylum claims one at a time in order to enter the country.&nbsp;

And another separate group of about 1,000 Hondurans started their own march across Guatemala, headed for Mexico and then the United States. The group of men, women and children gathered in Esquipulas before setting out on foot.

'No stopping us'

"No one is going to stop us, after all we've gone through," said 21-year-old Aaron Juarez, who was accompanied by his wife and baby and was walking with difficulty because of an injury.

Honduran farmer Edwin Geovanni Enamorado said he was forced to leave his country because of intimidation by racketeering gangs.

"We are tired, but very happy, we are united and strong," he said.

Britany Hernandez added: "We have sunburn. We have blisters. But we got here. Our strength is greater than Trump's threats."

Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for fair treatment of the migrants.

"We don't want them to face what (Mexicans) face when they need to look for work in the United States," he said on Twitter.

The caravan left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras more than a week ago.

It has comprised between 3,000 and 5,000 people at various times as it moved through Guatemala, according to various sources.&nbsp;

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said more than 5,000 migrants had entered Guatemala from Honduras, but that some 2,000 had since returned home on a fleet of government-chartered buses

On Saturday, Mexican authorities opened the border for women and children on the overcrowded bridge, taking them to a shelter in Tapachula, about 40 kilometres from the border.

Plenty of migrants, however, are sleeping in the streets for fear that immigration officials could arrest them if they are in a shelter.

Rafting the river&nbsp;

Around 900 migrants -- tired of waiting on the bridge -- resorted to crossing the Suchiate River below on makeshift rafts and police did not intervene as they clambered up the muddy riverbank on the Mexican side on Saturday.

Morales and his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez said after meeting that the march was "violating the borders and the good faith of the states."

The Honduran president acknowledged that social problems were a contributory factor.

"Without a doubt, we have a lot to do so that our people can have opportunities in their communities," he said.

The migrants are generally fleeing poverty and insecurity in Honduras, where powerful street gangs rule their turf with brutal violence.

With a homicide rate of 43 per 100,000 citizens, Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world, according to a Honduran university study.

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants rolled on regardless toward the US border.

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants rolled on regardless toward the US border. Trump kept up his almost-daily Twitter attacks on the approaching caravan, calling it a national emergency and said he had alerted the US border patrol and military. "We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid" that the United States provides to the three Central American countries, he said. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 × Mexican authorities had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later crossed the river below in makeshift rafts before marching north. The caravan of around 3,000 migrants was heading Monday to the town of Huixtla, around 40 kilometres further on from Tapachula in Chiapas State where they slept Sunday night. "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in," Trump said in one tweet. "I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Energy (sic). Must change laws!" Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 × Activists say the journey through of at least 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) through Mexico to the US border could take a month. "We are well aware that this country (Mexico) didn't receive us as we expected, and they can return us to Honduras, and we also know there are drug traffickers who kidnap and kill migrants," Juan Flores, one of those migrants, told AFP. "But we live with more fear in our country, so we carry on forward," he added. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also warned that the migrants "may be victimized by human smugglers or others who would exploit them." "We also are deeply concerned by the violence provoked by some members of the group, as well as the apparent political motivation of some organizers of the caravan," Pompeo said in a statement. About a thousand migrants, including women and children, were still stranded on a border bridge hoping to enter Mexico legally via Guatemala. Mexican authorities insisted those on the bridge would have to file asylum claims one at a time in order to enter the country. And another separate group of about 1,000 Hondurans started their own march across Guatemala, headed for Mexico and then the United States. The group of men, women and children gathered in Esquipulas before setting out on foot. 'No stopping us' "No one is going to stop us, after all we've gone through," said 21-year-old Aaron Juarez, who was accompanied by his wife and baby and was walking with difficulty because of an injury. Honduran farmer Edwin Geovanni Enamorado said he was forced to leave his country because of intimidation by racketeering gangs. "We are tired, but very happy, we are united and strong," he said. Britany Hernandez added: "We have sunburn. We have blisters. But we got here. Our strength is greater than Trump's threats." Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for fair treatment of the migrants. "We don't want them to face what (Mexicans) face when they need to look for work in the United States," he said on Twitter. The caravan left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras more than a week ago. It has comprised between 3,000 and 5,000 people at various times as it moved through Guatemala, according to various sources. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said more than 5,000 migrants had entered Guatemala from Honduras, but that some 2,000 had since returned home on a fleet of government-chartered buses On Saturday, Mexican authorities opened the border for women and children on the overcrowded bridge, taking them to a shelter in Tapachula, about 40 kilometres from the border. Plenty of migrants, however, are sleeping in the streets for fear that immigration officials could arrest them if they are in a shelter. Rafting the river Around 900 migrants -- tired of waiting on the bridge -- resorted to crossing the Suchiate River below on makeshift rafts and police did not intervene as they clambered up the muddy riverbank on the Mexican side on Saturday. Morales and his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez said after meeting that the march was "violating the borders and the good faith of the states." The Honduran president acknowledged that social problems were a contributory factor. "Without a doubt, we have a lot to do so that our people can have opportunities in their communities," he said. The migrants are generally fleeing poverty and insecurity in Honduras, where powerful street gangs rule their turf with brutal violence. With a homicide rate of 43 per 100,000 citizens, Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world, according to a Honduran university study.

As migrant 'caravan' marches on towards US, Trump says he's cutting off aid to Central America

Eufemia Garcia watched in horror as Guatemala's Fuego volcano sent scalding ash and gas surging over her home a week ago, burying her children and grandson among 50 of her extended family. She has been searching for their remains ever since.

At least 110 people died after Fuego erupted last Sunday, pushing fast-moving currents of dust, lava and gas down the volcano's slopes in its greatest eruption in four decades, and close to 200 more are believed buried beneath the waste.

Among them, Garcia believes, her nine siblings and their families as well as her mother, her own grown-up children and a grandson, making her family possibly the hardest hit in a disaster that officials admit was made worse by delays in official warnings.

The hamlet of San Miguel Los Lotes on the lush southern flank of the volcano was almost completely swallowed by several meters of ash, and formal search efforts have been suspended until the still-erupting volcano stabilizes.

Defying the suspension order, each morning, Garcia, 48, leaves the shelter she now sleeps in, grabs a pickaxe or a shovel and heads into the danger zone, where groups of volunteers and other families dig down through ash hardened by rain and sun to try and reach their homes below.

Another desperate survivor, Bryan Rivera, is searching for 13 missing relatives. All he has found so far in the dust and desolation is a guitar his 12-year-old sister had loved to play.

"I'm not going to give up until I have a part of my family and am able to give them a Christian burial," Garcia said, her features drawn with fatigue and grief but her voice unfaltering.

A fruit seller who lived for more than three decades with her extended family in Los Lotes, Garcia said she was out purchasing eggs when she saw the volcanic flow racing toward her village.

She sprinted back to her family's homes, where uncles and a brother, children and cousins were preparing for a lunch to celebrate a sister visiting from a nearby town.

Rapping furiously at one door after the next, she cried for them to flee. Few heeded the warnings. Her 75-year-old mother decided she could not outrun the danger.

"Let God's will be done," she said.

Desperate, Garcia ran, jumping over fences together with fleeing neighbours. From a safe distance, she saw the burning flow rise to the roof of her house, submerging it completely with her son Jaime, 21, inside. She watched as the ash rushed toward her daughter Vilma Liliana, 23, who sprinted for safety barefoot but was unable to outpace its terrible path.

Her other daughter Sheiny Rosmery, 28, stayed at home, her son in her arms. The visiting sister and her husband have not been found.

With almost no family left, she does not know where she will live next, or what she will do to survive. But for now, she says, all that matters is the search.

She ticks off a list of her missing, including her three children, her mother, her grandson, brothers, sisters, nephews, children of nephews and brothers-in-law, generations of a relatives among the clutch of families that settled in Los Lotes in the 1970s.

The only survivors are Garcia and a brother who long ago moved away.

"I've looked here in the morgue and in another morgue, but there is no sign of them," she said, standing in front of a row of coffins at a makeshift mortuary.

"My family is buried. All 50 of them."

At least 110 people died after Fuego erupted last Sunday, pushing fast-moving currents of dust, lava and gas down the volcano's slopes in its greatest eruption in four decades, and close to 200 more are believed buried beneath the waste

Eufemia Garcia watched in horror as Guatemala's Fuego volcano sent scalding ash and gas surging over her home a week ago, burying her children and grandson among 50 of her extended family. She has been searching for their remains ever since. At least 110 people died after Fuego erupted last Sunday, pushing fast-moving currents of dust, lava and gas down the volcano's slopes in its greatest eruption in four decades, and close to 200 more are believed buried beneath the waste. Among them, Garcia believes, her nine siblings and their families as well as her mother, her own grown-up children and a grandson, making her family possibly the hardest hit in a disaster that officials admit was made worse by delays in official warnings. The hamlet of San Miguel Los Lotes on the lush southern flank of the volcano was almost completely swallowed by several meters of ash, and formal search efforts have been suspended until the still-erupting volcano stabilizes. Defying the suspension order, each morning, Garcia, 48, leaves the shelter she now sleeps in, grabs a pickaxe or a shovel and heads into the danger zone, where groups of volunteers and other families dig down through ash hardened by rain and sun to try and reach their homes below. Another desperate survivor, Bryan Rivera, is searching for 13 missing relatives. All he has found so far in the dust and desolation is a guitar his 12-year-old sister had loved to play. "I'm not going to give up until I have a part of my family and am able to give them a Christian burial," Garcia said, her features drawn with fatigue and grief but her voice unfaltering. A fruit seller who lived for more than three decades with her extended family in Los Lotes, Garcia said she was out purchasing eggs when she saw the volcanic flow racing toward her village. She sprinted back to her family's homes, where uncles and a brother, children and cousins were preparing for a lunch to celebrate a sister visiting from a nearby town. Rapping furiously at one door after the next, she cried for them to flee. Few heeded the warnings. Her 75-year-old mother decided she could not outrun the danger. "Let God's will be done," she said. Desperate, Garcia ran, jumping over fences together with fleeing neighbours. From a safe distance, she saw the burning flow rise to the roof of her house, submerging it completely with her son Jaime, 21, inside. She watched as the ash rushed toward her daughter Vilma Liliana, 23, who sprinted for safety barefoot but was unable to outpace its terrible path. Her other daughter Sheiny Rosmery, 28, stayed at home, her son in her arms. The visiting sister and her husband have not been found. With almost no family left, she does not know where she will live next, or what she will do to survive. But for now, she says, all that matters is the search. She ticks off a list of her missing, including her three children, her mother, her grandson, brothers, sisters, nephews, children of nephews and brothers-in-law, generations of a relatives among the clutch of families that settled in Los Lotes in the 1970s. The only survivors are Garcia and a brother who long ago moved away. "I've looked here in the morgue and in another morgue, but there is no sign of them," she said, standing in front of a row of coffins at a makeshift mortuary. "My family is buried. All 50 of them."

In Guatemala, woman searches for 50 relatives buried by volcano

Tragedy for families in&nbsp;Guatemala&nbsp;as they bury their dead on Thursday (June 07) after this week's eruptions from the mighty Fuego volcano.

In the rural community of Alotenango locals have been hard hit. For many here, there was not enough time to evacuate after a blanket of hot ash and smoke covered large parts of the region.

The&nbsp;toll&nbsp;of dead from the series of eruptions that began on Sunday (June 3) has been gradually rising and currently stands at 109, according to the country's Institute of Forensic Sciences. Authorities report that 190 people are still missing.

Guatemala's national disaster agency says so far, the eruption has affected the lives of 1.7 million people and 12,000 have been evacuated.

Those in shelters are unsure as to what awaits them when they return home.

Fuego, or "Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital,&nbsp;Guatemala&nbsp;City, near the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO world heritage site. The 3,763-metre (12,346-feet) peak is one of several active volcanoes among 34 in&nbsp;Guatemala.

&nbsp;

Those in shelters are unsure as to what awaits them when they return home

Tragedy for families in Guatemala as they bury their dead on Thursday (June 07) after this week's eruptions from the mighty Fuego volcano. In the rural community of Alotenango locals have been hard hit. For many here, there was not enough time to evacuate after a blanket of hot ash and smoke covered large parts of the region. The toll of dead from the series of eruptions that began on Sunday (June 3) has been gradually rising and currently stands at 109, according to the country's Institute of Forensic Sciences. Authorities report that 190 people are still missing. Guatemala's national disaster agency says so far, the eruption has affected the lives of 1.7 million people and 12,000 have been evacuated. Those in shelters are unsure as to what awaits them when they return home. Fuego, or "Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, near the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO world heritage site. The 3,763-metre (12,346-feet) peak is one of several active volcanoes among 34 in Guatemala.

Guatemala volcanic eruption: Death toll at 109, several displaced

Guatemalan officials warned of falling ash from the Fuego volcano late on Thursday and urged caution with flights as the Central American country recovers from devastating eruptions that have killed at least 109 people.

The seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute Insivumeh advised the civil aviation authority to take precautions with flights amid renewed activity from the peak, which produced a massive eruption on Sunday.

The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109, Guatemala's disaster and forensic agency Inacif said earlier on Thursday.

Authorities have said a communication breakdown between CONRED and volcanologists in Guatemala delayed evacuations from the surrounding area.

Guatemala's public prosecutor said on Thursday it would open an investigation into whether protocols were followed to inform proper decision-making in the handling of the disaster.

Rescue teams have been searching frantically for survivors and victims in the ravaged landscape, which is covered in ash and lava.

The eruptions have showered volcanic ash over a vast area and spewed deadly, fast-moving pyroclastic flows through nearby towns.

The US&nbsp;government expressed its "deepest condolences" to the victims on Thursday and said it was sending emergency aid at Guatemala's request, including an unspecified amount of financial resources to help with food, water, and sanitation.

The White House said in a statement it was also dispatching aircraft to transport burn victims for treatment in Florida.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) raised concerns about the economic cost of the disaster in the poor country.

"We should not underestimate the scale of this disaster. Critical, emergency needs are still enormous, and affected communities will need sustained and long-term support," IFRC President Francesco Rocca said in a statement on Thursday.

Rocca noted that ash had fallen across more than half of Guatemala, covering areas where agriculture is crucial.

"We hope it will not mean a secondary disaster," he said.

The IFRC has pledged more than 250,000 Swiss francs ($253,000) to support rescue efforts and said those worst hit would need at least a year to recover.

The suspension of rescue efforts around the volcano may be lifted if conditions on the ground improve, CONRED said.

Volcan de Fuego, which means "Volcano of Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital, Guatemala City.

The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109

Guatemalan officials warned of falling ash from the Fuego volcano late on Thursday and urged caution with flights as the Central American country recovers from devastating eruptions that have killed at least 109 people. The seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute Insivumeh advised the civil aviation authority to take precautions with flights amid renewed activity from the peak, which produced a massive eruption on Sunday. The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109, Guatemala's disaster and forensic agency Inacif said earlier on Thursday. Authorities have said a communication breakdown between CONRED and volcanologists in Guatemala delayed evacuations from the surrounding area. Guatemala's public prosecutor said on Thursday it would open an investigation into whether protocols were followed to inform proper decision-making in the handling of the disaster. Rescue teams have been searching frantically for survivors and victims in the ravaged landscape, which is covered in ash and lava. The eruptions have showered volcanic ash over a vast area and spewed deadly, fast-moving pyroclastic flows through nearby towns. The US government expressed its "deepest condolences" to the victims on Thursday and said it was sending emergency aid at Guatemala's request, including an unspecified amount of financial resources to help with food, water, and sanitation. The White House said in a statement it was also dispatching aircraft to transport burn victims for treatment in Florida. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) raised concerns about the economic cost of the disaster in the poor country. "We should not underestimate the scale of this disaster. Critical, emergency needs are still enormous, and affected communities will need sustained and long-term support," IFRC President Francesco Rocca said in a statement on Thursday. Rocca noted that ash had fallen across more than half of Guatemala, covering areas where agriculture is crucial. "We hope it will not mean a secondary disaster," he said. The IFRC has pledged more than 250,000 Swiss francs ($253,000) to support rescue efforts and said those worst hit would need at least a year to recover. The suspension of rescue efforts around the volcano may be lifted if conditions on the ground improve, CONRED said. Volcan de Fuego, which means "Volcano of Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital, Guatemala City.

Guatemala warns of falling ash as volcanic activity picks up

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<a href="http://wionews.com/world/at-least-99-dead-as-guatemala-volcano-threatens-new-eruptions-142691">Death toll rises to 99 in Guatemala's volcanic eruption</a>

Explosions boomed from Guatemala's fearsome Fuego volcano Wednesday, unleashing fresh torrents of molten mud and ash down slopes, as the death toll from a previous eruption rose to at least 99.

Take action against terrorists without distinction: Pompeo to Pak Army chief General Bajwa US secretary of state Mike Pompeo called up Pakistan&nbspArmy chief General Qamar Bajwa and asked him to take action against terrorists "without any distinction". Watch: Major fire in 5-star hotel in central London A major fire broke out in a hotel in central London with 25 fire tenders at the scene. The luxury hotel in Knightsbridge in central London had recently undergone extensive restoration. IPL betting scandal: Filmmaker Sajid Khan to be questioned by police? After Arbaaz Khan, another Bollywood name has emerged in the IPL betting scandal. Filmmaker Sajid Khan's name has emerged in connection to the IPL betting racket. Zardari welcomed Osama bin Laden's killing by US: Book When the then US President Barack Obama called his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari to inform him about the killing of Osama bin Laden by the US forces in a raid in Abbottabad, the latter, according to a book, told him that this was a "good news". Death toll rises to 99 in Guatemala's volcanic eruption Explosions boomed from Guatemala's fearsome Fuego volcano Wednesday, unleashing fresh torrents of molten mud and ash down slopes, as the death toll from a previous eruption rose to at least 99.

Explosions boomed from Guatemala's fearsome Fuego volcano Wednesday, unleashing fresh torrents of molten mud and ash down slopes, as the death toll from a previous eruption rose to at least 99.

Fears of a new blowup of the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) volcano have stalked rescue workers since Sunday's eruption buried entire villages on its southern flank.

The National Forensic Sciences Agency said in a report Wednesday that morgues had received the remains of 99 people killed as a result of the eruption.

Only 28 have been identified so far, it said.

"We already have data with names and locations where there are missing persons and that number is 192," Sergio Cabanas, head of Guatemala's disaster management agency, told reporters earlier in the day.

Experts warned Wednesday that heavy rains in the area could provoke avalanches due to the large flows of volcanic mud, known as lahars, since the eruption on Sunday.

Volcanologists recorded the volcano exploding several times an hour Wednesday, which generated a fresh 4,700 meter (15,500 feet) high column of gray ash.

"The explosions are generating moderate avalanches that have an approximate distance of 800 to 1,000 meters," the Vulcanology Institute said.

It said the lahars could sweep down the mountain laden with concrete, rocks up to a meter (yard) in diameter and tree trunks.

"The activity continues and the possibility of new pyroclastic flows in the next hours or days cannot be ruled out, so it is recommended not to remain near the affected area," it said.

Emergency workers had to temporarily suspend their search late Tuesday after a new eruption triggered a landslide.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from seven communities in the Escuintla area near the summit, as panicked locals rushed to their cars to escape, causing chaotic traffic.

An AFP photographer saw a large plume of ash rise into the sky, prompting an evacuation of everyone authorities could find before the police, the military and rescuers were ordered to stand down.

Ongoing search&nbsp;

Hundreds of rescue workers, including firefighters, police and the military, were battling adverse conditions to search for remains in the tangled morass of rubble, dust and earth left behind by the landslides.

General Walter Sanchez, in charge of operations around the epicenter of the destruction near the village of El Rodeo, said the heat from the ash and hot sediment made rescue work difficult.

Firefighters hosed down their smoking boots, which had sunk into molten volcanic material just below the ash surface.

Everything in the search area was covered in a thick blanket of dust. In the murk created by the dust, police were using red ink to mark homes that had already been searched for bodies.

More than 12,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, the disaster management agency said, more than 3,000 of them housed in temporary shelters.

On the slopes Wednesday, local volunteers distributed food to rescue workers, and columns of cars handed out food, water, toilet paper, diapers and other necessities to residents.

Some residents said they had organized themselves to prevent looting that they claimed occurred on the first night of the disaster.

Strongest in decades

The killer eruption was the Central American country's strongest in four decades.

It sent huge clouds of ash barreling over the surrounding area, blanketing roads, cars and people in the thick grey dust as a river of molten mud carved a path down the mountain, sweeping away entire villages.

Officials said the speed and ferocity of the eruption took mountain communities by surprise, with many of the dead found in or around their homes.

Despite offers of international help from the United States, Mexico and several Latin American neighbours, Guatemalan authorities have not made a request for foreign aid.

The foreign ministry said disaster management agency CONRED would help determine any such request.

"We are ready when CONRED as the governing body of emergency management authorize us to make an appeal," the ministry said in a statement.

President Jimmy Morales has been criticized on social media for passively waiting to react to offers of international aid.

The head of the International Red Cross Francesco Rocca is due to visit the country on Thursday, the Geneva-based agency said.

Explosions boomed from Guatemala's fearsome Fuego volcano Wednesday, unleashing fresh torrents of molten mud and ash down slopes, as the death toll from a previous eruption rose to at least 99

Explosions boomed from Guatemala's fearsome Fuego volcano Wednesday, unleashing fresh torrents of molten mud and ash down slopes, as the death toll from a previous eruption rose to at least 99. Fears of a new blowup of the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) volcano have stalked rescue workers since Sunday's eruption buried entire villages on its southern flank. The National Forensic Sciences Agency said in a report Wednesday that morgues had received the remains of 99 people killed as a result of the eruption. Only 28 have been identified so far, it said. "We already have data with names and locations where there are missing persons and that number is 192," Sergio Cabanas, head of Guatemala's disaster management agency, told reporters earlier in the day. Experts warned Wednesday that heavy rains in the area could provoke avalanches due to the large flows of volcanic mud, known as lahars, since the eruption on Sunday. Volcanologists recorded the volcano exploding several times an hour Wednesday, which generated a fresh 4,700 meter (15,500 feet) high column of gray ash. "The explosions are generating moderate avalanches that have an approximate distance of 800 to 1,000 meters," the Vulcanology Institute said. It said the lahars could sweep down the mountain laden with concrete, rocks up to a meter (yard) in diameter and tree trunks. "The activity continues and the possibility of new pyroclastic flows in the next hours or days cannot be ruled out, so it is recommended not to remain near the affected area," it said. Emergency workers had to temporarily suspend their search late Tuesday after a new eruption triggered a landslide. Hundreds of people were evacuated from seven communities in the Escuintla area near the summit, as panicked locals rushed to their cars to escape, causing chaotic traffic. An AFP photographer saw a large plume of ash rise into the sky, prompting an evacuation of everyone authorities could find before the police, the military and rescuers were ordered to stand down. Ongoing search Hundreds of rescue workers, including firefighters, police and the military, were battling adverse conditions to search for remains in the tangled morass of rubble, dust and earth left behind by the landslides. General Walter Sanchez, in charge of operations around the epicenter of the destruction near the village of El Rodeo, said the heat from the ash and hot sediment made rescue work difficult. Firefighters hosed down their smoking boots, which had sunk into molten volcanic material just below the ash surface. Everything in the search area was covered in a thick blanket of dust. In the murk created by the dust, police were using red ink to mark homes that had already been searched for bodies. More than 12,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, the disaster management agency said, more than 3,000 of them housed in temporary shelters. On the slopes Wednesday, local volunteers distributed food to rescue workers, and columns of cars handed out food, water, toilet paper, diapers and other necessities to residents. Some residents said they had organized themselves to prevent looting that they claimed occurred on the first night of the disaster. Strongest in decades The killer eruption was the Central American country's strongest in four decades. It sent huge clouds of ash barreling over the surrounding area, blanketing roads, cars and people in the thick grey dust as a river of molten mud carved a path down the mountain, sweeping away entire villages. Officials said the speed and ferocity of the eruption took mountain communities by surprise, with many of the dead found in or around their homes. Despite offers of international help from the United States, Mexico and several Latin American neighbours, Guatemalan authorities have not made a request for foreign aid. The foreign ministry said disaster management agency CONRED would help determine any such request. "We are ready when CONRED as the governing body of emergency management authorize us to make an appeal," the ministry said in a statement. President Jimmy Morales has been criticized on social media for passively waiting to react to offers of international aid. The head of the International Red Cross Francesco Rocca is due to visit the country on Thursday, the Geneva-based agency said.

Death toll rises to 99 in Guatemala's volcanic eruption

&nbsp;A video shared to the Guatemalan National Civil Police (PNC) Twitter page shows officers rescuing a baby&nbsp;girl&nbsp;from inside a house located in the area affected by the eruptions of the Volcan de Fuego.

The PNC told Reuters that the&nbsp;girl&nbsp;and her family were successfuly rescued and she was taken to the National Hospital of Escuintla.

Guatemala's national disaster agency CONRED ordered the evacuations and said that hot gas and molten rock were descending from the volcano. More than 70 deaths have been reported since the volcano - whose name means "fire" in Spanish - erupted on Sunday.

More than 70 deaths have been reported since the Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) erupted on Sunday

A video shared to the Guatemalan National Civil Police (PNC) Twitter page shows officers rescuing a baby girl from inside a house located in the area affected by the eruptions of the Volcan de Fuego. The PNC told Reuters that the girl and her family were successfuly rescued and she was taken to the National Hospital of Escuintla. Guatemala's national disaster agency CONRED ordered the evacuations and said that hot gas and molten rock were descending from the volcano. More than 70 deaths have been reported since the volcano - whose name means "fire" in Spanish - erupted on Sunday.

Watch: As volcano rages, Guatemala Police rescue baby girl

Nearly 200 people are missing and at least 73 people were killed since Guatemala's Fuego volcano began erupting over the weekend, officials said today.

Seven communities in already devastated areas were evacuated as the volcano's activity increased, with rescue operations halted.

In the city of Escuintla, near the summit, panicked locals rushed to their cars to escape, causing chaotic traffic.

An AFP photographer witnessed a large plume of ash rise into the sky, prompting an evacuation of everyone authorities could find before the police, the military and rescuers were stood down.

And a total of 192 people remain missing since the weekend eruptions, disaster relief agency chief Sergio Cabanas told reporters.

The search for bodies in mountain villages destroyed by the eruption was progressing slowly, officials said earlier, given the nature of the terrain and the way the volcano released large amounts of boiling mud, rock and ash down the mountain.

"We will continue until we find the last victim, though we do not know how many there are. We will probe the area as many times as necessary," Cabanas said.

However, the prospects of finding any more survivors were poor, he said.

"If you are trapped in a pyroclastic flow, it's hard to come out of it alive," he said, adding that people who may have been caught in the flow may never be found. The latest of the 73 victims was a 42-year-old woman who died in hospital having lost both legs and an arm in the eruption.

The previous toll was given as 72. Some 46 people were injured, around half of whom are in serious condition, it said.

The 3,763-metre volcano erupted early Sunday, spewing out towering plumes of ash and a hail of fiery rock fragments with scalding mud.

Authorities said more than 1.7 million people had been affected by the disaster, including more than 3,000 ordered evacuated, many living in shelters in Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango since Sunday's eruption.

The speed of the eruption took locals by surprise, and could be explained by it producing pyroclastic flows, sudden emissions of gas and rock fragments, rather than lava, said volcanologist David Rothery of Britain's Open University. President Jimmy Morales, who has declared three days of national mourning, has visited the disaster zone.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the "tragic loss of life and the significant damage caused by the eruption," and said the UN was ready to assist national rescue and relief efforts.

The 3,763-metre volcano erupted early Sunday, spewing out towering plumes of ash and a hail of fiery rock fragments with scalding mud.

Nearly 200 people are missing and at least 73 people were killed since Guatemala's Fuego volcano began erupting over the weekend, officials said today. Seven communities in already devastated areas were evacuated as the volcano's activity increased, with rescue operations halted. In the city of Escuintla, near the summit, panicked locals rushed to their cars to escape, causing chaotic traffic. An AFP photographer witnessed a large plume of ash rise into the sky, prompting an evacuation of everyone authorities could find before the police, the military and rescuers were stood down. And a total of 192 people remain missing since the weekend eruptions, disaster relief agency chief Sergio Cabanas told reporters. The search for bodies in mountain villages destroyed by the eruption was progressing slowly, officials said earlier, given the nature of the terrain and the way the volcano released large amounts of boiling mud, rock and ash down the mountain. "We will continue until we find the last victim, though we do not know how many there are. We will probe the area as many times as necessary," Cabanas said. However, the prospects of finding any more survivors were poor, he said. "If you are trapped in a pyroclastic flow, it's hard to come out of it alive," he said, adding that people who may have been caught in the flow may never be found. The latest of the 73 victims was a 42-year-old woman who died in hospital having lost both legs and an arm in the eruption. The previous toll was given as 72. Some 46 people were injured, around half of whom are in serious condition, it said. The 3,763-metre volcano erupted early Sunday, spewing out towering plumes of ash and a hail of fiery rock fragments with scalding mud. Authorities said more than 1.7 million people had been affected by the disaster, including more than 3,000 ordered evacuated, many living in shelters in Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango since Sunday's eruption. The speed of the eruption took locals by surprise, and could be explained by it producing pyroclastic flows, sudden emissions of gas and rock fragments, rather than lava, said volcanologist David Rothery of Britain's Open University. President Jimmy Morales, who has declared three days of national mourning, has visited the disaster zone. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the "tragic loss of life and the significant damage caused by the eruption," and said the UN was ready to assist national rescue and relief efforts.

Guatemala volcano eruption: Nearly 200 missing as death toll rises to 73

Ignacio Lopez managed to rescue some belongings after his home was destroyed by the eruption of the Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala on Monday (June 4), one of which was more special than others.

Lopez, who was filmed by the reporter Julio Lopez of the Guatemalan radio station Emisoras Unidas, was covered in dust and carrying a large sack on his shoulder, which he said he used to save a few of his belongings. He was also carrying his pet&nbsp;dog&nbsp;that he held in his arms.

When asked if he had lost any relatives, Ignacio Lopez replied that he didn't know the whereabouts of his sister, Ana Olivia and whether she was buried underground or had been rescued.

Ignacio Lopez was filmed by the radio reporter walking along the National Route 14 highway near the small village of El Rodeo, in the southern region of Escuintla.

The eruption of Fuego - Spanish for "fire" - on Sunday was the biggest in more than four decades, and the number of fatalities from the massive volcano eruption rose to 62 on Monday.

Ignacio Lopez was filmed covered in dust and carrying a large sack on his shoulder, which he said he used to save a few of his belongings. He was also carrying his pet dog in his arms

Ignacio Lopez managed to rescue some belongings after his home was destroyed by the eruption of the Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala on Monday (June 4), one of which was more special than others. Lopez, who was filmed by the reporter Julio Lopez of the Guatemalan radio station Emisoras Unidas, was covered in dust and carrying a large sack on his shoulder, which he said he used to save a few of his belongings. He was also carrying his pet dog that he held in his arms. When asked if he had lost any relatives, Ignacio Lopez replied that he didn't know the whereabouts of his sister, Ana Olivia and whether she was buried underground or had been rescued. Ignacio Lopez was filmed by the radio reporter walking along the National Route 14 highway near the small village of El Rodeo, in the southern region of Escuintla. The eruption of Fuego - Spanish for "fire" - on Sunday was the biggest in more than four decades, and the number of fatalities from the massive volcano eruption rose to 62 on Monday.

Guatemala man returns to volcano-hit village to rescue dog

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Fuego has been erupting since 2002 and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes on May 19-21 as well as a volcanic mudflow on May 17.

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Read the five big stories of the day here

Guatemala volcano eruption: 62 dead and hundreds injured as lava surge sweeps through villages Fuego has been erupting since 2002 and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes on May 19-21 as well as a volcanic mudflow on May 17. Trump to meet Kim Jong-un at 9:00 am in Singapore on June 12: White House President Trump who few weeks had declared the summit was going to happen after earlier nearly calling it off will now meet Kim for the first time in an Asian country. Watch: I apologised to Monica Lewinsky, MeToo long overdue, says Bill Clinton Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern, had an affair with President Clinton in the mid-1990s which blew up into a major scandal and nearly went into impeachment. Ensure that our future generations live on a green planet, tweets PM Modi on Environment Day Each World Environment Day is organised around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. Waqar Younis apologises for cutting Wasim's birthday cake during Ramzan "Apologise to everyone for cutting cake on Waseem Bhai`s birthday yesterday. We should have respected Ramadan and the people who were fasting ????. It was a poor act on our behalf #SORRY," he tweeted.

The toll from the eruption of a highly active volcano near Guatemala`s capital rose to 69, a government agency has said.

Only 13 of the dead have been identified so far, Mirna Zeledon, a spokeswoman for Guatemala's National Institute of Forensic Sciences told Reuters.

The eruption of Fuego - Spanish for "fire" - on Sunday was the biggest in more than four decades, forcing the closure of Guatemala's main international airport and dumping ash on thousands of acres (hectares) of coffee farms on the volcano's slopes.

David de Leon, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency, said several more bodies had been recovered in the rubble of villages on the volcano's southern flank, which bore the brunt of the disaster.

Authorities had warned the death toll could rise as a number of people had been reported missing.

De Leon said some 1.7 million people had been affected when the volcano erupted on Sunday, shooting a dense cloud of ash into the sky and sending a hail of fiery rock fragments and scalding mud down the mountainside, burying homes.

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My aunt took this video in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guatemala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Guatemala</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/6UPzCFZqDb">pic.twitter.com/6UPzCFZqDb</a>
— J.Iquique (@_Iquique) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Iquique/status/1003760606531477505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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25 dead and 300 injured from the volcano that erupted in Guatemala BUT OF COURSE whatever news that’s based on Hispanics is always ignored. My prayers go out to the family’s and children that lost there loved ones ?? ? ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuatemalaVolcano?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuatemalaVolcano</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lnt1KeN4cF">pic.twitter.com/Lnt1KeN4cF</a>
— Right word (@abcdaee198) <a href="https://twitter.com/abcdaee198/status/1003759496890585090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Fuego has been erupting since 2002 and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes on May 19-21 as well as a volcanic mudflow on May 17.

The last emergency occurred in September 2012, causing the evacuation of some 10,000 people from villages on its slopes.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The death toll in the eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano rose to 62 today as rescue workers recovered more bodies from devastated villages.

The toll from the eruption of a highly active volcano near Guatemala`s capital rose to 69, a government agency has said. Only 13 of the dead have been identified so far, Mirna Zeledon, a spokeswoman for Guatemala's National Institute of Forensic Sciences told Reuters. The eruption of Fuego - Spanish for "fire" - on Sunday was the biggest in more than four decades, forcing the closure of Guatemala's main international airport and dumping ash on thousands of acres (hectares) of coffee farms on the volcano's slopes. David de Leon, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster management agency, said several more bodies had been recovered in the rubble of villages on the volcano's southern flank, which bore the brunt of the disaster. Authorities had warned the death toll could rise as a number of people had been reported missing. De Leon said some 1.7 million people had been affected when the volcano erupted on Sunday, shooting a dense cloud of ash into the sky and sending a hail of fiery rock fragments and scalding mud down the mountainside, burying homes. My aunt took this video in #Guatemala ?? pic.twitter.com/6UPzCFZqDb — J.Iquique (@_Iquique) June 4, 2018 × 25 dead and 300 injured from the volcano that erupted in Guatemala BUT OF COURSE whatever news that’s based on Hispanics is always ignored. My prayers go out to the family’s and children that lost there loved ones ?? ? ?#GuatemalaVolcano pic.twitter.com/Lnt1KeN4cF — Right word (@abcdaee198) June 4, 2018 × Fuego has been erupting since 2002 and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes on May 19-21 as well as a volcanic mudflow on May 17. The last emergency occurred in September 2012, causing the evacuation of some 10,000 people from villages on its slopes. (With inputs from Reuters)

Guatemala volcano eruption: 69 dead and hundreds injured as lava surge sweeps through villages

An estimated 25 people, including at least three children, were killed and nearly 300 injured on Sunday in the most violent eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano in more than four decades, officials said.

Volcan de Fuego, whose name means "Volcano of Fire", spewed an 8-kilometre (5-mile) stream of red-hot lava and belched a thick plume of black smoke and ash that rained onto the capital and other regions.

“It’s a river of lava that overflowed its banks and affected the Rodeo village. There are injured, burned and dead people,” Sergio Cabanas, the general secretary of Guatemala’s Conred disaster agency, said on radio.

It is the second time the volcano has erupted this year, setting off loud explosions and spewing ash nearly four miles into the sky.

The eruption forced the Guatemala City’s La Aurora international airport to shut down its only runway due to the presence of volcanic ash and to guarantee passenger and aircraft safety, Guatemala’s civil aviation authority said in a Tweet.

The volcano is located some 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital Guatemala City and is close to the colonial city of Antigua, popular with tourists and known for its coffee plantations.

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Today The Guatemala Fuego Volcano 
Erupted. At Least Six Dead and Over 20 Injured. 
La Aurora Airport In Guatemala Is Now Closed Due to Volcanic Ash. Flights to USA Have Now Being Cancelled. 
 
Pray For All In Guatemala Today. ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fuego?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fuego</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Volcano?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Volcano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guatemala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Guatemala</a><a href="https://t.co/2V7Z8ToT1G">pic.twitter.com/2V7Z8ToT1G</a>
— ~Marietta️ (@MariettaPosts) <a href="https://twitter.com/MariettaPosts/status/1003437760957550593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/AmyFreeze7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmyFreeze7</a> 
Eruption of Volcan de Fuego going on now in Guatemala <a href="https://t.co/0kD8FC5J2t">pic.twitter.com/0kD8FC5J2t</a>
— Rudy Velez (@rudy_velez) <a href="https://twitter.com/rudy_velez/status/1003435842868785157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At least 6 dead and 20 people injured after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Volcanic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Volcanic</a> Eruption 
Volcán de Fuego <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guatemala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Guatemala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VolcanDeFuego?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VolcanDeFuego</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guatemala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Guatemala</a>. A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lahar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lahar</a> descends from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Volcano?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Volcano</a> of fire and partially destroys a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bridge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bridge</a> on the road RN14 Sacatepéquez-Escuintla. Via:<a href="https://twitter.com/NestorTrigueros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NestorTrigueros</a> <a href="https://t.co/T6u6UJr9Bi">pic.twitter.com/T6u6UJr9Bi</a>
— Alexander Hansen (@AlexanderXV) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexanderXV/status/1003433247135686663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Workers and guests were evacuated from the La Reunion golf club near Antigua. Video footage showed a black cloud of ash rising from just beyond the golf club. The lava river was running on the other side of the volcano.

The huge plumes of smoke that could be seen from various parts of the country and the ash that fell in four of Guatemala’s departments caused alarm among residents.&nbsp;

Guatemala's disaster agency said 10,000 people had evacuated nearby communities, and the eruption was affecting an area with a population of about 1.7 million people. Shelters were opened for those forced to flee.

It is the second time the volcano has erupted this year, setting off loud explosions and spewing ash nearly four miles into the sky.

An estimated 25 people, including at least three children, were killed and nearly 300 injured on Sunday in the most violent eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano in more than four decades, officials said. Volcan de Fuego, whose name means "Volcano of Fire", spewed an 8-kilometre (5-mile) stream of red-hot lava and belched a thick plume of black smoke and ash that rained onto the capital and other regions. “It’s a river of lava that overflowed its banks and affected the Rodeo village. There are injured, burned and dead people,” Sergio Cabanas, the general secretary of Guatemala’s Conred disaster agency, said on radio. It is the second time the volcano has erupted this year, setting off loud explosions and spewing ash nearly four miles into the sky. The eruption forced the Guatemala City’s La Aurora international airport to shut down its only runway due to the presence of volcanic ash and to guarantee passenger and aircraft safety, Guatemala’s civil aviation authority said in a Tweet. The volcano is located some 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital Guatemala City and is close to the colonial city of Antigua, popular with tourists and known for its coffee plantations. Today The Guatemala Fuego Volcano Erupted. At Least Six Dead and Over 20 Injured. La Aurora Airport In Guatemala Is Now Closed Due to Volcanic Ash. Flights to USA Have Now Being Cancelled. Pray For All In Guatemala Today. ?#Fuego #Volcano #Guatemalapic.twitter.com/2V7Z8ToT1G — ~Marietta️ (@MariettaPosts) June 4, 2018 × @AmyFreeze7 Eruption of Volcan de Fuego going on now in Guatemala pic.twitter.com/0kD8FC5J2t — Rudy Velez (@rudy_velez) June 4, 2018 × At least 6 dead and 20 people injured after #Volcanic Eruption Volcán de Fuego #Guatemala #VolcanDeFuego #Guatemala. A #Lahar descends from the #Volcano of fire and partially destroys a #bridge on the road RN14 Sacatepéquez-Escuintla. Via:@NestorTrigueros pic.twitter.com/T6u6UJr9Bi — Alexander Hansen (@AlexanderXV) June 4, 2018 × Workers and guests were evacuated from the La Reunion golf club near Antigua. Video footage showed a black cloud of ash rising from just beyond the golf club. The lava river was running on the other side of the volcano. The huge plumes of smoke that could be seen from various parts of the country and the ash that fell in four of Guatemala’s departments caused alarm among residents. Guatemala's disaster agency said 10,000 people had evacuated nearby communities, and the eruption was affecting an area with a population of about 1.7 million people. Shelters were opened for those forced to flee.

Watch: Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupts violently, killing 25 and injuring hundreds

Israel said on Monday it was sending emergency aid worth $10,000 to Guatemala, where a volcano erupted killing at least 25 people.

Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said on Twitter they money will be used to buy emergency equipment, namely medication, food, blankets.

Israel will coordinate further needs with Guatemalan authorities, he said.

Guatemala was one of the few countries to side with the United States after President Donald Trump's December recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of US diplomacy and international consensus.

On May 16, Guatemala opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, just two days after the US. Since then Paraguay has also followed suit.

Guatemala's 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego volcano, located 35 kilometres southwest of the capital, erupted on Sunday, killing at least 25 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people.

Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said on Twitter they money will be used to buy emergency equipment, namely medication, food, blankets

Israel said on Monday it was sending emergency aid worth $10,000 to Guatemala, where a volcano erupted killing at least 25 people. Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said on Twitter they money will be used to buy emergency equipment, namely medication, food, blankets. Israel will coordinate further needs with Guatemalan authorities, he said. Guatemala was one of the few countries to side with the United States after President Donald Trump's December recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of US diplomacy and international consensus. On May 16, Guatemala opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, just two days after the US. Since then Paraguay has also followed suit. Guatemala's 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego volcano, located 35 kilometres southwest of the capital, erupted on Sunday, killing at least 25 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people.

Israel sends emergency aid worth $10,000 to Guatemala after volcano

Guatemala opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, two days after the United States made the same move.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening, in an office complex in west Jerusalem.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening

Guatemala opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, two days after the United States made the same move. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening, in an office complex in west Jerusalem.

After United States, Guatemala opens embassy in Jerusalem

After Guatemala decided to open its<a href="Watch: US embassy road signs begin appearing in Jerusalem"> embassy in Jerusalem, Paraguay </a>said it would also open its embassy in the holy city just days ahead of the opening of the US embassy in the region.

President Trump in December had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and had decided to move the US embassy to the area which is disputed by the Israeli's and Palestinians.

In March Guatemala's president, Jimmy Morales had said his country would be moving its embassy to Jerusalem on May 16th, two days after the US opens its embassy.

"Paraguay President Horacio Cartes plans to come to Israel by the end of the month to open an embassy in Jerusalem," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said.

A Paraguay government spokesman said President Cartes was scheduling a trip to Israel to move the embassy on May 21 or May 22.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed concern over other nations opening embassies in Jerusalem, saying he hoped other nations in the American continent will not open their embassies in Jerusalem.

Earlier, 128 countries in the United Nations had voted against recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal, despite this Israeli PM Netanyahu had said several countries were "seriously discussing" on opening their embassy in the holy city.

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A Paraguay government spokesman said President Cartes was scheduling a trip to Israel to move the embassy on May 21 or May 22.

After Guatemala decided to open its embassy in Jerusalem, Paraguay said it would also open its embassy in the holy city just days ahead of the opening of the US embassy in the region. President Trump in December had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and had decided to move the US embassy to the area which is disputed by the Israeli's and Palestinians. In March Guatemala's president, Jimmy Morales had said his country would be moving its embassy to Jerusalem on May 16th, two days after the US opens its embassy. "Paraguay President Horacio Cartes plans to come to Israel by the end of the month to open an embassy in Jerusalem," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said. A Paraguay government spokesman said President Cartes was scheduling a trip to Israel to move the embassy on May 21 or May 22. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed concern over other nations opening embassies in Jerusalem, saying he hoped other nations in the American continent will not open their embassies in Jerusalem. Earlier, 128 countries in the United Nations had voted against recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal, despite this Israeli PM Netanyahu had said several countries were "seriously discussing" on opening their embassy in the holy city.

After US & Guatemala, Paraguay to open embassy in Jerusalem

Guatemala will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May, two days after the US&nbsp;embassy makes the same move, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Sunday at a conference in Washington.

&quot;I would like to thank President Trump for leading the way. His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right,&quot; Morales said in a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee&#39;s annual policy conference, according to a translation of his remarks on the pro-Israel US&nbsp;lobbying group&#39;s website.

Guatemala was one of only a handful of countries that backed US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s December decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and it is the first country besides the United States to set a date for moving its embassy there. Trump&#39;s move reversed decades of US&nbsp;policy, upsetting the Arab world and Western allies.

Afterward, 128 countries defied Trump by backing a non-binding UN&nbsp;General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as their capital.

The international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions.

The United States is an important source of assistance to Guatemala, and Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that supported the UN&nbsp;resolution.

Prior to 1980, Guatemala and a dozen other countries maintained an embassy in Jerusalem. Israel&#39;s passage in June 1980 of a law proclaiming Jerusalem its &quot;indivisible and eternal capital&quot; led to a UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution calling on Guatemala and several other countries to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, prompting their transfer.

Morales said his decision to return the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem &quot;strongly evidences Guatemala&#39;s continued support and solidarity with the people of Israel.&quot;

Morales, a former television comedian with an important base of conservative Christian support in the Central American country, became embroiled earlier this year in a dispute with the United Nations when a UN-backed anti-corruption body in Guatemala tried to impeach him.

Although Morales avoided impeachment, he failed in an attempt to expel the head of the body, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, after criticism from the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as their capital.

Guatemala will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May, two days after the US embassy makes the same move, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Sunday at a conference in Washington. "I would like to thank President Trump for leading the way. His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right," Morales said in a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual policy conference, according to a translation of his remarks on the pro-Israel US lobbying group's website. Guatemala was one of only a handful of countries that backed US President Donald Trump's December decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and it is the first country besides the United States to set a date for moving its embassy there. Trump's move reversed decades of US policy, upsetting the Arab world and Western allies. Afterward, 128 countries defied Trump by backing a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem. The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as their capital. The international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions. The United States is an important source of assistance to Guatemala, and Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that supported the UN resolution. Prior to 1980, Guatemala and a dozen other countries maintained an embassy in Jerusalem. Israel's passage in June 1980 of a law proclaiming Jerusalem its "indivisible and eternal capital" led to a UN Security Council resolution calling on Guatemala and several other countries to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, prompting their transfer. Morales said his decision to return the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem "strongly evidences Guatemala's continued support and solidarity with the people of Israel." Morales, a former television comedian with an important base of conservative Christian support in the Central American country, became embroiled earlier this year in a dispute with the United Nations when a UN-backed anti-corruption body in Guatemala tried to impeach him. Although Morales avoided impeachment, he failed in an attempt to expel the head of the body, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, after criticism from the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.

Guatemala to move embassy to Jerusalem two days after US: President Morales

A prolonged 7.2 magnitude quake that rocked Mexico on Friday left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in the capital and south but the only reported deaths came when a military helicopter crashed after surveying the aftermath.

At least 50 homes suffered damage in the southern state of Oaxaca, which, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September.

The epicenter was about 90 miles (145 km) from Pacific coast surfer resort Puerto Escondido in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 15.3 miles (24.6 km), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

At least two people died when a helicopter carrying Mexico&#39;s interior minister and the governor of Oaxaca crashed while trying to land after a tour of damage from the earthquake, officials said. The senior officials survived.

The powerful, sustained shaking on Friday gave way to 225 aftershocks, the national seismology service said, and caused widespread panic.

In Mexico City, the seismic alarm sounded 72 seconds before tremors were felt, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said, giving residents time to flee to the streets.

Patricia Gutierrez, a 66-year-old English teacher, was taking a nap with her 11-month-old granddaughter, Juliet, when she heard the distinctive siren.

&quot;She recognized the sound. When I opened my eyes, I saw her eyes in terror. Her eyes were wide, like plates. She didn&#39;t say anything,&quot; Gutierrez said of her granddaughter.

Gutierrez managed to leave her ground floor apartment before the quake began. &quot;I left the phone and everything except for my shoes and the baby,&quot; she said.

Authorities said no deaths directly linked to the quake had been reported nationally.

Bricks and rubble

The Oaxacan town of Jamiltepec appeared to sustain the heaviest impact in the southern region, with 50 homes damaged along with a church and government building, the state&#39;s civil protection agency said.

Patients were evacuated from a hospital there and from another in the nearby town of Putla Villa de Guerrero. On a local highway, a fire ignited when two high-tension electric cables struck each other.

In the town of Pinotepa Nacional close to the quake&#39;s epicenter, a photo obtained from Oaxaca&#39;s civil protection agency showed a single-story building where a portion of the brick facade had crumbled into the street. A hospital was also damaged, and a collapsed structure blocked a major highway.

About 100,000 people in Oaxaca had lost power, the state&#39;s governor said.

National oil firm Pemex said its installations were in order, including its biggest refinery 240 miles (386 km) from the epicenter. A hotel operator in Puerto Escondido said his property had no damage.

Tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south.

Images in the media appeared to show bricks and rubble fallen from buildings, and products tumbling off shelves in a supermarket.

In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded, with older structures in the chic Condesa neighborhood knocking into each other, and some cracks appearing in plaster and paintwork.

The Popocatepetl volcano south of the capital sent a kilometer-high column of ash into the sky, said Mexico&#39;s disaster prevention agency.

Two young men standing by a building that collapsed in a Sept. 19 earthquake were still hugging minutes after the tremor. People crowded in the streets, one lady in her pajamas.

Trees, overhead cables and cars swayed, and a fire truck raced down the street.

Guadalupe Martinez, a 64-year-old retiree, said she was still shaking from shock. But the quake was a far cry from the tremors that struck Mexico in September, Martinez said.

&quot;This time it was strong, but it did not jump up and down,&quot; she said.

At least 50 homes suffered damage in the southern state of Oaxaca, which, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September

A prolonged 7.2 magnitude quake that rocked Mexico on Friday left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in the capital and south but the only reported deaths came when a military helicopter crashed after surveying the aftermath. At least 50 homes suffered damage in the southern state of Oaxaca, which, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September. The epicenter was about 90 miles (145 km) from Pacific coast surfer resort Puerto Escondido in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 15.3 miles (24.6 km), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. At least two people died when a helicopter carrying Mexico's interior minister and the governor of Oaxaca crashed while trying to land after a tour of damage from the earthquake, officials said. The senior officials survived. The powerful, sustained shaking on Friday gave way to 225 aftershocks, the national seismology service said, and caused widespread panic. In Mexico City, the seismic alarm sounded 72 seconds before tremors were felt, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said, giving residents time to flee to the streets. Patricia Gutierrez, a 66-year-old English teacher, was taking a nap with her 11-month-old granddaughter, Juliet, when she heard the distinctive siren. "She recognized the sound. When I opened my eyes, I saw her eyes in terror. Her eyes were wide, like plates. She didn't say anything," Gutierrez said of her granddaughter. Gutierrez managed to leave her ground floor apartment before the quake began. "I left the phone and everything except for my shoes and the baby," she said. Authorities said no deaths directly linked to the quake had been reported nationally. Bricks and rubble The Oaxacan town of Jamiltepec appeared to sustain the heaviest impact in the southern region, with 50 homes damaged along with a church and government building, the state's civil protection agency said. Patients were evacuated from a hospital there and from another in the nearby town of Putla Villa de Guerrero. On a local highway, a fire ignited when two high-tension electric cables struck each other. In the town of Pinotepa Nacional close to the quake's epicenter, a photo obtained from Oaxaca's civil protection agency showed a single-story building where a portion of the brick facade had crumbled into the street. A hospital was also damaged, and a collapsed structure blocked a major highway. About 100,000 people in Oaxaca had lost power, the state's governor said. National oil firm Pemex said its installations were in order, including its biggest refinery 240 miles (386 km) from the epicenter. A hotel operator in Puerto Escondido said his property had no damage. Tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south. Images in the media appeared to show bricks and rubble fallen from buildings, and products tumbling off shelves in a supermarket. In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded, with older structures in the chic Condesa neighborhood knocking into each other, and some cracks appearing in plaster and paintwork. The Popocatepetl volcano south of the capital sent a kilometer-high column of ash into the sky, said Mexico's disaster prevention agency. Two young men standing by a building that collapsed in a Sept. 19 earthquake were still hugging minutes after the tremor. People crowded in the streets, one lady in her pajamas. Trees, overhead cables and cars swayed, and a fire truck raced down the street. Guadalupe Martinez, a 64-year-old retiree, said she was still shaking from shock. But the quake was a far cry from the tremors that struck Mexico in September, Martinez said. "This time it was strong, but it did not jump up and down," she said.

Big Mexico quake cuts power and damages homes; two dead in crash

A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City.

The epicenter was close to the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 26.7 miles (43 km), according to the US&nbsp;Geological Survey. The area is already reeling from an earthquake that caused widespread damage in September.

Oaxaca&#39;s civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far.

In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded throughout the city, and tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south.

Television images showed thousands of people in the streets in the city centre, where crowds had gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Oaxaca's civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far

A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City. The epicenter was close to the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 26.7 miles (43 km), according to the US Geological Survey. The area is already reeling from an earthquake that caused widespread damage in September. Oaxaca's civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far. In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded throughout the city, and tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south. Television images showed thousands of people in the streets in the city centre, where crowds had gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Magnitude 7.2 quake hits Mexico, buildings sway in capital

At least eight people were killed and 15 were seriously injured in Guatemala when a minibus came off the edge of a road and plunged down a ravine, an emergency services official said on Wednesday.

The vehicle was travelling in the San Pedro Necta municipality in a mountainous part of western Guatemala when the accident occurred, a spokesman for fire services said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the minibus to careen off the road, the spokesman said. 
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It was not immediately clear what caused the minibus to careen off the road.

At least eight people were killed and 15 were seriously injured in Guatemala when a minibus came off the edge of a road and plunged down a ravine, an emergency services official said on Wednesday. The vehicle was travelling in the San Pedro Necta municipality in a mountainous part of western Guatemala when the accident occurred, a spokesman for fire services said. It was not immediately clear what caused the minibus to careen off the road, the spokesman said.

At least eight killed, 15 injured in Guatemala bus crash

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