As many as 177 environmental activists were murdered across the world last year, with 60 of the killings taking place in Colombia alone, making it the deadliest place on Earth for green warriors - according to a report by London-based NGO Global Witness.

As many as 177 environmental activists were murdered across the world last year, with 60 of the killings taking place in Colombia alone, making it the deadliest place on Earth for green warriors - according to a report by London-based NGO Global Witness. While only 33 environment defenders lost their lives in the South American nation in 2021, the figure nearly doubled in 2022, signifying a disturbing trend. "This is almost double the number of killings compared to 2021, when 33 defenders lost their lives," said the report, adding that very few perpetrators of the killing are ever brought to justice. Since record-keeping began in 2012, at least 382 environmentalists have been killed in Colombia up until now. Apart from the environmentalists, the Indigenous people, small-scale farmers and members of Afro-descendant communities were also targeted in the attacks. Even the politicians in the country are not safe from those opposing the green agenda. Francia Marquez, the nation's vice president and winner of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018, has already faced multiple threats on her life. In 2019, she survived an attack by gunmen who tried to kill her over her work defending her home region's water resources against mining companies. Watch | Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls 66% in August | WION Climate Tracker × Latin American countries top the murder chart While Colombia recorded the highest number of murders, other countries in Latin America did not fare any better. Brazil recorded 34 murders, Mexico 31 and Honduras 11. The Amazon region saw 39 killings, with many of the victims from indigenous communities. The watchdog asserted that the full scale of the killings remained unknown, primarily due to a lack of independent monitoring and restrictions on free press in many countries. Also read | Deforestation declines in Brazil's Amazon as govt approves more indigenous reserves The group has called upon governments globally to address the issue. Notably, in countries where green defenders are not murdered in plain sight, they often find themselves embroiled in the legal web as the pressure groups use the might of the administration to cull their voices. "The worsening climate crisis and the ever-increasing demand for agricultural commodities, fuel and minerals will only intensify the pressure on the environment -– and those who risk their lives to defend it," warned the watchdog. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Colombia emerges as most dangerous nation for environmentalists, 60 murdered in 2022

Ecuador is grappling with a severe security crisis as it mourns the tragic killing of presidential hopeful&nbsp;Fernando Villavicencio, merely days before the upcoming elections. This incident is a reminder&nbsp;of&nbsp;the escalating security concerns that have plagued not only Ecuador but also much of South America.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened with presidential hopeful&nbsp;Fernando Villavicencio?</h2>

Fernando Villavicencio, a prominent Ecuadorian presidential hopeful, was tragically shot and killed while leaving a campaign event in the capital city of Quito on August 9. The incident occurred just days before a crucial election that has been dominated by concerns over rising violence and crime plaguing the nation.

Fernando Villavicencio, known for his past collaboration with international media outlets like The Guardian, was a fervent advocate against the alleged links between organised crime and political circles.

Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the harrowing moment when Villavicencio, surrounded by supporters and accompanied by security personnel, was ambushed by gunfire. Chaos ensued as people screamed and took cover, capturing the horrifying reality of the attack.

In a televised address delivered after midnight, President Guillermo Lasso affirmed that despite this tragic event, the upcoming elections would proceed as planned. However, a two-month state of emergency was declared, with soldiers assigned to guard polling stations to ensure the safety of the electoral process.

A suspect involved in the assassination attempt died from injuries sustained during a subsequent shootout, as confirmed by the attorney general's office. Additionally, six people&nbsp;were arrested&nbsp;in connection with the assassination.

The assassination occurred against the backdrop of a concerning surge in violent crime across Ecuador. Drug-trafficking gangs have been responsible for prison massacres, contributing to a doubling of murder rates between 2020 and 2022. President Lasso firmly stated, "Organised crime has gone too far but they will feel the full weight of the law."

Fernando Villavicencio, aged 59, was one of eight candidates vying for the presidency in the upcoming elections, scheduled for August 20. A significant portion of the Ecuadorian population expressed their top concern as addressing the nation's pervasive insecurity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-poll-running-mate-of-slain-candidate-fernando-villavicencio-to-run-for-president-624953">Ecuador poll: Running mate of slain candidate Fernando Villavicencio to run for president</a>

<h2>Unravelling security in Ecuador: Pandemic impact and prison violence</h2>

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ecuador has witnessed a troubling decline in security. Starting in late 2020, violence erupted within the country's prisons, leading to deadly riots resulting in hundreds of inmate fatalities.

Exploiting the weak control within prisons, gangs operating inside have expanded their dominion, endangering the lives of incarcerated individuals. This deterioration within correctional facilities is mirrored outside, with a staggering surge in murders.

Ecuador's homicide rate has soared by almost 500 per cent since 2016, reaching an estimated 22 murders per 100,000 people in 2022, as reported by Verisk Maplecroft.

<h2>The proliferation of violence: Underlying causes</h2>

The current conservative administration, led by President Guillermo Lasso, attributes much of the violence to drug trafficking gangs.

Lasso, who accelerated presidential elections to avoid impeachment, has consistently placed blame on these criminal organisations, even in the context of prison violence.

According to the government, Villavicencio's assassination was orchestrated by foreign nationals linked to drug cartels.

Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence company, also attributes the surge in criminality to the expansion of transnational drug-trafficking groups and violent street gangs.

<h2>Infiltration of drug trade and regional implications</h2>

Ecuador, historically known as the world's leading banana exporter, had managed to avoid the rampant violence that engulfed its northern neighbour, Colombia.

However, a lack of law enforcement attention has allowed drug gangs to infiltrate the nation. Cocaine trafficking organisations often conceal their illicit cargo within banana shipments bound for Europe, where demand for the drug is soaring.

Ecuador is not alone in facing these challenges; countries like Paraguay, a significant hub for global cocaine trade, have also suffered from drug-related violence. Surprisingly peaceful nations like Chile and Uruguay have not remained immune.

Also watch |&nbsp;Ecuador Presidential Candidate Assassination: One suspect dead, six arrested

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<h2>Government's response</h2>

In response to the escalating violence, President Lasso has implemented states of emergency on multiple occasions. These measures involve increased military presence on the streets and nightly curfews. Additionally, Lasso authorised civilians to use firearms in the fight against rising insecurity. Citizens have turned to gun ranges to enhance their self-defence capabilities and protect themselves in an increasingly perilous environment.

<h2>Historical precedents: Political violence in Latin America</h2>

The killing&nbsp;of Villavicencio draws parallels with past instances of political violence across Latin America. The analysts at Verisk Maplecroft highlight similarities to the 1984 assassination of Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio and the 1989 killing of Colombia's Liberal party candidate Luis Carlos Galan.

Recent incidents, including an assassination attempt against Argentine politician Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner and the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, further underscore the recurring nature of political violence in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Ecuador is grappling with a severe security crisis as it mourns the tragic killing of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, merely days before the upcoming elections.

Ecuador is grappling with a severe security crisis as it mourns the tragic killing of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, merely days before the upcoming elections. This incident is a reminder of the escalating security concerns that have plagued not only Ecuador but also much of South America. What happened with presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio? Fernando Villavicencio, a prominent Ecuadorian presidential hopeful, was tragically shot and killed while leaving a campaign event in the capital city of Quito on August 9. The incident occurred just days before a crucial election that has been dominated by concerns over rising violence and crime plaguing the nation. Fernando Villavicencio, known for his past collaboration with international media outlets like The Guardian, was a fervent advocate against the alleged links between organised crime and political circles. Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the harrowing moment when Villavicencio, surrounded by supporters and accompanied by security personnel, was ambushed by gunfire. Chaos ensued as people screamed and took cover, capturing the horrifying reality of the attack. In a televised address delivered after midnight, President Guillermo Lasso affirmed that despite this tragic event, the upcoming elections would proceed as planned. However, a two-month state of emergency was declared, with soldiers assigned to guard polling stations to ensure the safety of the electoral process. A suspect involved in the assassination attempt died from injuries sustained during a subsequent shootout, as confirmed by the attorney general's office. Additionally, six people were arrested in connection with the assassination. The assassination occurred against the backdrop of a concerning surge in violent crime across Ecuador. Drug-trafficking gangs have been responsible for prison massacres, contributing to a doubling of murder rates between 2020 and 2022. President Lasso firmly stated, "Organised crime has gone too far but they will feel the full weight of the law." Fernando Villavicencio, aged 59, was one of eight candidates vying for the presidency in the upcoming elections, scheduled for August 20. A significant portion of the Ecuadorian population expressed their top concern as addressing the nation's pervasive insecurity. Also read | Ecuador poll: Running mate of slain candidate Fernando Villavicencio to run for president Unravelling security in Ecuador: Pandemic impact and prison violence In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ecuador has witnessed a troubling decline in security. Starting in late 2020, violence erupted within the country's prisons, leading to deadly riots resulting in hundreds of inmate fatalities. Exploiting the weak control within prisons, gangs operating inside have expanded their dominion, endangering the lives of incarcerated individuals. This deterioration within correctional facilities is mirrored outside, with a staggering surge in murders. Ecuador's homicide rate has soared by almost 500 per cent since 2016, reaching an estimated 22 murders per 100,000 people in 2022, as reported by Verisk Maplecroft. The proliferation of violence: Underlying causes The current conservative administration, led by President Guillermo Lasso, attributes much of the violence to drug trafficking gangs. Lasso, who accelerated presidential elections to avoid impeachment, has consistently placed blame on these criminal organisations, even in the context of prison violence. According to the government, Villavicencio's assassination was orchestrated by foreign nationals linked to drug cartels. Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence company, also attributes the surge in criminality to the expansion of transnational drug-trafficking groups and violent street gangs. Infiltration of drug trade and regional implications Ecuador, historically known as the world's leading banana exporter, had managed to avoid the rampant violence that engulfed its northern neighbour, Colombia. However, a lack of law enforcement attention has allowed drug gangs to infiltrate the nation. Cocaine trafficking organisations often conceal their illicit cargo within banana shipments bound for Europe, where demand for the drug is soaring. Ecuador is not alone in facing these challenges; countries like Paraguay, a significant hub for global cocaine trade, have also suffered from drug-related violence. Surprisingly peaceful nations like Chile and Uruguay have not remained immune. Also watch | Ecuador Presidential Candidate Assassination: One suspect dead, six arrested Government's response In response to the escalating violence, President Lasso has implemented states of emergency on multiple occasions. These measures involve increased military presence on the streets and nightly curfews. Additionally, Lasso authorised civilians to use firearms in the fight against rising insecurity. Citizens have turned to gun ranges to enhance their self-defence capabilities and protect themselves in an increasingly perilous environment. Historical precedents: Political violence in Latin America The killing of Villavicencio draws parallels with past instances of political violence across Latin America. The analysts at Verisk Maplecroft highlight similarities to the 1984 assassination of Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio and the 1989 killing of Colombia's Liberal party candidate Luis Carlos Galan. Recent incidents, including an assassination attempt against Argentine politician Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner and the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, further underscore the recurring nature of political violence in the region. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: How drugs, gang war, corruption contributed to Ecuador prez contender's murder

Argentina&nbsp;would not use “a single dollar” of its own reserves to repay the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a&nbsp;Reuters report quoted&nbsp;economy minister Sergio Massa&nbsp;as saying on Monday.&nbsp;

As per reports, the South American nation has to repay $2.7 billion to the IMF this week.

In a speech, Massa, who is also running for presidency this October, claimed that the prolonged swap agreement with China and the new loan from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) will make it possible.

Reuters quoted Massa as saying, “I want to bring you peace of mind - Argentina is not going to use a single dollar of its reserves to pay today's maturity."&nbsp;

Massa stated that the payback will be completed with a $1.7 billion second tranche of a swap with China and a $1 billion bridge loan from CAF, a step recently taken by Buenos Aires to complete a portion of its June payment to the IMF.

The move is being seen as an attempt to 'de-dollarise'. Already, countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, and India are using Chinese Yuan and bitcoin for international trade and payments.

According to reports from February this year, Brazil and Argentina were in talks to launch a joint currency, called the “sur”. Officials from Argentina and Brazil stated that the true goal of the initiative is to create a new unit of account (a synthetic currency similar to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights) for denominating bilateral trade and financial flows as an alternative to the US dollar.

Despite the near-universal rejection of the idea, the goal at its core—a reduced reliance on the US dollar—is worth considering, as per experts.&nbsp;A push for broader economic union in South America may spur much-needed economic growth, a Centre for International &amp; Strategic Studies report said.&nbsp;

Argentina, which has been struggling with severe economic crisis with sky-high inflation and declining central bank reserves, has been trying to prevent a debt default with the IMF.&nbsp;

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Argentina would not use “a single dollar” of its own reserves to repay the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a Reuters report quoted economy minister Sergio Massa as saying on Monday.

Argentina would not use “a single dollar” of its own reserves to repay the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a Reuters report quoted economy minister Sergio Massa as saying on Monday. As per reports, the South American nation has to repay $2.7 billion to the IMF this week. In a speech, Massa, who is also running for presidency this October, claimed that the prolonged swap agreement with China and the new loan from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) will make it possible. Reuters quoted Massa as saying, “I want to bring you peace of mind - Argentina is not going to use a single dollar of its reserves to pay today's maturity." Massa stated that the payback will be completed with a $1.7 billion second tranche of a swap with China and a $1 billion bridge loan from CAF, a step recently taken by Buenos Aires to complete a portion of its June payment to the IMF. The move is being seen as an attempt to 'de-dollarise'. Already, countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, and India are using Chinese Yuan and bitcoin for international trade and payments. According to reports from February this year, Brazil and Argentina were in talks to launch a joint currency, called the “sur”. Officials from Argentina and Brazil stated that the true goal of the initiative is to create a new unit of account (a synthetic currency similar to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights) for denominating bilateral trade and financial flows as an alternative to the US dollar. Despite the near-universal rejection of the idea, the goal at its core—a reduced reliance on the US dollar—is worth considering, as per experts. A push for broader economic union in South America may spur much-needed economic growth, a Centre for International & Strategic Studies report said. Argentina, which has been struggling with severe economic crisis with sky-high inflation and declining central bank reserves, has been trying to prevent a debt default with the IMF. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Argentina won't use 'one dollar' of reserves to repay IMF, says economy minister 

A group of coffee farmers in Colombia, who were once at war with an indigenous species of bear, are welcoming a truce. The spectacled bear of the tropical Andes is believed to be the inspiration for the popular children's book character 'Paddington Bear'. Farmers are calling for a halt to their poaching, and are even willing to sacrifice their land for the benefit of South America’s last surviving bear species.

Colombian coffee farmers’ help in Andean bear conservation efforts

Venezuela celebrates 212 years of independence with tribute to visionaries

At least 13 people were killed while thousands were forced out of their homes, Brazilian authorities said Sunday after an extra-tropical&nbsp;cyclone tore through the southern region of the country.&nbsp;

On Thursday and Friday, torrential rains in dozens of towns in&nbsp;Rio Grande do Sul caused significant damage. The coastal town of Caraa with a population in excess of 8,000 was one of the worst hit on the cyclone's trail.&nbsp;

“The situation in Caraa deeply worries us. It is essential that we can, in an organised way, quickly map the main affected areas and identify the people who need support,” said Rio Grande do Sul’s governor, Eduardo Leite, who visited the area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-torrential-rain-inundates-southern-brazil-emergency-in-17-cities-539538">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Torrential rain inundates southern Brazil; emergency in 17 cities</a>

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Leite added that in two days, the firefighters had rescued as many as 2,400 people.&nbsp;

“Our main objective at this first moment is to protect and save human lives. We are rescuing people who are stranded, locating missing people and giving all the support to the families,” he said.

Apart from the death toll touching 13, four remained missing in Carra, after the number was revised down from Saturday's tally of 20. According to local media reports, a four-month baby is among the fatalities.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/meteorologists-says-cyclone-biparjoys-remnant-may-help-advance-monsoon-over-east-india-605365">Also read |&nbsp;Meteorologists says Cyclone Biparjoy's remnant may help advance monsoon over east India</a>

Meanwhile, in the town of Sao Leopoldo, over 3,700 people were left with mangled houses while 700 were evacuated preemptively from high-risk areas. Helicopters were also pressed into service to evacuate those stuck. The city of 240,000 inhabitants received 246 mm of rain in 18 hours.&nbsp;

"The water came up to our waist inside the house. Thank God, the firemen arrived quickly and got us out on boats. It seemed like a nightmare," a woman was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>More rain expected this week</h2>

The already perilous situation may turn even more frightening as more rainfall and a plunge in temperatures in expected this week as well. Authorities fear that the situation might be exacerbated and impact the already sluggish rescue and rehabilitation process.&nbsp;

Climate change is showing its true effect in the South American nation. Over the last year and a half, Brazil has faced a series of deadly weather disasters, which experts say may become a regular occurrence going forward.&nbsp;

In February, earlier this year, a least 65 people died when&nbsp;torrential rain triggered floods and landslides in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

At least 13 people were killed while thousands were forced out of their homes, Brazilian authorities said Sunday after an extra-tropical cyclone tore through the southern region of the country.

At least 13 people were killed while thousands were forced out of their homes, Brazilian authorities said Sunday after an extra-tropical cyclone tore through the southern region of the country. On Thursday and Friday, torrential rains in dozens of towns in Rio Grande do Sul caused significant damage. The coastal town of Caraa with a population in excess of 8,000 was one of the worst hit on the cyclone's trail. “The situation in Caraa deeply worries us. It is essential that we can, in an organised way, quickly map the main affected areas and identify the people who need support,” said Rio Grande do Sul’s governor, Eduardo Leite, who visited the area. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Torrential rain inundates southern Brazil; emergency in 17 cities × Leite added that in two days, the firefighters had rescued as many as 2,400 people. “Our main objective at this first moment is to protect and save human lives. We are rescuing people who are stranded, locating missing people and giving all the support to the families,” he said. Apart from the death toll touching 13, four remained missing in Carra, after the number was revised down from Saturday's tally of 20. According to local media reports, a four-month baby is among the fatalities. Also read | Meteorologists says Cyclone Biparjoy's remnant may help advance monsoon over east India Meanwhile, in the town of Sao Leopoldo, over 3,700 people were left with mangled houses while 700 were evacuated preemptively from high-risk areas. Helicopters were also pressed into service to evacuate those stuck. The city of 240,000 inhabitants received 246 mm of rain in 18 hours. "The water came up to our waist inside the house. Thank God, the firemen arrived quickly and got us out on boats. It seemed like a nightmare," a woman was quoted as saying by AFP. More rain expected this week The already perilous situation may turn even more frightening as more rainfall and a plunge in temperatures in expected this week as well. Authorities fear that the situation might be exacerbated and impact the already sluggish rescue and rehabilitation process. Climate change is showing its true effect in the South American nation. Over the last year and a half, Brazil has faced a series of deadly weather disasters, which experts say may become a regular occurrence going forward. In February, earlier this year, a least 65 people died when torrential rain triggered floods and landslides in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Brazil battered by tropical cyclone, 13 dead, thousands displaced

Investigators in Guyana suspect a fire that killed 19 people, mostly girls, locked in a school dormitory was deliberately set by a student who was furious that her mobile had been taken away, a top official said Tuesday (May 23).

The suspect in the late-Sunday fire, who was among those injured, had been penalised by the dorm supervisor for having an affair with an older man, according to National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia. As per&nbsp;Gouveia, the student reportedly threatened to ignite the hostel and then set fire to a bathroom area.

14 children lost their lives in the incident at the scene and another five died in hospital. Six wounded kids were airlifted to the capital Georgetown, while around 17 others were admitted to the local hospital.&nbsp;

"14 youths died at the scene, while five died at the Mahdia District Hospital," said a statement from the fire department.

"Initial investigations suggest that it was maliciously set and our investigations are continuing," police commissioner Clifton Hicken said during a press conference.

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&nbsp;

He added that no suspects have yet been identified.

He further said that DNA analysis, which is required to identify 13 victims, will be conducted 'expeditiously'.

Earlier, the police had released a statement saying that one student who had witnessed fire in the dormitory bathroom, was awakened by screams.

Mark Ramotar, the director of the police communications department earlier on Monday said that most of the 19 children who lost their lives in the incident, were Indigenous. "The dorm usually houses students from Indigenous communities," he said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/20-kids-die-in-guyana-school-dormitory-fire-president-ali-calls-it-major-disaster-595155">20 kids die in Guyana school dormitory fire, President Ali calls it ‘major disaster’</a>

The youngest of the victims was a five-year-old boy, the son of the dormitory's caretaker.

As per a list from the Ministry of Education, all the other victims were girls and included several siblings and at least one set of twins.

President Irfaan Ali met with some parents of the deceased after visiting Mahdia's hospital. He released a statement saying that the country will hold three days of mourning.

Ali's statement further added that the victims' families are being provided with counselling and other support.

"There are no words that can describe this magnitude of pain that our brothers and sisters are going through," he said. "This is a pain we must carry as a nation and as a family."&nbsp;

"This is a major disaster. It is horrible, it is painful," he added.

Ali further asserted that he had ordered arrangements to be made in Georgetown's two major hospitals "so that every single child who requires attention be given the best possible opportunity to get that attention."&nbsp;

<h2>Anger mounts over the incident in Guyana</h2>

On Monday, around 50 people, who were the relatives and friends of the victims, took to the streets of Chenapau, a village close to Mahdia that is home to many of the school's pupils.

"The sheer pain, the agony, the trauma," Michael McGarrell, who lost two nieces in the blaze, told AFP. "Who will be held responsible?"

"Why are school children grilled up in death traps? What are we going to tell the parents?" said McGarrell, an activist with the Amerindian People's Association (APA) which is often at odds with the government over land rights.

"Firefighters did manage to rescue some 20 students by breaking holes in the north-eastern wall of the building," the fire service said.

The government said officials were supporting efforts at Ogle Airport in the capital to "receive the critical patients and coordinate an emergency plan of action."

"A full-scale medical emergency action plan has been launched," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Investigators in Guyana suspect a fire that killed 19 people, mostly girls, locked in a school dormitory was deliberately set by a student who was furious that her mobile had been taken away, a top official said Tuesday (May 23).

Investigators in Guyana suspect a fire that killed 19 people, mostly girls, locked in a school dormitory was deliberately set by a student who was furious that her mobile had been taken away, a top official said Tuesday (May 23). The suspect in the late-Sunday fire, who was among those injured, had been penalised by the dorm supervisor for having an affair with an older man, according to National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia. As per Gouveia, the student reportedly threatened to ignite the hostel and then set fire to a bathroom area. 14 children lost their lives in the incident at the scene and another five died in hospital. Six wounded kids were airlifted to the capital Georgetown, while around 17 others were admitted to the local hospital. "14 youths died at the scene, while five died at the Mahdia District Hospital," said a statement from the fire department. "Initial investigations suggest that it was maliciously set and our investigations are continuing," police commissioner Clifton Hicken said during a press conference. The fire at a schoolgirls' dormitory that killed 19 people in Guyana may have been started "maliciously," police sayhttps://t.co/huVroZgxa2 pic.twitter.com/JLnSUzKjyz — AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 23, 2023 × He added that no suspects have yet been identified. He further said that DNA analysis, which is required to identify 13 victims, will be conducted 'expeditiously'. Earlier, the police had released a statement saying that one student who had witnessed fire in the dormitory bathroom, was awakened by screams. Mark Ramotar, the director of the police communications department earlier on Monday said that most of the 19 children who lost their lives in the incident, were Indigenous. "The dorm usually houses students from Indigenous communities," he said. ALSO READ | 20 kids die in Guyana school dormitory fire, President Ali calls it ‘major disaster’ The youngest of the victims was a five-year-old boy, the son of the dormitory's caretaker. As per a list from the Ministry of Education, all the other victims were girls and included several siblings and at least one set of twins. President Irfaan Ali met with some parents of the deceased after visiting Mahdia's hospital. He released a statement saying that the country will hold three days of mourning. Ali's statement further added that the victims' families are being provided with counselling and other support. "There are no words that can describe this magnitude of pain that our brothers and sisters are going through," he said. "This is a pain we must carry as a nation and as a family." "This is a major disaster. It is horrible, it is painful," he added. Ali further asserted that he had ordered arrangements to be made in Georgetown's two major hospitals "so that every single child who requires attention be given the best possible opportunity to get that attention." Anger mounts over the incident in Guyana On Monday, around 50 people, who were the relatives and friends of the victims, took to the streets of Chenapau, a village close to Mahdia that is home to many of the school's pupils. "The sheer pain, the agony, the trauma," Michael McGarrell, who lost two nieces in the blaze, told AFP. "Who will be held responsible?" "Why are school children grilled up in death traps? What are we going to tell the parents?" said McGarrell, an activist with the Amerindian People's Association (APA) which is often at odds with the government over land rights. "Firefighters did manage to rescue some 20 students by breaking holes in the north-eastern wall of the building," the fire service said. The government said officials were supporting efforts at Ogle Airport in the capital to "receive the critical patients and coordinate an emergency plan of action." "A full-scale medical emergency action plan has been launched," it added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Guyana school dorm fire that killed 19 was set off by girl over cell phone confiscation: Official

IN PICS | Protests, rallies, demonstrations: Here's how people marked May Day across the world

South American nation of Colombia at least 20 people have died and 15 others left injured in a bus accident on Saturday. As per the police, the accident occurred as the bus overturned on the Pan-American Highway.

Colombia Bus Accident: At least 20 killed, driver lost control in foggy area

The leftward shift in South America that gained momentum in 2021, with right-wing politicians being worsted in presidential elections in Peru, Chile and Honduras, continues its sweep in 2022.

The leftward shift in South America that gained momentum in 2021, with right-wing politicians being worsted in presidential elections in Peru, Chile and Honduras, continues its sweep in 2022. Colombia, famous for its coffee and the novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, has for long remained under right-wing regimes that enjoyed a cosy equation with Washington. Some of these regimes were terrible dictatorships which forced people like Marquez, best known for his One Hundred Years of Solitude to live in exile out of fear of being killed by state-sponsored mafia elements. (Even when Marquez accompanied Cuba’s Fidel Castro to the Non-Aligned Summit in Delhi in 1983 he feared that public exposure could endanger his life. Reports were that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had wanted to meet Marquez and requested Castro to arrange it). The new left wind now sweeping Latin America has brought to the fore the promise of radical change in Colombia with election of Gustavo Petro as president. This marks the end of a long conservative era in Colombia; and, this is the twelfth free and fair national election in the continent to have unseated incumbents in office. Colombia now joins the legion of South American states that are ‘socialist’, and socialist states, notably, Venezuela in recent years have been Washington’s targets for regime change. However, the war in Ukraine saw the US making overtures to countries to which it was hitherto hostile. Venezuela, where Washington has sought to oust President Nicolas Maduro since his election in 2019, is now being wooed for its petroleum. ALSO READ | Jake’s fake take: US NSA lied about Iranian drones for Russia Does this mean the US will hold off on regime change for a while, if only in Latin America? How the US adapts to the change of political direction dictated by the growing inequality, economic breakdown and terrible deprivation inflicted by the Covid pandemic in large swathes of South America would be a matter of worldwide interest. The author is an Editorial Consultant, WION TV. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Red star over South America

After battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Chile is now welcoming foreign tourists. South America's largest ski resort has finally reopened in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

South America's largest ski resort reopens in Chile

The first partial solar eclipse of 2022 took over the skies of South American nation of Chile. The visual of rare eclipse enchanted people to come out of their homes to witness rare sight of moon taking a 'bite' out of sun.

The first partial solar eclipse of 2022 shows rare sight of moon taking a 'bite' out of sun

An indigenous language from South America's extreme south has all but vanished after the death of its last living speaker and guardian of its ancestral culture.

Cristina&nbsp;Calderon&nbsp;died on Wednesday, aged 93. She had mastered the Yamana language of the Yagan community and after the death of her sister in 2003 was the last person in the world who could speak it. She worked to save her knowledge by creating a dictionary of the language with translations to Spanish.

"With her an important part of the cultural memory of our people is gone," said Lidia Gonzalez,&nbsp;Calderon's daughter, on Twitter. Gonzalez is one of the representatives currently drafting a new constitution in Chile.

The dictionary, however, meant there was the hope of preserving the language in some form, she said.

"Although with her departure a wealth of especially valuable empirical knowledge is lost in linguistic terms, the possibility of rescuing and systematizing the language remain open," she said.

Although there are still a few dozen Yagans left, over the generations people from the community stopped learning the language, which was considered "isolated" since it was difficult to determine the origin of its words.

Calderon&nbsp;lived in a simple house and made a living selling knitted socks in the Chilean town of Villa Ukika, a town created by the Yagan people on the outskirts of Puerto Williams.

The ancestral ethnic group used to populate the archipelagos of South America's extreme south, now Chile and Argentina, an area that nudges towards the frozen Antarctic.

An indigenous language from South America's extreme south has all but vanished after the death of its last living speaker and guardian of its ancestral culture. Cristina Calderon died on Wednesday, aged 93.

An indigenous language from South America's extreme south has all but vanished after the death of its last living speaker and guardian of its ancestral culture. Cristina Calderon died on Wednesday, aged 93. She had mastered the Yamana language of the Yagan community and after the death of her sister in 2003 was the last person in the world who could speak it. She worked to save her knowledge by creating a dictionary of the language with translations to Spanish. "With her an important part of the cultural memory of our people is gone," said Lidia Gonzalez, Calderon's daughter, on Twitter. Gonzalez is one of the representatives currently drafting a new constitution in Chile. The dictionary, however, meant there was the hope of preserving the language in some form, she said. "Although with her departure a wealth of especially valuable empirical knowledge is lost in linguistic terms, the possibility of rescuing and systematizing the language remain open," she said. Although there are still a few dozen Yagans left, over the generations people from the community stopped learning the language, which was considered "isolated" since it was difficult to determine the origin of its words. Calderon lived in a simple house and made a living selling knitted socks in the Chilean town of Villa Ukika, a town created by the Yagan people on the outskirts of Puerto Williams. The ancestral ethnic group used to populate the archipelagos of South America's extreme south, now Chile and Argentina, an area that nudges towards the frozen Antarctic.

How a Chilean indigenous language vanishes as last native speaker dies

Drought is now threatening a might river, the Parana is now one of the longest rivers, it's a major source of drinking water for millions, however, water levels drop to a 77-year low.

South America: Drought hits Parana River

For weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has been urging his supporters to take to the streets. So on Sept. 7, Brazil’s Independence Day, I was half expecting to see mobs of armed people in yellow-and-green jerseys, some of them wearing furry hats and horns, storming the Supreme Court building — our very own imitation of the Capitol riot.

Fortunately, that was not what happened. (The crowds eventually went home, and no one tried to sit in the Supreme Court justices’ chairs.) But Brazilians were not spared chaos and consternation.

For Mr. Bolsonaro, it was a show of force. In the morning, addressing a crowd of around 400,000 people in Brasília, he said he intended to use the size of the crowd as an “ultimatum for everyone” in the three branches of government. In the afternoon, at a demonstration in São Paulo of 125,000 people, the president called the elections coming in 2022 “a farce” and said that he will no longer abide by rulings from one of the Supreme Court justices. “I’m letting the scoundrels know,” he bellowed, “I’ll never be imprisoned!”

It seems to be part of a plan. By picking a fight in particular with the Supreme Court — which has opened several investigations of him and his allies, including about his role in a potentially corrupt vaccine procurement scheme and his efforts to discredit Brazil’s voting system — Mr. Bolsonaro is attempting to sow the seeds of an institutional crisis, with a view to retaining power. On Sept. 9 he tried to back down a little, saying in a written statement that he “never intended to attack any branch of government.” But his actions are plain: He is effectively threatening a coup.

Perhaps that’s the only way out for Mr. Bolsonaro. (Apart from properly governing the country, something that apparently doesn’t interest him.) The antics of the president, struggling in the polls and menaced by the prospect of impeachment, are a sign of desperation. But that doesn’t mean they can’t succeed.

Mr. Bolsonaro has good reason to be desperate. The government’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the deaths of 587,000 Brazilians; the country faces record rates of unemployment and economic inequality; and it’s also afflicted by soaring inflation, poverty and hunger. Oh, and there’s a huge energy crisis on the way, too.

That has taken its toll on Mr. Bolsonaro’s standing with Brazilians. In July, his disapproval rating rose to 51 percent, its highest-ever mark, according to Datafolha Institute. And ahead of next year’s presidential elections, things are not looking rosy. In fact, polling suggests he’s going to lose. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the center-left politician and former president, is comfortably outstripping Mr. Bolsonaro. As things stand, Mr. Bolsonaro would lose to all possible rivals in a second-round runoff.

This explains Mr. Bolsonaro’s eagerness to push unfounded claims of fraud in Brazil’s electronic voting system. “There’s no way of proving whether the elections were rigged or not,” he said about past elections (including the one he won), during a two-hour TV broadcast in July, while failing to provide any evidence to support his allegations. He has repeatedly threatened to call off the elections if the current voting system remains in place — and although Congress recently rejected his proposal to require paper receipts, he continues to cast doubt on the voting process. (Sound familiar, anyone?)

Then there’s the corruption. A growing number of corruption accusations have been made against the president and two of his sons, who both hold public office. (One is a senator; the other sits on Rio de Janeiro’s City Council.) Prosecutors have suggested that the Bolsonaro family took part in a scheme known as “rachadinha,” which involves hiring close associates or family members as employees and then pocketing a portion of their salary.

For Mr. Bolsonaro, who was elected in part for his promise to rout out corruption, these investigations cast a long shadow. Against this backdrop of ineptitude and scandal, the events of Sept. 7 were an attempt to distract and divert attention — and, of course, to cement divisions.

Efforts to remove Mr. Bolsonaro by parliamentary means are stalled. Though the opposition has so far filed 137 impeachment requests, the process must be initiated by the speaker of the lower house, Arthur Lira, who does not seem inclined to accept them. (That’s not especially surprising: Mr. Lira is a leader of a cluster of center-right parties, known as the “centrão,” to whom Mr. Bolsonaro has handed out important government positions, in the hope of shielding himself from impeachment proceedings.) Only enormous public protests can break the impasse.

There’s no time to lose. The demonstrations last week were not simply political showmanship. They were yet another move to strengthen Mr. Bolsonaro’s position for an eventual power grab ahead of next year’s elections. He didn’t get exactly what he wanted — the numbers, though substantial, were far less than organizers hoped for — but he will keep trying.

Sept. 7 now marks another signal moment in Brazil’s history — when the totalitarian aims of our president became unmistakably clear. For our young democracy, it could be a matter of life or death.

For weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has been urging his supporters to take to the streets. So on Sept. 7, Brazil’s Independence Day, I was half expecting to see mobs of armed people in yellow-and-green jerseys, some of them wearing furry hats and horns, storming the Supreme Court building — our very own imitation of the Capitol riot.

For weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has been urging his supporters to take to the streets. So on Sept. 7, Brazil’s Independence Day, I was half expecting to see mobs of armed people in yellow-and-green jerseys, some of them wearing furry hats and horns, storming the Supreme Court building — our very own imitation of the Capitol riot. Fortunately, that was not what happened. (The crowds eventually went home, and no one tried to sit in the Supreme Court justices’ chairs.) But Brazilians were not spared chaos and consternation. For Mr. Bolsonaro, it was a show of force. In the morning, addressing a crowd of around 400,000 people in Brasília, he said he intended to use the size of the crowd as an “ultimatum for everyone” in the three branches of government. In the afternoon, at a demonstration in São Paulo of 125,000 people, the president called the elections coming in 2022 “a farce” and said that he will no longer abide by rulings from one of the Supreme Court justices. “I’m letting the scoundrels know,” he bellowed, “I’ll never be imprisoned!” It seems to be part of a plan. By picking a fight in particular with the Supreme Court — which has opened several investigations of him and his allies, including about his role in a potentially corrupt vaccine procurement scheme and his efforts to discredit Brazil’s voting system — Mr. Bolsonaro is attempting to sow the seeds of an institutional crisis, with a view to retaining power. On Sept. 9 he tried to back down a little, saying in a written statement that he “never intended to attack any branch of government.” But his actions are plain: He is effectively threatening a coup. Perhaps that’s the only way out for Mr. Bolsonaro. (Apart from properly governing the country, something that apparently doesn’t interest him.) The antics of the president, struggling in the polls and menaced by the prospect of impeachment, are a sign of desperation. But that doesn’t mean they can’t succeed. Mr. Bolsonaro has good reason to be desperate. The government’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the deaths of 587,000 Brazilians; the country faces record rates of unemployment and economic inequality; and it’s also afflicted by soaring inflation, poverty and hunger. Oh, and there’s a huge energy crisis on the way, too. That has taken its toll on Mr. Bolsonaro’s standing with Brazilians. In July, his disapproval rating rose to 51 percent, its highest-ever mark, according to Datafolha Institute. And ahead of next year’s presidential elections, things are not looking rosy. In fact, polling suggests he’s going to lose. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the center-left politician and former president, is comfortably outstripping Mr. Bolsonaro. As things stand, Mr. Bolsonaro would lose to all possible rivals in a second-round runoff. This explains Mr. Bolsonaro’s eagerness to push unfounded claims of fraud in Brazil’s electronic voting system. “There’s no way of proving whether the elections were rigged or not,” he said about past elections (including the one he won), during a two-hour TV broadcast in July, while failing to provide any evidence to support his allegations. He has repeatedly threatened to call off the elections if the current voting system remains in place — and although Congress recently rejected his proposal to require paper receipts, he continues to cast doubt on the voting process. (Sound familiar, anyone?) Then there’s the corruption. A growing number of corruption accusations have been made against the president and two of his sons, who both hold public office. (One is a senator; the other sits on Rio de Janeiro’s City Council.) Prosecutors have suggested that the Bolsonaro family took part in a scheme known as “rachadinha,” which involves hiring close associates or family members as employees and then pocketing a portion of their salary. For Mr. Bolsonaro, who was elected in part for his promise to rout out corruption, these investigations cast a long shadow. Against this backdrop of ineptitude and scandal, the events of Sept. 7 were an attempt to distract and divert attention — and, of course, to cement divisions. Efforts to remove Mr. Bolsonaro by parliamentary means are stalled. Though the opposition has so far filed 137 impeachment requests, the process must be initiated by the speaker of the lower house, Arthur Lira, who does not seem inclined to accept them. (That’s not especially surprising: Mr. Lira is a leader of a cluster of center-right parties, known as the “centrão,” to whom Mr. Bolsonaro has handed out important government positions, in the hope of shielding himself from impeachment proceedings.) Only enormous public protests can break the impasse. There’s no time to lose. The demonstrations last week were not simply political showmanship. They were yet another move to strengthen Mr. Bolsonaro’s position for an eventual power grab ahead of next year’s elections. He didn’t get exactly what he wanted — the numbers, though substantial, were far less than organizers hoped for — but he will keep trying. Sept. 7 now marks another signal moment in Brazil’s history — when the totalitarian aims of our president became unmistakably clear. For our young democracy, it could be a matter of life or death.

Bolsonaro is getting desperate, and it’s clear what he wants

Peruvian authorities said Wednesday they will not turn over the body of the late guerilla leader Abimael Guzman to his widow until an investigation into his death in prison is concluded.

Guzman, the founder of the brutal Shining Path guerrilla group, which spread terror across Peru in the 1980s and 1990s, died on Saturday in a military prison at age 86.&nbsp;

His also-imprisoned widow, Elena Iparraguirre, the Shining Path's former second-in-command, has requested that Guzman's body be turned over to her for burial.

But officials are concerned that Guzman's gravesite could become a rallying point for his followers, and there is widespread support for Guzman's body to be cremated and the ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean.

Prosecutors said on Twitter that they have "rejected Elena Iparraguirre's request for the body of terrorist Abimael Guzman Reinoso to be handed over to her."

In his decision, prosecutor Vladimir Farfan Kehuarucho was guided by "public order and social interest," according to the prosecutor's office.

Guzman's body will remain in government custody until medical examiners finish their work. It was unclear what would happen after that.

An autopsy showed Guzman died of double pneumonia, an infection that inflames both lungs and has been associated with Covid-19. The body must still undergo more testing.

Guzman was serving a life sentence in the maximum security jail near Lima.

He and Iparraguirre were captured together in September 1992 and married in 2010, even though they were being held in different prisons.

A former philosophy professor, Guzman was the intellectual architect behind the Maoist guerilla group's brutal 20-year attempt to overthrow the Peruvian government from 1980 to 2000. The conflict claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Guzman embraced the brutal methods of Cambodian dictator Pol Pot, such as ordering the massacre of an Andean village in 1984 that left 117 people dead.

Peruvian authorities said Wednesday they will not turn over the body of the late guerilla leader Abimael Guzman to his widow until an investigation into his death in prison is concluded.

Peruvian authorities said Wednesday they will not turn over the body of the late guerilla leader Abimael Guzman to his widow until an investigation into his death in prison is concluded. Guzman, the founder of the brutal Shining Path guerrilla group, which spread terror across Peru in the 1980s and 1990s, died on Saturday in a military prison at age 86. His also-imprisoned widow, Elena Iparraguirre, the Shining Path's former second-in-command, has requested that Guzman's body be turned over to her for burial. But officials are concerned that Guzman's gravesite could become a rallying point for his followers, and there is widespread support for Guzman's body to be cremated and the ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean. Prosecutors said on Twitter that they have "rejected Elena Iparraguirre's request for the body of terrorist Abimael Guzman Reinoso to be handed over to her." In his decision, prosecutor Vladimir Farfan Kehuarucho was guided by "public order and social interest," according to the prosecutor's office. Guzman's body will remain in government custody until medical examiners finish their work. It was unclear what would happen after that. An autopsy showed Guzman died of double pneumonia, an infection that inflames both lungs and has been associated with Covid-19. The body must still undergo more testing. Guzman was serving a life sentence in the maximum security jail near Lima. He and Iparraguirre were captured together in September 1992 and married in 2010, even though they were being held in different prisons. A former philosophy professor, Guzman was the intellectual architect behind the Maoist guerilla group's brutal 20-year attempt to overthrow the Peruvian government from 1980 to 2000. The conflict claimed tens of thousands of lives. Guzman embraced the brutal methods of Cambodian dictator Pol Pot, such as ordering the massacre of an Andean village in 1984 that left 117 people dead.

Peruvian authorities refuse to hand over body of late guerilla leader to wife, for now

FIFA will allow Premier League players from Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay to compete this weekend after those countries agreed to waive a five-day travel restriction period, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-set-for-second-manchester-united-debut-against-newcastle-412224" hreflang="en">Cristiano Ronaldo set for second Manchester United debut against Newcastle</a> 
 
Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were among clubs that did not release Brazilian players for the current international break due to them having to travel to COVID-19 "red list" countries. 
 
Sources this week said Premier League clubs could face sanctions from FIFA if they played South American players, who were not released for international duty, in this weekend`s games. 
 
But after extensive talks over the past 24 hours between FIFA and the relevant associations, a deal was reached that cleared the way for the players to compete without the risk of the clubs being sanctioned, the source told Reuters. 
 
FIFA, the English FA and Premier League are working closely together to find a solution with the UK government over red-list quarantine restrictions in the October international window, the source added. 
 
FIFA had waived its normal regulations on international call-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic but did not extend that waiver to cover the current games.

FIFA will allow Premier League players from Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay to compete this weekend after those countries agreed to waive a five-day travel restriction period, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

FIFA will allow Premier League players from Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay to compete this weekend after those countries agreed to waive a five-day travel restriction period, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo set for second Manchester United debut against Newcastle Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were among clubs that did not release Brazilian players for the current international break due to them having to travel to COVID-19 "red list" countries. Sources this week said Premier League clubs could face sanctions from FIFA if they played South American players, who were not released for international duty, in this weekend`s games. But after extensive talks over the past 24 hours between FIFA and the relevant associations, a deal was reached that cleared the way for the players to compete without the risk of the clubs being sanctioned, the source told Reuters. FIFA, the English FA and Premier League are working closely together to find a solution with the UK government over red-list quarantine restrictions in the October international window, the source added. FIFA had waived its normal regulations on international call-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic but did not extend that waiver to cover the current games.

FIFA backs down on threat to fine Premier League clubs who play South American players

For years, the United States has adopted a wary tolerance of Haiti, batting aside the horror of kidnappings, murders and gang warfare. The more convenient strategy generally seemed to be backing whichever government was in power and supplying endless amounts of foreign aid.

Donald Trump supported President Jovenel Moïse mainly because Mr. Moïse supported a campaign to oust President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. And in February, the Biden administration accepted Mr. Moïse’s tenuous argument that he still had another year to serve despite opposition calls for his departure and large street protests. Mr. Moïse, though initially elected to a five-year term due to end in 2021, did not take office until 2017, thus his claim to an extra year as president.

There had appeared to be a tacit understanding during Mr. Moïse’s rule: Haiti is turbulent and difficult, a bomb waiting to explode in the hands of anyone who attempts to defuse it. After all, why should Mr. Biden take on the unrewarding task of “fixing” Haiti when there was already an elected president in office who could bear the brunt of criticism about the deteriorating political situation there?

But the assassination of Mr. Moïse on Wednesday will now force a reluctant administration to focus more carefully on the next steps it wants to take concerning Haiti. There are no simple options.

The killing has destroyed the Biden administration’s hopes (however far-fetched) for a peaceful transfer of power with elections presided over by Mr. Moïse. But that’s not to say that Haiti’s future is entirely up to the United States nor should it be. When the United States has stepped in, Haitians have ended up worse off. When President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam was killed by an angry crowd in 1915, U.S. Navy ships lay on the Haitian coast waiting to quell unrest to keep Haiti stable for American business interests there. In the wake of the killing, U.S. Marines occupied Haiti and remained there for 19 years.

U.S. interventions didn’t stop there. In 1986, the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier (and his father before him) fell to a combination of popular unrest in Haiti and political maneuvering by Washington. The country managed to hold its first free and fair elections in 1990, in which Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former liberation-theology priest, was elected. Three years after Mr. Aristide was removed in a coup, the Clinton administration reinstated him.

Haiti was never able to shake off the foreign yoke, except, one might argue, during the darkest days of the Duvalier regime. Over the years it has been at the mercy of the United States, of course, and of the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Organization of American States and the United Nations, which deployed a peacekeeping force there from 2004 until 2017. Yet Haiti has ended up just as poor and unstable as ever, if not more so. And the country never truly recovered from a devastating earthquake in 2010.

Drug cartels and their Haitian connections have also played a damaging role. Observers say that much of the violence in recent years has stemmed from turf wars between street gangs operating in a largely lawless environment.

The presidential mandate of Mr. Moïse itself was iffy, to say the least. Only 21 percent of the electorate voted in that election. Nevertheless, it was easier for the United States and other parties to tolerate Mr. Moïse and wait for the next elections, no matter how flawed they were likely to be, than to deal with a void created by his assassination.

President Biden has called Mr. Moïse’s killing “very worrisome.” But Haiti was very worrisome even before the killing. Now the United States is confronted by an even murkier situation there: no leader, no legislature, a justice system in disarray, a nonfunctioning and dispirited police and army, and gangs roaming the streets. It’s not clear what will emerge from the vacuum at the top — perhaps a new strongman or, less likely, an interim government.

Despite that precariousness, the United States has still called for elections before the end of the year. But it’s hard to imagine how elections can proceed in an atmosphere of security and freedom, leading to a truly democratically elected president and legislature. As it stands, two men are claiming the role of prime minister, accentuating the sense of instability.

Haiti’s problems cannot be solved by U.S. intervention. The United States no longer has the standing, the stomach or even the desire to impose its vision on Haiti. The best option right now for the United States is to wait and watch and listen not just to the usual suspects but to a broad new generation of Haitian democrats who can responsibly begin to move toward a more workable Haitian polity.

Haiti still needs the cooperation of international friends who pay attention to the character and the goals of those to whom they extend financial and political support, rather than choosing a convenient candidate in a quickie election, with the catastrophic results for the country that we’ve seen in the past.

A majority of Haitians want to build back their institutions and return to a normal life: schools, clinics and businesses opening again, a plan to deal with the Covid-19 crisis, produce markets functioning and safe streets free from the threat of armed gangs. This is the best of all possible outcomes for Haiti — but sadly, it’s improbable, at least in the near future.

For years, the United States has adopted a wary tolerance of Haiti, batting aside the horror of kidnappings, murders and gang warfare. The more convenient strategy generally seemed to be backing whichever government was in power and supplying endless amounts of foreign aid.

For years, the United States has adopted a wary tolerance of Haiti, batting aside the horror of kidnappings, murders and gang warfare. The more convenient strategy generally seemed to be backing whichever government was in power and supplying endless amounts of foreign aid. Donald Trump supported President Jovenel Moïse mainly because Mr. Moïse supported a campaign to oust President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. And in February, the Biden administration accepted Mr. Moïse’s tenuous argument that he still had another year to serve despite opposition calls for his departure and large street protests. Mr. Moïse, though initially elected to a five-year term due to end in 2021, did not take office until 2017, thus his claim to an extra year as president. There had appeared to be a tacit understanding during Mr. Moïse’s rule: Haiti is turbulent and difficult, a bomb waiting to explode in the hands of anyone who attempts to defuse it. After all, why should Mr. Biden take on the unrewarding task of “fixing” Haiti when there was already an elected president in office who could bear the brunt of criticism about the deteriorating political situation there? But the assassination of Mr. Moïse on Wednesday will now force a reluctant administration to focus more carefully on the next steps it wants to take concerning Haiti. There are no simple options. The killing has destroyed the Biden administration’s hopes (however far-fetched) for a peaceful transfer of power with elections presided over by Mr. Moïse. But that’s not to say that Haiti’s future is entirely up to the United States nor should it be. When the United States has stepped in, Haitians have ended up worse off. When President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam was killed by an angry crowd in 1915, U.S. Navy ships lay on the Haitian coast waiting to quell unrest to keep Haiti stable for American business interests there. In the wake of the killing, U.S. Marines occupied Haiti and remained there for 19 years. U.S. interventions didn’t stop there. In 1986, the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier (and his father before him) fell to a combination of popular unrest in Haiti and political maneuvering by Washington. The country managed to hold its first free and fair elections in 1990, in which Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former liberation-theology priest, was elected. Three years after Mr. Aristide was removed in a coup, the Clinton administration reinstated him. Haiti was never able to shake off the foreign yoke, except, one might argue, during the darkest days of the Duvalier regime. Over the years it has been at the mercy of the United States, of course, and of the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Organization of American States and the United Nations, which deployed a peacekeeping force there from 2004 until 2017. Yet Haiti has ended up just as poor and unstable as ever, if not more so. And the country never truly recovered from a devastating earthquake in 2010. Drug cartels and their Haitian connections have also played a damaging role. Observers say that much of the violence in recent years has stemmed from turf wars between street gangs operating in a largely lawless environment. The presidential mandate of Mr. Moïse itself was iffy, to say the least. Only 21 percent of the electorate voted in that election. Nevertheless, it was easier for the United States and other parties to tolerate Mr. Moïse and wait for the next elections, no matter how flawed they were likely to be, than to deal with a void created by his assassination. President Biden has called Mr. Moïse’s killing “very worrisome.” But Haiti was very worrisome even before the killing. Now the United States is confronted by an even murkier situation there: no leader, no legislature, a justice system in disarray, a nonfunctioning and dispirited police and army, and gangs roaming the streets. It’s not clear what will emerge from the vacuum at the top — perhaps a new strongman or, less likely, an interim government. Despite that precariousness, the United States has still called for elections before the end of the year. But it’s hard to imagine how elections can proceed in an atmosphere of security and freedom, leading to a truly democratically elected president and legislature. As it stands, two men are claiming the role of prime minister, accentuating the sense of instability. Haiti’s problems cannot be solved by U.S. intervention. The United States no longer has the standing, the stomach or even the desire to impose its vision on Haiti. The best option right now for the United States is to wait and watch and listen not just to the usual suspects but to a broad new generation of Haitian democrats who can responsibly begin to move toward a more workable Haitian polity. Haiti still needs the cooperation of international friends who pay attention to the character and the goals of those to whom they extend financial and political support, rather than choosing a convenient candidate in a quickie election, with the catastrophic results for the country that we’ve seen in the past. A majority of Haitians want to build back their institutions and return to a normal life: schools, clinics and businesses opening again, a plan to deal with the Covid-19 crisis, produce markets functioning and safe streets free from the threat of armed gangs. This is the best of all possible outcomes for Haiti — but sadly, it’s improbable, at least in the near future.

Haiti is in peril, and there are no simple options

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring&nbsp;site Downdetector.

They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-global-media-websites-go-down-white-house-uk-govt-sites-go-dark-too-390160">Also read: Several global media websites go down; White House, UK govt sites go dark too</a> 
 
According to Downdetector, over a thousand user complaints showed problems with Southwest Airlines, with over 400 user complaints indicating the same for Delta Air Lines. For the other two airlines, the figure was roughly 300.&nbsp;

Major Australian banks have also reported problems with their websites and mobile apps. The companies stated that they were looking into the situation right now.&nbsp; 
 
The Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and ANZ and Virgin Australia all tweeted about the disruptions.

A range of banks was scrambling to determine the source of an outage that was impacting internet banking and access to online apps across the country.

"We understand that some of our customers are currently experiencing issues accessing our services," the country's largest financial firm Commonwealth Bank told AFP. "This issue is affecting multiple organizations, including many of the major banks."

The outages in Australia began around 2:10 p.m. local time (0510 GMT), according to Downdetector. 
 
Earlier on June 8, the websites of global media organisations including The Guardian newspaper, Financial Times of London and CNN international went down. All the pages showed 'error 503' for several minutes. The UK government's website gov. The UK had also gone down. Reports said the BBC website had also gone down but returned later.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring site Downdetector. They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring site Downdetector. They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Also read: Several global media websites go down; White House, UK govt sites go dark too According to Downdetector, over a thousand user complaints showed problems with Southwest Airlines, with over 400 user complaints indicating the same for Delta Air Lines. For the other two airlines, the figure was roughly 300. Major Australian banks have also reported problems with their websites and mobile apps. The companies stated that they were looking into the situation right now. The Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and ANZ and Virgin Australia all tweeted about the disruptions. A range of banks was scrambling to determine the source of an outage that was impacting internet banking and access to online apps across the country. "We understand that some of our customers are currently experiencing issues accessing our services," the country's largest financial firm Commonwealth Bank told AFP. "This issue is affecting multiple organizations, including many of the major banks." The outages in Australia began around 2:10 p.m. local time (0510 GMT), according to Downdetector. Earlier on June 8, the websites of global media organisations including The Guardian newspaper, Financial Times of London and CNN international went down. All the pages showed 'error 503' for several minutes. The UK government's website gov. The UK had also gone down. Reports said the BBC website had also gone down but returned later. (With inputs from agencies)

Many US airlines and Australian banks hit by online outage

Now, the trouble mounted for Facebook-owned instant messaging application WhatsApp in South America now. Colombia's top consumer protection watchdog on Wednesday ordered messaging application WhatsApp to take measures to protect users' personal data, saying it violated more than half of the rules governing such information.

World Business Watch: Colombia orders WhatsApp to comply with data protection

With the coronavirus spreading out of control in Brazil, the South American giant's neighbors are feeling the heat as their new Covid-19 infections are also on the rise.

Brazil surpassed 300,000 deaths from Covid-19 on Wednesday and has seen record daily infections over the last week, with an average of 2,273 fatalities.

It's been blamed on a local variant of the virus that is believed to be more contagious.

But now, according to the Pan American Health Organization, cases are rising also in the Venezuelan states of Bolivar and Amazonas, Pando department in Bolivia and the Loreto region in Peru -- all of which border Brazil.

Several countries such as Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru blame the new Brazilian variant for massive jumps in their cases.

Since it was first detected in the Amazon city of Manaus at the end of 2020, several countries have banned flights from Brazil and closed their land borders with it.

But three months later, the Brazilian variant has been detected in 15 countries or territories in the Americas.

Close to 24 million of the 600 million people living in Latin America and the Caribbean have contracted Covid-19 and more than 750,000 have died, according to an AFP count based on official figures.

- 'Complex situation' -

Peru's Health Minister Oscar Ugarte said on Wednesday that a study based on a sampling throughout Lima showed that the variant was responsible for 40 percent of infections in the city.

Peru has a 2,800-kilometer long border with Brazil and first detected the variant in January in its Amazonian region of Loreto.

Until recently, Uruguay drew praise for its management of the pandemic and ability to limit its spread despite never resorting to a lockdown.

 
It is now confronted by a "complex situation" that has put its health system under pressure, President Luis Lacalle Pou acknowledged.

That small country of 3.4 million people and duty-free shops on the border with Brazil registered a record 2,682 daily cases earlier this week.

Despite calls from the medical profession, Lacalle Pou has refused "in principle" to impose a lockdown, limiting measures to the closure of public services, schools and indoor sports halls.

The situation has become critical in Paraguay, which is running out of beds in intensive care units.

President Mario Abdo, whose management of the pandemic has led to protests demanding his resignation, has ordered a one-week lockdown from Saturday.

In Venezuela, a "radical lockdown" began on Monday and is due to last two weeks after months of relaxing confinement measures.

It comes despite scarcely believable official figures -- 152,000 cases and 1,500 deaths amongst a population of 30 million -- derided by the opposition and NGOs.

- Bitter-sweet -

Vaccination campaigns throughout the region are at different stages but none have yet led to concrete results.

The bitter-sweet experience of Chile is a case in point. A vaccination leader alongside Israel, Chile has nonetheless seen a brutal surge in daily cases, reaching a new record of more than 7,000.

"A real effect" from the vaccination program, in particular on intensive care units, "won't be visible before April," said Darwin Acuna, president of Chile's society for intensive care medicine.

With close to a million people infected and 22,000 dead, Chile put almost 70 percent of its 18 million population under lockdown on Thursday.

A curfew planned for the weekend will extend those measures to 90 percent of the population.

This is happening even though six million people have received at least one vaccine dose, and more than half of those have had two.

The spillover of the pandemic from Brazil to its neighbors seems inevitable given it borders 10 countries totalling almost 17,000 kilometers of frontier.

On Tuesday, the country of 212 million people hit a new record of 3,251 daily deaths and more than 12 million people in total have been infected, including the virus-skeptical far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Twenty-three of the country's 27 states have reached at least 85 percent occupancy of intensive care units and oxygen shortages are widespread.

With the coronavirus spreading out of control in Brazil, the South American giant's neighbors are feeling the heat as their new Covid-19 infections are also on the rise.

With the coronavirus spreading out of control in Brazil, the South American giant's neighbors are feeling the heat as their new Covid-19 infections are also on the rise. Brazil surpassed 300,000 deaths from Covid-19 on Wednesday and has seen record daily infections over the last week, with an average of 2,273 fatalities. It's been blamed on a local variant of the virus that is believed to be more contagious. But now, according to the Pan American Health Organization, cases are rising also in the Venezuelan states of Bolivar and Amazonas, Pando department in Bolivia and the Loreto region in Peru -- all of which border Brazil. Several countries such as Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru blame the new Brazilian variant for massive jumps in their cases. Since it was first detected in the Amazon city of Manaus at the end of 2020, several countries have banned flights from Brazil and closed their land borders with it. But three months later, the Brazilian variant has been detected in 15 countries or territories in the Americas. Close to 24 million of the 600 million people living in Latin America and the Caribbean have contracted Covid-19 and more than 750,000 have died, according to an AFP count based on official figures. - 'Complex situation' - Peru's Health Minister Oscar Ugarte said on Wednesday that a study based on a sampling throughout Lima showed that the variant was responsible for 40 percent of infections in the city. Peru has a 2,800-kilometer long border with Brazil and first detected the variant in January in its Amazonian region of Loreto. Until recently, Uruguay drew praise for its management of the pandemic and ability to limit its spread despite never resorting to a lockdown. It is now confronted by a "complex situation" that has put its health system under pressure, President Luis Lacalle Pou acknowledged. That small country of 3.4 million people and duty-free shops on the border with Brazil registered a record 2,682 daily cases earlier this week. Despite calls from the medical profession, Lacalle Pou has refused "in principle" to impose a lockdown, limiting measures to the closure of public services, schools and indoor sports halls. The situation has become critical in Paraguay, which is running out of beds in intensive care units. President Mario Abdo, whose management of the pandemic has led to protests demanding his resignation, has ordered a one-week lockdown from Saturday. In Venezuela, a "radical lockdown" began on Monday and is due to last two weeks after months of relaxing confinement measures. It comes despite scarcely believable official figures -- 152,000 cases and 1,500 deaths amongst a population of 30 million -- derided by the opposition and NGOs. - Bitter-sweet - Vaccination campaigns throughout the region are at different stages but none have yet led to concrete results. The bitter-sweet experience of Chile is a case in point. A vaccination leader alongside Israel, Chile has nonetheless seen a brutal surge in daily cases, reaching a new record of more than 7,000. "A real effect" from the vaccination program, in particular on intensive care units, "won't be visible before April," said Darwin Acuna, president of Chile's society for intensive care medicine. With close to a million people infected and 22,000 dead, Chile put almost 70 percent of its 18 million population under lockdown on Thursday. A curfew planned for the weekend will extend those measures to 90 percent of the population. This is happening even though six million people have received at least one vaccine dose, and more than half of those have had two. The spillover of the pandemic from Brazil to its neighbors seems inevitable given it borders 10 countries totalling almost 17,000 kilometers of frontier. On Tuesday, the country of 212 million people hit a new record of 3,251 daily deaths and more than 12 million people in total have been infected, including the virus-skeptical far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Twenty-three of the country's 27 states have reached at least 85 percent occupancy of intensive care units and oxygen shortages are widespread.

Brazilian pandemic drama spreading to South American neighbours

Protests erupted in a town in southern Chile after a street artist was fatally shot by the police. Hundreds of people took part in the protests that saw a building being burnt down. Police fatally shot a juggler after he refused to co-operate with a police search.

A video claiming to be that of the shooting was circulated widely by local channels and social media.

"We regret the loss of this young juggler. I hope that justice is done," Ricardo Valdivia, Panguipulli's mayor, told Radio Cooperativa.

Witnesses to the incident started to shout at police officers and this further led to violent demonstrations and burning of the building.

Protesters set fire to several other buildings and set up barricades in streets around the town before riot police fired tear gas and water cannons, according to images from local media.

A video posted on Facebook by local official Carlos Duran showed several fires burning across the town and smoke rising above its skyline.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-thousands-of-protesters-take-to-streets-again-361884">Myanmar: Thousands of protesters take to streets again</a>

The local police force backed the officer who shot the artist.

Boris Alegria, lieutenant colonel of the Panguipulli police, said in a video that the officer used his weapon to "safeguard his own life" in "legitimate self-defense."

An investigation into the incident has been launched and Chilean government has ordered the force to hand over all records of the incident to Public Ministry

Panguipulli, which has a population of 32,500, is located 850 kilometres south of the capital Santiago, where residents banged pots and pans in anger over the killing.

Chileans took to social media to call for reforms and condemn the shooting.

"In a police force with a minimum professional level this should not have happened," tweeted writer Pedro Gandolfo.

"A shameful act with a tragic result."

(With AFP inputs)

Protests erupted in a town in southern Chile after a street artist was fatally shot by the police. Hundreds of people took part in the protests that saw a building being burnt down.

Protests erupted in a town in southern Chile after a street artist was fatally shot by the police. Hundreds of people took part in the protests that saw a building being burnt down. Police fatally shot a juggler after he refused to co-operate with a police search. A video claiming to be that of the shooting was circulated widely by local channels and social media. "We regret the loss of this young juggler. I hope that justice is done," Ricardo Valdivia, Panguipulli's mayor, told Radio Cooperativa. Witnesses to the incident started to shout at police officers and this further led to violent demonstrations and burning of the building. Protesters set fire to several other buildings and set up barricades in streets around the town before riot police fired tear gas and water cannons, according to images from local media. A video posted on Facebook by local official Carlos Duran showed several fires burning across the town and smoke rising above its skyline. Also Read | Myanmar: Thousands of protesters take to streets again The local police force backed the officer who shot the artist. Boris Alegria, lieutenant colonel of the Panguipulli police, said in a video that the officer used his weapon to "safeguard his own life" in "legitimate self-defense." An investigation into the incident has been launched and Chilean government has ordered the force to hand over all records of the incident to Public Ministry Panguipulli, which has a population of 32,500, is located 850 kilometres south of the capital Santiago, where residents banged pots and pans in anger over the killing. Chileans took to social media to call for reforms and condemn the shooting. "In a police force with a minimum professional level this should not have happened," tweeted writer Pedro Gandolfo. "A shameful act with a tragic result." (With AFP inputs)

Chile: Protests break out after police shoot dead street artist

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic. The law passed by Senate in December last year approves the tax on Argentinians who have assets exceeding 200 million pesos (around 2.3 million USD)

The center-left government of President Alberto Fernandez hopes to raise about $3 billion from taxing the richest 12,000 of Argentina's 44 million inhabitants.&nbsp;

As per the law, taxable individuals will pay up to 3.5 per cent of the assets declared in the country and upto 5.25 per cent assets abroad.

The proceeds will be used to buy medical supplies, aid small and medium enterprises, fund social aid, and to provide natural gas to people off the energy grid.

Argentina's center-right opposition has criticised the taxes and has called them 'confiscatory'.

Argentina has been badly hit by the coronavirus, with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases of infection and more than 47,000 deaths.

The pandemic has exacerbated the already high poverty rate in a country which has been in recession since 2018, and has an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent.

In its annual report on economic inequality, Oxfam said Monday the world's 1,000 richest people had recouped their coronavirus-related losses within nine months, while it could take the world's poorest more than a decade to recover from the impacts of the global health crisis.

(With AFP inputs)

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic.

Tax on Argentina's richest people came into effect on Friday (local time). The tax has been levied in order to make fund provisions for medical supplies and relief to businesses in a global economy battered by coronavirus pandemic. The law passed by Senate in December last year approves the tax on Argentinians who have assets exceeding 200 million pesos (around 2.3 million USD) The center-left government of President Alberto Fernandez hopes to raise about $3 billion from taxing the richest 12,000 of Argentina's 44 million inhabitants. As per the law, taxable individuals will pay up to 3.5 per cent of the assets declared in the country and upto 5.25 per cent assets abroad. The proceeds will be used to buy medical supplies, aid small and medium enterprises, fund social aid, and to provide natural gas to people off the energy grid. Argentina's center-right opposition has criticised the taxes and has called them 'confiscatory'. Argentina has been badly hit by the coronavirus, with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases of infection and more than 47,000 deaths. The pandemic has exacerbated the already high poverty rate in a country which has been in recession since 2018, and has an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent. In its annual report on economic inequality, Oxfam said Monday the world's 1,000 richest people had recouped their coronavirus-related losses within nine months, while it could take the world's poorest more than a decade to recover from the impacts of the global health crisis. (With AFP inputs)

Argentina's 'millionaire tax' comes into effect

Abortion in Argentina is currently only permitted when a pregnancy results from rape, or if a pregnancy endangers the life or health of the woman

Argentina's Senate to vote on historic bill to legalise abortion

More than 50 people in Guatemala were killed in landslides unleashed by hurricane Eta, according to President Alejandro Giammattei, who said mudslides around the town of San Cristobal Verapaz had swallowed about 25 homes.

The hurricane also inflicted devastation in parts of neighbouring Central American countries.

"In the morning we had four dead, now the figure is over 50 dead," President Alejandro Giammattei said at an impromptu press conference.

Hurricane Eta unleashed torrential rains and catastrophic flooding on Central America, with fatalities sharply up on Thursday as streets turned into rivers and dozens more were feared to be buried in their homes by mudslides.

In Honduras, families waded through flooded streets of the northern city of San Pedro Sula, while cars sat almost submerged in parts of the central Guatemalan city of San Pedro Carcha, television footage and images posted on social media showed.

Hundreds of people were left stranded on roofs in Honduras as frantic rescue efforts played out, which were credited with taking around 500 people to safety.

Damage and destruction had spread across the "vast majority" of Honduras and speedboats and helicopters would be sent to rescue people in inaccessible areas, Hernandez added.

One of the fiercest storms to hit Central America in years, Eta struck Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday with winds of 150 miles per hour (241 kph) before weakening to a tropical depression as it moved inland and into neighboring Honduras.

By Thursday, authorities confirmed seven deaths in Honduras. Media in Nicaragua also reported two miners had died in a mudslide.

Guatemala's disaster relief agency Conred had earlier said about 15 homes were likely covered by mudslides, possibly affecting around 75 people.

Giammattei had already declared a state of emergency in nearly half of the country's 22 departments.

In both Guatemala and Panama, several people have been reported missing as water levels continue to rise.

In southern Costa Rica, a landslide killed two people in a house, a Costa Rican woman and an American man, officials said. Meanwhile, five people, including three children, died in flooding in Panama`s Chiriqui province, near the Costa Rica border.

There was better news in Honduras, where 60 fishermen who disappeared at sea on Tuesday returned after taking shelter on cays until they were rescued, said community leader Robin Morales.

Across swaths of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica, high winds and heavy rain have damaged homes, roads and bridges, forcing thousands to take cover in shelters.

Eta was moving northwest through Honduras toward the Caribbean, at eight miles per hour (13 kph) on Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Heavy rains continued and the storm`s top winds edged up to 35 mph (56 kph).

Eta is forecast to return to sea and regain momentum as a tropical storm, possibly reaching the Cayman Islands, Cuba and southern Florida in the coming days, the NHC said.

(with inputs from agencies)

More than 50 people in Guatemala were killed in landslides unleashed by hurricane Eta, according to President Alejandro Giammattei, who said mudslides around the town of San Cristobal Verapaz had swallowed about 25 homes.

More than 50 people in Guatemala were killed in landslides unleashed by hurricane Eta, according to President Alejandro Giammattei, who said mudslides around the town of San Cristobal Verapaz had swallowed about 25 homes. The hurricane also inflicted devastation in parts of neighbouring Central American countries. "In the morning we had four dead, now the figure is over 50 dead," President Alejandro Giammattei said at an impromptu press conference. Hurricane Eta unleashed torrential rains and catastrophic flooding on Central America, with fatalities sharply up on Thursday as streets turned into rivers and dozens more were feared to be buried in their homes by mudslides. In Honduras, families waded through flooded streets of the northern city of San Pedro Sula, while cars sat almost submerged in parts of the central Guatemalan city of San Pedro Carcha, television footage and images posted on social media showed. Hundreds of people were left stranded on roofs in Honduras as frantic rescue efforts played out, which were credited with taking around 500 people to safety. Damage and destruction had spread across the "vast majority" of Honduras and speedboats and helicopters would be sent to rescue people in inaccessible areas, Hernandez added. One of the fiercest storms to hit Central America in years, Eta struck Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday with winds of 150 miles per hour (241 kph) before weakening to a tropical depression as it moved inland and into neighboring Honduras. By Thursday, authorities confirmed seven deaths in Honduras. Media in Nicaragua also reported two miners had died in a mudslide. Guatemala's disaster relief agency Conred had earlier said about 15 homes were likely covered by mudslides, possibly affecting around 75 people. Giammattei had already declared a state of emergency in nearly half of the country's 22 departments. In both Guatemala and Panama, several people have been reported missing as water levels continue to rise. In southern Costa Rica, a landslide killed two people in a house, a Costa Rican woman and an American man, officials said. Meanwhile, five people, including three children, died in flooding in Panama`s Chiriqui province, near the Costa Rica border. There was better news in Honduras, where 60 fishermen who disappeared at sea on Tuesday returned after taking shelter on cays until they were rescued, said community leader Robin Morales. Across swaths of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica, high winds and heavy rain have damaged homes, roads and bridges, forcing thousands to take cover in shelters. Eta was moving northwest through Honduras toward the Caribbean, at eight miles per hour (13 kph) on Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Heavy rains continued and the storm`s top winds edged up to 35 mph (56 kph). Eta is forecast to return to sea and regain momentum as a tropical storm, possibly reaching the Cayman Islands, Cuba and southern Florida in the coming days, the NHC said. (with inputs from agencies)

Eta wreaks devastation in Central America, kills 50 in Gautemala

An outbreak of the polio virus in North and South Americas might happen due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, health experts fear.

According to experts at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), these disruptions can be due to delay in vaccinations and surveillance.

Countries in the region must maintain polio vaccinations and surveillance during the pandemic to prevent an outbreak, the organisation says.

The pandemic has stressed immunisation and surveillance systems designed to catch and respond to vaccine-preventable diseases, according to PAHO.

Statistically speaking, reported coverage for the polio vaccine for the Americas between 2016 and 2019 ranged between 85-87%, according to PAHO.

Coverage in 2020 might be lower "due to disruptions in primary health care activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," according to PAHO.

Polio, in some young children, can affect the nerves and cause muscle weakness or paralysis.&nbsp;

There is no treatment yet to the disease. Getting vaccinated can, however, prevent infection. 
&nbsp;

An outbreak of the polio virus in North and South Americas might happen due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, health experts fear. According to experts at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), these disruptions can be due to delay in vaccinations and surveillance.

An outbreak of the polio virus in North and South Americas might happen due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, health experts fear. According to experts at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), these disruptions can be due to delay in vaccinations and surveillance. Countries in the region must maintain polio vaccinations and surveillance during the pandemic to prevent an outbreak, the organisation says. The pandemic has stressed immunisation and surveillance systems designed to catch and respond to vaccine-preventable diseases, according to PAHO. Statistically speaking, reported coverage for the polio vaccine for the Americas between 2016 and 2019 ranged between 85-87%, according to PAHO. Coverage in 2020 might be lower "due to disruptions in primary health care activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," according to PAHO. Polio, in some young children, can affect the nerves and cause muscle weakness or paralysis. There is no treatment yet to the disease. Getting vaccinated can, however, prevent infection.

Americas at risk of polio outbreak due to disruptions by pandemic, experts say

Teachers of private schools in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro protested on Sunday demanding face-to-face classes begin amid the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 131,000 people in the South American nation.

Brazil: Teachers protest over resumption of face-to-face classes

Desperate families in Bolivia are turning to makeshift graves to bury their loved ones, with cemetery space at a premium as the coronavirus pandemic keeps the South American nation in its grip.

Bolivian families turn to makeshift graves as cemeteries fill during pandemic

Some passengers are surprised to see them cleaning. 30-year-old Denisse Leal said the majority congratulate them for doing the work, but other passengers don't want them near.

Chilean couple disinfects subway to survive economically

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom&nbsp;has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus.

The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists&nbsp;at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

The scientists found that an ingredient commonly found in insect repellent —&nbsp;Citriodiol — may have the power to kill&nbsp;anti-viral properties, if mixed with the virus in the liquid phase.

"Mixing a virus suspension with Mosi-guard spray or selected constituent components resulted in a reduction in SARS-CoV-2," said the study.

At a high concentration, "Mosi-guard gave a significant decrease... resulting in no recoverable virus," it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-first-coronavirus-reinfection-case-confirmed-in-hong-kong-322896">Also read:&nbsp;World’s 'first' coronavirus reinfection case confirmed in Hong Kong</a>

The ingredient,&nbsp;Citriodiol, is known to kill other forms of coronavirus, and is found in&nbsp;Asia, South America and Africa, and is made&nbsp;made from oil in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.

The study has not been externally peer-reviewed and has been released as a foundation basis for other scientists around the world who are&nbsp;researching for possible solutions for COVID-19.

"DSTL is hopeful that the findings in this research can be used as a springboard for other organizations to expand and develop the research, as well as to confirm the findings in this publication," the Minsitry of Defence&nbsp;said.

This is&nbsp; not the first time the use of this ingredient is being mentioned for killing the virus. In May,&nbsp;Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had revealed that the British armed forces were being given the insect repellent as an&nbsp;"additional layer of protection" against exposure to the virus after the&nbsp;Surgeon General had assured that it would cause no harm to the soldiers.

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus. The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

A study conducted by researchers of the United Kingdom has rvealed that chemicals present in insect spray can kill the novel coronavirus. The preliminary study has been conducted by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The scientists found that an ingredient commonly found in insect repellent — Citriodiol — may have the power to kill anti-viral properties, if mixed with the virus in the liquid phase. "Mixing a virus suspension with Mosi-guard spray or selected constituent components resulted in a reduction in SARS-CoV-2," said the study. At a high concentration, "Mosi-guard gave a significant decrease... resulting in no recoverable virus," it added. Also read: World’s 'first' coronavirus reinfection case confirmed in Hong Kong The ingredient, Citriodiol, is known to kill other forms of coronavirus, and is found in Asia, South America and Africa, and is made made from oil in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree. The study has not been externally peer-reviewed and has been released as a foundation basis for other scientists around the world who are researching for possible solutions for COVID-19. "DSTL is hopeful that the findings in this research can be used as a springboard for other organizations to expand and develop the research, as well as to confirm the findings in this publication," the Minsitry of Defence said. This is not the first time the use of this ingredient is being mentioned for killing the virus. In May, Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had revealed that the British armed forces were being given the insect repellent as an "additional layer of protection" against exposure to the virus after the Surgeon General had assured that it would cause no harm to the soldiers.

Chemical present in insect spray can kill coronavirus: Study

Environmental activists say the lure of such riches has encouraged illegal miners like Franchinis, adding to the growing deforestation in the region

Illegal miners dig for gold in Brazil | Amazon tropical rainforests | South America

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