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Death toll in Burma, Thailand earthquake rises to more than 1,600 victims
The death toll from the devastating earthquake that rocked Burma and Thailand on Friday has risen sharply to more than 1,650 victims.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in central Burma, where 1,644 have been confirmed dead with nearly 140 people still missing, the nation’s ruling military said Saturday.
The 7.7 magnitude quake knocked down scores of buildings as well as destroyed bridges and highways in what was the deadliest natural disaster to hit the impoverished, war-torn country in years. Burma is also known as Myanmar.
Survivors in Mandalay, Burma’s second-biggest city, dug with their bare hands on Friday in desperate attempts to save those still trapped, lacking heavy machinery and with authorities absent. Burma’s military rulers let in hundreds of foreign rescue personnel on Saturday.
Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Mandalay, Burma on March 29, 2025. (REUTERS/Stringer)
AMERICA’S MOST EXPENSIVE NATURAL DISASTERS IN RECENT DECADES
The quake struck during Friday prayers across the country, causing the collapse of at least 50 mosques across the country, killing nearly 300 people, the Yangon Khit Thit News Agency reported.
An initial assessment by Burma’s opposition National Unity Government said at least 2,900 buildings, 30 roads and seven bridges had been damaged by the quake.
The quake comes amid a raging civil war that has wrecked the economy and displaced millions. It makes movement around the country both difficult and dangerous, complicating relief efforts and raising fears that the death toll could still rise precipitously.
People drive on a motorbike past a collapsed building in Mandalay on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in central Burma. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Airports too have been damaged, further hindering rescue efforts. For instance, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base, according to The Associated Press.
The country sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault that separates the India plate and the Sunda plate.
WATCH: First responders clear leveled apartment building in Thailand after powerful earthquake
IS THE EAST COAST ON THE BRINK OF A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE — AND ARE WE PREPARED?
President Donald Trump said the earthquake was «terrible» on Friday and assured that the United States would assist in relief efforts.
«It’s a real bad one, and we will be helping. We’ve already spoken with the country,» Trump said.
In neighboring Thailand, where the quake shook buildings and brought down a skyscraper under construction in the capital Bangkok, at least ten people were killed.
Dramatic footage captured in Bangkok midday Friday showed a 33-story apartment building that was under construction falling down, scattering dust and debris throughout the city’s streets. Bangkok city authorities said earlier Friday that 10 people were killed, 16 were injured.
Water from a separate high-rise building with rooftop pools in Bangkok spilled over the side as they shook and debris fell from many buildings.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said the country has now «returned to normalcy.»
Aftershocks were reportedly felt in India and China.
WATCH: Skyscraper in Bangkok collapses after 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Burma, Thailand
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Photos and video from Burma showed two hard-hit cities with extensive damage.
In Mandalay, Burma’s second-largest city and close to the epicenter, the earthquake damaged part of the former royal palace and buildings, according to videos and photos released on Facebook social media.
In the Sagaing region just southwest of Mandalay, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, and some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and the city of Yangon were also damaged.
In the capital Naypyitaw, the quake damaged religious shrines, sending parts toppling to the ground and some homes.
Christina Shaw, Greg Norman, Bradford Betz Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
INTERNACIONAL
Guerra comercial entre Ecuador y Colombia: advierten por la pérdida de 300.000 empleos y escasez de insumos de diálisis
Los principales gremios empresariales de Ecuador y Colombia advirtieron que la escalada arancelaria entre ambos países ya está generando efectos económicos y sociales que podrían profundizarse si no se suspenden las medidas y se abre un canal de diálogo político inmediato. En un pronunciamiento conjunto el 2 de marzo, dirigentes productivos de ambos lados de la frontera pidieron dejar sin efecto los incrementos recíprocos del 50% y alertaron que alrededor de 300.000 empleos están en riesgo, en un contexto en el que el comercio binacional registra una fuerte contracción.
Según los representantes empresariales, cerca de 7.600 importadores ecuatorianos han sido afectados por una reducción aproximada del 70% en las importaciones provenientes de Colombia, lo que compromete alrededor de 200.000 plazas de trabajo en Ecuador. Del lado colombiano, el impacto alcanzaría a 2.700 empresas y unos 100.000 empleos vinculados al intercambio comercial con el país vecino. Los gremios señalaron que las medidas ya están encareciendo productos, frenando operaciones logísticas y elevando el riesgo de informalidad y contrabando en la frontera.
La advertencia se produjo luego de que el Gobierno colombiano publicara un proyecto de decreto para elevar del 30% al 50% el arancel a productos ecuatorianos, ampliando además el número de subpartidas alcanzadas por la medida, en reciprocidad a la decisión adoptada por Ecuador. Aunque los empresarios no anticiparon demandas judiciales a nivel nacional o internacional, insistieron en la necesidad de una negociación urgente para evitar un deterioro mayor del comercio y de la economía fronteriza.
Uno de los puntos más sensibles de las afectaciones es el abastecimiento de insumos médicos. La Asociación Ecuatoriana de Distribuidores e Importadores de Productos Médicos (Asedim) advirtió que el arancel del 50% amenaza con encarecer y restringir el acceso a dispositivos críticos, especialmente aquellos destinados a tratamientos de diálisis. De acuerdo con el gremio, alrededor del 15% de los insumos médicos que importa Ecuador proviene de Colombia, pero en el caso específico de la diálisis la dependencia es mayor: entre el 50% y el 60% de los insumos requeridos tienen origen en ese país.
En Ecuador, más de 20.000 pacientes reciben diálisis de manera regular en 136 centros médicos: 105 privados y 31 públicos, lo que convierte cualquier alteración en el suministro en un asunto de salud pública. Asedim alertó que el incremento arancelario podría agravar el desabastecimiento ya existente y trasladarse a mayores costos en filtros, soluciones, catéteres y otros insumos esenciales para estos tratamientos. A esta situación se suman los atrasos de pago del Estado a proveedores de salud, que el gremio cifra en decenas de millones de dólares, lo que tensiona aún más la cadena de suministro .
El sector avícola también expresó su preocupación. La Corporación Nacional de Avicultores del Ecuador (Conave) señaló que cerca del 80% del material genético avícola —reproductoras, abuelas y líneas genéticas para la producción de carne y huevos— proviene de Colombia. El arancel del 50% podría trasladarse parcialmente al precio final del pollo y el huevo, productos básicos de la canasta familiar, con un impacto estimado en al menos un 5% en el consumidor, según el gremio.
Además, la cadena avícola genera alrededor de 300.000 empleos directos a nivel nacional, lo que añade presión sobre el Gobierno para encontrar una salida negociada, según reportes de Ecuador Chequea.
En la zona fronteriza, transportistas de carga pesada reportaron una reducción de hasta el 95% en el transporte de mercancías hacia Colombia durante febrero y realizaron movilizaciones para exigir la suspensión de los aranceles. Según el sector, más de 2.000 familias vinculadas a la cadena logística en la provincia del Carchi estarían afectadas por la caída de la actividad comercial.
Corporate Events,Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,South America / Central America,Government / Politics
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Crenshaw says political enemies came out ‘with their knives’ as Texas GOP primary looms
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Rep. Dan Crenshaw is heading into Tuesday’s Texas GOP primary warning that some of the biggest names in conservative politics are trying to take him down.
«You know, my enemies have all come out with their knives — Tucker Carlson or Ted Cruz — for no good reason,» Crenshaw told Fox News Digital.
Despite lacking endorsements from key political figures in the Lone Star State, Crenshaw said he likes his odds against Republican challenger Steve Toth, a state representative.
«I’m literally at a polling location at the moment, and in areas where my opponent should be more popular because he represents this area as a state rep,» Crenshaw said.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, arrives to a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«You know, this is a guy who got zero bills passed in the last legislative session. I got more bills passed in Congress. That’s where it’s a lot harder. So, you know, he’s one of these guys who just always votes no, has never accomplished anything at all.»
Toth did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Crenshaw said he hopes to avoid a runoff election but did not rule out the possibility when asked whether he could clinch the primary Tuesday.
«Anything’s possible,» he said.
Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who has not shied away from verbal confrontations with other Republicans, is pursuing his fifth term in Congress but must first defeat Toth. The sharp-tongued congressman has clashed with Cruz, Fox News personality Jesse Watters, Tucker Carlson and Alex Rosen, a YouTube political activist, over policy disagreements.
Notably, Toth has received an endorsement from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who until last Thursday had not made a pick in the race.
«I am proud to endorse [Toth] for Congress in Texas’s 2nd Congressional District. Steve faithfully served the people of Texas in the Texas House of Representatives, championing our Texas values of liberty, limited government and constitutional governance,» Cruz said in a post on X.
CRENSHAW PRAISES MEXICAN OFFICIALS AFTER ‘EL MENCHO’S DEATH, CALLS CARTEL ‘TERRORIST INSURGENCY’
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Cruz’s endorsement of Toth comes after he and Crenshaw split over Cruz’s ROTOR Act, an aviation safety bill.
Crenshaw voted against the bill Thursday.
Aside from disagreements over legislation, Crenshaw believes Cruz has more financially based reasons for his endorsement. He noted that Robert Marling, CEO of Woodforest National Bank, financially supported Toth after Crenshaw urged investigators to examine Marling’s $20 million investment in 2023.
In particular, Crenshaw, alongside other lawmakers, said Marling’s real estate loans appeared to be «attracting and enabling illegal alien settlement in the state of Texas» by offering easy-access credit with little indemnity verification, according to a letter he penned to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office.
Crenshaw signed the letter alongside 25 other Republicans.
«Now, where does Cruz come into play? Well, that same banker is a mega donor for Cruz to the tune of millions of dollars,» Crenshaw said.
Most recently, FEC records indicate Marling made a personal $14,000 donation to WinRed, a Republican fundraising organization, with the funds earmarked for Toth.
Other FEC records indicate Marling has spent millions supporting other Republican candidates. In 2025, he has backed candidates such as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc.
TEXAS SENATE PRIMARIES EXPLODE AS CORNYN WARNS PAXTON COULD COST GOP MAJORITY, DEMOCRATS CLASH OVER RACE
Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, right, is running to unseat Congressman Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, left. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo and courtesy of Steve Toth for Congress)
Despite Cruz’s opposition, Crenshaw noted that this would not be the first time he has had to run without Cruz’s blessing.
«Cruz endorsed against me in my very first race. We saw the results of that,» Crenshaw said.
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«So now we’re feeling good about it. But it’s a race, and we’re gonna run through the finish line.»
Polls in Texas opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
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U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described what he believes is the «best option» for Americans looking to flee Israel amid the ongoing unrest across the Middle East.
Huckabee said overnight, «We are getting a lot of requests regarding evacuating from Israel from American citizens who are currently in Israel or who have family here,» and that there are «very limited» options available.
«As of now, the best is utilizing Israel’s Ministry of Tourism shuttle bus to Taba, Egypt and getting flights from there or going on to Cairo for flights back to the U.S.,» Huckabee said on X. «Not sure when Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will reopen. Hopefully soon, but even when it does, there will be VERY limited flights with priorities to those who already were ticketed by El Al. Doubtful that other airlines will fly in/out for a while.»
«The Ministry of Tourism is operating buses to Taba. That crossing is further away, but it’s open 24/7. There are some flights from Taba, but there are also options to get to Cairo, and it’s operating normally except to Middle Eastern countries. To get out, it’s the best option for now,» Huckabee added.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, left, and emergency personnel at the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 1, 2026. (Alex Brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images; Ronen Zvulun/TPX Images of the Day/Reuters)
Huckabee also said he does not recommend Americans exit via Jordan at this time, as «Flights are not consistent and access across the Allenby crossing has limited hours.»
«All of our personnel from [the] embassy are sheltering in place, but I realize you may need to get people out and back home and not continue to incur hotel costs,» the ambassador wrote.
NETANYAHU INSISTS US AND ISRAEL’S STRIKES ON IRAN WON’T LEAD TO ‘ENDLESS WAR’
People take shelter in Tel Aviv on Sunday, March 1, 2026, after Iran launched missile barrages following attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem said in a statement early Tuesday morning that it is «not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel.» It also mentioned the Israeli Ministry of Tourism’s buses to Taba.
«To be added to the passenger list for a shuttle, you must register via the Ministry’s evacuation form,» it said.
A firefighter works to put out a fire in Tel Aviv after Iran launched missiles into Israel on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters)
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«The U.S. Embassy cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle. If you choose to avail yourself of this option to depart, the U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety,» it added.
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