INTERNACIONAL
Survivors still being found from Burma earthquake, but hopes begin to fade as deaths exceed 2,700
- A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Burma on Friday, killing more than 2,700 people, compounding a humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war.
- The death toll is expected to rise, but the earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, leaving the full extent of the devastation hard to assess.
- The World Health Organization said more than 10,000 buildings are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged in Burma. The earthquake also hit neighboring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers.
Rescue workers saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in Burma’s capital on Tuesday, but hope was fading of finding many more survivors of the violent earthquake that killed more than 2,700 people, compounding a humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war.
The fire department in Naypyitaw said the woman was successfully pulled from the rubble 91 hours after being buried when the building collapsed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit midday Friday. Experts say the likelihood of finding survivors drops dramatically after 72 hours.
Death toll numbers forecast to increase
The head of Burma’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum in Naypyitaw, that 2,719 people have now been found dead, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing, Myanmar’s Western News online portal reported.
BURMA-THAILAND EARTHQUAKE: PATRICK SCHWARZENEGGER, ‘WHITE LOTUS’ CAST SEND PRAYERS AS DEATH TOLL PASSES 1,000
Those figures are widely expected to rise, but the earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, leaving the full extent of the devastation hard to assess.
Most of the reports so far have come from Mandalay, Burma’s second-largest city, which was near the epicenter of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw.
«The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour,» said Julia Rees, UNICEF’s deputy representative for Burma.
Burma’s rescuers work through rubble of a collapsed building following Friday’s earthquake in Naypyitaw, Burma, on April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)
«The window for lifesaving response is closing. Across the affected areas, families are facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies.»
Burma’s fire department said that 403 people have been rescued in Mandalay and 259 bodies have been found so far. In one incident alone, 50 Buddhist monks who were taking a religious exam in a monastery were killed when the building collapsed and 150 more are thought to be buried in the rubble.
Structural damage is extensive
The World Health Organization said that more than 10,000 buildings overall are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged in central and northwest Burma.
The earthquake also rocked neighboring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers.
Two bodies were pulled from the rubble on Monday and another was recovered Tuesday, but dozens were still missing. Overall, there were 21 people killed and 34 injured in Bangkok, primarily at the construction site.
In Burma, search and rescue efforts across the affected area paused briefly at midday on Tuesday as people stood for a minute in silent tribute to the dead.
MASSIVE 7.7 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE ROCKS THAILAND, BURMA, COLLAPSING BUILDINGS AND KILLING MORE THAN 1,000
Relief efforts moving at a sluggish pace
Foreign aid workers have been arriving slowly to help in the rescue efforts, but progress was still slow with a lack of heavy machinery in many places.
In one site in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, workers formed a human chain, passing chunks of brick and concrete out hand-by-hand from the ruins of a collapsed building.
The Burma military government’s official Global New Light of Burma reported Tuesday that a team of Chinese rescuers saved four people the day before from the ruins of the Sky Villa, a large apartment complex that collapsed during the quake. They included a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman who had been trapped for more than 60 hours.
The same publication also reported two teenagers were able to crawl out of the rubble of the same building to where rescue crews were working, using their cellphone flashlights to help guide them. The rescue workers were then able to use details from what they told them to locate their grandmother and sibling.
International rescue teams from several countries are on the scene, including from Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and several Southeast Asian countries. The U.S. Embassy said an American team had been sent but hadn’t yet arrived.
Aid pledges pouring in as officials warn of disease outbreak risk
Meantime, multiple countries have pledged millions in aid to assist Burma and humanitarian aid organizations with the monumental task ahead.
Even before the earthquake, more than 3 million people had been displaced from their homes by Burma’s brutal civil war, and nearly 20 million were in need, according to the U.N.
Many were already lacking in basic medical care and standard vaccinations, and the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure by the earthquake raises the risk of disease outbreaks, warned the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
«The displacement of thousands into overcrowded shelters, coupled with the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure, has significantly heightened the risk of communicable disease outbreaks,» OCHA said in its latest report.
«Vulnerability to respiratory infections, skin diseases, vector-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles is escalating,» it added.
The onset of monsoon season also a worry
Shelter is also a major problem, especially with the monsoon season looming.
Since the earthquake, many people have been sleeping outside, either because homes were destroyed or out of fear of aftershocks.
Civil war complicates disaster relief
Burma’s military seized power in 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has turned into significant armed resistance and a brutal civil war.
Government forces have lost control of much of Burma, and many places were dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach even before the quake.
Military attacks and those from some anti-military groups have not stopped in the aftermath of the earthquake, though the shadow opposition National Unity Government has called a unilateral ceasefire for its forces.
BURMESE GOVERNMENT DENIES CLAIMS IT KILLED 76 VILLAGERS
The NUG, established by elected lawmakers who were ousted in 2021, called for the international community to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered directly to the earthquake victims, urging «vigilance against any attempts by the military junta to divert or obstruct humanitarian assistance.»
«We are in a race against time to save lives,» the NUG said in a statement.
«Any obstruction to these efforts will have devastating consequences, not only due to the impact of the earthquake but also because of the junta’s continued brutality, which actively hinders the delivery of lifesaving assistance.»
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the military has been impeding humanitarian aid. In the past, it initially refused to allow in foreign rescue teams or many emergency supplies after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which resulted in well more than 100,000 deaths. Even once it did allow foreign assistance, it was with severe restrictions.
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In this case, however, Min Aung Hlaing, pointedly said on the day of the earthquake that the country would accept outside help.
Tom Andrews, a monitor on rights in Burma commissioned by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, said on X that to facilitate aid, military attacks must stop.
«The focus in Burma must be on saving lives, not taking them,» he said.
INTERNACIONAL
Pentagon cites ‘meritocracy’ as reported officer promotion removals draw Democratic criticism
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War Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly removed multiple officers from a military promotion list — a decision that diverges from standard practice and is now under review at the White House, a U.S. official told Fox News Digital.
The list included candidates for dozens of senior roles, but four were removed after they had been approved by a promotions board.
The U.S. official said the officers were not under investigation and were not facing misconduct allegations, and that no formal explanation for the decision was provided to military leadership.
PETE HEGSETH TOUTS HIGHER PHYSICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY, SAYS ‘SO BE IT’ IF IT EXCLUDES WOMEN
Fox News Digital has learned that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll initially declined to remove the officers from the promotion list before Hegseth ultimately intervened to strike their names. The disagreement caught the attention of the White House, an official said, which reviews the revised promotion list before it is sent to the Senate.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth removed multiple officers from a military promotion list, a decision that diverges from standard practice and is now under review at the White House, a U.S. official told Fox News Digital. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Initial New York Times reporting and congressional criticism have focused in part on claims that some of the officers removed were women and minorities, prompting military officials to question whether they were singled out on account of race or gender — an assertion Pentagon officials have strongly disputed.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in response: «This story, like many others at the failing New York Times is full of fake news from anonymous sources who have no idea what they’re talking about and are far removed from actual decision-makers within the Pentagon.»
«Under Secretary Hegseth, military promotions are given to those who have earned them,» he went on. «Meritocracy, which reigns in this department, is apolitical and unbiased.»
Pentagon chief of staff Ricky Buria added: «This is completely false. Whoever placed this made up story is clearly trying to sow division among our ranks and within the department and the administration. It’s not going to work, and it never will work when this department is led by clear-eyed, mission driven leaders unfazed by Washington gossip.»
The Pentagon has not publicly detailed the specific rationale behind the reported removals.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll initially declined to remove the officers from the promotion list, before Hegseth ultimately intervened to strike their names, sources told Fox News Digital. (Cheriss May/Getty Images )
The reported move has drawn scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where senior military promotions require Senate confirmation. Individual lawmakers can delay or block nominations through procedural holds.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that if the reports are accurate, removing officers after a promotion board already has selected them based on merit and performance would be «outrageous» and potentially unlawful.
Military promotions to senior ranks typically are vetted through formal boards and approved as a group, with limited intervention at the individual level.
According to multiple reports, one of the officers removed from the list served in a logistics role during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, while another had previously authored academic work examining why Black service members are more likely to serve in support roles.
The U.S. official said those explanations had not been formally communicated as justification for the decision.
The White House reviews promotion lists before they are sent to the Senate. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press )
PETE HEGSETH SLASHES MILITARY ‘FAITH CODES’ FROM OVER 200 TO 31 IN PENTAGON CHAPLAIN CORPS OVERHAUL\
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said: «Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have launched an unprecedented politicization of the military promotion process, most recently, reportedly blocking promotions for Black and female officers,» Wyden said.
Wyden on Wednesday placed holds on the promotions of Marine Lt. Col. Vincent Noble, Col. Thomas Siverts and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas MacNeil, citing past wartime controversies and concerns about judgment.
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The White House could not immediately be reached for comment.
conflicts defense, pete hegseth, army, donald trump, white house
INTERNACIONAL
Estados Unidos dijo que la reapertura de su embajada en Caracas es solo el primer paso del plan de Trump
La encargada de negocios de Estados Unidos en Venezuela, Laura Dogu, afirmó este lunes tras la reapertura de la embajada estadounidense en Caracas que el proceso bilateral “apenas está comenzando y falta mucho por hacer”.
Dogu puntualizó que la reactivación de la sede diplomática es solo el primer paso de una hoja de ruta definida por la administración Trump, que contempla tres fases para la reconstrucción política, económica e institucional de Venezuela.
“La reapertura es solo el inicio, falta mucho por hacer mientras seguimos ejecutando el plan de tres fases de la Administración Trump”, remarcó Dogu en un mensaje publicado en redes sociales.
La diplomática detalló que el trabajo inmediato se centrará en fortalecer la relación con empresarios, actores políticos y la sociedad civil venezolana.
Entre las prioridades, la embajada buscará crear puentes entre compañías de ambos países y establecer canales formales de diálogo con todos los sectores políticos y organizaciones independientes.
La estrategia delineada por la administración Trump establece una primera fase enfocada en la estabilización económica, con énfasis en la recuperación del sector petrolero y la generación de condiciones para el retorno de inversores extranjeros.
La segunda etapa prevé el ingreso de capital internacional y la reactivación productiva en sectores clave, mientras que la tercera fase plantea una transición política destinada a consolidar un gobierno estable y democrático.
Dogu subrayó que la implementación de este programa “demanda tiempo, cooperación y el compromiso de todas las partes” y que los desafíos estructurales del país solo podrán superarse con un trabajo coordinado y gradual.
La embajada, además, prevé abrir oportunidades laborales y está acondicionando sus instalaciones para, en una etapa posterior, ofrecer servicios consulares de forma plena.
El equipo diplomático estadounidense indicó que la sede funcionará como canal de reconstrucción de la confianza bilateral y como plataforma para promover nuevas oportunidades de diálogo. Funcionarios norteamericanos recalcaron que la interlocución política y social abarcará a sectores oficialistas, de la oposición y de la sociedad civil.
De forma paralela, la embajada venezolana en Washington fue entregada a una delegación oficial enviada por Caracas, en el marco del restablecimiento de relaciones.
El viceministro Oliver Blanco informó sobre reuniones con funcionarios estadounidenses orientadas a “explorar oportunidades de fortalecimiento” en el vínculo bilateral.
Tras el cambio de régimen en Caracas, con la salida del narcodictador Nicolás Maduro y la asunción de Delcy Rodríguez como jefa del chavismo, Estados Unidos comenzó a levantar de manera gradual sanciones sobre el sector petrolero venezolano.
El Departamento del Tesoro autorizó transacciones para facilitar la reapertura de la embajada venezolana en Washington y el acceso a recursos financieros, impulsando la reactivación económica.
En el Congreso, el secretario de Estado Marco Rubio explicó que las tres fases del plan pueden solaparse, y que la prioridad es construir las bases de una transición política que garantice estabilidad y democracia.
“La reanudación de las operaciones en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en Caracas es un hito clave en la implementación del plan de tres fases del presidente para Venezuela y fortalecerá nuestra capacidad de interactuar directamente con el gobierno interino venezolano, la sociedad civil y el sector privado”, expresó el Departamento de Estado en un comunicado.
La administración estadounidense mantiene la vigilancia sobre los ingresos de la venta de petróleo venezolano, asegurando que los fondos sean utilizados para la reconstrucción institucional. Además, Washington sostiene una flotilla en el Caribe para combatir el tráfico ilícito y reforzar la seguridad regional.
El proceso de restablecimiento diplomático ocurre en medio de reformas políticas en Caracas, la liberación de presos políticos y cambios en el sector energético. Laura Dogu reiteró que “falta mucho por hacer” e invitó a todos los sectores venezolanos a sumarse a un esfuerzo conjunto para consolidar una transición ordenada y sostenible.
(Con información de EFE)
Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,South America / Central America
Noelia Castillo Ramos dies by euthanasia after legal fight
Noelia Castillo Ramos, 25, died Thursday after receiving euthanasia in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, following a legal battle of more than a year. Supporters gather outside Sant Camil hospital, where flowers were left. (EFE via Reuters Connect.)
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Spain is grappling with the death of a 25-year-old woman from Barcelona who was euthanized following a series of tragic events despite multiple legal challenges from her father.
Noelia Castillo Ramos’ case galvanized international attention after her father, Gerónimo Castillo, mounted a legal battle against the authorization of various Spanish courts for his daughter to receive euthanasia in 2023. Aided by Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers), a conservative Catholic organization, Mr. Castillo exhausted all appeals to the Spanish courts.
The father argued that his daughter wasn’t fully psychologically able to make a decision regarding euthanasia and that she needed better medical and psychiatric care. His legal battle was ultimately shut down by the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, on March 10.
GRIEVING PARENTS DEMAND CHANGES AFTER 26-YEAR-OLD SON EUTHANIZED UNDER CONTROVERSIAL LAW
Noelia Castillo Ramos is featured in Spain’s El País newspaper following her euthanasia last Thursday. (APTV)
The case of Castillo Ramos is just the latest in euthanasia deaths across Europe, but the Barcelona woman’s choice to die has inflamed passions across the country.
Castillo Ramos’ parents divorced when she was 13 and spent almost four years in public tutelage centers when she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) — a serious psychiatric condition often leading to severe depression, suicide ideation and a tendency to addiction.
By her own account, in an interview she gave before dying to Spanish TV channel Antena 3 she tried to commit suicide at least twice despite being under intensive psychiatric care. In her first suicide attempt, she took several pills and ingested a toxic automotive liquid, but was saved by her mother, who took her to the hospital for a gastric-intestinal cleansing procedure.
Things got worse for her when she left the home and ended up being sexually assaulted multiple times when she was about 20. First, she was sexually abused by a former boyfriend after taking sleeping pills. Soon after, two men attempted to rape her while in a nightclub, leaving her deeply scarred, and as reports indicate, this led her to a care home for worsening psychiatric symptoms.
Several people pray at the entrance of the Sant Camil hospital, on 26 March 2026 in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The magistrate of the 20th Preliminary Section of the Barcelona Court of First Instance has denied for the third time the adoption of the precautionary measures requested by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers, which asked to suspend the application of euthanasia to Noelia Castillo Ramos from Barcelona. Castillo Ramos died on Thursday. ( Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images)
POPE LEO XIV SAYS HE’S ‘VERY DISAPPOINTED’ AFTER ILLINOIS APPROVES ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW
There, she was gang-raped by three men. With her mental state deteriorating, she attempted suicide by jumping out of the fifth floor of a building.
Multiple reports and social media posts originally indicated that the three rapists who assaulted her were immigrant minors under the care of the state – something the Barcelona-based newspaper El Periódico says is false.
Many Spaniards have reacted angrily the court’s authorization for her to receive euthanasia, accusing the leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of not providing the girl with adequate medical care, opening up the country to mass migration, lack of policing and ultimately handing down euthanasia as a solution to her case.
Several people pray at the entrance of the Sant Camil hospital, on 26 March, 2026 in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The magistrate of the 20th Preliminary Section of the Barcelona Court of First Instance has denied for the third time the adoption of the precautionary measures requested by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers, which asked to suspend the application of euthanasia to the young woman from Barcelona scheduled for this Thursday afternoon. (Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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After her interview on Spanish TV, several anonymous donors and public figures, including pianist James Rhodes, offered to fund her treatment and to provide her and her family with material assistance if she decided against having the procedure.
The Catalan High Court of Justice confirmed to Fox News Digital that all legal and medical requirements, including a favorable opinion by the Catalan Commission of Guarantee and Evaluation (CGEC), had been met and that there was nothing preventing the young woman from receiving the requested euthanasia.
Noelia died at 6 p.m. local time on Thursday at Hospital Sant Pere de Ribes in Barcelona. She is the youngest person ever to be euthanized in Spain under the country’s assisted dying law passed in 2021.
spain, the european union, mental health
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