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Deadly Colombian volcano could be about to erupt, warn scientists

<div class="copy"> <p>On March 30, Colombia’s Geological Service raised its alert level on the volcano from yellow to orange. They warn that the volcano could erupt with a strength unseen in the last 10 years within “weeks or days”.</p> <p>President of Colombia Gustavo Petro on April 5 ordered the voluntary evacuation of about 2,500 families living near the volcano. Many locals have been unwilling to leave their belongings and livelihoods behind.</p> <p>Geologists monitoring the volcano have recorded thousands of tremors every day – an unprecedented number.</p> <p>Nevado del Ruiz, one of Colombia’s tallest peaks at 5,321 metres high, is located in a populated farming region. It is only 129 km west of the country’s capital city Bogotá.</p> <p>In 1985, the volcano erupted with tragic consequences. It triggered mudslides that nearly completely buried the town of Armero. More than 23,000 of the town’s 30,000 residents were killed.</p> <p>Despite humanity’s long history of living under the shadow of volcanoes and trying to understand them, geologists, seismologists and vulcanologists remain largely baffled by the lava-spewing behemoths.</p> <p>The last time the threat level of Nevado del Ruiz was raised, for example, was in 2012. For over a month in April of that year, residents were under orange alert. This was increased to red alert for two days in June. But no major eruption occurred.</p> <p>Recently, new methods for assessing the risk of volcanic eruption have been trialled from studying the <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/volcano-breath-test-predict-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical composition of the atmosphere</a> above active volcanoes to <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/ai-volcano-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">utilising artificial intelligence</a> to try and make sense of the pattern of eruptions.</p> <p>University of Miami professor in marine geosciences Falk Amelung believes the threat should not be taken lightly.</p> <p>“This is a high-risk and well-monitored volcano, and right now, all the ingredients for a new eruption are there,” Amelung says in a university <a href="https://www.newswise.com/articles/is-colombia-s-deadly-nevado-del-ruiz-on-the-verge-of-a-major-eruption#!" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a> on <em>Newswise</em>. “A significant seismic swarm occurred on March 30, and this [low-magnitude] earthquake sequence strongly suggests that magma is on the move.”</p> <p>Like Mount St Helens in Washington state, US which famously erupted in 1980, killing 57 people, Nevado del Ruiz is a glacier-covered volcano. Amelung says that this places local residents under extra peril.</p> <p>“Even a relatively small eruption would melt the glacier,” Amelung explains. “Volcanic ash combined with the meltwater would form mudflows, known as lahars, that can travel fast and for several miles.”</p> <div class="in-content-area content-third content-right"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/massive-tongan-eruption-claimed-few-lives-due-to-quirk/"> </a></div> <p>Amelung admits it is impossible to say with certainty what will happen.</p> <p>“This increased period of activity could well die down and nothing happens,” he says.</p> <p>Ironically, global warming over the last 38 years since the eruption which saw the inundation of Armero, means the glaciers that cover the volcano’s summit are smaller, lessening lahar hazards.</p> <p>“But it is also bad news in terms of eruption hazards because there is less pressure from the overburden to keep the magma at depth,” Amelung adds.</p> <p><!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --> <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=246260&amp;title=Deadly+Colombian+volcano+could+be+about+to+erupt%2C+warn+scientists" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/colombian-volcano-erupt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Evrim Yazgin.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Five dead and dozens injured after stadium collapses during Colombian bullfight

<p dir="ltr">Dozens have been injured and at least five people have died during a bullfight in Colombia after the improvised wooden stadium collapsed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage shows the stands crumbling during a “correlaja”, an event where spectators jump into the ring to run alongside the bulls, in El Espina in Tolima as part of the annual San Juan and San Pedro festivities, per <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/colombia-stadium-collapse-multiple-fatalities-after-improvised-venue-crumples-during-bull-fight/3256acdc-3af3-4226-b9ea-0afdc1dc5e5a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to reports, at least one bull has escaped the stadium into neighbouring streets.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At this moment, we have four (dead) victims confirmed - two women, an adult man and a minor - plus about 30 people seriously injured,” Governor Ricardo Orozco told local radio outlet BlueRadio Colombia.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-257bf633-7fff-b827-91a5-bf0574a854f1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Of course, we have activated all the hospitals and ambulances we can work with.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOSEspinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOSEspinal</a> necesitamos el apoyo de los organismos de socorro, ambulancia, médicos para atender la emergencia, hay una emergencia. <a href="https://twitter.com/DefensaCivilCo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DefensaCivilCo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NoticiasCaracol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NoticiasCaracol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CanalRCN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CanalRCN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MONYRODRIGUEZOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MONYRODRIGUEZOF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cruzrojacol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cruzrojacol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DCoronell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCoronell</a> <a href="https://t.co/2BI5sEuziS">pic.twitter.com/2BI5sEuziS</a></p> <p>— Ivan Ferney Rojas M. (@IvanRojasCR) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvanRojasCR/status/1541134357565476868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">However, there are fears the number of injured could be much higher, with Major Luis Fernando Vélez, director of the civil defence department, telling a local radio station that “there is talk of 500 wounded”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A statement released by the Mayor’s Office of Espinal said they “deeply regret what happened in the building”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We want to call for calm to the entire community,” it read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Once the emergency became known, the relief agencies acted immediately, achieving the evacuation of the injured for primary care at the San Rafael Hospital in the municipality.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But, one local councillor told newspaper <em>El Tiempo</em> that local hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fac3fd25-7fff-d9f7-5fdc-dc8ba1b8829c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“We still need support from ambulances and neighbouring hospitals, many people are still unattended,” Iván Ferney Rojas told the publication.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">Espero que todas las personas afectadas por el derrumbe de la plaza de El Espinal puedan salir airosas de sus heridas.</p> <p>Esto ya había sucedido antes en Sincelejo. </p> <p>Le solicito a las alcaldías no autorizar más espectáculos con la muerte de personas o animales. <a href="https://t.co/dMAq6uqlKX">pic.twitter.com/dMAq6uqlKX</a></p> <p>— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/status/1541138473532493826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The incident has also brought bullfighting into the spotlight, with president-elect Gustavo Petro calling for the events to stop.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has already happened before in Sincelejo,” he tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I ask the mayors not to authorise more shows with the death of people or animals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Orozco also confirmed on <a href="https://twitter.com/Ricardo_Orozv/status/1541169975439892488" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> that the incident is being attended to by the departmental risk management committee and extraordinary security council.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dce2ef09-7fff-1623-916a-0a3f34b6f23c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 9News</em></p>

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COVID killings: People being executed for breaking lockdown rules

<p>Drug cartels and rebel groups are executing people who break their coronavirus lockdown rules across Colombia, according to a report by <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/15/colombia-armed-groups-brutal-covid-19-measures">Human Rights Watch</a> (HRW).</p> <p>At least nine people have been murdered for failing to comply with the restrictions or speaking out against them.</p> <p>The report found that armed groups have imposed rules in at least 11 of Colombia’s 32 states. The armed groups’ measures are often stricter than those imposed by the government, according to humanitarian workers and community leaders. The workers said violent gangs are prohibiting residents from leaving their homes during curfews, including those who are sick.</p> <p>In at least nine 32 states, armed groups have used or threatened violence to enforce rules that include curfews, lockdowns, movement restrictions, and limits on businesses’ opening days and hours. In two provinces, Cauca and Guaviare, the groups have burned the motorcycles of those who flouted their restrictions.</p> <p>“In communities across Colombia, armed groups have violently enforced their own measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at HRW.</p> <p>“This abusive social control reflects the government’s long-standing failure to establish a meaningful state presence in remote areas of the country, including to protect at-risk populations.”</p> <p>Since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the country on March 6, there have been more than 204,000 confirmed cases with over 6,900 deaths.</p>

Travel Trouble

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5 places that have been ruined by tourism

<p>Tourism is both a blessing and a curse.</p> <p>While a healthy amount can boost the economy, too much of it can be harmful to the environment and uproot local populations.</p> <p>Before you book your next trip, consider how your wanderlust is affecting some of the most beautiful places in the world.</p> <p><strong>1. Caño Cristales, Colombia</strong></p> <p>With “the river of five colours,” also known as “the melted rainbow,” waters that are a hallucinogenic concoction of pink, red, green, and blue colours (a result of the unique micro-organisms living in it) and its jaw-dropping waterfalls, Caño Cristales is now overwhelmingly popular.</p> <p>And, it’s only become more so after a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/world/americas/colombia-farc-accord-juan-manuel-santos.html">2016 peace agreement</a> was signed between the government of Colombia and the country’s largest rebel group.</p> <p>The uptick in foot traffic is cause for concern, as it could jeopardise the area’s extremely fragile ecosystem. In 2017, access was restricted to give the river a break.</p> <p>“We decided to implement the restriction because human presence can harm the plants’ reproduction processes,” Faber Ramos, coordinator of the ecotourism program, told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-43700833">BBC</a>.</p> <p><strong>2. Venice, Italy</strong></p> <p>Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, the main allure of Venice is its famed canals, while the abundance of delicious food and wine, the culture, and the ornate architecture add to its allure.</p> <p>But over-tourism has chipped away at the city’s vitality.</p> <p>Cruise ships and group bus tours have made infamous sights like St. Marks Square a blur of people and the streets are lined with litter; between the hoards of humans and the rising sea levels, Venice is sinking rapidly and the stonework and carvings on its historic buildings are crumbling.</p> <p>Venetians are finally fighting back, however: Beginning summer of 2019, short stay tourists will be charged up to €10 (about $11.50) to enter the city. </p> <p>Nothing's worse than that sinking feeling you get when you head off on your adventure and remember you left something important at home.</p> <p><strong>3. Antarctica</strong></p> <p>The entire continent of Antarctica is in trouble, between global climate change and the mass infiltration of tourists via cruise ships.</p> <p>The boat traffic, from Chile and Argentina down to the Antarctic Peninsula, has greatly increased water pollution, threatening the lives of unique species. </p> <p><a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/ats.htm">The Antarctic Treaty</a> has sought to stop such environmental devastation, limiting the number of people allowed on shore to 100 at a time, while ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not allowed at any of the landing sites.</p> <p>Sailing to Antarctica, cruising the Galapagos Islands and travelling along the Trans-Siberian Railway are the top three trips every traveller must take in their lifetime, according to US-based <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/aussie-travel-destinations-make-top-50-travel-bucket-list">Flight Network’s World’s Best Once-In-A-Lifetime Journeys 2018 list</a>.</p> <p><strong>4. Pig Beach, The Bahamas</strong></p> <p>The only inhabitants of Big Major Cay are wild pigs, known most famously for swimming in the sea, a phenomenon that draws tourists to the island off Exuma for an encounter and photo opp.</p> <p>In 2017, a wave of pig deaths struck Pig Beach.</p> <p>While a combination of factors likely lead to their death, reports <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/swimming-pigs-bahamas-death/">National Geographic</a>, the government banned visitors from feeding the creatures.</p> <p><strong>5. The Isle of Skye, Scotland</strong></p> <p>One of the most picturesque places in the United Kingdom, The Isle of Skye is known for its rugged landscapes, quaint fishing villages, and medieval castles.</p> <p>Crossing the Skye Bridge to the island from Scotland’s northwest coast is a test of patience these days, with hoards of people packed in caravans, motorhomes, and cars, often in stand-still traffic.</p> <p>Visitors without prior booking accommodations have found themselves in a pickle. </p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40874488">According to authorities</a>, tourists often arrive at the police station with nowhere to stay asking for advice.</p> <p>Many end up staying the night in their car.</p> <p>Local authorities have taken note, advising visitors to use “common sense” before travelling to the island for an overnight stay.</p> <p>Have you stayed at any of these places? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Written by Alexa Erickson. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/15-places-have-been-ruined-tourism">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Travel Trouble

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Aussie taxpayers to foot $100,000 bill for Cassie Sainsbury's legal defence

<p>Aussie taxpayers will foot the $100,000 bill for Cassie Sainsbury’s legal defence, after the 22-year-old was found guilty of trying to smuggle cocaine out of Colombia.</p> <p>The Adelaide resident was sentenced to six years’ jail yesterday and ordered to pay a $130,000 fine after she pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. While the Australian government won’t touch the fine, taxpayers will cover her legal assistance.</p> <p>“These people (like Cassie) are just victim of bigger criminals,” said Sainsbury’s Columbian lawyer, Orlando Herran, adding that he believed she deserved the money.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Convicted drug mule Cassie Sainsbury could walk free from a Colombian prison within three years. <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkWBurrows?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkWBurrows</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/jWLD2EvpRg">pic.twitter.com/jWLD2EvpRg</a></p> — Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS/status/925984664199741440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Sainsbury is not the first convicted drug smuggler to have part of her legal bills covered by Aussie Taxpayers, with Schapelle Corby, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran receiving similar treatment from the Australian government.</p> <p>“Cocaine Cassie” was staring down the barrel of 30 years behind bars for trying to smuggle 6kg of cocaine out of Columbia on April 12, but thanks to a plea deal accepted by the Columbian judge she could be out in two-and-a-half years for good behaviour.  </p> <p>“She’s lucky because the amount of the drugs was very big,” Mr Herran told the Aussie journalists who had travelled to Colombia after the closed-door hearing.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think it’s unfair for Australian taxpayers to foot the bill for legal proceedings in cases like this? Or do we have a responsibility to protect our citizens overseas, even when they’ve put a foot wrong?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / The West </em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

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