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Blast in Utrecht - Buildings collapse, four injured as powerful explosion rocks city's historic centre

Blast in Utrecht - Buildings collapse, four injured as powerful explosion rocks city's historic centre

"At least two buildings collapsed after a powerful explosion struck the historic centre of Utrecht in the Netherlands on Thursday. Emergency services rushed to the scene as fires broke out and four people were injured, with the affected area sealed off and 100 residents evacuated. Footage shows debris lying in the narrow alleyways after the explosion, with heavy damage to surrounding buildings. Smoke can be seen rising from the structures. Firefighters are also seen using ladders to enter through broken windows into unstable buildings. According to preliminary information, an accidental gas leak caused the explosion. The investigation is still ongoing. The city's Mayor, Sharon Dijksma, announced that there is currently no suspicion of criminal activity or foul play in the incident. Nearby hospitals have been put on alert to deal with casualties."

'Milestone in our relationship' - Bolivia, Chile FMs meet in Santiago in bid to restore ties after 48-year diplomatic break

'Milestone in our relationship' - Bolivia, Chile FMs meet in Santiago in bid to restore ties after 48-year diplomatic break

"The foreign ministers of Bolivia and Chile, Fernando Aramayo and Alberto van Klaveren, met in Santiago on Thursday to discuss restoring full diplomatic relations, nearly five decades after ties were severed and reduced to a consular level. During the meeting, the ministers agreed to update and deepen their Economic Complementation Agreement, including plans to sign two new protocols on trade and gender, and on small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives. They also agreed to expand the tariff reduction programme. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism to boost cooperation in promoting and developing the sector. Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren called the meeting "a milestone in our bilateral relationship" and said it "reflects the path both our countries have embarked on." "Great possibilities are opening up in our relationship with Bolivia, both in the economic and commercial field, also in the political sphere, in the cultural field, and I also believe in terms of human relations," he said, highlighting as "very significant" the gesture of President Rodrigo Paz in sending his "highest representative of the foreign ministry." The Bolivian Foreign Minister, Fernando Aramayo, stated that the countries "had substantive progress" in relations, emphasising that Chile and Bolivia discussed "a nine-point agenda that has been substantive." During the meeting, officials welcomed Chilean Congress approval of two agreements: one recognising driving licenses and another granting visa exemptions for Chilean and Bolivian diplomats. The Chilean Foreign Ministry said the talks and agreements at the meeting mark a 'process of rapprochement' between the two countries, focusing on the interests and needs of their citizens."

'Milestone in our relationship' - Bolivia, Chile FMs meet in Santiago in bid to restore ties after 48-year diplomatic break

'Milestone in our relationship' - Bolivia, Chile FMs meet in Santiago in bid to restore ties after 48-year diplomatic break

"The foreign ministers of Bolivia and Chile, Fernando Aramayo and Alberto van Klaveren, met in Santiago on Thursday to discuss restoring full diplomatic relations, nearly five decades after ties were severed and reduced to a consular level. During the meeting, the ministers agreed to update and deepen their Economic Complementation Agreement, including plans to sign two new protocols on trade and gender, and on small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives. They also agreed to expand the tariff reduction programme. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism to boost cooperation in promoting and developing the sector. Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren called the meeting "a milestone in our bilateral relationship" and said it "reflects the path both our countries have embarked on." "Great possibilities are opening up in our relationship with Bolivia, both in the economic and commercial field, also in the political sphere, in the cultural field, and I also believe in terms of human relations," he said, highlighting as "very significant" the gesture of President Rodrigo Paz in sending his "highest representative of the foreign ministry." The Bolivian Foreign Minister, Fernando Aramayo, stated that the countries "had substantive progress" in relations, emphasising that Chile and Bolivia discussed "a nine-point agenda that has been substantive." During the meeting, officials welcomed Chilean Congress approval of two agreements: one recognising driving licenses and another granting visa exemptions for Chilean and Bolivian diplomats. The Chilean Foreign Ministry said the talks and agreements at the meeting mark a 'process of rapprochement' between the two countries, focusing on the interests and needs of their citizens."

'We've been victims of imperialism' - Cubans pay tribute to 32 military personnel killed during US operation to capture Maduro

'We've been victims of imperialism' - Cubans pay tribute to 32 military personnel killed during US operation to capture Maduro

"The remains of 32 Cuban military personnel killed during a US operation in Caracas and three nearby states aimed at capturing Nicolas Maduro arrived on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in Havana. Authorities said the facilities will remain open throughout the day to allow the public to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Footage filmed on Thursday shows long lines of civilians and members of the Armed Forces waiting to enter the complex, where the remains of the fallen military personnel were laid out for a public tribute. "I am here gathered with my people to pay tribute to the fallen brothers of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in fulfilment of an internationalist mission [...] And to show the world that once again we have been victims of that horrendous role that imperialism plays throughout the world, of doing and undoing without anyone being held accountable," said Aleandro Leiva, Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces. Magela Guillen Collado, head of section at the Homicide Department of the Specialised Union of Criminal Investigation of Common Rights, said the 32 military personnel "defended the sister homeland as their own and gave their lives," adding that "any of us could have been in their place." The remains of 32 Cuban military personnel arrived from Venezuela on Thursday at Jose Marti International Airport, where Cuban leader Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel received them. The Cuban government declared two days of tribute and announced a series of commemorative events, saying they are intended to reaffirm national unity in the face of US threats. The tribute events will conclude on Friday with a protest in front of the United States embassy in Havana."

'We've been victims of imperialism' - Cubans pay tribute to 32 military personnel killed during US operation to capture Maduro

'We've been victims of imperialism' - Cubans pay tribute to 32 military personnel killed during US operation to capture Maduro

"The remains of 32 Cuban military personnel killed during a US operation in Caracas and three nearby states aimed at capturing Nicolas Maduro arrived on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in Havana. Authorities said the facilities will remain open throughout the day to allow the public to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Footage filmed on Thursday shows long lines of civilians and members of the Armed Forces waiting to enter the complex, where the remains of the fallen military personnel were laid out for a public tribute. "I am here gathered with my people to pay tribute to the fallen brothers of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in fulfilment of an internationalist mission [...] And to show the world that once again we have been victims of that horrendous role that imperialism plays throughout the world, of doing and undoing without anyone being held accountable," said Aleandro Leiva, Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces. Magela Guillen Collado, head of section at the Homicide Department of the Specialised Union of Criminal Investigation of Common Rights, said the 32 military personnel "defended the sister homeland as their own and gave their lives," adding that "any of us could have been in their place." The remains of 32 Cuban military personnel arrived from Venezuela on Thursday at Jose Marti International Airport, where Cuban leader Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel received them. The Cuban government declared two days of tribute and announced a series of commemorative events, saying they are intended to reaffirm national unity in the face of US threats. The tribute events will conclude on Friday with a protest in front of the United States embassy in Havana."