Latest news with #authorities
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
How Telegram Became a Magnet for Extremists, Crime
Messaging service Telegram is one of the most downloaded apps worldwide. Its private chat setting has made it a free space for open discussion in countries with authoritarian regimes. But a relatively light-touch approach to content moderation on Telegram is frustrating governments trying to stop criminal activities and the spread of misinformation that can destabilize societies. In August 2024, French authorities arrested Telegram Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov and charged him with complicity in the spread of sexual images of children and other crimes, after prosecutors said the company had failed to cooperate with their investigations.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Volcano Erupts In Eastern Indonesia Disrupting Air Travel
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the Indonesian island of Flores prompted authorities to close three regional airports and cancel dozens of international flights. Over 14,000 passengers are stranded on Flores, Bali and Lombok. The eruption spewed a colossal ash column over 10,000 meters into the atmosphere, posing a danger to commercial airplanes flying at altitudes around 30,000 to 42,000 feet (9.000 to 12.800 meters). Authorities raised alert levels to the highest of a four-tiered system, evacuating over 4,000 people from a 7-kilometer-wide area around the volcano. According to authorities, lahars— a mix of hot water and volcanic debris— pose the greatest danger. During an eruption in November 2024, nine people were killed. Lewotobi is a twin volcano with two summit craters: the Lewotobi Laki-laki (husband Lewotobi) and Lewotobi Perempuan (wife Lewotobi). Lewotobi's twin peaks are classic stratovolcanoes, formed by successive layers of lava, ash, and volcanic debris. Volcanic activity is documented since the 17th century, with most eruptions limited to the smaller Lewotobi Laki-laki. Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies near the intersection of several tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the Australian Plate and the Philippine Plate. As parts of the colliding plates and seafloor are pushed into Earth's mantle, blobs of molten rock rise upwards and come into contact with water and gases, resulting in highly-explosive mix on the surface. Over 106 volcanoes are dotting the Indonesian archipelago; at least 60 have been active in the past 400 years. Some of the largest eruptions in recorded history, like the Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883, happened here.
Washington Post
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Mexico assesses damage from Hurricane Erick as rising rivers leave at least 1 dead
ACAPULCO, Mexico — Authorities in southern Mexico were still assessing damage and watching rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region. Torrential rains over steep coastal mountains and the landslides and flooding they could generate became ongoing concern for officials after Erick dissipated following a landfall early Thursday on a sparsely populated stretch of coast.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Mexico assesses damage from Hurricane Erick as rising rivers leave at least 1 dead
Authorities in southern Mexico were still assessing damage and watching rising rivers as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erick doused the region. Torrential rains over steep coastal mountains and the landslides and flooding they could generate became ongoing concern for officials after Erick dissipated following a landfall early Thursday on a sparsely populated stretch of coast. At least one death was confirmed late Thursday, a 1-year-old boy who drowned in a swollen river. Erick came ashore down southern Mexico's Pacific coast in the morning as a Category 3 major hurricane, but it landed between the resort cities of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. Authorities reported landslides, blocked highways, downed power lines and some flooding as coastal residents, above all in Acapulco, took the storm seriously with memories of the devastating Hurricane Otis in 2023 still fresh in their minds. With a steady rain falling on Acapulco, residents and remaining tourists emerged to walk outside or visit businesses opening gradually as the remnants of Hurricane Erick scraped by just inland of the resort. In Puerto Escondido, fishermen searched for and inspected storm-tossed boats and residents cleared downed trees and other debris. The threat of heavy rain remained in the mountains that rise abruptly behind Acapulco's famed beaches. Erick spent the day dragging through the coastal mountain range, dropping torrential quantities of rain. It was expected to dissipate Thursday night over the mountains in Michoacan state. Erick once had Category 4 strength The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Erick was centered about 155 kilometers (95 miles) north-northwest of Acapulco Thursday night. Its maximum sustained winds were 45 kph (30 mph), degrading it to a low pressure area. It was moving northwest at 20 kph (13 mph). Erick had strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it approached the coast but weakened before making landfall to a Category 3. Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick churned through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 55 kph (35 mph) in 24 hours — which is about twice the average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the hurricane center. One death reported President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday 'the people have reacted very well so far.' But authorities warned the heavy rain would now become the problem. Forecasters expected up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) of rain could fall across Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lesser totals in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. Late Thursday, Guerrero state Civil Defense Director Roberto Arroyo said that a 1-year-old boy had died in San Marcos, an inland community southeast of Acapulco in the path of Erick. The child's mother had tried to cross a swollen river while carrying the child, but he slipped from her arms and drowned. Residents venture out Restaurants, shops and supermarkets gradually reopened in Acapulco, but schools were to remain closed across Guerrero on Friday as authorities continued to assess damage, clear debris and monitor rising rivers. 'Many of us were frightened, but now it has passed,' said Juan Carlos Castañeda, a 49-year-old security guard at an Acapulco condominium complex. He said the 'tragedy of Otis marked all of us.' Despite the rain, Castañeda decided to go out for a walk. Down the coast in the fishing village of Barra Vieja, the wind-whipped surf battered the shore and heavy rain kept residents sheltered indoors. Perla Rosas, however, was among the few who ventured out, umbrella in hand, to get to her job at a convenience store. 'I feel more relaxed now, so I decided to come to work.' Acapulco still scarred by Otis Acapulco residents had braced for Erick's arrival with more preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation two years earlier. The city of nearly 1 million was hit in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. ___ Cruz reported from Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
ABC News
21 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Invasive beetle puts Australian trees at risk
For the last four years, an invasive beetle has been spreading across Perth, infecting more than 4,000 trees so far. It's known as the polyphagous shot-hole borer and can kill a tree in just two years. Now there's widespread concern from environmental groups that the pest could reach other states, after authorities admitted an eradication plan has failed.
