In a tragic turn of events, over 3,000 individuals in Colombia have been reported missing after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday. This natural disaster has sparked an urgent search for survivors as the Trump administration steps in, pledging $15.5 million in relief aid to support recovery efforts.

The aftermath of the quake has been captured in videos and photographs showing emergency responders tirelessly digging through rubble and debris to find any survivors. Local leaders from cities such as Cali, Pereira, Chocó, and Manizales have confirmed that at least 179 lives were lost in these areas alone. Meanwhile, federal estimates remain at 111 fatalities, a figure last updated shortly after the earthquake hit, according to reports from The Associated Press.

“We stand united in prayer with the people of Colombia and are prepared to assist President Abelardo De la Espriella and his administration as they evaluate the situation,” announced the State Department on X, showing solidarity and readiness to support the Colombian government’s efforts.

The department further emphasized that “the Trump Administration is contributing $15.5 million to fund emergency shelters, provide food, ensure protection, and conduct assessments of the earthquake damage.”

Around 1,600 buildings across Colombia have been reported damaged or collapsed, and more than 3,000 people are missing, the AP reported.

President Abelardo De la Espriella, who was inaugurated just days earlier, traveled to Chocó’s capital, Quibdó, on Monday night and announced he was mobilizing “the entire military and police apparatus” to respond, deploying engineers, rescue workers and search dogs.

“Chocó will never again be the ‘land of the forgotten,’” he said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered in San José del Palmar, a town located within the western Chocó region, which borders the Pacific Ocean.

In a post on X, De la Espriella, added that, “The National Government stands with the people of Chocó.”

“Immediate economic resources and humanitarian aid have already been allocated to support the more than 1,400 affected families and individuals,” he added. “The injured and those requiring priority medical attention are being transferred to Medellín with all available hospital capacity.”

In the run-up to November’s vote, California finds itself sharply divided on two polarizing ballot measures.

The spotlight is on Proposition 40, popularly referred to as the one-time billionaire tax, which currently enjoys 48% support among likely voters. However, 41% remain opposed, leaving 11% of the electorate undecided, according to a recent survey conducted by UC Berkeley in collaboration with the Los Angeles Times.

“While Prop 40 is ahead, its lead is neither wide nor commanding,” observed Mark DiCamillo, the poll’s director, in a conversation with the Times. “Ballot initiatives generally benefit from having clear majority support, but we aren’t seeing that with this measure just yet.”

The proposed billionaire tax has ignited a heated debate among Democrats. While many labor organizations are rallying behind it as a shield against looming federal health care cuts, high-profile personalities such as Governor Gavin Newsom express concern that it might jeopardize the state’s economic health.

The urgency for Prop 40 to secure “yes” votes cannot be understated, especially as billionaires like Sergey Brin funnel resources into rival initiatives poised to potentially nullify its effects. As is customary, the initiative with the majority vote will ultimately prevail and be enacted.

“There’s going to be a lot of campaigning, apparently on the no side especially. So we’ll see,” DiCamillo said on the changing dynamics. “But you know, I think it’s confusing to voters in some ways.”

According to the poll, the billionaire tax is seeing stronger support from younger Californians. Minorities, women and lower-income voters were also more likely to back it than white voters, men and those who earn at least $200,000 annually.

Meanwhile, Prop 39, the initiative that would require strong identification rules has just 42% support, with over half of would-be voters opposing 39.

The divide among Prop 39 is more clearly partisan, with 80% of Democrats opposing it and 90% of Republicans supporting it. However, unaffiliated voters were not in favor by a 54% to 36% margin.

“It’s a very traditional Democrat versus Republican split,” said DiCamillo, who expected not to see major shifts in the numbers.

State Republicans are leading the push for Prop 39 and claim most Californians do think voter ID requirements are common sense. But they cried foul on a description rewrite by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, that they said framed the measure more negatively.

When supporters gathered more than 1.3 million signatures to qualify Prop. 39 for the November ballot, its title said the measure “establishes additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements.” Bonta’s office changed the language to say: “Prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government-issued identification.”

Supporters sued Bonta but lost in court.

“California politicians know that a supermajority of California voters support Prop 39’s bipartisan solution for Voter ID — so now they are corruptly trying to rig the election by putting a biased and dishonest title on this common-sense measure,” Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R), the chief backer of the measure, said in a statement.

The Berkeley poll surveyed 4,207 California registered voters online from August 3 to 9. It has a margin of error of about 2.5 percentage points.

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NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione confessed in court to the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as he pled guilty to two federal counts related to stalking.

Dressed in a tan prison uniform, Mangione addressed the court, recounting, “Having suffered excruciating back pain for years, I discovered that UnitedHealth was planning an investor conference in New York City.”

He narrated his findings, saying, “I did some research online and noted this conference hosted by the country’s largest healthcare organization, whose mission is to improve the healthcare system for everyone.”

Mangione further explained how he discovered the conference’s precise location by pretending to be an investor with over $50 million to secure more details directly from UnitedHealthcare via email.

“I traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to murder Brian Thompson,” he recounted. “I shot Mr. Thompson in the back,” acknowledging, “I was fully aware that my actions were illegal.”

Mangione pleaded guilty to both stalking counts and U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett accepted the plea. His sentencing is set for Dec. 18.

As Mangione spoke, members of Thompson’s family, including his wife and mother, sat in the front row of the courtroom, marking the first time they appeared in court.