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Populist Slovak ex-PM signs deal with 2 other parties to form new government_我的网站

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一 | Xi hopes quake-hit nation can rebuild itself at early date President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence on Tuesday to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked the South American nation on Monday, killing more than 200 people and injuring over 600. In his message, Xi said he was deeply shocked to learn that a powerful earthquake had caused heavy casualties and significant property loss in Colombia. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he expressed deep condolences over the deaths and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. Xi also expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Colombian government led by de la Espriella, the Colombian people will make concerted efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date. Meanwhile, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, which coordinates foreign aid missions, announced that the nation stands ready to provide assistance within its capabilities to support quake relief efforts in Colombia. China is closely following the developments and will provide assistance in an appropriate manner based on Colombia's needs, agency spokeswoman Tang Ying said in an online statement on Tuesday. Rescue efforts across western Colombia continued for a second day as emergency workers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings in several cities and towns, including Pereira and Cali, amid grim expectations that the death toll from the country's most powerful earthquake in decades could rise. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake hit at 7:34 am on Monday at a depth of 96 kilometers, with its epicenter identified near San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco, about 400 km from Colombia's capital Bogota. As much of Choco is accessible only by boat, through the jungle or by airplane, little was known about the extent of damage there. De la Espriella, who has declared a state of national emergency, traveled to Choco's capital, Quibdo, on Monday night to assess the damage and announced that he had mobilized "the entire military and police apparatus" for relief and rescue operations. Earlier in the day, he told reporters: "Our intention is to cooperate in any way necessary. Here, there are no distinctions or ideological divisions when it comes to defending our people or showing solidarity." According to local media reports, 32 cities in the western region have been severely affected, while five departmental capitals — Pereira, Cali, Quibdo, Manizales and Armenia — continue to remain under red alert for aftershocks. The quake has turned dozens of multistory buildings into piles of concrete and twisted metal in cities such as Pereira, and brought down the towers of a landmark cathedral in Manizales. In Cali, a city of about 2.2 million people, at least 85 people have been confirmed dead. Several floors of a city hospital collapsed during the temblor, trapping many patients. Seven airports in western Colombia have suspended operations due to structural damage. A video posted on social media ‌and verified by Reuters showed the Cali airport swaying violently and people scurrying for shelter amid collapsing chunks of concrete. On Monday, the Chinese embassy in Bogota activated an emergency response mechanism to assess the safety of Chinese nationals. No casualties among Chinese citizens were reported as of press time on Tuesday. The powerful earthquake was also felt in Ecuador and Venezuela, which share their borders with Colombia. In June, two back-to-back temblors in Venezuela had killed more than 6,300 people. 。

二 | BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- A populist former prime minister of Slovakia who plans to end the country’s military support for Ukraine signed on Monday a coalition agreement with the leaders of two other parties to form a new government.Robert Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction, won the Sept 30 parliamentary election with 22.9% of the vote, taking 42 seats in the 150-seat legislature. He needed to find coalition partners to govern with a majority.Fico inked a deal with Peter Pellegrini, the head of the left-wing Hlas, or Voice, party, which placed third in the election and has 27 seats, and the ultra-nationalist and pro-Russia Slovak National Party, which has 10 lawmakers in the new parliament. Pellegrini was previously a senior member of Fico's party but broke away to form Hlas after the scandal-tainted Smer lost the 2020 election. Their reunion was key to Fico’s ability to form a government.The three parties agreed last week that Fico’s party will appoint the prime minister and have six other ministers, opening the way for Fico to serve as Slovakia’s head of government for the fourth time. Hlas will get to name the parliamentary speaker and seven Cabinet ministers, while the Slovak National Party will have three ministers.Fico said the three parties still have to nominate their ministers before he delivers the list to President Zuzana Caputova, whose role it is to swear in the new government.Fico didn’t say when that might happen but repeated he hoped to represent Slovakia at the next European Union leaders' summit, scheduled for late next week.Fico campaigned on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. He has vowed to withdraw Slovakia’s military support for Ukraine, and his victory could further strain the fragile unity in the European Union and NATO.He previously said he wants Slovakia to remain a member of the EU and NATO but with “full respect” for his country’s sovereignty.Smer will have the posts of the foreign, justice, defense and finance ministers, among others.Fico said Monday the foreign ministry “won’t speak for foreign interests.”Hlas will be in charge of the interior, economy and education ministries while the Slovak National Party will get the culture and environment ministers.Fico’s critics worry that his return to power could lead Slovakia to abandon its course in other ways, following the path of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and to a lesser extent of Poland under the Law and Justice party.。