Earthquakes Strike Ecuador and Japan

On Saturday, April 16, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Ecuador. More than 238 people were killed and over 1500 injured by the earthquake, which devastated the towns of Manta, Puerto Viejo and Pedernales. Ricardo Penaherrera, an official at Ecuador’s national emergency management office, described the situation to CNN: “The lack of water and communication remains a big problem,” Penaherrera said. “Many highways are in bad shape, especially in the mountainous area because it has been raining due to (the) El Nino weather phenomenon.” Colombia, Chile, Spain and Mexico pledged aid to help Ecuador. Japan also was hit by earthquakes on both Thursday, April 14 and Saturday, April 16. Forty-one people were killed and over 1,037 injured by the earthquakes which struck near the city of Kyushu in southern Japan. Whereas the first earthquake was only a foreshock, the second earthquake was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that destroyed many houses and forced more than 100,000 people to seek refuge in shelters. The Japanese government sent approximately 25,000 troops to help with rescue efforts.

Saudi Arabia Threatens to Take Action if Anti-Terrorism Bill Passes

Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir warned the United States that Saudi Arabia will sell over $750 in United States assets if Congress passes a bill allowing victims of terrorist attacks to sue foreign governments. Though the bill received bipartisan support, the Obama administration has lobbied Congress to vote down the bill so as not to fracture relations with Saudi Arabia. President Obama met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia last Wednesday. According to the New York Times, it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia would sell its assets as it would be difficult to do so and it would significantly hurt Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Brazil’s Lower House Votes to Impeach President

On Sunday, April 17, members of Brazil’s lower house voted to begin impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff. There were 367 votes for impeachment and 137 against, and protestors and supporters alike rallied in the streets as the voting took place. Those in favor of impeaching Rousseff claimed that she covered up a budget deficit so that she could win reelection in 2014. They also blamed her for one of the worst recessions in Brazil’s history. Supporters of Rousseff argued that the impeachment attempt was merely a coup. Representative Jose Guimaraes was one such supporter. “This is not good for democracy,” Guimaraes said to CNN. “They want to take the government away from an honest woman.” Representative Ronaldo Fonseca defended the impeachment vote. “Those who are outside, those who are in the streets, the Constitution guarantees this act,” Fonseca said to CNN. “It’s not a coup.” Before Rousseff can be removed from office the Brazilian Senate must also vote to impeach her. A simple majority is all that is needed in the Senate. If the Senate votes to impeach Rousseff then Vice President Michel Temer would become the president.