Police investigating highway killing of 2 Colombian journalists
BOGOTA — Two journalists were shot to death by unknown assailants on a motorcycle, who attacked them while they were traveling in a car on a highway in northern Colombia, police said on Sunday.
Leiner Montero, the director of an online radio station, and Dilia Contreras, the director of an online news website, were killed near the municipality of Fundacion in the department of Magdalena as they were returning from patron saint festivities in a nearby village.
Magdalena police commander Andres Serna said that, according to preliminary investigations, a fight had occurred involving Montero and several others.
“After this act of intolerance, the journalist decided to leave in his car alongside Dilia and another man, and on the way they were killed,” the officer told reporters.
“We are committed to the citizens of Magdalena to resolve in the shortest possible time this sad case involving two journalists who were highly appreciated among their union, family and acquaintances,” he added.
Although authorities said it remains unclear whether the murders were related to the journalists’ profession, the Foundation for Press Freedom called for the case to be investigated quickly, and their work taken into account during the investigation. — Reuters
6.4 magnitude quake strikes off Indonesia’s Sumatra island
JAKARTA — An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck near Mentawai Islands, off the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Monday, the country’s geophysics agency (BMKG) said.
The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) and has no potential to trigger a tsunami, BMKG said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Earlier on Monday, two earthquake of 5.2 magnitude and 5.9 magnitude had also struck near the same location.
Indonesia straddles the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” where different tectonic plates of the Earth’s crust meet and create frequent seismic activity. — Reuters
Dutch soldier dies after shooting in the US
AMSTERDAM — A Dutch special forces soldier shot outside his hotel in the US city of Indianapolis three days ago has died of his injuries, the Dutch Defense Ministry said on Monday.
Three Dutch commandos in the United States for training exercises were wounded in the shooting, which happened while they were off duty on Friday.
The two other men were stable in hospital, the ministry said, without giving new details about the incident.
An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) police officer told broadcaster FOX 59 it appeared there was an altercation earlier away from the Hampton Inn in downtown Indianapolis. — Reuters