Colombia

Interest in houseplants is surging in Spain, mixing expert care advice with budget shopping. Expert Nena von Flow advises repotting any new plant into fresh substrate and a larger pot on arrival. Meanwhile, retailers Lidl and Aldi are drawing attention with autumn plant offers under four euros. Separately, botanist Carlos Magdalena discovered a giant, critically endangered water lily in Colombia, visible from space but only identified after an Instagram photo.

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Alaska on October 15, while tremors in Panama left at least 27 people injured as the government worked to assist those affected. In Spain, a magnitude 3.1 quake was recorded off Fuerteventura, above the monthly average. In Colombia, attention turned to financial fallout, with Swiss Re warning about insurance gaps after the emergency and BBVA Seguros estimating damage payments at 320,000 million pesos.

Colombia's Permanent Commission of Wage and Labour Concertation has begun discussing the new minimum wage, the key figure that sets pay for millions of workers. The debate comes ahead of the usual year-end deadline, and unions, employers and government are expected to push for different increases. The topic is drawing wide attention as workers and businesses await the announced percentage.

Llaneros FC, a Colombian football club based in Villavicencio, is drawing a wave of search interest in Mexico. The club competes in Colombia's second division and has been the subject of growing online attention, though no specific match result, transfer, or announcement has been confirmed as the trigger for the spike.

Colombia's Dimayor Liga continues this Thursday with two scheduled matches, and attention is on América de Cali after their latest result. Independiente Medellín defeated América at the Pascual Guerrero stadium, with defender Lucumí delivering a standout performance that quieted the home crowd. Colombian sports outlets are covering the match and the league's midweek fixtures as the season's decisive stretch unfolds.

América de Cali is trending in Colombia amid an ongoing debate sparked by Noticias Caracol about why the club's and the league's top scorers fail to shine for the Colombia national team. A striker involved said it is "not easy" to reproduce club form with the Selección, fueling discussion among fans about the team's attacking struggles and América de Cali's role in it.

Reports say Venezuelan official Delcy Rodriguez has made remarks described as an attack on the ELN guerrilla group, while US Vice President JD Vance and General Dan Caine arrived in Colombia. The simultaneous visit by senior American figures and the outspoken comments on the armed group are drawing attention across the region, with details of both developments still emerging.

Colombia's government has unveiled a new employment plan presented by De la Espriella aimed at generating jobs in regions such as Tolima. Under the plan, certain citizens would be able to be hired more easily, with companies given incentives or streamlined conditions to take on local workers. The announcement has drawn attention as debates continue over unemployment and job creation outside the country's main cities.

Colombia's top football division, the Liga BetPlay, is in a tight fight for the eight playoff spots. Santa Fe stumbled against Llaneros, adding pressure in the race for the top eight, while Yuber Quinones scored to stop Once Caldas from winning the classic derby. The final rounds of the season are shaping up as highly competitive.

Attention is on the Copa Sudamericana final, with the Colombian host city reportedly expecting to earn around R$ 380 million from visiting fans. Local businesses are said to be preparing to welcome supporters of Brazil's Atlético, with tourism and hospitality poised to benefit. The match is drawing significant interest in Brazil and Colombia ahead of kick-off.