Gabriel Boric

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Chile's counterpart Gabriel Boric shake hands at La Moneda government palace in Santiago, Chile, on April 24, 2024. Sakellaropoulou is on an official visit to Chile, following an invitation by Boric.

Chile's former president Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire tycoon who twice held the South American nation's top job, died Tuesday in a helicopter crash, his office said in a statement.

The 74-year-old Pinera often flew himself around in his own helicopter, and was a former shareholder in the country's national airline, with stakes in television and football, among other businesses.

Chile is grappling with a devastating wildfire crisis in the Valparaiso province, where at least 112 lives have already been lost. President Gabriel Boric, after visiting the most affected areas, declared a state of emergency, initiating a two-day national mourning period.

The death toll from central Chile's blazing wildfires climbed to at least 112 people on Sunday, after President Gabriel Boric warned the number would rise "significantly" as teams search gutted neighborhoods.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro will visit China this week, Beijing's foreign ministry said yesterday, with the leftist leader seeking to strengthen ties with the world's second-largest economy.

Petro's visit comes at the invitation of President Xi Jinping and will take place from today to Oct. 26, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.