Colin Powell dies, trailblazing general stained by Iraq

File Photo In this Sept. 25, 1991, file photo, Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, at a House Armed Services subcommittee. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): Colin Powell, the trailblazing soldier and diplomat whose sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democratic presidents was stained by his faulty claims to justify the 2003 U.S. war in Iraq, died Monday of COVID-19 complications. He was 84. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Powell spent 35 years in the Army and… Continue reading Colin Powell dies, trailblazing general stained by Iraq

Kerala floods: Dozens missing in deadly India disaster

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BBC: At least 26 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages. Five children are among the dead. There are fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing. Several houses were washed away and people became trapped in… Continue reading Kerala floods: Dozens missing in deadly India disaster

China’s economic growth weakens amid construction slowdown

People walk along a riverbank near a commercial office buildings under construction in Tongzhou, outskirts of Beijing, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

BEIJING (AP): China’s economic growth sank in the latest quarter as a slowdown in construction and curbs on energy use weighed on its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The world’s second-largest economy grew by 4.9% over a year ago in the three months ending in September, down from the previous quarter’s 7.9%, government data showed… Continue reading China’s economic growth weakens amid construction slowdown

Suicide attack on Shiite mosque in Afghanistan kills 47

File Photo People inspect the inside of a mosque following a suicide bombers attack in the city of Kandahar, southwest Afghanistan, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Photo courtesy: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): Suicide bombers attacked a Shiite mosque packed with worshippers attending Friday prayers in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 47 people and wounding 70, a Taliban official said. It was the deadliest day since the U.S. military withdrawal. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the carnage at the Fatimiya mosque in… Continue reading Suicide attack on Shiite mosque in Afghanistan kills 47

Authorities call fatal stabbing of UK lawmaker terrorist act

An image of murdered British Conservative lawmaker David Amess is displayed near the altar in St Peters Catholic Church before a vigil in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

LEIGH-ON-SEA, England (AP): A long-serving member of Parliament was stabbed to death Friday during a meeting with constituents at a church in England, in what police said was a terrorist incident. A 25-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack, which united Britain’s fractious politicians in shock and sorrow. Counterterrorism officers were leading the… Continue reading Authorities call fatal stabbing of UK lawmaker terrorist act

Dubai Expo 2020 offers conflicting figures on worker deaths

Men watch a display at the Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP): Dubai’s Expo 2020 on Saturday offered conflicting figures for how many workers had been killed on site during construction of the massive world’s fair, first saying five and then later three. Expo refused for months to publicly provide any figures for construction-related casualties in the run-up to the $7 billion… Continue reading Dubai Expo 2020 offers conflicting figures on worker deaths

Philippine President Duterte says he is retiring from politics

President Duterte had previously said he would stand as vice-president in next year's election. Photo Courtesy: EPA via AP

MANILA, Oct 2 (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him, despite her filing for re-election as mayor. “Today, I announce my retirement from politics,” Duterte said, accompanying loyalist Senator Christopher… Continue reading Philippine President Duterte says he is retiring from politics

Woman who survived 1918 flu, world war succumbs to COVID

Dorene Giacopini holds up a photo of her mother Primetta Giacopini while posing for a photo at her home in Richmond, Calif. on Monday, Sept 27, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

(AP): She lived a life of adventure that spanned two continents. She fell in love with a World War II fighter pilot, barely escaped Europe ahead of Benito Mussolini’s fascists, ground steel for the U.S. war effort and advocated for her disabled daughter in a far less enlightened time. She was, her daughter said, someone… Continue reading Woman who survived 1918 flu, world war succumbs to COVID

Ecuador declares prison emergency after 116 killed in riot

Women hug while waiting for some information about their relatives who are inmates at Litoral Penitentiary, after a prison riot, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

QUITO, Ecuador (AP): Ecuador’s president has declared a state of emergency in the prison system following a battle among gang members in a coastal lockup that killed at least 116 people and injured 80 in what authorities say was the worst prison bloodbath ever in the country. Officials said at least five of the dead… Continue reading Ecuador declares prison emergency after 116 killed in riot

Iceland elects Europe’s first women-majority parliament

File Photo Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir attends a press conference in Oslo, Norway February 3, 2020. Photo Courtesy: Reuters

COPENHAGEN (Reuters): Iceland has voted more women than men into its parliament, a first in Europe, in a national election that saw the ruling left-right coalition strengthen its majority, final results showed on Sunday. Thirty-three women were voted into the 63-seat parliament in Saturday’s election, up from 24 in the last election. Iceland, a North… Continue reading Iceland elects Europe’s first women-majority parliament