Category: World

Congresswoman Grace Meng Endorses Sandra Ung for City Council

New York: Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Queens) has endorsed Sandra Ung today for City Council in New York’s 20th Council District, the first endorsement by the Congresswoman in the 2021 primaries. Following endorsements by Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz and a slate of labor unions, the Congresswoman’s support shows a consolidation of support by community leaders and organized… Continue reading Congresswoman Grace Meng Endorses Sandra Ung for City Council

Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2021, file photo, a woman wrapped in a blanket crosses the street near downtown Dallas. As temperatures plunged and snow and ice whipped the state, much of Texas' power grid collapsed, followed by its water systems. Tens of millions huddled in frigid homes that slowly grew colder or fled for safety. Photo Courtesy: AP

HOUSTON (AP): Two days before the storm began, Houston’s chief elected official warned her constituents to prepare as they would for a major hurricane. Many took heed: Texans who could stocked up on food and water, while nonprofits and government agencies set out to help those who couldn’t. But few foresaw the fiasco that was… Continue reading Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis

President Biden declares major disaster in Texas

People collect bottled water from a shelter in the city of Galveston, Texas. Photo Courtesy: Reuters

(BBC): President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas, clearing the way for more federal funds to be spent on relief efforts in the US state. Power is returning across Texas and temperatures are set to rise but some 13 million people are still facing difficulties accessing clean water. Mr Biden has said… Continue reading President Biden declares major disaster in Texas

Myanmar coup: At least two killed as police disperse protesters

Photo Courtesy: Reuters

(BBC): At least two people have been killed in protests in Myanmar against a military coup, the worst violence yet in more than two weeks of demonstrations. Police used live ammunition to disperse demonstrators in Mandalay, reports from the ground said. At least 20 people were injured. Hundreds had gathered for the rally at a… Continue reading Myanmar coup: At least two killed as police disperse protesters

Myanmar rattled by army movements, expected internet cutoff

A large image that has an X mark on the face of Commander in chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, also chairman of the State Administrative Council, lies on a road as anti-coup protesters gather outside the Hledan Centre in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. Daily mass street demonstrations in Myanmar are on their second week, with neither protesters nor the military government they seek to unseat showing any signs of backing down from confrontations. Photo Courtesy: AP

YANGON, Myanmar (AP): Sightings of armored personnel carriers in Myanmar’s biggest city and leaked orders of an impending internet shutdown raised political tensions late Sunday, after vast numbers of people around the country flouted orders against demonstrations to protest the military’s seizure of power. Public concern has already been heightened for the past few nights… Continue reading Myanmar rattled by army movements, expected internet cutoff

Myanmar coup leader: ‘join hands’ with army for democracy

Demonstrators in traditional dance costumes display an upside-down begging-bowl, a form of protest symbolizing the refusal of charity from the military government, during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Myanmar's coup leader used the country's Union Day holiday on Friday to call on people to work with the military if they want democracy, a request likely to be met with derision by protesters who are pushing for the release from detention of their country's elected leaders. Photo Courtesy: AP

YANGON, Myanmar (AP): Myanmar’s coup leader used the country’s Union Day holiday on Friday to call on people to work with the military if they want democracy, a request likely to be met with derision by protesters who are pushing for the release from detention of their country’s elected leaders. “I would seriously urge the… Continue reading Myanmar coup leader: ‘join hands’ with army for democracy

Sign of inequality: US salaries recover even as jobs haven’t

FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2021 file photo, a woman walks past a "Now Hiring" sign displayed at a CD One Price Cleaners in Schaumburg, Ill. In a stark sign of the economic inequality that has marked the pandemic recession and recovery, Americans as a whole are now earning the same amount of wages and salaries that they did before the pandemic struck, even with nearly 9 million fewer people at work. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): In a stark sign of the economic inequality that has marked the pandemic recession and recovery, Americans as a whole are now earning the same amount in wages and salaries that they did before the virus struck — even with nearly 9 million fewer people working. The turnaround in total wages underscores how… Continue reading Sign of inequality: US salaries recover even as jobs haven’t

Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow

Protesters march towards the direction of Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Thousands of people rallied against the military takeover in Myanmar's biggest city on Sunday and demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was toppled by the army that also imposed an internet blackout. Photo Courtesy: AP

YANGON, Myanmar (AP): As enthusiastic crowds of tens of thousands marched through the streets of Myanmar’s biggest city on Sunday to protest last week’s coup ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, their spirits were lifted by the return of internet services that had been blocked a day earlier. Separate protests that began in various… Continue reading Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow

Glacier breaks in India’s north; flood kills 9, 140 missing

This frame grab from video provided by KK Productions shows a massive flood of water, mud and debris flowing at Chamoli District after a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, Sunday, Feb.7, 2021. (KK Productions via AP)

RISHIKESH, India (AP): Indian authorities launched a search operation Sunday after part of a Himalayan glacier broke, sending a massive flood of water and debris slamming into two dams and damaging a number of homes. At least nine people were killed and 140 were missing. The flood was caused when a portion of Nanda Devi… Continue reading Glacier breaks in India’s north; flood kills 9, 140 missing

Senate OKs fast-track of COVID aid, Harris casts tie-breaker

In this image from Senate TV, Vice President Kamala Harris sits in the chair on the Senate floor to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at the Capitol in Washington. The Senate early Friday approved a budget resolution that paves the way for fast-track passage of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. (Senate TV via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP): The Senate early Friday approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first. Democrats in the chamber applauded after Harris announced the 51-50 vote at… Continue reading Senate OKs fast-track of COVID aid, Harris casts tie-breaker