Brics summit: How China's and Russia's clout is growing in Africa
China's and Russia's clout is increasing in Africa, as resentment builds towards Western nations.
2023-08-22 07:55
Biden slammed for offering ‘insulting’ $700 payments to Maui wildfire victims
President Joe Biden’s offer of a $700 emergency payment to households impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires has been criticised as an insult to survivors. The death toll from the US’s deadliest wildfires in more than 100 years rose to 106 on Wednesday, with hundreds still unaccounted for, thousands left homeless and an estimated $7bn in economic damage. Mr Biden, who has faced criticism for his handling of the disaster, announced an economic relief package on Monday that included cash payments and temporary housing assistance for survivors. “We're laser-focused on getting aid to survivors, including Critical Needs Assistance: a one-time $700 payment per household offering relief during an unimaginably difficult time. “We have staff on the ground dedicated to helping survivors navigate the registration process,” Mr Biden added. A White House statement confirmed the offer was only available to residents who were displaced from their homes and had critical needs. With 1,200 families sheltering in emergency shelters over the weekend, and 2,200 buildings destroyed, it’s not clear how many Hawaiians will be eligible. It was immediately decried as too small to have a meaningful impact by some commentators. “Make it $700 a month. Per family member in a household. For a minimum of two years,” wrote Scott Santens, the director of the ITSA Foundation which backs universal basic income, on X, formerly known as Twitter. “A one time $700 payment will definitely get their lives, houses and property back! Great job Biden,” another user wrote. Many compared the offer unfavourably to the $113bn in aid the Biden administration has sent to Ukraine since February 2022 to support the war effort, with a further $200m approved on Monday. Financial commentator Mark Wlosinski wrote on X estimated the $700 offer would amount to $1.9m, and labelled it “insulting”. “Can someone please explain how our government can send hundreds of billions to other countries, but chooses to pinch pennies when our own people are in need? An entire town on US soil has been destroyed overnight, and the best our government can do is $700?” Actor Rob Schneider, an outspoken anti-vaxxer and Trump supporter, wrote on X: “The ($115bn) US TAX PAYER DOLLARS TO UKRAINE… $1.9 million dollars to American Maui fire victims. Biden hates Americans…” Right-wing commentator Colin Rugg wrote: “Can someone please explain to me why our leaders are so reckless with money sent to Ukraine but then pinch pennies when the money is spent on Americans?” Mr Biden has faced criticism for his response to the Maui fires from his political opponents. He appeared to brush off a White House pool reporter reporter’s questions when asked for a comment on the rising death toll over the weekend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the snub on Monday, saying that Mr Biden remained “deeply concerned” about the wildfires. The newly-indicted former President Donald Trump seized on Mr Biden's apparent no comment, claiming the Democrat “refuses to help or comment on the tragedy”. On 9 August, Mr Biden offered his “deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui” in a statement as the first fatalities were confirmed. The next day he declared a federal disaster in the state, freeing up federal funds to provide grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Mr Biden made brief remarks during a trip to Salt Lake City last week in his only public comments so far about the unfolding tragedy. “Anyone who's lost a loved one, whose home has been damaged or destroyed, is going to get help immediately,” he said. The White House has since touted its “whole-of-government response effort”, which included deploying 500 federal personnel and thousands of meals, beds and litters of water. The Democratic Hawaii governor Josh Green has publicly praised Mr Biden’s response to the disaster. The Independent has approached the White House for comment. Read More Maui fires – update: Hawaii death toll rises to 106 with 1,000 still missing amid struggle to identify victims Dramatic video shows family narrowly escaping Maui wildfires by fleeing to the ocean How to help victims of Hawaii wildfires ‘I think I messed up’: Moment US representative mistakenly introduces Joe Biden Death toll from devastating Maui fire reaches 106, as county begins releasing names Maui fires death toll rises to 106 amid struggle to identify victims – live
2023-08-16 17:57
Paul Walker's brother Cody names newborn son in honor of late actor almost 10 years after tragic car crash
Paul Walker died in 2013 at the age of 40 after he was involved in a single-car collision
2023-05-27 11:23
Stock market today: Wall Street rallies after inflation cools
Wall Street is rallying after a report showed inflation cooled a bit more than expected last month
2023-07-12 22:25
Peloton the rebrand: High end exercise bike maker says it's now for a health company for all
Peloton is undergoing a significant rebrand, dumping its identity as a seller only of luxury exercise bikes to a heath app for all
2023-05-24 01:30
'There's little we can do': Celine Dion's sister Claudette praises singer as she battles 'awful illness'
Claudette Dion said the family has their fingers crossed 'that researchers will come together to find a way to help our little sister'
2023-09-05 02:24
Cornel West jumps into 2024 race as third-party candidate
Activist Dr Cornel West announced his bid for the presidency on Monday under the banner of the progressive People’s Party. Dr West entered the 2024 race via a campaign video released on Twitter; a campaign website for the Harvard- and Princeton-trained philosopher laid out a left-leaning platform that includes popular progressive planks like support for Medicare for all. “I am running for truth and justice and as a candidate for president of the United States in the People’s Party. I want to reintroduce America to the best of itself – the dignity, courage, and creativity of precious everyday people. Join our movement for priceless poor and working people of all colors here and abroad,” declares a statement on Dr West’s website. In the video, he adds: “I come from a tradition where I care about you. I care about your quality of life.” “I care whether you have access to a job with a living wage, decent housing. Women having control over their own bodies.” His campaign will likely win some supporters on the Bernie Sanders-aligned left, but at the same time will run up against the same structural obstacles that have hamstrung other third-party presidential bids and dissuaded many serious candidates from running at all. More follows... Read More Scholar, activist Cornel West says he will run for president in 2024 as 3rd-party candidate Trump suggests he is about to be charged in Mar-a-Lago classified documents case Elon Musk under fire for hosting RFK Jr for 2024 discussion on Twitter Spaces- live
2023-06-06 02:16
California school district at center of earlier controversy is sued over critical race theory ban
A Southern California school board at odds with state officials and local residents this summer over its rejection of social studies curriculum that includes gay rights is now being sued regarding a different policy decision.
2023-08-04 07:48
US Politicians Seek Middle Ground in Ongoing Debate Over ESG
In the span of just a year, the acronym ESG has been catapulted from the fringes of Wall
2023-07-11 22:21
What happened to Carlee Russell? Alabama woman who vanished after reporting toddler on street returns home two days later
Carlethia Nichole Russell, 25, disappeared on Thursday night after claiming to help a toddler who was running loose on the I-459
2023-07-16 18:48
Is IShowSpeed an anime fan? Streamer compares Luffy and Naruto, reveals his favorite and least-liked characters
Here's what IShowSpeed did when he came across some anime statues in Japan
2023-07-21 18:21
Last Taboo for Hit Obesity Drug Is Asking When to Stop
Two years and more than a million prescriptions after Wegovy first went on sale, there’s one taboo question
2023-06-30 12:15
You Might Like...
Evidence found of German mass execution by French Resistance after D-Day
Biden backs US auto workers, saying profits should be shared 'fairly'
Philadelphia highway collapses after vehicle engulfed by fire
Is Jennifer Garner racist? Actress slammed for 'white woman stare' after 2017 chat show clip resurfaces
Where is Suzanne Morphew’s body? Officials say they know but timeline and cause of death could take years to prove
Thousands of South Korean teachers are rallying for new laws to protect them from abusive parents
Poland's state media criticized for its coverage of huge anti-government march
Treaty that created modern Turkey still evokes pain for some, 100 years after signing