简体中文
Every weekend, Asia Pacific Daily will provide you with a run-down of the latest hot news.
This week, the following hot news you should know:
Top 1 | Hunger-striking ex-leader shakes Georgia from jail
Supporters of Georgia's former President Mikheil Saakashvili were finally rewarded with a glimpse of their hero when he appeared last week behind a barred window in Rustavi Prison. "Misha! Misha!' they chanted.
Prison wardens pulled him out of sight, but not before he was pictured smiling and making a heart sign with his hands. Even from behind bars he continues to make headlines.
Saakashvili made a surprise return to Georgia after eight years in exile on the eve of local elections. He was arrested on 1 October, wanted for his conviction in absentia of abuses of power.
Top 2 | US allies are looking at nuclear power
A number of key U.S. allies have fixed their eyes on nuclear power as they work to cut carbon emissions and insulate themselves against the economic disruption caused by volatile fossil fuel prices.
Meanwhile, U.S. leaders have struggled to boost the flagging domestic industry. Congress is trying to bolster the nuclear fleet through the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which has spent the last several weeks in limbo after passing the Senate in August. That bill would provide billions in funding to support the demonstration of advanced and small nuclear reactor technology and aid financially compromised nuclear power plants.
Separately, the prospects are murky for help for nuclear in Democrats' partisan budget reconciliation package. A key feature, the clean electricity payment program, would have effectively subsidized nuclear as a zero-emissions power source but was dropped because of opposition from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. As a result, legislators are looking for other ways to keep nuclear plants alive, but many liberal Democrats remain skeptical of it and maintain a strong preference for renewable wind and solar.
Top 3 | Michigan Governor Set to Sign Legislature That Will Eliminate 'Tampon Tax'
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is currently set to sign legislation that would officially eliminate the "Tampon Tax" on all menstrual products.
On Tuesday, the Michigan Senate approved legislation on the sales tax to cease by the end of 2021. A number of bills have been introduced over the years regarding the sales tax, but none of them have been able to make it to a floor vote until today.
In September, both sectors in the Republican-controlled Senate voted for approval to lift the tax. Now, this current bill is headed to Whitmer who has continuously worked to abolish the longstanding tax in Michigan.
Top 4 | Canada's Trudeau gives women top portfolios in cabinet reshuffle
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau overhauled his Cabinet on Tuesday and named women to the foreign affairs and defense posts in a gender-balanced group of the government's top officials. He also named two men with strong environmental records to lead his government's fight against climate change.
Trudeau named Melanie Joly as foreign minister and Anita Anand as defense minister as part of a major Cabinet shuffle following September's vote, which handed Trudeau a third victory since 2015, albeit with a minority in the House of Commons. Chrystia Freeland retained her positions as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Joly, a 42-year-old from Montreal, previously served as minister of economic development and before that as heritage minister. Anand, a 54-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, is just the second woman to serve as Canada's defense minister. She previously served as procurement minister and led the country's efforts to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
Top 5 | French President Macron calls for immediate release of Sudan PM
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday condemned the coup attempt in Sudan and called for the immediate release of the Sudanese prime minister and civilian members of the government.
Soldiers arrested most members of the Sudanese government on Monday and a military officer dissolved the transitional government, while opponents of the takeover took to the streets where gunshots and injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was arrested and transferred to an unknown location after refusing to issue a statement in support of the coup, the information ministry, still apparently under the control of Hamdok supporters, said.
Top 6 | Biden visits state of New Jersey to promote economic agenda
U.S. President Joe Biden visited the state of New Jersey on Monday to promote his economic “Build Back Better” agenda. He checked in with teachers and pre-K students at the East End Elementary school to highlight the early childhood education element of his agenda.
This week brings a round of major lawmaker negotiations in order to pass the multi-trillion dollar agenda and the reconciliation package. Biden delivered remarks at the New Jersey Transit Meadowlands Maintenance Complex, where he said both bills would help make America more competitive globally.
“When we make these investments, there is going to be no stopping America. We will own the future,” he said, “So let’s get this done.”
Top 7 | Sudan military dissolves transitional government in apparent takeover
A military takeover is under way in Sudan on Monday. Civilian rule has been dissolved by the military, and the Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has been detained and moved to an undisclosed location after refusing to issue a statement in support of the takeover, said the information ministry, still apparently under the control of Hamdok’s supporters according to Reuters.
Sudan’s ruling council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced on Monday a state of emergency across the country and the dissolution of the transitional sovereign council and the government.
Al-Burhan spoke in a televised statement, saying “A government that consists of independent national calibre will lead the country until the elections, with a fair representation of all the people of Sudan.”Soldiers arrested most of the members of Sudan’s cabinet on Monday while opponents of the takeover took to the streets to show support for civilian rule.
Top 8 | Evacuations as ship spews toxic gas off Canada
Sixteen people have been evacuated from a burning container ship off the Canada's Pacific coast.
The Zim Kingston ship is expelling toxic gas but officials said there is "no safety risk" to people on land.
The ship was en route to Vancouver when it caught fire late on Saturday.
Response vessels spent the night cooling the exterior of the ship with water, but could not douse the flames directly because of the chemicals, CBC News reports.
Top 9 | Ugandan police urge calm after serious blast in capital
Ugandan police have urged the public to remain calm after an explosion rocked the capital city of Kampala on Saturday.
Spokesperson Fred Enanga said in a tweet that police are seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred at around 9 p.m. at a popular restaurant in the suburb of Komamboga, killing one person and sending seven others to hospital with serious injuries.
No individual or group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Top 10 | China plays its part of the role in the protection of environments
There is a very close inter-dependent relationship between humans and environments. Surroundings impact human behavior, mood, and health, ultimately resulting in his or her productivity, efficiency, and performance. A healthy mind exists in a healthy body, and a healthy body exists in healthy environments. Environments are no restriction of geographical borders among countries and nations. Pollution in one country may cause damage to other neighboring nations, without getting any permission.
Climate change and biodiversity are the major challenges in today's world. Industrialization, carbon emission, and solid waste are growing issues in most countries. Developed nations have resources to address such challenges to some extent, but, developing nations and underdeveloped countries are more vulnerable and exposed to the dangers of climate change.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
