Venezuela opposition leader cranks up pressure on Maduro
new shutdown, or a state of emergency, if there is no breakthrough on his pet project in the next three weeks.
“Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith,” he said as he announced he would reopen the government.
“If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government either shuts down on February 15th again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and Constitution of the United States to address this emergency,” he warned.
“We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barri-
CARACAS, Jan 26 (AFP) - Venezuela's opposition leader stepped up his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, calling for a “major demonstration” and rejecting an offer of talks with the socialist leader.
National Assembly head Juan Guaido, who er.” S& P Global Ratings said late Friday that the shutdown cost “is likely worse than what we had previously expected.” Based on their analysis, “the US economy lost at least $ 6 billion ... larger than the $ 5.7 billion that the White House requested for the border wall,” it said in a statement. proclaimed himself acting president during street rallies, said he wouldn't attend a 'fake dialogue' on a crisis that left 26 dead this week in clashes between anti-Maduro activists and security forces.
After four years of economic pain that has left Venezuelans short of food and medicine and driven more than 2mn to flee the country -- which sits on the world's largest oil reserves -- the opposition found its voice this month in Guaido after Maduro was sworn in for a second presidential term following controversial elections.
Mexico had offered to host talks between the rival leaders, and Maduro professed he was ready to go “wherever I have to.” But Guaido, who is backed by the US and several Latin American countries, told supporters the public would remain in the streets “until we achieve an end to the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections.”
The EU and US have ratcheted up the pressure on Maduro to agree to a new vote.
Washington's support for Guaido led to Maduro, who retains the powerful military's backing, closing his country's embassy and consulates in the US and breaking off diplomatic ties.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -whose country is Venezuela's second-largest creditor and a military ally -- denounced US policy on Venezuela as “destructive.”
Malaysia scraps multi-billion dollar China-backed project
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (AFP) - A multi-billion dollar China-backed rail project in Malaysia has been scrapped, government officials said Saturday, adding that the cost of building it was too high.
Malaysia has in recent months suspended several major projects signed under the country's previous scandal-plagued regime, in a bid to cut the country's massive one trillion ringgit ($251 billion) debt.
Economics minister Azmin Ali said Malaysia made the decision two days ago on the 81 billion ringgit ($19.6 billion) east coast rail link (ECRL) that would have connected the eastern and western coasts of the peninsula.
“The cost of the ECRL development is too big, so we have no financial ability at this time,” he told reporters.
He said that if the project was not terminated, Malaysia would have to pay an annual 500 million ringgit interest payment.
'Invasion Day' protests draw thousands on Australia's national day
MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (AFP) - Thousands of Australians attended “Invasion Day” rallies across the country on Saturday calling for a rethink of national day celebrations they say are disrespectful to indigenous people.
The annual January 26 Australia Day holiday commemorates the arrival of the first British settlers in 1788, but for many Australians it marks the beginning of colonial oppression of Aboriginal people.
Several thousand joined the annual march in Melbourne Saturday chanting “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land”, and holding placards stating “Australia is a crime scene”.
Thousands more joined similar demonstrations in major cities around the country, calling for a change of date, or for the day to be abolished altogether.
“Why would you want to celebrate this concept called Australia? It is founded on lies, founded on genocide, founded on murder,” Melbourne protestor Dominic Guerrera told AFP. “There's nothing to celebrate in that.” Divisions have deepened in recent years with increasing calls to change the date.
Fears rise for 300 missing in Brazil dam disaster; 9 bodies recovered
BRUMADINHO, Jan 26 (AFP) - Rescuers worked overnight into Saturday searching for around 300 people missing after a dam collapse at a mine in southeast Brazil killed at least nine, but the local governor said “odds are minimal” that they would be found alive.
Seven bodies were recovered Friday hours after the disaster, which saw a torrent of mud break through the disused dam at the iron-ore mine close to the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerias, around 1:00 pm.
UN Security Council divided on climate-security link
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 26 (AFP) - Russia and the US resisted on Friday efforts by the UN Security Council to take a tougher stand on climate change -- a day after UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of a lack of political will to fight global warming.
More than 80 people including about 15 ministers -- a record according to some diplomats -- were expected to air their views at the Council debate about the impact of climate-related disasters on peace and security. Such numbers “are very surprising,” an African ambassador said, while a French diplomat said it indicates “a large awareness” of the issue.
The debate came after Guterres, at the Davos World Economic Forum, demanded bolder action from governments to arrest runaway warming, which he called “the most important global systemic threat in relation to the global economy.”
Philippine referendum returns big 'yes' vote on Bangsamoro self-rule
MANILA, Jan 26 (Reuters - A predominantly Muslim area of the southern Philippines has returned a resounding “Yes” in this week's referendum on greater autonomy, boosting hopes for peace in one of Asia's most conflict-torn regions.
The plan to create a self-administered area for the Muslimdominated parts of Mindanao was backed by 85 percent of voters, the election commission said late on Friday, paving the way for a three-year transition towards elections for a legislature that will choose an executive.
Monday's referendum was the culmination of a tumultuous peace process between separatists and successive governments that aimed to settle decades of conflict, which have hampered development and kept these parts of Mindanao among Asia's poorest regions.
Indian PM Modi's popularity at alltime low; rival Gandhi closing in
NEW DELHI, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ratings have dropped to their lowest-ever level, but he still leads in popularity before a national election expected in the next few months, an India To d a y poll showed on Friday.
Modi is facing discontent over lack of jobs for young people and a weak farm economy, and polls have forecast his ruling alliance will fall short of a majority in the election due by May.