World news

• Blackouts and cancelled flights for thousands as winter storm keeps hammering US

  15-02-2021 23:43 via independent.co.uk
  
  Millions were without power in Texas
  
  Read more

• Former NFL player Vincent Jackson found dead in Florida hotel at age 38

  15-02-2021 23:30 via independent.co.uk
  
  Former NFL player Vincent Jackson was found dead in a Florida hotel room, authorities have confirmed.
  
  Read more

• Former NFL receiver Vincent Jackson found dead in hotel room

  15-02-2021 23:29 via independent.co.uk
  
  Former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson has been found dead at a Florida hotel room, days after authorities spoke with him as part of a welfare check
  
  Read more

• Mayor, police chief and clerks in small Iowa town arrested for abusing power

  15-02-2021 23:20 via independent.co.uk
  
  In one incident a city official was accused of attacking a resident with a stun gun to shake them down for money
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• One dead, six wounded in rocket attack near US base in Iraqi Kurdistan

  15-02-2021 23:10 via independent.co.uk
  
  Civilian contractor killed in blasts near Erbil International Airport
  
  Read more

• Frozen canals attract ice skaters in the Netherlands

  15-02-2021 22:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Freezing temperatures in the Netherlands have made its famous waterways ideal for outdoor skating.
  
  Read more

• Spanish rapper rejects imprisonment, draws focus to gag law

  15-02-2021 21:45 via independent.co.uk
  
  A rapper in Spain and dozens of his supporters have locked themselves inside a university building in the artist’s latest attempt to avoid a prison sentence for insulting the monarchy and praising terrorism
  
  Read more

• Wind turbines are freezing in Texas amid ‘unprecedented’ storm

  15-02-2021 21:40 via independent.co.uk
  
  Wind turbines accounted for almost a quarter of Texas’s energy in 2020, making it the second-largest power source after natural gas
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Royal occasion: Oprah Winfrey to interview Meghan and Harry

  15-02-2021 20:57 via independent.co.uk
  
  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be speaking with Oprah Winfrey, their first major television interview since quitting royal duties and buying a home last year in the U.S. The 90-minute “Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special” will air March 7, CBS announced Monday
  
  Read more

• Jamaican police deny claims American tourist with Covid was kidnapped

  15-02-2021 20:31 via independent.co.uk
  
  Law enforcement officials said that Kalina Collier was placed in mandatory isolation after testing positive for Covid
  
  Read more

• Bill Gates admits flying private jet to Paris Accords in new book on how to tackle climate crisis

  15-02-2021 20:19 via independent.co.uk
  
  Billionaire admits his lifestyle makes him ‘imperfect messenger’ on climate crisis
  
  Read more

• Four people in Oregon contract Covid-19 after receiving both doses of vaccine

  15-02-2021 19:59 via independent.co.uk
  
  The symptoms of the four individuals range from asymptomatic to mild, Oregon’s Health Authority says
  
  Read more

• Presidents Day 2018: What is it, how did it start and is it a federal holiday? - OLD

  15-02-2021 19:52 via independent.co.uk
  
  Tradition began in honour of country’s first leader, George Washington
  
  Read more

• Presidents Day 2021: What is it, how did it start and is it a federal holiday?

  15-02-2021 19:51 via independent.co.uk
  
  Tradition began in honour of country’s first leader, George Washington
  
  Read more

• Presidents Day 2018: What is it, how did it start and is it a federal holiday?

  15-02-2021 19:41 via independent.co.uk
  
  Tradition began in honour of country’s first leader, George Washington
  
  Read more

• Woman who commissioned anti-Trump sky banners over Mar-a-Lago calls former president ‘a dictator’

  15-02-2021 18:43 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘Convict Trump and Lock Him Up,’ one sign read
  
  Read more

• Jacob Zuma could be jailed for snubbing South Africa corruption inquiry

  15-02-2021 18:28 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘No valid or sound reason for Mr Zuma’s absence’, says inquiry leader
  
  Read more

• Most Americans believe Trump should have been convicted by senate, post-impeachment poll finds

  15-02-2021 17:33 via independent.co.uk
  
  Poll reveals Americans still bitterly divided along partisan lines after impeachment trial
  
  Read more

• As talk of Yemen peace increases, the war escalates

  15-02-2021 17:23 via independent.co.uk
  
  Attacks have increased in recent days despite faint hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough
  
  Read more

• Throng of fans pay respects at actor Cicely Tyson's viewing

  15-02-2021 17:04 via independent.co.uk
  People have traveled across the country and stood in a block-long line to pay respects to Cicely Tyson at a public viewing
  
  Read more

• Experts studied al-Qaeda and Isis for years, now they are turning their attention to extremists closer to home

  15-02-2021 16:46 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘Our preoccupation with the Islamist and jihadist threat may have blinded us to the fact terrorism can start at home,’ says one, as Richard Hall reports
  
  Read more

• Human remains found inside crocodile amid hunt for missing fisherman

  15-02-2021 16:19 via independent.co.uk
  
  Police are warning northern Queenslanders to be ‘very careful’ while in the water
  
  Read more

• ‘Traitor’ spray-painted onto Trump impeachment attorney Michael van der Veen’s home

  15-02-2021 16:11 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘My entire family, my business, my law firm are under siege right now,’ lawyer claims
  
  Read more

• They studied Al Qaeda and Isis for years, now they are turning their attention to extremists closer to home

  15-02-2021 16:01 via independent.co.uk
  
  Terror experts focused their attention on Islamist extremism for years, now they are pivoting to domestic threats, writes Richard Hall
  
  Read more

• Photo captures rare ‘smoke ring’ from volcanic eruption in Guatemala

  15-02-2021 16:01 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘They’re really quite magical,’ says volcano expert Matthew Watson
  
  Read more

• Former Russian journalist accused of treason doesn’t know his alleged crime

  15-02-2021 16:01 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘I spent three months trying to dig up something on myself, but I haven’t remembered any crimes’
  
  Read more

• India says it has the fastest Covid recovery rate in the world - so is its epidemic over?

  15-02-2021 15:26 via independent.co.uk
  
  Life is almost back to normal in India but experts say the country must watch out for homegrown variants
  
  Read more

• Texas residents told to stay off roads as ‘historic Arctic outbreak’ leaves 2.5 million without power

  15-02-2021 15:19 via independent.co.uk
  
  Areas of all of state’s 254 counties are currently under winter storm watch amid state of emergency
  
  Read more

• Briton facing jail for leaving hotel quarantine in Singapore to visit girlfriend

  15-02-2021 15:01 via independent.co.uk
  
  Nigel Skea and his now-wife face up to six years in jail and a fine of £5,435
  
  Read more

• Texas residents told to stay off roads as ‘historic Arctic outbreak’ leaves 1.5 million without power

  15-02-2021 14:55 via independent.co.uk
  
  More than 1.5 million people in Texas are currently without power, as residents of the state have been told to stay off roads, amid a historic winter storm.
  
  Read more

• Meteor lights up Melbourne skies

  15-02-2021 14:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The celestial spectacle occurred on Valentine's Day, during the city's five-day lockdown.
  
  Read more

• Wuhan already had 13 variants of Covid by December 2019, WHO team finds

  15-02-2021 14:48 via independent.co.uk
  
  ‘The virus was circulating widely in Wuhan in December,’ says WHO lead investigator
  
  Read more

• Catalonia: Separatists set to make fresh independence push after electoral success

  15-02-2021 14:25 via independent.co.uk
  
  Separatist leaders said the election gave them ‘immense strength’ for a referendum on independence
  
  Read more

• South Carolina considers breaking up public health agency

  15-02-2021 14:01 via independent.co.uk
  
  Public health workers in South Carolina have been tasked with keeping the state safe for 143 years, ever since a health board was created following a yellow fever outbreak in 1878
  
  Read more

• Myanmar coup: How will the military takeover affect Rohingya genocide trial?

  15-02-2021 13:43 via independent.co.uk
  
  Seizure of power could significantly change how nation response to proceedings at UN’s highest court, reports Samuel Osborne
  
  Read more

• 12-year-old shot and killed armed intruder during botched home invasion, police say

  15-02-2021 12:59 via independent.co.uk
  
  Charges ‘not anticipated’ to be brought against juvenile
  
  Read more

• Conte's last hurrah? Italy's 'simple citizen' plots return

  15-02-2021 12:42 via article.wn.com
  ROME (AP) — When Giuseppe Conte left the Italian premier’s office over the weekend, Chigi Palace employees leaned out the windows to warmly applaud him after his more than 2 1/2 years at Italy's helm. His spokesperson turned teary-eyed. But that’s hardly likely to be Conte’s last hurrah in Italian politics. Barely a few hours after Saturday's palace ceremony to formally transfer power to Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank chief now tasked with leading economic
  
  Read more

• Rolls-Royce names Panos Kakoullis as its new Chief Financial Officer

  15-02-2021 12:40 via article.wn.com
  
  In an announcement on Monday, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON: RR) said that Panos Kakoullis will join the company as its new CFO on 3rd May. Kakoullis has previously served as the head of audit at Deloitte. The new chief financial officer will help steer the British engine manufacturer’s cost-cutting and simplification in a bid to combat the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Rolls-Royce shares jumped...
  
  Read more

• Passengers from 'red list' countries pictured checking into UK quarantine hotels

  15-02-2021 12:40 via article.wn.com
  New rules came into force today from 33 'red list' countries which have high numbers of Covid cases ......
  
  Read more

• India's Gujarat chief minister tests positive for COVID-19

  15-02-2021 12:40 via article.wn.com
  
  NEW DELHI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chief Minister of India's western state of Gujarat Vijay Rupani on Monday tested positive for COVID-19....
  
  Read more

• Feature: Modified Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore amid pandemic

  15-02-2021 12:40 via article.wn.com
  
  SINGAPORE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the COVID-19 pandemic has altered many aspects of the daily lives in Singapore, this year the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year is no exception. The Chinese Lunar New Year is undoubtedly one of the most important festivals in Singapore, with about 74 percent of its citizens and Permanent Residents being people of Chinese origin. Amid concern that the local infected cases would be on the rise in wake of the family and friend reunions and celebrative activ
  
  Read more

• William McRaven adapts bestseller 'Make Your Bed' for kids

  15-02-2021 12:39 via article.wn.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — The retired U.S. Navy admiral who directed the...
  
  Read more

• China arrests 70 for producing, selling fake COVID-19 vaccines

  15-02-2021 12:39 via article.wn.com
  
  Beijing, Feb 15: China has arrested 70 people for producing and selling fake coronavirus vaccines in 21 separate cases, the state media reported. One group of suspects made a profit of about 18 million yuan (over Rs 20 crore) by packaging ......
  
  Read more

• Guinea Declares Ebola Epidemic; At Least 3 Dead in Outbreak

  15-02-2021 12:38 via article.wn.com
  Health officials in Guinea on Sunday confirmed that at least three people have died from Ebola there, the first cases declared since it was one of three West African nations to fight the world’s deadliest Ebola epidemic that ended five years ago. An additional four people are confirmed with Ebola, according to a statement from the ministry of health. All seven positive cases attended the funeral of a nurse in Goueke on Feb. 1 and later showed Ebola symptoms including a fever, diarrhea, vom
  
  Read more

• Twitter a goldmine for tracking consumer mood on prices, Bank of Italy finds

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  
  The Bank of Italy said a set of experimental indicators it created from the content of millions of tweets accurately tracked consumer mood on price, offering scope for a powerful new monetary policy tool. The effort comes as economists and policy-makers around the world increasingly turn to social media and other unconventional sources to measure consumer behaviour and as inflation continues to defy targets set by many leading central banks. Researchers found their indicators, based on...
  
  Read more

• South Africa reopens its land borders as virus cases decline

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  
  JOHANNESBURG (AP) � South Africa has reopened its major land borders with neighboring countries after closing them last month to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. At least 20 border posts reopened Monday, with officials saying steps will be taken to avoid tightly-packed crowds of travelers gathering at the immigration posts which would spread the virus. Home...
  
  Read more

• Risk of global food shortages due to Covid has increased, says UN envoy

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  Exclusive: Agnes Kalibata said shrinking economies, droughts and lockdowns mean price rises and scarcity worse than last year Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage People living in poverty around the world are in danger of food shortages as the coronavirus crisis continues,...
  
  Read more

• Mexico was once a climate leader – now it's betting big on coal

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  As the climate crisis worsens, Andrés Manuel López Obrador plans to buy nearly 2m tons of thermal coal from small producers The men on the midnight shift smoked cigarettes and cracked jokes in the glow of their helmet lights as they prepared to go underground. They were loading safety equipment and...
  
  Read more

• ‘Am I going to regret it?': forever chemicals dilemma for breastfeeding mothers

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  
  Many health experts and advocates say breastfeeding is the best choice for babies but the threat of passing on contamination from PFAS is prompting new questions Maryann Jacobs’ heart was pounding as she opened her letterbox one snowy morning last year in Hoosick Falls, a small town in upstate New...
  
  Read more

• Germany: 5 Tajiks charged with membership in IS group

  15-02-2021 12:37 via article.wn.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — German prosecutors said Monday they have charged five Tajik men with being members of the Islamic State group, accusing them of participating in a cell of the extremist organization in Germany. ......
  
  Read more

Follow @uk_worldnews on Twitter!