News in brief

Hurricane Dorian  heads for Florida
AFP, Fajardo

A strengthening Hurricane Dorian appeared to have largely spared Puerto Rico Wednesday, barreling past the US territory that is still recovering from a powerful storm two years ago.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said the hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for the island had been lifted, and that “Dorian continues to move away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.”
“The threat has already passed,” Puerto Rico’s new governor, Wanda Vazquez, told a news conference.
Vazquez announced that schools would reopen and people should return to work from Thursday. She said the storm had given the island a chance to evaluate its hurricane response. “These days have been a real exercise where we have been able to re-evaluate and make adjustments in all our responses to protect the people of Puerto Rico,” she said.
But the danger for other areas is far from over: “Dorian is forecast to strengthen into a powerful hurricane during the next couple of days,” the NHC said.
Rainfall from the storm in the Bahamas and the southeastern United States “may cause life-threatening flash floods,” it added.

Senator Gillibrand exits crowded US presidential race
AFP, Washington

Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democratic senator from New York, dropped out of the 2020 presidential race Wednesday after her campaign centering on women’s equality failed to gain traction.
“After more than eight incredible months, I’m ending my presidential campaign,” Gillibrand said in a video announcing the end of her run.
“I know this isn’t the result we wanted, we wanted to win this race. But it’s important to know when it’s not your time.” Gillibrand, 52, rarely received more than one percent in polling. She appeared unlikely to meet the Democratic Party’s more stringent requirements for making the stage in the next presidential debate, set for September 12.
She had challenged former vice president Joe Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, on his record on women’s issues, especially his support when he was a US senator for a law that bars federal funding for abortion.

Italy allows women, children off rescue ship
AFP, Rome

Women and children stuck on a charity rescue vessel in the Mediterranean will be allowed into Italy, the interior ministry said yesterday, though a ban on the ship entering Italian waters remains.
“Women, children and sick people will be allowed off the Mare Jonio,” the ministry said in reference to the ship run by Mediterranea Saving Humans which had picked up some 100 migrants on Wednesday.
Those pulled to safety included 22 small children and 26 women—eight of whom are pregnant—who had survived their foundering dinghy being pummelled by a wave fellow occupants said drowned six people.
“The ban on (the vessel) entering Italian waters remains,” the ministry said.
Hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday forbade the Mare Jonio from approaching the Italian coast, although he was effectively out of a job after Giuseppe Conte was asked to form a new government on Thursday.

News in brief

Hurricane Dorian heads for Florida AFP, Fajardo A strengthening Hurricane Dorian appeared to have largely spared Puerto Rico Wednesday, barreling past the US territory that is still recovering from a powerful storm two years ago. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said the hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for the island had been lifted, and that Dorian continues to move away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The threat has already passed, Puerto Ricos new governor, Wanda Vazquez, told a news conference. Vazquez announced that schools would reopen and people should return to work from Thursday. She said the storm had given the island a chance to evaluate its hurricane response. These days have been a real exercise where we have been able to re-evaluate and make adjustments in all our responses to protect the people of Puerto Rico, she said. But the danger for other areas is far from over: Dorian is forecast to strengthen into a powerful hurricane during the next couple of days, the NHC said. Rainfall from the storm in the Bahamas and the southeastern United States may cause life-threatening flash floods, it added. Senator Gillibrand exits crowded US presidential race AFP, Washington Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democratic senator from New York, dropped out of the 2020 presidential race Wednesday after her campaign centering on womens equality failed to gain traction. After more than eight incredible months, Im ending my presidential campaign, Gillibrand said in a video announcing the end of her run. I know this isnt the result we wanted, we wanted to win this race. But its important to know when its not your time. Gillibrand, 52, rarely received more than one percent in polling. She appeared unlikely to meet the Democratic Partys more stringent requirements for making the stage in the next presidential debate, set for September 12. She had challenged former vice president Joe Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, on his record on womens issues, especially his support when he was a US senator for a law that bars federal funding for abortion. Italy allows women, children off rescue ship AFP, Rome Women and children stuck on a charity rescue vessel in the Mediterranean will be allowed into Italy, the interior ministry said yesterday, though a ban on the ship entering Italian waters remains. Women, children and sick people will be allowed off the Mare Jonio, the ministry said in reference to the ship run by Mediterranea Saving Humans which had picked up some 100 migrants on Wednesday. Those pulled to safety included 22 small children and 26 womeneight of whom are pregnantwho had survived their foundering dinghy being pummelled by a wave fellow occupants said drowned six people. The ban on (the vessel) entering Italian waters remains, the ministry said. Hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday forbade the Mare Jonio from approaching the Italian coast, although he was effectively out of a job after Giuseppe Conte was asked to form a new government on Thursday.