6 Dead, Thousands Without Power in Midwest Storms, Over 4 Million Displaced from Typhoon Haiyan
At least six people are dead and dozens more wounded after a series of storms in the U.S. Midwest. Dozens of tornadoes were reported, most in Illinois. The storms left widespread damage, leveling homes and buildings while knocking out power to tens of thousands of people. Large parts of the town of Washington, Illinois, were destroyed. Rescue operations have been underway seeking people trapped in their homes.
Relief efforts continue in the Philippines 10 days after Typhoon Haiyan. The United Nations says some four million people have been displaced, up from 900,000 last week. The toll of the dead or missing stands at around 5,000. In the devastated city of Tacloban, homeless residents continue to gather at the city’s airport in the hopes of being able to flee.
Some 56,000 people are said to face unsanitary conditions in Tacloban. Fears are growing, meanwhile, for residents of remote islands that have yet to be reached since the typhoon hit.
[No connections… Its not affecting us …. lets enjoy life…]
U.S. Loses Vote at UNESCO After Halting Funds over Palestine Membership
The United States lost its voting rights today at the global cultural agency UNESCO after failing to pay its dues for three years in protest over the agency’s recognition of Palestine. U.S. law compels the automatic withholding of funds from U.N. agencies that accept Palestine as a member, which UNESCO did in 2011. UNESCO protects sites with cultural significance and promotes issues ranging from press freedom to girls’ education. The withholding of U.S. contributions, which accounted for nearly a quarter of the agency’s overall budget, have forced it to slash several programs.
92 Migrants Die of Thirst in Desert
In Niger, officials say they have recovered the bodies of 92 migrants who perished from thirst after their vehicles broke down in the Sahara Desert. The migrants were en route to neighboring Algeria, fleeing from poverty. More than 50 children were reportedly among the dead.