Press TV's news headlines

Pinera survives impeachment 

In Chile, an impeachment process against President Sebastian Pinera is now over, with the Senate declining to remove him despite a lower house vote last week over corruption allegations. The senators needed at least 29 votes in favor of impeachment, but they only got 24. The lower house of congress approved the impeachment trial last week. Pinera is accused of using his presidency for business gains, following the Pandora Papers leak recently. The documents reveal the offshore transactions of major political figures. According to those papers, Pinera has sold a mining company using a tax haven. But he denies the allegation. This was the second attempt to remove the president. The first one failed in 20-19 over a crackdown on anti-government protesters. The drama for Pinera comes just days before Chileans will head to the polls to choose his successor.

US debt limit row 

The US Treasury Secretary says the government could be running out of money by mid-September. In a letter to lawmakers, Janet Yellen encouraged congress to raise or suspend the United States’ debt ceiling as soon as possible in order to avoid a default. This comes as President Biden is seeking congressional approval for his climate and education spending plan, which amounts to one-point-eight trillion dollars. Republicans are opposed to the so-called Build Back Better plan. Back in October, the party also resisted raising the government’s debt limit, almost causing the US to default on its loans for the first time in history. Economists warn such an outcome would cause a catastrophic financial crisis.

India air pollution 

Delhi is enforcing a full weekend lockdown in order to deal with air pollution that is soaring to deadly levels. Schools and colleges will have to remain closed, construction activities are halted, and lorries are banned from entering the city. Most people will also work from home. Five coal-fired power plants near the capital New Delhi will also stop working. The pollution levels in Delhi are 20 times higher than the acceptable levels set by the World Health Organization. Farmers burning their crop residue in winter also have a big role in polluting the air. And the drop in temperatures worsens the situation. India is home to more than two thirds of the world’s most polluted cities. In Delhi alone, over 17,000 people lost their lives because of air pollution two years ago.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk