CAIRO – 22 October 2017: World news varied Sunday between political and social issues; in addition to others related to accidents, and natural disasters. The top two news stories today include Japan’s upcoming legislative elections and Jimmy Carter’s offer to pay North Korea a visit.
Five former U.S. presidents appear together for hurricane relief
The five living former presidents appeared together for the first time since 2013 on Saturday at a concert to raise money for victims of devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Former U.S. Presidents, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama listen to the National Anthem during the Hurricane Relief concert in College Station, Texas, on October 21, 2017. - AFP
U.S. presidents announced that they had raised $31 million last month for hurricane relief efforts.
The announcement came at a time when the five former presidents were attending a concert to raise additional funds for U.S. and regional relief efforts hit by storms and hurricanes in August and September.
Japan's legislative elections kicks off with hurricane typhoon
Tens of thousands of people across Japan were advised to evacuate their homes, while hundreds of flights were cancelled, and train services were disrupted on Sunday as a typhoon roared towards the coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds on a national elections day.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), looks on as he puts a rosette on the name of a candidate who is expected to win the lower house election, at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2017. EUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
More than 70,000 households in various parts of Japan were advised to evacuate, with more than 5,000 ordered to do so, NHK public television said.
The Japanese arrived at polling stations on Sunday morning, Tokyo local time, to select members of the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament amid rainfall.
Former U.S. President Carter is ready to travel to North Korea
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that he wants to travel to North Korea as a representative of President Donald Trump's administration to help defuse growing tensions, The New York Times reported on its website on Sunday.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter sits after delivering a lecture on the eradication of the Guinea worm, at the House of Lords in London, Britain February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall - Reuters
"I told him I was ready if they needed me at any time," Carter was quoted.
Describing the North Korean leader as "unpredictable," Carter worried that if Kim thinks Trump will act against him, he could do something pre-emptive, the Times reported.
In the mid 1990s, Carter traveled to Pyongyang despite President Bill Clinton’s objections, the Times report said; and struck a deal with Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader.
Slovenian presidential elections
Polls for the Slovenian presidential elections on Sunday opened with incumbent President Borut Pahor running for his second five-year mandate against eight other candidates.
Opinion polls showed that Pahor, who is running as an independent and says his main task is bringing people together, will amass the most votes but the question remains whether there will be a need for a second election round.
Presidential candidate Marjan Sarec casts his ballot at a polling station during the presidential election in Kamnik, Slovenia October 22, 2017. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic
If no candidate wins at least 50 percent of votes in the first round, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a second round on November 12.
The elections are seen as a possible indication of parties’ support before general elections due in June or July next year.
Although the presidency is largely honorary in Slovenia, the president leads the army and nominates a number of senior positions including the governor of the central bank; however most of his candidatures must be approved by the parliament first.
A plastic plant in West Virginia was set aflame
A large industrial fire broke out overnight in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and is continuing to rage this morning.
A huge fire at a plastic plant in West Virginia – CC
According to Wood County 911, it took firefighters several hours before they could put out the fire. There are several fire departments working on scene. So far, no injuries have been reported.
People are strongly advised to stay inside or avoid smoke, especially if you have respiratory issues.
Wood County 911 says that the following roads will be closed until further notice.
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