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Two dead after New York building collapses NEW YORK: Two people were killed on Wednesday and at least 17 others injured, including children, after a three-storey building collapsed near a construction site in New York, city authorities said. Images from the scene showed firefighters sifting through a pile of rubble in front of what appeared to be a residential property with its walls torn down, exposing a bedroom and a clothing wardrobe. The building fell into a neighboring excavation site, trapping several people who firefighters worked to free over several hours using drones, search dogs and chainsaws. “We do not know how many people are still in the collapse zone, and this will be a prolonged operation,“ said Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore at the scene in Flatbush, Brooklyn on Wednesday. She said two people had died, without disclosing their ages, adding that 17 others were hurt, including seven children. Four were critically injured. More than 250 firefighters and paramedics were deployed to the scene, the department wrote on X, adding that the cause of the collapse is under investigation. – AFP Storms leave Australians without power SYDNEY: Tens of thousands of homes in the Australian state of Queensland were affected by blackouts yesterday morning after severe storms hit the capital of Brisbane, reported Xinhua. A series of storms swept across Brisbane and surrounding areas on Wednesday night, bringing intense rainfall that caused flash flooding and powerful winds that brought down trees and caused widespread damage to electricity infrastructure. State-owned electricity company Energex said about 50,000 properties remained without power as of yesterday morning. Over 120,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the region on Wednesday and the State Emergency Service received more than 300 calls for help. The state government said 21 schools were closed yesterday due to the impact of the storms. – Bernama-Xinhua

Pope makes jubilant return to ‘homeland’ Peru

o Pontiff urges local authorities to strengthen efforts to prevent natural disasters and protect lives

LIMA: Pope Leo XIV arrived in his “beloved” Peru on Wednesday, a nostalgic return to the nation where he spent two decades as a missionary before being tapped to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The 71-year-old pontiff landed in Lima on the last leg of an arduous three-nation Latin American tour, just weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. “The pope is Peruvian!” exclaimed some of the estimated three million supporters who lined the streets along the route from the airport, as phalanxes of soldiers in red and green berets stood guard. Speaking to authorities and diplomats shortly after his arrival, Leo described Peru as his “homeland“, saying years spent working in the country and acquiring Peruvian citizenship had made it part of him.

The CEOE organisation, which represents business leaders, called the strike “a failure”, adding in a statement that activity had gone ahead normally in most sectors. Electricity demand had fallen by about 5%, “significantly lower” than in previous strikes, it said. The main UGT and CCOO unions called the strike following a wave of nationwide protests over access to housing. Spokesperson Valeria Racu, from the Madrid Tenants’ Union, which has been at the forefront of protests for weeks, vowed to “put an end to the housing business in this country”. “A new cycle is beginning with trade unionism and conflict at its centre. This day of strikes has been a resounding success.“ – AFP In Argentina, Leo pointedly demanded a more inclusive economy and better protections for the vulnerable – comments widely interpreted as criticism of aid-slashing President Javier Milei. “There is room for everyone, especially the neediest – the poor and hungry, migrants, the sick and prisoners,” he said in Argentina, sporting a white-and-sky-blue robe, which are the colors of the national flag. – AFP divided and grappling with rising crime, living costs and recurring natural disasters. “It is like when mom or dad shows up while we are fighting with a sibling – pulling each other’s hair – and they step in and say: ‘Take it easy, calm down, give each other a hug,’” said 39-year-old mother and homemaker Jessibel Quispe. “The pope coming is a message of hope and peace. That will help our politics a lot.” In his remarks, the pontiff said Peruvians should be able to live and work “without fear”, urging authorities to strengthen efforts to prevent natural disasters and protect lives. Seven of Peru’s last 14 presidents have been jailed or placed under house arrest for corruption or other crimes. The pope began the day in Lujan, Argentina, drawing more than three million people for a mass that was part farewell, part homage to his late Argentine predecessor Pope Francis. “Thank you, Argentina, for welcoming me with open arms,” he said, addressing the largest crowd of his 18-month papacy. The faithful climbed fences, barriers, trees and even lamp posts just to catch a glimpse of their spiritual guide. “It was a unique, unforgettable experience,” said Daiana Rivero, 36. “The pope’s visit leaves a very powerful emotion and I feel this is going to be a turning point for our country.”

against humanity. Throughout the pope’s trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, he has not shied away from sensitive political and social topics. Six days in Peru will see Chicago-born Leo travel from the deep Amazon to the high Andes. He will visit Cuzco, at more than 3,400m elevation, a test for his recovery from lung surgery. He will also make an emotional return to Chiclayo, the northern city where he was bishop for a decade. However, he is set to encounter a nation politically

He urged Peru’s leaders to confront painful chapters of the country’s past with “justice and sensitivity”, referring to deep divisions that still scar national politics. In the audience was President Keiko Fujimori, whose father Alberto Fujimori led Peru through the turbulent 1990s and a brutal war against Maoist Shining Path rebels. Some 69,000 people were killed or disappeared under Fujimori senior’s harsh rule, and the disgraced late president was jailed for corruption and crimes

Pope Leo watching a performance after addressing authorities, members of civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Gran Teatro Nacional in Peru on Wednesday. – REUTERSPIC

Protesters clash with police in housing rallies across Spain MADRID: Police fired tear gas as sporadic clashes broke out in Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday after huge protests across Spain over housing affordability and purchasing power just weeks before an early general election. plants engulfed in flames on roads in Barcelona, with heavy contingents of police vans racing through the streets. Police used rubber bullet Paula Diaz, who lives with her parents, said at the Madrid protest. “I hope a government that benefits us comes to power, especially the working class,“ she added, referring to the Nov 29 election. the eviction of an 87-year-old Madrid pensioner in September. In Madrid, where many shops opened as normal, demonstrators earlier on Wednesday blocked some roads, action that was replicated across the country.

launchers and tear gas to disperse small groups of protesters and arrested 18 protestors in Barcelona. The size of the demonstrations has been seen as an indicator of public discontent before a snap election set for this month, in which the right-wing opposition is expected to defeat Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Protesters in Madrid carried placards shaped like houses and chanted “we have no home” as they called for more affordable housing. “People work a lot and it is not enough to pay the rent, to pay for a house,“ 25-year-old theatre technician

In Barcelona, where authorities estimated that 55,000 people marched through the city’s luxury Passeig de Gracia commercial thoroughfare, Maria Pinana said: “The law of supply and demand does not apply to housing.” “The price of rents should be regulated,“ said the 34-year-old microbiologist, who lives with friends in a flat where parts of the ceiling have collapsed. Tens of thousands more attended rallies held in cities across Spain, the latest in a wave of protests sparked by

Public transport was disrupted even with the implementation of minimum service requirements for commuter trains, metros and buses in and around Barcelona. UGT union leader Pepe Alvarez said the participation was “massive”, with “total” stoppage in some regions making the strike “a huge success”. But his union acknowledged that participation was “uneven”, with large mobilisation in the car manufacturing, petrochemicals and meat sectors and in coastal regions.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out during Spain’s first nationwide 24-hour strike since 2012, with authorities estimating about 120,000 demonstrators marched through the capital and more than 50,000 rallied in Barcelona. Clashes broke out after the protests in Spain’s two largest cities as groups of hooded and masked demonstrators hurled projectiles at police and sparked fires. Video footage showed large rubbish heaps, bicycles and potted