Russia to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela; Malaysia opens kindergarten in parliament

16 states sue Trump for declaring a state of emergency

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (right) and Governor Gavin Newsom have sued the president dozens of times. Photo: AP

"Today, on Presidents Day, we are suing President Trump to stop his abuse of presidential power," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement. In the same announcement, the California attorney general said the state decided to sue Mr. Trump to "stop him from arbitrarily and legally robbing taxpayers of funds that Congress has appropriated for the people of our states."

Along with California, other states also sued Mr. Trump including: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Virginia.

IS may be fleeing Syria with hundreds of millions of dollars

Islamic State (IS) militants at Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, April 2015. Photo: AP/TTXVN

CNN reported that according to a US military official familiar with the matter, more than 1,000 Islamic State (IS) militants may have fled Syria to the mountains and deserts of western Iraq in the past six months, taking with them $200 million in cash.

Another official said IS fighters continued to flee even as the final battle raged in the group’s only remaining stronghold in southeastern Syria. Some of those remaining are believed to be former members of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Russia to deliver 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Daily Express

Local media quoted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as saying that Russia will deliver 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela.

Sputnik news agency quoted President Maduro's statement at a meeting of scientists in Venezuela as saying: "We will receive humanitarian assistance every day." The Venezuelan president added that Russian aid will be delivered to Caracas international airport.

EU reaches preliminary deal on limiting truck emissions

Measuring car emissions in Ludwigsburg, southwest Germany. Illustration photo: AFP/TTXVN

On February 19, the European Parliament and the European Council - representing 28 member states in the European Union (EU) - signed a new agreement on limiting CO2 emissions of new trucks after months of tense negotiations.

Under the preliminary agreement, CO2 emissions from heavy-duty trucks will be reduced by 15% by 2025 and by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The emissions restrictions are crucial to the EU's efforts to meet its Paris Agreement targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Malaysia opens kindergarten in parliament

Malaysiais looking to increase women's participation in politics - Photo: Daily Express

The Malaysian Parliament will open a nursery to enable female lawmakers and staff to leave their children while at work. News agencyBernamaThis is a move to encourage women to participate more in politics, policymaking and the workforce, said Malaysian House of Representatives Speaker Mohamad Ariff Yusof.

The Malaysian Parliament nursery is expected to be operational this year. In addition to female MPs and parliamentary staff, the nursery will also serve female reporters who have to work long hours in parliament. "If MPs have to work until 10 pm, reporters will also have difficulty working overtime. If I have difficulty taking care of my children, so will you," said Deputy Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh.