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

16 states sue Trump over emergency declaration

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 statement, the California attorney general said the state decided to sue Trump to "stop him from arbitrarily and lawfully stealing taxpayer dollars 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 the 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 hide even as the final battle raged in the group’s last 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.

"We will receive humanitarian assistance every day," President Maduro said at a meeting of scientists in Venezuela, Sputnik news agency reported. The Venezuelan president added that Russian aid would be delivered to Caracas International Airport.

EU reaches preliminary deal on truck emissions curbs

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

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

Under the preliminary agreement, CO2 emissions from heavy-duty trucks will be reduced by 15% by 2025 and 30% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The emissions limit is crucial to the EU's efforts to meet its Paris Agreement climate change targets of at least a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 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, policy making 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 cater to female reporters who have to work long hours in parliament. "If MPs have to work until 10pm, reporters will also have difficulty working overtime. If I have difficulty taking care of my child, so will you," said Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh.