My Republica

Associated Press

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020

Published On: December 27, 2020 11:40 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):

Surging virus, plummeting temperatures challenge shelters

Published On: December 27, 2020 05:38 PM NPT By: Associated Press

After three years on the streets, Tiecha Vannoy and her boyfriend Chris Foss plan to weather the pandemic this winter in a small white “pod” with electricity, heat and enough room for two.

No cafes, no tourists: Virus empties streets of old Athens

Published On: December 27, 2020 03:36 PM NPT By: Associated Press

It’s been a while since visitors to Greece sought out souvenirs in Athens’ oldest neighborhood. The winding streets of Plaka, laid out long before the city imported a grid system, are lined with closed stores behind aluminum shutters.

Unemployment benefits expire for millions as Trump rages

Published On: December 27, 2020 01:36 PM NPT By: Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec 27: Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet lapsed overnight as President Donald Trump refused to signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.

Unemployment benefits for millions in limbo as Trump rages

Published On: December 27, 2020 09:20 AM NPT By: Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec 27: Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.

Canada records 1st cases of new virus variant

Published On: December 27, 2020 07:27 AM NPT By: Associated Press

TORONTO, Dec 27: Officials in Canada’s most populous province have confirmed the first two known Canadian cases of of a more contagious variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in the United Kingdom.

Leslie West, guitarist of rock band Mountain, has died at 75

Published On: December 25, 2020 06:15 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Leslie West, an iconic guitarist-vocalist who was behind several ’70s rock anthems including “Mississippi Queen” with the popular band Mountain, has died. He was 75.

Christmas Eve concert held in Paris’ fire-wrecked Notre Dame

Published On: December 25, 2020 03:41 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Wearing hard hats and protective suits, members of the choir of Notre Dame Cathedral sang inside the medieval Paris landmark for the first time since last year’s devastating fire for a special Christmas Eve concert.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch sold to billionaire

Published On: December 25, 2020 03:38 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California has found a new owner in billionaire businessman Ron Burkle.

Chinese vaccines are poised to fill gap, but will they work?

Published On: December 25, 2020 01:31 PM NPT By: Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec 25: With rich countries snapping up supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, some parts of the world may have to rely on Chinese-developed shots to try to conquer the outbreak. The question: Will they work?

Far from the capital, Iran struggles to bury virus victims

Published On: December 25, 2020 11:00 AM NPT By: Associated Press

Deep in the lush valleys of northern Iran, where the Alborz Mountains crumble toward the sea, Ali Rahimi takes up his grisly work.

S. Korea reports record surge, ramps up testing

Published On: December 25, 2020 09:54 AM NPT By: Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 25: South Korea has reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Christmas Day, as the prime minister pleaded for vigilance to arrest a viral surge that has worsened hospitalization and deaths.

Historic heart of Los Angeles on life support from COVID-19

Published On: December 25, 2020 09:20 AM NPT By: Associated Press

For nine nights culminating on Christmas Eve, the oldest street in Los Angeles typically comes alive with a festive re-enactment of the nativity story, as children playing Mary and Joseph go door to door seeking shelter where she can give birth to Jesus.

‘Cheer’ star pleads not guilty to child porn, sex charges

Published On: December 24, 2020 06:25 PM NPT By: Associated Press

“Cheer” star Jerry Harris has pleaded not guilty to federal child pornography charges and allegations that he solicited sex from minors at cheerleading competitions and convinced teenage boys to send him obscene photographs and videos of themselves.

British model, fashion muse Stella Tennant dies at 50

Published On: December 24, 2020 04:22 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Stella Tennant, the aristocratic British model who was a muse to designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace, died suddenly at the age of 50, her family said Wednesday.

Tony-nominated Broadway star Rebecca Luker dies at 59

Published On: December 24, 2020 03:19 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Soprano Rebecca Luker, a three-time Tony nominated actor who starred in some of the biggest Broadway hits of the past three decades, died Wednesday. She was 59.

A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutations

Published On: December 24, 2020 11:48 AM NPT By: Associated Press

WASHINGTON, Dec 24: For a second night in a row, President Donald Trump issued a round of pardons and commutations in the final weeks of his presidency, giving full pardons to his former campaign chairman, his son-in-law’s father and another of his allies convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Louis Vuitton yoga mat made of leather draws Hindu complaint

Published On: December 23, 2020 08:00 PM NPT By: Associated Press

A Hindu activist is calling on luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton to pull a yoga mat made partly from cowhide leather, calling it “hugely insensitive.”

Pedro Pascal dons different armor for ‘Wonder Woman 1984’

Published On: December 23, 2020 06:30 PM NPT By: Associated Press

When Pedro Pascal started to think about his “Wonder Woman 1984” villain Max Lord, one name came to mind: Gordon Gekko. Who better to model his power suit-wearing striver on than the embodiment of 1980s greed and callousness?

Kashmir parties opposed to Modi win seats in local polls

Published On: December 23, 2020 04:35 PM NPT By: Associated Press

SRINAGAR, India, Dec 23: An alliance of political parties opposed to India’s policies in Kashmir has won a majority of seats in local elections, the first since New Delhi revoked the disputed region’s semiautonomous status and took direct control last year.