The Pakistan Army has been accused of using defence land to build movie theatres & wedding halls. The Pakistan govt has been accused of irregularities worth $226 million in its COVID-19 relief package. Palki Sharma decodes the two scams.

Gravitas: Pak Army is using defence land to build movie theatres & wedding banquets

<p>Earlier this year, New York created a $2.1 billion fund to help immigrants living in the country without legal permission and others who weathered the pandemic without access to government relief. The Excluded Workers Fund, by far the biggest of its kind in the country, was intended to provide eligible workers with one-time payments to help cover costs associated with joblessness, such as back rent and medical bills.</p>

<p>But just a few months after the state began accepting applications, the fund is about to run out of money, following a blitz in claims and a speedy distribution of aid. State authorities announced they would stop accepting new applications as of Oct. 8, adding that even those who had applied in the two weeks before that deadline might not be approved.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-faces-challenge-as-us-congress-drops-state-aid-to-secure-stimulus-350713">Biden faces challenge as US Congress drops state aid to secure stimulus</a></strong></p>

<p>The fund’s rapid depletion could mean that tens of thousands of applicants might miss out on payments, according to organizers and state lawmakers who championed the fund.</p>

<p>It could also mean that thousands more may never get an opportunity to apply at all, including upstate workers or other immigrants in more isolated areas who do not have transportation or ready access to the community-based organizations that have been instrumental in helping people assemble their applications.</p>

<p>Soaring demand for the fund has placed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to add more money to the pot in what could be an early test of her progressive bona fides as she campaigns next year. Hochul, a Democrat, had made it a priority to fast-track the disbursement of the original $2.1 billion when she ascended to the state’s top job after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August.</p>

<p>The fund, which awards grants of up to $15,600, was one of the most contentious points of debate during negotiations over the state budget and had faced some resistance from Cuomo, who said he was concerned about the risk of fraud.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-covid-19-relief-fund-was-only-for-black-residents-then-came-the-lawsuits-354254"><strong>A COVID-19 relief fund was only for black residents. Then came the lawsuits</strong></a></p>

<p>Republicans, who are in the minority in the Legislature, have pushed back on the idea of diverting additional taxpayer dollars to the fund.</p>

<p>“It’s not surprising that there’s no amount of money that will ever be enough for these advocates,” said Sen. Rob Ortt, the Republican minority leader in the state Senate. “They want to make this a permanent thing.”</p>

<p>To date, the state has distributed just over two-thirds of the fund to about 128,000 people, a fraction of the nearly 351,000 claims that were received.</p>

<p>Hochul said last week that “$2.1 billion was an extraordinary amount of money, and we don’t have that level of money available just to deploy for something like this.”</p>

<p>She added that her administration was instead looking at “short-term” solutions while suggesting that the discussion of additional money might be taken up again early next year when the state Legislature returns to session to pass the next budget.</p>

<p>It is unclear how much support expanding the fund has in the Legislature. While a group of 15 lawmakers, including Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat who sponsored the legislation that created the fund, sent a letter this month to Hochul asking for additional money, Democratic leaders have stayed quiet. Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the majority leader in the Senate, declined to comment, while Carl E. Heastie, the speaker of the Assembly, did not reply to requests for comment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-move-to-avert-shutdown-but-divisions-imperil-bidens-agenda-417166">Democrats move to avert shutdown, but divisions imperil Biden's agenda</a></strong></p>

<p>At dozens of community organizations, employees helped workers pull together the materials required to apply as more and more people arrived in September, inspired by the stories of friends and neighbours who had received payment, said Angel Reyes, the Long Island regional coordinator for the Rural and Migrant Ministry.</p>

<p>Reyes said he and his colleagues knew of many more people in the area who were not coming in, whether because of fear their information would be shared with authorities or a lack of transportation options. On Eastern Long Island, home to large numbers of Latin American immigrants who work in landscaping, farming and nurseries, “public transit is virtually nonexistent,” said Reyes, a situation also common in the Hudson Valley and farther upstate.</p>

<p>Many workers work long hours, some of them seven days a week, he added, creating another obstacle.</p>

<p>Abraham de la Cruz, 43, who lives in Hudson, New York, lost most of his restaurant and construction work when the pandemic hit and got by on about $100 a week, he said. He moved in with a relative, sleeping on her couch.</p>

<p>De la Cruz, who attended school only through the second grade in Oaxaca, Mexico, said he did not know about the fund until it was too late to apply, in part because he cannot speak English or read very well. Last week, a friend told him about it.</p>

<p>“I still don’t have stable work,” he said in Spanish. “She asked me how I was doing, and I said, ‘The truth is, not so great.”</p>

<p>Even in New York City, many eligible applicants faced administrative hurdles that they said they did not have time to resolve before the application period ended.</p>

<p>Applicants had to submit proof of identity, residency and income history, such as letters from employers. Many cash earners faced reluctance from employers, who did not want to disclose that they had been paying workers under the table. Others had difficulty providing proof of residency because they live in illegally subdivided apartments or basements or their names are not on a lease.</p>


Earlier this year, New York created a $2.1 billion fund to help immigrants living in the country without legal permission and others who weathered the pandemic without access to government relief.

Earlier this year, New York created a $2.1 billion fund to help immigrants living in the country without legal permission and others who weathered the pandemic without access to government relief. The Excluded Workers Fund, by far the biggest of its kind in the country, was intended to provide eligible workers with one-time payments to help cover costs associated with joblessness, such as back rent and medical bills. But just a few months after the state began accepting applications, the fund is about to run out of money, following a blitz in claims and a speedy distribution of aid. State authorities announced they would stop accepting new applications as of Oct. 8, adding that even those who had applied in the two weeks before that deadline might not be approved. Also read | Biden faces challenge as US Congress drops state aid to secure stimulus The fund’s rapid depletion could mean that tens of thousands of applicants might miss out on payments, according to organizers and state lawmakers who championed the fund. It could also mean that thousands more may never get an opportunity to apply at all, including upstate workers or other immigrants in more isolated areas who do not have transportation or ready access to the community-based organizations that have been instrumental in helping people assemble their applications. Soaring demand for the fund has placed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to add more money to the pot in what could be an early test of her progressive bona fides as she campaigns next year. Hochul, a Democrat, had made it a priority to fast-track the disbursement of the original $2.1 billion when she ascended to the state’s top job after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August. The fund, which awards grants of up to $15,600, was one of the most contentious points of debate during negotiations over the state budget and had faced some resistance from Cuomo, who said he was concerned about the risk of fraud. Also read | A COVID-19 relief fund was only for black residents. Then came the lawsuits Republicans, who are in the minority in the Legislature, have pushed back on the idea of diverting additional taxpayer dollars to the fund. “It’s not surprising that there’s no amount of money that will ever be enough for these advocates,” said Sen. Rob Ortt, the Republican minority leader in the state Senate. “They want to make this a permanent thing.” To date, the state has distributed just over two-thirds of the fund to about 128,000 people, a fraction of the nearly 351,000 claims that were received. Hochul said last week that “$2.1 billion was an extraordinary amount of money, and we don’t have that level of money available just to deploy for something like this.” She added that her administration was instead looking at “short-term” solutions while suggesting that the discussion of additional money might be taken up again early next year when the state Legislature returns to session to pass the next budget. It is unclear how much support expanding the fund has in the Legislature. While a group of 15 lawmakers, including Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat who sponsored the legislation that created the fund, sent a letter this month to Hochul asking for additional money, Democratic leaders have stayed quiet. Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the majority leader in the Senate, declined to comment, while Carl E. Heastie, the speaker of the Assembly, did not reply to requests for comment. Also read | Democrats move to avert shutdown, but divisions imperil Biden's agenda At dozens of community organizations, employees helped workers pull together the materials required to apply as more and more people arrived in September, inspired by the stories of friends and neighbours who had received payment, said Angel Reyes, the Long Island regional coordinator for the Rural and Migrant Ministry. Reyes said he and his colleagues knew of many more people in the area who were not coming in, whether because of fear their information would be shared with authorities or a lack of transportation options. On Eastern Long Island, home to large numbers of Latin American immigrants who work in landscaping, farming and nurseries, “public transit is virtually nonexistent,” said Reyes, a situation also common in the Hudson Valley and farther upstate. Many workers work long hours, some of them seven days a week, he added, creating another obstacle. Abraham de la Cruz, 43, who lives in Hudson, New York, lost most of his restaurant and construction work when the pandemic hit and got by on about $100 a week, he said. He moved in with a relative, sleeping on her couch. De la Cruz, who attended school only through the second grade in Oaxaca, Mexico, said he did not know about the fund until it was too late to apply, in part because he cannot speak English or read very well. Last week, a friend told him about it. “I still don’t have stable work,” he said in Spanish. “She asked me how I was doing, and I said, ‘The truth is, not so great.” Even in New York City, many eligible applicants faced administrative hurdles that they said they did not have time to resolve before the application period ended. Applicants had to submit proof of identity, residency and income history, such as letters from employers. Many cash earners faced reluctance from employers, who did not want to disclose that they had been paying workers under the table. Others had difficulty providing proof of residency because they live in illegally subdivided apartments or basements or their names are not on a lease.

A $2.1 billion pandemic lifeline for undocumented workers runs out

<p>Ayushmann Khurrana and his wife Tahira Kashyap have contributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister`s Relief Fund, to help those affected by Covid-19.<br />
<br />
The actor took to his&nbsp;Instagram and posted a note on Tuesday urging everyone to help the needy.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"We have been in the eye of the storm since last year. This pandemic has broken our hearts, made us endure pain and suffering like never before, showed us how solidarity with one another can make us handle this humanitarian crisis," he wrote.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p><br />
<br />
Ayushmann added: "Today, again, this pandemic asks us how to show fortitude, resilience and mutual support.&nbsp; People across India have stepped forward to do as much as possible for each other and Tahira and I thank each and every individual who has inspired us to do more."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"We have been constantly doing our bit to help as many as possible and have now contributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister`s relief Fund in this hour of need."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"People need as much help as possible and we can all look to do our bit as we deem fit," the actor concluded.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Earlier, Akshay Kumar came forward and donated Rs. 1 crore to the Gautam Gambhir foundation for COVID-19 medicines and oxygen.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ayushmann Khurrana and his wife Tahira Kashyap have contributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister`s Relief Fund, to help those affected by Covid-19. The actor took to his Instagram and posted a note on Tuesday urging everyone to help the needy.

Ayushmann Khurrana and his wife Tahira Kashyap have contributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister`s Relief Fund, to help those affected by Covid-19. The actor took to his Instagram and posted a note on Tuesday urging everyone to help the needy. "We have been in the eye of the storm since last year. This pandemic has broken our hearts, made us endure pain and suffering like never before, showed us how solidarity with one another can make us handle this humanitarian crisis," he wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) × Ayushmann added: "Today, again, this pandemic asks us how to show fortitude, resilience and mutual support. People across India have stepped forward to do as much as possible for each other and Tahira and I thank each and every individual who has inspired us to do more." "We have been constantly doing our bit to help as many as possible and have now contributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister`s relief Fund in this hour of need." "People need as much help as possible and we can all look to do our bit as we deem fit," the actor concluded. Earlier, Akshay Kumar came forward and donated Rs. 1 crore to the Gautam Gambhir foundation for COVID-19 medicines and oxygen.

Ayushmann Khurrana contributes to Maharashtra CM's Relief Fund

President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, though Democrats faced challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise the minimum wage.

US House passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package

<p>US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark. The bill includes a provision to raise minimum wage to USD 15 an hour. Passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is being considered first major legislative victory for US President Joe Biden. Democratic Party has already hailed the bill as a critical step in funnelling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic.</p>

<p>The bill was cleared in the House on a party-line vote of 219 to 212. It moves to Senate next where Democrats and Republican hold 50 votes each. Democratic Party holds a slight edge as Vice President Kamala Harris has a casting vote in case of a tie in the Senate</p>

<p>"The American people need to know that their government is there for them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in debate on the House floor.</p>

<p>Republicans, who have broadly backed previous COVID-19 spending, said much of the current package was not necessary, highlighting elements like a subway near Pelosi's San Francisco district. Only 9% of the total would go directly toward fighting the virus, they said.</p>

<p>"It just throws out money without accountability," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-report-says-saudi-prince-approved-murder-of-journalist-khashoggi-366550">US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi</a></strong></p>

<p>The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest U.S. public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life.</p>

<p>Democrats aim to get the bill to him to sign into law before mid-March when enhanced unemployment benefits and some other types of aid are due to expire.</p>

<p>The bill's big-ticket items include $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those in difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>(With Reuters input)</strong></p>


US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark.

US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark. The bill includes a provision to raise minimum wage to USD 15 an hour. Passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is being considered first major legislative victory for US President Joe Biden. Democratic Party has already hailed the bill as a critical step in funnelling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic. The bill was cleared in the House on a party-line vote of 219 to 212. It moves to Senate next where Democrats and Republican hold 50 votes each. Democratic Party holds a slight edge as Vice President Kamala Harris has a casting vote in case of a tie in the Senate "The American people need to know that their government is there for them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in debate on the House floor. Republicans, who have broadly backed previous COVID-19 spending, said much of the current package was not necessary, highlighting elements like a subway near Pelosi's San Francisco district. Only 9% of the total would go directly toward fighting the virus, they said. "It just throws out money without accountability," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said. Also Read | US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest U.S. public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life. Democrats aim to get the bill to him to sign into law before mid-March when enhanced unemployment benefits and some other types of aid are due to expire. The bill's big-ticket items include $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those in difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic. (With Reuters input)

US House passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, minimum wage raised

The President is expected to field questions on a number of issues as his administration, lawmakers and business leaders debate how to defeat the coronavirus.

Joe Biden in Wisconsin to pitch COVID relief package