News in brief -(2022-11-19)

Pelosi to step down as top Democrat after Republicans take House
WASHINGTON, Nov 18: Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing first woman to wield the speaker's gavel in the US House of Representatives, said Thursday that she will step down as party leader when Republicans take control of the chamber in January. "I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress," Pelosi said in an emotional speech on the House floor. "The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus." The 82-year-old Pelosi's departure from party leadership marks the end of an era in Washington and comes after Republicans secured a slim House majority in last week's midterm elections. Democratic President Joe Biden hailed Pelosi as a "fierce defender of democracy" and the "most consequential" House speaker in US history. — AFP

Saudi crown prince immune from Khashoggi suit: US govt
WASHINGTON, Nov 18: The US government recommended on Thursday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was immune from legal action over the 2018 murder of a dissident journalist, according to court documents. Prince Mohammed was named prime minister by royal decree in late September, sparking suggestions he was looking to skirt exposure in cases filed in foreign courts-including a civil action brought in the US by Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of slain columnist Jamal Khashoggi. — AFP

Zelensky says over 10 mn Ukrainians without electricity
KYIV, Nov 18: President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that millions of Ukrainians had no electricity, as fresh Russian strikes hit cities across Ukraine and crippled the country's energy infrastructure. "Currently, more than 10 million Ukrainians are without electricity," he said, adding that the regions of Odessa, Vinnytsia, Sumy and Kyiv were most affected. "We are doing everything to normalise the supply," Zelensky added. — AP