## Ted Cruz ‘left behind’ pet poodle, Snowflake, at ‘freezing’ Texas home during Cancun trip

Authored by independent.co.uk

Tens of thousands of Texans were without power or running water for a fourth day as senator Ted Cruz took off for Cancun on Wednesday evening, while reportedly leaving behind the family pet poodle, Snowflake.

A picture taken by a reporter for New York Magazine on Thursday showed the pet poodle looking out of a window of Mr Cruz’s home in Houston, Texas, while the senator, his wife, and daughters were away.

“Like millions of Texans, our family lost heat and power too,” the senator said in the written statement.

“[And] with school cancelled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends.

Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon.”.

He added on Thursday that: “My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.

My team and I will continue using all our resources to keep Texans informed and safe. »

### Tennessee bill would allow fathers to prevent abortions

Authored by fox32chicago.com

Fourteen days after the petition is filed, the motion to stop the abortion would be decided at a court hearing where both parties can present evidence.

The bill states all the petitioner needs is "a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity that is not subject to being rescinded or challenged.".

A fetal heartbeat can be detected as soon as six weeks after conception and before many women know they are pregnant. »

### Ocasio-Cortez raises $1 million for Texas relief, plans trip to Houston

Authored by thehill.com

“As a thank you to everyone who contributed & amplified, I’ll be going to Texas this weekend to visit w/ @LaCongresista in Houston & highlight what’s happening on the ground.”.

Cruz has flown back to Texas and has since said that his original plans were to remain in Mexico for longer.

Critics have said that this disaster was avoidable and that Texas leadership has ignored calls to update Texas's power grid for years. »

### Canadians are angry about vaccine delays. It’s hurting Trudeau’s poll numbers: Ipsos

Authored by globalnews.ca

Canadians are angry about delays in the coronavirus vaccine rollout – and it’s starting to hurt the Liberals in the polls, according to fresh figures from Ipsos.

A new poll from Ipsos found that 71 per cent of Canadians are “angry” that Canada is falling behind countries like the U.S. and the U.K. when it comes to the pace of our COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

2:05 Winter storm in U.S. interrupts Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine supply Winter storm in U.S. interrupts Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine supply. »

### Texas inmates stuck with clogged toilets, freezing cells, advocates say: 'So cold that their bodies are numb'

Authored by chron.com

The freezing air in the jail is "reeking," another man in the jail on drug charges, A.D. Wooten, told the Observer.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office acknowledged that the jail lost water on Wednesday, but said it was later restored.

Incarcerated people, including many who have not been convicted of a crime, reported to the nonprofit that jails lacked blankets and left inmates in freezing conditions. »

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