Outcry as Trump withdraws support for research that mentions ‘climate’

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US government stripping funds from domestic and overseas research amid warnings for health and public safety

The Trump administration is stripping away support for scientific research in the US and overseas that contains a word it finds particularly inconvenient: “climate.”

The US government is withdrawing grants and other support for research that even references the climate crisis, academics have said, amid Donald Trump’s blitzkrieg upon environmental regulations and clean-energy development.

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Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

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Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economy

Germany is used to running its economy with the brake on. Ever since the 2008 financial crisis Berlin has sought to burnish a reputation as the world capital of fiscal discipline, with a near-pious aversion to debt and pride in strong government finances.

Under a rule known as the “debt brake” – introduced in 2009 by Angela Merkel to show Germany was committed to balancing the books after the banking crash – the federal government is required to limit annual borrowing to 0.35% of GDP.

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St Pancras and Channel tunnel plan rail routes to Germany and Switzerland

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Partnership comes as London station looks at ways to almost triple passenger numbers

St Pancras railway station in London and the Channel tunnel operator have agreed to work together to open up more trains from Britain to France, and routes to Germany and Switzerland.

The agreement is the latest sign of growing momentum for new passenger rail links from England across the Channel, after Great Britain’s only international station announced plans to triple the number of people who can travel through every hour.

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International aid groups axe thousands of jobs in wake of Trump funding freeze

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Fears that cuts will ‘decimate’ ability to react to crises as sector loses expertise and skills at every level, report finds

Some of the world’s largest aid organisations are axing thousands of jobs as a result of US president Donald Trump’s freeze on overseas aid, potentially “decimating” the sector’s ability to react to future crises.

Those that have already announced job cuts include the International Rescue Committee, Danish Refugee Council, Norwegian Refugee Council and war zone-focused Norwegian People’s Aid.

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Hong Kong’s oldest pro-democracy party says it will begin process of disbanding

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Democratic party chair Lo Kin-hei would not comment on whether Beijing put pressure on members

Hong Kong’s oldest pro-democracy party, which became an influential voice of opposition before Beijing cracked down on dissent, will start preparations to shut down, its leader has said.

Lo Kin-hei, the chair of Hong Kong’s Democratic party, said on Thursday: “We are going to proceed and study on the process and procedure that is needed for the disbanding.”

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Shin Bet arrests three suspects in bus bombings, including Israeli Jews – Ynetnews

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  1. Shin Bet arrests three suspects in bus bombings, including Israeli Jews  Ynetnews
  2. Multiple Bus Explosions in Israel Put Country on Terrorism Alert  The New York Times
  3. Three empty buses explode in Israel in suspected terrorist attack  The Washington Post
  4. Netanyahu orders West Bank military operation after Israel bus blasts  CNN
  5. Shin Bet Arrests Two Israelis Suspected of Involvement in Tel Aviv Suburbs Bus Bombs  Haaretz
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Eleventh-hour high court bid to stop Australia’s secretive deal to resettle NZYQ cohort in Nauru

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Proceedings filed Friday for man scheduled to be deported Monday as Human Rights Law Centre makes case for ‘dangerous precedent’

Australia’s secretive deal to deport people among the NZYQ cohort to Nauru has been challenged in the high court in a move that could block the first removal from the country.

Legal proceedings filed Friday for a man scheduled to be deported to Nauru on Monday argued that the decision to cancel the man’s protection visa was unlawful and that he should be allowed to stay in Australia while a review of his visa continued.

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Tens of thousands could be held in illegal scam compounds in Myanmar, Thai police general says

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Head of anti-trafficking agency says dozens of Chinese criminal gangs were running the centres

Tens of thousands of people could be living inside illegal scam compounds in Myanmar that have proliferated near Thailand’s border, according to the head of Thailand’s anti-trafficking agency, who warned it could take months before all foreign nationals are repatriated.

Thailand has launched a major crackdown on scam compounds over recent weeks, cutting off cross-border electricity and fuel supplies.

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Middle East crisis live: Israeli military says body of Shiri Bibas is not among returned hostages – The Guardian

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  1. Middle East crisis live: Israeli military says body of Shiri Bibas is not among returned hostages  The Guardian
  2. Israel Says Shiri Bibas Is Missing After Hamas Returns Her Sons’ Remains  The New York Times
  3. Jewish community in London mourns as Hamas returns bodies of 4 Israeli hostages  The Associated Press
  4. Remains of young mom Shiri Bibas, taken hostage and killed by Hamas, not returned despite promise, Israel says  Fox News
  5. Their Time Is Up  Tablet Magazine
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Pope has restful night, has breakfast in armchair – Vatican News – English

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  1. Pope has restful night, has breakfast in armchair  Vatican News - English
  2. Vatican says Pope Francis is 'improving slightly' as cardinals acknowledge resignation is possible  The Associated Press
  3. Supporters gather to pray for Pope Francis outside hospital  Yahoo
  4. Pope Francis, battling pneumonia, continues to improve, but long recovery anticipated  National Catholic Reporter
  5. Ailing Pope's Obstinacy A Blessing Or A Curse?  Barron's
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