US judge delays Trump buyout offer meant to thin out public servants
Trump and allies such as billionaire Elon Musk have carried out blitz campaign meant to thin the government workforce.
Japan’s PM heads to Washington hoping he can recreate rapport of Trump-Abe era
Shigeru Ishiba will seek familiar guarantees: that the US will continue to stand on Japan’s side against China and North Korea
Donald Trump had yet to get his feet under the Oval Office desk when he held his first meeting with a foreign leader in late 2016. Shinzo Abe, then Japan’s prime minister, arrived at Trump Tower in November that year bearing a gift of a gold-plated golf club and harbouring a determination to get the Japan-US relationship under Trump off to the best possible start.
The success, or otherwise, of Abe’s charm offensive had potentially serious repercussions. During the election campaign, Trump had suggested he would withdraw US troops from Japan, contingent on Tokyo’s willingness to make a bigger financial contribution to their countries’ postwar alliance.
Continue reading...U.K.’s foreign office cat Palmerston shows up for duty in Bermuda – NPR
Santorini rocked by more earthquakes as uncertainty grows
The island has experienced thousands of quakes in the past week, forcing evacuations of residents.
Santorini rocked by more earthquakes as uncertainty grows – BBC.com
- Santorini rocked by more earthquakes as uncertainty grows BBC.com
- Santorini in state of emergency after strongest quake in days of tremors CNN
- As quakes rattle Greek islands, brave tourists have Santorini to themselves PBS NewsHour
- Evacuation of Greece's Santorini island continues as tremors persist NBC News
- Israel readying for possibility it could face tsunami amid earthquakes in Greece The Jerusalem Post
Man launches fight against fine for loudspeaker call at French station
The outraged passenger hires a lawyer to dispute the fine over a public phone call in Nantes.
Israeli soldier jailed for abusing Palestinian detainees from Gaza
Israel's military says he punched detainees and used his weapon while they were handcuffed and blindfolded.
United States Seizes Venezuelan Aircraft Involved in Violations of U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws – Department of Justice
- United States Seizes Venezuelan Aircraft Involved in Violations of U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws Department of Justice
- US Set to Announce Seizure of Venezuela Vice President’s Plane Bloomberg
- US seizes second plane owned by Venezuelan government in Dominican Republic, citing evasion of sanctions Fox News
- Why US plans to seize Venezuelan President's second plane Dassault Falcon 200 The Times of India
- US seizes Venezuelan president's plane held in Dominican Republic during Rubio visit Yahoo! Voices
Alleged Russian spy denies knowing of ‘honeytrap’ plan to target journalist
London-based Vanya Gaberova, 30, tells Old Bailey she was lied to and manipulated by alleged spy ring
An alleged Russian spy tearfully told the Old Bailey she knew nothing of plans to deploy her as a “honeytrap” and claimed she was “lied to, manipulated, used, and exposed”.
London-based Vanya Gaberova, 30, is accused of being part of a spy ring which targeted people and places of interest to the Russian state over three years.
Continue reading...Netanyahu gifts Trump a golden pager during US visit
The Israelis last year used booby-trapped pagers to target Hezbollah, though civilians were also among the victims.
Palestinians return home in Gaza, but without their loved ones
More than 61,700 Palestinians were killed by Israel in the Gaza war. Now, their family members are returning home.
Ukraine receives French and Dutch fighter jets – DW (English)
- Ukraine receives French and Dutch fighter jets DW (English)
- Ukraine gets French Mirage fighter jets, more F-16s from the Netherlands CNN
- Ukraine launches new offensive in Kursk Oblast, Russian media claims, Kyiv yet to confirm. Kyiv Independent
- Ukraine receives first Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France Defense News
- Ukraine receives F-16 jets from Netherlands, defence minister says Reuters
Trump involvement helps PGA Tour get closer to LIV Golf deal: Commissioner
PGA commissioner wants the US president to negotiate a deal with the breakaway LIV Golf in hopes of ending the division.
Australian Man Horrified to Discover 102 Snakes Living in His Yard – Gizmodo
- Australian Man Horrified to Discover 102 Snakes Living in His Yard Gizmodo
- 102 venomous snakes — including 97 newborns — found in homeowner's backyard in Australia CBS News
- Reptile wrangler removes 102 venomous snakes from a single property UPI News
- 100 slithery, venomous snakes found in homeowner’s backyard: ‘I’d be moving out!’ New York Post
Trump administration disbands taskforce targeting Russian oligarchs
US attorney general issues memo to break up effort started after 2022 Ukraine invasion to target those close to Kremlin
The US justice department under Donald Trump is disbanding an effort started after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine to enforce sanctions and target oligarchs close to the Kremlin.
A memo from the attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued during a wave of orders on her first day in office but not previously reported, said the effort, known as Task Force KleptoCapture, will end as part of a shift in focus and funding to combating drug cartels and international gangs.
Continue reading...‘Clear signs of authoritarianism’: Ecuador’s ‘iron fist’ leader seeks re-election – The Guardian
- ‘Clear signs of authoritarianism’: Ecuador’s ‘iron fist’ leader seeks re-election The Guardian
- Ecuadorian voters, many of them crime victims, head to the polls for presidential election CNN
- Daniel Noboa, the Ecuador banana heir seeking full presidential term Reuters Canada
- A referendum on crime? What to know about Ecuador’s presidential election Al Jazeera English
- After Winning Over Bondholders, Ecuador’s President Looks to Voters for Second Term Bloomberg
Green campaigners fear UK to renew subsidies to Drax power station
Billions of pounds from energy bill payers to run out in 2027 but could be extended as soon as Monday
Green campaigners fear ministers are poised to award billions of pounds in fresh subsidies to Drax power station, despite strong concerns that burning trees to produce electricity is bad for the environment.
Drax burns wood to generate about 8% of the UK’s “green” power, and 4% of overall electricity. This is classed as “low-carbon” because the harvested trees are replaced by others that take up carbon from the atmosphere as they grow.
Continue reading...Netanyahu gives Trump ‘golden pager’ in apparent reference to Lebanon attack
Photos show gift, reportedly nod to Israel’s deadly attack on Hezbollah, during which devices simultaneously detonated
Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly gave Donald Trump a “golden pager” during their meeting in Washington DC this week, in an apparent reference to Israel’s deadly attack against Hezbollah in Lebanon last year.
In photos circulating online, the golden pager can be seen mounted on a piece of wood, accompanied by a golden plaque that reads in black lettering: “To President Donald J. Trump, Our greatest friend and greatest ally. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Continue reading...How long could the Santorini ‘seismic crisis’ last?
Scientists say it is unclear how many more earthquakes will come to the idyllic Greek island.
How long could the Santorini ‘seismic crisis’ last?
Scientists say it is unclear how many more earthquakes will come to the idyllic Greek island.