While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 7, 2025
Source: The Straits Times World News
US judge blocks Trump buyout offer for government workers until at least Feb 10
A US judge on Feb 6 temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s proposed buyout for federal workers until at least Feb 10, giving an initial win to labour unions that sued to stop it.
The ruling by US District Judge George O’Toole in Boston pushes back a midnight deadline set by the Trump administration, which is pressuring federal workers to leave their jobs in an unprecedented drive to overhaul the federal government.
Mr O’Toole could opt to delay the buyout further or block it on a more permanent basis when he next considers the legal challenge by the unions at a hearing on Feb 10.
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Suffering bronchitis, Pope to take meetings at home
Pope Francis will hold meetings at his home in the Vatican for the next two days after developing bronchitis, the Holy See said on Feb 6.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church had on Feb 5 asked an aide to read out his catechism at his weekly audience, saying that he had a “bad cold” which made it “difficult for me to speak”.
“He will read it better than me,” Pope Francis joked. He had also sounded a little breathless during his Sunday Angelus prayer.
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Key safety system off in US Army helicopter that collided with American Airlines jet: Senator
A key safety system was turned off on a US Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines regional jet last week near Washington Reagan Airport, killing 67.
US Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz told reporters the Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), which is permitted for military aircraft.
“This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off,” Mr Cruz said after a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
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Greece declares state of emergency on Santorini following quakes
The state of emergency will be in place until March 3.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist island this week and prompted more than 10,000 residents and workers to evacuate.
Since Feb 2, hundreds of near-constant tremors have been recorded in the sea between Santorini and the island of Amorgos, the strongest measuring a magnitude of 5.2 on Feb 5.
Authorities on Feb 5 warned of a high landslide risk on parts of the island. They have shut schools, dispatched rescuers and advised residents to avoid ports and indoor gatherings.
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Coldplay filmed new music video in Singapore, performed on floating stage in Marina Bay
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British band Coldplay did not have to go out of this world to film their latest music video for the song Man In The Moon (2024).
Instead, the pop-rock quartet, fronted by singer Chris Martin, ended up doing it a little closer to home – at least to their fans in Singapore.
The music video features the band performing on a custom-made floating stage in Marina Bay to a small audience made up of local youth from diverse backgrounds.
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The original article: belongs to The Straits Times World News .
