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Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, has secured a temporary court victory following his abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump. The federal watchdog, which oversees investigations into whistleblower retaliation and enforcement of ethics laws including the Hatch Act, was terminated via email on Friday evening. According to Dellinger's federal lawsuit filed Monday, the termination notice failed to provide any cause for his removal, simply stating: "On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Special Counsel of the US Office of Special Counsel is terminated, effective immediately." The Office of Special Counsel, which operates independently from the Justice Department's special counsel offices that handle politically sensitive criminal cases, maintains specific protections for its leader's position, requiring cause for removal. A federal judge has issued a temporary order allowing Dellinger […]

Hamas announced a postponement of the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. The release was planned for Saturday as part of an ongoing exchange program involving Palestinian prisoners. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz termed the announcement a "complete violation of the ceasefire agreement" and directed the Israel Defense Forces to maintain maximum alertness for potential scenarios in Gaza. Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, suggesting the ceasefire should end if all hostages aren't released by Saturday. "If hostages were not released, all hell is going to break out," Trump stated, though emphasizing he was speaking personally and Israel could make its own decisions. Currently, 76 hostages remain in Gaza, including 73 taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack and three from earlier incidents. The delay announcement coincided with […]

New Zealand and the Cook Islands are experiencing diplomatic tensions over the latter's planned partnership agreement with China. Mark Brown, the Cook Islands' leader, is heading to Beijing for the nation's first state visit to sign the deal, sparking concerns from New Zealand. The controversy centers on New Zealand's claim that it wasn't adequately consulted about the agreement, despite their longstanding "free association" relationship that involves defense and financial support. Brown maintains no dispute, asserting his nation's right to independent decision-making while emphasizing consistent communication with New Zealand. The proposed agreement with China encompasses infrastructure, trade, tourism, and potentially deep-sea mining. While Brown views seabed mining as a potential economic breakthrough, critics worry about its environmental impact on the already climate-vulnerable islands. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed concerns about transparency, suggesting possible implications for aid arrangements. The […]