authorities stopped a man at as he tried to smuggle 74 protected chameleons from Africa into the They said in a statement Friday that a 56-year-old man, who was not further identified, had hidden the animals in socks and empty ice-cream boxes when he was caught at customs control in Vienna. He had traveled to Austria from Tanzania via Ethiopia.The chameleons were taken to the Austrian capital's Schoenbrunn Zoo, which said that three of the animals did not survive. All the animals were from the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania and ranged in age from 1 week old to adult animals. On the black...…authorities stopped a man at as he tried to smuggle 74 protected chameleons from Africa into the They said in a statement Friday that a 56-year-old man, who was not further identified, had hidden the animals in socks and empty ice-cream boxes when he was caught at customs control in Vienna. He had traveled to Austria from Tanzania via Ethiopia.The chameleons were taken to the Austrian capital's Schoenbrunn Zoo, which said that three of the animals did not survive. All the animals were from the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania and ranged in age from 1 week old to adult animals. On the black...WW…

The White House has responded to Governor ’ criticism of President ’s plan to have the federal government open mass vaccination sites across the country."I would use all that energy and I would put that towards more supply of the vaccine," Mr DeSantis said at a news conference over the weekend. His answer was in response to reports that Mr Biden directed the (FEMA) to open 100 government vaccination sides nationwide. At the White House press briefing on Monday, Jen Psaki, the press secretary, was asked about Mr DeSantis’ criticism and what the president thought about it.“The president is a...…The White House has responded to Governor ’ criticism of President ’s plan to have the federal government open mass vaccination sites across the country."I would use all that energy and I would put that towards more supply of the vaccine," Mr DeSantis said at a news conference over the weekend. His answer was in response to reports that Mr Biden directed the (FEMA) to open 100 government vaccination sides nationwide. At the White House press briefing on Monday, Jen Psaki, the press secretary, was asked about Mr DeSantis’ criticism and what the president thought about it.“The president is a...WW…

Senator Rob Portman has announced he will retire at the end of his term in 2022, opening up a world of possibility among several different political camps.First, will try to recruit Mr Portman, a well-liked moderate in bipartisan Senate circles, to join them in convicting at his impeachment trial for inciting an insurrection at the on 6 January.The Democrats need at least 17 Republicans to vote with them to reach a two-thirds majority and convict Mr Trump, barring him from ever holding federal office again.Mr Portman’s retirement also throws the 2022 Ohio Senate race into flux as Republican...…Senator Rob Portman has announced he will retire at the end of his term in 2022, opening up a world of possibility among several different political camps.First, will try to recruit Mr Portman, a well-liked moderate in bipartisan Senate circles, to join them in convicting at his impeachment trial for inciting an insurrection at the on 6 January.The Democrats need at least 17 Republicans to vote with them to reach a two-thirds majority and convict Mr Trump, barring him from ever holding federal office again.Mr Portman’s retirement also throws the 2022 Ohio Senate race into flux as Republican...WW…

The has confirmed as US , the first woman in history to hold the post.Ms Yellen’s nomination has largely breezed through the Senate with little controversy, her track record as chairwoman of the Federal Reserve under Barack Obama and Donald Trump and longtime relationships with policymakers on Capitol Hill helping pave the way for a smooth transition.The new Treasury Secretary advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee with a unanimous vote of approval, earning plaudits from Democrats and Republicans alike.“I have very strong disagreements with Dr Yellen on a number of her positions,...…The has confirmed as US , the first woman in history to hold the post.Ms Yellen’s nomination has largely breezed through the Senate with little controversy, her track record as chairwoman of the Federal Reserve under Barack Obama and Donald Trump and longtime relationships with policymakers on Capitol Hill helping pave the way for a smooth transition.The new Treasury Secretary advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee with a unanimous vote of approval, earning plaudits from Democrats and Republicans alike.“I have very strong disagreements with Dr Yellen on a number of her positions,...WW…

ven the most fervent supporters of the protests called for 25 January did not believe they could amount to much.  Newspaper editor Lina Attalah chose not to assign a reporter to cover the rallies in , assuming they would be cleared within minutes.  Human rights defender Mona Seif, who planned to attend one of the secret marches, voiced her doubts on her blog. Hossam Baghat, the founder of one of ’s leading civil society organisations, laughed off a sudden decision by the authorities to permanently disconnect his mobile number and those of several rights lawyers, hours before it was all due...…ven the most fervent supporters of the protests called for 25 January did not believe they could amount to much.  Newspaper editor Lina Attalah chose not to assign a reporter to cover the rallies in , assuming they would be cleared within minutes.  Human rights defender Mona Seif, who planned to attend one of the secret marches, voiced her doubts on her blog. Hossam Baghat, the founder of one of ’s leading civil society organisations, laughed off a sudden decision by the authorities to permanently disconnect his mobile number and those of several rights lawyers, hours before it was all due...WW…

A of phone numbers belonging to users is being sold on a cybercriminal forum, with customers looking up numbers using a bot.One person advertising the phone numbers says it contains data on nearly 500 million users, although the information is several years old.In 2019, a security researcher found , meaning no password was needed to access them.A total of 18 million were from users in the UK, while around 133 million were from American accounts.   When the bot – which uses the messaging service Telegram, which recently saw an - is launched, it says: "The bot helps to find out the cellular...…A of phone numbers belonging to users is being sold on a cybercriminal forum, with customers looking up numbers using a bot.One person advertising the phone numbers says it contains data on nearly 500 million users, although the information is several years old.In 2019, a security researcher found , meaning no password was needed to access them.A total of 18 million were from users in the UK, while around 133 million were from American accounts.   When the bot – which uses the messaging service Telegram, which recently saw an - is launched, it says: "The bot helps to find out the cellular...WW…

The Biden administration has reaffirmed its calls for to immediately release political opposition leader and his supporters who have been detained for protesting his incarceration.The new president’s forceful denunciation of Russia’s newest manifestation of political repression marks a sharp departure from his predecessor, who would not say last September that Mr Navalny had been poisoned by Russian government agents, as had been widely reported and speculated.“We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and...…The Biden administration has reaffirmed its calls for to immediately release political opposition leader and his supporters who have been detained for protesting his incarceration.The new president’s forceful denunciation of Russia’s newest manifestation of political repression marks a sharp departure from his predecessor, who would not say last September that Mr Navalny had been poisoned by Russian government agents, as had been widely reported and speculated.“We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and...WW…

President said most Americans should be able to receive a vaccine by spring, following his administration’s efforts to distribute 100 million vaccines within his first 100 days in office.Distributing vaccines to millions of Americans will be a “logistical challenge that exceeds anything we’ve ever tried in this country, but I think we can do that," the president said on Monday."I feel confident that by summer we're gonna be well on our way to heading toward ," or roughly 300 million Americans vaccinated, he said.The president added that the administration will also be increasing access for...…President said most Americans should be able to receive a vaccine by spring, following his administration’s efforts to distribute 100 million vaccines within his first 100 days in office.Distributing vaccines to millions of Americans will be a “logistical challenge that exceeds anything we’ve ever tried in this country, but I think we can do that," the president said on Monday."I feel confident that by summer we're gonna be well on our way to heading toward ," or roughly 300 million Americans vaccinated, he said.The president added that the administration will also be increasing access for...WW…

has denied he owns a , in his first comments since nemesis linked him to an opulent £1bn development on the coast. Mr Putin said he had “not had the time” to view the much-discussed investigation, released on 19 January shortly after the Putin critic was jailed. Nonetheless, the president asserted extracts he had seen represented an  “attempt to brainwash” Russians using “10-year-old rumours”. “They decided it was a good time to put things together and brainwash our citizens,” he said. “This is just a compilation, a cut and paste job.” In an altogether complicated repudiation, Mr Putin said...…has denied he owns a , in his first comments since nemesis linked him to an opulent £1bn development on the coast. Mr Putin said he had “not had the time” to view the much-discussed investigation, released on 19 January shortly after the Putin critic was jailed. Nonetheless, the president asserted extracts he had seen represented an  “attempt to brainwash” Russians using “10-year-old rumours”. “They decided it was a good time to put things together and brainwash our citizens,” he said. “This is just a compilation, a cut and paste job.” In an altogether complicated repudiation, Mr Putin said...WW…

has been mocked with a “pathetic loser” banner flying over his Florida home.On Sunday, reports emerged that a banner deriding Mr Trump, who returned home to his club in , Florida following the end of his presidency was being flown over West Palm Beach., a scathing message written on the banner read: “Trump you pathetic loser go back to Moscow.”It wasn’t immediately clear where exactly the banner’s flight path was, who had funded the stunt and whether the former president was aware of the aerial sign.Palm Beach Post senior political reporter Christine Stapletonthat Mr Trump's popularity in...…has been mocked with a “pathetic loser” banner flying over his Florida home.On Sunday, reports emerged that a banner deriding Mr Trump, who returned home to his club in , Florida following the end of his presidency was being flown over West Palm Beach., a scathing message written on the banner read: “Trump you pathetic loser go back to Moscow.”It wasn’t immediately clear where exactly the banner’s flight path was, who had funded the stunt and whether the former president was aware of the aerial sign.Palm Beach Post senior political reporter Christine Stapletonthat Mr Trump's popularity in...WW…

told the international community that he regretted America’s absence in fighting the climate crisis during the Trump era, in his first major speech as President ’s climate envoy.The former secretary of state took part in the virtual opening session of the  first ever United Nations Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) on Monday, which is being hosted by the Netherlands.Mr Kerry said: “Three years ago scientists gave us a stark warning. They said we have 12 years within which to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Now we have nine years left and I regret that my country has been...…told the international community that he regretted America’s absence in fighting the climate crisis during the Trump era, in his first major speech as President ’s climate envoy.The former secretary of state took part in the virtual opening session of the  first ever United Nations Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) on Monday, which is being hosted by the Netherlands.Mr Kerry said: “Three years ago scientists gave us a stark warning. They said we have 12 years within which to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Now we have nine years left and I regret that my country has been...WW…

The US Supreme Court has dropped multiple emoluments cases against accusing him of profiting off the presidency, describing the remaining cases as “moot” now that he is no longer in office.In tossing out the remaining cases against the former president, the nation’s highest court also ordered appeals courts in New York and Virginia to dismiss the lawsuits against him. The justices threw out lower court rulings that had allowed the lawsuits - one filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland and the other by plaintiffs including a watchdog group - to proceed, while also...…The US Supreme Court has dropped multiple emoluments cases against accusing him of profiting off the presidency, describing the remaining cases as “moot” now that he is no longer in office.In tossing out the remaining cases against the former president, the nation’s highest court also ordered appeals courts in New York and Virginia to dismiss the lawsuits against him. The justices threw out lower court rulings that had allowed the lawsuits - one filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland and the other by plaintiffs including a watchdog group - to proceed, while also...WW…

has dubbed a “white supremacist fascist” in a Twitter clash over ’s plans to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.Cruz, a US senator, drew mockery on Wednesday (20 October) after appearing to suggest that the Paris Climate Agreement, in which global nations vow to collectively tackle the climate crisis, only affects the citizens of Paris. While president, Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement. After Biden within hours of taking office, Cruz claimed without evidence that it would “harm the livelihoods of Americans”. Quick to respond was Rogen, who tweeted to Cruz: “F***...…has dubbed a “white supremacist fascist” in a Twitter clash over ’s plans to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.Cruz, a US senator, drew mockery on Wednesday (20 October) after appearing to suggest that the Paris Climate Agreement, in which global nations vow to collectively tackle the climate crisis, only affects the citizens of Paris. While president, Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement. After Biden within hours of taking office, Cruz claimed without evidence that it would “harm the livelihoods of Americans”. Quick to respond was Rogen, who tweeted to Cruz: “F***...WW…

spoke on Sunday with French President , expressing his desire to strengthen bilateral ties, the White House said, as the president made the traditional one of the first countries contacted during his first days in office.The White House statement also said that Mr Biden stressed his commitment to bolstering transatlantic relations through NATO and the US partnership with the European Union.Mr Macron is the fourth world leader the new Democratic president has called since taking office last Wednesday.His first two calls were to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President...…spoke on Sunday with French President , expressing his desire to strengthen bilateral ties, the White House said, as the president made the traditional one of the first countries contacted during his first days in office.The White House statement also said that Mr Biden stressed his commitment to bolstering transatlantic relations through NATO and the US partnership with the European Union.Mr Macron is the fourth world leader the new Democratic president has called since taking office last Wednesday.His first two calls were to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President...WW…

has made an impassioned plea for who have because of the to be given more help, as they will likely face “lifetime consequences”.The US economy has lost around 10 million positions since the pandemic struck, with women accounting for around 1 million more of those losses than men. Latest figures showed that in December, jobs increased for men, while women lost a further 140,000 posts.“The pandemic has really set women back. And make no mistake, this is not something women are going to recover from in just the space of a few months or even a few years,” she told CNN. “This will have lifetime...…has made an impassioned plea for who have because of the to be given more help, as they will likely face “lifetime consequences”.The US economy has lost around 10 million positions since the pandemic struck, with women accounting for around 1 million more of those losses than men. Latest figures showed that in December, jobs increased for men, while women lost a further 140,000 posts.“The pandemic has really set women back. And make no mistake, this is not something women are going to recover from in just the space of a few months or even a few years,” she told CNN. “This will have lifetime...WW…

reportedly wants to set up his his own “MAGA Party” to challenge “disloyal” who helped him in the House – or else are considering voting to convict him in the .On Monday, a single article of impeachment is set to be transferred from the House of Representatives to the Senate, where members of the upper chamber will next month consider Mr Trump’s fate. If Mr Trump, who is the only president to have been impeached twice, is convicted in the Senate, he could also be barred from ever running for federal office again.Over the weekend it was reported Mr Trump, now ensconced at his estate in...…reportedly wants to set up his his own “MAGA Party” to challenge “disloyal” who helped him in the House – or else are considering voting to convict him in the .On Monday, a single article of impeachment is set to be transferred from the House of Representatives to the Senate, where members of the upper chamber will next month consider Mr Trump’s fate. If Mr Trump, who is the only president to have been impeached twice, is convicted in the Senate, he could also be barred from ever running for federal office again.Over the weekend it was reported Mr Trump, now ensconced at his estate in...WW…

’s health minister has claimed it is not the country’s job to provide the to living in occupied territories, despite calls from the UN to do so.Yuli Edelstein said that while Israel had an “interest” in vaccinating Palestinians in the occupied and , it was under no “legal obligation” to provide jabs.“As far as vaccination is concerned, I think it is Israel’s obligation first and foremost to its citizens,” he told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. “They pay taxes for that, don’t they?“But having said that, I do remember that it is our interest – not our legal obligation, but our interest – to...…’s health minister has claimed it is not the country’s job to provide the to living in occupied territories, despite calls from the UN to do so.Yuli Edelstein said that while Israel had an “interest” in vaccinating Palestinians in the occupied and , it was under no “legal obligation” to provide jabs.“As far as vaccination is concerned, I think it is Israel’s obligation first and foremost to its citizens,” he told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. “They pay taxes for that, don’t they?“But having said that, I do remember that it is our interest – not our legal obligation, but our interest – to...WW…

Dutch have arrested the alleged leader of one of the world’s biggest drug gangs.Officers said they detained Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian accused of running The Company, an organisation believed to dominate the £50bn-a year -Pacific drug trade, on Friday.Mr Tse, who has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin “” Guzman, was arrested without incident at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport,  Dutch police spokesperson Thomas Aling has said. “He was already on the most-wanted list and he was detained based on intelligence we received,” Mr Aling said.The alleged gang leader was arrested on a...…Dutch have arrested the alleged leader of one of the world’s biggest drug gangs.Officers said they detained Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian accused of running The Company, an organisation believed to dominate the £50bn-a year -Pacific drug trade, on Friday.Mr Tse, who has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin “” Guzman, was arrested without incident at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport,  Dutch police spokesperson Thomas Aling has said. “He was already on the most-wanted list and he was detained based on intelligence we received,” Mr Aling said.The alleged gang leader was arrested on a...WW…

has admitted that his associate sought $20,000 (£14,600) per day from the Trump campaign in return for his efforts to overturn the result – representing a price hike of 10 times the usual sum, according to a report.’s personal lawyer has consistently denied requesting such a fee for his services, following a Washington Post report suggesting the pair – previously fierce allies – had fallen out over demands for that exact amount, with the former president taking offence and ordering his aides not to pay it.But it emerged on Saturday that Mr Giuliani reportedly conceded in a short phone...…has admitted that his associate sought $20,000 (£14,600) per day from the Trump campaign in return for his efforts to overturn the result – representing a price hike of 10 times the usual sum, according to a report.’s personal lawyer has consistently denied requesting such a fee for his services, following a Washington Post report suggesting the pair – previously fierce allies – had fallen out over demands for that exact amount, with the former president taking offence and ordering his aides not to pay it.But it emerged on Saturday that Mr Giuliani reportedly conceded in a short phone...WW…

worked with a Justice Department to oust the acting and force Georgia lawmakers to overturn his election loss in the state, says a report.Mr Trump allegedly plotted with Jeffrey Clark, who led the DOJ’s civil division, to cast doubt on election results in the state and heap pressure on Georgia to help him, according to the New York Times.The former president was considering firing after he refused to help Mr Trump reverse his defeat to Joe Biden, and replacing him with Mr Clark.The plan only failed when senior department officials got on a conference call and agreed they would all resign if...…worked with a Justice Department to oust the acting and force Georgia lawmakers to overturn his election loss in the state, says a report.Mr Trump allegedly plotted with Jeffrey Clark, who led the DOJ’s civil division, to cast doubt on election results in the state and heap pressure on Georgia to help him, according to the New York Times.The former president was considering firing after he refused to help Mr Trump reverse his defeat to Joe Biden, and replacing him with Mr Clark.The plan only failed when senior department officials got on a conference call and agreed they would all resign if...WW…

The administration has fired the heads of three US-funded international broadcasters that were appointed by .The acting chief of the US Agency for Global Media dismissed the directors of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, reports say.Mr Biden had also forced Mr Trump’s pick to run the USAGM to resign with hours of stepping foot in the .The latest changes come just a day after the director of Voice of America and his deputy were removed and the chief of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting stood down, according to NPR.The now former head of...…The administration has fired the heads of three US-funded international broadcasters that were appointed by .The acting chief of the US Agency for Global Media dismissed the directors of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, reports say.Mr Biden had also forced Mr Trump’s pick to run the USAGM to resign with hours of stepping foot in the .The latest changes come just a day after the director of Voice of America and his deputy were removed and the chief of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting stood down, according to NPR.The now former head of...WW…

A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Eugene Goodman, a US Capitol police officer who single-handedly led a group of rioters away from the Senate chamber just moments before they breached the door during the 6 January attack on the Capitol.It’s one of the highest honors the body can offer a civilian, and piggybacks on earlier this month.The describes how the officer’s quick thinking “left an indelible mark on American history. The bill was introduced by senators Thom Tillis, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Coons, Sherrod Brown, and Ben...…A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Eugene Goodman, a US Capitol police officer who single-handedly led a group of rioters away from the Senate chamber just moments before they breached the door during the 6 January attack on the Capitol.It’s one of the highest honors the body can offer a civilian, and piggybacks on earlier this month.The describes how the officer’s quick thinking “left an indelible mark on American history. The bill was introduced by senators Thom Tillis, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Coons, Sherrod Brown, and Ben...WW…

The co-founder has suggested that the political action committee will turn its attention to Texas senator and other Republicans now that has left office.The Republican super PAC that was set up in 2019 to prevent the reelection of Mr Trump, released several videos on social media during the 2020 presidential campaign relentlessly criticising the then president and his administration.Mr Trump left the White House on Wednesday after losing November’s presidential election to President , who was then inaugurated shortly after.Mr Wilson confirmed on the Texas political podcast Y’all-itics...…The co-founder has suggested that the political action committee will turn its attention to Texas senator and other Republicans now that has left office.The Republican super PAC that was set up in 2019 to prevent the reelection of Mr Trump, released several videos on social media during the 2020 presidential campaign relentlessly criticising the then president and his administration.Mr Trump left the White House on Wednesday after losing November’s presidential election to President , who was then inaugurated shortly after.Mr Wilson confirmed on the Texas political podcast Y’all-itics...WW…

has said that and “his team caused more harm than expected” during the transition period after ’s transition team was not permitted access.The revelation came during an during which the Democratic senator was asked for his opinion on the flurry of executive actions passed by the since Wednesday.Senator Coons, who holds Mr Biden’s old seat and has known the president for 30 years, said the president had been thoroughly preparing since he won the election in November.“Mr Biden has been digging into details, pulling together a seasoned and capable and diverse group of nominees to serve as his...…has said that and “his team caused more harm than expected” during the transition period after ’s transition team was not permitted access.The revelation came during an during which the Democratic senator was asked for his opinion on the flurry of executive actions passed by the since Wednesday.Senator Coons, who holds Mr Biden’s old seat and has known the president for 30 years, said the president had been thoroughly preparing since he won the election in November.“Mr Biden has been digging into details, pulling together a seasoned and capable and diverse group of nominees to serve as his...WW…

It was an image that crystallised last weekend’s news. Yulia Navalnaya, the tall, blonde 44-year-old wife of ’s most prominent opposition leader, embracing her husband at border control in a moment of cruelty and tenderness. The two had come home understanding the risks of returning to the lair of unsuccessful assassins – and the likelihood that a period of extended separation would follow.To describe the chapters of the couple’s last five months as Shakespearean, risks underselling the genre. To recap: first came the attack by a military-grade . Then, the fortune of a quick thinking pilot...…It was an image that crystallised last weekend’s news. Yulia Navalnaya, the tall, blonde 44-year-old wife of ’s most prominent opposition leader, embracing her husband at border control in a moment of cruelty and tenderness. The two had come home understanding the risks of returning to the lair of unsuccessful assassins – and the likelihood that a period of extended separation would follow.To describe the chapters of the couple’s last five months as Shakespearean, risks underselling the genre. To recap: first came the attack by a military-grade . Then, the fortune of a quick thinking pilot...WW…