US users can now secretly get paid in Bitcoin using Strike

Reuters
China's health body probes hospital after surrogacy claims
China's National Health Commission said it was investigating a hospital in the southwest megacity of Chongqing for its alleged involvement in surrogacy, which is illegal in China, after wide circulation of the issue on social media. The incident comes after a series of official investigations last year related to the issuance of fake birth certificates at a time when China is trying to boost its birth rate. Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital has been cooperating with illegal surrogacy agencies, a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo said on Sunday.
AFP
Asian markets build on rally as US jobs data boost rate cut hopes
Most Asian markets rose Monday after data showing fewer US jobs were created last month rekindled optimism interest rates will be cut this year, while mainland Chinese equities bounced on hopes for fresh government economic support.The news ramped up bets on the Fed cutting rates in September while investors also lifted their outlook on how many there would be, although the two priced in are still well short of the six envisaged at the start of the year.
Reuters
Russia to practice tactical nuclear weapon scenario to deter West - defence ministry
Russia on Monday said it would hold a military exercise that will include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons after what the defence ministry said were provocative threats from Western officials. The defence ministry said the exercise was ordered by President Vladimir Putin and would test the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to perform combat missions. The military drills will include practice for the preparation and deployment for use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the defence ministry said.
AFP
UCLA to resume in-person classes after Gaza protest crackdown
In-person classes will resume Monday at the University of California, Los Angeles, college officials said, after they were moved online following clashes on campus between pro-Palestinian protesters and police.UCLA said Friday it had moved classes online after a large police contingent forcibly cleared a sprawling encampment.
Reuters
Taiwan must invest in building its own 'strengths', vice president-elect says
Taiwan is grateful for continued U.S. security assistance but must invest in building its own "strengths" first and show the world its support for the island is worth it, Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim said on Monday. Hsiao, who takes office with President-elect Lai Ching-te on May 20, is Taiwan's former de facto ambassador to Washington, and is expected to play a key role in further strengthening ties with the United States given her fluent English and deep ties in the U.S. capital. The United States is Chinese-claimed Taiwan's most important supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of diplomatic ties.
AFP
EU election could force sharp turn in electric car policy
A change at the top of European institutions could herald a change in the 2035 target to phase out sales of internal combustion engine cars even though the automotive industry is already well down the road towards transitioning to electric vehicles.The two German parties in the group, the CDU and CSU, want to scrap the 2035 deadline to continue to benefit from "state-of-the-art German internal combustion engine technology".
USA TODAY
Key rocket launch set for Monday: What to know about the Boeing Starliner carrying 2 astronauts
On Monday, Boeing will send two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time aboard its Starliner space capsule.
AFP
Europe's auto suppliers reach the end of the road
Emrullah Karaca has made brakes for the past 20 years, but he is now learning to assemble heat pumps instead, as the Continental factory where he works in northern Germany is slated to close."Brakes or heat pumps, it's all the same to me," said Karaca, whose two parents both worked for Continental at the factory.
CNN
Israeli military tells Gazans in parts of eastern Rafah to ‘evacuate immediately’
Israel’s military has issued a call for residents of eastern Rafah to “evacuate immediately”, a day after the country’s defense minister told troops inside Gaza to expect “intense action in Rafah in the near future.”
Associated Press
On D-Day, 19-year-old medic Charles Shay was ready to give his life, and save as many as he could
BRETTEVILLE-L'ORGUEILLEUSE, France (AP) — On D-Day, Charles Shay was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic who was ready to give his life — and save as many as he could. Now 99, he’s spreading a message of peace with tireless dedication as he’s about to take part in the 80th anniversary commemorations of the landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi Germany occupation. A Penobscot tribe citizen from Indian Island in the U.S. state of Maine, Shay has been living in France since 2018, not far from the shores of Normandy where many world leaders are expected to come next month.
Reuters
Italy calls for Ukraine truce, peace talks with Putin - newspaper
Italy's Defence Minister said on Monday economic sanctions against Russia had failed and called on the West to try harder to negotiate a diplomatic solution with President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Guido Crosetto told daily Il Messaggero that the West had wrongly believed its sanctions could stop Russia's aggression, but it had overestimated its economic influence in the world.
AFP
No place to pray for Muslim workers in Italian city
It's Friday prayers in the northeastern Italian city of Monfalcone, and hundreds of men are on their knees in a concrete parking lot, their heads bowed to the ground. "It's not like we came here to see the beautiful city of Monfalcone," jokes Haq.
Reuters
Hard right wants more EU power to reflect likely election gains
From his office in a distant annexe, French right-wing lawmaker Jean-Paul Garraud has his sights set on a spot much closer to the decision-making heart of the European Parliament. The chair of France's Rassemblement National (RN) lawmakers expects nationalist and eurosceptic parties to surge in the June 6-9 EU assembly election, giving them a first taste of influence in Brussels and Strasbourg, if other right and centre-right parties work with them. Polls predict radical right parties will gain across the EU, including France, Germany and Italy where many seats are at stake, as voters frustrated by a cost of living and energy crisis, illegal migration, and rattled by a changing geo-political landscape seek alternatives beyond mainstream parties.
CNN
Israel orders shut down of Al Jazeera in the country, seizes equipment, in ‘dark day for democracy’
Israel shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in the country and seized some of its communication equipment Sunday, prompting condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s moves to restrict press freedoms.
Associated Press
Civil rights leader Daisy Bates and singer Johnny Cash to replace Arkansas statues at the US Capitol
When Arkansas lawmakers decided five years ago to replace the statues representing the state at the U.S. Capitol, there was little objection to getting rid of the existing sculptures. The statues that had stood there for more than 100 years were obscure figures in the state's history. “I remember giving tours to constituents from Arkansas, to young people, and I would point out the two representatives in Statuary Hall in our United States Capitol from Arkansas,” said former Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who also served in Congress.
AFP
Ode to joy: How Austria shaped Beethoven's Ninth
The night Ludwig van Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony rang out in a Vienna concert hall for the first time almost exactly two centuries ago, the great German composer was anxious for all to go well.And on Tuesday night that certainly will be the case, with Beethoven's masterpiece reverberating throughout Europe with anniversary concerts in major venues in Paris, Milan and Vienna. kym/fg
AFP
Indonesia first-quarter growth boosted by election, holiday spending
Indonesia's economic growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2024 on the back of election and religious holiday spending, official data showed Monday.Government estimates had projected growth of 5.17 percent but experts warned Jakarta's official data might not be reliable to judge economic performance.
AFP
Far-right parties wage disinfo war ahead of EU vote
Far-right populist parties are way ahead of their traditional rivals in the race for voter attention on social media, where disinformation is stirring fear and rage around key issues in June's European elections, experts say.Social media is "handy for... organised right-wing populist political parties to impose their lies, conspiracies and frames", said Ayhan Kaya, chair of European Politics of Interculturalism at Istanbul Bilgi University.
Associated Press
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of people in the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip to begin evacuating, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion could be imminent. Hamas and Qatar, a key mediator, have warned that an invasion of Rafah could derail the talks. Israel has described Rafah as the last significant Hamas stronghold after seven months of war, and its leaders have repeatedly said they need to carry out a ground invasion to defeat the Islamic militant group.
Associated Press
Hungary and Serbia's autocratic leaders to roll out red carpet for China's Xi during Europe tour
Chinese leader Xi Jinping will spend the bulk of his five-day tour in Europe this week in two small countries at the continent’s eastern half, a region that Beijing has used as a foothold for its expanding economic ambitions in Europe. Following a stop in Paris on Monday to kick off his first European trip in five years, Xi will then travel to Hungary and Serbia, two nations with autocratic leaders that are seen as China-friendly and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. As mainstream European leaders have pursued more protectionist policies to limit Beijing and Moscow’s reach on the continent, the governments of nationalist conservative leaders Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia have vigorously courted economic ties with China, inviting major investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and technology.

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