International

The Empress Emeritus of Japan, Michiko, turns 90

The Empress Emeritus of Japan, Michiko, turns 90 this Sunday at a time when she is recovering with rehabilitation sessions from a recent operation after a fractured femur.

The empress emeritus continues to use a wheelchair and recovers by doing an hour of rehabilitation daily after the reconstructive surgery she underwent on October 8 at the University Hospital of Tokyo, the Agency of the Japanese Imperial House reported today.

On October 6, Michiko suffered a fall at his residence in the Akasaka Imperial Complex in Tokyo and fractured the upper part of the femur.

In a statement, the Imperial House Agency explained that Michiko is still deeply distressed by the people affected by the earthquake of January 1 on the Noto peninsula (central Japan), and that her concern has been accentuated by the heavy torrential rains that this region suffered and left significant damage last month.

In turn, the agency assures that the former regent also enjoys seeing her grandchildren grow up, including Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and Prince Hisahito, only son of Crown Prince Fumihito and second in the line of succession after his father.

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Aiko, who will turn 23 in December, graduated this year in Japanese language and literature from Gakushuin University and is working for the Japanese Red Cross, while Hisahito, who came of age in September, plans to finish high school early next spring.

Since Michiko’s husband, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, decided to abdicate in 2019, both lead a quiet life and often reflect on the trips they made through Japan, the Imperial House said.

The abdication of Akihito, who will be 91 at the end of December, was the first of a Japanese emperor in two centuries and meant the accession to the throne of the Chrysanthemum of his son, Naruhito, 64 years old.

International

Trump Floats “Friendly Takeover” of Cuba Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is considering what he described as a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, as Washington continues to increase pressure on the island’s communist government.

“The Cuban government is talking to us and they have very serious problems, as you know. They have no money, they have nothing at this moment, but they are talking to us and maybe we will see a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Texas.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba needed a “radical change,” shortly after Washington eased restrictions on oil exports to the island for what officials described as “humanitarian reasons,” amid a deep economic crisis.

The United States has imposed an energy blockade on Cuba since January, citing what it calls an “extraordinary threat” posed by the communist-run island, located roughly 150 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast of Florida, to U.S. national security.

International

Argentina’s Senate Reviews Milei-Backed Labor Overhaul

Argentina’s Senate on Friday began reviewing the Labor Modernization Law promoted by the administration of President Javier Milei, a proposal that would significantly reshape labor rules across the country.

The upper chamber opened its final discussion of the contentious initiative, which revises the method used to calculate severance payments — lowering the amounts owed in dismissal cases — and introduces an “hour bank” mechanism that allows overtime to be offset with paid leave rather than extra wages.

The legislation also broadens the classification of essential services, a change that would place new limits on the right to strike in designated sectors.

The bill was initially approved by the Senate on February 11 and then moved to the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers passed it with amendments. It has now returned to the Senate for definitive approval.

Outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, workers, trade unions and left-wing organizations staged demonstrations beginning at midday. The gathering later thinned out amid reports of disturbances and a strong police presence. Security forces had secured the area surrounding the legislature since early morning hours.

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Union leaders contend that the reform weakens labor protections, while many business representatives back the measure but stress that sustainable formal employment will require economic expansion, improved credit conditions, greater investment and a more dynamic domestic market.

International

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Policy Allowing Deportations to Third Countries

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the policy of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration allowing immigration authorities to deport foreign nationals to third countries without prior notice or the opportunity to object is unlawful. The decision marks another legal setback for the administration on immigration matters.

Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the regulation issued last year, which stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not required to notify migrants if they were to be sent to countries other than the one listed in their removal order, provided that receiving nations offered assurances they would not face persecution or torture.

Murphy ordered the measure vacated but granted a 15-day delay before the ruling takes effect, giving the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

In his decision, the judge concluded that the policy violates federal immigration law and migrants’ due process rights. He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the alleged assurances provided by receiving countries, stating that “no one really knows anything about these supposed ‘assurances.’” He added, “It is not right, and it is not lawful.”

The ruling follows several legal disputes involving deportations to third countries. Last year, the executive branch deported more than 200 Salvadorans to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, invoking an old wartime law. The White House also held talks with Costa Rica, Panama, and Rwanda about receiving migrants who are not citizens of those countries.

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In May, the same judge determined that the government violated a court order when it attempted to remove a group of immigrants with criminal records to South Sudan without prior notice or an opportunity to raise claims of fear of persecution.

Although President Donald Trump took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which temporarily allowed the deportations to resume while a final decision was pending, the White House is expected to again appeal to higher courts to overturn this latest judicial ruling.