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Trump pulls Musk ally’s NASA nomination, will announce replacement

Trump pulls Musk ally’s NASA nomination, will announce replacement
This photo taken on February 2, 2021 in Hawthorne, California, shows Inspiration4 mission commander Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, standing for a portrait in front of the recovered first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket at SpaceX. (AFP)
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Updated 01 June 2025

Trump pulls Musk ally’s NASA nomination, will announce replacement

Trump pulls Musk ally’s NASA nomination, will announce replacement
  • Jared Isaacman’s removal ‘bad news for the agency,’ astronomer says
  • Retired US Air Force general floated as possible replacement

WASHINGTON: The White House on Saturday withdrew its nominee for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, abruptly yanking a close ally of Elon Musk from consideration to lead the space agency.
President Donald Trump said he would announce a new candidate soon.
“After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. “I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space.”

Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut who had been Musk’s pick to lead NASA, was due next week for a much-delayed confirmation vote before the US Senate. His removal from consideration caught many in the space industry by surprise.
Trump and the White House did not explain what led to the decision. Isaacman, whose removal was earlier reported by Semafor, did not respond to a request for comment.
Isaacman’s removal comes just days after Musk’s official departure from the White House, where the SpaceX CEO’s role as a “special government employee” leading the Department of Government Efficiency created turbulence for the administration and frustrated some of Trump’s aides.
Musk, according to a person familiar with his reaction, was disappointed by Isaacman’s removal.
“It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,” Musk wrote of Isaacman on X, responding to the news of the White House’s decision.
Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Despite Trump’s decision, Isaacman thanked the president for considering him for the job.
“The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry," he wrote on X.

"It may not always be obvious through the discourse and turbulence, but there are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission. That was on full display during my hearing, where leaders on both sides of the aisle made clear they’re willing to fight for the world’s most accomplished space agency," he said.

It was unclear whom the administration might tap to replace Isaacman.
One name being floated is retired US Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, an early advocate for the creation of the US Space Force and Trump supporter, according to three people familiar with the discussions.
Isaacman, the former CEO of payment processor company Shift4, had broad space industry support but drew concerns from lawmakers over his ties to Musk and SpaceX, where he spent hundreds of millions of dollars as an early private spaceflight customer.
The former nominee had donated to Democrats in prior elections. In his confirmation hearing in April, he sought to balance NASA’s existing moon-aligned space exploration strategy with pressure to shift the agency’s focus on Mars, saying the US can plan for travel to both destinations.
As a potential leader of NASA’s some 18,000 employees, Isaacman faced a daunting task of implementing that decision to prioritize Mars, given that NASA has spent years and billions of dollars trying to return its astronauts to the moon.
On Friday, the space agency released new details of the Trump administration’s 2026 budget plan that proposed killing dozens of space science programs and laying off thousands of employees, a controversial overhaul that space advocates and lawmakers described as devastating for the agency.
Montana Republican Tim Sheehy, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, wrote on X that Isaacman “was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA” in response to reports of his departure.
“I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination,” Sheehy said.
Some scientists saw the nominee change as further destabilizing to NASA as it faces dramatic budget cuts without a confirmed leader in place to navigate political turbulence between Congress, the White House and the space agency’s workforce.
“So not having (Isaacman) as boss of NASA is bad news for the agency,” Harvard-Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan McDowell said on X.

“Maybe a good thing for Jared himself though, since being NASA head right now is a bit of a Kobayashi Maru scenario,” McDowell added, referring to an exercise in the science fiction franchise Star Trek where cadets are placed in a no-win scenario.


Zelensky hails ‘strong’ message’ of US sanctions on Russia

Zelensky hails ‘strong’ message’ of US sanctions on Russia
Updated 1 min 9 sec ago

Zelensky hails ‘strong’ message’ of US sanctions on Russia

Zelensky hails ‘strong’ message’ of US sanctions on Russia
  • Trump slapped sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil on Wednesday, complaining that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war “don’t go anywhere”

BRUSSELS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday hailed the “strong and much-needed” message sent by US sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, after President Donald Trump moved to ratchet up pressure on Moscow in step with the EU.
“We waited for this. God bless it will work and this is very important,” Zelensky told journalists at an EU summit in Brussels, saying Washington had sent “a good signal to other countries in the world to join the sanctions.”
Trump slapped sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil on Wednesday, complaining that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war “don’t go anywhere.”
Posting on X as he arrived in Brussels, Zelensky thanked Trump for a “resolute and well-targeted decision.”
He said the US sanctions were a “clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror come at a cost.”
“It is a strong and much-needed message that aggression will not go unanswered,” he said.
Trump has held off pulling the trigger on sanctions against Russia for months but his patience snapped after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.
His move came as the European Union approved a 19th package of sanctions to pressure Russia to end its relentless, three-and-a-half-year invasion of its neighbor.
As part of its new measures, the 27-nation bloc likewise targeted Russia’s fossil fuels by bringing forward a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas by a year to the start of 2027.
It also blacklisted over 100 more tankers from Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” of aging oil vessels and imposed controls on the travel of Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.
The package was formally adopted Thursday, just before Zelensky joined EU leaders for summit talks focused on shoring up support for Ukraine.


Spurs’ Wembanyama scores 40 in triumphant NBA return

Spurs’ Wembanyama scores 40 in triumphant NBA return
Updated 30 min 27 sec ago

Spurs’ Wembanyama scores 40 in triumphant NBA return

Spurs’ Wembanyama scores 40 in triumphant NBA return
  • He set a new Spurs franchise record for most points in a season opener, dominating his matchup with Dallas forward Anthony Davis, who led the Mavs with 22 points and 13 rebounds
  • Philadelphia’s third overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe made a stellar NBA debut, scoring 34 points with seven rebounds and three assists in the 76ers’ 117-116 victory over the Celtics in Bosto

LOS ANGELES: Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in a sensational NBA return on Wednesday, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 125-92 season-opening victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

The 21-year-old French star hadn’t played since he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder that required surgery in February.

But he launched his third season with a dazzling display on both ends of the floor, adding 15 rebounds, a steal and three blocked shots.

Already known for his combination of size and agility, Wembanyama showed off new strength and was virtually unstoppable at the rim.

He connected on 15 of his 21 attempts, including seven of eight in the second half.

“All dreams are allowed now,” he told broadcaster ESPN. “I’m just glad to be back.”

He set a new Spurs franchise record for most points in a season opener, dominating his matchup with Dallas forward Anthony Davis, who led the Mavs with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, who followed in Wembanyama’s footsteps in winning Rookie of the Year honors last season, added 22 points.

But it was a sometimes rocky NBA debut for Dallas’s 18-year-old No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, who had zero first-half points but finished with a respectable double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Edgecombe shines

Philadelphia’s third overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe made a stellar NBA debut, scoring 34 points with seven rebounds and three assists in the 76ers’ 117-116 victory over the Celtics in Boston.

Edgecombe’s points were the most in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 in 1959 and the third-most in a debut game ever.

He broke Allen Iverson’s franchise record for points in a debut of 30, his 14 first-quarter points breaking a record of 12 set by LeBron James in his debut game in 2003.

“It’s just having confidence,” Edgecombe told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “My teammates keep passing me the ball, telling me to shoot it, so why not?“

Edgecombe’s heroics, coupled with 40 points from Tyrese Maxey, helped the 76ers erase a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The Celtics, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White the only remaining starters from last season’s 61-win team as Jayson Tatum recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon, had a final chance to seal the win but Payton Pritchard’s jump shot didn’t fall.

Philadelphia’s oft-injured big man Joel Embiid, limited to 19 games last season, scored four points in just over 20 minutes on court.

The New York Knicks opened the season under new coach Mike Brown with a 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a battle of teams expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title.

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Jalen Brunson scored 23.

Donovan Mitchell scored 21 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Cavs erased a 15-point halftime deficit to take a one-point lead.

But the Cavs, who had the best record in the East last season but fell to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals, couldn’t keep the pressure on as they felt the absences of injured Darius Garland and Max Strus.


Russian strikes kill rescuer, damage synagogue in Ukraine

Russian strikes kill rescuer, damage synagogue in Ukraine
Updated 19 min 16 sec ago

Russian strikes kill rescuer, damage synagogue in Ukraine

Russian strikes kill rescuer, damage synagogue in Ukraine
  • Russian attacks overnight and into the early hours of Thursday killed one rescue worker in Ukraine, disrupted train services and damaged a synagogue, Ukrainian officials said

KYIV: Russian attacks overnight and into the early hours of Thursday killed one rescue worker in Ukraine, disrupted train services and damaged a synagogue, Ukrainian officials said.
AFP journalists in Kyiv heard air raid sirens and explosions during the night, as Russia launched 130 drones, according to the Ukrainian air force.
The emergency services said the rescue worker was killed and five others were wounded putting out a fire during a repeat Russian attack on the village of Zelenyi Gai in the eastern Kharkiv region.
“Another crime against rescuers,” its statement posted on social media said.
In Kyiv, eight people were wounded, city officials said, while the foreign ministry announced a synagogue had been damaged during the attack on three districts of the city.
“Russian terror does not spare anyone, including religious communities,” the foreign ministry said.
Its statement added that 640 places of worship and 67 religious leaders had been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
AFP journalists in Kyiv saw residential buildings whose windows were blown out in the attack and the charred remains of cars as residents cleared rubble.
In the eastern Sumy region, officials said two railway workers were wounded, while the state trains operator said services were disrupted in the border region.
Russia’s defense ministry meanwhile said it shot down 139 Ukrainian drones overnight, mostly over western regions bordering Ukraine.
The governor of the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, reported a fire at an industrial site, after unverified images on social media showed a large flame at an oil refinery there.
The overnight exchange of Russian and Ukrainian fire came one day after Russian bombardments killed seven people, including two children, and spurred nationwide blackouts across Ukraine.


Pakistan calls regional connectivity vital for shared prosperity, highlights its role as trade hub

Pakistan calls regional connectivity vital for shared prosperity, highlights its role as trade hub
Updated 32 min 2 sec ago

Pakistan calls regional connectivity vital for shared prosperity, highlights its role as trade hub

Pakistan calls regional connectivity vital for shared prosperity, highlights its role as trade hub
  • Ishaq Dar tells regional transport forum in Islamabad that connectivity is essential, not optional for states
  • He calls for a future where goods, energy, data and people move without any hindrances across borders

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday regional connectivity was not optional but essential for shared prosperity, highlighting his country’s strategic location as a bridge between South and Central Asia, China and the Middle East.

Dar was addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, which brought together officials from neighboring countries to discuss infrastructure, trade and cross-border cooperation.

He mentioned Pakistan’s focus on expanding road, rail, maritime and digital links while advancing trans-border energy and power projects.

“We meet today at a time of global transition, geo-economic shifts, new trade routes, digital integration and the move forward for sustainability are shaping trade and alliances today,” Dar told the participants of the conference. “In this environment, regional connectivity is not optional, it is essential for stability, growth and shared progress.”

He maintained such cooperation across the region would directly affect millions of lives.

“Pakistan’s strategic location connecting South Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East and China makes it a natural hub for regional connectivity,” he added. “Our vision is to build seamless linkages through road, rail, air, maritime, energy and digital corridors, turning geography into an opportunity.”

The deputy prime minister cited the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a symbol of “win-win cooperation” and a catalyst for energy and transport infrastructure across South and Central Asia.

He also highlighted projects such as the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Framework Agreement, the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad corridor, and the CASA-1000 and TAP-500 electricity transmission projects that aim to link Central Asian energy markets with his country.

“Pakistan is prioritizing digital trade platforms and e-port integration to create seamless, paperless and efficient trade flows, boosting efficiency, transparency and competitiveness and ensuring that our connectivity vision is future-ready,” he said amid Islamabad’s offer to landlocked Central Asian economies the use of its southern ports for global trade.

The Pakistani deputy PM said he envisioned “a future where goods, energy, data and people move without any hindrances across borders, where our economies complement and where connectivity drives inclusive growth.”

He added Pakistan was ready to coordinate transport plans, enhance cross-border facilitation, mobilize joint investments and strengthen regional value chains, calling on all participating nations to deepen engagement and forge durable partnerships.


Saudi artist Abdulhadi Abdullah: ‘I want my art to inspire happiness’ 

Saudi artist Abdulhadi Abdullah: ‘I want my art to inspire happiness’ 
Updated 23 October 2025

Saudi artist Abdulhadi Abdullah: ‘I want my art to inspire happiness’ 

Saudi artist Abdulhadi Abdullah: ‘I want my art to inspire happiness’ 

 RIYADH: Abdulhadi Abdullah describes art as “the magic of creating something out of nothing.” He recalls creating a colorful drawing as a child that delighted his friends — a moment that ignited a lifelong passion for creativity, and a belief that inspiration can be found everywhere. 

Two notable paintings by the Saudi artist vividly illustrate his approach to cultural storytelling. In “Edge of the Universe,” he depicts a man seated on a patterned surface, surrounded by stylized camels and hoding a bowl of camel milk — a symbol of hospitality. The inspiration for this work struck him during a visit to a traditional marketplace, where the vibrant colors and sounds enveloped him. As he painted, he envisioned the stories of countless lives intertwined in the bustling market.  

In “Edge of the Universe,” Abdulhadi Abdullah depicts a man seated on a patterned surface, surrounded by stylized camels and hoding a bowl of
camel milk — a symbol of hospitality. (Supplied)

“The geometric background of vivid squares adds a contemporary, mosaic-like effect. By merging traditional symbols with modern colors and clean lines, the painting conveys a deep longing for the past, reflecting warmth, pride, and an enduring connection to heritage and shared cultural memory,” the artist’s statement reads. 

In “Saint of the People,” a man sits serenely on a chair, a halo casting a soft glow above him. (Supplied)

In the second artwork, “Saint of the People,” a man sits serenely on a chair, a halo casting a soft glow above him. Abdullah recalls exploring an old, abandoned building and feeling a powerful urge to capture that moment. The bright blues and yellows in this painting contrast sharply with the dark silhouette of another figure, reflecting a journey of introspection and discovery.  

“He appears as a saint — ancient and wise,” Abdullah writes of the figure in the painting. “But in the shadows, he hides a devilish truth. Many believe his thoughts are pure, yet in reality they are the complete opposite.” 

As an art teacher, the 36-year-old finds inspiration in his students too. He cites a moment during a class when a young girl presented her artwork — a simple drawing of her family. The innocence and joy in her creative expression struck him deeply. “Each mind holds a different universe,” he says. His students’ drawings, filled with raw emotion and uninhibited color choices, often spark ideas for his own work. 

Heritage also plays a pivotal role in Abdullah’s work. He says that heritage has its “own color” — a tone that carries memory, rhythm, and soul. And he tries to translate this heritage into new shades that have never been used before. He fondly recalls conversations with his grandmother about their ancestry and the colors that defined their culture. Abdullah reshapes these traditional colors through his own lens, honoring his roots in a contemporary setting. 

Before beginning any artwork, Abdulhadi Abdullah engages in field research, often visiting ‘forgotten’ places. (Supplied)

Before beginning any artwork, Abdullah engages in field research, often visiting ‘forgotten’ places. “These visits are like treasure hunts,” he says. He observes colors, light behaviors, and spatial relationships and uses them to form “conceptual sketches” in his mind. 

At the core of Abdullah’s artistic philosophy is a commitment to spreading joy. “I want my art to inspire happiness,” he says.  

Abdullah is not just an artist; he is a storyteller, educator, and cultural ambassador. His vibrant artistic style and commitment to spreading joy through his work reflect a deep understanding of the transformative power of art. From the lively markets of Riyadh to the quiet corners of forgotten gardens, his journey invites us all to celebrate the beauty of our shared human experience.