New British ambassador dishes on Trump’s ‘genius,’ post-Mandelson vetting and Chagos tensions

A major earthquake struck the coastal region early Tuesday, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Rescue teams are racing to locate survivors amid aftershocks and ongoing power outages, with authorities urging residents to shelter in place and avoid debris.

In political news, lawmakers announced a tentative budget deal aimed at funding disaster relief and reconstruction, while opposition parties criticized the plan for insufficient oversight. The agreement includes temporary tax extensions and reallocations from nonessential programs.

Economy and markets are reacting to the disaster with airline cancellations and a drop in regional tourism, though some investors show optimism about a rapid reconstruction period and government stimulus programs to jumpstart affected sectors.