Kiwis get a rattle with their brekkies – Russia’s lukewarm embrace of a US fugitive might jeopardize Obama’s Moscow plans – and depression grounds a presidential candidate at a crucial time in his campaign.

A moderate 5.3 earthquake rattled Wellington this morning at 9:06 AM local time.  Witnesses reported tower blocks swaying and alarms going off after the tremor, but authorities say no significant damage has been reported.  But it was strong enough to remind Kiwis that Wellington is on a major fault line and of the temblor of two years ago that killed 185 people.

A US military judge refused to dismiss the most serious charges of aiding the enemy against Bradley Manning, the soldier who leaked military secrets to the WikiLeaks website.  Prosecutors say enemies such as Osama Bin Laden eventually saw the info he harvested.  The defense says the leaks involved things covered-up at home, such as graphic footage of a US helicopter attack in 2007 that killed a dozen civilians in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, including a Reuters photographer.

The White House is being “deliberately vague” about whether President Obama’s scheduled visit to Moscow is still on.  He’s supposed to go meet with Vladimir Putin in September, but bilateral relations are strained by the Edward Snowden situation.  The fugitive NSA leaker has applied for asylum in Russia, and Moscow hasn’t made a decision on it yet.  It would be a blow for Vladimir Putin, who places high value on hosting world leaders and celebrities as a way to bolster his prominence. 

A Cuban baseball star has defected during a visit to America.  24-year old pitcher Misael Siverio disappeared from his hotel room in Iowa where the Cuban National Team was playing a US college all-star squad.  Siverio told a reporter he’s going to try to make it in the Major League.

Chile's conservative presidential candidate, Pablo Longueira, has withdrawn from the autumn election campaign.  His son told reporters had been suffering from depression since winning the primary elections, and it’s taking a toll on his health.  His party is now working on how to replace him in the campaign.  Opinion polls suggest that popular former Social Democrat president Michelle Bachelet is the favorite to win on 17 November.  Longueira’s withdrawal further bolsters Bachelet.

France released a Norwegian neo-nazi musician, two days after accusing Kristian Vikernes of preparing a “major terrorist act”.  Officials say interrogating the suspect did not bring to light any evidence of a terrorist plot, although Vikernes was on their radar because of his past support for right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011.  Vikernes served 15 years in prison for murdering a fellow “black metal” musician in the 1990s.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is delaying a decision on US Secretary of State John Kerry’s plan to restart Israel-Palestinian peace talks.  He’s reportedly concerned the plan does not do enough to ensure that border negotiations start at the pre-1967 cease-fire lines. 

Nelson Mandela turned 95 in hospital, where he’s been treated for a stubborn lung infection since early June.  South Africa observed the occasion with numerous public celebrations, and urging citizens to mark Mandela's 67 years of public service with 67 minutes of charitable acts.  Internationally, the UN declared Thursday “Mandela Day”.  The former statesman is revered across the world for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa.  He went on to become the first black president in the country's first multi-racial elections in 1994.  His family and the SA government say Mandela’s health is improving.