Guatemala joins US

President Jimmy Morales’ top diplomat defended his decision to move Guatemala’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, rejecting yesterday international and domestic criticism after he followed Washington’s lead in announcing a switch. Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel said the change amounts to ‘‘a foreign policy decision, therefore sovereign’’, and there is no intention to reverse it. ‘‘What we are doing is being coherent with our foreign policy and the ally we have been for Israel,’’ she said Morales announced the change on Christmas Eve, becoming the first to follow US President Donald Trump on switching from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim the city’s eastern sector, which was captured by Israel in 1967 and is home to sensitive Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious sites.

Starfish healthy again

Starfish are making a comeback on the North American West Coast, four years after a mysterious syndrome killed millions of them. From 2013 to 2014, Sea Star Wasting Syndrome hit starfish from British Columbia to Mexico. They would develop lesions and then disintegrate, their arms turning into blobs of goo. The cause is unclear but researchers say it may be a virus. But now, the species is rebounding. Starfish are being spotted in Southern California tide pools and elsewhere, the Orange County Register reported yesterday. ‘‘They are coming back, big time,’’ Darryl Deleske, aquarist for the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in Los Angeles, said.

Noori in court

The motorist accused of mowing down pedestrians in Melbourne’s CBD days before Christmas has appeared in court behind security glass. Saeed Noori, an Afghan refugee and Australian citizen with a history of drug and mental health problems, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday seated between two prison guards. The 32-year-old faces 18 counts of attempted murder and one of conduct endangering life. He looked down for most of the hearing. Noori was remanded in custody.