The move relates to adjustments under the NATO Force Model, which defines the pool of forces member states can activate in wartime or large-scale emergencies.

The move relates to adjustments under the NATO Force Model, which defines the pool of forces member states can activate in wartime or large-scale emergencies.

Trump administration plans to cut US forces available to NATO during crises, yet retain nuclear shield

The USA, which is co-hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 along with Mexico and Canada, has dropped the visa bond requirement for fans of the five African countries which have qualified for the 48-team event. The development came Wednesday (May 12) with less than a month to go for the tournament which is scheduled begin on June 11. Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia are the five countries fans from which have been exempted from paying the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-us-entry-to-cost-15-000-for-players-and-fans-of-five-african-nations-1774491019483">bond money to enter the US </a>which ranges between $5,000-$15,000. The money, paid with visa application, is refundable whenever the traveler leaves the US or the visa is denied.<h2>USA makes exceptions for fans for World Cup 2026 duration</h2>Under the Trump administration, the US had implemented rule of vida bond money for the travelers from the countries which tend of overstay the visa among other security concerns. There are about 50 contries under the blanket of visa bond rule but now the five African countries of Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia have been exempted from the rule in order to help them attend the matches. The requirement from exemption, however, includes holding a valid World Cup ticket for a match in the USA. The players, coaches and other staff have already been exempted from the rule but the relief for fans came on Wednesday (May 13).Also Check - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-watch-team-of-wartime-iran-holds-send-off-for-players-ahead-of-depature-1778729931002">FIFA World Cup 2026 | WATCH - Iran holds send-off for players ahead of depature</a>"The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best Fifa World Cup in history," Mora Namdar, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, told the Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and have opted the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa appointments.<h2>US matches FIFA World Cup 2026</h2>The World Cup will see 104 matches being played including the final on July 19. 78 of those 104 matches are scheduled to be played in the USA while Mexico and Canada will host 13 matches each. A total 11 cities in the USA will host the World Cup 2026 matches: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Trump admin has dropped visa bond money requirement for fans from Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia with valid match tickets to enter the US during World Cup 2026.

The USA, which is co-hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 along with Mexico and Canada, has dropped the visa bond requirement for fans of the five African countries which have qualified for the 48-team event. The development came Wednesday (May 12) with less than a month to go for the tournament which is scheduled begin on June 11. Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia are the five countries fans from which have been exempted from paying the bond money to enter the US which ranges between $5,000-$15,000. The money, paid with visa application, is refundable whenever the traveler leaves the US or the visa is denied. USA makes exceptions for fans for World Cup 2026 duration Under the Trump administration, the US had implemented rule of vida bond money for the travelers from the countries which tend of overstay the visa among other security concerns. There are about 50 contries under the blanket of visa bond rule but now the five African countries of Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia have been exempted from the rule in order to help them attend the matches. The requirement from exemption, however, includes holding a valid World Cup ticket for a match in the USA. The players, coaches and other staff have already been exempted from the rule but the relief for fans came on Wednesday (May 13). Also Check - FIFA World Cup 2026 | WATCH - Iran holds send-off for players ahead of depature "The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best Fifa World Cup in history," Mora Namdar, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, told the Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and have opted the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa appointments. US matches FIFA World Cup 2026 The World Cup will see 104 matches being played including the final on July 19. 78 of those 104 matches are scheduled to be played in the USA while Mexico and Canada will host 13 matches each. A total 11 cities in the USA will host the World Cup 2026 matches: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Trump admin has dropped visa bond money requirement for fans from Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia with valid match tickets to enter the US during World Cup 2026.

Football World Cup 2026 | US drops $5k-15k visa bond money requirement for fans from five African nations

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (April 5) escalated his rhetoric, vowing to unleash unprecedented attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, declaring that Tuesday would be "power plant day and bridge day all wrapped in one" in Iran, and warning that there would be "nothing like it."&nbsp;"Open the Fuckin’ strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell — just watch! Praise be to Allah," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.&nbsp;In his strongly-worded message to Iran, Trump used foul language and invoked the name of Allah, a highly uncharacteristic and unpresidential departure from the decorum traditionally expected of an American head of state and Commander-in-Chief.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The outburst came as Trump continues to pile pressure on Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically vital waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply flows, and which has emerged as a major flashpoint in the escalating standoff between Washington and Tehran in recent weeks.&nbsp;On Saturday, following a strike near an Iranian nuclear facility and the reported downing of a US aircraft, Trump took to Truth Social to renew his ultimatum. Referencing a previously issued 10-day window for negotiations, he warned that the final deadline was fast approaching.&nbsp;"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out, 48 hours before all hell rains down on them. Glory be to God!, President DONALD J. TRUMP," he wrote.&nbsp;Iran has effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war on February 28, triggered by a US-Israel bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic aimed at targeting top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and other senior IRGC officials. However, since late March, Iran has transitioned from a total blockade to a selective “Friendly Nation” transit policy. While the Strait remains strictly closed to US- and Israeli-linked vessels, Tehran has established a controlled corridor for countries it deems non-hostile.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)&nbsp;

On Saturday, following a strike near an Iranian nuclear facility and the reported downing of a US aircraft, President Trump took to Truth Social to renew his ultimatum. Referencing a previously issued 10-day window for negotiations, he warned that the final deadline was fast approaching.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (April 5) escalated his rhetoric, vowing to unleash unprecedented attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, declaring that Tuesday would be "power plant day and bridge day all wrapped in one" in Iran, and warning that there would be "nothing like it." "Open the Fuckin’ strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell — just watch! Praise be to Allah," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. In his strongly-worded message to Iran, Trump used foul language and invoked the name of Allah, a highly uncharacteristic and unpresidential departure from the decorum traditionally expected of an American head of state and Commander-in-Chief.

On Saturday, following a strike near an Iranian nuclear facility and the reported downing of a US aircraft, President Trump took to Truth Social to renew his ultimatum. Referencing a previously issued 10-day window for negotiations, he warned that the final deadline was fast approaching.

'Open the Fu**ing Strait, you crazy ba***rds': Trump threatens to unleash hell on Iran if Hormuz doesn't open by Tuesday

Trump seeks $152 million to reopen Alcatraz as a high-security prison under the 2027 budget. The plan is aimed at boosting capacity and law enforcement. Here’s what you need to know about the notorious island jail. 

Trump seeks $152 million to reopen Alcatraz as a high-security prison under the 2027 budget. The plan is aimed at boosting capacity and law enforcement. Here’s what you need to know about the notorious island jail.&nbsp;

Trump’s $152 million plan to revive Alcatraz – Everything about the notorious prison

Trump ally and senior US Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham, one of the biggest proponents of the Iran war who had argued for use of "overwhelming firepower" to crush the Iranian regime's ability to project power, on Monday (March 30) shifted his stance, saying "Wind down the war and wind up efforts for a historic peace deal" as the conflict in West Asia stretches past its first month with no end in sight.&nbsp;Graham, in a post on X, claimed that "the necessity for military action is weeks, not months, and Operation Epic Fury is well ahead of pace" following a "very good discussion" with US President Donald Trump about his “recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Just had a very good discussion with <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> about his recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal. I support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict consistent with our military objectives, but it takes two to tango. The… <a href="https://t.co/0EgFaFwKHj">https://t.co/0EgFaFwKHj</a>&mdash; Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/2038609256727838836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Washington was engaged in active negotiations with Tehran, expressing optimism about a possible resolution. The two sides, he wrote, had held "very good and productive" talks aimed at achieving a "complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East."&nbsp;At the same time, Trump issued a strong warning, saying the US would strike key Iranian infrastructure, including "electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island," if the Strait of Hormuz does not "open for business."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-vows-all-necessary-steps-to-stabilise-energy-markets-as-crude-oil-surges-to-116-amid-escalating-west-asia-war-1774882203136">G7 vows ‘all necessary steps’ to stabilise energy markets as crude oil surges to $116 amid escalating West Asia war</a>&nbsp;The White House's current shift in stance towards Tehran is attributed to Graham and others' months-long lobbying efforts for war with Iran, even as Trump had argued against US intervention in foreign countries during his presidential campaign. As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, the Senator is currently spearheading a reconciliation bill to secure $200 billion in supplemental defence funding for the war effort. Graham is also a key figure in Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest pro-Israel grassroots organisation in the US.&nbsp;Graham further asserted that neutralising Iran, the "largest state sponsor of terrorism," would pave a path to peace by "allowing Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalise their relationship, effectively ending the Arab-Israeli conflict."&nbsp;Accusing Tehran of being a spoiler of Arab-Israeli peace, he said: "If this historic normalisation deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel occurs, it will be due to President Trump's bold, decisive leadership in dealing with the Iranian threat so they can no longer be a spoiler for peace like they were on October 7, 2023."

The White House’s current shift in stance towards Tehran is attributed to Graham and others’ months-long lobbying for war with Iran, even as Trump had argued against US intervention in foreign countries during his presidential campaign.

Trump ally and senior US Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham, one of the biggest proponents of the Iran war who had argued for use of "overwhelming firepower" to crush the Iranian regime's ability to project power, on Monday (March 30) shifted his stance, saying "Wind down the war and wind up efforts for a historic peace deal" as the conflict in West Asia stretches past its first month with no end in sight. Graham, in a post on X, claimed that "the necessity for military action is weeks, not months, and Operation Epic Fury is well ahead of pace" following a "very good discussion" with US President Donald Trump about his “recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal.”

The White House’s current shift in stance towards Tehran is attributed to Graham and others’ months-long lobbying for war with Iran, even as Trump had argued against US intervention in foreign countries during his presidential campaign.

Trump ally who championed Iran offensive now calls for 'Wind down the war' as hostilities spiral past one month

Large protests started against the Trump administration’s policies in cities across the US, marking the third round of “No Kings” demonstrations, with the flagship rally being held in St. Paul, Minnesota, the site of this winter’s immigration enforcement operation in which two Americans were killed. The previous two ‘No Kings’ rallies drew crowds into the millions. Organisers said they are protesting against the policies imposed by US President Donald Trump, including the war in Iran, the rising cost of living, and federal immigration enforcement.&nbsp;Organisers said millions are expected to gather across the US and around the world in a likely “single largest non-violent day of action” in American history.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-welcome-to-hell-iran-s-daily-issues-warning-to-us-against-ground-invasion-1774728327794">‘Welcome to Hell’: Iran’s daily issues warning to US against ground invasion</a>&nbsp;Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the immigration crackdown to a roaring crowd in St. Paul, saying the people of his state “will never forget what they did here.”“When the wannabe dictator in the White House sent his untrained, aggressive thugs to do damage to Minnesota, it was you Minnesota who stood up for your neighbours, who stood up for decency, who stood up for kindness,” he said.&nbsp;“And at this moment, that we are still in, when democracy itself seems to be at risk, it was Minnesota who said; ‘not on our watch.’”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vp-jd-vance-says-us-will-get-out-of-iran-soon-and-fuel-prices-will-come-down-1774714890254">VP JD Vance says US will get out of Iran ‘soon’ and fuel prices will come down</a>&nbsp;The governor then introduced Bruce Springsteen on stage to perform, who has been an ardent critic of both Trump and the immigration crackdown.&nbsp;&nbsp;More than 3,200 marches are planned across all 50 states and several continents as protesters voice outrage over Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, rising cost of gas, and his administration’s mass deportation agenda.&nbsp;“Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people—not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” said organisers.Demonstrations will take place in nearly every major US city, including New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-inks-defence-deal-with-qatar-denies-iran-s-strike-on-anti-drone-systems-depot-in-dubai-1774708617508">Ukraine inks defence deal with Qatar, denies Iran’s strike on anti-drone systems depot in Dubai</a>&nbsp;As the day progressed, rallies started in Washington, D.C., and other cities. People held up effigies of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials in the administration, calling for their ousting and arrest.&nbsp;Several US states mobilised the National Guard, but organisers have maintained that the events are peaceful.Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has expanded the scope of presidential power, using executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and deploying National Guard troops to US cities despite objections by state governors.Earlier this year, federal immigration agents in Minneapolis shot and killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, sparking nationwide outrage and protests.&nbsp;Trump allies have previously denounced the No Kings protests as “hate America rallies” and accused participants of being linked to the far-left Antifa movement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-launch-first-attack-on-israel-since-outbreak-of-iran-war-fire-ballistic-missiles-1774700386350">Houthis launch first attack on Israel since outbreak of Iran war, fire ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;Trump also called on the administration’s top law enforcement officials to prosecute his perceived political enemies.The president says his actions are necessary to rebuild a country in crisis and dismisses the accusations that he is behaving like a dictator as hysterical. “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in an interview with Fox News in October.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-bengal-election-crucial-for-national-security-amit-shah-releases-charge-sheet-against-bengal-govt-tmc-hits-back-1774721581612">‘Bengal election crucial for national security’: Amit Shah releases ‘charge sheet’ against Bengal govt; TMC hits back</a>&nbsp;The president’s critics warn that some of the moves by his administration are unconstitutional and a threat to American democracy.Protesters were seen holding signs against the war in Iran and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in neighbourhoods.

As the day progressed, rallies started in Washington, D.C., and other cities. Protesters lined the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and packed the National Mall. People held up effigies of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials, calling for their ousting and arrest.

Large protests started against the Trump administration’s policies in cities across the US, marking the third round of “No Kings” demonstrations, with the flagship rally being held in St. Paul, Minnesota, the site of this winter’s immigration enforcement operation in which two Americans were killed. The previous two ‘No Kings’ rallies drew crowds into the millions. Organisers said they are protesting against the policies imposed by US President Donald Trump, including the war in Iran, the rising cost of living, and federal immigration enforcement. Organisers said millions are expected to gather across the US and around the world in a likely “single largest non-violent day of action” in American history. Also Read: ‘Welcome to Hell’: Iran’s daily issues warning to US against ground invasion Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the immigration crackdown to a roaring crowd in St. Paul, saying the people of his state “will never forget what they did here.” “When the wannabe dictator in the White House sent his untrained, aggressive thugs to do damage to Minnesota, it was you Minnesota who stood up for your neighbours, who stood up for decency, who stood up for kindness,” he said. “And at this moment, that we are still in, when democracy itself seems to be at risk, it was Minnesota who said; ‘not on our watch.’” Also Read: VP JD Vance says US will get out of Iran ‘soon’ and fuel prices will come down The governor then introduced Bruce Springsteen on stage to perform, who has been an ardent critic of both Trump and the immigration crackdown. More than 3,200 marches are planned across all 50 states and several continents as protesters voice outrage over Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, rising cost of gas, and his administration’s mass deportation agenda. “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people—not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” said organisers. Demonstrations will take place in nearly every major US city, including New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Also Read: Ukraine inks defence deal with Qatar, denies Iran’s strike on anti-drone systems depot in Dubai As the day progressed, rallies started in Washington, D.C., and other cities. People held up effigies of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials in the administration, calling for their ousting and arrest. Several US states mobilised the National Guard, but organisers have maintained that the events are peaceful. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has expanded the scope of presidential power, using executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and deploying National Guard troops to US cities despite objections by state governors. Earlier this year, federal immigration agents in Minneapolis shot and killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, sparking nationwide outrage and protests. Trump allies have previously denounced the No Kings protests as “hate America rallies” and accused participants of being linked to the far-left Antifa movement. Also Read: Houthis launch first attack on Israel since outbreak of Iran war, fire ballistic missiles Trump also called on the administration’s top law enforcement officials to prosecute his perceived political enemies. The president says his actions are necessary to rebuild a country in crisis and dismisses the accusations that he is behaving like a dictator as hysterical. “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in an interview with Fox News in October. Also Read: ‘Bengal election crucial for national security’: Amit Shah releases ‘charge sheet’ against Bengal govt; TMC hits back The president’s critics warn that some of the moves by his administration are unconstitutional and a threat to American democracy. Protesters were seen holding signs against the war in Iran and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in neighbourhoods.

As the day progressed, rallies started in Washington, D.C., and other cities. Protesters lined the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and packed the National Mall. People held up effigies of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials, calling for their ousting and arrest.

‘No Kings’ protests across the US rally against Trump with marquee event in Minnesota

The Trump administration has defended its decision for “short-term involvement” in West Asia, emphasizing limited military engagement and strategic objectives. Officials argued that U.S. actions were focused, targeted, and designed to avoid prolonged conflicts, while maintaining regional stability.


Trump Administration Defends 'Short-Term Involvement' in West Asia

AI firm Anthropic on Thursday (Feb 26) said it will not allow the Pentagon unrestricted military use of its technology. The Pentagon had reportedly given Anthropic until Friday to comply, warning that failure to do so could trigger action under the Defense Production Act. This Cold War-era law allows the government to compel private companies to prioritise defence needs.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/death-is-only-the-beginning-meta-patents-technology-that-ll-let-ai-run-your-social-media-from-beyond-the-grave-wion-explains-1771304178081">Death is only the beginning? Meta patents tech that'll let AI run your social media from beyond the grave | WION Explains</a><h2>Cannot agree "in good conscience"</h2>In a statement, Anthropic's chief executive Dario Amodei said the company could not agree to Washington’s demand that its systems be made available without limits, even under national security pressure."These threats do not change our position," he said, adding that they "cannot in good conscience accede to their request".Anthropic acknowledged that its models are already being used by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies in defensive roles. But Amodei said there were clear limits. Mass surveillance of US citizens, he argued, was incompatible with democratic values. "Using these systems for mass domestic surveillance is incompatible with democratic values."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/claim-vs-fact-breaking-down-trump-s-state-of-the-union-2026-speech-full-fact-check-1772001873739">Claim vs fact: Breaking down Trump’s State of the Union 2026 speech - Full fact-check</a>He also cautioned against relying on AI to run fully autonomous weapons systems, saying current technology is not reliable enough to make life-and-death decisions without human oversight. "We will not knowingly provide a product that puts America's warfighters and civilians at risk."<h2>Pentagon tries to intimidate Anthropic</h2>Earlier this week, US officials warned Anthropic that either the company agrees to unrestricted military use of its technology by 5:01 pm (22:01 GMT) Friday or face being forced to comply under the Defense Production Act. Pentagon also threatened that a refusal could lead to Anthropic being labelled a supply chain risk, a designation that can damage a company’s ability to work with government agencies. &nbsp;

Anthropic has pushed back on US Pentagon pressure, saying it cannot “in good conscience” allow unrestricted military use of its technology. The move could trigger action under a Cold War-era law. 

What lines is the company refusing to cross? Scroll down to read more.

AI firm Anthropic on Thursday (Feb 26) said it will not allow the Pentagon unrestricted military use of its technology. The Pentagon had reportedly given Anthropic until Friday to comply, warning that failure to do so could trigger action under the Defense Production Act. This Cold War-era law allows the government to compel private companies to prioritise defence needs. Also read | Death is only the beginning? Meta patents tech that'll let AI run your social media from beyond the grave | WION Explains Cannot agree "in good conscience" In a statement, Anthropic's chief executive Dario Amodei said the company could not agree to Washington’s demand that its systems be made available without limits, even under national security pressure. "These threats do not change our position," he said, adding that they "cannot in good conscience accede to their request". Anthropic acknowledged that its models are already being used by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies in defensive roles. But Amodei said there were clear limits. Mass surveillance of US citizens, he argued, was incompatible with democratic values. "Using these systems for mass domestic surveillance is incompatible with democratic values." Also read | Claim vs fact: Breaking down Trump’s State of the Union 2026 speech - Full fact-check He also cautioned against relying on AI to run fully autonomous weapons systems, saying current technology is not reliable enough to make life-and-death decisions without human oversight. "We will not knowingly provide a product that puts America's warfighters and civilians at risk." Pentagon tries to intimidate Anthropic Earlier this week, US officials warned Anthropic that either the company agrees to unrestricted military use of its technology by 5:01 pm (22:01 GMT) Friday or face being forced to comply under the Defense Production Act. Pentagon also threatened that a refusal could lead to Anthropic being labelled a supply chain risk, a designation that can damage a company’s ability to work with government agencies.

Anthropic has pushed back on US Pentagon pressure, saying it cannot “in good conscience” allow unrestricted military use of its technology. The move could trigger action under a Cold War-era law.&nbsp;What lines is the company refusing to cross? Scroll down to read more.

Anthropic resists Pentagon pressure, says won't give Trump admin unconditional AI use for 'mass domestic surveillance'

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday (Feb 25) announced that the Trump administration would “temporarily halt” nearly $260 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota. This comes after US President Donald Trump, during his State of the Union addressed declared a “war on fraud”, singling out Democratic-led states, including California, Maine and Massachusetts, and accusing Minnesota and its Somali community of $19 billion in fraud, without providing any evidence for his claims.“We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligation seriously to be good stewards of the American people’s tax money,” Vance said at a press conference in Washington.“What we’re doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated against the American taxpayer,” he added.<h2>Trump administration warns other states</h2>Administrator of the Centres for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Mehmet Oz, who accompanied Vance, said that the Trump administration has notified Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz of the funding pause for the state, which received a $259 million Medicaid reimbursement this month.“We will give them the money, but we’re going to hold it and only release it after they propose an act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem,” Oz said. “If Minnesota fails to clean up the systems, the state will rack up a billion dollars of deferred payments this year.”This comes after the Trump administration sent thousands of federal agents to Minneapolis, which led to widespread protests and the death of two US citizens. The government later announced that it was withdrawing federal officials after massive outrage following the killings.“It’s unponderable that you would take advantage of these precious programs,” Oz said as he warned that other states would be next after Minnesota.Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health insurance to over 70 million people, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities in the United States.<h2>Tim Walz slam Trump administration</h2>The Trump administration’s move was slammed by Walz, who said that the funding pause “has nothing to do with fraud.” He added, “The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorney’s Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster.”

US Vice President JD Vance announced a temporary halt to $259 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota over alleged fraud, as Governor Tim Walz accused the Trump administration of politicising the move.

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday (Feb 25) announced that the Trump administration would “temporarily halt” nearly $260 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota. This comes after US President Donald Trump, during his State of the Union addressed declared a “war on fraud”, singling out Democratic-led states, including California, Maine and Massachusetts, and accusing Minnesota and its Somali community of $19 billion in fraud, without providing any evidence for his claims. “We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligation seriously to be good stewards of the American people’s tax money,” Vance said at a press conference in Washington. “What we’re doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated against the American taxpayer,” he added. Trump administration warns other states Administrator of the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Mehmet Oz, who accompanied Vance, said that the Trump administration has notified Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz of the funding pause for the state, which received a $259 million Medicaid reimbursement this month. “We will give them the money, but we’re going to hold it and only release it after they propose an act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem,” Oz said. “If Minnesota fails to clean up the systems, the state will rack up a billion dollars of deferred payments this year.” This comes after the Trump administration sent thousands of federal agents to Minneapolis, which led to widespread protests and the death of two US citizens. The government later announced that it was withdrawing federal officials after massive outrage following the killings. “It’s unponderable that you would take advantage of these precious programs,” Oz said as he warned that other states would be next after Minnesota. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health insurance to over 70 million people, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities in the United States. Tim Walz slam Trump administration The Trump administration’s move was slammed by Walz, who said that the funding pause “has nothing to do with fraud.” He added, “The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorney’s Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster.”

US Vice President JD Vance announced a temporary halt to $259 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota over alleged fraud, as Governor Tim Walz accused the Trump administration of politicising the move.

Vance announces Trump’s ‘war on fraud’ in Minnesota, pauses nearly $260 million Medicaid funding

The Trump administration has ordered hundreds more federal agents to Minneapolis after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good as DHS continues its “largest immigration operation”. The killing has sparked nationwide protests and political backlash.

The Trump administration has ordered hundreds more federal agents to Minneapolis after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good as DHS continues its “largest immigration operation”. The killing has sparked nationwide protests and political backlash.

‘Hundreds more’ agents in Minneapolis? Trump administration doubles down after fatal ICE shooting sparks nationwide protests

The Kremlin on Sunday (Dec 7) welcomed the revision of the national security strategy by US President Donald Trump’s administration, where Russia is not mentioned as a “direct threat”, calling the move a positive step. US strategies have designated Moscow as a major threat since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, a day earlier, the US announced the policy, adopting a softer stance, urging limited cooperation.“We consider this is a positive step,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as quoted by TASS. He noted that the messages for Russia-US relations sent by the Trump administration differ from the approaches of previous administrations.“Overall, these messages are certainly in contrast with approaches of previous administrations,” the presidential press secretary added.Peskov further stressed that the Kremlin will be reviewing the updates US national security strategy in more detail and will analyse its provisions. “Certainly, it should be considered, analysed in more detail,” he said.The new 29-page document lays down Trump’s foreign policy vision as one of “flexible realism”. It adds that the US policy will be determined above all by “what works for America.” The document further states that Washington would seek a quick resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and would also aim to re-establish “strategic stability” with Moscow. Although it maintained that Russia’s actions in Ukraine remained a concern for central security.The release of the strategy comes amid stalled peace efforts by the US. Washington had earlier presented a proposal endorsing the main demands of Russia as part of steps to end the four-year-old war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv has suggested that it would not accept a peace plan that requires it to cede territory to Moscow.Earlier, Ukrainian and US officials said that the “real progress” would now depend on Russia’s willingness to end the war as both sides held talks in Miami for the third day on Saturday (Dec 6).

The document states that Washington would seek a quick resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and would also aim to re-establish “strategic stability” with Moscow.

The Kremlin on Sunday (Dec 7) welcomed the revision of the national security strategy by US President Donald Trump’s administration, where Russia is not mentioned as a “direct threat”, calling the move a positive step. US strategies have designated Moscow as a major threat since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, a day earlier, the US announced the policy, adopting a softer stance, urging limited cooperation. “We consider this is a positive step,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as quoted by TASS. He noted that the messages for Russia-US relations sent by the Trump administration differ from the approaches of previous administrations. “Overall, these messages are certainly in contrast with approaches of previous administrations,” the presidential press secretary added. Peskov further stressed that the Kremlin will be reviewing the updates US national security strategy in more detail and will analyse its provisions. “Certainly, it should be considered, analysed in more detail,” he said. The new 29-page document lays down Trump’s foreign policy vision as one of “flexible realism”. It adds that the US policy will be determined above all by “what works for America.” The document further states that Washington would seek a quick resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and would also aim to re-establish “strategic stability” with Moscow. Although it maintained that Russia’s actions in Ukraine remained a concern for central security. The release of the strategy comes amid stalled peace efforts by the US. Washington had earlier presented a proposal endorsing the main demands of Russia as part of steps to end the four-year-old war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv has suggested that it would not accept a peace plan that requires it to cede territory to Moscow. Earlier, Ukrainian and US officials said that the “real progress” would now depend on Russia’s willingness to end the war as both sides held talks in Miami for the third day on Saturday (Dec 6).

The document states that Washington would seek a quick resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and would also aim to re-establish “strategic stability” with Moscow.

US softening tone on Russia? Kremlin welcomes lifting of ‘direct threat’ label in Trump admin policy

The Trump administration has mentioned India as a “critical partner” and said Washington intends to deepen cooperation with New Delhi. The Trump administration has released the 33-page document on the National Security Strategy of the United States of America November 2025. The Trump administration has mentioned India thrice in the document. It says the Trump administration believes that the US must work with its treaty allies and partners, who its says, “together add another $35 trillion in economic power to our own $30 trillion national economy (together constituting more than half the world economy) to counteract predatory economic practices and use our combined economic power to help safeguard our prime position in the world economy and ensure that allied economies do not become subordinate to any competing power.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-admin-says-europe-faces-civilizational-erasure-pledges-support-to-correct-trajectory-1764948151659">Trump admin says Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’, pledges US support to ‘correct its trajectory’</a><h2>‘We must continue to improve relations with India’</h2>&nbsp;It then mentions India, saying, “We must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States (“the Quad”). Moreover, we will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-working-on-fta-moving-towards-mutual-settlements-in-national-currencies-says-putin-1764931650076">‘Working on FTA, moving towards mutual settlements in national currencies,’ says Putin</a>&nbsp;Referring to President Trump’s May 2025 state visits to Persian Gulf countries, the document says, “America should similarly enlist our European and Asian allies and partners, including India, to cement and improve our joint positions in the Western Hemisphere and, with regard to critical minerals, in Africa.”&nbsp;<h2>‘US would need strong cooperation with India and other nations’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Security Strategy document further says the US would need “strong cooperation” with India and other nations on the issue of South China Sea control. It says the situation could lead to a potentially hostile power imposing a toll system over one of the world’s most vital lanes of commerce or impose entry restrictions, either of which would be harmful to the US economy and interests.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-radical-islam-poses-a-grave-threat-to-the-us-and-the-entire-world-marco-rubio-1764786437365">‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;“Strong measures must be developed along with the deterrence necessary to keep those lanes open, free of “tolls,” and not subject to arbitrary closure by one country. This will require not just further investment in our military—especially naval—capabilities, but also strong cooperation with every nation that stands to suffer, from India to Japan and beyond, if this problem is not addressed.”&nbsp;The document makes just one mention of Pakistan, and that too while mentioning that Trump negotiated peace between several countries, including India and Pakistan.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-times-sues-pentagon-over-new-restrictions-on-reporting-1764853723282">New York Times sues Pentagon over new restrictions on reporting</a>

In the National Security Strategy, the Trump administration says that the US must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with the Quad.

The Trump administration has mentioned India as a “critical partner” and said Washington intends to deepen cooperation with New Delhi. The Trump administration has released the 33-page document on the National Security Strategy of the United States of America November 2025. The Trump administration has mentioned India thrice in the document. It says the Trump administration believes that the US must work with its treaty allies and partners, who its says, “together add another $35 trillion in economic power to our own $30 trillion national economy (together constituting more than half the world economy) to counteract predatory economic practices and use our combined economic power to help safeguard our prime position in the world economy and ensure that allied economies do not become subordinate to any competing power.” Also Read: Trump admin says Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’, pledges US support to ‘correct its trajectory’ ‘We must continue to improve relations with India’ It then mentions India, saying, “We must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States (“the Quad”). Moreover, we will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation.” Also Read: ‘Working on FTA, moving towards mutual settlements in national currencies,’ says Putin Referring to President Trump’s May 2025 state visits to Persian Gulf countries, the document says, “America should similarly enlist our European and Asian allies and partners, including India, to cement and improve our joint positions in the Western Hemisphere and, with regard to critical minerals, in Africa.” ‘US would need strong cooperation with India and other nations’ The National Security Strategy document further says the US would need “strong cooperation” with India and other nations on the issue of South China Sea control. It says the situation could lead to a potentially hostile power imposing a toll system over one of the world’s most vital lanes of commerce or impose entry restrictions, either of which would be harmful to the US economy and interests. Also Read: ‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio “Strong measures must be developed along with the deterrence necessary to keep those lanes open, free of “tolls,” and not subject to arbitrary closure by one country. This will require not just further investment in our military—especially naval—capabilities, but also strong cooperation with every nation that stands to suffer, from India to Japan and beyond, if this problem is not addressed.” The document makes just one mention of Pakistan, and that too while mentioning that Trump negotiated peace between several countries, including India and Pakistan. Also Read: New York Times sues Pentagon over new restrictions on reporting

In the National Security Strategy, the Trump administration says that the US must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with the Quad.

‘India a critical partner,’ says Trump admin in new national security strategy document

The Trump administration shared a bleak view of Europe saying the continent is facing the “stark prospect of civilizational erasure” and pledged that the US will support like-minded “patriotic” parties to prevent a future in which “certain NATO members will become majority non-European.” The dark assessment of Europe’s future is part of an annual update to the United States’ national security strategy around the world. The document released overnight says the US should support political parties in Europe that fight against migration and promote nationalism. The strategy document does not mention any names, but far-right parties like Reform UK in Britain and the Alternative for Germany, known as the AFD, fit the bill for getting support. The National Security Strategy is typically released by presidents once each term and can form a framework for future policies and budgets.&nbsp;“It is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies,” the document states.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-working-on-fta-moving-towards-mutual-settlements-in-national-currencies-says-putin-1764931650076">‘Working on FTA, moving towards mutual settlements in national currencies,’ says Putin</a>&nbsp;“In everything we do, we are putting America First,” Trump wrote in a foreword to the document, which he called a “road map to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Europe is on path to becoming unrecognizable’</h2>&nbsp;In the section called “Promoting European Greatness,” the document warns that Europe is on a path to becoming “unrecognizable” because of migration policies that are undermining the national identities of European countries and that helping Europe “correct its current trajectory” should be the policy of the US.&nbsp;“We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilizational self confidence, and to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation,” the 33-page document says.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-radical-islam-poses-a-grave-threat-to-the-us-and-the-entire-world-marco-rubio-1764786437365">‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly pressured the political leadership in Europe to bend to his will on funding for NATO, trade and tariffs, and other economic matters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Growing influence of patriotic parties cause for great optimism’</h2>&nbsp;The document specifies how the president wants his America First foreign policy to be a clarion call for other nationalist politicians to overhaul their political systems. It also echoes some of the language of the Great Replacement Theory, a nationalist conspiracy theory embraced by some of Trump’s top aides that warns of a deliberate effort to replace white people with non-white immigrants.&nbsp;“The growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism. Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory,” the document said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-times-sues-pentagon-over-new-restrictions-on-reporting-1764853723282">New York Times sues Pentagon over new restrictions on reporting</a>&nbsp;The document has provoked sharp retorts from across Europe.Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul responded by saying that the countries of Europe “don’t believe that we need to get advice here from any country or party.”The document also criticises European governments for holding unrealistic expectations for ending the war in Ukraine.

The National Security Strategy document echoes some of the language of the Great Replacement Theory, a nationalist conspiracy theory embraced by some of Trump’s top aides that warns of a deliberate effort to replace white people with non-white immigrants.

The Trump administration shared a bleak view of Europe saying the continent is facing the “stark prospect of civilizational erasure” and pledged that the US will support like-minded “patriotic” parties to prevent a future in which “certain NATO members will become majority non-European.” The dark assessment of Europe’s future is part of an annual update to the United States’ national security strategy around the world. The document released overnight says the US should support political parties in Europe that fight against migration and promote nationalism. The strategy document does not mention any names, but far-right parties like Reform UK in Britain and the Alternative for Germany, known as the AFD, fit the bill for getting support. The National Security Strategy is typically released by presidents once each term and can form a framework for future policies and budgets. “It is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies,” the document states. Also Read: ‘Working on FTA, moving towards mutual settlements in national currencies,’ says Putin “In everything we do, we are putting America First,” Trump wrote in a foreword to the document, which he called a “road map to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history.” ‘Europe is on path to becoming unrecognizable’ In the section called “Promoting European Greatness,” the document warns that Europe is on a path to becoming “unrecognizable” because of migration policies that are undermining the national identities of European countries and that helping Europe “correct its current trajectory” should be the policy of the US. “We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilizational self confidence, and to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation,” the 33-page document says. Also Read: ‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio Trump has repeatedly pressured the political leadership in Europe to bend to his will on funding for NATO, trade and tariffs, and other economic matters. ‘Growing influence of patriotic parties cause for great optimism’ The document specifies how the president wants his America First foreign policy to be a clarion call for other nationalist politicians to overhaul their political systems. It also echoes some of the language of the Great Replacement Theory, a nationalist conspiracy theory embraced by some of Trump’s top aides that warns of a deliberate effort to replace white people with non-white immigrants. “The growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism. Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory,” the document said. Also Read: New York Times sues Pentagon over new restrictions on reporting The document has provoked sharp retorts from across Europe. Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul responded by saying that the countries of Europe “don’t believe that we need to get advice here from any country or party.” The document also criticises European governments for holding unrealistic expectations for ending the war in Ukraine.

The National Security Strategy document echoes some of the language of the Great Replacement Theory, a nationalist conspiracy theory embraced by some of Trump’s top aides that warns of a deliberate effort to replace white people with non-white immigrants.

Trump admin says Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’, pledges US support to ‘correct its trajectory’

As the US President Donald Trump’s administration hardens its crackdown against Afghan immigrants following the National Guard shooting, the Department of Homeland Security shared details of several criminals of Afghan origin, making a series of posts on social media platform X. This comes after the US State Department on Friday (Nov 28) announced an immediate pause on visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.Earlier this week, two National Guard officers were shot by an Afghan suspect. One of the officers lost her life, while the other is in critical condition, Trump said on his Truth Social platform.“Tens of thousands of unvetted Afghan aliens have hurt and terrorized Americans after the Biden administration flooded our communities with criminals, terrorists, and other threats,” the DHS wrote on X. “These are just a few of the criminals who have rewarded American generosity with violence.”Posting some of the arrests of Afghan nationals, the statement added, “These are just a few of the criminals who were said to be ‘fully vetted’ by the Biden administration. Americans do not have to suffer violence from people who should not be here at all.”“WE WILL SEND THEM BACK,” it added.The DHS earlier said that an Afghan national, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly made a social media post in which he talked about “building a bomb” and threatening to blow up a building in Fort Worth, Texas. According to court records, Alokozay is being held on state terror charges in Tarrant County, Texas.Among the listed criminals were:<ul><li>Jamal Wali, who reportedly “shot and wounded two Fairfax, Virginia, police officers during a routine traffic stop.”</li><li>Abdullah Haji Zada and Nasir Ahmed Tawhedi, who were arrested and prosecuted in connection with a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City on Election Day 2024.</li><li>Mohammad Kharwin, an Afghan national who was on the terror watchlist.</li><li>Javid Ahmadi, arrested by ICE in 2025 and convicted of second degree assault.</li><li>Bahrullah Noori, who was charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor using force along with three other counts of engaging in a sex act with a minor.</li><li>Zabihullah Mohmand, who was charged with the rape of a teenage girl in a Missoula motel room.</li></ul>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tens of thousands of unvetted Afghan aliens have hurt and terrorized Americans after the Biden administration flooded our communities with criminals, terrorists, and other threats. These are just a few of the criminals who have rewarded American generosity with violence:&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1994907444494094669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The DHS earlier said that an Afghan national, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly made a social media post in which he talked about “building a bomb” and threatening to blow up a building in Fort Worth, Texas.

As the US President Donald Trump’s administration hardens its crackdown against Afghan immigrants following the National Guard shooting, the Department of Homeland Security shared details of several criminals of Afghan origin, making a series of posts on social media platform X. This comes after the US State Department on Friday (Nov 28) announced an immediate pause on visa issuance for Afghan passport holders. Earlier this week, two National Guard officers were shot by an Afghan suspect. One of the officers lost her life, while the other is in critical condition, Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “Tens of thousands of unvetted Afghan aliens have hurt and terrorized Americans after the Biden administration flooded our communities with criminals, terrorists, and other threats,” the DHS wrote on X. “These are just a few of the criminals who have rewarded American generosity with violence.” Posting some of the arrests of Afghan nationals, the statement added, “These are just a few of the criminals who were said to be ‘fully vetted’ by the Biden administration. Americans do not have to suffer violence from people who should not be here at all.” “WE WILL SEND THEM BACK,” it added. The DHS earlier said that an Afghan national, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly made a social media post in which he talked about “building a bomb” and threatening to blow up a building in Fort Worth, Texas. According to court records, Alokozay is being held on state terror charges in Tarrant County, Texas. Among the listed criminals were: Jamal Wali, who reportedly “shot and wounded two Fairfax, Virginia, police officers during a routine traffic stop.” Abdullah Haji Zada and Nasir Ahmed Tawhedi, who were arrested and prosecuted in connection with a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City on Election Day 2024. Mohammad Kharwin, an Afghan national who was on the terror watchlist. Javid Ahmadi, arrested by ICE in 2025 and convicted of second degree assault. Bahrullah Noori, who was charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor using force along with three other counts of engaging in a sex act with a minor. Zabihullah Mohmand, who was charged with the rape of a teenage girl in a Missoula motel room.

The DHS earlier said that an Afghan national, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly made a social media post in which he talked about “building a bomb” and threatening to blow up a building in Fort Worth, Texas.

Trump admin doubles down attack against 'unvetted alien' Afghans, lists crime ranging from terrorism to rape

The US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration on Thursday to require passport applicants to be identified on the document by their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.The move is the latest blow to the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans from the conservative-majority court, which includes three justices appointed by Republican President Donald Trump.Trump, after taking office in January, issued an executive order declaring that only two genders would now be recognized -- male and female -- ending recognition of a third gender, denoted by an "X" on US passports.In line with the order, passports issued by the State Department are now required to state the biological sex -- "M" or "F" -- of their holder at birth.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the move and a district court judge ordered the State Department to resume issuing "X" passports to transgender and nonbinary people affected by the policy change.An appeals court denied a Trump administration bid to overturn the district judge's order, and the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay.In a brief unsigned order, the top court said the Trump administration's passport policy could remain in place for now while the case proceeds in the lower courts."Displaying passport holders' sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth -- in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment," the court said.The three liberal justices on the nine-member court dissented.The State Department first issued "X" passports in October 2021 under president Joe Biden, with the "X" gender marker reserved for nonbinary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals.Senior ACLU counsel Jon Davidson condemned the Supreme Court order and said the legal fight would continue."This is a heartbreaking setback for the freedom of all people to be themselves, and fuel on the fire the Trump administration is stoking against transgender people and their constitutional rights," Davidson said in a statement."We will continue to fight this policy and work for a future where no one is denied self-determination over their identity," Davidson added.Trump also issued an executive order in January banning transgender Americans from military service, and the Supreme Court ruled in June that the ban could take effect while litigation challenging it plays out.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In a brief unsigned order, the top court said the Trump administration's passport policy could remain in place for now while the case proceeds in the lower courts.

The US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration on Thursday to require passport applicants to be identified on the document by their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. The move is the latest blow to the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans from the conservative-majority court, which includes three justices appointed by Republican President Donald Trump. Trump, after taking office in January, issued an executive order declaring that only two genders would now be recognized -- male and female -- ending recognition of a third gender, denoted by an "X" on US passports. In line with the order, passports issued by the State Department are now required to state the biological sex -- "M" or "F" -- of their holder at birth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the move and a district court judge ordered the State Department to resume issuing "X" passports to transgender and nonbinary people affected by the policy change. An appeals court denied a Trump administration bid to overturn the district judge's order, and the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay. In a brief unsigned order, the top court said the Trump administration's passport policy could remain in place for now while the case proceeds in the lower courts. "Displaying passport holders' sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth -- in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment," the court said. The three liberal justices on the nine-member court dissented. The State Department first issued "X" passports in October 2021 under president Joe Biden, with the "X" gender marker reserved for nonbinary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals. Senior ACLU counsel Jon Davidson condemned the Supreme Court order and said the legal fight would continue. "This is a heartbreaking setback for the freedom of all people to be themselves, and fuel on the fire the Trump administration is stoking against transgender people and their constitutional rights," Davidson said in a statement. "We will continue to fight this policy and work for a future where no one is denied self-determination over their identity," Davidson added. Trump also issued an executive order in January banning transgender Americans from military service, and the Supreme Court ruled in June that the ban could take effect while litigation challenging it plays out. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In a brief unsigned order, the top court said the Trump administration's passport policy could remain in place for now while the case proceeds in the lower courts.

US Supreme Court allows Trump admin's passport policy that declares only two genders

As per reports, a White House official faced verbal abuse and an attempted assault by a woman described as a "deranged leftist." The incident, lasting nearly 10 minutes, is under Secret Service investigation, with the suspect charged with assault and aggravated harassment.


Report: Trump administration official assaulted inside UN headquarters during UNGA

Tesla is facing a class action lawsuit in San Francisco federal court over alleged hiring discrimination. The complaint, filed by a software engineer and a human resource specialist and reported by Reuters, accuses the company of systematically favoring H1 B visa holders over U.S. Citizens.

Tesla in crisis: Trump administration steps up scrutiny of foreign workers

As many as 450 workers were detained in a major raid carried out by the US immigration authorities at a battery plant construction site run by South Korean companies on Thursday (Sep 4). The operation targeted one of the largest and most high-profile manufacturing sites in the state of Georgia, where Hyundai manufactures electric vehicles. This comes in the wake of the US President Donald Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Following the raids, South Korea on Friday (Sep 5) expressed “concern and regret”, saying that its nationals must not be unjustly infringed upon.In a statement on X, the Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that it “joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety.”Meanwhile, in a statement, the White House said on Friday (Sep 5), “Any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations.”<h2>ICE alleges ‘unlawful employment practices’</h2>US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Lindsay Williams confirmed the raids conducted by federal authorities at the 3,000-acre site west of Savannah. He added that agents were focused on the construction site for the battery plant. The Hyundai Motor Group, which employs about 1,200 people at the $7.6 billion plant, began its EV manufacturing operations at the site a year ago.The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that federal agents executed a search warrant “as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.”<h2>South Korea reacts to immigration raids</h2>The South Korean Foreign Ministry said that “The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations.”It further added in a statement, “We are actively responding to this incident by dispatching the Consul General of the US Embassy in Seoul and the Consulate General in Atlanta to the site and instructing the formation of an on-site response team centred around the local embassy.”“In Seoul, we also conveyed our concerns and regrets today through the US Embassy in Korea and urged them to exercise extreme caution to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of Korean citizens are not infringed upon,” it said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday detained about 450 ‘unlawful aliens’ in a major raid at a battery plant construction site run by Hyundai.

As many as 450 workers were detained in a major raid carried out by the US immigration authorities at a battery plant construction site run by South Korean companies on Thursday (Sep 4). The operation targeted one of the largest and most high-profile manufacturing sites in the state of Georgia, where Hyundai manufactures electric vehicles. This comes in the wake of the US President Donald Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Following the raids, South Korea on Friday (Sep 5) expressed “concern and regret”, saying that its nationals must not be unjustly infringed upon. In a statement on X, the Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that it “joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety.” Meanwhile, in a statement, the White House said on Friday (Sep 5), “Any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations.” ICE alleges ‘unlawful employment practices’ US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Lindsay Williams confirmed the raids conducted by federal authorities at the 3,000-acre site west of Savannah. He added that agents were focused on the construction site for the battery plant. The Hyundai Motor Group, which employs about 1,200 people at the $7.6 billion plant, began its EV manufacturing operations at the site a year ago. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that federal agents executed a search warrant “as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.” South Korea reacts to immigration raids The South Korean Foreign Ministry said that “The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations.” It further added in a statement, “We are actively responding to this incident by dispatching the Consul General of the US Embassy in Seoul and the Consulate General in Atlanta to the site and instructing the formation of an on-site response team centred around the local embassy.” “In Seoul, we also conveyed our concerns and regrets today through the US Embassy in Korea and urged them to exercise extreme caution to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of Korean citizens are not infringed upon,” it said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday detained about 450 ‘unlawful aliens’ in a major raid at a battery plant construction site run by Hyundai.

Hundreds of ‘unlawful aliens’ detained in US immigration raid at Hyundai site; S Korea urges extreme caution

Colombia University on Wednesday (Jul 23) announced that it has reached a deal with the US President Donald Trump’s administration to pay over $220 million to prevent massive funding cuts to the school over antisemitism on campus. The Ivy League university will pay $200 million settlement over three years as per the agreement. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.&nbsp;In exchange, the White House will reinstate the $400 million federal funding it had stopped from the university earlier this year. The university said in a statement that “a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025—will be reinstated and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.”&nbsp;Acting university president Claire Shipman said that the agreement marks an important step forward following “a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty.”&nbsp;The Trump administration had pulled the funding over what it described as the university’s failure to suppress antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Gaza war.&nbsp;Experts had warned that it was likely Colombia was facing another $1.2 billion funding freeze from the National Institutes of Health. Following the cuts made by the Trump administration, the lead funder of scientific research also terminated its funding to the university.&nbsp;Earlier, Colombia agreed to several demands laid out by the administration, including overhauling the university’s student disciplinary process and assuming a fresh definition of antisemitism. Shipman said that the recent agreement codifies those reforms.&nbsp;A day earlier, the university said that it had taken action against over 70 students for participating in demonstrations against the Gaza war in May. &nbsp;The recent development comes as Harvard University appeared in federal court earlier this week, claiming that the Trump administration illegally cut $2.6 billion in funding over what is described as politically motivated moves to reshape higher education. &nbsp;

The Trump administration had pulled the funding over what it described as the university’s failure to suppress antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Gaza war.

Colombia University on Wednesday (Jul 23) announced that it has reached a deal with the US President Donald Trump’s administration to pay over $220 million to prevent massive funding cuts to the school over antisemitism on campus. The Ivy League university will pay $200 million settlement over three years as per the agreement. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In exchange, the White House will reinstate the $400 million federal funding it had stopped from the university earlier this year. The university said in a statement that “a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025—will be reinstated and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.” Acting university president Claire Shipman said that the agreement marks an important step forward following “a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty.” The Trump administration had pulled the funding over what it described as the university’s failure to suppress antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Gaza war. Experts had warned that it was likely Colombia was facing another $1.2 billion funding freeze from the National Institutes of Health. Following the cuts made by the Trump administration, the lead funder of scientific research also terminated its funding to the university. Earlier, Colombia agreed to several demands laid out by the administration, including overhauling the university’s student disciplinary process and assuming a fresh definition of antisemitism. Shipman said that the recent agreement codifies those reforms. A day earlier, the university said that it had taken action against over 70 students for participating in demonstrations against the Gaza war in May. The recent development comes as Harvard University appeared in federal court earlier this week, claiming that the Trump administration illegally cut $2.6 billion in funding over what is described as politically motivated moves to reshape higher education.

Colombia University has reached an agreement with the Trump administration after federal funding cuts over the university’s failure to suppress antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Gaza war.

Colombia University to pay over $220 million to Trump administration to restore funding cuts

The Donald Trump administration on Monday (July 22) released more than 240,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr amid massive pressure on it to release the Epstein Files. It also released records from the FBI, which had surveilled the civil rights leader as part of an effort to discredit the Nobel Peace Prize winner and his civil rights movement. Files were posted on the website of the National Archives. The website stated that more would be released soon.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, after nearly 60 years of questions surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are releasing 230,000 MLK assassination files, available now at <a href="https://t.co/71P3p5jBgK">https://t.co/71P3p5jBgK</a>. The documents include details about the FBI’s investigation into the assassination… <a href="https://t.co/l96t9tgYmn">pic.twitter.com/l96t9tgYmn</a>&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1947381004228038925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, as he increasingly extended his attention from a nonviolent campaign for equal rights for African Americans to economic issues and calls for peace. His death shook the United States in a year that would also bring race riots, anti-Vietnam war demonstrations and the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump's administration released thousands of pages of digital documents related to the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and former President John F. Kennedy, who was killed in 1963.&nbsp;As per news agency Reuters, the FBI kept files on King in the 1950s and 1960s - even wiretapping his phones - because of what the bureau falsely said at the time were his suspected ties to communism during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. In recent years, the FBI has acknowledged that as an example of "abuse and overreach" in its history.<h2>What are the Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Files?</h2>King was extensively surveilled by the FBI under J Edgar Hoover, who considered him a threat due to alleged communist associations and his civil rights activism. The FBI gathered thousands of pages of wiretaps, surveillance notes, and reports.Some of these were released over the years, but many remain classified or heavily redacted. The files have now been released by the FBI. The documents also contain HSCA Files. In the late 1970s, the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) reopened investigations into the murders of JFK and MLK. The HSCA concluded that King was likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy, not solely by James Earl Ray (the man convicted of the crime). Additionally, in 1999, a civil trial in Memphis concluded that there was a conspiracy involving government agencies in King's assassination. The jury found that Lloyd Jowers (a local businessman) and others were part of a plot. However, this verdict is not legally binding in the criminal context and is not universally accepted by historians or government agencies.<h2>How Martin Luther King Jr's family reacted?</h2>The civil rights leader's family asked those who engage with the files to "do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family's continuing grief," and condemned “any attempts to misuse these documents.” "Now more than ever, we must honor his sacrifice by committing ourselves to the realization of his dream – a society rooted in compassion, unity, and equality," they said in a statement."During our father's lifetime, he was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign orchestrated by J Edgar Hoover through the Federal Bureau of Investigation," the family, including his two living children, Martin III, 67, and Bernice, 62, said, referring to the then-FBI director.&nbsp;James Earl Ray, a segregationist and drifter, confessed to killing King but later recanted. He died in prison in 1998. King's family said it had filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit in Tennessee in 1999 that led to a jury unanimously concluding “that our father was the victim of a conspiracy involving Loyd Jowers and unnamed co-conspirators, including government agencies as a part of a wider scheme. The verdict also affirmed that someone other than James Earl Ray was the shooter, and that Ray was set up to take the blame. Our family views that verdict as an affirmation of our long-held beliefs.”

The Trump administration released over 240,000 pages on Martin Luther King Jr's assassination, including FBI surveillance records. The move came amid pressure to release the Epstein Files. More documents will be posted soon, according to the National Archives website

The Donald Trump administration on Monday (July 22) released more than 240,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr amid massive pressure on it to release the Epstein Files. It also released records from the FBI, which had surveilled the civil rights leader as part of an effort to discredit the Nobel Peace Prize winner and his civil rights movement. Files were posted on the website of the National Archives. The website stated that more would be released soon.

The Trump administration released over 240,000 pages on Martin Luther King Jr's assassination, including FBI surveillance records. The move came amid pressure to release the Epstein Files. More documents will be posted soon, according to the National Archives website

Trump admin releases MLK files amid rising pressure over Epstein documents: What are Martin Luther King Files?

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration in March, has revealed shocking details of treatment in the El Salvador prison after his return. Abrego Garcia returned to the United States on June 6. In a legal filing on Wednesday (Jul 2), he alleged that he was beaten, starved, and tortured after being sent to the El Salvador prison. Despite the court’s order, the Trump administration did not facilitate the return to the US. After several months, he was charged with human smuggling, after which he was released from Salvadoran custody and sent back to the US to face those charges.&nbsp;The Salvadoran anti-terrorism prison, CECOT, is known for gang violence and abuse. President Nayib Bukele said that prisoners would not be released from there, and there were few reports from inside. Abrego Garcia said that he suffered physical and mental abuse inside the prison. In a 40-page court filing, his lawyers detailed his time in prison.&nbsp;In May, the Trump administration told a judge that Abrego Garcia was “in good health” and had “gained weight”. However, Abrego Garcia said that he had lost 31 pounds in two weeks and witnessed violence in the prison.&nbsp;Responding to the claims, the Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that the media was supporting a criminal. “The media’s sympathetic narrative about this criminal illegal gang member had completely fallen apart, yet they continued to peddle his sob story,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.&nbsp;<h2>What did Kilmar Abrego Garcia say in court filing?</h2>&nbsp;In his court filing, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was among the 200 men deported that day, said that he was the first person off a plane that landed in El Salvador on March 15. He described that bright lights and cameras were pointed at him as he was pushed into a bus in shackles. He was also hit in the head by Salvadoran guards, his lawyers wrote. At the prison, a guard said, “Welcome to CECOT. Whoever entered here didn't leave.”&nbsp;He was ordered to strip, change into prison clothes, and was hit to make him do it faster. He was also kicked in the legs and hit on the head and arms. His head was shaved, and he was taken to his cell while being struck with wooden batons. “By the following day, Plaintiff Abrego Garcia had visible bruises and lumps all over his body,” according to the filing.&nbsp;He was sharing a cell with 20 other people, and they were forced to kneel all night. The guards hit anyone who fell from exhaustion. He was also not granted permission to use the bathroom and soiled himself. They were barely given access to soap or water. The cell had no windows or mattresses, and the lights stayed on all hours of the day. He was told by the guards that he would be moved to cells with gang members. He saw fights inside those cells, and the guards did not intervene. He had no contact with any family or lawyer for over a month.

Despite the court’s order, the Trump administration did not facilitate the return to the US. After several months, he was charged with human smuggling, after which he was released from Salvadoran custody and sent back to the US to face those charges.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration in March, has revealed shocking details of treatment in the El Salvador prison after his return. Abrego Garcia returned to the United States on June 6. In a legal filing on Wednesday (Jul 2), he alleged that he was beaten, starved, and tortured after being sent to the El Salvador prison. Despite the court’s order, the Trump administration did not facilitate the return to the US. After several months, he was charged with human smuggling, after which he was released from Salvadoran custody and sent back to the US to face those charges. The Salvadoran anti-terrorism prison, CECOT, is known for gang violence and abuse. President Nayib Bukele said that prisoners would not be released from there, and there were few reports from inside. Abrego Garcia said that he suffered physical and mental abuse inside the prison. In a 40-page court filing, his lawyers detailed his time in prison. In May, the Trump administration told a judge that Abrego Garcia was “in good health” and had “gained weight”. However, Abrego Garcia said that he had lost 31 pounds in two weeks and witnessed violence in the prison. Responding to the claims, the Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that the media was supporting a criminal. “The media’s sympathetic narrative about this criminal illegal gang member had completely fallen apart, yet they continued to peddle his sob story,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said. What did Kilmar Abrego Garcia say in court filing? In his court filing, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was among the 200 men deported that day, said that he was the first person off a plane that landed in El Salvador on March 15. He described that bright lights and cameras were pointed at him as he was pushed into a bus in shackles. He was also hit in the head by Salvadoran guards, his lawyers wrote. At the prison, a guard said, “Welcome to CECOT. Whoever entered here didn't leave.” He was ordered to strip, change into prison clothes, and was hit to make him do it faster. He was also kicked in the legs and hit on the head and arms. His head was shaved, and he was taken to his cell while being struck with wooden batons. “By the following day, Plaintiff Abrego Garcia had visible bruises and lumps all over his body,” according to the filing. He was sharing a cell with 20 other people, and they were forced to kneel all night. The guards hit anyone who fell from exhaustion. He was also not granted permission to use the bathroom and soiled himself. They were barely given access to soap or water. The cell had no windows or mattresses, and the lights stayed on all hours of the day. He was told by the guards that he would be moved to cells with gang members. He saw fights inside those cells, and the guards did not intervene. He had no contact with any family or lawyer for over a month.

Despite the court’s order, the Trump administration did not facilitate the return to the US. After several months, he was charged with human smuggling, after which he was released from Salvadoran custody and sent back to the US to face those charges.

Beaten, starved, and tortured: Kilmar Abrego Garcia reveals SHOCKING details of treatment in El Salvador prison

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was released from a federal detention centre on Friday (Jun 20) after a court order, accused the Trump administration of dehumanising immigrants. The former Columbia University student, a legal permanent resident in the United States, was arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly leading pro-Palestine protests at the Ivy League campus in New York City in 2024. Khalil claimed that the government was targeting him for his political beliefs. He was the leader of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest and was arrested from his apartment on March 8.&nbsp;“Whether you are a citizen, an immigrant, anyone on this land, you’re not illegal. That doesn’t make you less of a human,” Khalil said while speaking to reporters at Newark airport, just outside New York City, after his release. “This is what the administration is trying to do: to dehumanise me, to dehumanise the immigrants, to dehumanise anyone who actually does not agree with what the administration is doing.”&nbsp;Khalil on Saturday (Jun 21) pledged Saturday to keep campaigning for Palestine, saying, “Even if they would kill me, I would still speak for Palestine.” He was freed from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana after a judge ordered his release on bail.&nbsp;“Just the fact I am here sends a message – the fact that all these attempts to suppress pro-Palestine voices have failed now,” said Khalil, who is still fighting his potential expulsion from the United States. He spoke alongside his wife Noor Abdalla, who gave birth to their first child while Khalil was in detention, and Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.&nbsp;“Mahmoud Khalil was imprisoned for 104 days by this administration, by the Trump administration, with no grounds and for political reasons, because Mahmoud Khalil is an advocate for Palestinian human rights,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “This is not over, and we will have to continue to support this case.”&nbsp;Khalil, who was born in Syria to Palestinian parents, still faces some restrictions on where he can travel within the country. Under the terms of his release, he is also not allowed to leave the United States unless in a case of “self-deportation”.&nbsp;The Department of Homeland Security criticised the court’s ruling by District Judge Michael Farbiarz, calling it an example of how “out of control members of the judicial branch are undermining our national security.” Earlier, the Trump administration tried to deport the pro-Palestine activist after his arrest, but a federal judge temporarily blocked the attempt. US President Donald Trump’s administration has justified pushing for his deportation saying that his presence in the country could have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.”&nbsp;Khalil’s legal team fears that he could also face threats out of detention beyond his case.Beyond his legal case, Khalil's team fears he could face threats out of detention. One of his lawyers, Baher Azmy, told AFP “We are very mindful about his security, and the irony is that he is the one being persecuted.”&nbsp;“But he is committed to peace and because he is rejecting US government policy he is under threat,” Azmy added, without detailing on what security measures are in place for Khalil and his family.

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was freed from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana after a judge ordered his release on bail.

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was released from a federal detention centre on Friday (Jun 20) after a court order, accused the Trump administration of dehumanising immigrants. The former Columbia University student, a legal permanent resident in the United States, was arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly leading pro-Palestine protests at the Ivy League campus in New York City in 2024. Khalil claimed that the government was targeting him for his political beliefs. He was the leader of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest and was arrested from his apartment on March 8. “Whether you are a citizen, an immigrant, anyone on this land, you’re not illegal. That doesn’t make you less of a human,” Khalil said while speaking to reporters at Newark airport, just outside New York City, after his release. “This is what the administration is trying to do: to dehumanise me, to dehumanise the immigrants, to dehumanise anyone who actually does not agree with what the administration is doing.” Khalil on Saturday (Jun 21) pledged Saturday to keep campaigning for Palestine, saying, “Even if they would kill me, I would still speak for Palestine.” He was freed from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana after a judge ordered his release on bail. “Just the fact I am here sends a message – the fact that all these attempts to suppress pro-Palestine voices have failed now,” said Khalil, who is still fighting his potential expulsion from the United States. He spoke alongside his wife Noor Abdalla, who gave birth to their first child while Khalil was in detention, and Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Mahmoud Khalil was imprisoned for 104 days by this administration, by the Trump administration, with no grounds and for political reasons, because Mahmoud Khalil is an advocate for Palestinian human rights,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “This is not over, and we will have to continue to support this case.” Khalil, who was born in Syria to Palestinian parents, still faces some restrictions on where he can travel within the country. Under the terms of his release, he is also not allowed to leave the United States unless in a case of “self-deportation”. The Department of Homeland Security criticised the court’s ruling by District Judge Michael Farbiarz, calling it an example of how “out of control members of the judicial branch are undermining our national security.” Earlier, the Trump administration tried to deport the pro-Palestine activist after his arrest, but a federal judge temporarily blocked the attempt. US President Donald Trump’s administration has justified pushing for his deportation saying that his presence in the country could have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” Khalil’s legal team fears that he could also face threats out of detention beyond his case. Beyond his legal case, Khalil's team fears he could face threats out of detention. One of his lawyers, Baher Azmy, told AFP “We are very mindful about his security, and the irony is that he is the one being persecuted.” “But he is committed to peace and because he is rejecting US government policy he is under threat,” Azmy added, without detailing on what security measures are in place for Khalil and his family.

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was freed from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana after a judge ordered his release on bail.

Mahmoud Khalil accuses Trump administration of ‘dehumanising immigrants’ after release

The US State Department on Wednesday (Jun 18) said that it was resuming the visa appointments for foreign students, but all applicants will be required to unlock their social media accounts for vetting by the government.&nbsp;The department said that consular officers are required to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” said the cable sent to US missions on Wednesday, according to Reuters.&nbsp;Last month, US President Donald Trump’s administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. It added that the department intended to expand its social media screening of foreign students.&nbsp;According to a cable dated June 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomatic missions to look for “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism, especially when it is associated with violence or with the views and activities described above, you must consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.”&nbsp;The cable, first reported by Free Press, also authorised the consular officers to ask applicants to make their social media accounts public.&nbsp;“Remind the applicant that limited access to....online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity,” the cable said.&nbsp;The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.&nbsp;“For example, during an online presence search, you might discover on social media that an applicant endorsed Hamas or its activities,” the cable said. It added that this may be a reason for the ineligibility of an applicant.&nbsp;Rubio has said that he has revoked hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visa applications of people, including students, saying they were involved in activities that went against US foreign policy priorities. The activities include a pro-Palestinian stance and criticism of Israel in the Gaza war.&nbsp;Trump’s critics have said that the administration’s moves violate the free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.

The US State Department on Wednesday (Jun 18) said that it was resuming the visa appointments for foreign students, but all applicants will be required to unlock their social media accounts for vetting by the government. The department said that consular officers are required to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” said the cable sent to US missions on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Last month, US President Donald Trump’s administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. It added that the department intended to expand its social media screening of foreign students. According to a cable dated June 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomatic missions to look for “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism, especially when it is associated with violence or with the views and activities described above, you must consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.” The cable, first reported by Free Press, also authorised the consular officers to ask applicants to make their social media accounts public. “Remind the applicant that limited access to....online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity,” the cable said. The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process. “For example, during an online presence search, you might discover on social media that an applicant endorsed Hamas or its activities,” the cable said. It added that this may be a reason for the ineligibility of an applicant. Rubio has said that he has revoked hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visa applications of people, including students, saying they were involved in activities that went against US foreign policy priorities. The activities include a pro-Palestinian stance and criticism of Israel in the Gaza war. Trump’s critics have said that the administration’s moves violate the free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.

Trump administration resumes foreign students’ visas - but there’s a catch

Allison Burroughs, U.S. District Court Judge, temporarily restrained the Trump administration's decision to suspend visas for International Students. The decision comes shortly after the university urged the court to step in on an emergency basis to block the proclamation issued by the Trump administration a day prior.This judgment is an extension of the earlier restraining order issued by the Obama-appointed Allison Burroughs. Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tricia McLaughlin, in a mailed statement, said that the ruling "delays justice and seeks to kneecap the President's constitutionally vested powers". It has set a date for the hearing on the judgment in mid-June.&nbsp;Earlier, on June 4, &nbsp;the Ivy League School filed a lawsuit claiming, "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard’s students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”This Presidential proclamation to ban visas for international students was the most recent development in the feud between President Trump and Harvard. President Trump's crackdown on the oldest university started following the University's reluctance to share audio-visual records of students who were participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump also froze approximately $2.6 billion in federal funding to the university earlier. The DHS also attempted to block Harvard's ability to enrol foreign students for the next academic year, which was subsequently blocked by a Federal Court.Harvard President Alan Garber called the ban a retaliation "for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government's illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body."&nbsp;In the brief judgment, Burroughs stated that it became imperative to intervene now or else the grand old institution would incur substantial damages. The next hearing in mid-June will decide the fate of the President's proclamation, whether it will be blocked indefinitely.&nbsp;&nbsp;

U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs ruled to temporarily block the Trump administration's decision to revoke visas for international students

Allison Burroughs, U.S. District Court Judge, temporarily restrained the Trump administration's decision to suspend visas for International Students. The decision comes shortly after the university urged the court to step in on an emergency basis to block the proclamation issued by the Trump administration a day prior. This judgment is an extension of the earlier restraining order issued by the Obama-appointed Allison Burroughs. Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tricia McLaughlin, in a mailed statement, said that the ruling "delays justice and seeks to kneecap the President's constitutionally vested powers". It has set a date for the hearing on the judgment in mid-June. Earlier, on June 4, the Ivy League School filed a lawsuit claiming, "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard’s students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.” This Presidential proclamation to ban visas for international students was the most recent development in the feud between President Trump and Harvard. President Trump's crackdown on the oldest university started following the University's reluctance to share audio-visual records of students who were participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump also froze approximately $2.6 billion in federal funding to the university earlier. The DHS also attempted to block Harvard's ability to enrol foreign students for the next academic year, which was subsequently blocked by a Federal Court. Harvard President Alan Garber called the ban a retaliation "for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government's illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body." In the brief judgment, Burroughs stated that it became imperative to intervene now or else the grand old institution would incur substantial damages. The next hearing in mid-June will decide the fate of the President's proclamation, whether it will be blocked indefinitely.

U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs ruled to temporarily block the Trump administration's decision to revoke visas for international students

Federal judge blocks Trump administration's proclamation to suspend new foreign students at Harvard

In a move reflecting urgency within the Trump administration, the United States is asking trade partners to submit their best offers by Wednesday (June 4) in an effort to expedite negotiations before a self-imposed deadline in early July.The White House, which has yet to finalise major agreements since President Donald Trump paused tariffs for 90 days on April 9, is aiming to complete as many deals as possible by the expiration of this pause on July 8.According to Reuters, the US Trade Representative has directed countries involved in active negotiations to submit proposals in a variety of key areas, including tariffs and quotas on US industrial and agricultural products.Additionally, Washington is pushing for trade partners to outline plans for addressing non-tariff barriers, committing to digital trade rules, and ensuring economic security. The administration plans to evaluate the responses quickly and offer a “possible landing zone” that could involve reciprocal tariff rates, Reuters&nbsp;reported.The draft letter that the news report referred to did not specify which countries would receive the request, though it is expected that negotiations with the European Union (EU), Japan, Vietnam, India, South Korea and other nations currently engaged in trade talks will be among the recipients.&nbsp;Racing against time&nbsp;As the clock ticks toward the July 8 deadline, the Trump administration has ramped up efforts to wrap up multiple trade deals. While officials have expressed optimism, only one deal has been announced since the pause on tariffs—a limited framework with Britain.Negotiations with other countries, including major US trading partners, remain ongoing, raising concerns about whether the ambitious target of “90 deals in 90 days” will be met.Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender acknowledged on June 2 that while significant progress has been made, only a few deals are close to completion.“As long as we continue to make progress, I think you’re going to see a lot more deals that are announced prior to that July 9 time frame,” Faulkender told CNBC.Despite the apparent lack of finalised agreements, Reuters reported that White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett remains optimistic. He emphasised that the Trump administration aims to “reach at least terms of an agreement prior to the expiration of that pause”, stressing the importance of goodwill from trade partners to continue making progress toward closing deals.However, the White House faces the challenge of navigating complex negotiations. With little time remaining, Faulkender admitted that the process can be slow and complicated. Still, he expressed confidence that substantial progress could be achieved in the coming weeks. “We are looking to conclude as many discussions as possible before the pause ends,” he said.&nbsp;Legal challenges loom&nbsp;The legal basis for Trump’s tariff policies remains in question. Last week, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority in using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, including the controversial “Liberation Day” levies. These tariffs targeted countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China, accusing them of facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the US.However, the ruling was quickly stayed by an appeals court, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect while the legal battle continues.Reuters&nbsp;reported that the draft letter sent to trading partners warns that, regardless of the ongoing litigation, Trump intends to continue his tariff programme through other legal channels, if necessary. “It is important that we continue our discussions on these matters," the letter states.The White House has also faced increasing tension with China, as the two nations continue to clash over trade and economic issues. The Trump administration accused China of violating a preliminary trade agreement by delaying the renewal of critical mineral exports to the US.Meanwhile, China has pushed back, accusing the US of undermining the deal with new restrictions on Chinese student visas and other measures.Despite these tensions, Kevin Hassett hinted on June 1 that a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place as soon as this week. The outcome of these discussions may have significant implications for the future of US-China trade relations.As the deadline draws nearer, the Trump administration remains determined to finalise as many trade agreements as possible, but whether it can achieve its ambitious goals remains uncertain.

the Trump administration has ramped up efforts to wrap up multiple trade deals. While officials have expressed optimism, only one deal has been announced since the pause on tariffs—a limited framework with Britain.

In a move reflecting urgency within the Trump administration, the United States is asking trade partners to submit their best offers by Wednesday (June 4) in an effort to expedite negotiations before a self-imposed deadline in early July. The White House, which has yet to finalise major agreements since President Donald Trump paused tariffs for 90 days on April 9, is aiming to complete as many deals as possible by the expiration of this pause on July 8. According to Reuters, the US Trade Representative has directed countries involved in active negotiations to submit proposals in a variety of key areas, including tariffs and quotas on US industrial and agricultural products. Additionally, Washington is pushing for trade partners to outline plans for addressing non-tariff barriers, committing to digital trade rules, and ensuring economic security. The administration plans to evaluate the responses quickly and offer a “possible landing zone” that could involve reciprocal tariff rates, Reuters reported. The draft letter that the news report referred to did not specify which countries would receive the request, though it is expected that negotiations with the European Union (EU), Japan, Vietnam, India, South Korea and other nations currently engaged in trade talks will be among the recipients. Racing against time As the clock ticks toward the July 8 deadline, the Trump administration has ramped up efforts to wrap up multiple trade deals. While officials have expressed optimism, only one deal has been announced since the pause on tariffs—a limited framework with Britain. Negotiations with other countries, including major US trading partners, remain ongoing, raising concerns about whether the ambitious target of “90 deals in 90 days” will be met. Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender acknowledged on June 2 that while significant progress has been made, only a few deals are close to completion. “As long as we continue to make progress, I think you’re going to see a lot more deals that are announced prior to that July 9 time frame,” Faulkender told CNBC. Despite the apparent lack of finalised agreements, Reuters reported that White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett remains optimistic. He emphasised that the Trump administration aims to “reach at least terms of an agreement prior to the expiration of that pause”, stressing the importance of goodwill from trade partners to continue making progress toward closing deals. However, the White House faces the challenge of navigating complex negotiations. With little time remaining, Faulkender admitted that the process can be slow and complicated. Still, he expressed confidence that substantial progress could be achieved in the coming weeks. “We are looking to conclude as many discussions as possible before the pause ends,” he said. Legal challenges loom The legal basis for Trump’s tariff policies remains in question. Last week, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority in using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, including the controversial “Liberation Day” levies. These tariffs targeted countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China, accusing them of facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the US. However, the ruling was quickly stayed by an appeals court, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect while the legal battle continues. Reuters reported that the draft letter sent to trading partners warns that, regardless of the ongoing litigation, Trump intends to continue his tariff programme through other legal channels, if necessary. “It is important that we continue our discussions on these matters," the letter states. The White House has also faced increasing tension with China, as the two nations continue to clash over trade and economic issues. The Trump administration accused China of violating a preliminary trade agreement by delaying the renewal of critical mineral exports to the US. Meanwhile, China has pushed back, accusing the US of undermining the deal with new restrictions on Chinese student visas and other measures. Despite these tensions, Kevin Hassett hinted on June 1 that a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place as soon as this week. The outcome of these discussions may have significant implications for the future of US-China trade relations. As the deadline draws nearer, the Trump administration remains determined to finalise as many trade agreements as possible, but whether it can achieve its ambitious goals remains uncertain.

The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to wrap up multiple trade deals. While officials have expressed optimism, only one deal has been announced since the pause on tariffs—a limited framework with Britain.

US asks trade partners to submit best offers by June 4 as deadline looms

The Trump administration has rolled out a major plan to reform how the US federal government hires new workers. The aim is to ensure that only what it calls “patriotic Americans” who back the president’s priorities are brought on board.In a new hiring memo released on Thursday, the White House, along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), outlined how federal agencies must now recruit staff under what it calls a “merit hiring plan.”This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen to serve in government roles.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-key-to-white-house-trump-gifts-special-golden-key-to-musk-what-is-it-and-how-many-people-have-it-wion-explains-1748671194690">'Key to White House': Trump gifts 'special' golden key to Musk. What is it and how many people have it? WION Explains</a><h2>New essay requirement for federal job applicants</h2>Under the new policy, anyone applying for federal positions starting at the GS-5 level or higher will now have to write short essays. These must outline how they will support the US Constitution, improve efficiency, back Trump’s executive orders and policy goals, and demonstrate a strong work ethic.Trump's allies argue the changes are necessary to root out government employees they believe are standing in the way of his agenda.But critics say the plan amounts to a political loyalty test. They also warn it could make it harder to attract top talent to public service roles.<h2>End of diversity metrics in hiring and promotions</h2>The memo, written by Vince Haley, assistant to the president for domestic policy, and Charles Ezell, the acting director of OPM, claims the previous system relied too heavily on what it calls “discriminatory ‘equity’ quotas.”It directs agencies to stop using statistics based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin when making hiring or promotion decisions. It also orders departments to stop sharing internal workforce data based on these characteristics.Instead, the plan focuses entirely on merit and individual commitment to Trump’s vision.<h2>Focus shifts away from ‘elite’ universities</h2>Trump’s hiring overhaul also targets where the federal government looks for recruits. The memo says there’s been too much focus on hiring from “elite universities and credentials.”Instead, the administration wants agencies to look for talent from a broader range of sources, including:<ul><li>State and land-grant universities</li><li>Religious colleges and community colleges</li><li>Trade and technical schools</li><li>Homeschooling groups</li><li>Military and law enforcement communities</li><li>Faith-based and youth organisations like 4-H and the American Legion</li></ul><h2>Trump aims to speed up hiring across government</h2>Another part of the plan aims to cut down the time it takes to hire someone for a federal role. The new target is to complete hiring processes in under 80 days, as per an earlier executive order from Trump.<h2>Overhauling top executive recruitment</h2>The memo also includes a separate strategy for hiring senior federal executives, those in the Senior Executive Service (SES). These roles involve significant decision-making power within government agencies.Trump had previously said on his first day in office that these officials “must serve at the pleasure of the President.”The memo calls the current SES hiring process “broken” and “insular,” accusing it of bringing in officials who either leak sensitive information, defy presidential policies, or work inefficiently.It also says previous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements for SES hiring were “unlawful” and have now been removed.<h2>New leadership programme to groom future executives</h2>To train future executive leaders, OPM will now offer an 80-hour “fee-based aspiring executive development programme.” According to the memo, this training will be rooted in the Constitution and US laws and will include education on Trump’s executive orders.The goal is to build a pipeline of leadership candidates “with the skills, knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in senior leadership roles.”

This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen.

The Trump administration has rolled out a major plan to reform how the US federal government hires new workers. The aim is to ensure that only what it calls “patriotic Americans” who back the president’s priorities are brought on board. In a new hiring memo released on Thursday, the White House, along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), outlined how federal agencies must now recruit staff under what it calls a “merit hiring plan.” This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen to serve in government roles. Also read: 'Key to White House': Trump gifts 'special' golden key to Musk. What is it and how many people have it? WION Explains New essay requirement for federal job applicants Under the new policy, anyone applying for federal positions starting at the GS-5 level or higher will now have to write short essays. These must outline how they will support the US Constitution, improve efficiency, back Trump’s executive orders and policy goals, and demonstrate a strong work ethic. Trump's allies argue the changes are necessary to root out government employees they believe are standing in the way of his agenda. But critics say the plan amounts to a political loyalty test. They also warn it could make it harder to attract top talent to public service roles. End of diversity metrics in hiring and promotions The memo, written by Vince Haley, assistant to the president for domestic policy, and Charles Ezell, the acting director of OPM, claims the previous system relied too heavily on what it calls “discriminatory ‘equity’ quotas.” It directs agencies to stop using statistics based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin when making hiring or promotion decisions. It also orders departments to stop sharing internal workforce data based on these characteristics. Instead, the plan focuses entirely on merit and individual commitment to Trump’s vision. Focus shifts away from ‘elite’ universities Trump’s hiring overhaul also targets where the federal government looks for recruits. The memo says there’s been too much focus on hiring from “elite universities and credentials.” Instead, the administration wants agencies to look for talent from a broader range of sources, including: State and land-grant universities Religious colleges and community colleges Trade and technical schools Homeschooling groups Military and law enforcement communities Faith-based and youth organisations like 4-H and the American Legion Trump aims to speed up hiring across government Another part of the plan aims to cut down the time it takes to hire someone for a federal role. The new target is to complete hiring processes in under 80 days, as per an earlier executive order from Trump. Overhauling top executive recruitment The memo also includes a separate strategy for hiring senior federal executives, those in the Senior Executive Service (SES). These roles involve significant decision-making power within government agencies. Trump had previously said on his first day in office that these officials “must serve at the pleasure of the President.” The memo calls the current SES hiring process “broken” and “insular,” accusing it of bringing in officials who either leak sensitive information, defy presidential policies, or work inefficiently. It also says previous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements for SES hiring were “unlawful” and have now been removed. New leadership programme to groom future executives To train future executive leaders, OPM will now offer an 80-hour “fee-based aspiring executive development programme.” According to the memo, this training will be rooted in the Constitution and US laws and will include education on Trump’s executive orders. The goal is to build a pipeline of leadership candidates “with the skills, knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in senior leadership roles.”

This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen.

Loyalty test for federal jobs? Trump demands ‘patriotic Americans’ in sweeping hiring shake-up

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to stop the Ivy League school from enrolling international students.&nbsp;According to the complaint filed in Boston federal court, the university called the White House’s move a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, warning it will have an “immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.”&nbsp;“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard said in its lawsuit. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-year-old school added.&nbsp;The university said that it is seeking a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the decision. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the case, which was assigned to US District Judge Allison Burroughs.&nbsp;“If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn't be in this situation to begin with,” Jackson said. “Harvard should spend their time and resources on creating a safe campus environment instead of filing frivolous lawsuits.”&nbsp;The termination of the university’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification from academic year 2025-2026 was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who justified the move by saying Harvard was “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”&nbsp;On Thursday (May 22), Noem said that Harvard could restore its certification by submitting its records on international students, including video or audio of their protests in the last five years, within 72 hours.&nbsp;<h2>Harvard president condemns Trump administration’s decision</h2>&nbsp;Condemning the actions of the administration, the school’s president Alan Garber said in a letter to the Harvard community, “The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government's illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body.”&nbsp;The university currently enrols about 6,800 international students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts campus from over 100 countries, most of them pursuing graduate studies.

The university said that it is seeking a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the decision.

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to stop the Ivy League school from enrolling international students. According to the complaint filed in Boston federal court, the university called the White House’s move a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, warning it will have an “immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.” “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard said in its lawsuit. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-year-old school added. The university said that it is seeking a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the decision. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the case, which was assigned to US District Judge Allison Burroughs. “If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn't be in this situation to begin with,” Jackson said. “Harvard should spend their time and resources on creating a safe campus environment instead of filing frivolous lawsuits.” The termination of the university’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification from academic year 2025-2026 was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who justified the move by saying Harvard was “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.” On Thursday (May 22), Noem said that Harvard could restore its certification by submitting its records on international students, including video or audio of their protests in the last five years, within 72 hours. Harvard president condemns Trump administration’s decision Condemning the actions of the administration, the school’s president Alan Garber said in a letter to the Harvard community, “The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government's illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body.” The university currently enrols about 6,800 international students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts campus from over 100 countries, most of them pursuing graduate studies.

The university said that it is seeking a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the decision.

‘Blatant violation’ of Constitution: Harvard sues Trump administration over its move banning enrollment of foreign students

US President Donald Trump warned Israel that if it continues its military campaign in Gaza, it could lead to a loss of US support. This comes amid Israel has intensified its military offensive in Gaza.&nbsp;Trump's representatives have informed Israel that the US will "abandon" the country if it does not end the war, the Washington Post reported citied an anonymous source.&nbsp;"Trump's people are letting Israel know, 'We will abandon you if you do not end this war,'" the source said. "Politically, as in the past, Netanyahu has a way to do that, with a huge majority in the Knesset and in Israel, but he does not have the political will."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-allows-food-into-starving-gaza-after-2-months-but-only-basic-amount-1747622074816">Also read: Israel allows food into starving Gaza after 2 months — but only 'basic amount'</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt also said that "The president wants the war in Gaza to end". Her remark came after the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, which was secured through direct US-Hamas negotiations without Israel's involvement.&nbsp;Last week, Trump during his visit to Gulf nations, addressed that a lot of people are starving in Gaza.&nbsp;"People are starving. Terrible things are happening there," Trump added during a call with Netanyahu in April.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-calls-up-tens-of-thousands-of-reservists-for-next-phase-of-war-in-gaza-hamas-hostage-deal-israel-israel-hostages-9030785">Also read: Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for next phase of war against Hamas in Gaza</a>&nbsp;He also asked him to allow more food and medicine into the enclave. "Gaza came up, and I said we need to be good to Gaza. People there are suffering."Some denies the report&nbsp;US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded to the report, calling it "nonsense"."Their reporting is nonsense. They need to listen to what the president says – not what some uninformed ‘source’ pretends to know," he told Ynet news.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-for-the-first-time-accepts-reasonable-suspicion-over-idfs-use-of-palestinians-as-human-shields-in-gaza-israeli-soldiers-gaza-war-israel-hamas-war-8848669">Also read: Israel, for the first time, 'accepts' use of Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, probe on: Report</a>&nbsp;Another senior US official told The Times of Israel that there are differences between the Trump administration and Israel, but added, "the idea that we would abandon Israel is preposterous."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-announces-launch-of-operation-gideon-s-chariots-in-gaza-ground-forces-on-the-move-1747637489732">WATCH | Israel announces launch of operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza, ground forces on the move</a> &nbsp;

Last week, Trump during his visit to Gulf nations, addressed that a lot of people are starving in Gaza. 

US President Donald Trump warned Israel that if it continues its military campaign in Gaza, it could lead to a loss of US support. This comes amid Israel has intensified its military offensive in Gaza. Trump's representatives have informed Israel that the US will "abandon" the country if it does not end the war, the Washington Post reported citied an anonymous source. "Trump's people are letting Israel know, 'We will abandon you if you do not end this war,'" the source said. "Politically, as in the past, Netanyahu has a way to do that, with a huge majority in the Knesset and in Israel, but he does not have the political will." Also read: Israel allows food into starving Gaza after 2 months — but only 'basic amount' Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt also said that "The president wants the war in Gaza to end". Her remark came after the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, which was secured through direct US-Hamas negotiations without Israel's involvement. Last week, Trump during his visit to Gulf nations, addressed that a lot of people are starving in Gaza. "People are starving. Terrible things are happening there," Trump added during a call with Netanyahu in April. Also read: Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for next phase of war against Hamas in Gaza He also asked him to allow more food and medicine into the enclave. "Gaza came up, and I said we need to be good to Gaza. People there are suffering." Some denies the report US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded to the report, calling it "nonsense". "Their reporting is nonsense. They need to listen to what the president says – not what some uninformed ‘source’ pretends to know," he told Ynet news. Also read: Israel, for the first time, 'accepts' use of Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, probe on: Report Another senior US official told The Times of Israel that there are differences between the Trump administration and Israel, but added, "the idea that we would abandon Israel is preposterous." WATCH | Israel announces launch of operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza, ground forces on the move

Last week, Trump during his visit to Gulf nations, addressed that a lot of people are starving in Gaza.&nbsp;

Did US warn to 'abandon' Israel if it escalates war in Gaza? Here's what we know

The Trump administration has been secretly allowing immigration agents to break into homes without a warrant for more than a month, according to a leaked internal memo obtained by USA Today.
The memo, which was issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 14, allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to break into the homes of suspected members of Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang, without a warrant.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-arrested-by-kash-patel-led-fbi-for-helping-illegal-alien-escape-under-trumps-immigration-crackdown-9002710">&lsquo;No one is above the law&rsquo;: US judge arrested by Kash Patel-led FBI for helping illegal alien escape under Trump&rsquo;s immigration crackdown</a>
<h2>What did the memo reveal?</h2>
It states that ICE can control the &ldquo;proactive procedures&rdquo; to obtain a warrant, as they &ldquo;will not always be realistic or effective in swiftly identifying and removing alien enemies.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Given the dynamic nature of enforcement operations, officers in the field are authorised to apprehend aliens upon a reasonable belief that the alien meets all four requirements to be validated as an alien enemy,&rdquo; it read.
The memo added, &ldquo;This authority includes entering an alien enemy&rsquo;s residence to make an [Aliens Enemies Act] apprehension where circumstances render it impracticable to first obtain a signed notice and warrant of apprehension and removal.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-pro-palestine-columbia-activist-arrested-at-us-citizenship-interview-8963146">Columbia pro-Palestine activist arrested after arriving at immigration office for US citizenship interview: Who is he</a>
Along with the memo was a copy of the Alien Enemy Validation Guide attached to it that provides a point system for determining whether a person is part of the Venezuelan gang and subject to removal or not.
The Trump administration deported more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador&rsquo;s Terrorism Confinement Centre, CECOT, the following day. Maryland dad Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported, was also part of the deportees.
However, this was in accordance with the announcement made by the US President Donald Trump on March 15 that he would be invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The act allows the arrest and deportation of &ldquo;alien enemies&rdquo; from an enemy nation during an invasion or war.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kristi-noem-bag-purse-stolen-with-3000-cash-passport-dhs-id-senstive-documents-during-easter-dinner-secret-service-investigatiion-latest-8988241">US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem is among most protected officials, but someone stole her bag as Secret Service&nbsp;stood nearby</a>
According to Trump&rsquo;s proclamation, &ldquo;all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of TdA, are within the United States, and are not actually naturalised or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I further find and declare that all such members of TdA are a danger to the public peace or safety of the United States,&rdquo; he added.
However, the administration has been detaining and deporting immigrants to El Salvador&rsquo;s prison who are neither Venezuelan nor have any criminal record.
Watch | US Homeland Security Secy issues immigration warning in front of El Salvador mega-prison inmates
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2703_ARJUN_DEPORT_4PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2703_ARJUN_DEPORT_4PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=190&amp;tags=US, El Salvador, Venezuela, World News, WION" title="US Homeland Security Secy issues immigration warning in front of El Salvador mega-prison inmates" id="PL_iframe_block-m9zyjzfw-pci5lmye-yqu2bpm7"></iframe>
Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups sued the administration in an attempt to block more deportations under this act.
<h2>Is Trump&rsquo;s immigration crackdown illegal?</h2>
According to Lee Gelernt, the ACLU&rsquo;s lead counsel, told USA Today that the Justice Department has been violating the Fourth Amendment that safeguards people from unreasonable search and seizures by the government.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The administration&rsquo;s unprecedented use of a wartime authority during peacetime was bad enough,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now we find out the Justice Department was authorising officers to ignore the most bedrock principle of the Fourth Amendment by authorising officers to enter homes without a judicial warrant.&rdquo;
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Many have argued that Trump&rsquo;s crackdown on immigration does not meet the requirements of the Alien Enemies Act, which can only be invoked in case of a &ldquo;declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government&rdquo; or an &ldquo;invasion or predatory incursion &hellip; perpetrated, attempted, or threatened&rdquo; against the country.

The Trump administration deported more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre, CECOT, the following day. Maryland dad Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported, was also part of the deportees. World

The Trump administration has been secretly allowing immigration agents to break into homes without a warrant for more than a month, according to a leaked internal memo obtained by USA Today. The memo, which was issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 14, allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to break into the homes of suspected members of Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang, without a warrant. Also read | ‘No one is above the law’: US judge arrested by Kash Patel-led FBI for helping illegal alien escape under Trump’s immigration crackdown What did the memo reveal? It states that ICE can control the “proactive procedures” to obtain a warrant, as they “will not always be realistic or effective in swiftly identifying and removing alien enemies.” “Given the dynamic nature of enforcement operations, officers in the field are authorised to apprehend aliens upon a reasonable belief that the alien meets all four requirements to be validated as an alien enemy,” it read. The memo added, “This authority includes entering an alien enemy’s residence to make an [Aliens Enemies Act] apprehension where circumstances render it impracticable to first obtain a signed notice and warrant of apprehension and removal.” Also read | Columbia pro-Palestine activist arrested after arriving at immigration office for US citizenship interview: Who is he Along with the memo was a copy of the Alien Enemy Validation Guide attached to it that provides a point system for determining whether a person is part of the Venezuelan gang and subject to removal or not. The Trump administration deported more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre, CECOT, the following day. Maryland dad Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported, was also part of the deportees. However, this was in accordance with the announcement made by the US President Donald Trump on March 15 that he would be invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The act allows the arrest and deportation of “alien enemies” from an enemy nation during an invasion or war. Also read | US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem is among most protected officials, but someone stole her bag as Secret Service stood nearby According to Trump’s proclamation, “all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of TdA, are within the United States, and are not actually naturalised or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.” “I further find and declare that all such members of TdA are a danger to the public peace or safety of the United States,” he added. However, the administration has been detaining and deporting immigrants to El Salvador’s prison who are neither Venezuelan nor have any criminal record. Watch | US Homeland Security Secy issues immigration warning in front of El Salvador mega-prison inmates Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups sued the administration in an attempt to block more deportations under this act. Is Trump’s immigration crackdown illegal? According to Lee Gelernt, the ACLU’s lead counsel, told USA Today that the Justice Department has been violating the Fourth Amendment that safeguards people from unreasonable search and seizures by the government. “The administration’s unprecedented use of a wartime authority during peacetime was bad enough,” he said. “Now we find out the Justice Department was authorising officers to ignore the most bedrock principle of the Fourth Amendment by authorising officers to enter homes without a judicial warrant.” Also read | Suspect who allegedly stole Kristi Noem’s Gucci bag arrested in Washington Many have argued that Trump’s crackdown on immigration does not meet the requirements of the Alien Enemies Act, which can only be invoked in case of a “declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government” or an “invasion or predatory incursion … perpetrated, attempted, or threatened” against the country.

Trump administration violating laws? Secret memo reveals ICE officials can break into homes without a warrant

A McDonald's delivery guy in the US was deported to Trump's "favourite" El Salvador's CECOT prison after he made a wrong turn into Canada while travelling from Detroit.&nbsp;
Ricardo Prada Vásquez, a 32-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, was apprehended when he was completing a McDonald's delivery in January as he made a huge mistake navigating the US-Canadian border, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Prada mistakenly crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Canada. But, when he tried to re-enter the US, authorities apprehended him.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-innocent-trump-administrations-flip-flop-deportation-adds-to-american-mans-woes-in-el-salvador-8985778">Not 'innocent': Trump administration's flip-flop deportation adds to American man's woes in El Salvador</a>
Prada had been in the US for only a few months, according to The New York Times. However, for many days, Prada's whereabouts were unknown due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials holding him.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What we&rsquo;re seeing is one wrong turn at the Detroit bridge&mdash;the Ambassador Bridge&mdash;can result in your loved one disappearing,&rdquo; said Michigan Immigrant Rights Center&rsquo;s Christine Sauve in a statement to the Free Press.
"That shouldn't be the case," she added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kilmar-abrego-garcia-erroneously-deported-to-el-salvador-unaware-of-global-attention-on-his-case-8979521">Kilmar Abrego Garcia, erroneously deported to El Salvador, unaware of global attention on his case</a>
Prada's apprehension reflects Trump's stricter policies and his raging war between the federal courts and the US administration.&nbsp;
Trump administration has also refused to return wrongly deported man Maryland Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US, even after the Supreme Court ordered that the Trump administration must bring him back from El Salvador.&nbsp;
However, the Trump administration has alleged that Abrego is a gang member and would not be brought back to the US, despite accepting that he was deported in an "administrative error".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-explores-legality-of-sending-us-citizens-to-el-salvador-jail-trump-says-would-love-to-8967599">White House explores legality of sending US citizens to El Salvador jail: Trump says 'would love to...'</a>
Abrego&rsquo;s wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura said that she was forced to go into hiding after the Homeland Security Department posted an order featuring her address.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel safe when the government posts my address, the house where my family lives,&rdquo; said Vasquez, who shares three kids with Abrego.
She said she was afraid for her kids.
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-suggests-jailing-us-citizen-in-el-salvador-amid-uproar-8966871">Trump suggests jailing US citizen in El Salvador amid uproar</a>

Prada had been in the US for only a few months. However, for many days, Prada's whereabouts were unknown due to Immigration officials holding him. WORLD

A McDonald's delivery guy in the US was deported to Trump's "favourite" El Salvador's CECOT prison after he made a wrong turn into Canada while travelling from Detroit. Ricardo Prada Vásquez, a 32-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, was apprehended when he was completing a McDonald's delivery in January as he made a huge mistake navigating the US-Canadian border, the Detroit Free Press reported. Prada mistakenly crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Canada. But, when he tried to re-enter the US, authorities apprehended him. Also read: Not 'innocent': Trump administration's flip-flop deportation adds to American man's woes in El Salvador Prada had been in the US for only a few months, according to The New York Times. However, for many days, Prada's whereabouts were unknown due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials holding him. “What we’re seeing is one wrong turn at the Detroit bridge—the Ambassador Bridge—can result in your loved one disappearing,” said Michigan Immigrant Rights Center’s Christine Sauve in a statement to the Free Press. "That shouldn't be the case," she added. Also read: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, erroneously deported to El Salvador, unaware of global attention on his case Prada's apprehension reflects Trump's stricter policies and his raging war between the federal courts and the US administration. Trump administration has also refused to return wrongly deported man Maryland Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US, even after the Supreme Court ordered that the Trump administration must bring him back from El Salvador. However, the Trump administration has alleged that Abrego is a gang member and would not be brought back to the US, despite accepting that he was deported in an "administrative error". Also read: White House explores legality of sending US citizens to El Salvador jail: Trump says 'would love to...' Abrego’s wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura said that she was forced to go into hiding after the Homeland Security Department posted an order featuring her address. “I don’t feel safe when the government posts my address, the house where my family lives,” said Vasquez, who shares three kids with Abrego. She said she was afraid for her kids. WATCH | Trump suggests jailing US citizen in El Salvador amid uproar

One wrong turn that led to El Salvador prison - How Trump administration arrested McDonald's delivery guy

The financial circus rolls into Washington this week for the IMF's spring meetings, and the ringmasters are walking a precarious tightrope. Tariffs take centre stage, of course. But what can be done about them? And what does it mean for the global economy?<o:p></o:p>
As the Trump administration tries to negotiate with its trade partners, finance ministers from all over the globe will gather in Washington, D.C., this week for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.<o:p></o:p>
However, the dimming global economic outlook will cast a shadow over any bilateral negotiations. No matter how many tariffs the U.S. imposes, the bleak global picture will affect US trading partners.<o:p></o:p>
New economic predictions and polls will indicate the initial impact three weeks after Trump officially initiated a trade war with the whole world. Many countries will be indirectly hit if us tariffs substantially weaken the economic prospects of their trading partners.<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Uncertainty about trade policy soars<o:p></o:p></h2>
For example, say you're Japan, one of the nations the Trump administration has prioritised in its negotiations. Its two biggest export markets are China and the US, followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico.<o:p></o:p>
In 2023, Japan exported slightly more to those last five combined than to the US. Japanese exporters would, of course, prefer lower US tariffs.<o:p></o:p>
But high tariffs on China, Vietnam, Mexico, and attendant dents in those economies could hurt Japan, too. All of this means that even countries optimistic about securing a trade deal with the US will be keeping an eye on the global outlook.<o:p></o:p>
In other words, in a tightly knit global economy, even bilateral trade fights can have ripple effects. Expectations for global economic growth are souring since Trump's April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement.<o:p></o:p>
A Bank of America survey shows 82 per cent of investors expect the global economy to weaken. Goldman Sachs now expects year-over-year global GDP growth of just 1.4 per cent in the current quarter, less than half of the 3 per cent growth at the end of last year.<o:p></o:p>
The IMF is set to slash its own growth forecasts when it publishes its World Economic Outlook later on Tuesday. IMF's managing director Kristalina Georgieva said, "Our new growth projections will include notable markdowns but not recession."<o:p></o:p>
(With inputs from the agencies)<o:p></o:p>

Business & Economy: As the Trump administration tries to negotiate with its trade partners, finance ministers from all over the globe will gather in Washington, D.C., this week for the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

The financial circus rolls into Washington this week for the IMF's spring meetings, and the ringmasters are walking a precarious tightrope. Tariffs take centre stage, of course. But what can be done about them? And what does it mean for the global economy? As the Trump administration tries to negotiate with its trade partners, finance ministers from all over the globe will gather in Washington, D.C., this week for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. However, the dimming global economic outlook will cast a shadow over any bilateral negotiations. No matter how many tariffs the U.S. imposes, the bleak global picture will affect US trading partners. New economic predictions and polls will indicate the initial impact three weeks after Trump officially initiated a trade war with the whole world. Many countries will be indirectly hit if us tariffs substantially weaken the economic prospects of their trading partners. Uncertainty about trade policy soars For example, say you're Japan, one of the nations the Trump administration has prioritised in its negotiations. Its two biggest export markets are China and the US, followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico. In 2023, Japan exported slightly more to those last five combined than to the US. Japanese exporters would, of course, prefer lower US tariffs. But high tariffs on China, Vietnam, Mexico, and attendant dents in those economies could hurt Japan, too. All of this means that even countries optimistic about securing a trade deal with the US will be keeping an eye on the global outlook. In other words, in a tightly knit global economy, even bilateral trade fights can have ripple effects. Expectations for global economic growth are souring since Trump's April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement. A Bank of America survey shows 82 per cent of investors expect the global economy to weaken. Goldman Sachs now expects year-over-year global GDP growth of just 1.4 per cent in the current quarter, less than half of the 3 per cent growth at the end of last year. The IMF is set to slash its own growth forecasts when it publishes its World Economic Outlook later on Tuesday. IMF's managing director Kristalina Georgieva said, "Our new growth projections will include notable markdowns but not recession." (With inputs from the agencies)

Tariffs hit global growth outlook

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