World
politics
Trump intensifies crackdown on immigration, diversity
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced deployment of an extra 1,500 US troops to the Mexican border on Wednesday, as he stepped up a crackdown against illegal immigration and diversity programmes in a whirlwind start to his second term.
The 78-year-old Republican — who has pledged a “golden age” for America — halted refugee arrivals and threatened to prosecute local authorities that fail to deport migrants.
As part of his blitz of right-wing measures on returning to office, the billionaire also ordered that US government employees in diversity programmes — conceived as ways to combat racism and sexism — be put on paid leave immediately.
Trump held what was reportedly his first phone call with a foreign leader since taking office Monday, talking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who promised increased trade to the United States, according to the kingdom’s foreign ministry.
And in the latest round of appointments, Trump announced that fast food executive Andrew Puzder — who has previously faced questions over his business and private conduct — will be the new US ambassador to the European Union.
He named his longtime Secret Service bodyguard Sean Curran — who was at his side when an assassin opened fire and grazed his ear during a presidential campaign rally last July — as director of the security agency, which protects the president and other top officials.
But while Trump is steamrolling through Washington, there have been surprise speedbumps.
Close adviser and world’s richest man Elon Musk revealed budding tensions when he bashed an AI investment mega project that Trump himself publicly touted at a televised White House event, flanked by top Silicon Valley tycoons.
And Trump prompted questions when he threatened Russia with sanctions if it doesn’t accept an unspecified Ukraine peace deal — something he previously had claimed he would broker within 24 hours.
His predecessor Joe Biden had left him a “lot of work,” Trump told Fox News’s Sean Hannity in his first television interview since taking office.
As Los Angeles continues to be scorched by wildfires, he also floated the idea of ending federal disaster aid and disbanding FEMA, the government agency that manages disasters.
“I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems,” he told Hannity.
Migrants and diversity fight
Trump, who has more than a dozen ex-Fox News employees in his administration, discussed his barrage of executive orders and his plans for the first 100 days.
But it was a typically divisive conversation, with Trump — investigated for leading unprecedented efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss — calling Democrats “stupid” and claiming that “the only thing they’re good at, really, is cheating.”
Since reentering the White House, Trump has focused heavily on harsh migration measures.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was dispatching 1,500 troops to add to the 2,000-plus contingent already at the Mexican border.
He likewise halted arrivals of refugees already cleared to enter the United States as part of the crackdown, according to a State Department memo.
Trump’s other main target has been on anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
He ordered related government websites and social media accounts to go offline and federal workers involved to put on paid leave.
Trump also ended what he called “radical” affirmative action in awarding federal contracts, revoking an order crafted to combat racism that dates back to the civil rights era of the 1960s.
One of Trump’s first acts as president on Monday was to pardon more than 1,000 supporters who stormed the US Capitol, attacking police and vandalising the seat of US democracy, after he lost in 2020.
A row between Trump and the bishop at the National Cathedral, who asked him during her sermon at a service he attended Tuesday to show “mercy” to “scared” migrants and LGBTQ people, simmered on.
Trump called Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde “nasty” and she later told The New York Times that she felt compelled to speak up.
Trump makes first social media post for Melania after becoming president
Donald Trump wished his wife and First Lady Melania Trump a 20th wedding anniversary along with a throwback picture from their wedding day in a post on his official X account.
“Happy 20th Anniversary to Melania!” wrote Donald in an X post.
The post is Donald’s first for Melania after he took oath as the US president for the second time.
Both Donald and Melania have shared a notable relationship with some fluctuations during the Republican’s trial and rumours of family drama.
She made her return to Washington in a sharply tailoured outfit exuding international woman of mystery, as her husband once again became president of the United States.
Her long navy coat and matching wide-brimmed hat — which shielded her eyes in most photos and hindered her commander-in-chief husband´s attempts to give her a peck before his swearing-in — drew snark comments on social media and a flurry of comparisons to a 1980s video game character.
Earlier on Tuesday, cryptocurrencies launched by Donald and Melania angered some digital currency advocates and sparked fresh allegations of leveraging the presidency for profit.
The new electronic Trump currencies are “meme coins,” digital tokens designed to capitalise on craze surrounding a personality or viral phenomenon.
Such cryptocurrency has no economic or transactional utility and is considered a purely speculative asset with buyers essentially betting on its worth.
Melania launched an $Melania coin the night before her husband was inaugurated as US president on Monday.
Donald, on the other hand, has been making news for his pardons, executive orders and crackdown on policies after taking the president’s office.
Bangladesh’s Yunus dismisses Hasina’s economic growth as ‘fake’
Bangladesh’s interim government head and Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, criticised the country’s high growth under ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, calling it “fake” and accusing the global community of failing to scrutinise her alleged corruption.
Yunus, 84, an economist and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, assumed leadership of the interim government in August after Hasina fled to neighbouring India following weeks of violent protests.
During her 15 years in power, Hasina was credited with revitalising Bangladesh’s economy and garments industry, a key driver of national growth. However, critics accuse her of human rights abuses and suppressing free speech and dissent.
Hasina, who had ruled Bangladesh since 2009, is being investigated there on suspicion of crimes against humanity, genocide, murder, corruption and money laundering and Dhaka has asked New Delhi to extradite her.
Hasina and her party deny wrongdoing, while New Delhi has not responded to the extradition request.
“She was in Davos telling everybody how to run a country. Nobody questioned that,” Yunus told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in the Swiss Alpine resort. “That’s not a good world system at all.”
“The whole world is responsible for making that happen. So that’s a good lesson for the world,” he said. “She said, our growth rate surpasses everybody else. Fake growth rate, completely.”
Yunus did not elaborate on why he thought that growth was fake, but went on to stress the importance of broad-based and inclusive growth, and the need to reduce wealth inequality.
Annual growth in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million people accelerated to nearly 8% in the financial year 2017/18, compared with about 5% when Hasina took over in 2009, before the impact of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine pulled it down.
In 2023, the World Bank described Bangladesh as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
“Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has transformed from one of the poorest countries to achieving lower-middle income status in 2015,” it said.
Hurt by strained India ties
The student-led movement in Bangladesh grew out of protests against quotas in government jobs that spiralled in July, provoking a violent crackdown that drew global criticism, although Hasina’s government denied using excessive force.
The student protesters recommended Yunus as the chief adviser in the interim government tasked with holding fresh elections.
Yunus, who has promised to hold elections by the end of 2025 or early 2026, said he was not interested in running.
Known as the “banker to the poor”, Yunus and the Grameen Bank he founded won the Nobel for helping lift millions from poverty with tiny loans of less than $100 offered to the rural poor, too poor to gain attention from traditional banks.
“For me, personally, I’m not very driven by growth rates,” Yunus said. “I’m driven by the quality of life of the people at the very bottom level. So I would rather bring an economy which avoids the whole idea of wealth concentration.”
Ties between Bangladesh and India, who have strong trade and cultural links, have become fraught since Hasina was ousted and she took refuge in New Delhi.
Yunus has demanded that India send Hasina back to Bangladesh so she can face trial for what it says are crimes against protesters and her opponents, and crimes she is accused of committing during her tenure.
Calling India’s rival China a long-term friend of Bangladesh at this difficult time, Yunus said the strained relationship with New Delhi “hurts me a lot personally”.
“Bangladesh-India relationship should be the strongest possible. You know, you cannot draw the map of India without drawing the map of Bangladesh,” he said, referring to how Bangladesh’s land border runs almost entirely alongside India’s.
Climate crises in 2024 disrupt education for millions globally
UNITED NATIONS: About one in seven students, or 242 million children in 85 countries, had their schooling interrupted by extreme weather in 2024, according to a report released on Thursday by the UN children’s agency, which lamented what it called an “overlooked” aspect of the climate crisis.
According to the report, heat waves had the greatest effect in this regard. Whereas, Catherine Russell, executive director of Unicef, cautioned that children are “more vulnerable” to harsh weather.
“They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults,” she said in a statement.
“Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat, and they cannot get to school if the path is flooded, or if schools are washed away.”
Human activity, including the unrestricted burning of fossil fuels over decades, has warmed the planet and changed weather patterns.
Global average temperatures hit record highs in 2024, and over the past few years they temporarily surpassed a critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold for the first time.
That has left the wet periods wetter and the dry periods dryer, intensifying heat and storms and making populations more vulnerable to disasters.
The 242 million figure is a “conservative estimate,” the Unicef report said, citing gaps in the data.
Students from kindergarten to high school saw classes suspended, vacations moved, reopenings delayed, timetables shifted and even schools damaged or destroyed over the year due to climatic shocks, the available data showed.
At least 171 million children were affected by heat waves — including 118 million in April alone, as temperatures soared in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Thailand and the Philippines.
In the Philippines in particular thousands of non-air conditioned schools were closed, with children at risk of hyperthermia.
Risk rises with temperatures
September, which marks the start of the school year in many countries, was also heavily impacted.
Classes were suspended in 18 countries, notably due to the devastating typhoon Yagi in East Asia and the Pacific.
South Asia was the region hardest hit by climate-related school interruptions, with 128 million schoolchildren affected.
India had the most children affected — 54 million, mainly by heat waves. Bangladesh had 35 million also affected by heat waves.
The figures are likely to rise in coming years as temperatures continue going up, with half the world’s children — around one billion — living in countries at high risk of climate and environmental shocks.
If the emission of greenhouse gases continues on its current trajectory, eight times as many children will be exposed to heat waves in 2050 as in 2000, according to Unicef projections.
More than three times as many would be exposed to extreme floods and 1.7 times more to wildfires, the projections showed.
Beyond the immediate impacts, Unicef voiced fears that the damage could increase the risk of some children — girls in particular — dropping out of school altogether.
Already, some two-thirds of children around the world cannot read with comprehension by age 10, it said, adding: “Climate hazards are exacerbating this reality.”
Education is one of the services most frequently disrupted by climate hazards, Russell said.
“Yet it is often overlooked in policy discussions,” she warned. “Children’s futures must be at the forefront of all climate-related plans and actions.”
Unicef called for investment in classrooms that are more resistant to climate hazards.
New raging wildfires spark evacuations in Los Angeles area
LOS ANGELES: Local authorities have issued orders for thousands of people to evacuate after a new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, as the fire quickly spread to other areas in a region already struggling with the devastation caused by previous large fires.
Ferocious flames were devouring hillsides near Castaic Lake, spreading rapidly to cover 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) in just over two hours.
The fire was being fanned by strong, dry Santa Ana winds that were racing through the area, pushing a vast pall of smoke and embers ahead of the flames.
Evacuations were ordered for 19,000 people all around the lake, which sits around 35 miles north of Los Angeles and close to the city of Santa Clarita.
“I’m just praying that our house doesn’t burn down,” one man told broadcaster KTLA as he packed his car.
The fire came with the greater Los Angeles area still suffering after two enormous fires that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of structures.
Robert Jensen from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urged everyone in the affected area of the new blaze to leave immediately.
“We’ve seen the devastation caused by people failing to follow those orders in the Palisades and Eaton fires,” he said.
“I don’t want to see that here in our community as well. If you’ve been issued an evacuation order, please get out.”
Television footage showed police driving around the neighbourhood urging people to evacuate.
Helicopters and planes were on the scene dropping water and retardant on the blaze, as shown in footage.
That fleet included two Super Scoopers, enormous amphibious planes that can carry hundreds of gallons (litres) of water.
Crews from Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest were also attacking the blaze from the ground.
It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire, but it occurred during red flag fire conditions – when meteorologists say strong winds and low humidity create conditions ripe for rapid fire spread.
Economy (world)
PAKISTAN
Politics
Govt’s response on PTI demands to be ‘assertive, politically relevant’: Sanaullah
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed on Saturday that the coalition government’s response will be “assertive and politically relevant” to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s charter of demands which may convince the opposition to resume negotiations.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Jirga”, Sanaullah remained hopeful that both sides would attain a conclusive outcome if the former ruling party decided to sit at the dialogue table instead of searching for excuses.
His statement came after incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s instruction to his party to call off talks with the government.
Sanaullah elaborated on the future course of action following the PTI’s announcement, saying that the government’s negotiation committee will hand over its response to the Imran Khan-founded party regardless of whether it is attending the next round of dialogue scheduled for January 28 or not.
Pointing to a partial consensus, he said some of PTI’s demands could be accepted, while others may be rejected, which is a part of every negotiation.
“It may be possible that PTI may consider or agree upon resuming talks [after reviewing the government’s response],” said the PM’s aide.
He, however, stressed that the dialogue process should continue between both sides until they reach a logical conclusion.
On PTI’s demands, Sanaullah said the continuation of dialogue was crucial to find answers to many questions: what would be terms of reference [for the judicial commission] and whether certain personalities recommended by the former ruling party would agree on leading the probe.
To a question whether the PTI founder called off the talks following the verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case, Sanaullah rejected the notion, saying that the judgment has no relevance to the negotiations.
He elaborated that the government has never stopped the opposition party from delivering political statements and running movements alongside holding negotiations. He added that both sides had mutually agreed that external developments would not harm the dialogue process.
The Imran-founded party “called off” the negotiation process due to “non-cooperation” of the government and delay over the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9, 2023, violent protests and a crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad on November 26 last year.
The PTI and the ruling coalition have been engaged in talks aimed at defusing political tensions in the country for nearly a month. Both sides have held three rounds of talks so far.
Conflicting statements from the embattled former ruling party regarding the negotiations continued with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a day earlier, saying ongoing talks were put on hold, a shift from the party’s earlier announcement of calling them off.
The dialogue ended in deadlock as the PTI was of the view that they would attend the fourth round of talks only if the government formed the judicial commission while the ruling alliance stated that they would give their written response to the PTI’s demand in the next round of negotiation.
However, seemingly backtracking on his previous statement, Barrister Gohar — a day earlier — said that the party could reconsider its decision to call off the dialogue, but the government must announce the formation of judicial commission.
Separately, PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja reiterated that his party would not participate in the January 28 session, summoned by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Speaking to journalists outside Adiala jail after meeting the jailed PTI founder, he said that he held an “extensive discussion” with Imran about the talks, noting that the government “ridiculed” his party’s charter of demands.
“We want to let the people of Pakistan know what happened on May 9 and November 26,” he added.
Imran Khan seeks meeting with PTI negotiators before January 28 session
RAWALPINDI: Jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Saturday called for a meeting with his party’s negotiation committee before the upcoming round of discussions scheduled for January 28.
According to the sources, the former prime minister, during a meeting with party leaders in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, said the final stance regarding the negotiations would be given after the meeting.
Conflicting statements from the embattled former ruling party regarding the negotiations continue with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a day earlier, saying ongoing talks were put on hold, a shift from the party’s earlier announcement of calling them off.
The Imran-founded party “called off” the negotiation process due to “non-cooperation” of the government and delay over the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9, 2023, violent protests and a crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad on November 26 last year.
The PTI and the ruling coalition have been engaged in talks aimed at defusing political tensions in the country for nearly a month. Both sides have held three rounds of talks so far.
The dialogue ended in deadlock as the Khan-founded party was of the view that they would attend the fourth round of talks only if the government formed the judicial commission while the ruling alliance stated that they would give their written response to the PTI’s demand in the next round of negotiation.
However, seemingly backtracking on his previous statement, Barrister Gohar — a day earlier — said that the party could reconsider its decision to call off the dialogue, but the government must announce the formation of judicial commission.
Meanwhile, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, talking to the media outside Adiala jail today, said that his party’s “clear goal” is to ensure an impartial investigation and formation of a judicial commission into the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024.
“The government has the best option to form a commission and create a credible environment,” he said, adding that if the government refrain from doing so, then “something is fishy”.
Shibli noted that his party has no objection to continuing the talks if the government forms a commission.
He also lambasted the government over “contradictory statements”, saying they earlier assured that a decision would be made in eight days regarding the formation of a judicial commission but now “they are talking about eight working days”.
The senator reiterated that the country cannot move forward until there is political stability. “Our doors are open to discuss the country’s betterment, economic and political stability,” he added.
‘Won’t attend Jan 28 session’
Separately, PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja reiterated that his party would not become part of the January 28 session, summoned by the National Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Speaking to journalists outside Adiala jail after meeting the jailed PTI founder, he said that he held an “extensive discussion” with Imran about the talks, noting that the government “ridiculed” his party’s charter of demands.
“We want to let the people of Pakistan know what happened on May 9 and November 26,” he added.
In response to a question, he said that Imran appointed Junaid Akbar as PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter president at the request of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
However, he clarified that Gandapur would remain the provincial chief executive.
Responding to another question, Raja confirmed that Mashal Yousafzai has been appointed as spokesperson of Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan.
Junaid Akbar replaces Gandapur as PTI KP president
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RAWALPINDI: Imran Khan, the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), named Junaid Akbar the party’s president of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
This comes after Akbar was elected head of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with backing from the government and opposition.
The PAC is considered one of the most powerful parliamentary bodies, with the authority to summon any individual or record from government departments in financial matters.
Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has issued Akbar’s appointment notification, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur, who is also serving as the province’s chief minister.
The PTI founder has also instructed Raja to provide consultation for the party’s reorganisation in Punjab.
Raja said Gandapur himself did not want to remain the party provincial president. He said the PTI supremo also directed the KP chief minister to focus on terrorism and governance affairs in the province.
Khan, whose party is in power in KP, has expressed concerns over corruption issues in the province, sources told Geo News. The sources further revealed that the PTI founder had instructed Gandapur to come out of Dera Ismail Khan’s politics.
The former prime minister also held an extended discussion with Akbar and Atif Khan, engaging with them on various matters, sources added.
Additionally, Akbar has been tasked by the PTI founder to address and resolve party matters in KP, according to sources.
Akbar, who is also a Member of the National Assembly (MNA), filled the PAC chairman post, which had been lying vacant since the government came into power following the February 2024 elections.
As per parliamentary norms established following the 2008 general elections, the chair of the PAC is traditionally allotted to the opposition, a practice which continues till today.
Bilawal says authority to roll back 26th Amendment rests with parliament
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has asserted that the the authority to roll back the 26th Constitutional Amendment lies solely with parliament.
“If any institution attempts to annul it, such a move will not be accepted by anyone,” the PPP chief said while speaking to journalists in Islamabad on Friday
He also urged the Supreme Court judges to facilitate each other’s work rather than create obstacles.
The 26th Constitutional Amendment— which changed the procedure for the appointment of the chief justice, fixed the post’s tenure and formed constitutional benches — was widely criticised by the opposition and the legal fraternity, with many of them challenging the controversial amendment in the apex court.
Earlier, Sindh Bar Council’s vice chairman challenged the Amendment Act 2024 in the Supreme Court, with the petitioners claiming that it directly interferes with the independence of the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has also castigated the government over the passage of the amendment. Earlier this week, the incarcerated politician said that the 26th Amendment had distorted the judiciary’s structure and compromised the system of transparent justice.
Meanwhile, Bilawal, talking to the media earlier today, dismissed speculation about becoming part of the federal cabinet. “We are not becoming part of the cabinet.”
Responding to a question regarding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif completing his five-year tenure, he replied with a hopeful “Insha’Allah.”
Addressing geopolitical issues, Bilawal highlighted the significance of relations between the United States and China, saying that recent developments, including the invitation extended to the Chinese president, necessitated India’s representation.
“Pakistan’s foreign policy remains steadfast. Our nuclear assets and missile technology are a legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto,” he remarked.
Referring to Pakistan’s engagement with the United States, the former foreign minister mentioned his upcoming participation in a breakfast hosted by US President Donald Trump, adding that this tradition dates back to his mother’s tenure.
Discussing the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), the PPP chairperson expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation with media stakeholders.
“If the government had consulted representatives of the media and digital platforms, the process would have been smoother. Consensus should always precede any major decision,” he said.
Kurram situation: Fourth relief convoy reaches violence-marred district
PARACHINAR: A fourth aid convoy carrying much-needed relief goods reached violence-marred Kurram, the district administration confirmed on Friday.
The 70-vehicle convoy carrying flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables, medicines and other daily essentials aimed at addressing acute shortages in the crisis-hit area.
The vehicles included in the convoy are laden with medicines, food items, and other daily essentials aimed at addressing acute shortages in the crisis-hit area. The 70-vehicle convoy was also carrying flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables and medicines.
The convoy’s security, added the sources, was provided by the police and district administration along with the availability of security forces as well.
They also said that the distribution of compensation among Kurram victims will also commence today.
The development comes as over 100 villages in Upper and Lower Kurram remain under siege for over three and a half months.
The region has been facing severe tension, particularly after an attack on a convoy travelling from Peshawar to Parachinar on November 21, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 50 people, including women and children.
Despite peace agreements, the central highway to Parachinar remains closed, preventing the delivery of essential supplies such as food.
With growing calls for the supply of relief goods aimed at resupplying local traders, a convoy was dispatched to the district but came under attack by terrorists resulting in at least eight fatalities including security personnel, drivers and civilians.
Authorities have also launched a clearance operation and have established camps for temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) in four village councils of the lower part of the tribal district.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali has said that a consignment of medicines has been dispatched for Parachinar with medicines set to be handed over to DHQ Hospital MSD.
A total of 1.5 tonnes of medicines have been sent via a government helicopter, said the official, adding that medicines will be dispatched aerially till ground routes are restored.