2025-01-29 22:07:45.1

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, granting federal authorities broader power to deport undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. The act, named for a nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant, was the first legislation passed during Trump's second term. Trump also announced plans to send "worst criminal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay, claiming 30,000 beds are available there. The White House later confirmed a presidential memorandum on Guantanamo. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the administration would seek funding for expanded detention facilities. While the details remain unclear, the plan involves using existing facilities and potentially the Migrant Operations Center. The Supreme Court previously ruled on the rights of detainees at Guantanamo, but not on the president's authority to detain individuals. The act passed Congress with bipartisan support despite concerns from immigrant rights advocates who fear mass detentions for minor offenses. Critics argue the act exploits a tragedy and may lead to chaos and cruelty. The law mandates detention for immigrants arrested or charged with various crimes, and allows state attorneys general to sue the government over immigration decisions. The ACLU and other groups raised constitutional concerns and fear mass detentions under the new law.

2025-01-29 22:07:45.091

President Trump's budget office rescinded a memo that had frozen spending on federal loans and grants. The memo, issued Monday, caused widespread confusion and legal challenges. Administration officials said the pause was to review spending alignment with Trump's executive orders on climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The reversal highlights the limits of Trump's plans to reshape the government, even with unified control of Washington. While the administration claimed the action underscored agencies' obligations to abide by Trump's executive orders, the move caught Congress off guard, particularly Republican allies. The initial memo generated significant political heat, with concerns raised by both red and blue states. A federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze following lawsuits from nonprofit groups and Democratic state attorneys general. The memo's questions included whether programs promoted gender ideology or supported abortion. Even temporary interruptions caused worry for organizations like Meals on Wheels. While the administration stated that programs providing direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, they struggled to clarify exemptions, initially causing confusion about Medicaid's status. Democrats celebrated the memo's rescinding, highlighting the public outcry and pressure that led to the reversal.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.99

Residents of Oyster Bay Cove, a wealthy Long Island community, are protesting plans to build a 28-unit apartment complex on an 11-acre plot. The complex, intended for postdoctoral students at the nearby Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, is opposed by a group called Save Oyster Bay Cove, who argue it threatens the area's character and exclusivity. Concerns include increased traffic, safety issues, and strain on infrastructure. The group's president, Evelyn Ain, points out the absence of multi-family housing in the area and the presence of celebrities and billionaires among residents. Mayor Charles Goulding defends the plan, emphasizing that it utilizes existing buildings and maintains the historical character of the site, which previously housed a girls' school. The local zoning board will consider the plan next month.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.982

President Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia after the South American country refused entry to two US military flights carrying deported migrants. Trump vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the US, escalating to 50% within a week. Additional threats included a travel ban, visa revocations for Colombian officials, enhanced customs inspections, and banking sanctions. Trump cited national security concerns and accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of jeopardizing US safety. Petro defended his decision, stating that migrants should be treated with dignity and that Colombia would only accept deportees on civilian flights with improved protocols. He later offered the use of Colombia's presidential plane as an alternative. Despite this offer, the White House stated that sanctions were still being prepared. The conflict follows a similar incident with Mexico. The US and Colombia have significant trade relations, with Colombia being a major coffee exporter to the US. A large number of Colombians have recently crossed the US-Mexico border illegally.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.974

Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially refused to accept deported Colombian migrants from the US, stating that they should not be treated as criminals and demanding a protocol for dignified treatment. However, after President Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 50% on Colombian goods, Petro reversed course. He offered the Colombian presidential plane to transport the deported migrants back to Colombia, citing a commitment to guarantee decent conditions for their return. Trump's initial response to Colombia's refusal included threats of a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, escalating to 50% after a week, along with other potential sanctions such as a travel ban and visa revocations.

2025-01-26 12:00:49.34

Even before the Los Angeles fires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was facing significant challenges. Increased weather disasters have strained its resources and workforce. Further strain came from funding Covid recovery and assisting with migrant sheltering. Disaster victims report bureaucratic difficulties. Republicans advocate for FEMA overhaul, with President Trump even suggesting its elimination. Former FEMA chief Deanne Criswell expressed concern about the potential impact on state-level emergency response. Former FEMA administrators agree the current model is unsustainable, citing the agency's role as a "dumping ground" for complex problems beyond its core mission of disaster response. FEMA's disaster fund has been depleted multiple times since 2001, and the agency is responding to increasingly frequent and severe disasters. The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated the budget situation. Criticism of FEMA often stems from misunderstandings of its role; it supports, but doesn't replace, state and local responders. Proposals for reform include making FEMA an independent agency like the FBI, or a cabinet-level agency. However, some argue that the key is the relationship between the FEMA administrator and the president. Ultimately, improving community resilience is seen as crucial for long-term preparedness.

2025-01-26 12:00:49.337

The Senate voted 59-34 to confirm Kristi Noem as President Trump's Homeland Security secretary. Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, will now lead the department responsible for agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and ICE. She stated her top priority is securing the southern border and fixing the "broken immigration system." During her confirmation hearing, she addressed disaster relief, domestic terrorism, and other issues. Noem's past actions, including her controversial account of shooting her family dog, have also been widely discussed. She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

2025-01-26 12:00:49.329

Satellite data reveals that Sudan's largest oil refinery, jointly owned by the Sudanese government and China National Petroleum Corp., was set ablaze during clashes between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The military later claimed to have captured the refinery, a significant prize in their conflict. Both sides traded accusations, with the military blaming the RSF and the RSF claiming the military used barrel bombs. The fire caused significant damage and sent plumes of black smoke over Khartoum, raising health concerns. The incident underscores the escalating conflict, which has already caused over 28,000 deaths and displaced millions. International efforts to mediate the conflict and pressure both sides have been unsuccessful. The refinery's destruction would severely impact the economies of Sudan and South Sudan, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The conflict's roots lie in the 2019 uprising that removed dictator Omar al-Bashir and the subsequent 2021 coup. The ongoing violence involves accusations of genocide against ethnic groups, and the use of food deprivation as a weapon of war. China, a major trading partner with Sudan, has yet to comment on the incident.

2025-01-26 06:03:44.214

President Trump stated on Saturday that he is considering the possibility of rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), just days after signing an executive order to withdraw the United States from the organization. He expressed concerns that the US pays more than its fair share to the WHO, comparing the US contribution of $500 million to China's $39 million despite China's significantly larger population. Trump has previously criticized the WHO for its failure to adopt necessary reforms and described the US financial contribution as "onerous." In his first term, he initiated steps to withdraw the US from the WHO, an effort later blocked by President Biden. During a rally in Las Vegas, Trump also discussed other topics, including plans to cut taxes, prevent taxes on workers' tips, halt the hiring of new IRS agents, and reverse Biden administration policies.

2025-01-26 06:03:44.212

President Trump's new video highlights the first 100 hours of his second term, dubbed the "golden age" of America. The video boasts of "the most historic 100 hours in American history," showcasing executive orders such as securing the southern border, mass deportations of illegal migrants, and slashing government waste. He signed a record-breaking 26 executive orders on Inauguration Day, surpassing President Biden's 15. These actions included revoking 78 of Biden's orders, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, and implementing a federal hiring freeze. Additionally, he declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, restricted refugees and asylum, designated cartels as terrorist organizations, and loosened restrictions on ICE deportations. Approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot were pardoned, and 14 others had their sentences commuted. Other actions included nixing birthright citizenship, establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, ending the wind energy industry, and reversing the ban on gas appliances. He also ordered the declassification of files on the assassinations of JFK, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. and signed executive orders to prevent taxpayer money from being used on abortions.