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ICE chief stands by mask use in immigration raids, despite criticism

ICE chief stands by mask use in immigration raids, despite criticism

Washington Post21-07-2025
The top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said that he will continue to allow ICE agents to wear masks during immigration raids — a controversial practice that has drawn scrutiny amid the Trump administration's deportation push.
In an interview that aired on CBS's 'Face the Nation' on Sunday, Todd M. Lyons, the acting director of ICE, said that although he was not a proponent of mask use, if ICE agents used them 'to keep themselves and their families safe, then I will allow it.'
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Trump gives Starmer the green light to recognise a Palestinian state
Trump gives Starmer the green light to recognise a Palestinian state

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Trump gives Starmer the green light to recognise a Palestinian state

Donald Trump has given Keir Starmer the green light to go ahead and recognise the state of Palestine. It came as the prime minister met with the US president at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland for crucial talks on the Middle East crisis, trade and Ukraine. Speaking to journalists ahead of their meeting in Scotland, the US president took a very different tone to his secretary of state Marco Rubio who last Friday condemned French president Emmanuel Macron for going ahead in recognising Palestine. President Trump and Sir Keir appeared to be on the same page in wanting to end the hunger in the besieged territory, with the UK set to lead a new peace process with American support. On the political issue vexing Sir Keir Starmer over recognising Palestine as a state, Mr Trump said: 'I'm not going to take a position. I don't mind him [Sir Keir] taking a position. I'm looking to getting people fed right now. That's the number one position, because you have a lot of starving people.' He also made it very clear that he does not agree with Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Israeli PM claimed 'nobody is starving in Gaza'. He said: 'Based on television I would say [on agreeing with Netanyahu] 'not particularly', because those children look pretty hungry to me.' He also was not enthused about Israel's tactics saying that nobody was coming out of the crisis well. 'It's a real mess,' he added. But the US president warned that Hamas will not release its final 20 hostages and that was now the sticking point. The issue of recognising Palestine has moved up Sir Keir's agenda in the last week with the issue set to dominate a cabinet meeting this week with ministers deeply divided over what to do. But with a threat on his left flank from Jeremy Corbyn's new party and its support from so-called 'Gaza independents' and more than 250 MPs from nine political parties signing a letter calling for recognition, the prime minister is under pressure to act. Sir Keir made a point of thanking President Trump over his efforts in the Middle East. The prime minister appears to be putting together a plan for peace there following his talks over the weekend with Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz in the E3 group of leaders. The prime minister told journalists: 'It's an absolute catastrophe [in Gaza]. Nobody wants to see that. And I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they're seeing on their screen. So we've got to get to that ceasefire. Turning to Mr Trump, he added: 'Thank you, Mr President, for leading on that, and also to just get more and more aid in. And again, America has done a lot on this.' The two were also set to discuss the war in Ukraine, with President Trump again emphasising that he is losing patience with Russian president Vladimir Putin. He said: 'We thought we had that settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kiev and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever, you have bodies lying all over the street. And I say that's not the way to do it. So we'll see what happens with that. I'm very disappointed.'

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's sister slams peace overture from South Korea
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's sister slams peace overture from South Korea

USA Today

time25 minutes ago

  • USA Today

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's sister slams peace overture from South Korea

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean dicator Kim Jong Un, blasted southern peace overtures as "a few sentimental words." SEOUL − North Korea has no interest in any policy or proposals for reconciliation from South Korea, the powerful sister of its leader Kim Jong Un said, in the first response to peace overtures by the South's liberal President Lee Jae Myung. There had been cautious optimism in the South that the North might respond positively and even show willingness to return to dialogue after Pyongyang also shut off its propaganda loudspeakers, a move that Lee said came sooner than expected. Kim Yo Jong, a senior official of North Korea's ruling party who is believed to speak for its leader, said on July 28 that Lee's pledge of commitment to the South Korea-U.S. security alliance showed he was no different from his hostile predecessor. More: North Korea's Kim Jong Un vows to win anti-US battle as country marks Korean War anniversary "If South Korea expects to reverse all the consequences of (its actions) with a few sentimental words, there could be no greater miscalculation than that," Kim said in comments carried by the official KCNA news agency. Lee, who took office on June 4 after winning a snap election following the removal of hardline conservative Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed attempt at martial law, has vowed to improve ties with Pyongyang that had reached their worst level in years. Among gestures to ease tension, Lee suspended loudspeaker broadcasts blasting anti-North propaganda across the border and banned the balloon drops of leaflets by activists that had angered Pyongyang. More: 'Outer space nuclear war': Russia, North Korea blast Trump's Golden Dome missile defense Kim, the North Korean official, called those moves merely a reversal of ill-intentioned activities South Korea should never have initiated. "In other words, it's not even something worth our assessment," she said. "We again make clear the official position that whatever policy is established in Seoul or proposal is made, we are not interested, and we will not be sitting down with South Korea and there is nothing to discuss." South Korea's Unification Ministry, charged with handling ties between the two countries, said Kim Yo Jong's comments "show the wall of distrust between the South and the North is very high as a result of hostile and confrontational policy over the past few years." More: Who are Iran's allies? What to know after US attack South Korea will keep up efforts for reconciliation and cooperation with the North, ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam told a briefing. Its new unification minister, Chung Dong-young, said he planned to advise Lee to adjust joint military drills with the United States, Yonhap said. The exercises have been criticised by Pyongyang. Still, Lee, whose government is embroiled in tough negotiations with Washington to avert punishing tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump, has called the U.S. alliance the pillar of South Korea's diplomacy. Seoul would make efforts in all areas to "strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance that was sealed in blood," Lee said on the anniversary of the Korean War armistice on Sunday. North Korea held a parade in its capital of Pyongyang to mark the event it calls victory day, though state media reports indicated it was on a smaller scale than in some previous years. Columns of marching soldiers held portraits of commanders, including state founder Kim Il Sung, with spectators and frail veterans in historic army uniforms in attendance in state media pictures, which did not show major weapons in the parade. A formation of military jets flew over the Pyongyang Gymnasium square trailing streaks of flares and fireworks. State media made no mention of leader Kim Jong Un's attendance. The two Koreas, the United States and China, which were the main belligerents in the 1950-53 Korean War, have not signed a peace treaty.

The Latest: Trump to discuss trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland
The Latest: Trump to discuss trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland

Hamilton Spectator

time26 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

The Latest: Trump to discuss trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland

President Donald Trump is in Scotland, where he is meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to refine a trade deal the two leaders signed last month. During Monday's meeting with Starmer, Trump said that Israel 'has a lot of responsibility' for what is happening in Gaza, but said the country is hampered by considerations of the remaining hostages it wants to see freed and kept alive. Over the weekend, Trump visited his golf properties as his family's business prepares to open a new Scottish course bearing his name in August. Critics argue the overseas trip — with its entourage of advisers, White House and support staffers, Secret Service agents and reporters — is an example of Trump's blending of presidential duties with promoting his family's business interests. The White House has called the visit a working trip. Here's the latest: Trump dismisses the idea of meeting with Putin When asked by a reporter about a proposed in-person meeting with Putin, Trump said, 'I'm not so interested in talking anymore.' 'He talks with such nice conversation, such respectful and nice conversations,' Trump said. 'And then, people die the following night with a missile going into a town and hitting.' Trump dials back criticism of Fed Although he's left no doubt that he wants lower interest rates, Trump's criticism of Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell lacked some of his recent vitriol. 'I'm not going to say anything bad,' he said. 'We're doing so well, even without the rate cut.' Trump met Powell at the Fed headquarters last week, where he criticized the cost of renovations. The president has used the issue as a political cudgel as he pushes for lower rates. 'A smart person would cut,' Trump said, adding that Powell 'leaves very soon.' Powell's term ends next May. Trump looking forward to September state visit to UK The president reflected on how his unprecedented second state visit, scheduled for later this year, has never been done and reminisced about his last state visit in 2019 during his first term. 'It was one of the most beautiful evenings I've ever seen,' Trump said of his first visit. As he spoke about the pomp and ceremony of the evening, he said to Starmer, 'Nobody does it like you people.' Starmer, too, pointed out how the nation had never invited a U.S. president for a second state visit. 'You can imagine just how special that's going to be,' Starmer said. US-China trade talks have begun in Stockholm, China's state media says U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is leading the U.S. team in the negotiations, while Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is leading the Chinese delegation. The two sides earlier agreed to a truce in the trade war, and this time are expected to work toward a more lasting deal that may address the trade imbalance and possibly prepare for a summit between their presidents. Trump suggests Israel has responsibility for improving humanitarian aid in Gaza He said that Israel 'has a lot of responsibility' for what is happening, but said the country is hampered by considerations of the remaining hostages it wants to see kept alive and freed. 'I think Israel can do a lot,' Trump said, without offering more information. Trump says US will boost aid to Gaza There was little in the way of specifics, but Trump said during a meeting with Starmer that 'we're going to set up food centers.' He said, 'We want to help,' and 'we have to get the kids fed.' Earlier in the day, Trump expressed annoyance that the U.S. hadn't received more credit for previous rounds of humanitarian aid. Trump says he's only going to give Russia 10 to 12 more days to reach peace The president was asked to clarify after he said earlier Monday that he would shorten his 50-day window for Russia to reach peace with Ukraine. Trump said there was 'no reason in waiting.' 'We just don't see any progress being made,' he added. Trump says he will shorten deadline for Russia to reach peace in Ukraine Two weeks ago, the president said he would give Russia and Ukraine just 50 days to make a deal to end the war. Now, Trump said, he's going to reduce that time to a 'lesser number.' 'I think I already know the answer, what's going to happen,' he said, expressing skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to reach an agreement. Trump repeated his criticism of Putin for talking about ending the war, only to continue bombarding Ukraine. 'And I say, that's not the way to do it,' Trump said. He added that 'I'm disappointed in President Putin.' Trump disagrees with Israeli leader's claim that there's 'no starvation in Gaza' The president, when asked if he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks about hunger in Gaza, said, 'I don't know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.' Netanyahu on Sunday said, 'There is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation in Gaza.' Starmer, standing next to Trump, said, 'We've got to get that ceasefire' in Gaza and called it 'a desperate situation.' Trump said the two will talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza when they meet inside. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? 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