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NBC News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Trump administration to end deportation relief for Haitians in the U.S.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will end deportation protections for half a million Haitians, the latest move by the Trump administration to strip migrants of legal status as it ramps up deportations. Noem, who shortened the duration of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for some 521,000 Haitians earlier this year, will terminate the status on September 2, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has sought to crack down on both legal and illegal immigration during the first four months of his presidency. Noem, who shares Trump's hardline stance, moved in February to end TPS for some 350,000 Venezuelans, as well as thousands of people from Afghanistan and Cameroon. The Supreme Court ruled on May 19 that the Trump administration could proceed with ending TPS for those Venezuelans, signaling that other terminations also may be permitted to move forward. The court in a separate order on May 30 said that the administration could immediately revoke a separate status known as parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. TPS — a humanitarian program created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 — is available to people whose home country has experienced a natural disaster, armed conflict or other extraordinary event. Two months before the status expires, the homeland security secretary must determine whether to renew it, expand it to include new arrivals from the country, or terminate it. 'People think TPS is a free pass, but it's not,' Abigail Desravines, a 35-year-old Haitian immigrant who came to the U.S. following the earthquake, told NBC News earlier this year. 'You have to keep renewing, pay fees and live with the fear that it could end at any time. It's not an easy path.' Trump sought to wipe out most TPS enrollment during his first term but was stymied by federal courts. In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said conditions in Haiti would now allow people to return but did not explain what exactly had changed to lessen the risk. 'The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home,' the spokesperson said. Advocates argue that the conditions in Haiti warrant extending the relief. The country has not held an election in nearly a decade. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, armed gangs have gained control over much of Port-au-Prince, creating a power vacuum that has made governing a challenge and fueled further violence, homelessness and starvation. More than 5,600 people were killed and 1,400 were kidnapped amid gang conflicts last year, according to the United Nations. The violence has rendered 1 million people homeless in Haiti, forcing many into makeshift shelters and exacerbating the country's economic challenges. Despite the dire conditions, the Trump administration has frozen some funding earlier pledged to support a U.N.-backed mission in Haiti.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Israel-Iran Ceasefire Weakens Gold Demand as Markets Await Powell's Testimony
Waleed Farouk Gold prices recorded a notable decline in both local and global markets on Tuesday, driven by a calming of geopolitical tensions following the announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran. This development has reduced demand for safe-haven assets, while investors now turn their attention to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the U.S. Congress, which could shape the outlook for monetary policy in the near term. In the local market, gold prices dropped by EGP 130 per gram compared to the previous day's close. The 21-karat gold fell to EGP 4,690 per gram, while the global ounce price declined by $54, reaching $3,315. Other local gold prices were as follows: 24-karat: EGP 5,360 18-karat: EGP 4,020 14-karat: EGP 3,127 Gold pound: EGP 37,520 Yesterday, gold prices in the local market had seen a modest increase of EGP 20, with the 21-karat gram opening at EGP 4,800 and closing at EGP 4,820. Meanwhile, the global gold market experienced volatility, with prices ranging between $3,369 and $3,395 before closing again at $3,369. Gold Faces Selling Pressure, But Fed Policy May Shift the Trend Gold is currently facing strong selling pressure, with safe-haven assets underperforming after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. However, the yellow metal could regain momentum if the Federal Reserve signals a potential shift in its monetary policy stance — particularly any hints toward a rate cut in the near term. Notably, Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, speaking at a meeting in Prague, said that the time may be ripe for lowering interest rates, especially as labor market pressures mount and the inflationary impact of former President Donald Trump's proposed tariff policies appears limited. Bowman stated: 'If inflationary pressures remain under control, I would support lowering the federal funds rate as early as our next meeting, to move it closer to a neutral stance and preserve labor market strength.' Powell's Testimony: A Pivotal Market Event All eyes now turn to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is scheduled to deliver the Fed's semiannual monetary policy report to the House Financial Services Committee today and tomorrow. Market participants will be closely watching for any shifts in tone that might suggest a change in the Fed's policy path — particularly regarding the timing of potential rate cuts. The report, published last Friday, highlighted early signs that tariffs are contributing to inflationary pressures, while reaffirming that current monetary policy is well-positioned to address upcoming challenges. Lawmakers are expected to press Powell on several key issues: The future path of interest rates Inflation developments The overall economic outlook Potential impacts of Trump's trade policies and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties If Powell signals that more data is needed before committing to a July rate cut — and stresses the need for patience — markets may respond with a stronger U.S. dollar against rival currencies. On the other hand, if Powell leaves the door open for policy easing in July, a sharp sell-off in the dollar could follow. His comments on inflation expectations, especially in light of rising energy prices due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, could further influence the dollar's trajectory. A Data-Heavy Week Ahead Beyond Powell's testimony, markets are also bracing for a flurry of key U.S. economic data releases this week, including: Consumer Confidence Report (Tuesday) New Home Sales Data Jobless Claims, Durable Goods Orders, and GDP Figures (Thursday) Core PCE Inflation Data (Friday) These indicators are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the Federal Reserve's policy decisions moving forward — and, by extension, will significantly influence gold market dynamics in the days ahead. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Global News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Video shows moment Bernie Sanders learned of U.S. strikes on Iran
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was speaking in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday during a 'Fight Oligarchy' tour speech when he learned — thanks to the crowd — of President Donald Trump's and the United States' decision to bomb Iran. Footage from the event shows an audience member yelling, 'We just bombed Iran!,' prompting a swell of bellowing anti-war cries, forcing Sanders to pause his address momentarily. The 83-year-old senator and former Democratic presidential candidate initially appeared stunned by the news, but gathered himself as a staffer ran onto the stage with a printed copy of Trump's statement, which he first read silently to himself. With a shake of his head, he then read the opening sentence aloud. 'We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran,' Bernie recited, before looking out into the audience, which had begun chanting 'no more war.' Story continues below advertisement 'I agree,' he said into the microphone. Sanders let the shouting continue before gesturing that he had more to say. He went on to call the news 'alarming' and Trump's actions 'grossly unconstitutional.' Visibly angry and upset, he said, 'All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right.' A wave of rapturous applause followed. 'I was talking a moment ago about the fact that we are living in one of the most difficult moments in the modern history of this country, and Trump just made it that much more difficult. That's just another burden we're going to have to carry, and that's just another message we're going to have to get out all over this country… the American people do not want more war, more death,' Sanders continued. Story continues below advertisement Other U.S. lawmakers questioned the legality of the strikes. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'While President Trump's decision may prove just, it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional. I look forward to his remarks tonight,' Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican congressman for Ohio, wrote on X on Saturday. While President Trump's decision may prove just, it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional. I look forward to his remarks tonight. — Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 (@WarrenDavidson) June 22, 2025 In an address to the nation on Saturday night, Trump said, 'Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state-sanctioned sponsor of terror.' 'Tonight I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,' he continued. 'Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.' Story continues below advertisement 1:25 Trump says Iran 'must now make peace' after US strikes on nuclear facilities Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also addressed the strikes on X, saying, 'The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.' The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 22, 2025 Story continues below advertisement Meanwhile, Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson and head of Iran's Center for Public Diplomacy, accused the United States of 'colluding with a war criminal and genocidal warmonger to wage an unjust war of aggression against our beloved nation in flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).' It is now crystal clear that the U.S. administration has been colluding with a war criminal and genocidal warmonger to wage an unjust war of aggression against our beloved nation in flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear… — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 22, 2025 The U.S. says it has issued a 'worldwide caution security alert' as Israel and Iran continue to trade renewed rounds of strikes less than two days after the U.S. hit Iranian nuclear sites.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
What is behind the U.S.-Israel ‘special relationship': Explained
Israel started bombing Iran on June 13, three days ahead of a scheduled meeting between American and Iranian negotiators. They had already had five rounds of talks and U.S. President Donald Trump had said he wanted a deal with Iran over the country's nuclear programme. The Israeli attack practically derailed Mr. Trump's diplomatic push. Yet, he welcomed the Israeli strike, and demanded 'unconditional surrender' from Iran. Within a week, when Israel was struggling to intercept ballistic missiles from Iran, Mr. Trump, who built his political base railing against America's wars in the past, took the U.S. to war in Iran. American B2 bombers and missiles struck three Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — despite opposition from Mr. Trump's political base. This is not surprising given the history of the U.S.-Israel relations. Throughout Israel's war in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, the U.S., under both Biden and Trump administrations, stood solidly behind the Jewish nation. And this has been a consistent policy of the U.S. administrations, at least since 1967. What explains this relationship? The origins The U.S. had supported the idea of a Jewish homeland even before the state of Israel was declared within historical Palestine in 1948. On March 3, 1919, two years after the Balfour Declaration, in which the British government declared its support for the creation of a 'Jewish homeland in Palestine', President Woodrow Wilson said, 'The allied nations with the fullest concurrence of our government and people are agreed that in Palestine shall be laid the foundations of a Jewish Commonwealth.' In 1922 and 1944, the U.S. Congress passed resolutions endorsing the Balfour Declaration. The U.S. was the first country that recognised Israel in 1948. The recognition came in 11 minutes after the proclamation. Though the U.S. offered the state of Israel support right from the latter's birth, the initial two decades of their relationship had not been very smooth. The Eisenhower administration was unhappy when Israel, along with France and Britain, launched the Suez war in 1956. Washington threatened to cut aid to Israel if it did not withdraw from the territories it had captured. The Soviet Union also threatened to fire missiles unless Israel withdrew, and finally Israel had to pull back from the areas it seized. Similarly, in the 1960s, the Kennedy administration had voiced concerns about Israel's secret nuclear programme. However the 1967 war, in which Israel defeated Jordan, Syria and Egypt, all in six days, and captured swathes of territories, brought in a paradigm shift in the way Washington looked at the Jewish state. The U.S. at that time was bogged down in Vietnam. Israel defeated the Arab countries without any major help from the U.S., and the war was wrapped up quickly. Also, two of the Arab countries Israel defeated — Egypt and Syria — were Soviet allies. From then on, the U.S. started seeing Israel as a stable ally who can check the expansion of Soviet influence in West Asia. Exceptional ally Today, Israel is an exceptional ally of Washington. The U.S. offers practically unconditional financial, military and political support for Israel. Israel is an undeclared nuclear power but has never faced any global scrutiny or pushback, thanks to the protection offered by the U.S. Israel is also the largest recipient of America's aid — it has received $158 billion in aid from the U.S. since the end of the Second World War. Currently, Israel gets $3.8 billion in military aid every year from the U.S., which accounts for about 16% of Israel's total military budget. The U.S. is also Israel's largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade hovering around $50 billion. Both Israel and the U.S. also have a deep defence partnership, which involves joint research and development and weapons production. For example, the Iron Dome, Israel's missile defence shield, uses parts built in the U.S. and the system is financed in part by the U.S. With U.S. help, Israel has built a highly advanced defence manufacturing base, which has made the country the world's 10th largest military exporter. Since 1972, the U.S. has used its veto power over 50 times to strike down resolutions critical of Israel in the UN Security Council. From the 1973 Yom Kippur war onwards, the U.S. has also offered solid military support to Israel in its conflicts. In 1973, after Israel was taken aback by a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria, U.S. supplies proved vital for Israel to push back the enemy troops from the occupied Golan Heights and Sinai Peninsula. In 1982, the U.S. sent Multinational Forces to Lebanon after Israel's invasion of the country. After the first intifada, the U.S. supported the Oslo process and the two-state solution, but without compromising its relationship with Israel. Now, the running theme in Washington (and other Western capitals) is that it supports 'Israel's right to defend'. The previous Trump administration recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved America's embassy to the disputed city. The Trump administration also recognised Israel's annexation of Golan Heights, a Syrian territory it captured in 1967 and held under its occupation ever since. The U.S. continued to supply weapons to Israel after October 7 even as Israel faced allegations of genocide. The US rushed to Israel's defence in 2024 when Iran launched drones and ballistic missiles in response to Israel's attack. And now, the U.S. has directly joined the war Israel began against Iran. Special relationship While there were personality clashes between American Presidents and Israeli Prime Ministers, such clashes never led to a breakdown in what President John F. Kennedy called 'the special relationship'. In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter heaped pressure on Israel to make peace with Egypt and give concessions to the Palestinians. Israel would finally agree to sign the Framework for Peace Agreement as part of the Camp David Accords, which would set the stage for the Oslo process. During the second intifada, President George W. Bush pressed Israel to show restraint in the occupied West Bank. In 2002, Mr. Bush asked Israel to pull back from the West Bank and end a military operation 'without delay', but the Israelis never obliged. Sharon had Bush 'wrapped around his little finger', Brent Scowcroft, the former National Security Adviser, said in October 2004. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had clashed over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Mr. Netanyahu had visited the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress and attacked Mr. Obama over his Iran policy. But the same Mr. Obama vetoed all resolutions at the UN Security Council critical of Israel except one during his eight-year term. Mr. Obama, during his last months in office, also cleared a $38 billion aid package for Israel. The Biden administration had earlier criticised the Netanyahu government's plan to overhaul the country's judiciary. But after the October 7 attack by Hamas, the U.S. has thrown its full weight behind the Netanyahu government's war on Gaza. Mr. Trump seems to have thrown his full weight behind Israel. Power of lobby Why does the U.S. always back Israel? One explanation is that Israel's strategic value in a volatile yet critical region makes it appealing for Washington. During the Cold War, the U.S. saw Israel as a powerful bulwark against possible Soviet expansion in the Arab world. After the Cold War, when the U.S. started becoming more and more involved in West Asia, it continued to see Israel as a force of stability, along with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Strategic value explains a close partnership or alliance, like America's relationships with Japan, South Korea or Germany. A host of other factors, including America's public opinion, electoral politics and the powerful Israel lobby in the U.S., play a role in shaping the country's Israel policy. Historically, Israel has enjoyed near unanimous support in the U.S. Congress, and a vast majority of Americans have favourable views about Israel. American Jews and evangelical Christians are two powerful, politically active groups in the U.S. They are important constituencies for both parties and they are both pro-Israel. Then there's a powerful Israel lobby in the U.S., which according to John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, heavily influences U.S. policy towards Israel. The lobby helps amplify pro-Israel voices, backs pro-Israel politicians and works toward playing down or neutralising voices critical of Israel, they argue in their 2006 essay 'The Israel lobby', in London Review of Books. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, hosts top leaders from both countries, including Presidents, Senators and Prime Ministers, for its annual gatherings. Pro-Israel groups also support both parties in the U.S. financially. Besides, there are strong ties between the military industrial complexes of both countries. Therefore, all these factors together — Israel's strategic value, America's domestic politics, the presence of the pro-Israel lobby and military-industrial interplay, make sure that there's an institutional consensus in the U.S. about its relationship with Israel, irrespective of which party or President is in power in Washington D.C.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watch: Bernie Sanders reacts to U.S. strikes in Iran at Oklahoma event
Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, was holding a rally in Tulsa when he learned that the U.S. had bombed three of Iran's nuclear facilities at the direction of President Donald Trump. Sanders, who is on a nationwide tour, described the strikes as 'grossly unconstitutional' while he spoke to the Tulsa crowd on Saturday, June 21. 'All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right,' Sanders, an independent who often aligns with Democrats, said at his tour stop. Trump, a Republican, announced late Saturday that the U.S. had attacked nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan to hinder Iran's nuclear power. In a live address late Saturday from the White House, Trump described the strikes as a 'spectacular military success' and warned that if Iran does not yield to the United States' call for peace, the U.S. would set its sights on other Iranian targets. Most of Oklahoma's U.S. congressional delegation, all Republicans, showed support on social media and in national interviews for Trump's decision. Not all reactions in the state were positive, though. Sanders' crowd appeared to join him in not agreeing with the strikes, chanting 'No more war' after Sander's remarks. Audience members pumped their fists as they chanted, with Sanders standing at the podium before them. According to Sanders' website, his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour focused on 'real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.' The Tulsa event, which occurred at the downtown Arvest Convention Center, consisted of music by Parker Millsap and The Get Up Kids and the speaking portion featuring Sanders. The tour has already visited many states, including California, Arizona, Montana and Pennsylvania. Its next stops are Sunday, June 22, in Amarillo and Fort Worth, Texas, featuring U.S. Rep. Greg Casar and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, both of Texas. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bernie Sanders learns about Iran strikes as he speaks to Tulsa crowd
