Trump to announce trade deal with UK

The United States and Britain were reportedly set to announce a trade agreement on Thursday that could have implications for President Donald Trump’s tariffs assault, but the scope of the deal could be limited. The New York Times and Politico reported that the agreement would be with the UK, citing multiple people familiar with the plans, while the Wall Street Journal said it would be a “framework” of a deal. It would be the first such trade agreement since Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on US trading partners on what he…

‘Stand up’ to Trump, ex-Australian PM Turnbull urges political leaders

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull drew chuckles Tuesday as he impersonated Donald Trump, urging the nation’s political leaders to contest a general election next month to “stand up” to the US president. Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister when Trump first took office in 2017, briefly adopted a nasal American accent as he mimicked the US commander-in-chief during a speech. Political hopefuls contesting Australia’s May 3 general election should not be scared of angering Trump, Turnbull said. “That’s the challenge for our leaders — they’ve got to be able…

Judges block Trump’s mass sacking, order workers reinstatement

Two federal judges have ordered United States President, Donald Trump’s administration to temporarily reinstate thousands of probationary federal workers who were recently fired across multiple agencies, AP reported. The rulings, issued Thursday, found that the terminations were carried out in violation of legal procedures. In San Francisco, US District Judge William Alsup ruled that the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, Charles Ezell, did not have the authority to direct the mass layoffs. Meanwhile, US District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore found that the administration failed to follow…

Gaza protesters vandalise Trump’s Scotland golf resort

US President Donald Trump’s prized Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been vandalised by protesters who sprayed “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in huge white letters on the lawn. The activists also damaged greens and sprayed blood-red paint over the luxury resort’s clubhouse overnight on Saturday. The Palestine Action group said it was a “direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza”. Trump sparked outrage last month when he suggested the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, while…

33 world leaders back Zelensky after face-off with Trump

Thirty-three world leaders have declared support for Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, following a tense meeting between him and United States President, Donald Trump. The world leaders also condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Zelensky and Trump’s meeting at the Oval Office on Friday, with US Vice President JD Vance also in attendance ended in a deadlock. Discussions at the meeting generated heated arguments as the two leaders debated the future of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Tensions escalated when the leaders clashed over a minerals deal that would grant the US extensive…

Trump orders sacking of ‘Biden-era’ US attorneys

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has ordered the firing of all remaining US attorneys nominated by his predecessor Joe Biden. “Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining ‘Biden Era’ U.S. Attorneys,” he said. “We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence,” Trump added. “America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System – THAT BEGINS TODAY! It is standard practice for an incoming president…

Japa: Visa Dropbox Halted in Nigeria

The United States has discontinued its visa dropbox service in Nigeria, requiring all applicants for visitor visa renewals to attend in-person interviews. This change eliminates the previous option for eligible applicants, especially those with recent US travel history, to submit their passports without an interview, which had significantly shortened processing times. The suspension of this service raises concerns about further delays in visa processing, as interview slots in Nigeria were already subject to extended wait times, sometimes exceeding a year. This shift could disrupt travel plans for many Nigerians, including…

Why I won’t deport Prince Harry — Trump

United States President, Donald Trump, has dismissed deporting Prince Harry from the United States, despite ongoing litigation questioning the Duke of Sussex’s immigration status. Trump disclosed this in an interview with The New York Post on Friday, saying he does not want to take action against Harry “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,” Trump said. This comes amid legal challenges involving Harry’s visa, particularly from the Heritage Foundation, which has raised concerns over Harry’s potential failure to…

Trumph Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance: Details Released

President Donald Trump on Friday revoked his predecessor Joe Biden’s security clearance in a blizzard of new orders; while escalating his campaign to dismantle the US humanitarian agency charged with helping the world’s poorest and extending American influence around the globe. In a new series of rapid-fire power plays, the 78-year-old billionaire also froze aid to South Africa, where his top donor Elon Musk was born, and named himself head of one of Washington’s premier cultural venues, the Kennedy Center. “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving…

USAID places staff on leave as part of Trump’s purge

The United States Government’s humanitarian agency USAID on Tuesday announced it was placing its staff in the US and around the world on administrative leave as it moved to recall employees from overseas postings.   The agency said in a statement on its website, which reappeared Tuesday that the staff leave will begin shortly before midnight on February 7, 2024.   The administrative leave will hit “all USAID direct hire personnel… with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.”   “Thank you…