France set to reject U.S. invitation to join Gaza ‘Board of Peace’
France is expected to decline a U.S. invitation to join a proposed international ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, with sources close to President Emmanue...
President Trump launched his presidency with sweeping executive orders, reversing Biden-era policies on immigration, energy, and diversity, while reinstating a hard-line agenda on border control, resource extraction, and trade.
On Monday, President Trump issued a series of executive orders, signaling a sharp shift from the policies of President Biden. These actions targeted key areas like immigration, the environment, and diversity, aiming to reverse many of Biden’s significant domestic policies while reinstating Trump-era priorities.
In an evening speech, Trump announced the revocation of nearly 80 Biden-era orders, including rebuilding the refugee program and ending the use of private prisons.
His agenda also seeks to expand resource extraction and restrict immigration, moves likely to face legal challenges. Below is an overview of Trump’s initial executive orders:
1. Federal Work Force
The federal workforce faced immediate changes, with a hiring freeze imposed except for military and enforcement roles. Trump reinstated “Schedule F,” a category of federal workers without typical job protections, halted the implementation of new regulations for review by his appointees, and ordered investigations into alleged government misconduct.
Security clearances were granted to White House staff without traditional vetting, and remote work policies for federal employees were terminated.
2. Immigration
Trump moved to bar asylum claims at the southern border and announced plans to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. The Refugee Admissions Program was suspended, and a border emergency was declared to unlock funds for enforcement and wall construction.
He also reinstated the policy requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting case decisions and considered designating cartels as terrorist organizations.
3. Gender and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Diversity and gender policies saw a rollback, as Trump terminated federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, legally recognized only two genders, and removed protections for transgender individuals in federal prisons.
4.Tariffs and Trade
Trump initiated investigations into trade practices, including flows of drugs and migrants. He directed reviews of the U.S.-China trade deal and the USMCA and explored creating an "External Revenue Service" to handle tariffs.
Additionally, he ordered an assessment of national security-related tariffs.
5. Energy and the Environment
Environmental and energy policies underwent significant shifts, with Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and declaring a national energy emergency.
He lifted Biden-era restrictions on offshore drilling, opened Alaska’s wilderness for resource extraction, and reversed regulations promoting electric vehicles.
Offshore wind farm leases were paused, and environmental justice programs aimed at protecting disadvantaged communities were eliminated.
6. TikTok ban
Regarding TikTok, Trump suspended its ban for 75 days while reviewing potential national security risks, aiming to find a resolution that preserves the platform for American users.
Other actions included withdrawing from the World Health Organization, renaming Mount Denali and the Gulf of Mexico, and ensuring states had sufficient lethal injection drugs for the death penalty.
Trump also launched a cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk and revoked security clearances for individuals who questioned the Hunter Biden laptop story.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday (17 January) that concerns over security in Greenland should be addressed within the framework of NATO, describing a ground military intervention as highly unlikely.
Elon Musk is seeking up to $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing that the companies profited unfairly from his early support of the artificial intelligence firm, according to a court filing made public on Friday.
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93, his foundation said on Monday.
European leaders voiced growing alarm on Sunday over U.S. threats to impose tariffs on eight NATO allies, warning the move could destabilize transatlantic relations and heighten tensions in the Arctic.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a decree recognising Kurdish language rights, as government forces advanced against U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters despite U.S. calls for restraint.
More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 in western Michigan on Monday (19 January), forcing the highway to shut in both directions amid severe winter weather.
U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his push to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as tensions with Europe escalate and the European Union considers retaliatory measures that could reignite a transatlantic trade war.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to become a founding member of the U.S.-led Board of Peace, while France has declined to take part, citing concerns over the body’s mandate.
France is expected to decline a U.S. invitation to join a proposed international ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, with sources close to President Emmanuel Macron saying Paris is not prepared, at this stage, to give a favourable response.
The death toll from Sunday's collision between a derailing high-speed train and a second oncoming train in southern Spain has risen to 40, dozens more injured.
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