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100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrive in Ramallah

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100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrive in Ramallah

Ramallah, West Bank – Around 100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel on Saturday were welcomed in Ramallah, West Bank, with a reception to celebrate their return.

The freed individuals arrived on buses at a designated center, where hundreds of people, including jubilant family members, gathered to greet them. Many of the returning prisoners were lifted onto shoulders amid cheers and celebrations.

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The prisoners are part of a group of 200 individuals released by Israel as part of a second exchange of hostages under a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. In return, Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers in good health, who are now receiving treatment at an Israeli hospital.

Israeli police officers stand outside the West Bank’s Ofer military prison ahead of the expected release of Palestinian prisoners in the Israel-Hamas release deal, north of Jerusalem, 25 January 2025. EFE-EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Details of the Prisoners Released

According to the Commission of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners, 120 of the released prisoners were serving life sentences. The breakdown of affiliations among the released includes:

  • 81 members of Hamas
  • 23 from Islamic Jihad
  • 13 from Fatah
  • 2 from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
  • 1 from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Among those freed was Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Hamid Al Tus, aged 69, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody since 1985. The youngest released was Saiz Nasser Mahmud Arar, aged 15.

Deportation and Future Transfers

Of the released prisoners, 70 will be deported, including Al Tus. He is expected to be transferred from Egypt to Algeria, Turkey, or Tunisia, according to Ameen Shoman, head of the West Bank’s Prisoners Commission.

Further Developments in the Exchange

A Hamas political bureau member stated that if the prisoner exchange continues smoothly, the group will provide Israel with a list of living and deceased hostages still held in Gaza.

As of now, 87 of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks remain in Gaza. Israeli officials estimate that at least 35 hostages are dead, though the actual number could be higher, leading to demands for a full accounting as part of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The prisoners were brought to the Ramallah Recreational Center, where crowds waved Palestinian, Fatah, and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine flags. Dressed in gray tracksuits with shaved heads, the released prisoners were carried through the cheering crowd, warmly embraced by loved ones and supporters.

SOURCE : EFE |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Republic Day 2025: Indian Government Announces Padma Awardees – Here’s the Full List

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Republic Day 2025: Indian Government Announces Padma Awardees – Here’s the Full List

As India prepares to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on Sunday, January 26, the central government unveiled the list of distinguished Padma awardees on Saturday, January 25

New Delhi, India – The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honors in the country, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize exceptional contributions across various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day and are presented by the President of India during ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically held in March or April.

For 2025, the President of India has approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, including one duo case (wherein the award is counted as one). The list includes 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri Awards. Among the awardees, 23 are women, while the list also features 10 individuals from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 posthumous awardees.

Take a look at the list of notable awardees:

This year, 139 Padma Awards have been approved, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. The list includes 23 women, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous awardees.

Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Vibhushan, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, is being conferred on seven individuals, three of whom are being honored posthumously.

Awardees:

  • Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine), Telangana
  • Justice (Retd) Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs), Chandigarh
  • Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Art), Gujarat
  • Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art), Karnataka

Posthumous Awardees:

  • M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Literature and Education), Kerala
  • Osamu Suzuki (Trade and Industry), Japan
  • Sharda Sinha (Art), Bihar

Padma Bhushan

The Padma Bhushan, awarded for distinguished service of high order, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.

Prominent Awardees:

  • Shri A Surya Prakash Literature and Education Journalism Karnataka
  • Shri Anant Nag Art Karnataka
  • Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) Literature and Education NCT Delhi
  • Shri Jatin Goswami Art Assam
  • Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram Medicine Kerala
  • Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit Others – Archaeology NCT Delhi
  • Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Maharashtra
  • Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti Trade and Industry Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Art Andhra Pradesh
  • Shri P R Sreejesh Sports Kerala
  • Shri Pankaj Patel Trade and Industry Gujarat
  • Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) Art Maharashtra
  • Shri Rambahadur Rai Literature and Education – Journalism Uttar Pradesh
  • Sadhvi Ritambhara Social Work Uttar Pradesh
  • Shri S Ajith Kumar Art Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Shekhar Kapur Art Maharashtra
  • Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar Art Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Bihar
  • Shri Vinod Dham Science and Engineering United States of America

Padma Shri

The Padma Shri, awarded for distinguished service in any field, honors a diverse range of achievers.

Notable Awardees:

  • Dr. Neerja Bhatla (Medicine) – A gynecologist from Delhi, recognized for her specialized work in cervical cancer detection, prevention, and management.
  • Bhim Singh Bhavesh (Social Work) – A social worker from Bihar’s Bhojpur district, celebrated for his 22 years of dedication to uplifting the marginalized Musahar community through his foundation, Nayee Asha.
  • P. Datchanamoorthy (Art) – A master instrumentalist specializing in the Thavil, a classical South Indian percussion instrument, with over five decades of expertise.

These prestigious awards will be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically scheduled for March or April each year.

Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights – West Indies Edge Ahead After Action

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Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights – West Indies Edge Ahead After Action

Multan, Pakistan – It’s no mystery what this Test match has in store. The dynamics were predictable, with West Indies meticulously preparing for Pakistan’s spin-heavy challenge. Pakistan, on the other hand, embraced their home advantage by crafting a surface likely to crumble early, ensuring spin plays a dominant role from the outset. True to expectations, the wicket began to show signs of wear as the two captains walked out for the toss. West Indies batted first, posting 163 before Pakistan replied with 154, leaving the hosts trailing by 9 runs at stumps on Day 1.

Day 1 Summary: Pakistan Trail by 9 Runs
West Indies started the day on the back foot, slumping to 95 for 9. However, a resilient last-wicket stand of over 50 runs gave their total a respectable edge at 163. Pakistan, despite a promising start, failed to capitalize. Several batters got decent starts, but none converted them into significant contributions, leaving the team all out for 154 in 47 overs. The scoring rate of 3.28 showed intent, but a lack of application cost them dearly.

Sajid Khan remained unbeaten on 16 at the end of Pakistan’s innings, while Jomel Warrican was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies. Warrican delivered an impressive spell, claiming crucial wickets with figures of 17-4-43-2, while Gudakesh Motie also shone, taking his share of the spoils as the spin duo dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.

West Indies Shine with the Ball
Kemar Roach set the tone with the new ball, delivering a fiery spell that rattled the top order. The real game-changers, however, were Motie and Warrican, who collectively bagged seven wickets and helped the visitors secure a slender but valuable lead.

What Lies Ahead?
Pakistan will be disappointed with their batting display but will take confidence from the conditions as they aim to dismiss West Indies cheaply in the second innings. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further, Day 2 could prove decisive—and potentially the final day of this Test.

Join us tomorrow for what promises to be another thrilling day of cricket. Until then, goodbye and take care!

Key Moments:

  • West Indies’ last-wicket stand added crucial 50+ runs.
  • Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie shared seven wickets.
  • Pakistan conceded a 9-run deficit despite early promise.

Stay tuned for more updates!

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Russia and Ukraine Exchange Bodies of Over 800 Soldiers

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Russia and Ukraine Exchange Bodies of Over 800 Soldiers

Russia and Ukraine said Friday that they exchanged the remains of 806 fallen soldiers, marking one of the largest repatriation operations in recent months.

Moscow received the bodies of 49 soldiers, Russian lawmaker Shamsail Saraliyev told the RBC news website. Meanwhile, Kyiv’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that Ukraine had received the bodies of 757 troops.

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Ukrainian officials specified that 451 of the returned bodies were retrieved from the “Donetsk zone of operations,” likely referencing the fierce battles near Pokrovsk, a key mining and transportation hub.

Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of around 60,000 people, has been largely devastated by months of intense Russian bombardment and remains a primary target of Kremlin forces.

Ukraine also reported that 34 bodies were returned from morgues inside Russia, a possible reference to casualties linked to Kyiv’s surprise incursion in the western Kursk region in August.

Friday’s exchange is the fifth involving 500 or more Ukrainian bodies since October. While military death tolls remain state secrets for both countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last month that 43,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed and 370,000 wounded since 2022.

Experts believe the actual figures are significantly higher.

Russia has not provided recent updates on its military losses in Ukraine, however, an independent tally by the BBC’s Russian service and the Mediazona news website puts the verified Russian troops deaths at over 90,000.

The exchange of prisoners and the return of remains are among the few areas of cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

SOURCE : AFP |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Putin Signals Openness to Meeting with Trump

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Putin Signals Openness to Meeting with Trump

Putin Ready to Meet Trump to Discuss Ukraine Conflict, Praises U.S. President

Moscow, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Friday his readiness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, expressing optimism about the prospects for cooperation between the two leaders. Speaking during an interview with state TV journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin praised Trump as “pragmatic” and “smart,” despite the U.S. president’s recent threats to impose new sanctions on Moscow unless it ends the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

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“It’s certainly better that we meet and, based on current realities, discuss calmly all areas of interest to both the U.S. and Russia,” Putin said. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, adding, “We’re ready.”

The Russian leader reflected on his relationship with Trump, describing it as “businesslike, pragmatic, and even trusting.” Putin added, “I can’t help but agree that if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020, the crisis in Ukraine might not have emerged in 2022.”

Putin also pointed to shared economic concerns as a potential area for cooperation, arguing that extreme fluctuations in oil prices and U.S. sanctions harm both nations. “I have a hard time imagining decisions being made that would damage the American economy,” he said, highlighting the interdependent nature of global markets.

The comments come ahead of an anticipated meeting between the two leaders, with Trump, who was recently sworn in for his second term, telling reporters earlier this week that he expects to meet Putin “soon.” The meeting could signal a turning point in U.S.-Russia relations, with both sides facing mounting pressure to address critical issues like the war in Ukraine, strategic stability, and economic cooperation.

Observers note that the talks could not only influence the trajectory of bilateral relations but also impact broader global dynamics, especially as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

At least 66 dead and 51 injured in a hotel fire at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey

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At least 66 dead and 51 injured in a hotel fire at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey

Ankara, Turkey — A fire at a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday killed at least 66 people, Turkey’s Interior Minister said.

Ali Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people were injured in the disaster that struck the Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya, in Bolu province’s Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of Istanbul. The fire occurred during the schools’ semester break, when hotels in the region are packed.

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“We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel,” Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 other people had been discharged after being treated.

The hotel had 238 registered guests, Yerlikaya said. The fire was reported at 3:27 a.m. and the fire department began to respond at 4:15 a.m., he told reporters.

The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section.

At least two of the victims died after jumping from the building in a panic, Gov. Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier. Private NTV television and other media reported that some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.

Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building. He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel.

The hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to locate the fire escape, he said.

“I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK,” the ski instructor told the station.

Television images showed the roof and top floors of the hotel on fire.

Witnesses and reports suggested that the hotel’s fire detection system failed to operate.

“My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off,” Atakan Yelkovan, a guest staying on the third floor, told the IHA news agency.

“We tried to go upstairs but couldn’t, there were flames. We went downstairs and came here (outside),” he said.

Yelkovan said it took about an hour for the firefighting teams to arrive.

“People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets … Some tried to jump,” he said.

NTV television suggested that the wooden cladding on the exterior of the hotel, in a chalet-style design, may have accelerated the spread of the fire.

Part of the 161-room hotel is on the side of a cliff, hampering efforts to combat the flames.

“Because the rear side is on a slope, intervention could only be made from the front and sides,” Yerlikaya confirmed.

Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters that the hotel underwent inspections in 2021 and 2024 and that “no negative situation regarding fire competence” was reported by the fire department.

In an address in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel.”

“All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable,” he added.

NTV showed a smoke-blackened lobby, its glass entrance and windows smashed, its wooden reception desk charred and a chandelier crashed to the ground.

Aydin’s office said 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances were sent to the site.

Other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution and guests were placed in hotels around Bolu.

Meanwhile, a gas explosion at a hotel at another ski resort in central Turkey injured four people.

The explosion took place at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province. Two skiers and their instructor were slightly injured while another instructor received second-degree burns to the hands and face, the Sivas governor’s office said.

SOURCE : APNEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

EU Looks to Tackle Global Challenges with Trump: Von Der Leyen

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EU Looks to Tackle Global Challenges with Trump: Von Der Leyen

BRUSSELS — European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday expressed optimism about the future of transatlantic ties as she congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration for a second term as U.S. President.

“The EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges,” von der Leyen wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security.”

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Trump, known for his critical stance toward the European Union during his first term, has assumed office again amid a period of uncertainty in EU-U.S. relations. Experts suggest that Brussels will need to maintain open communication channels with Washington, emphasizing areas of mutual interest such as defense, trade, and support for Ukraine.

Despite potential strains in areas such as defense and trade, EU leadership has remained hopeful for fostering positive relations. Following Trump’s inauguration, EU officials shared congratulatory messages, reflecting hopes for a continued partnership between the two sides.

Challenges for EU Relations with Trump

Giuseppe Spatafora, a transatlantic relations expert at the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), outlined defense and trade as key areas where EU-U.S. relations will be tested during Trump’s second term.

Spatafora noted that the current security environment represents one of the most challenging situations the EU has faced. “The transatlantic relationship as we know it will probably shift from a partnership of like-minded actors sharing similar values to a more interest-based relationship,” he explained.

However, he stressed that shared interests, particularly in defense, could prevent a complete divergence. “The U.S. is likely to prioritize territorial defense and countering China in the Asia-Pacific region, but this doesn’t mean abandoning Europe. The U.S. may have to carefully choose its battles, while Europeans will need to contribute more to their own defense,” Spatafora said.

Trade Tensions and Potential Clashes

While the EU holds a stronger position in trade than in defense, Spatafora warned that clashes over trade policies could arise during Trump’s second term, especially given the possibility of tariffs. “Trump may start with tariffs on countries like Mexico, Canada, or China, but Europe must be prepared for all scenarios, including the possibility of a 10% tariff on all goods,” he said.

Support for Ukraine and Peace Negotiations

Ondrej Ditrych, a senior analyst at EUISS, pointed out the EU’s ongoing concern about Trump’s position on Ukraine. “EU support is crucial for Ukraine’s defense,” he noted, referring to military material and training programs. However, Ditrych expressed concern over potential differences between EU and Trump’s approach to peace negotiations in Ukraine. “If the U.S. pushes for a hasty deal, it could encourage Russia to break the agreement,” he cautioned.

Leveraging NATO in EU-U.S. Relations

Juraj Majcin, an analyst at the European Policy Centre, stressed that maintaining a strong EU-U.S. relationship would be difficult under Trump’s administration, given his historically strained views on the EU. He suggested that the EU might find more success through NATO and influential figures such as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who could serve as an intermediary in discussions between the EU and the U.S.

Majcin also warned that Trump’s relationships with figures like Elon Musk might be used to exploit divisions within Europe, particularly by supporting far-right movements to extract concessions from the EU.

As the EU navigates these complex issues, leaders will continue to focus on maintaining unity and collaboration with the U.S. despite potential tensions ahead.

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Xi and Putin Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening China-Russia Relations and Upholding Global Justice

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Xi and Putin Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening China-Russia Relations and Upholding Global Justice

BEIJING, China – President Xi Jinping held a video meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of deepening China-Russia relations amid global uncertainties and reaffirming their commitment to international fairness and justice.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

President Xi expressed his willingness to work closely with Putin to elevate bilateral relations in the coming year. Highlighting the resilience and stability of their partnership, Xi called for joint efforts to promote the development and revitalization of both nations while navigating external challenges.

RELATED NEWS : Stronger U.S. sanctions aim to restrict Russian oil exports to China and India

Reflecting on their three meetings last year, Xi noted the significant progress made, including the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. He praised their “permanent good-neighborly friendship” and “comprehensive strategic coordination,” which have fostered dynamic cooperation and growing bilateral trade.

Shared Commitments and Milestones

The leaders exchanged greetings for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year and recognized the 80th anniversaries of key historical events, including the victories in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. They pledged to honor these milestones by defending the UN-centered international system and the principles of the UN Charter.

Xi emphasized the need for both nations to practice true multilateralism, consolidate strategic coordination, and safeguard their legitimate interests. He also highlighted China’s role as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its commitment to fostering high-quality development within the organization.

Focus on Multilateral Cooperation

Xi called for greater collaboration within BRICS and stronger unity among Global South nations. He praised the close coordination between China and Russia in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, SCO, and BRICS, which he said has infused positive energy into global governance reform.

Putin’s Remarks

President Putin lauded the trust and support underpinning Russia-China relations, which he noted remain unaffected by global shifts. He expressed satisfaction with the growth in trade, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges, and reiterated Russia’s stance on Taiwan, affirming it as an inalienable part of China’s territory.

Putin highlighted the shared sacrifices of Russian and Chinese citizens during World War II and underscored their commitment to preserving the outcomes of the victory. He expressed Russia’s readiness to collaborate further with China on multilateral affairs, contributing to world peace and development.

Strategic Communication for 2025

The two leaders concluded their discussions by agreeing to maintain strategic communication and collaboration throughout the year, reaffirming their shared vision for a stable and equitable global order.

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Trump Administration Discontinues CBP One Immigration App, Cancels Asylum Appointments

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Trump Administration Discontinues CBP One Immigration App, Cancels Asylum Appointments

Washington, USA – The CBP One mobile app, which enabled migrants to submit advance information and schedule asylum appointments at eight U.S. ports of entry, ceased functioning on Monday, as announced by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on its website.

The announcement coincided with President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, during which he outlined plans for mass deportations, militarization of the border, and a revival of stricter immigration policies.

RELATED NEWS : Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship. What is it and what does that mean?

Marcela Medina and her husband Enrique Corea of Venezuela react to seeing that their appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as they wait near the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Asylum Appointments Canceled

The CBP website referred to migrants in transit through Mexico as “undocumented aliens” and confirmed that all previously scheduled appointments through the app had been canceled. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the development during a press conference, expressing hope for an alternative program. “We do not know whether the program called CBP One will remain or not, but if eliminated, what we want is something similar to be established because it has shown results,” Sheinbaum said.

CBP One: A Short-Lived Asylum Tool

Introduced during Joe Biden’s administration in January 2023, the CBP One app was a digital initiative designed to streamline the asylum process at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the app facilitated the processing of more than 930,000 migrants at ports of entry. In December 2024 alone, approximately 44,000 individuals entered the U.S. using CBP One, which allocated 1,450 daily slots across seven border ports.

The app primarily benefited migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and Mexico, according to CBP’s latest report.

Trump’s New Immigration Agenda

On Monday, Trump also announced plans to sign 10 executive orders targeting migration, including measures to strengthen border security through military deployment, designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, and revive the “Remain in Mexico” program.

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As the Trump administration moves to overhaul the U.S. immigration system, migrants in Mexico were met with notices from the National Migration Institute stating they could no longer visit offices in Tapachula to continue their CBP One applications.

The discontinuation of CBP One signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy under Trump, with the administration adopting a harder stance on asylum and border control. The fate of digital tools like CBP One remains uncertain as the new administration prioritizes stricter measures.

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Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship. What is it and what does that mean?

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Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship. What is it and what does that mean?

President Donald Trump moved to end a decades-old immigration policy known as birthright citizenship when he ordered the cancellation of the constitutional guarantee that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents’ status.

Trump’s roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something he’s talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain as immigration advocates file lawsuits to block the president.

Here’s a closer look at birthright citizenship, Trump’s executive order and reaction to it:

Sonia Rosa Sifore and other anti-Trump protesters gather in Federal Plaza to rally for a number of issues, including immigrant rights, the Israel-Hamas war, women’s reproductive rights, racial equality and others, on the day of President Trump’s Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

What is birthright citizenship?

Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. People, for instance, in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here.

It’s been in place for decades and enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute the reading of the amendment and say there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen.

A young man reacts to information on how to prepare for the upcoming changes to undocumented families living in the U.S., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

What does Trump’s order say?

The order questions that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States.

The 14th Amendment was born in the aftermath of the Civil War and ratified in 1868. It says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Trump’s order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents.

It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19.

U.S. flags around the Washington Monument are at full staff during the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Flags are supposed to fly at half-staff through the end of January out of respect for former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

What is the history of the issue?

The 14th Amendment did not always guarantee birthright citizenship to all U.S.-born people. Congress did not authorize citizenship for all Native Americans born in the United States, for instance, until 1924.

In 1898 an important birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had faced denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act.

But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that while the case clearly applied to children born to parents who are both legal immigrants, it’s less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status.

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

What has the reaction to Trump’s order been?

Not long after Trump signed the order, immigrant rights groups filed suit to stop it.

Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts along with other immigrant rights advocates filed a suit in New Hampshire federal court.

The suit asks the court to find the order to be unconstitutional. It highlights the case of a woman identified as “Carmen,” who is pregnant but is not a citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says.

“Stripping children of the ‘priceless treasure’ of citizenship is a grave injury,” the suit said. “It denies them the full membership in U.S. society to which they are entitled.

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