Musk lashes out against Trump
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SBS Australia
44 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
'Anti-Americanism' could now count against applicants for US visas
US President Donald Trump's administration says it will assess applicants for work, study and immigration visas for "anti-Americanism" and count any such finding against them. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said in a "policy alert" that it gave immigration officers new guidance on how to exercise discretion in cases where foreign applicants "support or promote anti-American ideologies or activities" as well as "antisemitic terrorism". Trump has labelled a range of voices as anti-American, including historians and museums documenting US slavery and pro-Palestinian protesters opposing US ally Israel's military assault on Gaza. "Anti-American activity will be an overwhelmingly negative factor in any discretionary analysis," USCIS said. "America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies." The announcement did not define anti-Americanism. But the USCIS policy manual refers to a section of federal law about prohibiting naturalisation of people "opposed to government or law, or who favour totalitarian forms of government". Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said the step had echoes of the 1950s when Senator Joseph McCarthy hunted alleged communists in a campaign that became synonymous with political persecution. "McCarthyism returns to immigration law," he said. Reichlin-Melnick said anti-Americanism "has no prior precedent in immigration law and its definition is entirely up to the Trump admin". Temporary deportation protections Meanwhile, a federal appeals court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end temporary deportation protections and cancel work permits for more than 60,000 immigrants from Central America and Nepal. The ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit allows the government to end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras and Nepal while a court challenge to that policy plays out. The order immediately ends protections for Nepalis, which expired on August 5. Protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans will expire on 8 September. US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the decision will help restore integrity to the immigration system and stop Temporary Protected Status from being used as a "de facto asylum system". US district judge Trina L Thompson had temporarily blocked the administration from cancelling the protections in a sharply worded ruling in July, where she found the government's decision was likely motivated by racial animus.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Simone Biles' rise from running a lemonade stand to $40m fortune
American Simone Biles is considered the greatest gymnast of all time, but she says her very first job was looking after her younger sister in their foster home. “Other than that, I did run a lemonade stand when I was younger,â€� she said. The 28-year-old legend was three when she and her siblings were placed in a foster care due to their mother’s struggle with addiction and they were all later adopted by their grandparents. How she managed to overcome what she admitted was a “difficult start to lifeâ€� and rise up to win 11 Olympic medals â€' seven of them gold â€' was the theme of her discussion with journalist and former Australian Olympian, Giaan Rooney, at today’s sold-out REA Conference ‘Ready’ at Randwick Racecourse, attended by close to 2000 real estate agents and property professionals. At the age of 6 when still in daycare, Biles was noticed by a coach who saw her imitating other gymnasts and recognised she had talent. She was on her way after she invited her to classes. Now, she has an estimated fortune of $40m, thanks to earning about $5m a year in endorsements; is married to Jonathan Owens, an American football player for the Chicago Bears; and has a whopping 10.2 million Instagram followers. She and her husband are building a lakefront home in Texas, reportedly worth about $3m. But she bought her first house at the age of 21 for about $600,000. “I’ve sold that to my brother,â€� she said. The discussion touched on the highs of winning five medals at Rio in 2016 â€' four gold and one bronze â€' having arrived, as a 19-year-old, at her first Olympics where the president had just been impeached, there were tanks on every corner, and police brandishing AK-47s. “I was at the top of the podium, overwhelmed with emotion â€' it was truly a dream come true, I was a princess in a castle, and I was super, super grateful to bring home a medal for our country.â€� She carried the Team USA flag during the closing ceremony, but that was no mean feat because in the US, it’s considered disrespectful to let the American flag touch the ground. “I can remember everyone telling me, don’t let the flag touch the ground, and I took it very seriously .. but it was very heavy, it was 50 or more pounds, it weighed half of me, I was only 103 pounds, I could barely hold the flag, but it was such an honour.â€� But there were lows to come: the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics, intended for 2020, being postponed until a year later due to Covid â€' a big issue for gymnasts who typically have short careers. “I remember thinking, I’m angry, I’m upset,â€� she told the crowd. “I’m in the best shape of my life, I’m so excited, I’m 23. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to go after another year After that they “were all quarantined basicallyâ€� and “I neglected my mental health â€' I could tell I needed helpâ€�. She told her by now adoring audience: “Because I was so afraid of getting physically hurt, I had a mental injury, I never thought that could happen ... I was scared of stairs, kerbs, anything.... at 23, I’m old, I’m ancient!â€� At Tokyo, she was the only returning veteran, everyone else was a “rookieâ€�. “There was a lot on me,â€� she said, but she was “physically exhaustedâ€�. Biles was suffering “the twistiesâ€� â€' a mental block where a gymnast loses their spatial awareness and body control mid-air â€' which led to her having to withdraw from several events. “I made the decision to pull out ... even NASA was trying to help me ... but it can be life threatening if you land or fall badly.â€� She then copped it from the “couch potatoesâ€� who took to social media to claim “she doesn’t want to loseâ€� ... though her withdrawal allowed the team to walk away with silver. From that adversity whe became an “inadvertent ambassador for mental healthâ€�. “I’m not the first elite athlete to talk about mental health ... it feels like your world is tumbling down, I’ll never make the Olympics again!â€� But Biles did come back, winning three gold and one silver at the Paris Olympics last year. “It was the cherry on top,â€� she said. “I was seeing my therapist, I got to talk to her before each competition,â€� she said. And what of the LA Olympics in 2028? “I’ll be 31, but I haven’t ruled out competing ... I haven’t decided yet, I’ll consider how I am mentally and physically before I decide.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘No one asked for this': America in meltdown as male cheerleaders hit back
Warning: This article contains language some readers may find offensive Twelve NFL teams have announced they will have male cheerleaders for the 2025 â€' and some fans aren’t happy. The Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, LA Rams, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have all announced they will include male cheerleaders for the 2025 season, up from seven last season. Male cheerleaders are not necessarily a new thing at the high school, college and professional levels, these cheerleaders have generally been more about throwing their female counterparts in the air. However, the new crop appear to be doing the same dances as the women, which has left some football fans furious. And the backlash has turned ugly, including homophobic hate directed at the men. Two of the Vikings male cheerleaders have hit back at the online pile on. Blaize Sheik and Louie Conn responded on social media, sharing a photo together in their Vikings uniform with the caption: “Wait … did someone say our name?â€� The reaction was overwhelmingly positive to the post, but it comes after an ugly backlash. Fox News’ Will Cain said “I don’t have anything against male cheerleadersâ€�, but argued it was the type of cheerleading they were doing that he had a problem with. “There is something different than what is going on in the NFL,â€� Cain said. “And if we’re really being honest, we’re talking about male cheerleaders being female cheerleaders. That’s what’s happening with these men who are cheering on the Minnesota Vikings.â€� Former Hercules star Kevin Sorbo wrote on X: “I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life … sigh. I need a new team now.â€� Commentator Jesse Kelly commented in response to a video: “Don’t think for a second the enemy is defeated. We have finally begun to fight back. We are finally engaged. Smile about that. But we have much, much work to do.â€� Citizen Free Press tweeted: “No one asked for this. No one wanted this.â€� Another suggested: “Cheer routines like this, are NOT MADE FOR MEN. Look at how contorted his body looks, arched back, poppin his … Co-Ed dance troops have been around for a long time, and the moves are different. This is cosplay.â€� Even former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown posted a homophobic slur in response. But while this was just the tip of the iceberg against, there were plenty more for the move. Former Fox Sports analyst and US TV host Joy Taylor posted: “So teaching kids (that) slavery was not a big deal is acceptable but male cheerleaders is where ‘conservatives’ draw the line. Also this isn’t new so as usual, OUTRAGE over nothing.â€� One fan commented: “The funniest part of all this male cheerleader nonsense is the fact that the NFL has had male cheerleaders for years & no one was mad or cared until they were told to be.â€� Another said: “What y’all are doing is so f***ing important. At a time when rights are being threatened there’s no louder activism then being loud and proud. You guys are f***ing amazing!!!â€� Others also pointed out that former Republican presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as Democratic president Franklin D. Roosevelt were all former cheerleaders. Plenty more branded it a MAGA pile on. The Vikings also pointed out that despite threats of fans burning their season tickets over the move, the franchise told NBC News that nobody has followed through. The Vikings have also brushed off the criticism, responding in a statement last week. “While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,â€� the team said in a statement. “In 2025, approximately one-third of NFL teams have male cheerleaders. Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected because of their talent, passion for dance and dedication to elevating the game day experience. We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.â€� It will be Sheik’s first season as a Vikings cheerleader, news he celebrated back in May. “I am so grateful for this journey, the support, and the opportunity to make a little history along the way,â€� he said. “I hope to represent and inspire what’s possible when you stay true to who you are.â€� Conn was also part of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team until he joined the Vikings this season. The Rams were said to be the first team to have added men to their cheerleading squad in 2018. The New Orleans Saints announced they would have 13 men on their 2025 Saints Cheer Krewe roster.
