Trump to end deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in LA – DW – 07/16/2025
The Trump administration on Tuesday said it was ending the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
The figure accounts for half the number of troops deployed to LA last month, following protests over immigration raids in the city and surrounding communities.
"Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding," Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement in announcing the decision.
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The Trump administration deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and roughly 700 Marines to LA last month to quell protests between law enforcement officers and protesters opposed to the US president's immigration policies.
By doing so, President Donald Trump became the first president in decades to federalize troops, bypassing the authority of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, a Democrat, sued the Trump administration, arguing among others things that Trump violated the law when he deployed the California National Guard troops despite his opposition.
The National Guard typically responds to domestic emergencies like natural disasters, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts or reconstruction projects.
In late June, the top military commander in charge of troops deployed to LA had asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to return 200 of them to wildfire fighting duty as California entered peak wildfire season.
Following the Pentagon's decision Tuesday, Newsom said in a statement that the National Guard's deployment to LA pulled troops away from their families and civilian work "to serve as political pawns for the President."
He added that the remaining troops "continue without a mission, without direction and without any hopes of returning to help their communities."
'We call on Trump and the Department of Defense to end this theater and send everyone home now,' he said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has also been vocal in opposition to the deployment of National Guard soldiers, applauded the troops' departure, writing: "This happened because the people of Los Angeles stood united and stood strong. We organized peaceful protests, we came together at rallies, we took the Trump administration to court — all of this led to today's retreat."
"We will not stop making our voices heard until this ends, not just here in LA, but throughout our country," she added.
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DR Congo: Little hope for robust truce with M23 rebel group – DW – 07/24/2025
The recent truce between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group — along with an earlier DRC-Rwanda peace deal — was expected to usher in new era of stability in the region. Yet even the signatories show little hope. The US, UN and the African Union (AU) were among the first to welcome the July 19 truce between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group which had been championed by the US and Qatar. The Doha Declaration of Principles , building on a peace deal the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington on June 27, was meant to serve as another "meaningful step toward advancing lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region," according to the US Department of State. Rwanda's willingness to sign, and its passive observation of, the Doha agreement was seen as tacit admittance to its role in the long-standing conflict, although Kigali continues to deny its support of the M23. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Just one day after the signing in Doha, the US updated its security advisory for the DRC and especially its capital Kinshasa, advising US nationals in the country to "exercise increased awareness, avoid large gatherings, and monitor local news and security updates." The list of recommended actions include the provision of "enough food and water should you need to stay home for several days" and having "essential items (clothing, medications, travel documents) packed in a bag that you can carry." The advisory resembles the kind of advice US authorities issue residents to prepare for major natural disasters. Reagan Miviri, a conflict analyst and lawyer working with the Congo Research Group in Kinshasa — an independent, non-profit research project — understands the importance of the US State Department's latest travel advisory. "The crisis in eastern Congo is also visible in Kinshasa in some ways," she told DW. "Actors in the US [who] are worried about what could happen in Kinshasa … probably know much more than we do, so perhaps they have other information we don't have." According to Lidewyde Berckmoes, an associate professor and senior researcher at the African Studies Center Leiden in The Netherlands, many parts of the DRC still actively remain under the control of the M23, which is unlikely to change despite this deal. "This region has seen many violent rebel movements, who have been there since the 1990s. There are many places where there's a lot of tension, and where authority is contested," Berkmoes, whose work is focused on Africa's Great Lakes region, told DW. On the ground, the reality of a state of war effectively continues to dictate daily lives in various parts of the country — especially eastern DRC's North and South Kivu provinces where mere days after the DRC-M23 truce was inked, fresh reports of M23 rebels seizing new ground surfaced. According to UN-backed Radio Okapi in the DRC, at least 19 civilians were killed by M23 fighters as part of that expansion, in particular around the village of Bukera. This latest escalation is in clear breach of the Doha ceasefire deal, which calls on all sides in the conflict stop efforts to expand their territorial gains — among various other stipulations. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Human rights activist Philemon Ruzinge believes that the Doha deal will ultimately be of little consequence, despite whatever concessions Kinshasa may make to keep the peace. "The agreement of principles is supposed to be … so important towards a lasting peace agreement," he told DW, adding that the ongoing actions of M23 rebels leave little hope for it to work in the long-run. According to Ruzinge, M23 leaders feel they can continue to enjoy free reign over northeastern DRC on account of the text of the agreement "containing no withdrawal clause" and deliberately being worded in an ambiguous manner. This view was only further solidified by the M23 itself, whose delegation leader at the signing in Doha, Benjamin Mbonimpa, reiterated that the group "will not retreat, not even by one meter." "We will stay where we are," Mbonimpa said. Berckmoes believes that Mbonimpa's attitude is indicative of the overall M23 position: "I don't think M23 will let themselves be sidelined. Rather, I expect that they are looking for ways to have an important say as part of the government." Miviri agrees: "M23 are saying that they are not leaving." She added that this should be taken at face value. "M23 will do whatever it pleases." That view is also shared by people in North Kivu province. Complaints by civil society groups about a lack of government intervention is mounting. In the province's beleaguered capital, Goma, democracy activist Justin Murutsi told DW: "The state has a security mandate for the population. But when there are killings like this and no word from the state, it shows that there's a serious institutional vacuum." "The signing of the Declaration of Principles gives us a little hope, because it clearly shows that the government has accepted the rebels' demands and conditions," said Julien, a resident of the city who believes that M23 will remain in control of large parts of the region. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Political scientist Christian Moleka in Kinshasa wondered whether the parties the conflict are interested in peace. "Do the various parties even have the will to achieve lasting peace?" he said in a DW interview. "Are the follow-up mechanisms really going to work better than in the past, to support the full implementation of these various provisions?" Berckmoes had similar reservations, stressing that there has been "series of agreements in the past, which have not been upheld." She added that for a sustainable peace plan to succeed, various parties and factions all have to be included in all negotiations — not just M23 but "all 160 groups" vying for control. To that end, Berckmoes believes "there's still a long way to go." Miviri took an even more sober stance: "Before speaking of a lasting peace agreement, it just has to first happen. And I'm not seeing it happen, even now." Amid skepticism, criticism, and the surge in violence since the Doha signing, there have also been a few hopeful voices — among them, the US Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulous. According to DRC Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani, significant progress has been made in recent weeks. He said he is convinced that, despite the ongoing volatile nature of the conflict, "we are close to peace." In the same statement, however, he stressed that "peace is a choice," which "requires work."
DW
2 hours ago
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Germany updates: Poland to extend border checks – DW – 07/24/2025
The border controls with Germany and Lithuania were due to expire next month. Meanwhile, Germany's second-largest airport is reportedly planning a "repatriation terminal" to process migrant deportations. DW has Left Party () has criticized the German government's decision not to sign an appeal to end the war in the Gaza Strip immediately and called for a special parliamentary debate on the subject. A total of 28 countries, plus the executive body of the European Union, the European Commission, have signed the appeal which calls on Israel to "adhere to its commitments in regards to international humanitarian law" by ending its war in Gaza. Germany, however, is not among the signatories, arguing that the appeal is not explicit enough in naming the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, as the cause of the war. Left Party chairs Heidi Reichinnek and Sören Pellmann called the government's failure to sign the appeal as "a complete admission of failure" and insisted: "Germany must also join the public pressure [on Israel] and finally turn words into actions." The far-left opposition party, which has 64 seats (10.16%) in the Bundestag, has also called for a special sitting of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. "The government continues to close its eyes to the suffering in Palestine and is not prepared to live up to its responsibility and act," said Reichinnek and Pellmann, adding that lawmakers must be informed of "all information on the current situation" in Gaza. Representatives of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), including Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, and the environmentalist Green party have also called on the German government to sign the appeal. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has referred to constant, ongoing discussions between the German and Israeli governments concerning the latter's actions in Gaza. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The German Football Federation (DFB) says Euro 2025 was a "success" for Germany, despite Wednesday night's dramatic semifinal defeat to Spain, and has backed head coach Christian Wück to lead the team into the future. "We are one hundred percent convinced by Christian and his path," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf before the departure of the German delegation from Zürich on Thursday morning. "He aimed to bring about a transformation and we have to say he has succeeded." Germany lost 1-0 to Spain on Wednesday night, taking the world champions to extra-time just days after holding on for over 130 minutes with just ten players to beat France on penalties in a dramatic quarterfinal. President Neuendorf was full of praise for the young German team, saying: "This is precisely the path we want to be on." An average of 14.26 million German viewers tuned into watch the semifinal, and head coach Wück said he was "proud" that his team had "generated such euphoria." Germany's Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was in the stadium to support the team in person on Wednesday, called the players "true role models" and praised them for "playing this tournament with so much passion and footballing ability." Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is known to be a supporter of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, wrote on Instagram: "You fought until the very end … thank you for these brilliant football moments – we are proud of you!" Spain will face reigning European champions England in the final on Sunday. The western German city of Duisburg on Wednesday night marked the 15th anniversary of the Love Parade tragedy, which saw 21 people killed and more than 650 injured in a deadly crush at a music festival on July 24, 2010. Although experts found numerous failings in the planning and authorization of the event, no individuals were ever brought to justice for one of the deadliest tragedies in modern German history. After a decade-long investigation, charges of involuntary homicide and physical injury resulting from negligence brought against the city of Duisburg and the event organizers were dropped in 2020 on the grounds that no relevant blame could be leveled at any individuals. Rather, the court found that a "number of circumstances" led to the tragedy. Wednesday night's memorial event, which saw 1,000 candles lit for the victims, is likely to be the last of its kind, with the association responsible for organizing it set to be wound up. "For some, the tenth anniversary was already the opportune moment to find closure," said spokesperson Jürgen Widera, saying that the emotional need for an annual event was dropping off. A permanent memorial at the site of the tragedy just south of Duisburg city center features the words (Love never ends) in seven languages to reflect the mother tongues of the victims from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, China and Australia. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Police in the southern German state of Bavaria last week carried out raids and made arrests in connection with a suspected million-euro fraud case related to COVID-19 medication, it was confirmed on Thursday. Raids took place at 16 premises in the Bavarian cities of Munich, Regensburg, Bamberg and Bayreuth, resulting in the arrest of two people who remain in custody on suspicion of selling the government-procured drug Paxlovid "outside the prescribed distribution mechanism" — in other words, on the black market — in 2023. State prosecutors are investigating damages of up to €2.6 million ($3 million). The German government purchased large amounts of Paxlovid at the height of the pandemic and the drug was approved in January 2022. Doctors could prescribe the drug to patients who could then receive it for free at pharmacies, which in turn were compensated by the state. Germany's Police Union (GdP) has called for tighter immigration checks at German airports after a media report highlighted thousands of cases of "secondary migration," or asylum claims being made in Germany despite asylum having already been granted elsewhere in the European Union (EU). "The federal police control bridges, motorways and major roads on the borders with Poland and Austria, checking for irregular entry attempts being made by migrants and asylum seekers," said a spokesman. "But there's a loophole at airports." The comments came after a report by Germany's media group revealed that around 8,000 recognized asylum seekers had applied for asylum in Germany between January and May this year, despite having already been granted asylum in Greece, which is also in the EU. The group obtained the figures from the German Interior Ministry, which said that a total of 26,000 such secondary applications had been made in 2024. According to EU law governing "secondary migration" in the bloc's free-movement Schengen zone, recognized asylum seekers may spend up to 90 days in another EU country, but may not make another application for asylum there. "People who have been granted protection in Greece must make use of that protection there," said a ministry statement. In April, Germany's Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled that single, healthy migrants who are able to work could legally be deported to Greece, where the court said they would face no extreme hardship. The Greek government, however, has said it will not take back refugees who make asylum claims in Germany, even if they've first made claims in Greece. Refugee aid organizations continue to speak of an "inhumane situation" for refugees in Greece. "No bed, no bread, no soap," one such group told the group, a "drastic formula" which "has not changed in years." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron put on a show of unity during the latter's visit to Berlin on Wednesday. But while the two presented a united European front in response to tariff threats from US President Donald Trump and an intention to discuss corruption issues with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, disagreements remain regarding the development of the joint Franco-German FCAS next-generation fighter jet and the condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza. "Big topics, great unity," headlined German public broadcaster on Thursday morning, while news magazine quipped: "No fish rolls, at least" – a reference to Macron's visit to Germany in October 2023 when Merz's predecessor Olaf Scholz treated him to a , a local Hamburg delicacy with an acquired taste. Read more about what Merz and Macron discussed on DW. The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) said on Thursday that it was "appalled" by the suffering being endured by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and called on the German government to ensure the enforcement of international law. "The humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza is catastrophic," ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). While acknowledging that Israel "has a legitimate right to defend itself against the terrorist organization Hamas," she said that didn't absolve the Israeli government from its responsibility to respect international law. Stetter-Karp also said Israel's military operations were impacting the civilian population to an "unjustifiable" extent and highlighted the acute threat of starvation, illness and death facing children in the besieged enclave. "We are aghast that 875 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid at the distribution centers in Gaza," she said. "This approach by the Israeli government must end immediately!" Stetter-Karp also highlighted the plight of Palestinian Christians in the occupied West Bank, who she said were increasingly the targets of Israeli settler violence. Germany's second-largest airport is reportedly planning to construct a special deportation terminal in which police will process the repatriation of migrants to be deported. According to a planning document seen by the Reuters news agency, the so-called "repatriation terminal" at Munich Airport is to be around 60 meters (about 200 feet) long and spread over two floors. The facility, which is designed to facilitate "up to 100 arrivals and departures processing up to 50 individual measures and group charter flights daily," is planned for 2028 and will also include a "central check-in in order to coordinate repatriations efficiently," according to the document. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, both of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), have taken a strong stance on deportations of migrants with criminal convictions or rejected asylum claims. Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), said the deportation of those convicted of crimes to their home countries was a sensible measure. "Therefore I don't think it's fundamentally wrong to propose such a terminal," he said. But political support is not universal. Local Green party politician Gülseren Demirel told the broadsheet: "We are more than critical of a specific terminal for deportations." While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. Welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Thursday, July 24. Despite Germany's dramatic defeat in the Euro 2025 semifinal last night, we all have to carry on, so here's what's on the agenda today:
Int'l Business Times
2 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Justice Dept To Meet Epstein Accomplice Maxwell On Thursday
A top Department of Justice official was expected to meet on Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned accomplice of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as President Donald Trump struggles to quell fury over his handling of the notorious case. The former British socialite is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors on behalf of Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial in his own pedophile trafficking case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche -- Trump's former personal lawyer for his hush money trial and two federal criminal cases -- was to interview Maxwell at a federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, multiple US media reported. "If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche said in a statement on Tuesday. "No one is above the law -- and no lead is off-limits." Maxwell, the daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, is the only former Epstein associate who was convicted in connection with his activities, which right-wing conspiracy theorists allege included trafficking young models for VIPs. But Joyce Vance, an ex-federal prosecutor who now teaches law at the University of Alabama, said any "'new' testimony (Maxwell) offers is inherently unreliable unless backed by evidence." "Trump could give Ghislaine Maxwell a pardon on his last day in office, in exchange for favorable testimony now," Vance said in a post on X. "She knows he's her only chance for release." The meeting with Maxwell marks another attempt by the Trump administration to defuse anger among the Republican president's own supporters over what they have long seen as a cover-up of sex crimes by Epstein, a wealthy financier with high-level connections. A Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday hiked up that pressure as it claimed Trump's name was among hundreds found during a review of DOJ documents on Epstein, even if there was no indication of wrongdoing. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung called the report "fake news" and said Trump had long ago broken with Epstein and "kicked him out of his (Florida) club for being a creep." The same newspaper claimed last week that Trump had penned a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein, a former friend, for his birthday in 2003. Trump has sued for at least $10 billion over the story. Many of the president's core supporters want more transparency on the Epstein case, and Trump -- who has long fanned conspiracy theories -- had promised to deliver that on retaking the White House in January. But he has since dismissed the controversy as a "hoax," and the DOJ and FBI released a memo this month claiming the so-called Epstein files did not contain evidence that would justify further investigation. Epstein had committed suicide while in jail, did not blackmail any prominent figures, and did not keep a "client list," according to the FBI-DOJ memo. Seeking to redirect public attention, the White House has promoted unfounded claims in recent days that former president Barack Obama led a "years-long coup" against Trump around his victorious 2016 election. The extraordinary narrative claims that Obama had ordered intelligence assessments to be manipulated to accuse Russia of election interference to help Trump. Yet it runs counter to four separate criminal, counterintelligence and watchdog probes between 2019 and 2023 -- each of them concluding that Russia did interfere and did, in various ways, help Trump. Epstein was found hanging dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually exploited hundreds of victims at his homes in New York and Florida. Among those with connections to Epstein was Britain's Prince Andrew, who settled a US civil case in February 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. Giuffre, who accused Epstein of using her as a sex slave, committed suicide at her home in Australia in April.
