
Appeals court rejects Trump administration bid to re-detain Georgetown scholar
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals panel rejected the Trump administration's request that Suri be returned to immigration detention while it seeks to deport him by a vote of 2-1.
Suri was arrested on 17 March by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside his home in Virginia in retaliation for constitutionally protected speech and association, and he spent eight weeks in detention, mostly in Texas. Upon his release in May, he returned home to his wife and three children in Virginia, where his lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of his arrest is proceeding.
'I am grateful for my freedom and for the time I have to spend with my family,' said Dr. Badar Khan Suri. 'I have faith that the American judiciary will protect my constitutional rights'.
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Gulf Today
20 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Trump imposes additional 25% tariff on goods from India
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on goods from India, saying the country directly or indirectly imported Russian oil. The additional tariffs mean India will face the highest levy along with Brazil, putting it at a significant disadvantage against regional competitors such as Vietnam an The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump's moves could scramble the economic trajectory of India, which until recently was seen as an alternative to China by American companies looking to relocate their manufacturing. China also buys oil from Russia, but it was not included in the order signed by the Republican president. As part of a negotiating period with Beijing, Trump has placed 30% tariffs on goods from China, a rate that is smaller than the combined import taxes with which he has threatened New Delhi. Trump had previewed for reporters on Tuesday that the tariffs would be coming, saying the US had a meeting with Russia on Wednesday as the Trump administration tries to end the war in Ukraine. "We're going to see what happens," Trump said about his tariff plans. "We'll make that determination at that time." 'UNFORTUNATE' The Indian government on Wednesday called the additional tariffs "unfortunate." "We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, adding that India would take all actions necessary to protect its interests. Jaiswal said India has already made its stand clear that the country's imports were based on market factors and were part of an overall objective of ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. This combination of pictures shows, L-R, Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. AFP In 2024, the US ran a $45.8 billion trade deficit in goods with India, meaning America imported more from India than it exported, according to the US Census Bureau. American consumers and businesses buy pharmaceutical drugs, precious stones and textiles and apparel from India, among other goods. At the world's largest country, India represented a way for the US to counter China's influence in Asia. But India has not supported the Ukraine-related sanctions by the US and its allies on Moscow even as India's leaders have maintained that they want peace. The US and China are currently in negotiations on trade, with Washington imposing a 30% tariff on Chinese goods and facing a 10% retaliatory tax from Beijing on American products. Socialist Unity Centre of India activists burn an effigy of Donald Trump during a rally to mark the 80th anniversary of the world's first atomic bomb attack, on Hiroshima at the end of WWII, in Kolkata. AFP The planned tariffs on India contradict past efforts by the Biden administration and other nations in the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations that encouraged India to buy cheap Russian oil through a price cap imposed in 2022. The nations collectively capped Russian oil a $60 per barrel at a time when prices in the market were meaningfully higher, The intent was to deprive the Kremlin of revenue to fund its war in Ukraine, forcing the Russian government either to sell its oil at a discount or divert money for a costly alternative shipping network. The price cap was rolled out to equal parts skepticism and hopefulness that the policy would stave off Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The cap has required shipping and insurance companies to refuse to handle oil shipments above the cap, though Russia has been able to evade the cap by shipping oil on a "shadow fleet" of old vessels using insurers and trading companies located in countries that are not enforcing sanctions. But oil prices have fallen with a barrel trading on Wednesday morning at $65.84, up 1% on the day. Agencies


Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Trump to Expand 401 Options to Include Alternative Assets
President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order on Thursday that will significantly reshape the landscape of retirement savings in the United States. The new directive will allow a broader range of alternative assets, such as private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrencies, to be included in 401 retirement accounts. This move marks the most substantial attempt by the administration to open up defined-contribution plans to non-traditional investment options, reflecting a growing desire to diversify retirement portfolios and enhance returns for savers. The executive order is expected to provide American workers with the opportunity to invest in assets that have been historically out of reach for retirement accounts, which traditionally have focused on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The inclusion of private equity, real estate, and digital currencies aims to offer investors access to higher-yielding opportunities that could potentially outperform traditional investments, especially in times of economic uncertainty. By broadening the range of eligible assets, the administration hopes to increase the financial security of millions of retirees. One of the key motivations behind this move is the desire to address the gap in retirement savings, particularly for individuals who do not have access to pension plans or other employer-sponsored retirement options. With many workers relying heavily on their 401 accounts for their financial future, this expansion could play a pivotal role in enhancing wealth accumulation over time. By enabling exposure to assets with historically higher returns, the plan aims to encourage long-term investing that may outperform the more conservative strategies currently available in these accounts. ADVERTISEMENT The shift comes amid ongoing debates about the future of retirement savings in the United States. While many financial experts have lauded the potential of these alternative assets to boost returns, others have expressed concerns about the risks associated with their inclusion in retirement accounts. Private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrencies are known for their volatility, which could expose 401 investors to greater risk, particularly those with a lower tolerance for market fluctuations. These asset classes are often less liquid than traditional stocks and bonds, which could complicate the ability of retirees to access funds when needed. Despite these concerns, proponents argue that expanding access to alternative investments could be a game-changer for retirement savers, especially as traditional investment options provide lower returns in the current low-interest-rate environment. Real estate, for instance, can serve as a hedge against inflation, while private equity has the potential to offer higher returns through early-stage investments in high-growth companies. Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, have gained popularity as an asset class due to their potential for rapid price appreciation, although their volatility remains a significant factor for consideration. The administration's decision to open the door to these alternative assets also aligns with broader trends in the financial services industry, which has seen an increasing number of investment firms offering exposure to private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded funds and other vehicles. These developments reflect the growing recognition that investors want more diverse options for retirement planning, particularly as they seek to maximize their returns and ensure they are prepared for the future. However, the move is not without its challenges. For one, the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission will need to ensure that the inclusion of these alternative assets in 401 accounts is properly regulated to protect investors from fraud and market manipulation. There are also concerns about the administrative complexities involved in allowing retirement plans to invest in assets that may require more sophisticated management and oversight. The broader regulatory framework will likely need to evolve to accommodate the new rules, ensuring that both investors and financial institutions are equipped to handle the unique aspects of these asset classes. The timing of this executive order also comes at a critical moment, as the U. S. government grapples with broader economic challenges, including rising inflation and concerns about the stability of financial markets. By expanding 401 options to include more alternative investments, the Trump administration hopes to provide American workers with the tools to better weather economic fluctuations and build more robust retirement portfolios.


Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
US is no longer first choice for international students
In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism, reported Associated Press. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media US remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities — and the nation's economy — may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the US economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets, Associated Press reported. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional "big four" English-speaking destinations in higher education — the US, UK, Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the UK this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students — an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. "But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or UK. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19," Kwong said. "But obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US." Some Asian families have told him the US is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted.