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US deports migrants from Jamaica, Cuba to Eswatini

US deports migrants from Jamaica, Cuba to Eswatini

Hans India3 days ago
Cape Town: The United States sent five migrants it describes as 'barbaric' criminals to the African nation of Eswatini in an expansion of the Trump administration's largely secretive third-country deportation program, the US Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday.
The US has already deported eight men to another African country, South Sudan, after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on sending people to countries where they have no ties.
The South Sudanese government has declined to say where those men, also described as violent criminals, are after it took custody of them nearly two weeks ago.
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Bangladesh signs US wheat-import deal in bid to curb tariff pressure
Bangladesh signs US wheat-import deal in bid to curb tariff pressure

Business Standard

time22 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

Bangladesh signs US wheat-import deal in bid to curb tariff pressure

Bangladesh signed a deal on Sunday to import 700,000 tonnes of wheat annually from the United States over the next five years, in a move aimed at securing tariff relief from the Trump administration amid growing trade tensions, officials said. The agreement formalised through a memorandum of understanding inked in Dhaka between the Ministry of Food and trade group US Wheat Associates comes at a critical moment, with Washington set to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports from August 1. Officials in Dhaka hope the pact will help narrow Bangladesh $6 billion trade deficit with the US and pave the way for more-favourable treatment of key export items, particularly garments, which dominate shipments to the United States. Bangladesh's de facto food minister, Ali Imam Majumder, said at the signing ceremony that the agreement would not only ensure a steady supply of high-quality wheat at competitive prices but also strengthen trade ties between the two nations. This step reflects our willingness to build mutual trust and deepen economic cooperation with the United States, he said. The wheat initiative is widely seen as part of a broader diplomatic and trade strategy to soften Washington stance and open the door for further negotiations. Officials from the Ministry of Commerce said talks are ongoing with US counterparts in an effort to lower the duty, arguing that such high tariffs could significantly undermine Bangladesh competitiveness in the American market. Bangladesh imports around 7 million tonnes of wheat each year, with the bulk sourced from the Black Sea region due to its lower cost. Smaller volumes of higher-quality wheat, including some from the United States, are also imported for blending.

MAGA Evangelicals Love Their Sinners More Than They Hate Sin
MAGA Evangelicals Love Their Sinners More Than They Hate Sin

Mint

time22 minutes ago

  • Mint

MAGA Evangelicals Love Their Sinners More Than They Hate Sin

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Time was that the Republican Party was the party of family values, troubled and incensed by the supposed sins and moral failings of Democrats like Bill Clinton. Even Ronald Reagan's status as a divorcee didn't sit right with some Republicans. All of those misgivings seem quaint now, as the Trump era has re-written the playbook for what's acceptable behavior. Republicans seemingly forgive all sins as long as you're on the right team. Now comes Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to test the outer limits of forgiveness in his battle against Senator John Cornyn. Paxton's wife, Angela Paxton, recently announced on X that she had filed for divorce on 'biblical grounds,' suggesting allegations of adultery. 'What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting,' National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez posted on X in reply to Paxton. 'No one should have to endure what Angela Paxton has and we pray for her as she chooses to stand up for herself and her family during this difficult time.' But that was the pearl-clutching establishment, the GOP of old. MAGA, filled with evangelicals of a different sort, sees this much differently. On X, which often captures the sentiment of the MAGA base, Paxton's announcement was met, not with sympathy, but with scorn and suggestions that she was making public a private matter in order to damage her soon-to-be ex-husband. While some in the political class suggested the revelations would alter the race, Paxton seems just as likely to get a boost as MAGA solidifies their support and champions him as a thumb-in-the-eye to the establishment. 'He is still going to beat Cornyn by 10 points in the primary. The rank and file are going to vote for Paxton because they think that baggage is a badge of honor,' said Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 'When they do this for Donald Trump, why in the hell wouldn't they do it for Ken Paxton?' In 2016, Trump won 81% of White born-again evangelical voters, a historic share for a Republican presidential candidate. And after his victory, White Americans who didn't identify as evangelical but viewed Trump favorably 'were much more likely than White Trump skeptics to begin identifying as born-again or evangelical Protestants by 2020,' according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. Trump won a similar share of the White evangelical vote in 2020 and 2024, and they remain among his most ardent supporters. Which is good news for any candidate who casts themselves in Trump's mold, sins and all. 'The people who would have cared about immortality, the old guard, they are gone. The MAGA-style evangelicals are not regular church-goers, they aren't sitting in church pews every Sunday and spreading the gospel. They are evangelicals in name only,' said Anthea Butler, chair of the religious studies department at the University of Pennsylvania. 'The bar is in hell right now, they don't care about this stuff. There is no sin that can't be forgiven for evangelical political candidates. Now the door is open for anybody.' Consider the case of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth who faced allegations of marital infidelity and abuse, all of which he denied. He wrapped himself in the language of faith, claiming the 'two Js' — Jennifer, his third wife, and Jesus — had changed his life. Paxton, who was acquitted in an impeachment trial where he faced allegations of bribery in 2023, has been leading Cornyn in most polls and is an ally of Trump. Cornyn has said that he will make the race about character. He outraised Paxton by $1 million in the last quarter. Paxton wrapped himself in God and pointed to his enemies. 'After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives,' Paxton posted on X. 'I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time.' Paxton will get privacy, as a Texas state court ordered that records in his divorce proceedings be sealed. And he will likely get prayers. What's unclear is whether he will get Trump's endorsement. But he might be the very candidate who doesn't need it. He's got something that might just be better, as far as MAGA's evangelicals are concerned: the specter of a battle, with forgiveness always at the ready. More From Bloomberg Opinion: This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Nia-Malika Henderson is a politics and policy columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former senior political reporter for CNN and the Washington Post, she has covered politics and campaigns for almost two decades. More stories like this are available on

One Big Beautiful Bill: A bold reset or another layer of complexity?
One Big Beautiful Bill: A bold reset or another layer of complexity?

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

One Big Beautiful Bill: A bold reset or another layer of complexity?

New student loan rules and funding changes begin under Trump's OBBB. (AI Image) The US Department of Education has announced the immediate implementation of higher education provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). The move follows the signing of the legislation into law by President Trump, delivering wide-ranging changes aimed at federal student aid programs and student loan repayment systems. On July 18, 2025, the Department released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to provide initial guidance to higher education institutions and Federal Student Aid (FSA) partners. The DCL outlines near-term regulatory changes and marks the first phase of the OBBB implementation process. Major changes to student loan repayment The OBBB introduces major updates to income-based repayment (IBR) plans, offering a more streamlined approach for borrowers. The reforms target simplification of loan repayment systems, including new repayment options for parent borrowers and revised loan limits for part-time students. The bill addresses regulations from the previous administration, including those related to borrower defence to repayment and closed school discharge policies. These changes affect how borrowers can seek relief from student loan obligations in cases of institutional misconduct or closure. Pell Grant funding and vocational training expansion One of the core provisions of the OBBB is the allocation of funds to cover a $10.5 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 3 Casino Games in Sheffield Lounge 777 Play Game Undo This funding aims to stabilise the program, ensuring continued support for low-income students. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Workforce Pell Grant programme, intended to expand access to short-term, career-focused training. These programmes are designed to prepare students for high-demand job sectors and are expected to launch next year as part of a phased implementation. Eliminating aid to underperforming institutions The OBBB includes new accountability measures for higher education institutions. Under the new law, colleges that offer programmes leaving students worse off financially than before enrolment will lose access to federal student loan funding. This provision is intended to ensure that only institutions providing clear economic value to students will remain eligible for federal aid. The Department of Education has stated that additional guidance and regulatory updates will be issued as these measures are developed further. Next steps in implementation While several provisions take immediate effect, others—including the full rollout of the new Repayment Assistance Plan and the Workforce Pell Grant programme—will become effective in the following year. The Department of Education has indicated that further updates will be provided in future guidance documents and through formal regulatory processes. Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron described the announcement as the first step in advancing the President's vision for postsecondary education and workforce development. The Department will continue working with stakeholders as the broader implementation of the OBBB unfolds over the coming years. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!

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