Trump's immigration crackdown in California impacts state economy
NEW YORK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is stepping up deportation efforts in California with immigration raids at restaurants, traffic stops and routine legal check-ins, but economists warn that, long term, fewer immigrants could take a hit to the economy, prompting labor shortages and slowing economic growth.
"Immigrants play a huge role in the California economy," USA Today on Friday quoted Giovanni Peri, an economics professor at the University of California, Davis, as saying. Without immigrants, "there will be less economic growth. Less opportunity, also, for local companies and American workers."
The country's economy has become "very immigrant dependent," according to Christopher Thornberg, founding partner at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles research and consulting firm.
About 479,000 U.S.-born workers were added to the labor force over the last five years compared with 3.6 million foreign-born workers, according to an October report from the National Foundation for American Policy, a nonpartisan research organization.
The report pointed to a spike in immigration and retirements, coupled with a slowdown in U.S.-born working-age population growth.
In California, immigrants make up roughly one-third of workers and comprise an outsized share of the workforce in physically intensive sectors like construction and agriculture.
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The Star
18 minutes ago
- The Star
'Hidden treasure': Rare Gandhi portrait up for UK sale
LONDON (AFP): A rare oil painting of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, which is believed to have been damaged by a Hindu nationalist activist, is to be auctioned in London in July. Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. But a 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton is believed to be the only oil portrait he sat for, according to the painter's family and Bonhams, where it will be auctioned online from July 7 to 15. "Not only is this a rare work by Clare Leighton, who is mainly known for her wood engravings, it is also thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams Head of Sale for Travel and Exploration. The painting is a "likely hidden treasure", Caspar Leighton, the artist's great-nephew, told AFP. Going under the hammer for the first time next month, the painting is estimated to sell for between £50,000 and £70,000 ($68,000 and $95,000). Clare Leighton met Gandhi in 1931, when he was in London for talks with the British government on India's political future. She was part of London's left-wing artistic circles and was introduced to Gandhi by her partner, journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. "I think there was clearly a bit of artistic intellectual courtship that went on," said Caspar, pointing out that his great-aunt and Gandhi shared a "sense of social justice". - Painting attacked - The portrait, painted at a crucial time for India's independence struggle, "shows Gandhi at the height of his power", added Caspar. It was exhibited in London in November 1931, following which Gandhi's personal secretary, Mahadev Desai, wrote to Clare: "It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait." "Many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness," reads a copy of the letter attached to the painting's backing board. The painting intimately captures Gandhi's likeness but it also bears reminders of his violent death. Gandhi was shot at point-blank range in 1948 by disgruntled Hindu nationalist activist Nathuram Godse, once closely associated with the right-wing paramilitary organisation RSS. Godse and some other Hindu nationalist figures accused Gandhi of betraying Hindus by agreeing to the partition of India and the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan. According to Leighton's family, the painting was attacked with a knife by a "Hindu extremist" believed to be an RSS activist, in the early 1970s. Although there is no documentation of the attack, a label on the back of the painting confirms that it was restored in the United States in 1974. Under UV light, Demery pointed out the shadow of a deep gash running across Gandhi's face where the now-restored painting was damaged. "It feels very deliberate," she said. - 'Real home' - The repairs "add to the value of the picture in a sense... to its place in history, that Gandhi was again attacked figuratively many decades after his death", said Caspar. The only other recorded public display of the painting was in 1978 at a Boston Public Library exhibition of Clare Leighton's work. After Clare's death, the artwork passed down to Caspar's father and then to him. "There's my family's story but the story in this portrait is so much greater," he said. "It's a story for millions of people across the world," he added. "I think it'd be great if it got seen by more people. Maybe it should go back to India -- maybe that's its real home." Unlike countless depictions of the man known in India as the "father of the nation" -- in stamps, busts, paraphernalia and recreated artwork -- "this is actually from the time", said Caspar. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
24 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Microsoft reaffirms commitment to M'sia amid global data centre pullbacks
As of May, more than 400,000 Malaysians have received AI training under the initiative under Microsoft's AI for Malaysia's Future (AIForMYFuture) initiative, according to the tech giant. (AFP pic) PETALING JAYA : Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to a RM10.5 billion investment in cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Malaysia, including the development of hyperscale data centres in the Klang Valley. A spokesperson for Microsoft Malaysia told FMT the tech giant is closely monitoring the ongoing uncertainty following US President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs in April, which unsettled stock and currency markets before a 90-day pause was declared a week later. 'Microsoft remains committed to our investment in Malaysia to accelerate the nation's AI and cloud adoption. As a company, the tariff is something we are watching, but we don't have anything to share right now,' it said. Citing people familiar with the situation, Bloomberg reported in April that Microsoft had either halted talks for, or delayed the development of, data centre projects in Indonesia, the UK and Australia, as well as Illinois, North Dakota and Wisconsin in the US. Microsoft acknowledged making changes to its data centre plans at the time, saying the move reflected the flexibility of the company's strategy and aligned with its goal of ensuring it has 'sufficient infrastructure in the right places'. Last month, Microsoft announced the general availability of the Malaysia West cloud region in Greater Kuala Lumpur comprising three availability zones aimed at offering low-latency connections and a highly resilient infrastructure, including Azure and Microsoft 365. Additionally, Microsoft Malaysia managing director Laurence Si previously said the company is also investing in talent development through its 'AI for Malaysia's Future' (AIForMYFuture) initiative, which aims to equip 800,000 Malaysians with AI skills by the end of 2025. In an interview with FMT, Microsoft Malaysia's legal and government affairs director Adilah Junid revealed that, as of May, more than 400,000 Malaysians have received AI training under the initiative. She also encouraged participation in the free AIForMYFuture initiative via Microsoft's AI Skills Navigator website, and the monthly Microsoft AI Teach programmes held nationwide at local educational institutions and National Information Dissemination Centres. 'Microsoft relies heavily on local partners such as Biji-Biji, HRD Corp, Perkeso, Pepper Labs, and the International Women's Federation of Commerce and Industry Malaysia. 'They are really the ones to have networks within the community and society, enabling us to make this opportunity as widely accessible as possible,' said Adilah. Addressing concerns about sustainability, particularly the high water usage of data centres for cooling, she said Microsoft is constantly exploring innovative solutions to operate more sustainably. 'We were part of the consultations with the digital ministry's guidelines for sustainable data centres. We also work with authorities to ensure that our water and energy usage metrics are aligned,' said Adilah.
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Iran does not want conflict with Israel to expand but will defend itself, foreign minister says
DUBAI: Iran does not want its conflict with Israel to expand to neighbouring countries unless the situation is forced, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, adding its response had been based on self-defence. Araqchi said Tehran had been responding to foreign aggression, and that if this aggression stopped, Iranian reactions would also cease. The foreign minister said the Israeli strikes on the offshore South Pars gas field Iran shares with Qatar were 'a blatant aggression and a very dangerous act'. 'Dragging the conflict to the Persian Gulf is a strategic mistake, and its aim is to drag the war beyond Iranian territory,' he said. The foreign minister accused Israel of seeking to sabotage ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, which according to him could have opened the way for an agreement. Tehran was set to present a proposal this Sunday during a sixth round of talks, which were cancelled following recent escalations. 'Israel's attack would never have happened without the U.S. green light and support,' Araqchi said, adding Tehran does not believe American statements that Washington had taken no part in recent attacks. 'It is necessary for the United States to condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if they want to prove their goodwill.'
