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Hindustan Times
a few seconds ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump administration reviewing records of over 55 million foreigners with US visas for ‘revocation'
The State Department said Thursday that it's reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreigners who hold valid U.S. visas for potential revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules. Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked and, if the visa holder is in the United States, he or she would be subject to deportation.(Unsplash/Representative Image) In a written answer to a question posed by The Associated Press, the department said that all U.S. visa holders are subject to 'continuous vetting' with an eye toward any indication that they could be ineligible for the document. Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked and, if the visa holder is in the United States, he or she would be subject to deportation. The department said it was looking for indicators of ineligibility, including visa overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization. 'We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,' the department said. Since President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration has thus far focused on deporting migrants illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas. The State Department's new language suggests that the re-vetting process, which officials acknowledge is time-consuming, is far more widespread. The administration has steadily imposed more and more restrictions and requirements on visa applicants, including requiring all visa seekers to submit to in-person interviews. But the review of all visa holders appears to be a significant expansion of what had initially been a re-vetting process focused mainly on students who have been involved in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activity. Officials say the reviews will include all the visa holders' social media accounts, law enforcement and immigration records in their home countries, along with any actionable violations of U.S. law committed while they were in the United States. 'As part of the Trump Administration's commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year,' the department said. Earlier this week, the department said that since Trump returned to the White House, it has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and violations of local, state and federal law, the vast majority of which were assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and support for terrorism. It said that about 4,000 of those 6,000 were due to actual infractions of laws and that approximately 200–300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related issues, including providing support for designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.
Irish Times
a minute ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Priests demand Irish Catholic Church sever ties with Allianz over Israel links
The Catholic Church in Ireland has been called on to immediately sever its long-standing relationship with Allianz insurance because of the multinational's connection with Israel . In a statement on Thursday, the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) said that last June, a report published on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN alleged Allianz helped 'to sustain and pay for Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories'. The UN report, led by the special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, found that asset management firms including Pimco , which is owned by German-based financial services company Allianz, was a significant buyer of Israeli treasury bonds. These bonds, the report argued, play a 'critical role in funding the ongoing assault on Gaza '. READ MORE The ACP pointed out that 'for decades, Allianz has been the trusted friend of the Catholic Church – even to the extent of enjoying representation on the Allianz board – with Catholic Church properties in Ireland including places of worship, schools, cars, etc almost all being insured by Allianz as a matter of course.' It said that 'outrage' in the church at events in Gaza would be increased exponentially by 'the revelation of the Irish Catholic Church's connection with Allianz and Allianz's connection with the state of Israel'. 'We ask that the response of the Irish Catholic Church should be immediate and far-reaching in cutting our links with Allianz,' it said. 'Nothing less is acceptable, as Irish Catholics will now be conscious of the Allianz connection – albeit by extension – and of our connection with the plight of the children we see on our television screens.' It noted how 'coincidentally' next Sunday, Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin, 'together with his fellow bishops', was 'leading a 'Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza' in the parishes and dioceses of Ireland'. The Archbishop, it said, had issued a pastoral letter calling for 'renewed commitment by the international community for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East'. It also encouraged Catholic religious congregations and dioceses to exercise high levels of due diligence in scrutinising investment portfolios to determine whether they were helping to sustain the 'appalling human rights abuse being inflicted on the Palestinian people'. The ACP noted, too, a petition by GAA members which had brought attention to the Allianz-GAA relationship and demands that it be ended. The association felt 'a similar demand is likely to emerge when the long and close commercial relationship of Allianz and the Catholic Church in Ireland becomes clear'. Almost 800 football, hurling and camogie players have signed an open letter asking the GAA to end its relationship with Allianz, claiming its financial ties were 'enabling the genocide of the Palestinian people'. The letter was delivered to Tom Ryan, director general of the GAA, at a protest outside Croke Park on Wednesday. Allianz is a sponsor of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, the Allianz Leagues, the Camogie Association and Cumann na mBunscol. In a response to the GAA petition, Allianz said: 'Our long-standing partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities. 'Allianz Ireland is part of a global group and, while the wider group operates internationally across insurance and investment, as a matter of principle we do not comment on individual customers or business matters. What we can say is that all Allianz business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading ESG principles.' A spokesman for Allianz had 'no comment' on the ACP statement.
Irish Examiner
a minute ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Mayo property owned by Liam and Noel Gallagher's grandmother put up for sale
A property once owned by Liam and Noel Gallagher's maternal grandmother in Co Mayo has been put up for sale. The recently-renovated two-bedroom cottage is located in Sonnagh, Charlestown, where the brothers' mother, Peggy, and their grandmother, Margret, originally hail from. The Oasis front man and guitarist, who often speak fondly of their Mayo roots, would have spent many childhood summers at the cottage, having journeyed back across the Irish sea from Manchester. Such is their connection to the town, during last weekend's sellout Saturday gig at Croke Park, Liam Gallagher asked the crowd: "Anyone here from Mayo, Charlestown?" When the 80,000 strong audience cheered in reply, Liam said: "There's only about five people there, you can't all be f*****g from there." Liam Gallagher whips up the crowd at Croke Park last weekend. Picture: Chani Anderson He then dedicated the track Roll With It to the town. Later in the same show, he dedicated the track Stand By Me to his mother. Liam and Noel's maternal grandmother, Margeret Sweeney, died in September, 2000, just a few weeks short of her 80th birthday. Her former home is set on six acres of land on which there is a natural spring and the ruins of a former corn mill. The Sonnagh River also runs through the site. The internal accommodation extends to approximately 83.6 sqm/900 sq ft and comprises entrance hall, a large open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, two double bedrooms and two shower rooms. The home, situated just 10km from Knock Airport, is now on the market for €350,000. The sale is being handled by DNG Country Homes & Estates in Ranelagh, Dublin, an affiliate of Hamptons International, and DNG Cyril Burke, in Castlebar. The cottage is located in Sonnagh, Charlestown, Co Mayo. Picture: According to the property listing, the Gallagher family would have spent "many childhood summers in this house, enjoying the freedom of the countryside setting and soaking up the musical traditions of the Charlestown locality". "Having just played two sold out gigs in Dublin, the residents of Charlestown may be expecting a visit from the famous Gallaghers as they are very proud of their Mayo heritage, and many fans are making the pilgrimage to Co Mayo in the hope of having a chance encounter with their idols". Indeed, while many locals in Charlestown had hoped the siblings might have visited the town in the wake of their shows in Croke Park last Saturday and Sunday there have not been any confirmed sightings of the brothers in the area over recent days. Oasis's next gig takes place in Toronto this weekend. You can view the full sale listing for the house here.
Irish Examiner
a minute ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Double delight for Alex Harvey at Killarney
Alex Harvey, who finished fourth in the conditional jockeys' championship in 2024, has maintained his fine form well into the new season, and he struck early at the August meeting in Killarney, taking the first two races. The feature on the card was the GMIB Handicap Hurdle, worth €26,500 to the winner, and Harvey teamed up with Charles Byrnes to land the spoils with Spy. An 11-race maiden over timber prior to this race, he moved well throughout and ultimately won comfortably from Galway winner Come On The Lads. Harvey said: 'It was a great bit of placing by Charles as he had only 9-12 on his back. He's been knocking on the door of late and, for a €50,000 race, it probably wasn't the strongest of contests. I got a lovely run around, and he travelled like a dream and jumped like a buck.' Asked about his linkup with the winning trainer, he explained: 'I rode for him a bit during the winter, when, unfortunately, Phillip got hurt, and I was lucky enough to win a £100,000 handicap in Haydock for him. I don't ride a huge amount for him now, but he uses me when he needs me, and hopefully he'll need me a bit more after today.' That 9-2 success completed Harvey's near 20-1 double after Wonderfulwonderful had made a winning debut over obstacles in the Thorn Plant Hire 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle. Well backed throughout the day, the filly was in front rank from an early stage and was in command when Whats New departed at the last. 'We were quietly confident coming here today,' said Harvey. 'Her schooling has been very good, she's quite a natural filly to jump, and her form on the Flat had been very good.' Commenting on his current run of form, and that of his main employer, John McConnell, who provided this winner, he added: 'We're probably getting the rub of the green of late. I suppose confidence is a huge thing. You seem to make the right decisions subconsciously more than anything, but the horses are running well and they're fit and well, which is what you need, at the end of the day.' Popular trainer Eric McNamara had an evening to remember, with a double at this venue adding to an important success on the Flat for a debutant two-year-old at Leopardstown. Hees Dynamite made the most of his mark over fences to take the Brehon Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase under a confident ride by Gary Noonan. 'The biggest concern was his jumping but, from the outset, Gary got him into a lovely rhythm and the horse jumped super,' said McNamara. 'He was rated to win it and getting so much weight from Enda Bolger's horse (Pride Of Place) was the key to it.' To complete the 59-1 double here and the 1,379-1 across-the-cards treble, Embittered took the Gallivan Financial Handicap Chase. Seán Flanagan's mount, a wily 11-year-old, proved too sprightly for his rivals, the best of which was Prince Of Air. 'The handicapper has been dropping him a few pounds and for one reason or another he was really switched on tonight,' said McNamara. 'He was a classy horse on his day and has won twice for us now. He'll go to Listowel.' Paul Townend made the trip to Kerry for just one ride and made it count aboard Keep Up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle. The 15-8 chance, trained by Willie Mullins, made every hard of the running and while her jumping wasn't without its flaws, she readily reversed recent Galway form with Kamikaz Du Plessis, who had to settle for third place. Kilbuny Supersonic picked up the runner-up's prize. What's Up Darling earned a long overdue maiden success over fences by taking the Peadar's Pub Glenbeigh Beginners' Chase for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He looked to be in real trouble leaving the back for the final time but picked up again to lead before the home turn. After he stayed on strongly to win readily, his trainer suggested the big staying handicap chases will likely be his target. The Paul O'Flynn-trained A Nod To Getaway ran out a comfortable winner of the Bunkers Killorglin 40th Birthday Handicap Chase. Darragh O'Keeffe, who leads the jockeys' championship at this early juncture, sent him on leaving the back for the final time, and his mount responded generously to stretch clear close home. Andy Slattery continues to send out the winners, and 2-5 chance Parnell Street readily justified his short odds by taking the Rally Masters Ireland Bumper under Adam Ryan. From a small National Hunt team, Slattery has been a regular visitor to the winner's enclosure and bumpers have been particularly lucrative for the team.
Irish Examiner
a minute ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Fitzpatrick one shot off pace at British Masters
Home favourite Matt Fitzpatrick sat one shot off the lead after the first round of the Betfred British Masters, behind a quartet of players out in front on six under par. Englishman Fitzpatrick carded seven birdies and two bogeys at The Belfry on Thursday to sign for an opening 67. The 30-year-old, who claimed the first of his nine DP World Tour titles at this event in 2015, can no longer qualify automatically for next month's Ryder Cup but will be hoping to show European captain Luke Donald that he deserves to be one of his picks, and got his week off to a strong start. He told the DP World Tour website: "This week is another opportunity to play well. "That is why I am here. To get off to a good start is always nice and hopefully I'll kick on. "It means the world to be a part of it. Outside of winning a major, it is normally the first thing on a goal sheet at the start of a Ryder Cup year. "We have got a great opportunity to do something we have not done in a while and obviously to be a part of that would be special." Marcel Siem, Matthias Schwab, Thomas Aiken and Haotong Li shared the lead after firing opening 66s in Sutton Coldfield. Fitzpatrick was alongside Keita Nakajima on five under, one shot ahead of Scot Ewen Ferguson and Englishman Matt Wallace. Rasmus Hojgaard during day one of the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry. Picture: David Davies/PA Ryder Cup hopeful Rasmus Hojgaard, who needs to finish in a tie for 29th with one other player or better this week to overtake Shane Lowry and earn a debut for Team Europe next month, got his quest off to a good start, with a three under par round of 69 earning him a tie for 12th after round one. Conor Purcell shot a one-over 73 in his opening round.
