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Here’s the latest:
The U.S. government is putting new travel restrictions in place for certain countries, citing concerns over national security. According to sources speaking to CBS News, Donald Trump signed a proclamation to enforce the ban.
The restrictions completely block nationals from 12 countries from entering the U.S., including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition, entry from seven other countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—is being limited but not entirely banned.
The U.S. government reports that 247,000 individuals filed for unemployment benefits last week, marking the highest level in eight months. This figure surpasses economists' expectations of 235,000 claims, suggesting potential signs of a cooling labor market.
Trump has ordered an investigation into actions taken during Joe Biden’s presidency, focusing in part on the use of an autopen to sign official documents. He claims the probe is necessary due to what he calls Biden’s “cognitive decline.”
Following the order to investigate actions taken during the previous administration, former President Joe Biden issued a strong statement defending his record. He said, “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”
Donald Trump has issued a proclamation suspending the entry of international students and exchange visitors intending to study at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. This directive halts new admissions under F, M, and J visa categories for Harvard-bound students and exchange visitors, effective immediately.
The Trump administration is planning to shut down the TSA's "Quiet Skies" program, which monitors travelers for potential security threats but has drawn criticism for invasive and inconsistent screenings. Officials are working to end the program without compromising airport security, with an announcement expected soon.
The Trump administration announced it would revoke guidance that required hospitals to provide emergency abortions when necessary to stabilize a woman's health. Issued in 2022 after the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling, the guidance aimed to protect abortion access in critical medical emergencies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation on Thursday, as reported by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency. This marks their first direct communication since the resurgence of trade tensions earlier this year.
Trump administration officials delayed and censored parts of a government report that projected a rise in the U.S. trade deficit in agricultural products later this year. The forecast conflicted with the administration’s narrative that its economic policies, such as tariffs, are helping to reduce trade imbalances.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to give hundreds of migrants sent to CECOT, El Salvador’s maximum-security prison, a chance to contest their detention and deportation. The decision addresses removals carried out under the Alien Enemies Act, requiring due process for those affected.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle the Job Corps program, a long-standing federal initiative providing job training and education to low-income youth. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter issued a restraining order preventing the Department of Labor from shutting down the program, which serves approximately 25,000 individuals across 120 centers nationwide.
A 22-year-old with little experience, Thomas Fugate, is now leading the Department of Homeland Security's anti-extremism center under Trump. Just last year, he was working in a grocery store and graduated from UT San Antonio. He also previously worked as a neighborhood gardener.
U.S. officials are warning travelers about a troubling trend involving dating apps. According to the U.S. Mission to Mexico, the Consulate General in Guadalajara has verified multiple cases where American citizens were kidnapped after meeting individuals through dating apps. These incidents have taken place in recent months in the areas of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit.
A federal judge has struck down a long-standing Texas law that allowed undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition, siding with the Trump administration’s push to tighten immigration policies. The ruling marks a significant shift in access to higher education for noncitizen students in the state.
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton is being considered as the potential site for President Donald Trump's presidential library. The university has reportedly offered a 100-year lease on land at no cost, making it an attractive option due to its proximity to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
The Trump administration has complied with a court order to bring back a Guatemalan man who was wrongfully deported to Mexico in February. According to his lawyer, he is currently being transported to a detention center in Arizona.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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