Trump cancels refugee travel to US after suspending admissions programme
Summary
All refugees' travel to the US is being suspended, following an executive order from Donald Trump
It means refugees with permission to enter the US will not be allowed in, and the processing of new cases is suspended
The executive order on Monday said "the US has been inundated with record levels of migration, including through the US Refugee Admissions Program"
"The US lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees... in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans," it added
Meanwhile, federal agencies are putting diversity staff on paid leave "immediately" - specifically by 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) today
Halt to refugee travel follows Monday's executive order
As we've reported, the State Department has cancelled refugee travel to the US and paused refugee processing, according to the internal guidance obtained by BBC's US partner, CBS.
"All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made," the memo from the State Department says, without specifying how long the suspension will last.
The memo, which suggests that the suspension takes effect immediately, follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday that said refugee admissions into the US would be suspended from 27 January.
Israeli forces surround Palestinian hospital and refugee camp in West Bank
Israel defence minister calls Jenin siege ‘shift in … security strategy’, as Palestinian Red Crescent says ambulances cannot reach dead and wounded
Ruth Michaelson and Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem, and Bethan McKernan in Turmus Aya
Wed 22 Jan 2025 15.37 GMT
Israeli forces have besieged a Palestinian government hospital in Jenin and a nearby refugee camp in the heart of the city, as the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said the assault marked “a shift in … security strategy” in the West Bank.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday they had carried out airstrikes in Jenin as well as detonating roadside explosive devices. The Palestinian health ministry said at least 10 people were killed in Jenin, with more than 40 wounded.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said its ambulances had been prevented from reaching many of the dead and wounded who lay in the streets of neighbourhoods around the Jenin refugee camp.
Thailand denies planning Uyghur return in face of UN pleas
Thai authorities have denied any immediate plan to send 48 Uyghur refugees back to China after UN experts urged a stop. Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim minority in China.
Thailand said on Wednesday that it was not planning to immediately repatriate a group of Uyghurs who fled China more than 10 years ago. UN experts had warned that they could face torture on their return.
The 48 Uyghurs have been held in immigration centers since their arrest in 2013 and 2014 after they crossed the Thai border to seek protection from what they and rights groups allege are grave human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.
The UN experts said 23 of the Uyghurs suffer from serious health conditions. Human Rights Watch said last week they were on hunger strike amid fears of their imminent transfer — something Thai authorities have denied.
Trump presidency ‘challenge’ calls for ‘strong’ Europe, say Macron and Scholz
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a strong and united Europe after a meeting in Paris on Wednesday to try to consolidate policies as US President Donald Trump threatened Europe with new tariffs, saying the EU "is very, very bad to us".
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sought to project unity at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday, as Europe struggles to respond with one voice to threats of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump, who has also threatened Canada, Mexico and China with heavy duties, said on Tuesday Europe had troubling trade surpluses with the United States and was "in for tariffs".
In statements to reporters before their working lunch at the Elysee Palace, both Macron and Scholz insisted that Europe was strong and the Franco-German tandem solid, while expecting difficulties.
Under fire, Fuji TV to set up ‘real’ third-party panel in Nakai scandal
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
January 22, 2025 at 15:59 JST
After coming under criticism, Fuji Television Network Inc. has apparently revised its plan on investigating the reported sexual misconduct scandal involving TV personality Masahiro Nakai.
The TV broadcaster and its parent company, Fuji Media Holdings Inc., are now expected to establish a third-party investigative committee based on the guidelines of Nichibenren (Japan Federation of Bar Associations).
The two companies will hold an extraordinary meeting of their respective boards of directors to pass a resolution on Jan. 23, according to sources related to Fuji Television.
Over a million people flee to South Sudan as Sudan conflict grinds on: UN
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
More than one million people have fled the war in Sudan to seek refuge in neighbouring South Sudan, according to the United Nations.
In its latest update on one of the world’s worst displacement crises, the UN issued new data on Tuesday showing that more than 770,000 people have fled through the Joda crossing on South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan in the last 21 months.
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