Skip to main content

Israeli occupier attacks threaten historic Christian presence in West Bank town

In Taybeh, one of the few Palestinian communities with a Christian majority in the occupied West Bank, fears are growing that Israeli occupier attacks on farmland and property could push more families to emigrate, threatening the town’s demographic character and historic Christian presence. Local officials and clergy warned of the impact of rising violence by Israeli occupiers, which has coincided with worsening living and economic conditions in the town. Taybeh, east of Ramallah, is one of the few Palestinian towns in the West Bank that still has a Christian majority, according to church and local accounts. Residents say the town’s Christian roots go back thousands of years. Residents say the attacks have deepened fears in the town, even as they stress their determination to remain on their land. Also Read: Pakistan raises red flag over illegal settlements in West Bank, calls for Israel accountability In recent years, Israeli occupiers have established several ill...
Post a Comment

Musk, Ramaswamy comment on foreign talent amid H-1B visa divide in Trump’s base

A public clash over the H-1B visa program, which allows skilled foreign workers to enter the US, has sparked significant divisions within Donald Trump's support base, with tech billionaire Elon Musk and his allies backing the program, while hardline immigration supporters in the GOP voiced strong opposition. The debate intensified following comments from Vivek Ramaswamy, a key figure in Trump's inner circle, who argued that American culture's preference for mediocrity over excellence was a primary factor behind US companies’ reliance on foreign workers, particularly those entering under the H-1B visa. Ramaswamy, a staunch advocate for reducing government spending, claimed in a lengthy post on social media platform X that the H-1B system helped improve the US economy by attracting foreign talent. He wrote, "Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence," suggesting that foreign workers bring much-needed skill and innovation to the US However, these remarks quickly drew backlash from Trump supporters who oppose immigration, with many arguing that foreign workers displace US labour. In the face of the online backlash, Ramaswamy clarified his position, stating that while he believed the system was flawed, the H-1B visa program itself should be overhauled. His remarks led to a row online, with both mainstream Republicans and far-right influencers joining in the criticism. Elon Musk, who has been selected by Trump to co-chair the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency," defended the H-1B program, arguing that it brings the "top 0.1%" of engineering talent to the US Musk suggested that America should view itself as a pro sports team, focusing on retaining elite talent to continue its success. "Thinking of America as a pro sports team that has been winning for a long time and wants to keep winning is the right mental construct," he tweeted, reinforcing his stance on attracting top-tier workers. Critics of the program, including former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who was born to Indian immigrants, argued that the US should prioritise its own workers. "There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture," Haley stated, challenging the narrative promoted by Musk and Ramaswamy. She called for increased investment in American talent, asserting that foreign workers should not be prioritized over US citizens. The debate over the H-1B program also brought attention to the influence of tech billionaires like Musk in shaping policy within Trump’s administration. Laura Loomer, a far-right figure known for her vocal support of Trump, criticized Musk for allegedly censoring opposing views on the X platform, and also questioned Trump's decision to appoint Sriram Krishnan, an India-born entrepreneur, as a White House senior advisor on artificial intelligence. Loomer and other far-right figures have been outspoken in their opposition to the visa program, accusing it of undermining American workers. The H-1B visa program, which is capped at 85,000 visas annually, with a majority of recipients coming from India, continues to be a point of contention in the broader debate over US immigration. President-elect Trump has promised to introduce tougher immigration policies once in office, including addressing the H-1B system, which he previously criticised during his first term. As Trump prepares for his presidency, the clash over skilled worker visas highlights growing divisions within the Republican Party, as the president-elect navigates the competing interests of his supporters, including those advocating for stricter immigration controls and those who see foreign talent as crucial to US economic success.

from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/i6YBFsh
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in southeast Democratic Republic of Congo killing at least 32 wildcat miners, a regional government official said Sunday. The bridge came down Saturday onto a flooded zone at the mine in Lualaba province, Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, told reporters. He said 32 bodies had been recovered and more were being searched for. The DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world supply of cobalt, which is essential for batteries used in electric cars, many laptop computers and mobile phones. More than 200,000 people are estimated to be working in giant illegal cobalt mines in the giant central African country. Local authorities said the bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, about 42 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the Lualaba provincial capital, Kolwezi. "Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of the heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry," said Mayonde. He said ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism's holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday's inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity. The construction of the temple, which began after the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindus in 2019 more than two decades after a Hindu mob razed a mosque there, triggering deadly riots, fulfils a key campaign promise of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. Read BJP-promised temple transforms Ayodhya: Muslims, locals feel neglected The opening ceremony, organised by the trust that built the temple, comes months before a national election which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is widely expected to w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Indian opposition supporters detained ahead of protest at Modi's home

Police in the Indian capital detained dozens of opposition supporters on Tuesday as they attempted to march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to protest against last week's arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal, a key opposition leader whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has governed the national capital territory for a decade, was arrested by the financial crime-fighting agency on corruption charges relating to the city's liquor policy, weeks before India begins voting in general elections on April 19. He was remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate until March 28, with the lawyer for the agency arguing he was the "kingpin" in the case and needed to be interrogated. Kejriwal's party, all of whose main leaders are now imprisoned in connection with the case, says he has been "falsely arrested" in a "fabricated case". The federal government and Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deny political interfere...
Post a Comment
Read more