Trump says US will ‘permanently pause’ migration from ‘all third world countries’

US President Donald Trump on Thursday unleashed a series of posts on Truth Social that could dramatically reshape US immigration policy, declaring that he will “permanently pause” migration from “all third world countries” and calling for “reverse migration” to remove certain immigrants.

“I will permanently pause migration from all third world countries to allow the US system to fully recover. This is necessary because unchecked migration has weakened American society and strained its resources. Until the system stabilises, no new immigrants from these countries will be allowed entry,” Trump wrote.

He did not identify any countries by name or give any specifics about what he meant by “permanently pause”. However, his posts signal a sweeping crackdown that could affect millions of residents from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and which could also alter refugee, Green Card, and other immigration programmes.

The development comes a day after the US government abruptly halted the processing of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House. Trump had earlier announced that Sarah Beckstrom, one of the two National Guard troops shot, had died, while the other soldier was “fighting for his life”.

In his posts, he also declared he would denaturalise migrants who “undermine domestic tranquillity, and deport any foreign national who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western civilisation.

Trump argued that US immigration policies had weakened the country despite technological progress and said the nation needed time “to fully recover” from what he called an immigration onslaught.

His posts outlined measures to terminate “millions” of admissions granted under his predecessor Joe Biden, including those signed by “sleepy Joe’s autopen”. He further said he would remove anyone he deemed “not a net asset” to the US or “incapable of loving our country”.

“Those who fail to contribute positively or respect American values will not be allowed to remain. The goal is to ensure that only individuals who strengthen the nation are permitted to live and work here,” he said.

Trump stressed that these reforms would not stop there.

“Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation. Individuals who have entered the US illegally or disrupted American society will be encouraged to return to their home countries. This step is presented as the only way to restore law, order, and stability in the US,” he said.

He also pledged to end all federal benefits for non-citizens, in an effort to ease the financial burden on American taxpayers.

“All federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens of our country will be ended. This includes welfare, health care, and other support programmes that previously went to migrants. The policy is meant to stop the financial burden on American taxpayers and prioritise citizens first,” he said.

In one post, Trump attached a picture of Afghans being airlifted and wrote: “This is part of the horrendous airlift from Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into our country totally unvetted and unchecked. We will fix it, but will never forget what crooked Joe Biden and his thugs did to our country!”

The US president added that “these goals will be pursued with the aim of achieving a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations”.

On Thursday, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced that the president had ordered a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination” of every Green Card issued to immigrants from 19 countries listed in a June presidential proclamation.

These countries include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela — but not Pakistan.

“The protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount, and the American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies,” Edlow wrote on Truth Social.

Millions of Green Card holders and permanent residents from these countries could face scrutiny, even if they have lived in the US for years.

Trump had immediately linked the shooting of the two National Guard soldiers to immigration, stating that the shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had been flown into the US in September 2021 and later had his status extended under Biden-era policies.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal had worked with US forces in Kandahar and was admitted as part of partner forces, but described the admission as part of “the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan”.

The Pentagon confirmed the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard personnel to Washington, adding to the 2,200 already stationed in the capital.

USCIS also suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals pending a review of vetting and security procedures, leaving roughly 200,000 Afghans in limbo.

In his posts, Trump also framed immigration as “the single greatest national security threat,” asserting that the previous administration had admitted “20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners from all over the world.”

“Any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country… If they can’t love our country, we don’t want ’em,” he said, signalling that his administration intended to pursue aggressive enforcement measures.

The combined directives point to an unprecedented federal review of immigrants, refugees, and Green Card holders from third world countries, potentially affecting millions of families abroad who seek to migrate or are already in the United States.

COP30 Ends with Bold Words but Limited Action on Fossil Fuels and Climate Finance

The COP30 climate summit concluded with a mixture of cautious optimism and familiar disappointment, highlighting the urgency of the global climate crisis while exposing the continued reluctance of major powers to take decisive action.

The summit’s most notable announcement was the pledge to triple adaptation finance for nations already grappling with floods, droughts, heatwaves, and ecological collapse.

While the move signals a willingness to support climate-vulnerable countries, experts warned that the commitment lacks a clear baseline and financing timeline, raising concerns that it may remain symbolic rather than transformative.

Even more concerning was the summit’s failure to establish a binding roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels.

The “Belém Package” offered no global mechanism to reduce dependence on oil, coal, and gas, instead relying on voluntary measures that experts argue are insufficient to meet scientific climate targets.

Without a decisive exit from fossil fuels, global efforts to limit temperature rise may remain unattainable, according to climate scientists.

The summit did emphasize climate justice, acknowledging the need to protect workers, indigenous populations, and marginalized communities during the transition to clean energy.

However, observers noted that the summit did not provide the financial architecture or enforcement mechanisms necessary for a truly just transition.

For developing nations such as Pakistan, COP30 sends a mixed message. On one hand, increased adaptation finance offers an opportunity to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure and early-warning systems.

On the other, the lack of financial clarity and the absence of a fossil-fuel exit plan suggest that these countries may need to bear the brunt of climate impacts themselves.

Ultimately, COP30 highlighted a persistent gap between climate diplomacy and climate reality.

Ambitious language and pledges were abundant, but actionable frameworks, binding commitments, and clear accountability measures remained scarce.

As extreme weather events intensify, the world’s political response risks lagging behind the pace required by science.

COP30 may be remembered as a conference that recognized the scale of the crisis but hesitated to make the bold, transformative decisions necessary to address it. For the global community racing against time, hesitation has consequences.

Deadly fire in Hong Kong claims 44 lives, almost 300 still missing

The deadly Hong Kong blaze was fueled by green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding, common in traditional Chinese architecture but subject to a safety phase-out in Hong Kong since March.

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire, according to public broadcaster RTHK, though no further details were provided.

Firefighters worked through the night, struggling to reach the upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, which contains 2,000 apartments across eight blocks, due to intense heat.

A 71-year-old resident, surnamed Wong, broke down in tears, saying his wife remained trapped inside.

Among the 36 confirmed dead was a firefighter, while 29 people remain hospitalized, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told reporters.

Approximately 900 people have been accommodated in eight emergency shelters.

Lee emphasized the priorities for authorities: “The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped.

The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, we’ll launch a thorough investigation.”

Resident Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived in Block Two of the complex for over 40 years, described the moment he saw the fire erupt around 2:45 p.m. (0645 GMT). “I immediately went back to pack up my things. I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m just thinking about where I’m going to sleep tonight,” he said.

CHINA’S XI URGES ‘ALL-OUT’ EFFORT AGAINST FIRE

Frames of scaffolding were seen tumbling to the ground as firefighters battled the blaze, while scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the road below the development.

From the mainland, China’s President Xi Jinping urged an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and to minimise casualties and losses, China’s state broadcaster CCTV said.

The fire department said that by late night the flames in three buildings were under control but remained untamed in four.

Hong Kong’s Transport Department said that due to the fire, an entire section of the Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kong’s two main highways, had been closed and buses were being diverted.

At least six schools will be closed on Thursday due to the fire and traffic congestion, the city’s Education Bureau said.

It was Hong Kong’s worst fire since 41 people died in a commercial building in the Kowloon district in November 1996. That fire was caused by welding during internal renovations.

A public inquiry yielded sweeping updates to building standards and fire safety regulations in high-rise offices, shops and homes.

BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING BEING PHASED OUT

Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction.

On mainland China, where use of bamboo in construction originated from ancient times, scaffolding is now mainly metal.

Hong Kong’s government moved to start phasing out bamboo scaffolding in March, citing worker safety after 22 deaths involving bamboo scaffolders between 2019 and 2024.

It announced that 50% of public construction works would be required to use metal frames instead.

Though fire hazard was not cited as a reason for the phase-out, there have been at least three fires involving bamboo scaffolding this year, according to The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims in Hong Kong.

Wang Fuk Court is one of many high-rise housing complexes in Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Tai Po, located near the border with mainland China, is an established suburban district with some 300,000 residents.

Occupied since 1983, the complex is under the government’s subsidised home ownership scheme, according to property agency websites.

According to online posts, it has been undergoing renovations for a year at a cost of HK$330 million ($42.43 million), with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000.

Owning a home is a distant dream for many in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most expensive housing markets and where residential rents are hovering around record highs.

Army officers say they have seized power in Guinea-Bissau

A group of army officers said they had seized power in coup-prone Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, on the eve of the expected announcement of results from a hotly contested presidential election.

In a statement read on state television, the army officers said they had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, shut borders and would enforce a curfew.

They said they had formed “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” and would be in charge of the West African nation until further notice.

Shortly before the announcement, gunfire rang out near the electoral commission headquarters, presidential palace and interior ministry, witnesses said. It lasted for about an hour but appeared to have stopped by 1400 GMT (7pm PKT), a Reuters journalist said.

There was no word yet of any casualties.

The electoral commission was due on Thursday to announce provisional results from Sunday’s election in which Embalo faced off against top challenger Fernando Dias. Both sides had claimed victory in the first round of voting.

Embalo was seeking to become the first president in three decades to win a second consecutive term in Guinea-Bissau, a small coastal nation between Senegal and Guinea. He could not immediately be reached.

A spokesperson for Embalo, Antonio Yaya Seidy, told Reuters that unidentified gunmen attacked the election commission to prevent an announcement of the vote results.

He said the men were affiliated with Dias, without providing evidence. A spokesperson for Dias did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, who lost to Embalo in a contested runoff in 2019 and has backed Dias in this election, said Dias had nothing to do with the incident.

Dias was meeting election observers when “some people erupted in the room to announce that there were gunshots in the centre of the town,” said Pereira, who said he was in the same meeting. Dias was safe and in Bissau, Pereira said.

Guinea-Bissau had been shaken by at least nine coups and attempted coups between 1974, when it gained independence from Portugal, and 2020, when Embalo took office.

Embalo has said he has survived three coup attempts during his time in office. His critics have accused him of manufacturing crises as an excuse for crackdowns.

SUPARCO to Replace Paksat-1R with New Satellite on December 25

Pakistan’s national space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), is set to launch a new Earth Observation satellite on 25 December 2025, in what officials describe as a significant advancement for the country’s space-based imaging and geospatial capabilities.

Pakistan is set to replace its aging communications satellite, Paksat-1R, with a new satellite, scheduled for launch on December 25.

Paksat-1R, launched in August 2011, had a design life of 15 years and has now reached the end of its operational period.

The new satellite aims to strengthen geospatial services, enhance satellite imagery capabilities, and boost the country’s Earth-observation capacity.

It is also expected to support improved high-speed communications, indirectly benefiting broadband and digital connectivity nationwide.

The mission is being hailed as a key milestone in Pakistan’s space programme, building on the success of PakSat-MM1, which took over Paksat-1R’s communications role after its launch in May 2024.

SUPARCO has also been expanding its Earth observation capabilities, having launched two remote-sensing satellites, EO-1 and KS-1, in July 2025.

The upcoming satellite is part of this next generation of space systems designed to advance Pakistan’s technological and digital infrastructure.

It is noteworthy that SUPARCO has already entered the hyperspectral domain with its first hyperspectral satellite, HS-1, launched on 19 October 2025 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China.

HS-1 employs advanced imaging technology capable of capturing data across hundreds of spectral bands, enabling highly detailed monitoring for agriculture, disaster response, urban planning and environmental assessment.

AI-generated videos make Gen Z nostalgic for the 1980s

“The 1980s are calling,” a teenager with a retro hairstyle tells viewers as the Tears for Fears classic “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” plays in the background.

The entire montage created using artificial intelligence has garnered more than 600,000 likes on Instagram and is part of an online trend known as “AI nostalgia,” which can be perplexing for those who actually lived through the decade.

Maximal Nostalgia, the Instagram account behind much of this content, showcases a highly idealized version of life in the 1980s and 1990s.

This soft-focused fantasy is made possible by modern generative AI tools such as OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo, and Luma AI’s Ray which can produce remarkably realistic videos that, at first glance, are difficult to distinguish from genuine vintage footage.

On Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, numerous channels are recreating the past through an AI-enhanced lens, portraying pre-iPhone youth as more present, outdoorsy, and eager to connect face-to-face.

One of the creators bringing this imagined 1980s world to life is Tavaius Dawson, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who wasn’t even born in that era.

“People who grew up with smartphones and social media often wish they had lived in a time when they didn’t have to worry about all this,” Dawson told AFP.

Rose-colored glasses

Experts familiar with the era can easily spot the anachronisms and subtle absurdities typical of AI-generated content — like bike lanes in 1980s New York City.

Still, the decade holds a powerful appeal for young people who were born long after it ended, making the 1980s a central focus of the growing AI nostalgia trend.

Accounts such as Maximal Nostalgia, Purest Nostalgia, and utopic.dreamer portray serene suburbs and city streets reminiscent of the feel-good films of that era.

Conspicuously missing, however, are the harsher realities of the time — rising economic inequality, the AIDS crisis, and widespread crack cocaine addiction.

Instead, the videos highlight the fashion trademarks of the decade: big hair, neon colors, bold patterns, and oversized shoulder pads.

“People often view the 1950s or 1960s through rose-colored glasses, forgetting the upheaval of those years,” said Anna Behler, a psychology professor at North Carolina State University, while explaining the concept of collective nostalgia. “Now, we’re seeing the same thing with the ’80s.”

Dawson insists his videos are not meant to serve as historical representations, but simply a way to spread positivity.

Even so, Behler warns that the increasingly lifelike quality of AI-generated videos may “blur the line between genuine historical footage and fabricated memories.”

While AI is a futuristic technology, it draws from the past for nostalgic visions that bring comfort in a lonely age.

"Nostalgia isn't a gimmick; it's emotional survival," said Simon Parmeggiani, creator of the Neptunian Glitter Ball channel that mixes a touch of fantasy with its look back at the 1980s.

Alicia West Fancher, a cosmetics industry sales director, remembers living through the 1980s and found herself deeply moved by the videos.

"I teared up," Fancher told AFP. "It's definitely not a fantasized version; that's how it was."

Dawson is now ready to trade up from AI to making live-action content set in this idealized version of the 1980s or 1990s.

"One thing we're certain of is that nostalgia doesn't fade," Dawson said.

France Says Goodbye to Its Beloved Pandas Heading Back to China

Two pandas at a zoo in central France are to return to China on Tuesday after the female was diagnosed with kidney failure, drawing hundreds of visitors for a final goodbye.

Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of China's "panda diplomacy" programme, which sees the black-and-white bears dispatched across the globe as soft-power ambassadors.

The two pandas, both 17, were meant to stay in France until January 2027, but will return to China on Tuesday to live out their retirement at the Chengdu panda sanctuary, leaving behind some devoted fans.

More than 200 well-wishers braved a cold and rainy Sunday to say "bon voyage", including one couple dressed head-to-toe in panda-themed gear, who say they have visited the bears "more than a thousand times" since their arrival in 2012.

Patrice Colombel, an electronics technician, and his wife Veronique, an administrative assistant at a secondary school, told AFP they would not have missed the chance to see them off.

"They are the first pandas we have ever known. We wanted to be there to say goodbye to them," the couple visiting from the southwest city of Bordeaux told AFP.

Huan Huan and Yuan Zi will be escorted to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport under heavy police protection for their 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) flight on Tuesday.

-'Engraved in our hearts'-
The pair produced three cubs while in France -- the first pandas to do so in the country -- and became star attractions at the Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, which welcomed some two million visitors in 2023.

The decision to send them back to China came after Huan Huan was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease -- a common condition in bears around her age, according to zoo director Rodolphe Delord.

The move came with "a twinge of sadness", Delord said.

But the twins born in 2021 are expected to remain at Beauval for now, said Delord, adding he hopes to extend the zoo's partnership with China beyond 2027.

The eldest of the offspring, Yuan Meng, left France for his ancestral China in 2023.

For panda keeper Delphine Pouvreau, their departure will be "very hard" for the caretakers, who have forged a strong bond with the bears.

"We experienced the first birth of a baby panda in France here," she said.

"This memory will remain engraved in our hearts."

The giant panda was downgraded last year from "endangered" to "vulnerable" on the global list of at-risk species.

Only about 20 zoos outside China have pandas, which have become a symbol of Beijing's diplomatic friendships.

China has been using so-called "panda diplomacy", in which the bears are sent across the globe as soft-power ambassadors, for decades. In 1972, it gifted a pair of pandas to Washington, following US president Richard Nixon's historic visit to the Communist nation.