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U.S. Government Criticizes UK for Alleged Human Rights Violations Under Trump Administration

You know how it is with close friends. You can talk about almost anything, but every now and then, a serious disagreement pops up that makes you wonder where things stand. That's a bit like what's happening right now between the United States and the United Kingdom, two nations that have been allies for a very long time. Recently, the US government, under the Trump administration, released its annual human rights report, and it had some surprising and frankly, a little jarring, things to say about the UK. Photograph: Kin Cheung/AFP/Getty Images The report, which looks at human rights around the world, suggested that things have actually gotten worse in the UK over the past year. It’s a bold claim, and it's mostly centered on two main issues: freedom of expression and rising antisemitism. The Big Concern: Freedom of Speech One of the biggest points of contention in the US report is how the UK is handling free speech. The US has specifically pointed to what it calls "ser...
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Trump-Linked Moves: Harvard Threatened, Fox Figure Tapped for UN

The Trump administration has been busy with a number of new policies and actions. A major focus has been on reversing policies from the previous administration, particularly those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration has also been active in foreign policy and dealing with issues on college campuses.

Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Domestic Policies and Rollbacks

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has ordered all federal agencies to get rid of any records about employees' COVID-19 vaccination status. This move is part of the administration's plan to reverse "harmful pandemic-era policies" and is a result of recent legal challenges. Employees have 90 days to decide if they want to keep their vaccination history on file.

In another policy change, the administration has also done away with a weekly email that required federal workers to list five work accomplishments. This policy, which was started by a previous department head, was considered inefficient and confusing by many. The administration is now moving towards a stricter system of regular check-ins to manage employee performance.

Foreign Affairs and Trade

President Trump has warned American courts about the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which he has used to impose tariffs on several countries. He stated that a ruling against his use of this law could cause a major economic downturn. He believes the tariffs are creating a stronger economy and has warned that a negative court decision would be a "tragedy."

In foreign relations, there have been reports of an upcoming meeting between President Trump and Russian President Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine. Additionally, Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a peace deal at the White House, which includes a new transit corridor. The administration has also authorized military action against drug cartels, a move that some Mexican politicians are concerned about.

University Disputes and Nominations

The administration is engaged in a dispute with several top universities. The Department of Commerce has threatened to take control of Harvard University's patents, claiming the school has not followed federal laws related to federally funded research. This comes after the administration froze federal funding to the university over accusations of civil rights violations.

In personnel news, the president has nominated former Fox News commentator Tammy Bruce to be the new deputy US representative to the United Nations. This move has drawn attention as Bruce has no prior foreign policy experience.

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