Texas Gov Greg Abbott halts H-1B visas through 2027 after ‘egregious schemes’ allegedly displaced workers
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday halted new H-1B visa petitions by state agencies and public universities as the state investigates potential program abuse. In the letter, the governor cited reports of cases in which U.S. workers were allegedly displaced by lower-paid foreign labor. “In the most egregious schemes, employers have even fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages,” Abbott wrote. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTEDLY ORDERS VISA DENIALS TIED TO SPEECH CENSORSHIP AS TRUMP TEAM SLAMS EUROPE “Rather than serving its intended purpose of attracting the best and brightest individuals from around the world to our nation to fill truly specialized and unmet labor needs, the program has too often been used to fill jobs that otherwise could—and should— have been filled by Texans,” he added. Abbott said the pause will give state and federal officials time to enact reforms while Texas continues investing heavily in education and workforce training to meet labor demands without relying on the visa program. LABOR UNIONS SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING OF VISA HOLDERS The move comes after President Donald Trump in September alleged that while the visa program was intended to supplement the U.S. workforce, it has since been used to replace American workers. “The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security,” Trump wrote in a Sept. 19 proclamation. Abbott’s order requires state agencies and public universities to submit a report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, detailing their H-1B filings, current visa holders, countries of origin, job classifications, visa expiration dates, and efforts to recruit qualified Texas residents. The freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, unless approved in writing by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Dems see opening in key Senate race as bitter GOP infighting continues: ‘Last remaining strategy’
A longtime Democratic strategist said the choice between the leading candidates in Texas’ critical U.S. Senate race is “very stark” as Republican infighting continues in the bitter primary contest. Longtime Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn is facing off against state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Houston-area Rep. Wesley Hunt in the state’s GOP primary race. Whichever candidate emerges victorious will then face either rising Democratic state Rep. James Talarico or progressive firebrand Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in November. Both Texas Senate seats have been red for over three decades. Democrats, however, believe they have a shot at flipping the seat this year, which would be devastating for the GOP’s chances of retaining a majority in the Senate. Eric Koch, the founder of Downfield Strategies, told Fox News Digital that despite Cornyn being the incumbent, he believes Paxton has the edge in the primary race. HOUSE CANDIDATE PREDICTS HISTORIC RISE OF ‘NEW GENERATION’ IN CONGRESS AS PARTIES TARGET KEY DEMOGRAPHIC “Ken Paxton clearly has the momentum in this primary because he’s the MAGA choice for Senate in Texas,” he said. Koch added that “the contrast in this race is going to be very stark if it’s Paxton v. Talarico.” “One is a fresh face who is working on reaching voters from across the political spectrum, while the other is a career politician with a long history of corruption,” he said. Paxton has served as Texas’ top attorney since 2015, with a brief suspension in 2023 during an impeachment process over alleged abuse of power. He was ultimately acquitted of all charges and reinstated. Paxton has called the process a political witch hunt by the GOP establishment. Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002 and holds several key committee seats, including the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, has the endorsement of major bodies like the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Despite this, he is slightly behind Paxton in a recent hypothetical matchup by Emerson College Polling. The poll shows Paxton leading at 27%, with Cornyn in a close second at 26% and Hunt trailing at 16%, with 29% still undecided. Though behind in the polls, Hunt, an Army veteran serving his second term in Congress, believes he stands the best chance to replace Cornyn and keep the seat red. Hunt told Fox News Digital Cornyn’s “time has come to an end, and nearly everyone recognizes that reality, except for him.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RACK UP $1B-PLUS IN TEXAS HOSPITAL COSTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025; TOTAL LIKELY HIGHER: REPORT Hunt knocked Cornyn for repeatedly turning down debate offers from him, saying, “If Sen. Cornyn is truly serious about pursuing a fifth term, which is absurd in its own right, then it is time for him to come out of hiding and defend his record on a debate stage.” In another jab, Hunt said Cornyn’s “last remaining strategy was to cling to a Trump endorsement,” which, he said, “is not coming.” “What I am offering is a new generation of leadership. Sen. Cornyn, now nearing 74, is offering the same thing Texans have endured for 24 years: establishment politics with very little to show for it,” he said. Matt Mackowiak, senior advisor for the Cornyn campaign, dismissed the jabs, calling the two-term congressman “Woke Wesley” and saying he “isn’t a serious candidate or person, as evidenced by the fact that he can’t even show up to vote this year despite House Republicans having a razor-thin majority.” According to a GovTrack analysis of Hunt’s voting record reviewed by Fox News Digital, he has missed 44 out of 48, over 90%, of the House’s votes this January. GovTrack said that over the course of Hunt’s tenure in Congress, he has missed just over 20% of roll call votes, significantly higher than the median of 2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. GOP LAWMAKER’S ABSENCE NEARLY HANDS DEMOCRATS WIN ON TRUMP WAR POWERS Aiming his fire at Paxton, Mackowiak said, “We look forward to the head to head contest after March 3 with home-wrecking ethical disaster Ken Paxton, where he will finally be held accountable for his failures, poor judgment and self dealing.” Paxton, meanwhile, called Cornyn “an old man everyone sees shuffling around D.C. and knows is going to be fired soon.” Paxton told Fox News Digital “the only people happy he’s running yet again are the illegals he’s fought to give amnesty to, the Democrats trying to destroy the Second Amendment and the members of the Cornyn Crime Family making a fortune by leveraging John’s position in the Senate.” On the Democratic side of the aisle, JT Ennis, a spokesperson for the Talarico campaign, also weighed in, telling Fox News Digital Talarico “helped lead the fight to impeach Ken Paxton,” and he “just unveiled a comprehensive anti-corruption agenda outside Ken Paxton’s office.” Ennis vowed that “when James is the Democratic nominee, he’ll prosecute the case against Paxton’s corruption every single day until we defeat him this November.” Crockett’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. According to Emerson College Polling, Talarico is leading Crockett by a significant margin, 47% to 38%, with 15% undecided.
Meet Hamza Al-Rubaie, one of Gaza’s 17,000 orphaned children
Toggle Play Meet Hamza Al-Rubaie, one of Gaza’s 17,000 orphaned children NewsFeed Hamza Al-Rubaie is one of at least 17,000 children to have lost both parents in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, but his tragedy doesn’t end there. His three siblings were also killed, leaving an aunt to raise the young boy. Al Jazeera’s Moath al-Kahlout has their story. Published On 27 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Gauff blasts broadcasters over privacy after Australian Open racket smash
Coco Gauff, who lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was filmed smashing her racket. Published On 27 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Coco Gauff looked for a place without cameras to channel her frustration after a straight-sets loss to Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarterfinals, but was unhappy to find out that a video of her smashing her tennis racket on the floor was broadcast to viewers worldwide. Twice Grand Slam winner Gauff was visibly upset with her performance on Tuesday, as she committed 26 unforced errors and lost the match 6-1 6-2 in 59 minutes. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The American third seed went behind a wall near the match call area inside the venue, where a camera caught her hitting the racket repeatedly against the floor. “I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras,” the 21-year-old told reporters. “I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna [Sabalenka] after I played her in the final of the US Open – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.” World number one Sabalenka, who will take on Svitolina in the semifinals, had smashed her racket in a training area after losing to Gauff in the 2023 US Open final, and video of the incident was also made public. “I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room,” Gauff added. “I think for me, I know myself, and I don’t want to lash out on my team. They’re good people. They don’t deserve that, and I know I’m emotional,” Gauff said. “I just took the minute to go and do that. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Like I said, I don’t try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion. Advertisement “Otherwise, I’m just going to be snappy with the people around me, and I don’t want to do that, because like I said, they don’t deserve it. They did their best. I did mine. Just need to let the frustration out.” Adblock test (Why?)
Real Madrid visit Benfica: UEFA Champions League – all to know
Who: Benfica vs Real MadridWhat: UEFA Champions LeagueWhere: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, PortugalWhen: Wednesday, January 27 at 8pm (20:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream. The league phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) reaches its finale on Wednesday with some of Europe’s biggest names facing crunch ties – no bigger perhaps than Jose Mourinho leading Benfica against his former club Real Madrid. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Both sides are in need of a win if they are achieve their contrasting aims at this stage, with Benfica facing elimination from competing on the continent this season. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at a tie that has so much riding on it, including some small personal pride for one of Real’s most successful coaches. What are Real Madrid’s Champions League chances? Real have endured a turbulent season, with their coach Xabi Alonso sacked after only seven months in charge, but a serious challenge can still be mounted for a Spanish and European double. Los Blancos find themselves hot on the heels of Barcelona in La Liga, having briefly claimed top spot when they beat Villarreal on Saturday, only for their rivals to reclaim the summit on Sunday. In the Champions League, a draw may be enough to secure their automatic passage to the last 16, but only a win will guarantee it. What are Benfica’s Champions League chances? A win is an absolute must for Benfica, but it may not be enough to secure a place in the playoffs given the Portuguese giant’s rough run this season. Advertisement The Lisbon-based club currently sit in 29th position, out of the 36 competing teams, two points from claiming one of the 16 playoff spots. A minus four goal difference will also hamper Benfica as they seek to climb above five teams to avoid elimination from the competition. The domestic league season has seen them go unbeaten to date, but they have drawn six more games than leaders Porto, who are 10 points clear and similarly unbeaten. How does Champions League qualification work from the league phase? The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16; the following 16 teams enter two-legged playoffs. The bottom 12 teams, of which Benfica are currently one, drop out of all continental competition this season. Real are currently third with 15 points, but the 10 teams immediately below them all have the chance to reach 16 points – which could see Los Blancos slide dramatically if they lose, while a draw will leave them sweating on other results. When was Jose Mourinho manager of Real Madrid? The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United manager was in charge at Real for three seasons following his appointment in May 2010. It followed huge success at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, where he won the Champions League with the former and the latter, while also securing a first top-flight title in 40 years for Chelsea. Mourinho only took over at Benfica in September, replacing Bruno Lage as manager after a slow start to the season. What was Jose Mourinho’s record at Real Madrid and what did he win? Mourinho finished second to Barcelona in his first season in charge, despite Cristiano Ronaldo leading the La Liga scoring charts with 40 goals that season. Lionel Messi smashed in 50 goals the following season, but it was Real’s Portuguese pair that emerged smiling with Real’s first league title in three years – Barca claimed the crown in each of those seasons. Mourinho’s stint at Bernabeu came to an end the following season when Barcelona won the title by 15 points – it remains the biggest winning margin in the competition’s history. How many times have Real Madrid and Benfica won the Champions League? Real are the record winners of Europe’s premier club competition with 15 titles to their name. The last coming in 2024. Benfica have lifted the trophy on two occasions, and both of those came in consecutive years. In what was regarded as Benfica’s golden era, Portuguese legend Eusebio helped the team to wins against Barcelona in 1961, and Real Madrid in 1962. A hat-trick from Hungary’s finest export, Ferenc Puskas, could not save Real, with Benfica running out 5-3 winners – which included a double from Eusebio. Advertisement When did Real Madrid last face Benfica in the Champions League? The two European giants have not met since March 17, 1965, when Real won 2-1 in Madrid. It was not enough to overturn their knockout tie after Benfica claimed the first leg 5-1 in Lisbon three weeks earlier. Head-to-head This is staggeringly only the fourth meeting between two of the biggest clubs from Spain and Portugal. Benfica edge the matches 2-1, with the first meeting between the clubs coming in the final in May 1962. Benfica team news Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio and Henrique Araujo all remain absent through injury. Richard Rios is close to a return, but this match may come too soon. Sidny Lopes Cabral and Rafa Silva, who both arrived in the January transfer window, are ineligible to feature. Benfica predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1) Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Barreiro, Sudakov; Pavlidis Real Madrid team news Real Madrid welcome back Aurelien Tchouameni, who sat out Saturday’s win against Villarreal due to suspension. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thigh, Antonio Rudiger’s knee, and Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy’s hamstrings mean the Spaniards are light across the backline. Real Madrid predicted starting lineup (4-3-3) Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Adblock test (Why?)
India-EU Trade Deal: PM Modi hails ‘mother of all deals’, will it help India become manufacturing hub or will Europe flood market here?
PM Modi made the remarks while virtually addressing the Opening Ceremony of India Energy Week 2026.He said, “Yesterday, a major agreement was signed between India and the European Union, widely regarded as the “mother of all deals.”
Delhi on red alert as national capital braces for more rain, thunderstorms; Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air issue advisory
The IMD has placed North Delhi, North West Delhi, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, West Delhi, and South West Delhi under a red alert, forecasting moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and hail, with wind speeds expected to reach 40-60 kmph in the next hour.
Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport in just 30 minutes with new metro line: Check stations, timeline, other details
The Maharashtra government has given its approval to build the metro line on a public-private partnership model, with the state and central governments each contributing 20 percent of the total cost. The remaining 60 percent cost will be brought in by the private party building the metro line.
What is Halal venture? How is it related to Muslim women in India?
A new generation of Indian Muslim entrepreneurs and professionals are opening halal ventures that prepare these young Muslims, especially women to blend with modern life. A halal venture is an entrepreneurial or any professional initiative that functions abiding by the Islamic ethical principles.
The law must provide equal protection to everyone: Legal experts on new UGC rules
These are not the first anti-discrimination guidelines to be enacted in the country. The UGC had first implemented such regulations in 2012 to prevent caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. But those guidelines did not provide for any punishment in case of complaints.