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US Naval Academy ends affirmative action in admissions: ‘Implementing all directives’
A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) can no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex in admissions to the Annapolis, Maryland, service institution, following orders from President Donald Trump. Vice Adm. Yvette Davids made the policy change Feb. 14, noting “neither race, ethnicity nor sex can be considered as a factor for admission at any point during the admissions process, including qualification and acceptance,” according to a court filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which was made public Friday. Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order stated “every element of the Armed Forces should operate free from any preference based on race or sex” and directed the secretary of defense to conduct an internal review of the country’s service academies. The decision followed a December ruling in federal court allowing the Naval Academy to continue considering race in its admissions process. NAVAL ACADEMY CLOSING DEI OFFICES TO ALIGN WITH TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: MEMO Academy attorneys in September argued that prioritizing diversity in the military “makes it stronger, more effective and more widely respected,” according to a report from The Associated Press. Judges in December found “military cohesion and other national security factors” meant the school should not be subjected to the same standards as civilian universities, according to the report. The appeal was brought by the group Students for Fair Admissions. The DOJ on Friday requested a suspension of the case as it looked over the change in USNA’s policy. “The parties require a reasonable amount of time to discuss the details of the Academy’s new policy and to consider the appropriate next steps for this litigation, including whether this litigation is now moot and, if so, whether the district court judgment should be vacated,” the DOJ wrote in the filing. Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, called the affirmative action policies “unfair and illegal” in a statement to the AP. TRIAL ON USING RACE-BASED ADMISSIONS IN THE NAVAL ACADEMY KICKS OFF IN CRUSADE AGAINST AFFIRMATIVE ACTION “Racial discrimination is wrong and racial classifications have no place at our nation’s military academies,” Blum wrote. Maryland Rep. Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat serving on USNA’s Board of Visitors, told the AP the decision was “disastrous” and “will have negative implications on our military’s recruitment and retention for decades to come.” “A Navy and Marine Corps that reflect the diversity of our country is our strongest Navy and Marine Corps,” Elfreth said. “Diversity and inclusion allow our academies to not just reflect how our country looks but are critical to mission readiness and strong national security.” In February, the academy said the school was taking steps to close all agency diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) offices and ending DEIA-related contracts in accordance with Trump’s executive orders. WEST POINT DISBANDS GENDER-BASED, RACE CLUBS IN TRUMP’S DEI SWEEP Though its DEI and DEIA offices were closed since at least the summer of 2024, Davids noted “concerns have been raised that some of these programs may have been modified in a way that obscures their DEIA objectives.” She said if any staff members were aware of changes to obscure the connection between a contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, they should report it to the Office of Personnel Management. “The U.S. Naval Academy did not have a DEI or DEIA office prior to the President’s executive order that mandated closure of all agency DEIA offices and the end of all DEIA-related contracts,” Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesperson, told Fox News. “The U.S. Naval Academy sent the Jan. 23 email internally to staff simply to inform its personnel that the executive order was issued and USNA would fully comply. “The Navy is executing and implementing all directives issued by the president with professionalism, efficiency and in full alignment with national security objectives.” Human resources officials also told staff USNA emails should not include gender-identifying pronouns on signature lines. Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Elon Musk protesters gather at Tesla showrooms
The protesters are trying to escalate a movement targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles in opposition to Musk. Crowds protesting billionaire Elon Musk’s purge of the US government under President Donald Trump have been congregating outside Tesla dealerships throughout the US, and in some cities in Europe, in the latest attempt to put a dent in the enormous fortune of the world’s richest man. The protesters are trying to escalate a movement targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles in opposition to Musk’s role as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, where he’s gained access to sensitive data and shut down entire agencies as he attempts to slash government spending. Most of Musk’s estimated $340bn fortune consists of the stock he holds in the electric vehicle company that he continues to run while also working alongside Trump. Tesla Takedown has been organised by a group that includes disillusioned owners of the carmaker’s vehicles, celebrities such as actor John Cusack, and at least one Democratic Party lawmaker, Representative Jasmine Crockett from Dallas. Earlier protests were somewhat sporadic. Advertisement But Saturday’s demonstrations mark the first attempt to surround all 277 of the carmaker’s showrooms and service centres in the US in hopes of deepening a recent decline in the company’s sales. In front of the New York store in Manhattan, between 500 and 1,000 people gathered, demanding Musk’s resignation from government. The protesters were gathered at the call of environmentalists from Planet Over Profit, who believe that “stopping Musk will save lives and protect our democracy.” For Amy Neifeld, a 70-year-old American psychologist who had not taken to the streets since the anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1970s, Elon Musk is leading the United States towards “fascism”. “I’m Jewish and I grew up with a deep awareness of what fascism is. And it’s only gotten worse since the election” of Donald Trump, she told the AFP news agency. “We have to do something very quickly, because he’s moving very quickly,” Neifeld added. A demonstrator holds a sign featuring images of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, during a rally against Elon Musk during a protest outside a Tesla dealership in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, DC, US [Carlos Barria/Reuters] In London, about two dozen protesters held signs lambasting Musk outside a Tesla dealership as passing cars and trucks tooted horns in support. One of the signs displayed at the London protest showed a photo of Musk next to an image of Adolf Hitler making the Nazi salute — a gesture that Musk has been accused of reprising shortly after Trump’s January 20 inauguration. Advertisement A person in a tyrannosaurus rex costume held another sign with a picture of Musk’s straight-arm gesture that said, “You thought the Nazis were extinct. Don’t buy a Swasticar.” “We just want to get loud, make noise, make people aware of the problems that we’re facing,” Cam Whitten, an American who showed up at the London protest told The Associated Press. Some people opposed to Musk have gone beyond protests and set Tesla vehicles on fire and committed other acts of vandalism that US Attorney General Pam Bondi has decried as “domestic terrorism”. Musk indicated he was dumbfounded by the attacks during a March 20 company meeting and said the vandals should “stop acting psycho”. Crockett and other Tesla Takedown supporters have been stressing the importance of Saturday’s protests to remain peaceful. But police were investigating a fire that destroyed seven Tesla vehicles in northwestern Germany early Saturday morning. It was not immediately clear if the blaze, which was extinguished by firefighters, was related to the Tesla Takedown protests. Meanwhile, a growing number of consumers who bought Tesla vehicles before Musk allied himself with Trump have been looking to sell or trade in their cars, while others have slapped on bumper stickers seeking to distance themselves from the billionaire’s efforts to prune or shut down government agencies. But Musk did not appear concerned about an extended slump in sales of new Tesla cars in his March 20 address to employees. He reassured the workers that the company’s Model Y, which is undergoing a refresh, would remain “the best-selling car on Earth again this year.” Adblock test (Why?)
US woman released by Taliban in Afghanistan: Former US envoy
American citizen Faye Hall has been released by the Taliban after she was detained earlier this year. An American woman has been freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan after she, two Britons and their Afghan translator were detained earlier this year, Washington’s former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, has said. She is the fourth US citizen released by the Taliban since January, as part of agreements brokered by Qatar. “American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home,” Khalilzad, who has been part of a US delegation working on Taliban captive releases, wrote on X on Saturday. American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home. Thank you, #Qatar, for your ongoing and steadfast partnership. #USA #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/cMSBuaq7qR — Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 29, 2025 Hall’s release comes just days after George Glezmann, an American detained in Afghanistan for more than two years, was released by the Taliban earlier this month, and arrived in the United States, where he reunited with his wife and was greeted by a welcoming party that included his former cellmate. Advertisement The Taliban called Glezmann’s release a “goodwill gesture” reflecting its willingness to engage with the United States “on the basis of mutual respect and interests”. The Taliban has previously described the release of US detainees as part of its global “normalisation” effort. The group remains an international pariah since its lightning takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021: No country has officially recognised the Taliban government, although several countries continue to operate diplomatic facilities in the country. Afghanistan’s takeover came as the Joe Biden administration oversaw a withdrawal outlined by the first administration of US President Donald Trump. The Republican leader negotiated with the Taliban in 2020 to end the war in Afghanistan, and he agreed to a 14-month deadline to withdraw US troops and allied forces. The agreement was controversial for leaving out the Western-backed Afghan government, which was toppled amid the US’s chaotic exit from the country in 2021. The Trump administration is yet to articulate a clear policy for how it will approach dealings with the Taliban government during the president’s second term. Trump has been a regular critic of how the Biden administration oversaw the withdrawal from Afghanistan. A bomb attack at Kabul’s airport in the final days of the chaotic withdrawal killed at least 170 Afghan civilians seeking to flee the country, as well as 13 US soldiers. Adblock test (Why?)
Month of giving: Syrians in Ethiopia keep Ramadan iftar tradition alive
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Images of old Damascus and Aleppo adorn the walls of a modest restaurant tucked into Bole Michael, a working-class neighbourhood near Addis Ababa’s international airport. Chatter in Arabic and Amharic fills the air, mingling with the sizzling of a grill roasting a giant shawarma skewer and oil crackling around crunchy kebeiba (bulgur and ground meat balls). In the kitchen, Syrian chef Ahmed Ibrahim and his two assistants prepare for the evening rush. As the sun begins its descent, they carefully fill small bowls with hummus and dates for guests in the restaurant and pack takeaway meals for those who stop by seeking a free meal. In the spirit of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Ibrahim says he is happy to give back. “When I first came to Ethiopia in 2020, I didn’t have a penny to my name. I worked in restaurants until I could open my own. I married an Ethiopian woman, and now, I’m a father of two daughters,” Ibrahim tells Al Jazeera. “This country has become a home to me.” Advertisement More than 5.5 million Syrians have fled their homeland since 2011, when war broke out after the government cracked down on a popular uprising. Most Syrians who left sought refuge in neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Turkiye, and Egypt. Bole Michael has become a hub for Syrians in Addis Ababa [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera] But some ventured further, to countries like Ethiopia, where fewer than 1,500 Syrians reportedly live. Al Jazeera approached Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Services for an official estimate, but the agency declined to respond. According to local media, many Syrians remain unregistered and live in limbo. Despite these challenges, Bole Michael has become known as a Syrian neighbourhood. More Syrian refugees have found their way there, carving out a familiar rhythm. Its streets, largely unpaved and strewn with pebbles and dust, have long been home to Somali, Sudanese and Yemeni refugees – some of the more than one million refugees living in Ethiopia. In recent years, Syrian businesses have started adding their accents and flavours to the bustling area. Ibrahim’s restaurant, named Syria, is one such business. The 34-year-old arrived in Ethiopia five years ago after a three-year stay in Sudan was cut short by political unrest there. Opening the restaurant, he says, was a way to recreate a slice of home in exile, a place where he could serve the dishes of his homeland to those who would appreciate them. During Ramadan, that mission takes on even greater meaning: giving. Salem Berhanu, a regular at Syrian restaurants in Bole Michael, enjoys dinner with Syrian friends [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera] “It would’ve been great if I could host a free iftar for everyone in need, like the ones I grew up seeing in Syria,” says Ibrahim, referring to a centuries-old tradition across the Middle East, where banquets are set up on the streets to offer free food to passersby breaking their Ramadan fast at sunset. Advertisement “But that would be difficult here, since poverty is widespread and we’re just a small business,” he adds. “Instead, during Ramadan, we try not to turn anyone away,” he says, explaining that the restaurant serves free meals to those in need during the holy month. “It’s about community and helping however you can,” he says. Nearly a quarter of Ethiopia’s 124 million people live below the poverty line. A taste of generosity from home As the adhan echoes from a nearby mosque, signalling the end of the fast, Ibrahim begins welcoming diners. Among them is Zeynab Mohammed, a Syrian mother of four who arrived in Ethiopia last year after fleeing Khartoum amid Sudan’s continuing civil war. Since settling in Addis Ababa, she has tried to make a living selling homemade perfume on the streets. Closing her eyes briefly in prayer, she digs into a fragrant chicken shawarma wrap with fries. About 30 percent of Ethiopians are Muslim. Here, thousands gather for the end of Ramadan last year in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square [Tiksa Negeri/Al Jazeera] “Life here isn’t easy,” Zeynab says quietly. “But moments like this remind me of home. The generosity, the shared meals – it’s something we carried with us from Syria, and it’s still alive here.” Sitting next to her is Salem Berhanu, an Ethiopian friend and familiar face in the neighbourhood. Berhanu often joins newcomers at local eateries, occasionally paying for their food when he can. He is well-known among local children who gather around him, chatting in Amharic. Advertisement Berhanu says he enjoys seeing Syrians in Ethiopia. “It’s beautiful, especially during Ramadan, because it gives us a chance to meet new people and have meaningful conversations,” he says. While many Syrians say they’ve felt welcome in Ethiopia, the challenges remain immense. At a nearby table, another Syrian refugee, Aisha Abdul, recalls her early years in the country. She arrived in Addis Ababa after a perilous bus journey from Sudan, during which she hid from fighters who sometimes attacked convoys. Three years ago, she and other worshippers at a local mosque in Bole Michael were invited to an iftar hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed – a moment that, for her, felt like a lifeline after years of displacement. Now, she sells scented charcoal alongside other Syrian refugees, often at traffic stops and crowded gathering spots. The mustachioed air dancer tells passers-by that Syrian delicacies can be found in this small, unassuming spot [Sawra Tafari/Al Jazeera] On an average day, she says, she makes about $5, though on good days, she earns more with the help of her children. “Ethiopia is a very welcoming country, and the people are wonderful. But it can also feel like a dead end,” she says. “There’s no assistance, and finding a job is difficult, so many of us end up doing humiliating work just to survive.” Gratitude in a new land In Bethel, a calmer, more affluent neighbourhood on Addis Ababa’s western outskirts, an inflated air dancer bearing a trademark thick mustache and red
Tesla Takedown: Anti-Musk protesters mobilize for Global Day of Protest at hundreds of Tesla locations
Amid a wave of violence against Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations, anti-Musk protesters could see their biggest show of force yet as the decentralized movement known as Tesla Takedown is planning a “Global Day of Protest” targeting more than 500 Tesla locations worldwide. The protests slated for Saturday have been promoted by actors, filmmakers, congressional legislators, academics and activists who led a “mass mobilizing call” last week to drum up support. More than 275 Tesla locations in the U.S. and over 500 worldwide will be targeted as part of the effort. While the protests against Elon Musk and Tesla have lately involved destructive tactics, leaders who have been promoting Saturday’s event, such as progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, have said the protests will be “nonviolent.” VANDAL STRIKES CYBERTRUCK, TESLA OWNER HITS BACK “We are fighting for our country,” Crockett said during the mass mobilization call last week. “We’re fighting for democracy. We’re fighting for our freedoms. And when I say fighting, I’m saying that figuratively. Obviously, everything that I am promoting is nonviolent.” The FBI announced the formation of a new task force Monday, established to “crack down on violent Tesla attacks” that the president and other members of the Trump administration have described as “domestic terrorism.” Violent incidents targeting Musk and Tesla have ranged from alleged Molotov cocktail attacks on Tesla properties in several states to attacks on individual citizens who own Teslas. A Las Vegas-area resident was arrested Wednesday for his alleged part in a Molotov cocktail attack on a Tesla property. The suspect is facing multiple felony charges, including three counts of arson, three counts of possession of an explosive device, five counts of shooting into a car and four counts of destroying personal property, according to local police. THE LOUDEST SILENCE: TOP DEMOCRATS REMAIN MUM AMID VIOLENT ATTACKS ON TESLA While there is no centralized group leading this mass protest event, local and national advocacy groups, such as Indivisible, a progressive anti-Trump advocacy group, are helping with organization efforts. “Indivisible groups are the folks holding peaceful protests on the sidewalk, not damaging cars, and they’re speaking up because they’re concerned for our country,” an Indivisible spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The group confirmed it was not directly involved with any funding or organization efforts but did confirm that local chapters were engaging with the event. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In response to the planned protests, pro-Trump supporters have reportedly begun mobilizing to counter the anti-Musk message. In New Jersey, Terry Beck, a pro-Trump organizer, is trying to rally a caravan of Trump supporters to counter one of the anti-Musk protests planned near Trenton on Saturday, according to NBC News. Posts on social media show others across the country are also attempting to mobilize counter-protesters.
Huge Istanbul protests over Imamoglu’s arrest and imprisonment in Turkiye
CHP leader calls for former mayor’s release, denounces arrests of protesters in growing clashes over Turkish democracy. Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Turkiye’s Istanbul have taken to the streets again, rallying against the government’s decision to imprison the city’s popular mayor. The mass demonstration on Saturday was the latest in a wave of nationwide protests that have gripped parts of the country since the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. The now ex-mayor, considered a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on corruption and terrorism charges. The terrorism charge was initially dismissed by the court. A letter from Imamoglu was read out at the rally to loud cheers from the crowd. “I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side. I have no fear because the nation is united. The nation is united against the oppressor,” the letter said. “They can put me in jail and try me as much as they want, the nation has shown that it will crush all traps and plots”, it added. The government rejects accusations from critics that the move against Imamoglu was politically motivated, insisting that the judiciary is independent and free of political interference. Advertisement This week, Erdogan denounced the rallies. “Those who spread terror in the streets and want to set fire to this country have nowhere to go. The path they have taken is a dead end,” he said. Those demonstrating in Istanbul’s streets on Saturday had an opposing view: “We must speak out against injustice and unlawfulness. I am 25 and have only known one government – I want to see change,” a protester told Al Jazeera. “A state is strong only when it’s fair, but I am not hopeful. The judiciary is not independent,” said another one. Police stand guard during a rally to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkiye [Dylan Martinez/Reuters] Imamoglu’s detention, and later formal arrest over the corruption charges on March 23, prompted nationwide protests despite assembly bans, police crackdowns, and legal prosecution by authorities. “They’ve detained hundreds of our children, thousands of our youths … arrested hundreds of them,” said Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) that organised the protest. “They only had one goal in mind: to intimidate them, terrify them, make sure they never go out again.” Nearly 1,900 people have been detained since March 19, and pro-government media reported Friday that public prosecutors had requested up to three years imprisonment for 74 of them. “For many people here, this is not just about but about democracy, especially for students. Attending the rallies is a way for them to show resilience and protect their freedoms for their future,” said Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from the protest. Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) attends a rally to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkiye [Umit Bektas/Reuters] Police kept their distance at Saturday’s rally with no new arrests reported. Ozel called for the immediate release of Imamoglu, as well as for other political prisoners, including Selahattin Demirtas, a former presidential candidate and founder of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM. Advertisement “In Turkiye, we envision presidential candidates will not be imprisoned,” added Ozel. Last Sunday, hours after he had been formally arrested, Imamoglu won a symbolic primary to be the CHP‘s candidate in a presidential election currently scheduled for 2028, but which is likely to take place earlier. Ozel noted they would begin collecting signatures for Imamoglu’s release and also to demand an early election. Other speakers at Saturday’s rally included Dilek Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor’s wife, as well as Ankara Mayor Masur Yavas, another high-profile CHP figure. Adblock test (Why?)
Tufts University student can’t be deported to Turkiye without court order
Pro-Palestine student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on Tuesday by US immigration authorities in Massachusetts. A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily barred the deportation of a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, who voiced support for Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza and was detained by US immigration officials. Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was forcibly taken into custody by masked federal agents in broad daylight near her Massachusetts home on Tuesday. Immigration officials also revoked her visa. On Friday, US District Court Judge Denise Casper gave the government until Tuesday evening to respond to an updated complaint filed by Ozturk’s lawyers. “To allow the Court’s resolution of its jurisdiction to decide the petition, Ozturk shall not be removed from the United States until further order of this court,” the judge wrote. Ozturk’s arrest came a year after she co-authored an opinion piece in Tufts’ student newspaper criticising the university’s response to calls by students to divest from companies with ties to Israel and to “acknowledge the Palestinian genocide”. Friends have said Ozturk was not otherwise closely involved in pro-Palestine protests against Israel. Advertisement A lawyer soon after sued to secure her release, and on Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union joined her legal defence team, filing a revised lawsuit saying her detention violates her rights to free speech and due process. On Saturday, Oncu Keceli, a spokesperson for Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that efforts to secure Ozturk’s release continued, adding consular and legal support was being provided by Turkish diplomatic missions in the US. “Our Houston Consul General visited our citizen in the center where she is being held in Louisiana on March 28. Our citizen’s requests and demands have been forwarded to local authorities and her lawyer,” Keceli said in a post on X. US President Donald Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and has accused them, without providing evidence, of supporting Hamas, being anti-Semitic and posing foreign policy hurdles. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration conflates their criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism and support for Hamas. Several students and protesters have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, which says it may have revoked more than 300 visas. Adblock test (Why?)
How stable is Lebanon’s peace – after Israel attack on Beirut?
Country on edge after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns of more possible attacks. Israel bombs the southern suburbs of Beirut – the first air strike on the Lebanese capital since November’s ceasefire. Hours earlier, rockets were fired at Israel from southern Lebanon. After numerous ceasefire breaches by Israel in four months, how serious is this one? Presenter: Cyril Vanier Guests: Ali Rizk – Security affairs analyst. Lorenzo Kamel – Associate professor of international history at the University of Turin. Sami Nader – Director at the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. Adblock test (Why?)