ON HIS first day back in office, US president Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders addressing immigration, climate policies, and other key issues.
The orders included measures he had campaigned on, as well as unexpected actions like withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The president also granted pardons to many individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
These actions, along with others, were signed at a Washington arena in front of supporters and later at the White House after his swearing-in ceremony.
Here’s a breakdown of the orders:
Immigration
Trump signed multiple orders to reshape the country’s immigration and citizenship policies. One order declared a national emergency at the southern border.
He also announced a mass deportation operation involving the military, targeting what he referred to as "criminal aliens."
In a significant move, Trump signed an order in the Oval Office to revoke birthright citizenship.
However, automatic citizenship for individuals born in the US is protected under the Constitution, and this order is likely to face legal challenges.
January 6 pardons
Trump granted pardons to some of the 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Referring to them as "hostages," Trump reiterated his defence of those convicted or who pleaded guilty over the riots.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Trump repealed executive orders promoting diversity, equity, and LGBTQ rights. These changes align with his campaign’s criticism of "woke" culture.
Among other actions, Trump revoked policies promoting diversity and equality in government, businesses, and healthcare.
He stated that going forward, the government will officially recognise "two genders, male and female."
Paris Climate Accord
Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, mirroring a decision from his first term.
This action initiates a formal process that would take a year to complete under United Nations guidelines.
Oil drilling
An order declaring a "national energy emergency" aims to expand oil and gas drilling. During his inaugural address, Trump said, "We will drill, baby, drill."
Work from home
Trump signed an order requiring federal employees to return to full-time office work, rolling back remote work policies that had expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic.
World Health Organization exit
Another order directed the US to exit the World Health Organization.
Trump justified the move by claiming the US was unfairly paying more into the organisation than China.
TikTok
Trump paused the enforcement of a law banning TikTok for 75 days, delaying the implementation of measures that would prohibit updates and distribution of the app in the US.
He insisted that the app’s Chinese parent company must sell a 50 per cent stake to US entities.
West Bank settlers
Trump revoked sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settlers in the West Bank accused of abuses against Palestinians.
Cuba
Reversing another Biden-era policy, Trump removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
This undid Biden’s recent decision to take Cuba off the blacklist as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
(With inputs from AFP)
English questioning rose from 20 per cent to 31 per cent, and racist jokes from 36 per cent to 41 per cent
Workplace violence against Black and ethnic minority employees rises to 26 per cent
Highlights
The Trades Union Congress surveyed 1,044 Black, Asian and ethnic minority employees. The results show clear increases in racist behaviour between 2020 and 2026.
Workers having their English questioned rose from 20 per cent to 31 per cent. Those hearing racist jokes went up from 36 per cent to 41 per cent.
Racist comments made to workers or around them increased from 31 per cent to 36 per cent.
Violence and threats
The most worrying finding involves physical threats and violence, which jumped from 19 per cent to 26 per cent.
Racist posts shared on workplace social media grew from 22 per cent to 28 per cent. Racist materials being passed around increased from 19 per cent to 25 per cent.
Beyond direct racism, many workers face unfair treatment. Nearly half (45 per cent) said they get harder or less popular jobs.
Over two in five (43 per cent) receive unfair criticism. The same number (41 per cent) stay stuck on temporary contracts.
Work conditions got worse too. Those not getting enough hours rose from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
Workers denied overtime went from 30 per cent to 37 per cent. Being kept on short-term contracts increased from 33 per cent to 41 per cent.
Direct managers cause most unfair treatment (35 per cent), followed by other managers (19 per cent).
Bullying mainly comes from direct managers (30 per cent) and colleagues (28 per cent). Racist behaviour mostly comes from colleagues (33 per cent) and customers or clients (22 per cent).
Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, said: "Black and ethnic minority workers are facing appalling and growing levels of racism and unfair treatment in Britain. This racism is plaguing the labour market – and it's getting worse."
The TUC is calling for urgent government action to tackle the problem. The union wants ring-fenced funding for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to enforce workplace protections.
It is pushing for mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for companies with over 50 employees.
The TUC says the Employment Rights Act, which makes employers responsible for protecting workers from harassment by customers and clients, will be an important step forward.
The union also wants employers to treat racial harassment as a health and safety issue and monitor ethnicity data across recruitment, pay and promotions.