International
Trump signs a decree to ban the teaching of race and gender theories in schools
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that prohibits the use of federal funds in schools that teach what he considers “critical race theory” and other content related to race and gender identity.
Those educational centers that do not comply with this measure could lose their federal funding.
The order, aimed at schools for students between 5 and 18 years old, states that federal funds cannot be allocated to the “indoctrination” of children with “anti-American ideologies”, such as “radical gender ideology and critical theory of race”.
“Imposing anti-American, subversive, harmful and false ideologies on the children of our nation not only violates in many cases the civil rights laws against discrimination, but also usurps the basic authority of the parents,” says the document signed by Trump.
The term “critical race theory” has been used by conservative sectors of the US to encompass a wide variety of educational content that they reject. However, in the academic field, this theory studies how racism is rooted in American laws and institutions.
In addition, the order instructs the future Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and other senior government officials to develop, within 90 days, a strategy to “eliminate indoctrination” in schools.
McMahon, an executive of the wrestling company World Wrestling Entertainment, has yet to receive Senate approval to assume the position of Secretary of Education.
During his campaign for the November elections, Trump promised that as soon as he arrived at the White House he would sign an executive order, like the one signed today, to cut federal funding for schools that promote the critical theory of race or content that he considers inappropriate.
The federal government, however, has limited power in the day-to-day life of schools in the United States, which receive the most funding from state and local sources.
Trump signed an executive order to identify foreign students and faculty who participated in pro-Palestinian university protests in order to deport them.
The document instructs the Secretaries of State, Education and Homeland Security to request U.S. universities to monitor and report on activities of foreign students and professors who may be considered anti-Semitic, in order to take action in accordance with the law and, if appropriate, act to expel them from the country.
The order establishes several provisions on anti-Semitism, but focuses especially on the protests that broke out in April 2024 on campuses throughout the United States against the war in Gaza and Washington’s support for Israel, which lasted for about three months and left a balance of about 3,100 detainees.
In the text, Trump emphasizes that he decided to sign this executive order on anti-Semitism after returning to the White House on January 20, noting that “Jewish students, in particular, faced anti-Semitic harassment in schools and university campuses.”
Although the document assumes that the demonstrators committed anti-Semitic acts, they have denied that their protests had that intention or that they supported Hamas in any way, and maintain that they demonstrated against the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has left more than 47,000 dead.
The Islamic-American Relations Council (CAIR), one of the country’s main organizations in defense of the rights of Muslims, warned that if the order is implemented it will be challenged in court.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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