International
SHOCKING: Donald Trump to dismiss 15,000 transgender officers from US military — Report
United States President-elect, Donald Trump, is reportedly preparing to issue an executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the US military, a move that would effectively discharge the 15,000 transgender service members currently enlisted.
According to reports by The Times Newspaper, Trump plans to implement this measure as soon as he re-enters the White House on January 20, marking a return to controversial policies from his first term.
Trump initially announced a ban on transgender military service in 2017, citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption.” The policy, which was implemented in 2019, was later reversed by President Joe Biden.
However, Trump is now expected to reinstate the ban and extend it by mandating the removal of transgender troops through medical discharges.
Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, warned of the potential consequences during an interview with correspondent.
She stated that, “This would undermine the readiness of the military and create an even greater recruitment and retention crisis, not to mention signalling vulnerability to America’s adversaries.
”Branaman further underscored the operational and financial ramifications of such a move, explaining, “Abruptly discharging 15,000-plus service members, especially given that the military’s recruiting targets fell short by 41,000 recruits last year, adds administrative burdens to war fighting units, harms unit cohesion, and aggravates critical skill gaps.
”The Republican Party, emboldened by Trump’s 2024 campaign, has positioned anti-transgender policies as a central aspect of its platform.
GOP members have introduced numerous state-level anti-trans bills and invested millions in advertising campaigns targeting transgender rights, with Trump pledging to expand these restrictions beyond the military.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric also includes proposals to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth and prevent transgender students from participating in sports or using bathrooms aligned with their gender identities.
Paulo Batista, a transgender analyst in the Navy, highlighted the potential impact of such a ban.
“You take 15,000 of us out — there’s more, but that’s the number that is always mentioned — that’s 15,000 leadership positions. Every one of us plays a vital role,” he said.
The timing of Trump’s proposed actions has sparked alarm within military circles, particularly given the armed forces’ significant recruitment shortfalls.
A source familiar with Trump’s plans told The Times, “These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people.
”Adding to the controversy, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, a known supporter of the previous transgender ban, has already faced criticism for claiming that transgender individuals are “not deployable” and bring “complications” to military service.
International
China’s Foreign Minister visits four African countries on annual tour
Beijing has sent hundreds of thousands of workers and engineers to the continent and gained strategic access to its vast mineral riches, including copper, gold and lithium.
China’s top diplomat kicks off a New Year trip to Africa on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said, seeking to boost trade on a four-country circuit that includes several recent political hotspots.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s tour of the continent’s east and south will take him to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, concluding on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.
The visits are in keeping with the Chinese diplomatic convention of recent decades, whereby the foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year is to Africa.
The current tour “aims to deepen political mutual trust with all parties… (and) strengthen exchanges and mutual learning”, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Wednesday at a regular news conference.
China is Africa’s top business partner, with trade reaching $296 billion in 2024, according to Chinese state media.
Beijing has sent hundreds of thousands of workers and engineers to the continent and gained strategic access to its vast mineral riches, including copper, gold and lithium.
International
Trump Announces Venezuela to Turn Over Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to United States
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the United States, following the recent U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 Million Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.
This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“The president added that he has directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, with the oil to be transported via storage ships directly to U.S. unloading docks.
The announcement comes amid ongoing developments in Venezuela, where the oil—previously held in storage due to U.S. sanctions—is estimated to be worth up to $2.8 billion at current market prices around $56 per barrel.
Analysts note that this volume represents a modest addition to global supply but could divert exports previously destined for China.U.S. crude futures dipped slightly following the news, closing lower by about 1.3%. Major U.S. oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are reportedly monitoring the situation, with meetings planned between industry representatives and the administration to discuss future investments in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The deal marks a significant step in Trump’s stated goal of revitalizing Venezuela’s oil sector, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves but has seen production decline sharply in recent years due to sanctions, underinvestment, and mismanagement.
International
Nicolas Maduro, wife plead not guilty in New York court
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan that he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela and said, “I’m innocent, I’m not guilty; I’m still the president of my country.”
Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism in a New York court on Monday, two days after being snatched by US forces in a stunning raid on his home in Caracas.
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan that he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela and said, “I’m innocent, I’m not guilty; I’m still the president of my country.”
Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores likewise pleaded not guilty.
The pair were snatched by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday in an assault backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.
(AFP)
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