International
Trump pens executive order to get ‘transgender ideology’ out of military
President Trump signed multiple executive orders Monday night that could reshape the management and composition of the military, with provisions addressing diversity measures, transgender service members, and troops who were discharged for refusing COVID vaccinations.
He also signed an executive order to establish a process to develop what the administration is calling an American Iron Dome — a missile defense shield for the homeland.
(Iron Dome is the name often used for Israel’s system for intercepting rockets, which was developed with U.S. support.)
Mr. Trump signed the four orders aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington from a stop in Florida.
One of the orders would reinstate members of the military who were discharged for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
About 8,200 service members were discharged for refusing to comply with the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to data provided by the service branches.
However, the mandate was rescinded in January 2023 by the Biden administration, and since then, about 110 service members have rejoined the military.
The president also signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to determine a policy for transgender service members based on readiness within 30 days.
The action does not immediately ban transgender service members, however, it does state that the Defense Department’s policy for troop readiness is “inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria.
“The order also states that identifying as a gender that is inconsistent with one’s biological sex “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and that those doing so “cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.”
Speaking about his plans at a retreat with House Republicans Monday at his property in Doral, Florida, Mr. Trump said, “To ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military.
It’s going to be gone.”Another order addresses diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military, banning the use of race- or sex-based preferences in the armed forces, the Defense Department and the Homeland Security Department.
“I ordered the end to all of the lawless diversity, equity and inclusion nonsense policies across the government and all across the private sector and the military,” Mr. Trump said at the House GOP retreat.
“We’re getting it out and we’ve gotten it out pretty much. We did that in one week, and it wasn’t that easy, but everybody wanted it.
“Under this order, the defense secretary and homeland security secretary are to review the curriculum at the service academies and other academic institutions to ensure DEI and “gender ideologies” are eliminated.
The president announced plans last week to end DEI initiatives across the federal government, and the Office of Personnel Management ordered all federal DEI employees to be placed on leave.
International
Russia rejects Ukraine’s proposal for 30-day ceasefire
On Monday, Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to 11, coinciding with Russia’s annual Victory Parade on May 9, commemorating the end of World War II.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected a proposal from Kyiv to extend a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin in early May to a full 30 days.
Peskov confirmed that Moscow had reviewed the offer put forward by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but stated that several key issues needed to be resolved first.
“Without answers to these questions, it is difficult to enter into a long-term ceasefire,” he said, emphasising that this was Putin’s position.
In March, Putin had outlined conditions when U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a similar 30-day ceasefire.
These included restrictions on Ukraine using the pause to regroup and rearm its forces, as well as a halt to Western arms shipments to Kyiv.
Putin offered no concessions in return.
On Monday, Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to 11, coinciding with Russia’s annual Victory Parade on May 9, commemorating the end of World War II.
(AFP).
Canadians have ignored the President of the United States of America’s annexation call, as Mark Carney, a Liberal, has been elected as prime minister of the country, according to the projections of the national broadcaster CBC/Radio Canada.
Carney beat his opposite, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, to emerge the winner in one of the country’s most consequential elections in decades.
However, it’s still not clear if his Liberal party will win the 172 seats needed for an outright majority in parliament.
The full results will not be available until late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.
The vote was widely seen as a decision about which candidate could best handle President Trump, who helped spark a wave of nationalism across Canada by threatening to annexe Canada and placing stiff tariffs on the country.
The 60-year-old Carney had a career in investment banking before becoming the governor of the Bank of England during the Brexit turmoil and the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 economic downturn.
Carney had never held political office before being named leader of the Liberal Party in March.
His background in finance and his seemingly unflappable demeanour helped convince voters he was the candidate that could best tackle Trump and his sometimes erratic policies.
Carney’s victory comes amid President Trump’s call for the annexation of Canada by the US.On Monday, Trump repeated his call for Canada to be the 51st US state.
International
Putin announces May 8-10 ceasefire, Ukraine wants truce now
The White House said President Donald Trump wanted a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Image:Police officers inspect the site of a building hit by a Russian ballistic missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 24, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko.
(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in May in the war with Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.
The Kremlin said the 72-hour ceasefire would run on May 8, May 9 – when Putin will host international leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping for lavish celebrations to commemorate victory over Nazi Germany – and May 10.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in response, said: “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th?”A ceasefire should be “real, not just for a parade,” he posted on X.
The White House said President Donald Trump wanted a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
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