Dar, Wang Yi discuss bilateral ties and SCO cooper…

BOSTON: A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a policy that would have revoked work permits for thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers across the United States. The ruling allows affected individuals to continue working legally while the legal challenge against the policy proceeds in federal court. The decision was issued by US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston after immigrant rights organizations and labor unions filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s immigration measures. The judge ruled that the policy should not take effect until the court fully reviews its legality. The disputed policy was introduced as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration agenda following legislation passed by Congress in 2025. The law imposed new fees on asylum applications and introduced stricter rules governing employment authorization for people protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). If implemented, the new policy would have affected tens of thousands of immigrants who are legally living in the United States under humanitarian protections. Many of them were at risk of losing their legal right to work, making it difficult to support themselves and their families. Among those expected to be affected are TPS holders from El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine, many of whom have lived and worked in the United States for years. The policy was scheduled to come into effect this week before the federal court stepped in to halt its enforcement. The lawsuit argued that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) acted unlawfully by implementing the new restrictions without following the proper legal process. The plaintiffs said the policy would cause severe financial hardship for thousands of families and disrupt businesses that rely on legally authorized immigrant workers. Judge Gorton’s order temporarily prevents federal authorities from cancelling work permits while the case remains under judicial review. The ruling does not permanently strike down the policy but ensures that existing work authorizations remain valid until the court reaches a final decision. The Trump administration has consistently pursued tougher immigration policies, including efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for people from several countries. Officials argue that TPS was intended as a temporary humanitarian measure and should not become a permanent immigration pathway. Earlier this year, the US Supreme Court allowed the administration to move forward with ending TPS protections for certain groups of Haitian and Syrian immigrants. However, the latest ruling prevents another major immigration measure from taking immediate effect. Immigrant advocacy groups welcomed the court’s decision, saying it protects vulnerable workers from losing their jobs and income while the legal dispute continues. They argued that the ruling provides temporary relief to thousands of families facing uncertainty over their future.

The United Nations General Assembly has voted by a large majority to grant UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk a second four-year term, despite strong opposition from the United States, Russia and Israel. The decision came after member states rejected calls to delay the vote and instead backed Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ recommendation to keep Turk in office when his current term expires in October. The 193-member General Assembly approved the extension with 144 countries voting in favor, while 10 countries voted against the proposal and 13 abstained. Before the final vote, member states also rejected a Russian proposal that would have extended Turk’s mandate only until the end of 2026 instead of giving him another full term. Turk has become one of the UN’s most outspoken voices on global human rights issues during his first term. He has repeatedly criticized Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and raised concerns over Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza. He has also called for investigations into deaths that occurred in US immigration detention facilities. His willingness to publicly challenge major world powers has drawn criticism from several governments, including Washington, Moscow and Tel Aviv. The vote reflected growing tensions between the United States and the United Nations under President Donald Trump’s administration. In recent years, Washington has reduced financial support for several UN agencies and withdrawn from multiple international bodies. The administration has argued that reforms are needed before the United States continues its current level of participation and funding. Before the vote, the United States urged the General Assembly to postpone the decision for further consultations. US Representative for UN Management and Reform Jeff Bartos warned member states that approving the appointment without additional debate would damage the organization’s credibility. He said the United States would review its future engagement, participation and financial contributions if the assembly ignored its concerns. The US State Department also criticized the process before the vote, describing it as rushed and lacking sufficient discussion among member countries. Officials argued that member states should have been given more time to examine the proposal before making a final decision. Despite those objections, a broad coalition of countries supported Turk’s reappointment. The European Union strongly backed the extension, along with many African and Latin American nations. China also voted in favor of the proposal, helping secure the overwhelming majority needed for approval. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres nominated Turk for a second term after working closely with him for several years. Guterres, who is due to leave office in December, praised Turk’s experience and commitment to defending human rights around the world. Turk, an Austrian lawyer, has spent decades working within the United Nations in senior positions based in Geneva as well as field assignments, including Kosovo. With the latest vote, he will become the first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to serve two full four-year terms since the position was established in 1993. Human Rights Watch welcomed the decision, arguing that strong and independent leadership is needed at a time when democratic freedoms are facing increasing pressure in many parts of the world. The organization’s UN director, Louis Charbonneau, said the global human rights situation requires a commissioner willing to challenge powerful governments regardless of their influence. Russia and Israel strongly criticized the outcome after the vote. Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations accused Turk of showing political bias and making unfair allegations against Moscow. Israeli officials also condemned the decision, describing it as a mistake and arguing that the appointment should have been left to the next UN secretary general rather than being decided during Guterres’ final months in office. The result highlights the continuing divisions within the United Nations over human rights issues and the organization’s relationship with some of its most influential member states. While a large majority of countries supported Turk’s leadership, the objections raised by the United States, Russia and Israel suggest that debates over the UN’s role and future direction are likely to continue throughout his second term.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a thorough investigation into the death of a man during a police operation in Bologna, while strongly condemning violent protests that left dozens of police officers injured. The incident occurred in the Pilastro area of Bologna, where police were called to respond to reports of an aggressive man damaging a vehicle. The man, identified as Moroccan-born Abderrahim Fakir, died following the confrontation with police. Meloni said all facts surrounding the incident must be established through a transparent investigation. She stressed that the truth should be determined without bias and that responsibility should be identified based on evidence. The situation later escalated when protesters gathered in Bologna and clashes broke out with police. Demonstrators threw firecrackers, bottles and chairs at law enforcement personnel, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons to control the crowd. Police officials said 56 officers were injured during the violent demonstrations. Meloni condemned the attacks on security personnel, saying violence could not be justified under any circumstances. Authorities have launched an investigation into the man’s death. Bologna police said body-camera footage from the officers involved would be handed over to investigators as part of the inquiry. According to initial reports, officers attempted to calm Fakir before using pepper spray and restraining him while trying to place him under arrest after he allegedly became aggressive. The incident has triggered political debate across Italy, with opposition parties demanding accountability and government supporters defending the actions of police officers. Meloni accused some protesters of using the incident as an excuse to create unrest rather than seeking justice. She said those responsible for attacking police and damaging public property were pursuing confrontation instead of the truth.