A TOP Putin crony has warned the Kremlin might seize the “valuables of the British Crown” if the UK supports Ukraine with money from frozen Russian assets.
Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused “British thieves” of giving Russian money to “neo-Nazis” in a deranged rant on social media.
6
Close Putin ally Medvedev accused Britain of giving Russian money to ‘neo-Nazis’Credit: Reuters
6
The former Russian President also called Foreign Secretary David Lammy an ‘English idiot’Credit: PA
6
Medvedev is a close ally of Russian tyrant Vladimir PutinCredit: AFP
6
It comes after Britain announced a fresh £1 billion support package for Ukraine’s fight against Moscow.
The money for this aid boost was raised using frozen Russian assets, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed.
But in a chilling post on Telegram, Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, threatened revenge from Moscow.
In his bizarre ramblings, he even referred to Foreign Secretary David Lammy as an “English idiot”.
Close Putin ally Medvedev accused Britain of giving Russian money to “neo-Nazis” – in reference to a false Kremlin claim that Ukraine is run by Nazis.
“Consequences? Britain committed an offence,” he posted.
“But given that this money cannot be recovered through legal proceedings for obvious reasons, our country has only one way to return the valuables.
“Return what was seized in kind.”
He further threatened to take hold of additional Ukrainian land “and movable property located on it”.
Medvedev has long been one of Moscow’s most vocal cheerleaders for Russia’s monstrous invasion of Ukraine.
Defiant Defence Sec ‘sends two finger signal’ to ‘weaker than ever’ Putin from Ukraine in midst of Russian missile blitz
The Putin lackey added that the Kremlin would respond to any “illegal seizure” of frozen funds by “confiscating the valuables of the British Crown”.
“There are still enough of them in different places, including those located in Russia,” he said.
The UK and other Western nations have imposed bruising sanctions on Russia since Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine.
Medvedev’s comments come as members of the pro-Kyiv “Coalition of the Willing” held talks yesterday over future security guarantees for the war-torn nation.
Around 30 leaders came to Paris or joined via video link to hash out plans for what comes next if a peace deal is reached.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those to join the summit remotely.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister emphasised that the group had an unbreakable pledge to Ukraine, with President Trump’s backing.
“And it was clear they now needed to go even further to apply pressure on Putin to secure a cessation of hostilities.
“The Prime Minister also welcomed announcements from coalition of the willing partners to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine to further bolster the country’s supplies.”
Medvedev’s ramblings are not the only recent threats against Britain from Kremlin mouthpieces.
Another Putin propagandist has threatened to sink the UK with a new high-speed torpedo.
Vladimir Solovyov called for a Poseidon nuclear torpedo to unleash a tidal wave over Britain and drown the entire population.
He said on Russian state television: “I am not calling for anything, about anything, in any way, I am simply stating – the British say their task is to inflict strategic defeat on us.
“Well, let them say it from underwater.”
6
Medvedev is now the deputy chairman of Russia’s security councilCredit: EPA
6
Medvedev has long been one of Moscow’s most vocal cheerleaders for Putin’s monstrous invasion of UkraineCredit: Alamy
The British Embassy in Cairo is currently closed and this will be the case for the ‘foreseeable future’, the UK Foreign Office has warned. Here is all you need to know
The British Embassy in Cairo is currently closed until further notice(Image: Getty Images)
The Embassy is not currently open, however, consular support remains accessible. Following the removal of security barriers outside the premises on August 31, the Embassy has temporarily shut its doors while the situation is being ‘reviewed’.
Despite the closure, emergency help is still available for travellers who can call 0020 2 2791 6000 if they require assistance. The Foreign Office released a statement on their Egypt travel advice page, stating: “On Sunday 31 August security barriers outside the British Embassy in Cairo were removed by the Egyptian authorities.
Brits visiting Egypt are urged to get the latest travel information(Image: Getty Images)
“The main Embassy building will be closed while the impact of these changes is reviewed. Emergency consular assistance remains available by calling 0020 2 2791 6000. If you have a pre-booked appointment at the Embassy please call 0020 2 2791 6000 in advance for advice on how to access the Embassy compound.”
The decision to remove the security barriers came amidst a diplomatic dispute sparked by the detention of an activist, as reported by BBC News. Daily News Egypt has reported that the incident involved an Egyptian activist who was detained after a confrontation with protesters outside the Egyptian embassy in London last week, but he has since been released by British officials.
In response to the recent arrest, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty is said to have contacted the UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell last week seeking an explanation.
Abdelatty has previously stated that Egypt reserves the “right to respond and reciprocity” towards nations that do not adequately protect Egyptian embassies as per the Vienna Convention.
The initial detention prompted a “strong diplomatic response from Cairo”, with some calling for the removal of security barriers around the British embassy in Cairo.
The UK government remains in discussions with Egyptian officials regarding the security at the British embassy in Cairo, according to BBC News. Both the British and American embassies in Cairo have been fortified with substantial security barriers for many years.
According to the latest numbers, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists in 2024, an increase of 800,000 compared to the previous year. The country also aims to welcome 30 million annual visitors by 2030, with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will welcome visitors from around the world.
The Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for Indonesia after violent riots erupted across the country, leaving seven people dead and hundreds injured in the worst unrest the nation has seen for years
Bali itself carries significant risks that many British tourists remain unaware of until it’s too la(Image: Getty)
Brits planning a holiday to Bali have been issued an urgent safety warning as violent riots break out across Indonesia, resulting in seven fatalities and hundreds of injuries in the worst unrest the country has experienced in years.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice due to the increasing risk of civil disorder and terror attacks, following intense street fights between police and protesters throughout the vast archipelago.
Rampaging crowds have set regional parliament buildings ablaze, embarked on extensive looting sprees and engaged in fierce clashes with security forces as the political crisis intensifies.
The death toll continues to rise, with three individuals losing their lives in Makassar after irate protesters torched a parliament building, resulting in scenes of complete devastation, reports the Express.
The violence took a dramatic turn when 21 year old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan was tragically killed by a police vehicle in Jakarta, sparking national outrage and igniting further waves of anti-government anger.
A student tragically lost his life during violent clashes in Yogyakarta, while a pensioner pedicab driver passed away after inhaling tear gas during confrontations in Solo, adding to the growing human toll of the political chaos.
Jakarta’s health office has confirmed a shocking 469 people have been injured since the violence erupted, with nearly 100 needing hospital treatment for their injuries.
Protesters rides a motorcycle in front of a police headquarters that was burned and looted during de(Image: AFP)
President orders crackdown as terror threat looms
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his shock and disappointment over the killing of Kurniawan but has commanded police and military forces to take the “firmest possible action” against rioters as the situation spirals out of control.
“There are signs of unlawful acts, even leading to treason and terrorism,” he cautioned in a chilling statement that highlights the severity of the crisis engulfing the nation.
Rehayu Saraswati, a member of the ruling party, admitted the scale of the protests had taken the government by surprise.
She confessed to the BBC: “I don’t think any of us saw this coming. It happened very, very quickly within a matter of days.”
But she dismissed accusations that the government had been deaf to public concerns, adding: “We understand that the situation is difficult, and that the economy has been quite, I would say, challenging for some people.
“The recently announced cuts to the parliamentary budget and allowances are a way to show that we are listening.”
Molotov cocktails and snipers as military deployed
The violence has escalated to worrying levels, with protestors lobbing Molotov cocktails and firecrackers at police lines in Bandung, while thousands more have taken to the streets across Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Sulawesi.
Troops have been dispatched across Jakarta in scenes eerily similar to military rule, with snipers stationed in key strategic areas, checkpoints set up throughout the city, and schools forced to shut due to safety concerns.
The United Nations has called on Indonesia to probe allegations of “disproportionate force” used by police against demonstrators, underlining global concern over the spiralling crisis.
A protester walk in front of Police Office building of Tegalsari Surabaya Sector
Protestors dismiss government concessions
Despite government efforts to defuse the situation, protest leaders have rejected the concessions – including scrapping the controversial allowance and banning overseas trips for MPs – as pitifully insufficient.
Muzammil Ihsan, leader of the country’s largest student group, delivered a resolute message: “The government must resolve deep-rooted problems.
“The anger on the streets is not without cause.”
Political pundits have cautioned that the unrest presents the first significant challenge for Subianto’s presidency and could seriously rattle investor confidence, with Indonesia’s stock index already plunging more than three percent on Monday as markets responded to the turmoil.
Foreign Office issues urgent travel warning
The UK Foreign Office is now urging British holidaymakers to avoid protests and large gatherings, emphasising that peaceful demonstrations can quickly turn violent.
In its updated travel advice, the FCDO warned: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.
“Potential targets can include beach resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants, markets and shopping malls, tourist attractions, places of worship, foreign embassies, polling stations, ferry terminals and airports.”
Travellers are being advised to remain extra alert during national holidays, religious festivals and elections, when the terror threat becomes particularly acute.
People look around in a burned Indonesian Police Office building
Bali’s hidden perils revealed
Apart from the ongoing political turmoil, Bali presents considerable dangers that many British tourists don’t realise until it’s far too late.
Authorities have spotlighted worrying accounts of sexual attacks, drink tampering cases, methanol poisoning from fake alcohol, and violent bag-snatching in bustling tourist areas.
Holiday-makers are being urged to monitor drinks being made at all times, steer clear of potentially fatal homemade alcohol, and only buy drinks from properly authorised establishments to prevent poisoning.
The FCDO has also raised concerns about the ongoing risk of opportunistic theft and elaborate cons designed to exploit unwary tourists. British holidaymakers should pack only vital belongings, safeguard passports and bank cards constantly, and stick to licensed taxi firms like Bluebird, Silverbird or Express – whilst thoroughly verifying drivers correspond with app reservations.
Authorities issued a blunt warning that no overseas journey is entirely without danger, stating: “Read all advice carefully and ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.”
The number of foreign visitors to the United States continues to decline, as a range of policies put forth by the administration of US President Donald Trump has made tourists wary of travelling to the country.
In July, foreign visits to the US decreased by 3 percent year-over-year, according to recently released preliminary government data.
That decrease follows a trend that has been seen almost every month since Trump took office in late January. For five out of six months, the US has experienced a drop in foreign visitors.
“Everyone is afraid, scared – there’s too much politics about immigration,” Luise Francine, a Brazilian tourist visiting Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera.
Experts and some local officials say Trump’s tariffs, immigration crackdown and repeated jabs about the US acquiring Canada and Greenland have alienated travellers from other parts of the world.
Ryan Bourne, an economist at the Cato Institute, told Al Jazeera that the decline in tourism was tied to both Trump’s rhetoric and policies.
“[The decrease] can be put down to the president’s trade wars and some of the fallout about fears about getting ensnared in immigration enforcement.”
Travel research firm Tourism Economics predicted last week that the US would see 8.2 percent fewer international arrivals in 2025 – an improvement from its earlier forecast of a 9.4 percent decline, but well below the numbers of foreign visitors to the country before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The sentiment drag has proven to be severe,” the firm said, noting that airline bookings indicate “the sharp inbound travel slowdown” of May, June, and July would likely persist in the months ahead.
While the July 2025 figures don’t account for neighbouring Canada and Mexico, Canadian visitors in particular have been plummeting in number. One-quarter fewer Canadians have visited the US this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to Tourism Economics.
In a major U-turn, more US residents drove into Canada in June and July than Canadians made the reverse trip, according to Canada’s national statistical agency.
Statistics Canada stated that this was the first time this had occurred in nearly two decades, except for two months during the pandemic.
‘Visa integrity fee’
Mexico, by contrast, has been one of the few countries to see tourism to the US increase. Overall, US government figures show that travel from Central America grew 3 percent through May and from South America 0.7 percent, compared with a decline of 2.3 percent from Western Europe.
But countries that have typically sent huge numbers of visitors to the US have seen major dips.
Of the top 10 overseas tourist-generating countries, only two – Japan and Italy – saw a year-over-year increase in July. Visitors from India, which ranks second, dipped by 5.5 percent, while those from China dropped nearly 14 percent.
India has seen previously warm relations sour under the Trump administration, amid steep tariffs and geopolitical tensions, while a trade war and Trump’s (since-reversed) broadsides against Chinese students have raised concerns among Chinese tourists.
Deborah Friedland, managing director at the financial services firm Eisner Advisory Group, said the US travel industry faced multiple headwinds – rising travel costs, political uncertainty and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Since returning to office for a second term in January, Trump has doubled down on some of the hard-line policies that defined his first term, reviving a travel ban targeting mainly African and Middle Eastern countries, tightening rules around visa approvals, and ramping up mass immigration raids.
At the same time, the push for tariffs on foreign goods that quickly became a defining feature of his second term gave some citizens elsewhere a sense that they were unwanted.
A new $250 “visa integrity fee”, set to go into effect on October 1, adds a hurdle for travellers from non-visa waiver countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil and China. The extra charge raises the total visa cost to $442, one of the highest visitor fees in the world, according to the US Travel Association.
“Any friction we add to the traveller experience is going to cut travel volumes by some amount,” said Gabe Rizzi, president of Altour, a global travel management company. “As the summer ends, this will become a more pressing issue, and we’ll have to factor the fees into travel budgets and documentation.”
International visitor spending in the US is projected to fall below $169bn this year, down from $181bn in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
In May, the group projected that the US would be the only country among the 184 it studied where foreign visitor spending would fall in 2025. The finding was “a clear indicator that the global appeal of the US is slipping”, the group said.
A United States appeals court has declared President Donald Trump’s blanket tariff policy illegal, but it stopped short of pausing the wide-ranging import taxes altogether.
On Friday, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC, largely upheld a decision in May that found Trump had overstepped his authority in imposing universal tariffs on all US trading partners.
Trump had invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the move, claiming that trade deficits with other countries constituted a “national emergency”.
But the appeals court questioned that logic in Friday’s ruling, ruling seven to four against the blanket tariffs.
“The statute bestows significant authority on the President to undertake a number of actions in response to a declared national emergency,” the court wrote.
“But none of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or the like, or the power to tax.”
The Trump administration is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, and the appeals court therefore said his tariff policy could remain in place until October 14.
That was a departure from the May ruling, which included an injunction to immediately halt the tariffs from taking effect.
What is this case about?
The initial May decision was rendered by the New York-based US Court of International Trade, a specialised court that looks exclusively at civil actions pertaining to cross-border trade.
That case was one of at least eight challenges against Trump’s sweeping tariff policies.
Trump has long maintained that the US’s trading partners have taken advantage of the world’s largest economy, and he has depicted trade deficits – when the US imports more than it exports – as an existential threat to the economy.
But experts have warned that trade deficits are not necessarily a bad thing: They could be a sign of a strong consumer base, or the result of differences in currency values.
Still, on April 2, Trump invoked the IEEPA to impose 10-percent tariffs on all countries, plus individualised “reciprocal” tariffs on specific trading partners.
He called the occasion “Liberation Day“, but critics noted that the global markets responded to the tariff announcements by stumbling downward.
A few days later, as the “reciprocal” tariffs were slated to take effect, the Trump administration announced a pause for nearly every country, save China. In the meantime, Trump and his officials said they would seek to negotiate trade deals with global partners.
A new slate of individualised, country-specific tariffs was unveiled in July in the form of letters Trump posted to his social media account. Many of them took effect on August 1, including a 50-percent tariff on Brazil for its prosecution of a Trump ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Mexico, Canada and China, meanwhile, have faced Trump’s tariff threats since February, with Trump leveraging the import taxes to ensure compliance with his policies on border security and the drug fentanyl.
What are the arguments?
US presidents do have limited power to issue tariffs in order to protect specific domestic industries, and Trump has exercised that power in the case of imported steel, aluminium and automobile products.
But in general, the US Constitution places the power to issue taxes, including tariffs, under Congress, not the presidency.
Lawsuits like Friday’s have therefore argued that Trump has exceeded his presidential authority in levying blanket tariffs.
The appeals court decision also pointed out that the IEEPA does not give the presidency unchecked power.
“It seems unlikely that Congress intended, in enacting IEEPA, to depart from its past practice and grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs,” the ruling said.
The decision came in response to two lawsuits: one filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center, on behalf of five US small businesses, and the other by 12 US states.
Still, on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump appeared defiant, emphasising that his tariffs would remain in place despite the appeals court’s decision.
“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” he wrote.
He added that it was his view that tariffs “are the best tool to help our Workers”. He also implied he expected the Supreme Court to back him up in his appeal.
“If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong,” Trump said.
“Tariffs were allowed to be used against us by our uncaring and unwise Politicians. Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation.”
White House seeks to run out the clock on funding after already slashing billions in aid in move decried as overreach.
Published On 29 Aug 202529 Aug 2025
United States President Donald Trump has sought to cut another $5bn in foreign aid already approved by Congress.
The move is the latest effort by Trump to gut the funding the US provides to humanitarian projects and international organisations. It is also the latest attempt to test the limits of Trump’s presidential power.
While Trump had previously obtained congressional approval to cancel $9bn in foreign aid and public media funding in legislation passed in July, the latest move seeks to use an obscure tactic to bypass the legislative branch entirely.
Under the US Constitution, Congress controls federal spending. But in a letter posted online late Thursday, Trump notified House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson that he planned to unilaterally withhold the $4.9bn in approved foreign spending.
The tactic, known as a “pocket rescission”, would see Trump invoke a law that allows him to pause the spending for 45 days. That would, in turn, take the funding beyond the end of the September 30 fiscal year, causing it to expire.
The White House has said the tactic was last used in 1977, more than 50 years ago.
A court document filed on Friday said the money was earmarked for foreign aid, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and so-called “democracy promotion” efforts overseas.
Most of it was meant to be overseen by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which Trump has largely dismantled and reorganised under US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
‘Triage of human survival’
The move comes as the United Nations and aid organisations have increasingly warned of the devastating fallout of US cuts.
In June, the United Nations announced sweeping programme shrinkages, amid what the humanitarian office described as “the deepest funding cuts ever to hit the international humanitarian sector”.
At the time, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said the cuts meant the humanitarian community has been “forced into a triage of human survival”. In July, the UN also predicted a surge in HIV/AIDS deaths by 2029 due to the funding withdrawals.
The knock-on effects have been felt sharply in regions across the world, particularly in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
In July, Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, reported that at least 652 malnourished children had died at its facilities in northern Nigeria in the first half of 2025 due to a lack of timely care.
Earlier this week, Save the Children warned that Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan were expected to run out of so-called “ready-to-use therapeutic food” (RUTF) over the next three months.
Meanwhile, at least one Republican lawmaker has challenged Trump’s move as an illegal overreach of presidential power.
“Instead of this attempt to undermine the law, the appropriate way is to identify ways to reduce excessive spending through the bipartisan, annual appropriations process,” Senator Susan Collins said in a statement.
Aug. 29 (UPI) — President Donald Trump is attempting to recoup around $5 billion in federal funding already approved for distribution to the State Department and foreign aid programs, the White House confirmed Friday.
The clause allows the president to ask Congress to consider withholding the money, giving it 45 days to make a decision. In this instance, the 45-day window would run through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30. At that point, the funds would not be restored.
Trump made the request Friday in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
The president is targeting around $3 billion already earmarked for the U.S. Agency for International Development, along with an additional $990 million to be sent to the State Department and $445 million in separate peacekeeping funding.
The pocket recession came into existence with the passing of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
In a post earlier this month, the U.S. Government Accountability Office addressed the issue of pocket recessions, calling them “illegal.”
It points to a 2018 review of the tactic, which “concluded that the ICA does not permit the withholding of funds through their expiration date. In reaching that conclusion, we considered the language in the law, legislative history of the ICA, Supreme Court case law, and the overarching constitutional framework of the legislative and executive powers. We found that there is no basis to interpret the ICA as a mechanism by which a president may shorten the time period that an appropriation may be used.”
A White House spokesperson Friday told The Hill the tactic is legal and that the budget office was aware of the GAO’s position, but that previous administrations failed to act by closing the loophole despite recommendations.
Earlier this week, Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in and block a lower court order compelling the federal government to release around $12 billion in foreign aid funding.
WASHINGTON — President Trump has told House Speaker Mike Johnson that he won’t be spending $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, effectively cutting the budget without going through the legislative branch.
Trump, who sent a letter to Johnson, R-La., on Thursday, is using what’s known as a pocket rescission — when a president submits a request to Congress to not spend approved funds toward the end of the fiscal year, so that Congress cannot act on the request in the 45-day timeframe and the money goes unspent as a result. It’s the first time in nearly 50 years a president has used one. The fiscal year draws to a close at the end of September.
The letter was posted Friday morning on the X account of the White House Office of Management and Budget. It said the funding would be cut from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, an early target of Trump’s efforts to cut foreign aid.
The last pocket rescission was in 1977 by then-President Jimmy Carter, and the Trump administration argues that it’s a legally permissible tool. But such a move, if standardized by the White House, could effectively bypass Congress on key spending choices and potentially wrest some control over spending from the House and the Senate.
The 1974 Impoundment Control Act gives the president the authority to propose canceling funds approved by Congress. Congress can vote on pulling back the funds or sustaining them, but by proposing the rescission so close to Sept. 30 the White House ensures that the money won’t be spent and the funding lapses.
Trump had previously sought to get congressional backing for rescissions and succeeded in doing so in July when the House and the Senate approved $9 billion worth of cuts. Those rescissions clawed back funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
The Trump administration has made deep reductions to foreign aid one of its hallmark policies, despite the relatively meager savings relative to the deficit and possible damage to America’s reputation abroad as foreign populations lose access to food supplies and development programs.
In February, the administration said it would eliminate almost all of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall assistance abroad. USAID has since been dismantled, and its few remaining programs have been placed under State Department control.
The Trump administration on Wednesday appealed to the Supreme Court to stop lower court decisions that have preserved foreign aid, including for global health and HIV and AIDS programs, that Trump has tried to freeze.
The New York Post first reported the pocket rescission.
Aug. 28 (UPI) — The Department of Homeland Security plans to introduce a new rule capping the length of stay for international students, among other visa changes, amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The new rule will stipulate that foreign students who hold F visas and exchange visitors with J visas can reside in the United States for the duration of their program, but not to exceed four years. Since 1978, foreign F visa holders have been admitted to the United States for an unspecified period, allowing them to reside in the country as long as they are enrolled as full-time students.
The Trump administration says this move will “end foreign student visa abuse.”
“For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.
“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history.”
Trump ran on a campaign to conduct mass deportations of non-citizens, and since returning to the White House in January has cracked down on immigration.
A focus of this crackdown has been universities, with the State Department earlier this month confirming that 6,000 student visas have been revoked so far this year.
Last week, the State Department announced plans to investigate all 55 million foreigners in the country with visas.
The new rule was swiftly rebuked by international education advocates as unnecessarily creating burdens for foreign students and exchange visitors.
“These changes will only serve to force aspiring students and scholars into a sea of administrative delays at best and, at worst, into unlawful presence status — leaving them vulnerable to punitive actions through no fault of their own,” Fanta Aw, executive direct and CEO of NAFAS: Association of International Educators, said in a statement.
Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, described the rule as “yet another unnecessary and counterproductive action” targeting students and scholars.
“This proposed rule sends a message to talented individuals from around the world that their contributions are not valued in the Unite States,” Feldblum said in a statement.
“This is not only detrimental to international students — it also weakens the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to attract top talent, diminishing our global competitiveness.”
The new measure also sets an initial admission period of up to 240 days for foreign media representatives, with the potential for an extension period of up to another 240 days, but no longer than the lengthen of their temporary activity or assignment.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has issued a warning to Brits who are planning to travel abroad, urging them to declare one detail or risk paying thousands
You should purchase appropriate travel insurance when travelling abroad, according to the Foreign Office(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has issued a stern warning to Brits, advising them to declare a crucial detail on their travel insurance or risk facing potential bills exceeding £150,000.
It’s no revelation that securing your travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, providing financial protection if you encounter any issues while abroad. Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected hospital bills, lost or stolen items, trip cancellations and even emergency transport. Without it, these costs can be incredibly steep when in a foreign country.
However, when applying for coverage, neglecting to disclose any past medical conditions could completely invalidate your insurance.
Insurance providers may want to know of medical conditions or visits for medical attention within the last three, four or five years(Image: photobyphotoboy via Getty Images)
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated: “If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go, covering you for existing physical or mental health conditions (including those currently under investigation) and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away.
“If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.”
More specifically, it advised: “Declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if there are related complications during your trip; failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance.”
The FCDO provided examples of how much this could ultimately cost you if it nullifies your insurance:
Fall and break your leg in Spain, you will need hospital treatment and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation – £25,000+
Quad bike accident in Greece, and you need surgery and medical evacuation/repatriation – £80,000+
Stomach bug or infection treated in a hospital in the USA and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation – £150,000+
Money Saving Expert (MSE), the brainchild of Martin Lewis, highlights that some insurers may request a comprehensive medical history spanning several years.
The site advises: “It’s important to carefully read the questions asked by the insurer – they may want to know of medical conditions or visits for medical attention within the last three, four or five years, and some insurers may even want to know your medical history even further back, as you’re usually considered to be more likely to make a claim.”
The FCDO advises Brits to have their insurance policy details at hand when travelling(Image: John Lamb via Getty Images)
As reported by the Express, MSE also lists some of the most common medical conditions that need to be disclosed when buying travel insurance, although this list is not exhaustive:
Epilepsy
Heart conditions (including high blood pressure or cholesterol)
Mental health conditions (including depression, eating disorders, anxiety)
Arthritis
Gout
Crohn’s disease
Price comparison giant Money Supermarket points out that travel insurance could be pricier if you have a pre-existing condition. It explains: “Yes, you can get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, although it might be more expensive than standard travel insurance. This is because an insurer sees you as a higher risk of making a claim on the policy.
“However, there are still lots of policies to choose from for those with pre-existing conditions. They cover a wide range of health problems and there are also specialist insurers who can help.”
Before jetting off, the FCDO advises holidaymakers to have their insurance policy details at hand, including the policy number and emergency contact number for your insurer.
“Share your policy details with people you’re travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf,” it suggests.
FAILED asylum seekers and foreign offenders are being left in Britain for up to a year because their governments are dragging their feet over travel papers, a Home Office file reveals.
The official guide, published by the department, shows deportations are crippled by delays from overseas embassies.
5
Anti migrant protesters at the Holiday Inn in SolihullCredit: SWNS
5
Protesters raised St George’s Cross and Union flags outside some of the 210 hotels being used to house migrant
Egypt, Guinea and Burkina Faso are among the worst offenders — taking six to 12 months to issue the documents needed to put its citizens on a plane home.
By contrast, Italy, Belgium and Sri Lanka can turn the paperwork around in less than two weeks, while India averages one month.
But the file also shows no reliable timescale is available at all for dozens of countries — leaving removals at the mercy of slow or unpredictable foreign bureaucracies.
The delays mean some migrants remain in Britain long after their claims have failed, with taxpayers footing the bill for hotel rooms, benefits and legal fees while they wait.
Yesterday, fed-up protesters raised St George’s Cross and Union flags outside some of the 210 hotels being used to house migrants — as PM Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to overhaul the failing asylum system.
Among those targeted was the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham.
Outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London, a group of protesters gathered with one holding a banner that read: “Enough is enough protect our women and girls.”
Another said: “Tower Hamlets council house homeless Brits first.”
There were also protests outside the Holiday Inn in Solihull, West Midlands, and the Manchester South Hotel.
At least 15 people were arrested at protests relating to migrant hotels on Saturday.
Migrants to be kicked out of hotel at centre of protests in landmark ruling after asylum seeker’s ‘sex attack’
Following the release of the Home Office file, Reform UK demanded ministers get tough.
Deputy party leader Richard Tice said: “Foreign countries know Starmer’s Britain is a pushover, so it’s no wonder they are dragging their feet when it comes to accepting deportations.
“Britain needs to start using its diplomatic and economic power.
5
Failed asylum seekers are being left in the UK for up to a yearCredit: AFP
“Countries that refuse to take their criminals back should not get off scot-free but instead face serious sanctions.
“Unfortunately, with this meek Labour Government, we will continue to be seen as a meek nation on the global stage.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also hit out, saying: “Countries that do not fully and promptly co-operate should suffer visa sanctions — where we don’t give visas to citizens of those countries to come here.
‘TOO WEAK’
“Then, they would pretty soon fall into line.
“The legal power exists to do that but this Labour Government is too weak to use it.”
There is currently a 106,000-strong backlog of asylum claim cases, including at least 51,000 appeals.
Last week, official statistics showed a record 111,000 people applied for asylum in the UK during the first year of Labour coming to power.
The Government has said its latest plans would introduce independent panels to hear appeal cases to speed up the process and deport failed asylum seekers quicker.
A new commission will prioritise cases of those living in costly asylum hotels and foreign national offenders.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited, which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.”
5
Protesters outside The Bell Hotel in EppingCredit: Reuters
She added: “Overhauling the appeals system so that it is swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place, is a central part of our Plan for Change.”
But the new scheme could take months to implement and record numbers of people continue to cross the Channel on small boats.
Tory Mr Philp said: “The Government is too weak to do what’s really needed — such as repeal the Human Rights Act for all immigration matters and deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival.”
The Home Office said: “For some countries receiving returnees from the UK, establishing their identities and nationalities can take time.
“Where that is the case, we work with their respective governments closely to drive timings down to the minimum possible.”
THERE was a party atmosphere at an anti-migrant protest in Epping yesterday — with at least 150 dancing and cheering as drivers hooted their car horns in support.
Some shouted at police who stood outside the Bell Hotel, the focus of demonstrations but now set to stop housing asylum-seekers.
One man yelled: “Unfortunately Starmer has turned you into stormtroopers — or rather Starmtroopers.”
Other protesters held banners reading “deport foreign criminals” and chanted the name of the far-right’s Tommy Robinson.
Residents across the UK are hoping they will see their own asylum hotels shut after the High Court granted the Essex town’s council a temporary injunction.
People travelling to Turkey have been issued some travel advice(Image: Getty)
The Foreign Office has issued new advice for people travelling to Turkey. New guidance was published regarding swimming and beaches on August 22. The advice is crucial to note if you are heading to the coast as there have been fatal incidents.
The advice says: “Every year, people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Turkey. Always supervise children, even if they can swim or there is a lifeguard present.”
Families are warned of several dangers when going for a swim in the ocean in Turkey. The guidance says: “Take care when swimming in the sea. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents.
“Hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Do not dive into unknown water. Follow local advice if jellyfish or urchins are present.”
Holidaymakers are also advised that many beaches have a flag system that you may want to look out for. The Foreign Office advises: “Make sure you understand the system and follow any warnings (a red flag means you must not enter the water). Follow instructions from lifeguards.
“Take extra care and seek local advice if there are no lifeguards, flags, or signs.” Another rule you may want to note if you are in Turkey is that it’s illegal not to carry some form of photo ID.
The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice for Turkey(Image: Getty)
The Government guidance says: “Always carry your passport or residence permit. In some busy areas, especially Istanbul, the authorities may stop people for ID checks.
“There are also several police checkpoints on main roads across Turkey. Cooperate with officials conducting checks.”
What travel restrictions apply in Turkey?
The Foreign Office advises against any travel to within 10km of the border with Syria. This is due conflict in the area and “a heightened risk of terrorism”.
The guidance explains that most terrorist attacks to date have happened in southeast Turkey, and in Ankara and Istanbul. Visitors are advised: “You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”
The advice page includes further information about the risks and restrictions that apply in certain regions of Turkey.
Passengers from China, India, the Philippines, the Middle East and the US were on board the bus when it crashed at full speed.
Five people were killed and many were injured when a tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls with 54 people on board crashed and rolled on its side on an interstate highway, authorities said.
A police spokesman said the bus left the road on a highway about 40km (25 miles) east of the northern city of Buffalo on Friday.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way but police said they suspect the driver, who survived, became distracted, lost control of the vehicle at “full speed”, and oversteered, causing the bus to flip over and come to a rest in a ditch.
Authorities have ruled out mechanical failure and driver health issues, and said no other vehicles were involved.
According to police, bus passengers were from China, India, the Middle East, the Philippines and the US. Translators were sent to the scene to help communicate with the victims.
The Mercy Flight medical transport service said its three helicopters and three more from other services transported people from the crash site to hospitals in the area.
More than 40 people were evaluated and treated for injuries ranging from head trauma to broken arms and legs.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to New York to investigate the crash.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said her team was coordinating with state police and local officials “who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved”.
Blood and organ donor network Connect Life issued a call for blood donors to come forward in the wake of the crash.
“I’m heartbroken for all those we’ve lost and all those injured and praying for their families. Thank you to our brave first responders on the scene,” senior US senator from New York Chuck Schumer said.
The bus was returning from a day trip to the popular tourist destination of Niagara Falls – towering waterfalls that span the US-Canada border – when the accident occurred.
Caspar Veldkamp and other ministers step down after cabinet rejects sanctions against Israel, prompting broader political upheaval.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has resigned after failing to secure cabinet support for additional sanctions against Israel over its military onslaught in Gaza.
Veldkamp, a member of the centre-right New Social Contract party, said on Friday that he could not achieve agreement on “meaningful measures” and had repeatedly faced resistance from colleagues over sanctions already in place.
His efforts included imposing entry bans on far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing their role in inciting settler violence against Palestinians.
Veldkamp also revoked three export permits for navy ship components, warning of “deteriorating conditions” in Gaza and the “risk of undesirable end use”.
“I also see what is happening on the ground in Gaza, the attack on Gaza City, and what is happening in the West Bank, the building decision for the disputed settlement E1, and East Jerusalem,” Veldkamp told reporters.
His departure leaves the Netherlands without a foreign minister as the European Union navigates security guarantees for Ukraine and continues talks with the United States over tariffs.
Following his resignation, all New Social Contract ministers and state secretaries confirmed their support for Veldkamp and resigned from the caretaker government in solidarity.
Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen, reporting from Berlin on developments in the Netherlands, said Veldkamp was “under increasing pressure from lawmakers in parliament, especially from the opposition who have been requesting stricter sanctions against Israel”.
While Veldkamp had announced travel bans for two Israeli ministers a few weeks ago, Vaessen said the foreign minister was facing growing demands after Israel’s attacks on Gaza City and the “increasing aggression” that the Dutch government “should be doing more”.
“Veldkamp has also been pushing for a suspension of the trade agreement that the EU has with Israel,” Vaessen added, noting that the Dutch foreign minister had “increasingly become frustrated because Germany was blocking that. So there was also this push from the Dutch parliament that the Netherlands shouldn’t wait anymore for any European sanctions but should put sanctions on Israel alone.”
Europe-Israel relations
Despite limited Dutch sanctions on Israel, the country continues to support the supply chain of Israel’s F-35 fighter jet.
Research from the Palestinian Youth Movement shared with Al Jazeera in June shows that ships carrying F-35 components frequently dock at the port of Rotterdam, operated by Danish shipping company Maersk.
The F-35 jets have been used by Israel in air strikes on Gaza, which have left much of the Strip in ruins and contributed to the deaths of more than 62,000 people since October 2023.
Earlier this week, the Netherlands joined 20 other nations in condemning Israel’s approval of a large West Bank settlement expansion, calling it “unacceptable and contrary to international law”.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military attacks on Gaza continue, forcing civilians from Gaza City southwards amid mounting famine. A global hunger monitor confirmed on Friday that residents of Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially facing famine conditions.
No successor to Veldkamp has been announced. The caretaker Dutch government, which has been in place since the collapse of the previous coalition on June 3, is expected to remain until a new coalition is formed following elections in October, a process that could take months.
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential challenger Patrick J. Buchanan called for phasing out foreign aid and withdrawing U.S. troops from Europe and Korea as he lambasted the Bush Administration on Wednesday for failing to secure America’s borders against illegal immigrants and failing to defend American sovereignty against international bureaucrats.
“The battle for the future is on,” Buchanan told members of the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting here. The choice, he said, is “between New Age globalists and old-fashioned patriots, between those who believe America must yield up her sovereignty to a new world order and those who believe we must preserve the old republic.”
“If we are to remain true to the legacy of the Founding Fathers,” he said, “we must battle this new world order as resolutely as they battled the old British Empire.”
In the face of a world that has been radically changed by the end of the Cold War, Buchanan said, the foreign policy Establishment “seems to have adopted as its new slogan: ‘Read our lips. No new thinking.’ ”
By contrast, Buchanan said, he would advocate building a missile defense system for the United States, reappraising whether the United States should still remain in the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and using the military to stop “the greatest invasion in history–a mass immigration of millions of illegal aliens yearly from Mexico.”
Buchanan also called for President Bush to refuse to attend the international environmental summit scheduled for Rio de Janeiro in June, saying it would be the occasion for a “transnational elite of environmentalists” to try to “force on the West its idea of an EPA for the new world order, its demand for billions more in foreign aid.”
The appearance marked something of a shift for Buchanan’s campaign, which has mostly attacked Bush over domestic issues rather than foreign affairs. But the contents of the speech fit what Buchanan aides now see as the chief purpose of his effort–laying out conservative themes that will guide an attempt to reshape the Republican Party for the 1996 election.
Buchanan denied the often-repeated charge that his platform amounts to isolationism. Americans, he said, want to travel the world and enjoy “peaceful commerce with all nations.”
“We simply do not want to fight other people’s wars or use the tax dollars of our citizens to pay other nations’ debts.”
Under Bush Administration policies, he charged, “America is to be the planet’s permanent policeman, the world’s first Globocop.” The idea “is a prescription for permanent war for permanent peace. In the deepest historical sense, it is un-American.”
The alert was issued by the Foreign Office for anyone who is planning a solo trip abroad
FCDO Travel Advice shared the alert on social media (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
For students across the country, A-level results day marked the end of years spent in education. Many celebrate with a group holiday to a sunny destination, while others embark on solo trips. However, before planning a getaway, it’s important to check safety advice for travellers.
The Foreign Office has issued an important alert for anyone travelling alone. It includes advice people need to action before setting off on a trip, and it’s relevant to all ages, though it’s particularly pertinent at this time of year as young people plan backpacking trips and gap years.
Sharing the travel advice on social media, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice wrote: “Solo travelling can be a lot of fun – but if you’re alone abroad, you may need to take extra precautions when traveling. Consider leaving an itinerary with someone at home and agree how regularly you’ll be in contact.”
The post on X also shared a link to GOV.UK, which has more information on how to plan and stay safe when you’re travelling independently. While it’s always important to take precautions before you travel, there are extra steps to consider if you’re solo travelling.
GOV.UK explains: “All travel comes with risk. However, if you travel by yourself (solo travel), independent of a group or organised tour (independent travel), you can face additional challenges.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
It states that you should take several steps before you travel. One important step is researching your destination, which could include reading guidebooks and online forums or talking to friends or family who have been to the places you wish to visit.
It’s also advised that you read the foreign travel checklist and check the travel advice pages for the countries you plan to visit, where you can sign up for email alerts when the page is updated. These pages include essential advice and cover a wide range of topics.
Additionally, solo travellers should check they have appropriate travel insurance and make a plan with someone at home so that they know the trip itinerary.
Solo travellers were told to take extra precautions (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
The advice explains: “Leave an itinerary with someone at home and agree how regularly you will be in contact. You may also want to leave photocopies of important documents, such as your passport and insurance policy.”
It’s also essential to make a plan in case something goes wrong. This includes knowing the accommodation address in case a host or transfer company fails to show up, and knowing about alternative accommodation options.
GOV.UK adds: “Solo and independent travel can be a rewarding experience. However, it may bring an increased risk of being a victim of crime or other risks to your personal safety. If you are travelling by yourself, without other people or an organised group, consider how you will look after your safety. This is particularly important if you are travelling in a place that’s unfamiliar to you.”
WASHINGTON — A divided panel of appeals court judges ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can suspend or terminate billions of dollars of congressionally appropriated funding for foreign aid.
Two of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit concluded that grant recipients challenging the freeze did not meet the requirements for a preliminary injunction restoring the flow of money.
In January, on the first day of his second term in the White House, Republican President Trump issued an executive order directing the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to freeze spending on foreign aid.
After groups of grant recipients sued to challenge that order, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the administration to release the full amount of foreign assistance that Congress had appropriated for the 2024 budget year.
The appeal court’s majority partially vacated Ali’s order.
Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson and Gregory Katsas concluded that the plaintiffs did not have a valid legal basis for the court to hear their claims. The ruling was not on the merits of whether the government unconstitutionally infringed on Congress’ spending powers.
“The parties also dispute the scope of the district court’s remedy but we need not resolve it … because the grantees have failed to satisfy the requirements for a preliminary injunction in any event,” Henderson wrote.
Judge Florence Pan, who dissented, said the Supreme Court has held “in no uncertain terms” that the president does not have the authority to disobey laws for policy reasons.
“Yet that is what the majority enables today,” Pan wrote. “The majority opinion thus misconstrues the separation-of-powers claim brought by the grantees, misapplies precedent, and allows Executive Branch officials to evade judicial review of constitutionally impermissible actions.”
The money at issue includes nearly $4 billion for USAID to spend on global health programs and more than $6 billion for HIV and AIDS programs. Trump has portrayed the foreign aid as wasteful spending that does not align with his foreign policy goals.
Henderson was nominated to the court by Republican President George H.W. Bush. Katsas was nominated by Trump. Pan was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden.
Critics argue President Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority by slashing congressionally approved aid.
A United States appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can proceed with efforts to slash foreign aid payments, despite such funds being designated by Congress.
The two-to-one ruling on Wednesday overturned a previous injunction that required the Department of State to resume the payments, including about $4bn for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and $6bn for HIV and AIDS programmes.
But the majority opinion from the appeals court did not weigh the merits of whether Trump could nix congressionally approved funds.
Instead, it decided the case based on the idea that the plaintiffs did not meet the legal basis to qualify for a court injunction.
Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Karen Henderson said the groups in question “lack a cause of action to press their claims”. They include the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and the Journalism Development Network, both recipients of federal aid.
“The grantees have failed to satisfy the requirements for a preliminary injunction in any event,” wrote Henderson, who was appointed by former President George HW Bush.
She was joined in her decision by Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee.
However, the panel’s third judge — Florence Pan, nominated under former President Joe Biden — issued a dissenting opinion that argued Trump should not be allowed to violate the separation of powers by cutting the aid.
“The court’s acquiescence in and facilitation of the Executive’s unlawful behaviour derails the carefully crafted system of checked and balanced power that serves as the greatest security against tyranny — the accumulation of excessive authority in a single Branch,” Pan wrote in her opinion.
The ruling hands a victory to the Trump administration, which has faced a series of legal challenges to Trump’s efforts to radically reshape the federal government.
That includes dramatic cuts to spending and government agencies like USAID, which was established by an act of Congress.
Almost immediately upon taking office, Trump announced a 90-day pause on all foreign aid.
By March, the Trump administration had announced it planned to fold USAID into the State Department, fundamentally dismantling the agency. That same month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he had cancelled 83 percent of USAID’s contracts.
Part of Trump’s reasoning for these changes was to reduce “waste” and “bloat” in the government. He also sought to better align government programming with his “America First” agenda.
But critics say the executive branch does not have the power to tear down congressionally mandated agencies. They also argue that Congress has the power to designate funds for aid, framing Trump’s efforts as a push for extreme presidential power.
Republicans, however, control both houses of Congress, and in July, Congress passed the Rescission Act of 2025, allowing the government to claw back nearly $9bn in foreign aid and funding for public broadcasting.
US District Judge Amir Ali previously ruled that the Trump administration must pay its agreed-upon funds to humanitarian groups and other contractors that partnered with the government to distribute aid.
Administration officials in February estimated there was $2bn in outstanding aid payments due by the deadline Judge Ali set.
But the appeals court’s ruling has set back cases to restore the foreign aid to the contractors.
Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the decision on Wednesday, stating that the Department of Justice would “continue to successfully protect core Presidential authorities from judicial overreach”.
The security chief’s visit comes after Iran expressed opposition to a government plan to disarm Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s president has told a senior Iranian official that Beirut rejects any interference in its internal affairs and has criticised Tehran’s statements on plans to disarm Hezbollah as “unconstructive”.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani’s visit to Beirut on Wednesday comes a week after the Lebanese government ordered the army to devise plans by the end of 2025 to disarm the Iran-aligned Lebanese armed group.
Iran expressed opposition to the plan to disarm Hezbollah, which before a war with Israel last year was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military.
“It is forbidden for anyone … to bear arms and to use foreign backing as leverage,” Aoun told Larijani, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency posted on X.
Larijani responded to Aoun by stating that Iran does not interfere in Lebanese decision-making, and that foreign countries should not give orders to Lebanon.
“Any decision taken by the Lebanese government in consultation with the resistance is respected by us,” he said after separate talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, whose Amal Movement is an ally of Hezbollah.
“Iran didn’t bring any plan to Lebanon, the US did. Those intervening in Lebanese affairs are those dictating plans and deadlines”, said Larijani.
He said Lebanon should not “mix its enemies with its friends – your enemy is Israel, your friend is the resistance”.
Larijani further added that Lebanon should appreciate Hezbollah, and its “value of resistance”.
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said Larijani appeared to have softened his language on the visit.
“Ali Larijani has been using more diplomatic language than … a few days ago [when] he was blunt that Iran opposes the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah.”
“He said that Iran’s policy is about friendly cooperation, not giving orders and timetables, so he was referring to the United States, the US envoy, which presented a plan to end tensions with Israel, and that plan involves disarming Hezbollah [on] a four-month timetable.”
A ‘state-by-state’ relationship
Dozens of Hezbollah supporters gathered along the airport road to welcome Larijani on Wednesday morning. He briefly stepped out of his car to greet them as they chanted slogans.
“If … the Lebanese people are suffering, we in Iran will also feel this pain and we will stand by the dear people of Lebanon in all circumstances,” Larijani told reporters shortly after landing in Beirut.
The Iranian official is also scheduled to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as Berri, who is close to Hezbollah.
Iran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in June.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, was weakened during the war with Israel, which ended in a November 2024 ceasefire that Israel continues to violate.
The new Lebanese government, backed by the United States, has moved to further restrain the group.
“What the new Lebanese leadership wants is a state-by-state relationship, not like in the past where … the Iranians would be dealing with Hezbollah and not [with] the Lebanese state,” said Khodr.
Hezbollah has called the government’s disarmament decision a “grave sin”.
Khodr said the tensions have sparked concern about potential unrest in the country.
Hezbollah is part of Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance” – a network of aligned armed groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who oppose Israel.
The designation comes as US President Donald Trump seeks closer ties with Pakistani government.
The United States has upped pressure on the Pakistan-based Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), labelling it a “foreign terrorist” organisation.
The designation, announced by the Department of State on Monday, comes after the BLA, which is also known as the Majeed Brigade, was designated a “specially designated global terrorist” (SDGT) organisation in 2019.
The new designation is more severe and comes as US President Donald Trump has sought increased contacts with Pakistan’s government.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism”.
“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the statement said.
The BLA was designated as an SDGT following a series of attacks in 2019. More recently, in March this year, the secessionist group claimed responsibility for the siege of a train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, in which dozens of passengers and soldiers were killed.
The new designation makes it a crime for anyone in the US to provide support to the group, while the previous designation only targeted financial resources.
Balochistan is the largest but least populous and poorest province in Pakistan. The region has experienced at least five secessionist uprisings since Pakistan’s formation in 1947.
The latest iteration began in the early 2000s, and has since broadened its focus from securing the province’s natural resources to full-fledged independence.
Supporters of the secessionist movement have alleged that Pakistan’s government has exploited the region’s resources, while neglecting its population of 15 million. The province remains key to trade, housing the deep-sea ports at Gwadar, a key component in plans to link southwestern China to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.
Recent BLA attacks have further inflamed tensions between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad accusing New Delhi of fuelling the violence. India has denied the claims.
Last month, the administration of US President Donald Trump also labelled The Resistance Front (TRF), which Rubio described as an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a “foreign terrorist” group following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April that killed 26 people.
Trump later said he was behind a ceasefire that ended a brief military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, a claim rejected by India. Relations between New Delhi and Washington have further soured over Trump’s tariff campaign against India.
Meanwhile, in June, Trump hosted Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, considered one of the most powerful men in the country, for lunch at the White House.
The Trump administration has also sought new investments with Pakistan, with particular emphasis on the South Asian country’s natural resources and fledgling cryptocurrency industry.
