Steve Bannon called for a complete purge of international students and H-1B visa holders, arguing they displace American students and drain talent from other countries. His remarks come amid tech layoffs, with companies claiming AI is the primary driver, though skepticism remains due to continued H-1B approvals. The US labor market shows signs of deterioration, further fueling the debate.
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Legal scholars also raised red flags. The Establishment Clause of the US Constitution prohibits government endorsement of religion. While DHS has not officially responded to requests for clarification, civil liberties groups are reportedly preparing to challenge the campaign in court.
A Myanmar junta air strike on the rebel-held ruby mining center of Mogok resulted in 13 fatalities, including a monk and civilians. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army reported 14 injuries following the morning strike on a public area. This incident occurs amidst ongoing civil war and resistance since the 2021 coup, with both sides vying for control of resource-rich areas.
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud visited INTERPOL’s headquarters in Lyon to reaffirm and build on the Kingdom’s ongoing support for global security cooperation. The visit followed earlier commitments, including a €1 million pledge to INTERPOL’s I-CORE programme and an agreement to host its upcoming MENA Regional Bureau. Talks focused on cybercrime, training, and digital policing efforts.
Donald Trump has reinstated the Presidential Fitness Test, aiming to boost youth fitness nationwide. This initiative reverses Obama-era policies that prioritized overall wellness over performance metrics. The revived program includes push-ups, sit-ups, and mile runs, with the goal of fostering a stronger, healthier generation. Critics, however, worry about potential pressure on struggling students and funding challenges for schools.
Saudi Arabia detained 22,147 individuals between July 24-30, 2025, for violating residency, labor, and border regulations. A significant number, 11,000, have already been deported. Authorities intercepted illegal entrants, primarily Ethiopians and Yemenis, and those attempting unauthorized exits. Stiff penalties, including imprisonment, hefty fines, and asset seizure, await anyone aiding these violators, as the Kingdom intensifies its zero-tolerance approach.
Kuwait's ambitious six-pillar education reform, spearheaded by Minister Al-Tabtabaei, has reached 60% completion, focusing on curriculum overhaul, smart infrastructure, and teacher licensing. Partnering with the OECD, Kuwait aims to benchmark curricula, align teacher licensing with PISA 2029 readiness, and elevate educational standards to meet global benchmarks by the end of the decade.
In Q1 2025, domestic workers constitute 25.2% of Kuwait's expatriate labor, totaling 745,000, a 5.6% decrease from last year. Indians lead both domestic (42.2%) and overall expatriate employment (35.3%). Workers from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Bangladesh comprise nearly 90% of the domestic labor force, reflecting shifts in Kuwait's labor market.
Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News personality and staunch Trump loyalist, has been confirmed as the US Attorney for the District of Columbia by the Senate. The 50-45 vote cemented Trump's provisional appointment from May. Pirro, a former Westchester County district attorney, transitioned to television and is known for her outspoken commentary.
Saudi Arabia’s Q2 2025 budget report shows a 7% rise in non-oil revenues, reaching SR149.861 billion ($39.9 billion), now nearly half of total income. While oil revenues fell 29%, fiscal reforms under Vision 2030 drove stronger tax and non-oil performance. Despite a quarterly deficit of SR34.534 billion ($9.2 billion), spending and debt remain tightly managed.