Trump Says Freeze on U.S. Asylum Decisions to Remain in Place For a Long Time

President of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced that the ongoing pause on asylum decisions will remain in effect “for a long time,” following the fatal shooting of two National Guard members near the White House last week.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said he had set “no time limit” for lifting the suspension, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says is tied to existing travel restrictions placed on 19 countries.

“We don’t want those people,” Trump said when asked to clarify the scope of the measure. “Many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country.”

The policy was introduced after the November 26 shooting in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the death of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and left another officer critically injured.

Authorities have arrested 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and charged him with first-degree murder.

According to investigators, Lakanwal previously served as part of a CIA-supported partner force combating the Taliban in Afghanistan. He was later admitted into the United States under a resettlement programme following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Although he was granted asylum in April 2025 under Trump’s administration, officials have attributed his initial entry into the country to what they described as “lax vetting” during the Biden administration’s evacuation efforts.

In a statement released after the incident, Trump said he intended to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.”

When pressed for details on which nationalities would be affected, DHS referred to a list of 19 countries—among them Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran and Myanmar—that have been subject to U.S. travel restrictions since June.

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

Federal Polytechnic Oko Holds Two-Day Recruitment Interview to Address Staff Shortages

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has begun a two-day interview exercise aimed at recruiting qualified personnel to fill vacant positions arising from staff retirements and other forms of exit from service. The exercise commenced on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and is being overseen by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, who personally announced the names of shortlisted candidates. Addressing the applicants, Dr. Awuzie cautioned that while many candidates were invited for the exercise, only a limited number would eventually be engaged, citing budgetary constraints facing the institution. She urged the candidates to remain patient and understanding throughout the process. According to the Rector, the recruitment exercise was structured to ensure transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with approved financial limits. Speaking with journalists at the interview venue, the Acting Registrar, Chief Dominic Nwagwu, explained that the exercise became necessary...