Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes in women's sports
Washington: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, stating that it marks the end of the "war on women's sports."
Surrounded by female athletes and children at the White House, Trump declared, "We will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and girls. From now on, women's sports will be only for women."
The order directs government agencies to withhold federal funds from schools that permit transgender athletes in women's sports. "It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, endanger their safety, and violate their privacy," the executive order states.
Trump also announced plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been directed to push the IOC for policy changes, while Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem has been instructed to deny visas to "men fraudulently identifying as women athletes" seeking to compete in the Games.
Since his return to office on January 20, Trump has aggressively targeted transgender rights through a series of executive orders. These include reversing policies on transgender military service and restricting gender transition procedures for individuals under 19.
During the 2024 election campaign, Trump repeatedly attacked Democrats on transgender rights, branding his opponent Kamala Harris as a supporter of "they/them ideology." The Republican-led House of Representatives had earlier passed a bill restricting transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports, aligning with conservative concerns over fairness in competition.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
