WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it will admit an additional 10,000 white South Africans into the U.S. as refugees this year, increasing its historically low annual cap but still blocking people from other countries from entering through the program.

Trump suspended the refugee program on his first day in office and, since then, has turned it into a vehicle to allow Afrikaners — a group of white South Africans descended mainly from Dutch settlers — into the U.S. Advocates say the decision to focus a decades-old program on one group has left people around the world fleeing war and strife stranded and with few options.

The administration says Afrikaners are subject to persecution in their home country, a charge the government in South Africa denies.

In the Tuesday announcement on the Federal Register, President Donald Trump said that because of “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation” he was raising the refugee cap. He blamed the South African government for “recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence” but gave no specific information.

“I hereby determine that the admission to the United States of Afrikaners from South Africa in response to this emergency is justified by the grave humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest,” Trump said in the announcement.

Democrats criticize refugee cap

The administration indicated last year that it would approve up to 7,500, mostly Afrikaners, during the fiscal year stretching from October 2025 through September 2026, but last week, in a notice to Congress informing it of the increase, the administration said that “unforeseen developments in South Africa created an emergency refugee situation.” The change raises the limit to 17,500.

Christopher Landau, the deputy secretary of state, and Troy Edgar, the deputy secretary of Homeland Security, met with key congressional committees on Thursday as part of the legally required consultation process with lawmakers, according to two people who were granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

During the hour-long session, Landau told lawmakers that one of the ways that Afrikaners had faced persecution at home was the erasure of their history in school textbooks, according to the people with knowledge of the meeting. The discussion infuriated Democrats, who called the approach and the consultation “indefensible.”

The State Department did not return a request for comment on the interaction.

“The administration’s shameful approach to refugee resettlement is organized around prioritizing white-only Afrikaners and betraying everyone else, including thousands of Afghan allies who risked their lives for our nation, and thousands of other approved and vetted refugees twisting in the wind,” said Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Alex Padilla of California, and Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Pramila Jayapal of Washington in a statement.

Inside the meeting, Democrats also pressed the administration on religious minorities in other nations, particularly in Iran, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan indicated that it was an issue the administration should look at, the people said. Jordan raised the case of Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old star wrestler who was hanged in Iran with two other young men in March after being sentenced on charges of “moharabeh,” or “waging war against God,” another person with knowledge of the meeting said.

Thousands of mostly white South Africans already admitted

The State Department has already approved more than 6,000 people through the refugee program since the beginning of the fiscal year in October, according to official data. All of those were from South Africa except for three people from Afghanistan.

Presidents set the cap on how many refugees the U.S. will approve through the program each year, and historically, they’ve allocated those numbers across various geographic regions while factoring in wars or conflicts that spark humanitarian needs around the globe.

The refugee program, administered by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, is distinct from asylum. People hoping to come through the refugee program must be living abroad and undergo vetting and other checks before being admitted to the U.S., whereas those seeking asylum are already on U.S. soil. A visa, however, is not a guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter the U.S.

During his first administration, Trump slashed the number of refugees approved every year. Then the Biden administration built the system back up, setting a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees in his last year in office.

Groups that have for decades helped resettle refugees in the U.S. have sued to allow people who were in the refugee application process but are now stranded to be allowed to come to the U.S.

“For nearly half a century, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program embodied a simple but powerful, bipartisan idea: that the United States would offer safety to the world’s most vulnerable refugees,” said Beth Oppenheim, President & CEO of HIAS, in a statement. “This administration is now dismantling that legacy in plain sight.”

A ranch seasoning sold at Walmart has been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.

According to a recent notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, certain lots of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning products contained a dry milk powder that was recalled in April by California Dairies, Inc because it may have been contaminated with salmonella.

“The affected milk powder ingredient was supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used in the seasoning product,” Blackstone Products said in the announcement shared by the FDA.

The recall affects 7.3-ounce bottles of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch, with the number 4106 in the product name and Best If Used By dates between July 2, 2027, and August 12, 2027 on the label. Affected seasonings can be identified by one of three lot numbers: 2025-43282, 2025-46172 and 2026-54751.

Recalled products were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and through the Blackstone Products website.

Although there haven’t been any illnesses reported to date, customers with the recalled product should dispose of it immediately and contact Blackstone Products for a replacement.

People with salmonella infections can develop symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, according to the FDA. Symptoms — which last from four to seven days and usually go away without treatment — can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. However, salmonella can “cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”

The ranch seasoning wasn’t the only product that contained the recently recalled dry milk powder. On Saturday, SKS Copack recalled a variety of its specialty beverages because they were made with the dairy-based ingredient.

Drink and dessert mixes from the company’s Angel Specialty Products, Royal Gold, Boba Time, Fanale and Denda brands were affected, with individual products including matcha green tea, taro, caramel latte, horchata, milk tea and Dutch mocha cappuccino. Yogurt powders, ice cream mixes and smoothie bases from these brands were also impacted. All products were distributed through cafes, restaurants and direct delivery via Angel Specialty’s website in 25 states.

Earlier this month, Sugar Foods LLC recalled multiple lots of its Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons that had the recalled dry milk powder in them. Affected croutons were packaged in five-ounce pouches and distributed between March 7, 2026, and April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores in 17 states.

In addition, several types of frozen pizzas containing the potentially contaminated milk powder were recently recalled, including Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Pizza and Biscuit Crust Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles, Cooked Bacon Topping, Pepper & Onion Breakfast Pizza. They were both sold at Aldi stores nationwide.

Three Great Value frozen pizzas — Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch, Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch and Stuffed Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch — were included in that recall as well. They were sold at Walmart stores across the country.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday (May 26) on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity after the attack at the synagogue during Yom Kippur last year

A man has been arrested by counter terror police investigating the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last October.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday (May 26) after a property was raided in on St James’ Road, in Higher Broughton, Salford. The warrant was carried out with Greater Manchester Police officers and Counter Terrorism Policing North West.

A 49-year-old man has been arrested and taken into custody to be questioned on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

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Greater Manchester Police confirmed the arrest relates directly to the attack which took place on the morning of October 2 2025. Terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie targeted the temple, which at the time was full of people marking Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The attacker was shot dead.

Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz both died in the incident, with three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries. All three have since been released.

The latest update brings the total number of people arrested in connection with the investigation to eight.

GMP said this includes a 30-year-old man who was arrested on October 9 last year on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000. He remains under investigation.

It also includes a man, Mohammad Bashir, 31, of Shaftesbury Road, Cheetham Hill, who has since been charged with terrorism offences that are not directly linked to the attack.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “This evening we have arrested a 49-year-old man in the Salford area on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The suspected offence relates directly to the terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October. The loved ones of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, as well as those seriously injured in the attack, have been updated on this latest development.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full picture behind the attack and getting answers for those affected, including the local community. We are prepared to take swift, firm action where we suspect criminal offences may have occurred.

“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again urge anybody who may have information that could assist us to please contact police.”

“Seamus’s mother, from the time he went missing until her passing, she searched tirelessly to try and recover and find where Seamus was, so I would ask people to put yourselves in her shoes – how would you like it if your mother was out trying to search for you, and that there were people out there with information that can help.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West, working with Greater Manchester Police, arrested the 49-year-old on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at an address on St James’ Road in Higher Broughton.

He was arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, an offence under Section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The man is currently in custody and being questioned by police.

The arrest is linked directly to the attack that occurred on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

During the incident, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz were killed, and three other men sustained serious injuries.

All three injured men have since been discharged from hospital.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who has operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “This evening we have arrested a 49-year-old man in the Salford area on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The suspected offence relates directly to the terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October.

“The loved ones of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, as well as those seriously injured in the attack, have been updated on this latest development.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full picture behind the attack and getting answers for those affected, including the local community.

“We are prepared to take swift, firm action where we suspect criminal offences may have occurred.

“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again urge anybody who may have information that could assist us to please contact police.”

This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the investigation to eight.

Among those previously arrested is a 30-year-old man detained on October 9, 2025, also on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity.

He remains under investigation.

A separate individual has been charged with terrorism offences not directly linked to the synagogue attack.

Police continue to appeal for information from the public.

Members of the public were urged to avoid the area

A major search is underway in a lake near Knutsford after a teenage boy was reported as missing after swimming. Police, fire crews, search and rescue teams and paramedics are in attendance at Pickmere Lake.

The alarm was raised shortly before 5pm. Footage and pictures shared on social media showed a large emergency response at the scene, with footpaths around the area also taped off.

It was reported that a person had entered the water before being reported as missing, with a full search of the area being carried out. No further updates have been provided.

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A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are in attendance at Pickmere Lake following reports of a missing teenage boy. Officers are making a search of the area with assistance from the police helicopter, and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while emergency services work at the scene. Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 2336977.”

Five fire engines were also called to the scene, as well as a rapid response unit, technical rescue unit and boat unit amid the water rescue operation.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service statement on the incident read: “Firefighters were called to reports of a person who had entered the water in Pickmere Lake, near Knutsford.

“On arrival, firefighters deployed a rescue boat and water rescue firefighters to assist partner emergency services in searching the area for the missing individual.

“Firefighters and emergency services are still in attendance at the scene and further updates will be provided when available.”

The Consumer Council has offered advice as telecoms costs continue to rise for NI households

As costs connected to broadband and phones continue to rise for households in Northern Ireland, people may have options available to secure a cheaper tariff.

The Consumer Council has offered advice to some households saying they may be eligible for social tariffs that could lower the costs they pay every month.

This follows the release of its Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker, which monitors changes to income and expenditure, has shown that despite a slight increase in available spending money for the lowest-earning households in NI, they are still left with less than £53 a week on average after buying essentials and paying bills.

It found that telecom costs, or Broadband and phone services, continued to grow as an expenditure for households and now makes up 10% of weekly spending for low-earning households. The Consumer Council said this is the highest level since it began monitoring this.

It has now offered some advice to families regarding Social Tariffs that may be available to them and could help to bring their costs down.

Philippa McKeown-Brown, Acting Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets at the Consumer Council, said: “Being connected online is essential for accessing work, education, services and support. However, research conducted by the Consumer Council shows that many consumers in Northern Ireland are unaware that social tariffs are available through most well-known providers. These lower cost broadband and mobile packages offer the same as normal packages but typically cost between £10-£24 per month.

Philippa continued: “In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that people are not excluded. If you or someone in your household receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for these discounted packages through your current provider, or you can shop around.

“For more information, please visit our website: Social tariffs: can you save money on your internet? | Consumer Council The Consumer Council has a range of practical support and information to help reduce household bills at www.consumercouncil.org.uk.”

It also offered some advice on social tariff eligibility, stating: ‘