Trump made big promises and moved at frenetic speed. 100 days in, here’s what he’s done and not done
The weeks since President Donald Trump returned to office have been a whirlwind of activity to show Americans that his administration is relentlessly pursuing his promises, Associated Press reported.
With a compliant Republican-controlled Congress, Trump has had a free hand to begin overhauling the federal government and upending foreign policy.
As Trump hits his 100th day in office Tuesday, his imprint is everywhere. But the long-term impact is often unclear.
Some of the Republican president’s executive orders are statements of intent or groundwork to achieve what has yet to be done. On Day 1, for example, he declared an energy emergency to spur production. But he’s not promising a payoff until next year, when he told voters to count on a big drop in their utility bills, according to Associated Press.
Trump’s goals occasionally conflict with each other. He promised both to lower the cost of living and to impose tariffs on foreign goods, which will most likely increase prices. Other issues are languishing.
Pakistan on high alert, signals nuclear option if threatened
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned Monday of a possible Indian military incursion following a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, Firstpost reported.
Asif said Pakistan had reinforced its forces and taken strategic decisions in response to the perceived threat. He emphasized that Pakistan would use nuclear weapons only if its existence were directly threatened.
India has blamed Pakistan for the attack at Pahalgam, but Islamabad denies involvement and has called for an independent investigation. Asif emphasized that India's language was becoming more aggressive, and that the Pakistani military had briefed the government on the possibility of escalation, according to the Firstpost.
The attack has heightened tensions between the two countries, who have fought multiple conflicts over the disputed Kashmir region.
Iran proposes meeting with Europeans before next talks with US, diplomats say
Iran has proposed meeting the European parties to a 2015 nuclear deal possibly in Rome this Friday if talks resume with the United States, four diplomats said on Monday, cautioning that there has yet to be a response from the Europeans to the idea, Reuters reported.
Iran is looking to build on the momentum of nuclear negotiations with the United States that resumed in Oman on Saturday and after talks with Russia and China last week.
Omani officials have said a new round of U.S.-Iran talks could be held on May 3 in Europe. No formal decision has been taken.
Iran's reach out to Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, suggests Tehran is keeping its options open, but also wants to assess where the Europeans stand on the possible re-imposition of U.N. sanctions before October, when a resolution ratifying the 2015 accord expires, according to Reuters.
Putin announces May 8-10 ceasefire, Ukraine wants truce now
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in May in the war with Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two, Reuters reported.
Putin's move appeared aimed at signalling that Russia is still interested in peace - something that Ukraine and its European allies dispute - as President Donald Trump's administration in Washington grows impatient with stuttering efforts toward peace.
The Kremlin said the 72-hour ceasefire would run on May 8, May 9 - when Putin will host international leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping for lavish celebrations to commemorate victory over Nazi Germany - and May 10.
Kyiv questioned why Putin would not agree to its call for an immediate ceasefire lasting at least 30 days to pave the way for diplomacy, according to Reuters.
