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The gunman who shot dead US right-wing youth leader Charlie Kirk in a targeted killing remained at large Thursday but authorities said they have video images of the suspect and have recovered a “high-powered” rifle.Kirk, a 31-year-old superstar on the Republican right who was credited with helping Donald Trump return to the presidency last year, was shot while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.The killing — described by the FBI as a “targeted event” — shocked a nation already reeling from political tensions half a year into Trump’s second term.Authorities acknowledged the gunman remained at large after having escaped into woodland.”We’re doing everything we can to find him, and we’re not sure how far he has gone yet, but we will do our best,” FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls told a media briefing.Authorities said they had secured quality images of the killer, who was of university age.”We do have good video footage of this individual. We are not going to release that at this time,” said Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety.Bohls said the presumed murder weapon had also been found.”It is a high powered bolt action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled,” the FBI agent said.Two people initially detained for questioning were released after officials determined they had no connection to the shooting.- ‘Dark moment’ -Reflecting the intensely political nature of the incident, it was Trump, rather than law enforcement authorities, who first announced to Americans that Kirk had died from his wound.Trump then addressed the nation in a video address on social media in which he cited a “dark moment for America.”Despite no public information about the shooter’s identity or motive, the president went on to suggest that the left wing was responsible — and to pledge a wide-reaching response.”For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” he said. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing.””My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity,” Trump said.- Shot in neck -Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking to the crowd and collapsed in his chair.Students at the university described the ensuing panic — and their broader fears as political divisions deepen across the country.”It makes me feel like I should be very careful about expressing my political ideas,” said Samuel Kimball, a software engineering student, told AFP.Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the killing a “political assassination.”Kirk, who supporters have hailed as a “martyr” for conservative ideals, had an outsized influence in US politics.He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to drive conservative viewpoints among young people, his natural showmanship making him a go-to spokesman on television networks.Kirk used his enormous audiences on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to build support for anti-immigration policies, outspoken Christianity and gun ownership, and to spread carefully edited clips of his interactions during debates at his many college events.Three months ago, a Minnesota man shot dead a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in their home, and Trump survived an assassination attempt during his election campaign in July 2024.Vice President JD Vance was due to travel to Utah to meet Kirk’s family Thursday, a source familiar with the plans said, after he canceled a trip to New York to mark the 9/11 attacks anniversary.

New York on Thursday marked the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, 24 years after the plane hijackings that claimed almost 3,000 lives and forever changed the United States.Memorial events were held at Ground Zero in Manhattan where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed in coordinated attacks that also saw a jetliner crashed into the Pentagon in Washington.Another jet, Flight 93, crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside when passengers overran the hijacker and took control of the aircraft.This year’s gathering takes place against a febrile atmosphere following the killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.Vice President JD Vance had been due to attend events in New York but will reportedly travel to Utah in the wake of the killing.Kirk — a close ally of President Donald Trump — was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.The United States has faced a rash of political violence in recent months, with the killing of Kirk following the targeted killing of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and the firebombing of a Democratic governor’s residence.New York is in the grip of a divisive mayoral election campaign in which socialist Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing off against former governor Andrew Cuomo and sitting mayor Eric Adams.New Yorkers go to the polls on November 4.Adams attended the ceremony Thursday alongside former mayor Rudy Giuliani who led the city through the tragedy.Trump has repeatedly attacked Mamdani, a Muslim and naturalized US citizen, calling him a “communist lunatic,” while one Republican lawmaker has called for Mamdani to be deported. Mamdani holds a 22 point lead in the race, according to the latest polling from The New York Times and Siena.”It was this horrific day that was also for many New Yorkers the moment at which they were marked an ‘other,'” Mamdani told The New York Times, describing the surge in Islamophobic attacks that followed 9/11.New York marked a citywide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. (1246 GMT), the time that hijacked Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.Places of worship across the city then sounded their bells to mark the impact as families of the victims read the names of those killed at ground zero. The official death toll was 2,977 including the passengers and crew of the four hijacked planes, victims in the twin towers, firefighters, and personnel at the Pentagon. The death toll excludes the 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers. 

Authorities hunted Thursday for a shooter who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in an attack that sparked fears of spiraling political violence in the United States.President Donald Trump lashed out after the killing of Kirk, a powerful voice in conservative US politics at just 31 years old, and he vowed to crack down on those responsible for what he described as “a dark moment for America.”Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Video from the scene showed him addressing a large crowd when a single shot rang out. The father-of-two collapsed in his chair before sounds of panic erupted in the audience.Students at the university described the shooting as “crazy” and “scary.””It makes me feel like I should be very careful about expressing my political ideas,” said Samuel Kimball, a software engineering student, told AFP.Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the killing a “political assassination” but investigators have not yet made public a possible motive.Trump, in a somber video message from the Oval Office hours after Kirk’s death, led a chorus of conservative voices suggesting that liberals had contributed to the killing.”For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” he said.”My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity.”- ‘Death penalty’ -The Utah Department of Public Safety said the shooter, dressed in dark clothing, fired from a nearby rooftop. The killer remained at large Thursday morning despite an extensive search by authorities including the FBI.Two people initially detained for questioning were released after officials determined they had no connection to the shooting.Cox, the Utah governor, issued a stark warning to the shooter during an emotional news conference.”I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah,” he said.Kirk’s killing marks another politically linked death in an increasingly divided United States, and a further instance of gun violence that plagues the country.Three months ago, a Minnesota man shot dead a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in their home, and Trump survived an assassination attempt during his election campaign in July 2024.Kirk, who supporters have hailed as a “martyr” for conservative ideals, had an outsized influence in US politics.He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to drive conservative viewpoints among young people, his natural showmanship making him a go-to spokesman on television networks.Kirk used his enormous audiences on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to build support for anti-immigration policies, outspoken Christianity and gun ownership, and to spread carefully edited clips of his interactions during debates at his many college events.US politicians from both parties, as well as world leaders, condemned Wednesday’s killing. “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” former president Joe Biden wrote on X.Vice President JD Vance was due to travel to Utah to meet Kirk’s family Thursday, a source familiar with the plans said, after he canceled a trip to New York to mark the 9/11 attacks anniversary.No details on the weapon used have been released, but gun ownership in the United States exacts a staggering toll, with about 20,000 deaths a year from shootings — plus another 25,000 deaths from suicides.Guns outnumber the 340 million people in the country, and attempts to restrict sales fail due to political deadlock as gun activists fiercely defend their Second Amendment rights.

World leaders warned of the harms of politically motivated violence after the murder of right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk, a Donald Trump ally.Kirk, a powerful voice in conservative politics at just 31 years old, was shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Utah.Here’s how world leaders reacted to his killing:- ‘Dark moment for America’: Trump -“This is a dark moment for America,” US President Donald Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social website hours after Kirk’s killing, hailing Kirk as a “martyr for truth.””My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.”- ‘No justification’: Canada -“I am appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk. There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X.- ‘Must be free to debate’: Britain -“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear — there can be no justification for political violence,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.- ‘Deep wound for democracy’: Italy -“An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom. My condolences to his family, to his loved ones, and to the American conservative community,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X.- ‘Murdered for speaking truth’: Israel -“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization,” wrote Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X.”I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place.”- ‘Stop the hatred’: Hungary -“Charlie Kirk’s death is the result of the international hate campaign waged by the progressive-liberal left,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on X, though US investigators have not yet made public a possible motive.”This is what led to the attacks on (Slovak Prime Minister) Robert Fico, on (Czech former premier) Andrej Babis, and now on Charlie Kirk. We must stop the hatred! We must stop the hate-mongering left!”- ‘Victim of atrocious murder’: Argentina -Kirk “was the victim of an atrocious murder in the midst of a wave of left-wing political violence across the entire region,” Argentine President Javier Milei wrote on X.”The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.”- ‘Cowardly, horrific act’: Netherlands -“In a free democracy, you combat each other with words, never with violence,” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X.”My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. I wish everyone affected by this cowardly and horrific act much strength.”

Peter Mandelson, who has been sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US, has been a pivotal figure in shaping modern British politics, but his Machiavellian tactics and choice of friends have seen him repeatedly embroiled in controversy.The 71-year-old, dubbed the “Prince of Darkness” of British politics, has twice been forced to resign as a minister in the past over alleged misconduct.A master of constant reinvention, his latest incarnation as UK ambassador to the US came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday when he was forced out over his links to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.His relationship with Epstein had been public knowledge for years.In 2019 an internal report by bank JP Morgan found that Epstein “appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew… and Lord Peter Mandelson”, whom he called “Petie”.The report also revealed an email from Epstein in which he said that Mandelson “will be staying” at his New York apartment, despite the financier being in prison at the time for soliciting prostitution from a minor.But new revelations over past days led to his swift removal.Mandelson along with Tony Blair were the co-architects of “New Labour”, which transformed the UK Labour Party in the 1990s into an election-winning juggernaut that made the country a beacon of economic and social liberalism.But unlike Blair, Mandelson appeared more comfortable operating in the background, plotting strategy and building up a global network of contacts that current Prime Minister Keir Starmer had hoped would help him smooth over rocky relations with US president Donald Trump.His in depth knowledge of international trade was also likely to have been a factor in Starmer’s decision to appoint him given Trump’s drive to impose tariffs on imported goods.- ‘Fighter’ -The remarkable but shortlived comeback was a testament to Mandelson’s resilience, but also raised eyebrows due to his chequered political history.Blair made him minister for trade and industry in July 1998 but he was forced to quit after failing to declare that he had taken a loan for a house from a cabinet colleague whose business dealings Mandelson’s department was scrutinising. He returned to government nearly a year later, becoming minister for Northern Ireland, but was forced out after just 14 months following accusations that he used his position to influence a passport application. An independent inquiry later concluded that he had not acted improperly.He retained his seat as an MP at the 2001 election, saying in his victory speech that “they underestimated me because I am a fighter and not a quitter.” A vociferous supporter of the UK’s participation in European politics, Mandelson quit as MP in 2004 to become an EU trade commissioner.Mandelson made a surprise return to UK politics in 2008 as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government, also receiving a peerage to make him a lord.Once again he sparked controversy after ordering strict punishments for those guilty of online copyright infringement, shortly after meeting with DreamWorks Records co-founder David Geffen.His Epstein links are not the first time a friendship with a world power-broker has landed him in trouble.In October 2008, Mandelson came under fire over his links to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. – Intellect ‘commands respect’ -Starmer called upon Mandelson’s expertise during Labour’s successful campaign for last July’s general election, and then tasked him with the crucial job of rebuilding the UK-US “special relationship”. Relations had been tested by previous comments from UK ministers, and also a war of words with Trump confidant Elon Musk.Mandelson’s dovish stance on China was also seen as potentially clashing with Trump’s hawkish position, but his pragmatism had been expected to help track a way out of any bickering.Despite having previously criticised Trump as “little short of a white nationalist”, Mandelson later told the News Agents podcast that much of the rhetoric around Trump was “hyperbole”.He added that it was “absolutely essential that we establish a relationship with president Trump that enables us to not only understand and interpret what he is doing, but to influence it”.Mandelson already said that the UK could “have our cake and eat it” on trade, forging closer ties with Europe and the US rather than choosing between the two.Trump friend and right-wing figurehead Nigel Farage also offered a surprisingly positive assessment of Mandelson.”While I’m not certain he’s the ideal fit for dealing with Trump directly, his intellect would at least command respect,” Farage told his GB News show.

Hundreds of South Koreans detained in a massive US immigration raid were being released Thursday to begin the journey home, Seoul said after warning the “bewildering” episode could have a chilling effect on future investment. South Koreans made up the majority of the 475 people arrested last week at a Hyundai-LG battery factory site in the state of Georgia, triggering a delicate effort to resolve the thorny situation between close allies.Seoul confirmed that the “release process was underway” for the workers, who were set to fly back to the South on a chartered plane due to arrive home Friday afternoon.Photographs run by the Yonhap news agency showed the workers gathering around buses, some seen smiling and waving after spending days in US detention.South Korea is a staunch security ally and major investor for the United States, with its top companies pouring billions into developing factories and plants in America.South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called the raid “bewildering” and noted it could have a chilling effect on future investment.Lee blamed the raid on “cultural differences” saying that in South Korea, American nationals teaching English while on a tourist visa was not seen as “a serious issue”.After the detentions, South Korean companies “can’t help but question whether setting up a plant in the US is worth the potential risks,” Lee said.”This could have a significant impact on future investment decisions, particularly when evaluating the feasibility of direct operations in the US,” he added.Many South Korean companies have relied on bringing in their own workforce during project development periods, with industry sources telling AFP it is common practice to use visa workarounds to bring in skilled labour and avoid project delays.Lee said that for South Korean companies “when setting up facilities, equipment and factories, skilled technicians are essential”.”Someone has to install the machinery, and the necessary workforce simply doesn’t exist locally in the US,” he said, adding that the companies had long relied on bringing in their engineers for short-term periods to train local workers.”But now, even that basic request is being rejected,” he said.- Handcuff shock -Lee said Seoul was negotiating with Washington “to ensure that visa issuance for investment-related purposes operates normally”. This could include “securing additional quotas” or even creating a new visa category, he said, adding that he trusted the “US side will find a solution”.”But under the current circumstances, Korean companies will have little choice but to hesitate about making direct investments in the US,” he added.The operation was the largest single-site raid conducted since US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping immigration crackdown, a top political priority since he returned to office in January.The raid came less than a month after Trump welcomed Lee to the White House.Images of the South Korean workers being chained and handcuffed have caused widespread alarm, and Seoul has said it negotiated to make sure the workers were not handcuffed again as they were repatriated.The raid highlights lopsided priorities in the Trump administration, which is “actively bringing in large-scale production facilities while neglecting to train local workers,” said Kim Dae-jong, professor of business at Sejong University.”As a result, South Koreans are having to train the local workforce. Logically, the two sides’ workers should be allowed to work together, not be hindered from doing so,” he told AFP.But Cho Dong-geun, professor emeritus of economics at Myongji University warned that South Korean companies had long been aware of the visa problems. “It is regrettable that there was no earlier intervention to address these matters in response to President Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, as it should have been acted on more swiftly.”

A manhunt was underway Thursday after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot to death at a university in Utah, a killing that sparked fears of worsening political violence in the United States.President Donald Trump lashed out at the “radical left” after the shooting of Kirk, a powerful voice in conservative US politics at just 31 years old, and vowed to crack down on those responsible for what he described as “a dark moment for America.””For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” a somber-looking Trump said in a video message from the Oval Office just hours after Kirk’s death.”This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.”My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.”Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Video from the scene showed him addressing a large crowd when the sound of a single shot rang out. The father-of-two appeared to collapse in his chair before the camera swiftly moved and sounds of panic erupted in the audience.The Utah Department of Public Safety said the shooter, dressed in dark clothing, fired from a nearby rooftop in what authorities called a “targeted attack.”Students at the university described the shooting as “crazy” and “scary”.”It makes me feel like I should be very careful about expressing my political ideas,” said Samuel Kimball, a software engineering student, told AFP.”If I was someone considering going into politics, I’d be afraid to get shot.”- Confusion -The shooter remained at large despite door-to-door searches by federal, state and local officers.Orem city mayor David Young said multiple law enforcement agencies were investigating but confirmed that the suspect had not yet been apprehended.The FBI established a digital line for the public to share tips.There was initial confusion over the manhunt, with FBI Director Kash Patel posting on social media platform X that the “subject” had been detained before walking that back an hour later.Trump ordered flags on government buildings — including the White House — to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday in an illustration of how important Kirk was in the 79-year-old Republican’s orbit.Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the killing a “political assassination” and issued a stark warning to the perpetrator during an emotional news conference.”I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this: we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox said. “And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”- ‘He fell back’ -Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at the rally, told Fox News the shooting had happened while Kirk was doing a question-and-answer session with the crowd.”First question was about religion. He went on for about 15-20 minutes. Second question, interestingly, was about transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out,” a visibly shaken Chaffetz told the network.”As soon as that shot went out, he fell back,” he said. “Everybody hit the deck… a lot of people started screaming, and then everybody started running.”- Turning Point -Kirk had an outsized influence in US politics, powering Trump’s support among younger voters — a key factor in the Republican’s return to power last year.He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to drive conservative viewpoints among young people, his natural showmanship turning him into a go-to spokesman on television networks.Kirk used his enormous audiences on Instagram and YouTube to build support for anti-immigration policies, outspoken Christianity and gun ownership, and to spread carefully edited clips of his interactions during debates at his many college events.News of the shooting provoked horror across the political spectrum.”Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance posted on social media.Figures on the left also condemned the attack and urged calm.”There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” former president Joe Biden wrote on X.California Governor Gavin Newsom — a frequent foil for right-wing figures like Kirk — called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.” Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords — a Democrat who herself survived an assassination attempt — said she was “horrified” by the attack.Kirk’s killing came three months after a Minnesota man shot dead a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in their home.

Back-to-back talks between the United States and China’s top diplomats and defence chiefs could mark “a small step” towards a meeting between the leaders of the two countries, analysts said, but cautioned against expecting an imminent summit.The last time US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met was in 2019 so all eyes would be on any discussions of flashpoint issues like Taiwan, the South China Sea and US tariffs.Tensions between the world’s two biggest economies simmered this year, but have significantly cooled since April, when both countries slapped escalating tariffs on each others’ exports.Trump and Xi last spoke in June over the phone.The US leader said in August that he expects to visit China this year or shortly afterwards, noting that economic ties between the two countries have improved.While Xi has not publicly commented on a potential Trump visit, Wednesday’s talks between the countries’ defence and foreign affairs heads have raised hopes of a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in a telephone call on Wednesday that he wanted constructive and open dialogue with China.Wang described the call with Rubio as fruitful but warned that “recent negative words and deeds from the US side have undermined China’s legitimate rights and interests”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. The talks were “a continuance of previous conversations and gestures made by both leaders and negotiations on the trade deal”, said Dylan Loh, an associate professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.”It is, to me, a positive small step but there are many more steps to make,” Loh told AFP.- Uncertainty ahead -In a separate video call the same day, China’s defence minister warned Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth that “containing, deterring, or interfering with China will be futile”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.The two conversations could “pave the way for a Trump-Xi meeting”, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.”But none of that is clear at this point,” Chong told AFP.”The president is known to make and change decisions quickly, so it may be premature to predict that some leaders’ meeting is imminent,” he cautioned, referring to Trump.The calls came days after Xi presided over a major parade to mark the end of World War II, bringing together leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.Trump accused the three leaders of conspiring against the United States.Xi is unlikely to confirm the date and possibility of a meet with Trump until there is an “agreed scripted list of items to talk about” with his counterpart, said Lim Tai Wei, a professor and East Asia expert at Japan’s Soka University.”China’s unique political system does not allow any surprises to spring up during any summit with Trump,” Lim told AFP. NTU’s Loh said that there was always an expectation that the two leaders may meet during an upcoming APEC summit between late October and early November, which is being held in Korea’s southern city of Gyeongju.”However, given the rapid changes internally and externally, you never really quite know,” Loh added. 

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that a massive US immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG battery factory site was “bewildering” and could have a chilling effect on future investment.Seoul is expecting hundreds of workers detained during last week’s raid in the US state of Georgia to be released from detention on Thursday and flown back to South Korea.Lee blamed the raid on “cultural differences” saying that in South Korea, American nationals teaching English while on a tourist visa was not seen as “a serious issue”.After the detentions, South Korean companies “can’t help but question whether setting up a plant in the US is worth the potential risks,” Lee said.”This could have a significant impact on future investment decisions, particularly when evaluating the feasibility of direct operations in the US,” he added.South Korea is a staunch security ally and major investor for the United States, with its top companies pouring billions into developing factories and plants in America.Many South Korean companies have relied on bringing in their own workforce during project development periods, with industry sources telling AFP it is common practice to use visa workarounds to bring in skilled labour and avoid project delays.Lee said that for South Korean companies “when setting up facilities, equipment and factories, skilled technicians are essential”.”Someone has to install the machinery, and the necessary workforce simply doesn’t exist locally in the US,” he said, adding that the companies had long relied on bringing in their engineers for short-term periods to train local workers.”But now, even that basic request is being rejected,” he said.- Handcuff shock -Lee said Seoul was negotiating with Washington “to ensure that visa issuance for investment-related purposes operates normally”. This could include “securing additional quotas” or even creating a new visa category, he said, adding that he trusted the “US side will find a solution”.”But under the current circumstances, Korean companies will have little choice but to hesitate about making direct investments in the US,” he added.South Koreans made up the majority of the 475 people arrested at the Hyundai-LG battery plant under construction last week, according to immigration agents. The operation was the largest single-site raid conducted since US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping immigration crackdown, a top political priority since he returned to office in January.The raid came less than a month after Trump welcomed Lee to the White House.Images of the South Korean workers being chained and handcuffed have caused widespread alarm, and Seoul has said it negotiated to make sure the workers were not handcuffed again as they were repatriated.The raid highlights lopsided priorities in the Trump administration, which is “actively bringing in large-scale production facilities while neglecting to train local workers,” said Kim Dae-jong, professor of business at Sejong University.”As a result, South Koreans are having to train the local workforce. Logically, the two sides’ workers should be allowed to work together, not be hindered from doing so,” he told AFP.But Cho Dong-geun, professor emeritus of economics at Myongji University warned that South Korean companies had long been aware of the visa problems. “It is regrettable that there was no earlier intervention to address these matters in response to President Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, as it should have been acted on more swiftly.”The repatriation was briefly delayed by Trump asking whether the workers should remain stateside, a Seoul foreign ministry official in Washington said.However, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said that “given the workers’ shock and exhaustion, it would be best for them to return home first and then re-enter the US for work later”.President Lee said the workers were “scheduled to depart the detention facility at 3 pm Seoul time (0600 GMT) today” and would be brought home on a chartered flight, expected to arrive on Friday.

Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event in the western US state of Utah. This is what we know.- At a university -Kirk, the head of the largest conservative youth movement in the United States, which he co-founded in 2012 at the age of 18, was speaking around noon on the campus of Utah Valley University.Dressed in a white t-shirt with the word “Freedom” across the front, Kirk sat in a chair under a tent as he answered questions from the large audience gathered around him.The event was the first of about 15 scheduled across the country through the end of October.- A gunshot, then screams -Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at the event, told Fox News that Kirk was responding to a question about “transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out.”The 31-year-old collapsed and blood spurted from his neck, according to a video clip shot from a nearby location.Kirk was then rushed away on a stretcher by his security detail.”As soon as that shot went out, he fell back,” Chaffetz said. “Everybody hit the deck… a lot of people started screaming, and then everybody started running.”- Manhunt for killer ongoing -Authorities have not arrested a suspect in Kirk’s shooting, described as a “targeted attack” in a statement from Utah’s Department of Public Safety. “The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard,” it said.Two men were briefly detained and released after being questioned by law enforcement officials as the manhunt continued. One man, George Zinn, was charged with obstruction. Neither man has “current ties to the shooting,” authorities said.- Trump announces Kirk’s death -Trump announced Kirk’s death, writing on his Truth Social platform: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.”On the other side of the political spectrum, Democratic figures also condemned the shooting, including Kamala Harris, who said that “political violence has no place in America.”- Trump vows crackdown -Although a suspect has not yet been identified, Trump linked rhetoric from the “radical left” to Kirk’s killing and vowed to carry out a crackdown.”This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today,” he said in a somber four-minute video, seated at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.”My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,” the US president said.