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Lindsay Meiman, +1 (347) 460-9082, lindsay@350.org, us-comms@350.org
Richard Brooks, richard@350.org, +1 (416) 573-7209
Today, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that the $226 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) is moving to divest from the riskiest oil and gas companies by 2025 and decarbonize by 2040.
New York's announcement is the biggest leap forward worldwide on climate finance action in 2020, an otherwise bleak year for the planet. It creates the most comprehensive program of any large public fund worldwide to divest from fossil fuels, decarbonize across a massive portfolio, and put major financial pressure on public companies -- from auto companies to utilities -- to align their operations with the scale of climate action needed to stave off worldwide catastrophe.
The victory comes eight years after New Yorkers launched the #DivestNY campaign, days ahead of the December 12 fifth anniversary of the Paris climate accord signing, and sets the bar for climate finance action ahead of COP26 next year in Scotland.
Comptroller DiNapoli is taking a ground-breaking, systematic approach to reviewing and assessing each fossil fuel company sub-sector, with a process grounded in fiduciary responsibility. The results of the first review, targeting the coal sub-sector and completed earlier this year, resulted in divestment from 22 coal companies. Similar divestment action is anticipated from the current tar sands review, which is set to conclude next month. After the tar sands review, the Comptroller will review fracking companies,Oil majors, fossil fuel service companies, and oil and gas transportation and pipelines. All reviews and divestment actions will be completed by 2025.
Just like New York City's 2018 announcement of a five-year plan to divest its massive pension funds from fossil fuels, today's announcement by Comptroller DiNapoli will reverberate globally, boosting divestment and climate finance campaigns across the nation and around the world. The commitment to decarbonize the Fund by 2040 is ten years sooner than any other US pension fund. This plan also includes interim trajectory goals, rigorous reporting, staff hiring, and transparency.
NYS-CRF historically has held over $12 billion in fossil fuels, including more than $1 billion invested in ExxonMobil alone. Divestment will ensure that the NYS fund will end such financing.
To celebrate this victory and encourage funds across the country and around the world to take similar action, the multiracial, multi-generational #DivestNY coalition is hosting a virtual press conference and rally at 10amEST today, featuring youth activists, pensioners, financial experts, and academics, along with Bill McKibben, New York State Senator Liz Krueger, and Assemblymember Felix Ortiz. The legislators co-prime sponsored divestment legislation and pushed for such historic action.
The #DivestNY coalition, composed of 40+ groups, won this campaign through focused and diligent campaigning over many years. The campaign demand launched after Superstorm Sandy devastated the Northeast in 2012, costing nearly $70 billion in damages.
In the face of COVID-19, the coalition shifted into virtual campaigning and video conference advocacy and lobbying, escalating momentum toward this victory. In September, 1100+ Academics sent a letter to Comptroller DiNapoli urging him to divest from fossil fuels. To date, over 1300 institutions representing more than $14 trillion in assets have committed to some level of fossil fuel divestment.
Today's announcement also builds momentum for activists and experts to convince the $120 billion New York State Teachers' pension fund to divest. The #DivestNY coalition will continue to work alongside Comptroller DiNapoli, the expanding team at the Comptroller's office working on climate finance, and public officials at all levels to ensure this commitment, its benchmarks, and a fossil free world become reality.
May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director, said: "New York State is sending a global signal that economic recovery goes hand in hand with transformative climate action. This is a victory for all of us fighting for a safe climate, quality jobs, and an equitable society that holds fossil fuel companies accountable. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Senator Liz Krueger, and Assemblymember Felix Ortiz should be proud to celebrate their climate leadership alongside New Yorkers. History will show December 2020 as a turn in the tides shifting finance away from coal, oil, and gas of the past, toward our communities and a just recovery. If the $226 billion New York State pension Fund can do it, then every bank, pension fund, sovereign fund, and insurer can do it too. We call on the world's investment funds to take action like New York's bold and comprehensive model. Now."
"This victory--after years of campaigning by so many people--is a great victory for the climate, because it both demonstrates the waning power of the fossil fuel industry and because it accelerates that decline. It is a morally bankrupt industry, and increasingly a financially bankrupt one as well," said Bill McKibben, co-founder 350.org.
"Today's announcement from the Comptroller is an exciting, bold, and responsible leadership position, one that sets a high bar in a vital year for climate action. The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third largest pension fund in the country, and when it takes action, people pay attention. Rigorous and timely review, with divestment for climate laggards across the energy sector, and a commitment to a net zero portfolio by 2040 will protect the fund, current and future retirees, and taxpayers from unacceptable levels of climate risk. It also sends a clear message that the era of dirty fossil fuels must and will come to an end, and the smart money is getting out sooner rather than later. I thank my many colleagues in the Senate and Assembly who joined me in educating the public and investors about the importance of divestment from fossil fuels, and also the Divest NY advocates for their years of tireless work to achieve this result. This announcement is a big deal, and it is a win-win for the State Pension Fund's bottom line, and the future survival of our society." - NYS Senator Liz Krueger
"As a result of nearly eight years of campaigning and organizing by a multigenerational, multiracial movement that has touched nearly every corner of New York State, the Common Retirement Fund will fully decarbonize by 2040 and divest from fossil fuels" said Hridesh Singh, Executive Director of the New York Youth Climate Leaders. "We commend Comptroller DiNapoli for his leadership on this issue and look forward to seeing the implementation of this plan. Although there is still much work left to be done in the ongoing fight against the climate crisis, today, we celebrate this historic, people-powered victory."
"This is an important step in the worldwide campaign to stop investments in fossil fuels in order to prevent the worst of global warming. This is also a win for the effort to protect taxpayers and retirees from the escalating loss in value of companies engaged with fossil fuels. New York must continue to be a leader in the effort to save future generations from the worst impacts of climate change." - Mark Dunlea, Chair, Green Education and Legal Fund and a member of 350 NYC and Albany (PAUSE)
"Today, Comptroller DiNapoli showed climate leadership with his announcement that the Common Retirement Fund would divest from fossil fuels. This announcement builds on last year's landmark climate law that requires New York to go to net zero emissions by 2050. Climate activists, both public officials and grassroots New Yorkers have led the way. Let's keep up the momentum and demand an end to fossil fuel subsidies, and divestment of the teachers retirement fund from fossil fuels." - Ruth Foster, NY Climate Advocacy Project
"With today's announcement about divestment and decarbonization for the state pension fund, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli cements his status as a true climate hero, the model for other pension fund managers throughout the country and throughout the world to emulate. This is a win for DiNapoli, a win for the NY legislature, a win for climate activists, and most important, a win for pensioners and a win for the planet." - Jordan Dale, Divest NY & 350NJ-Rockland
"Comptroller DiNapoli is launching the best program of any major public fund worldwide to combat climate change and safeguard retirees' long term interests. The Comptroller's listened to experts, activists and state legislators and, today, history is being made." - Patrick Houston, Climate & Inequality Campaigns Associate, New York Communities for Change
"Divestment is about rapidly ending our global addiction to Fossil Fuels in time to stabilize the climate and save a future for our children. It's also about a few concerned citizens, working together to change hearts and minds within local governments and global markets to impact the climate systems of our planet. Lyna Hinkel and Mark Dunlea launched New York's Divestment campaign with 350NYC in 2012. From their initiative and steady work our regional movement widely evolved. The City's commitment to divestment in 2018 and now New York State's commitment to Divestment in 2020 are a message to the world: "The Fossil Fuel era has ended. Clean energy is taking over. We have a chance. We can do this. Join with us as citizens who care!" - John Ingram, 350NYC
"350NJ-Rockland is very pleased with the public announcement that the NY State Pension Fund is committing to an ambitious climate action plan that includes divestment from fossil fuels. This is the latest in an ever-growing series of actions being taken all over the world to drive the urgently needed transition away from fossil fuels to clean, jobs-producing renewable energy, battery storage and energy efficiency. We look forward to the New Jersey pension fund being the second state fund to do so soon and for many states to then follow the NY/NJ area's lead." - Ted Glick, President, 350NJ-Rockland
"Victory is ours! Years of tireless legislative and grassroots advocacy have brought about impactful change. Today's announcement by Comptroller DiNapoli to transition the NYS Common Retirement Fund's portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 is a win for all New Yorkers. Investing in companies that produce, support or promote fossil fuels is hazardous to the future of the environment and pensioner's finances. We have proven that together; we can enact powerful positive change for future generations. There is no greater legacy to leave." - Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz
"The climate crisis has been on full display this year with thousands of lives upended all across this country. It's never been more urgent as a global society to cut the cord with fossil fuel polluters. This historic action will help send market signals that fossil fuels have had their day, and clean energy is the future for New York," - Rich Schrader, New York Policy Director, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
"For years, so many faith based organizations have been on record in supporting divestment of large government and not for profit funds including their own funds of fossil fuel holdings. So many have felt the call to take care of this planet that God has created and ensure that it is in good shape for future generations. Today, it is thrilling to us that Comptroller DiNapoli has decided to take the boldest possible steps to methodically divest the New York State Pension Fund of fossil fuel stocks in order to safeguard our planet and future generations. I am also grateful for all the members of the assembly and state senators who made today possible and I especially want to recognize so many people of faith across this state and nation for their courage, persistence and advocacy to bring us to this great day." - Rev. Peter Cook, Executive Director, NYS Council of Churches
"Mr. DiNapoli's momentous decision will help advance UUP's efforts to create good jobs while promoting climate justice and a sustainable environment in which to live and work." - Ronald Freedman, United University Professions Albany
"Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline, (SNYFGP) fought the NED pipeline... And we won. Then we helped to fight the Sheridan Hollow powerplant... And we won again. Now we are fighting the Albany Loop Pipeline... And we expect to win once again. Comptroller DiNapoli's announcement that he is divesting the state pension fund from fossil fuels will help limit funding for future fossil fuel projects and promote investments in renewable energy. Thank you Comptroller! Now we hope we can stop fighting infrastructure and move our energies to promoting renewable energy." - Becky Meier, Co-Founder, Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP)
"PSC-CUNY, AFT #2334, representing 30,000 faculty and professional staff at the City University of New York, is proud to have been a part of the state-wide effort to accomplish divestment of fossil fuel stocks from the Common Retirement Fund of NYS. As state workers, we stand in solidarity with other state workers who can rest assured that their hard-earned pension funds will be protected from the failing fossil fuel sector of our economy and from the destructive effects it has on our planet's climate. We thank all those who have advocated for fossil fuel divestment and will stand the course to see it through its final stages of divestment. This is an important development for the climate movement and its allies." - Nancy Romer, Chair, Environmental Justice Working Group, PSC-CUNY/AFT #2334
"The continuing record-breaking extreme weather this year nationwide is yet another sign that we must radically reduce the greenhouse gases that fuel the climate crisis," said Bob Cohen, Policy Director of Citizen Action. "We praise Comptroller DiNapoli, who is finally acting to align New York's investment policies with New York's climate values and signaling to other governmental entities to do the same. We also applaud DIVEST NY, backed up by thousands of committed New Yorkers, for their tireless work promoting climate action, and Senator Liz Krueger, who led the legislative effort to stop funding climate destruction."
"This is yet more proof that we, the people, can make lasting change when we decide to come together to demand that we divest from industries that threaten the health and well-being of our planet. Divestment from fossil fuels is a good start and inspiration for other state, city and local governments to follow. Our forests are burning, our lungs are polluted, there are jobs lost and lives disturbed due to prioritizing profits for the few over the wellbeing of the many! We must divest now!" - Yousef Zakaria, Coordinator, CODEPINK
"News of the fossil fuel divestment of New York State's massive pension fund is a breath of fresh air! The time is right to stop financially supporting industries that pollute the environment, compromise human health and destabilize our climate. Hopefully, a plethora of funds and institutions will follow suit as divestment is an important tool as we work to mitigate an increasingly disrupted climate." - Sally Courtright, The Climate Reality Project: Capital Region, NY Chapter
"New York is once again leading the way in moving off fossil fuels," said Eric Weltman, a Brooklyn-based senior organizer with Food & Water Action. "We banned fracking, and now thanks to Comptroller DiNapoli's leadership we've struck another blow to the dirty energy corporations profiting from creating a climate emergency. But we cannot relent until New York has put a stop to all new fossil fuel projects, while shutting down existing pipelines and power plants."
"We applaud New York State Comptroller DiNapoli in his announcement on divestment. This is yet another grassroots victory for the climate movement in New York State. Our movement has banned fracking, passed the Nation's most ambitious climate legislation, and now this. We are an unstoppable force that will not rest until we realize a just transition away from fossil fuels." - Ryan Madden, Sustainability Organizer, Long Island Progressive Coalition
"NYCD16 Indivisible salutes Comptroller DiNapoli's monumental and impactful decision to divest the NYS Pension Fund from fossil fuel companies. It's past time to stop investing in an industry that purposefully deceived the American people about its role in global warming, in order to amass the largest possible profit at the expense of all life on our planet. Now, New York State needs to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure!" - Natalie Polvere and Iris Hiskey Arno, Co-Chairs Environment Committee, NYCD16 Indivisible
"This decision represents a powerful act of compassion and justice. There is no morally acceptable future in which investors seek profit from the destruction of life itself. Today, New York State stands on the side of the angels." - Rev. Ken Scott, Capital Region Organizer, GreenFaith
"Low-income and communities of color suffer most of the damage from the use of fossil fuels, so divestment is an important step in promoting environmental justice. New York needs to be a world leader in transitioning to a sustainable future based on clean, renewable energy and a commitment to a just Green New Deal. We must expand our efforts to break free from fossil fuels," - Francis Magai, PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy).
"As the economic risks from climate change have mounted, it makes clearer the need for bolder action by government, business and investors. We can build an economy by redirecting our assets out of fossil fuels and into investments in all sectors that enable a more equitable and sustainable economy," said David Levine, President, American Sustainable Business Council. "On behalf of the over 250,000 businesses and investors we represent, we applaud the NY State Comptroller in setting the bar high with a comprehensive climate action plan as an example for the rest of the country to follow."
"Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy (SHARE) is grateful for the climate leadership shown by Comptroller DiNapoli in divesting the state pension fund from fossil fuels," said Merton Simpson, Albany County Legislator and Co-Chair of SHARE. "The rapid transition to a renewable energy future is so important to Sheridan Hollow, an environmental justice community that has been polluted for over a century by the burning of coal, oil, garbage and gas in order to heat and cool the NYS Capitol and Empire State Plaza. Divestment supports us in our efforts to shut down the fossil fuel infrastructure in our community and invest in renewables for our neighbors and for the New York State Capitol."
"Comptroller DiNapoli's announcement is welcome news," says 350Brookyn member Sara Gronim. "New Yorkers have worked long and hard to help him recognize that we must pull investments out of dying industries that are killing us all. We look forward to the positive role our New York State pension funds will play in moving us towards a better future."
"Jewish Climate Action Network NYC thanks Comptroller DiNapoli for taking a leadership role and helping to, once again, propel New York State into a leadership role in fighting climate change. His announcement to divest the state's pension fund from fossil fuel companies and suppliers will be far reaching in achieving an economy and a just society based upon renewables. We are honored to be part of the DivestNY coalition and applaud the efforts of all who worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone announcement." - Lori Robinson, Jewish Climate Action Network NYC
"Mothers Out Front - Dutchess County, whose members are dedicated to protecting children from the climate crisis, applauds the announcement by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli of a fossil fuel divestment plan for New York State's Pension Fund. This plan sends a powerful message that New York State is committed to combating global warming by transitioning away from fossil fuels, including fracked gas. As investments in renewable energy technologies increase, this plan will also contribute to the continued health of New York State's Pension Fund." - Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez, Mothers Out Front - Dutchess County
"The WESPAC Community thanks New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for committing to divest the state's public pension funds from fossil fuels and for positioning New York as a leader in the fight against the global climate crisis. Our times demand strong action to move us towards a more stable, safe and sustainable future!" - Nada Khader, Director, WESPAC
"New York is once again stepping into a leadership role on climate action. I applaud Comptroller DiNapoli's plan to eliminate investments in fossil fuels from the Common Retirement Fund. This decision sends the message that fossil fuels are no longer a sound financial investment and will contribute to the shift towards an economy powered by renewable energy. The Divest NY coalition is to be commended for their tireless efforts to move NY forward." - Sue Hughes-Smith, Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region
"Westchester for Change and Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion (SAPE) are heartened by the announcement that Comptroller DiNapoli will initiate a process to begin divestment of the $226 billion Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels. We celebrate the tremendous work by fellow climate activists in the DivestNY coalition and throughout the state who have consistently upheld the belief that divestment is a powerful tool in addressing climate change. This action will reverberate across the nation and throughout the world." - Susan Van Dolsen, Co-Founder, SAPE & Co-Organizer, Westchester for Change and Diane Torstrup, Co-Organizer, Westchester for Change
"For faith communities around the world, the climate emergency and fossil fuel divestment are profound moral issues. Comptroller DiNapoli's commitment to divest from fossil fuel companies that fail to have real transition plans to get out of fossil fuel production is a genuine act of moral leadership. His climate action plan sends a message to corporations that it is unacceptable to profit from activities that threaten the future of our society and the planet." - Sister Eileen O'Connor, RSM & Roger Cook, Co-Conveners, Interfaith Climate Justice Community of WNY
"Indivisible Mohawk Valley celebrates a huge victory for the climate! We congratulate NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on the announcement of his plan to effectively divest the NYS Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels and achieve a net zero portfolio by 2040. It has taken years of hard work by many climate activists and state legislators to help achieve this plan. With bold climate action so desperately needed to combat the climate emergency, this news comes not a moment too soon. Thanks to the leadership of Comptroller DiNapoli and Senator Liz Krueger on the divestment issue, New York will again be at the leading edge of climate action and will provide a critical boost to the fossil fuel divestment movement nationally and worldwide!" - Mona Perrotti, Co-Chair, Climate Crisis Working Group, Indivisible Mohawk Valley
"Earlier this year, hundreds of us shut down the Comptroller's office, with a dozen arrests, to send him the message that we are in a crisis. The decision to decarbonize is a great step in the right direction, deserving praise, but our governments and institutions must go much deeper and further if we have any hope of averting tragedy. As we fiddle, carbon continues to fill the atmosphere and ecologies continue to be decimated." - John Johanson, Extinction Rebellion - Capital District
"Dutchess County Progress Action Alliance, DCPAA, is heartened by the announcement of NYS Comptroller DiNapoli that commits NYS to divestment from fossil fuels. Along with divestment actions the world over this decision supports the urgently needed transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and well-paying jobs. Fossil Fuel divestment helps to ensure that NYS pension funds remain robust, and that we have a fighting change to address climate change and save our planet." - Caroline Fenner, Dutchess County Progress Action Alliance
"These groundbreaking initiatives by the Comptroller address the climate crisis and remove climate-related risk from New York's state pension holdings. The world can't wait for fossil fuel companies to decide to become part of the solution - pensioners deserve safe investments that help move us a clean energy future. Congratulations to Senator Liz Krueger and the many, many climate activists that helped make this happen. We hope that California is paying attention!" - Sandy Emerson, Board President, Fossil Free California
"We chanted, hung banners, signed petitions, demonstrated by the thousands, occupied offices and got arrested. The Peoples Climate Movement, NY and dozens of different organizations coalesced to demand New York State divest its pension funds from fossil fuel investments. We maintained our activism and today, we won. We acknowledge the Comptroller for taking this important action amidst the worsening climate catastrophe. We are alarmed that the clock is ticking down. "Better late than never" will be too late." - Marilyn Vasta, Peoples Climate Movement, New York
"I'm heartened to hear the agreement is aligned with the goals outlined in the Paris Accord. I'm proud to have signed a divestment letter with 250 Elected Officials to Protect New York asking the Comptroller to make the right fiduciary decision and protect the pension fund," said Albany County Legislator William Reinhardt, Elected Officials to Protect America-New York Leadership Council. "The coalition that brought us together have shown leadership and courage standing up to the oil industry to ensure our public servants need not worry about their retirement investments, and for a brighter tomorrow for all. It is my hope that New York's actions will start a domino effect as other states realize the need to divest their pension funds."
"As a member of the Divest NY coalition, a Financial Advisor, and a Town Councilor in the Town of Manlius, I am overjoyed at the success of the campaign to divest the New York State Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuel companies. It is not often that a group of activists and citizens can come together and truly change the world. The hard work and dedication from the people of Divest NY is nothing short of awe-inspiring. I applaud the decision of the Comptroller to move forward with this comprehensive fossil fuel divestment strategy, ensuring not only the financial performance of the pension fund, but also the future of the planet. I thank him for his leadership and for his commitment to my daughters' future, the future of New Yorkers, and the future of all people, all around the world." - Katelyn M. Kriesel, Manlius Town Councilmember, Elected Officials to Protect America-New York Leadership Council
"I am in full support of divesting from fossil fuel. New York State's pension investments should be reflective of our state's priorities. After working so hard to pass the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act (CLCPA), it is disingenuous to also continue to invest in fossil fuel.
There is still a great deal of work to be done but this is a step in the right direction. Thank you Comptroller DiNapoli for joining us in our clean energy efforts." - NYS Assemblywoman Latrice Walker
"The decision of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to decarbonize the New York State Common Retirement Fund and divest from its fossil fuel holdings is a remarkable step of progress in combating climate change. But our work is far from over. Let this be the first of many major environmental victories made by New York State in the years to come." - Matt Oill, New York Youth Climate Leaders
"Like New York's ban on fracking, this move will garner global attention and praise, and it makes good economic sense," said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council. "While the future of fossil fuel investments looks grim, the clean energy sector is booming with tech innovation and accelerating popular demand. New York should capitalize on this energy transition. We applaud Comptroller DiNapoli and urge him to go one step further by reinvesting our pension fund specifically in the growing renewable energy business community based here in New York State. This would ensure their success, growth, and ability to employ more and more New Yorkers."
"I urge the members and leadership of my union the Public Employees Federation and CSEA and NYSUT to support "decarbonize the NYS Pension Fund" which includes divesting from fossil fuel corporations and is a major step forward by Comptroller DiNapoli. This divestment will be converted to investing in renewable and sustainable energy sources, making our fund more fiscally responsible and valuable during the climate change crisis. The Albany County Central Federation of Labor passed a resolution supporting divestment in fossil fuels as did the Troy Area Labor Council. As First Vice President of ACCFL and Delegate to TALC, I urge the entire labor movement to decarbonize pension funds." - Doug Bullock, a state pensioner and Albany County Central Federation of Labor 1st VP.
"I am thrilled that Comptroller DiNapoli is moving forward with aligning New York's money with our values and our climate goals. Fiduciarily and morally, divestment from fossil fuels is a necessity. The fossil fuel industry has proven itself destructive, extractive, and morally bankrupt. With their track record of polluting and displacing our communities, along with decades of efforts to mislead the public on climate science, it is clear that there is no way to engage with these companies as shareholders or attempt to change their basic business model. This industry has shown no regard for the well-being of our families, the breathability of our air, or the health of our natural world. As we have seen, the consequences of climate change, pollution, and environmental destruction are already being felt by those least responsible for causing these problems-- poor communities and communities of color. If New York is as committed as we say we are to tackling the climate crisis and environmental racism, we cannot continue to endorse this industry or its practices. While our climate justice work does not end here, the advocates who have been pushing for this change for years should be incredibly proud of this achievement today." - NYS Senator Julia Salazar
350 is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. We're an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
India's foreign secretary said that "both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea."
This is a developing story... Please check back for possible updates...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media Saturday morning that India and Pakistan agreed to a "full and immediate" cease-fire after marathon overnight talks between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have engaged in tit-for-tat strikes in the wake of last month's Pahalgam massacre in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE," the U.S. president said on his Truth Social platform. "Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed the development, according toGeo News.
"Speaking to the media, Dar expressed gratitude to the countries that played a role in achieving the cease-fire, noting that diplomatic efforts were underway throughout the day, following which a cease-fire agreement was reached," Geo News detailed. "He specifically acknowledged the role played by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the process."
Citing Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, NBC Newsreported that the cease-fire began at 5:00 pm local time. Misri said that "it was agreed that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea."
However, Drop Site News noted that blackouts and sirens were reported in northern India, near the Pakistan border, following "reports of explosions over Jammu and Srinagar hours after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire announcement."
Sources from both governments toldReuters that despite the cease-fire deal, the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended. India withdrew from the decades-old water-sharing pact after militants attacked Hindu tourists and killed 26 people in Kashmir.
The second Trump administration "has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation," the coalition behind the lawsuit said, welcoming the temporary restraining order.
A federal judge in California on Friday temporarily blocked what at coalition of labor unions, local governments, and nonprofits argued was "the unconstitutional dismantling of the federal government by the president of the United States on a scale unprecedented in this country’s history and in clear excess of his authority."
Since returning to office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump—aided by his so-callled Department of Government Efficiency and its de facto leader, billionaire Elon Musk—has worked to quickly overhaul the bureaucracy, even though "the president does not possess authority to reorganize, downsize, or otherwise transform the agencies of the federal government, unless and until Congress authorizes such action," as the coalition's complaint notes.
District Judge Susan Illston agreed with the groups and governments, which include the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Alliance for Retired Americans, Main Street Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, the city and county of San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore, and more.
"The president has the authority to seek changes to executive branch agencies, but he must do so in lawful ways and, in the case of large-scale reorganizations, with the cooperation of the legislative branch," wrote Illston in a 42-page decision. "Many presidents have sought this cooperation before; many iterations of Congress have provided it. Nothing prevents the president from requesting this cooperation—as he did in his prior term of office."
"Indeed, the court holds the president likely must request congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime," said the judge, appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by former President Bill Clinton.
Illston added that "a temporary restraining order is, by definition, temporary. The court will not consider defendants' request for a stay of execution of the temporary restraining order, as doing so would render the exercise pointless. The court must promptly proceed to consideration of a preliminary injunction."
Welcoming the development in a late Friday statement, the plaintiff coalition said that "the Trump administration's unlawful attempt to reorganize the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation."
"Each of us represents communities deeply invested in the efficiency of the federal government—laying off federal employees and reorganizing government functions haphazardly does not achieve that," the coalition added. "We are gratified by the court's decision today to pause these harmful actions while our case proceeds."
The "largest and most significant challenge to Trump's authority to remake the government without congressional approval," as the coalition called it, was filed April 28 by the organizations' legal team: Democracy Forward, Altshuler Berzon LLP, Protect Democracy, Public Rights Project, and State Democracy Defenders Fund.
Illston's decision came just hours after an emergency hearing, during which coalition attorney Danielle Leonard "said the Trump administration's vision was to fundamentally degrade the services that Congress funds agencies to carry out, raising a profound separation of powers conflict," according toThe New York Times.
As the newspaper detailed:
"There's a presumption of regularity that used to exist with respect to the government's actions that I think they need to re-earn," she said.
Ms. Leonard said the Trump administration has never been able to point to any specific authority through which the president could seize that power from Congress. And she said that the government has consistently offered competing and contradictory explanations of why Mr. Trump can authorize the massive restructuring without Congress.
"It's an ouroboros: the snake eating its tail," she said.
Signaling a desire to keep moving through the process swiftly, Illston gave the plaintiff coalition until next Wednesday to file a motion for a preliminary injunction, and the federal defendants—Trump along with various federal agencies and their leaders—until the following Monday to respond, with a limit of 25 pages for both.
Even if the coalition's lawsuit ultimately succeeds, Republicans have a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress, meaning Trump could potentially work with lawmakers to pursue a similar gutting of the federal government before the midterm elections.
"There has been no evidence that has been introduced by the government other than the op-ed," U.S. District Judge William Sessions III said, referring to Öztürk's article urging divestment from Israel.
Rümeysa Öztürk, one of several pro-Palestine scholars kidnapped and imprisoned by the Trump administration under its dubious interpretation of an 18th-century law and a Cold War-era national security measure, was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody Friday following a federal judge's order.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III in Vermont ruled that Öztürk—a 30-year-old Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University in Massachusetts and Fulbright scholar—was illegally detained in March, when masked plainclothes federal agents snatched her off a suburban Boston street in broad daylight in what eyewitnesses and advocates likened to a kidnapping and flew her to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Louisiana.
"Thank you so much for all the support and love," Öztürk told supporters outside the facility following her release.
The government admits that Öztürk committed no crime. She was targeted because of an
opinion piece published in Tufts Daily advocating divestment from Israel amid the U.S.-backed nation's genocidal assault on Gaza and its apartheid, occupation, ethnic cleansing, and colonization in the rest of Palestine. Öztürk was arrested despite a U.S. State Department determination that there were no grounds for revoking her visa.
"There has been no evidence that has been introduced by the government other than the op-ed," said Sessions, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. "That literally is the case."
BREAKING: a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately release on bail Rumeysa Ozturk, a Muslim grad student at Tufts University who was abducted and abused by ICE agents, all because she wrote an editorial, yes, an editorial, critical of the Israeli government's genocide.
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— CAIR (The Council on American-Islamic Relations) ( @cairnational.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
"There is no evidence here as to the motivation, absent consideration of the op-ed, so that creates unto itself a very significant substantial claim that the op-ed—that is, the expression of one's opinion as ordinarily protected by the First Amendment—form the basis of this particular detention," the judge continued, adding that Öztürk's "continued detention potentially chills the speech of the millions and millions of people in this country who are not citizens."
"There is absolutely no evidence that she has engaged in violence, or advocated violence, she has no criminal record," Sessions noted. "She has done nothing other than, essentially, attend her university and expand her contacts in her community in such a supportive way."
"Her continued detention cannot stand," he added.
The Trump administration has openly flouted judge's rulings—including a U.S. Supreme Court order—that direct it to release detained immigrants. Sessions' Friday ruling follows his earlier order to send Öztürk to Vermont and Wednesday's 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmation of the judge's directive, both of which have been ignored by the administration.
Seeing that Öztürk was still in ICE custody hours after his order, Sessions reiterated his directive Friday afternoon.
"In light of the court's finding of no flight risk and no danger to the community, petitioner is to be released from ICE custody immediately on her own recognizance, without any form of body-worn GPS or other ICE monitoring at this time," the judge wrote.
Multiple media outlets reported Öztürk's release Friday afternoon.
Mahsa Khanbabai, Öztürk's attorney, toldCourthouse News Service she's "relieved and ecstatic" that her client has been ordered released.
"Unfortunately, it is 45 days too late," Khanbabai lamented. "She has been imprisoned all these days for simply writing an op-ed that called for human rights and dignity for the people in Palestine. When did speaking up against oppression become a crime? When did speaking up against genocide become something to be imprisoned for?"
The Trump administration has dubiously invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows the president to detain dor deport citizens of countries with which the U.S. is at war, in a bid to justify Öztürk's persecution. The administration has also cited the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which empowers the secretary of state to order the expulsion of noncitizens whose presence in the United States is deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy interests.
"When did speaking up against genocide become something to be imprisoned for?"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio—who lied about Öztürk supporting Hamas—has used such determinations to target people for engaging in constitutionally protected speech and protest.
"We do it every day," Rubio said in March in defense of the policy. "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas."
Rubio has invoked the law to target numerous other students who the government admits committed no crimes. These include Mahmoud Khalil, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Yunseo Chung—all permanent U.S. residents—as well as Ranjani Srinivasan and others. Far-right, pro-Israel groups like Betar and Canary Mission have compiled lists containing the names of these and other pro-Palestine students that are shared with the Trump administration for possible deportation.
Foreign nationals—and some U.S. citizens wrongfully swept up in the Trump administration's mass deportation effort—are imprisoned in facilities including private, for-profit detention centers, where there are widespread reports of poor conditions and alleged abuses.
These include denial of medical care, insufficient access to feminine hygiene products, and rotten food at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, where Öztürk—who, according to Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), has received no religious or dietary accommodations and had her hijab forcibly removed—is being held.
Öztürk also suffers from asthma and told Sessions via Zoom Friday that her attacks have increased behind bars due to stress. Dr. Jessica McCannon, a pulmonologist, testified that Öztürk's asthma appears to be poorly controlled in ICE custody, according to
courtroom coverage on the social media site Bluesky by freelance journalist Joshua J. Friedman.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was among those who on Friday demanded Öztürk's immediate release, while other lawmakers and human rights and free speech defenders celebrated Sessions' decision.
"Rümeysa Öztürk has finally been ordered released," Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said on social media. "She has been unlawfully detained for more than six weeks in an ICE facility in Louisiana, more than 1,500 miles away from Somerville. This is a victory for Rümeysa, for justice, and for our democracy."
In the United States, we guarantee free speech. No one here will lose their rights and freedom for publishing an op-ed. This is a win for the rule of law. Rümeysa is free!
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— Representative Becca Balint ( @balint.house.gov) May 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that "it is unfathomable that in the United States legal system, it takes 45 days for a judge to rule that people can't be put behind bars for writing op-eds the government doesn't like."
"Without a system committed to its principles, the Constitution is just words on paper, and they don't mean much if this can happen here," Stern continued. "Öztürk's abduction and imprisonment is one of the most shameful chapters in First Amendment history."
"We're thankful that Judge Sessions moved it one step closer to an end and we call on the Trump administration to release Öztürk immediately and not attempt to stall with any further authoritarian nonsense," he added.
Amid President Donald Trump's defunding threats and pressure from ICE officials, universities have told "many hundreds" of international students that they have lost their immigration status and must immediately self-deport. These notifications were based on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) termination of students' records on the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database used by schools and authorities to access visa information.
Although DHS admitted in court that it had no authority to use SEVIS to revoke students' status, the Trump administration still canceled more than 1,800 visas before reversing course last month pending an ICE policy revamp.
In addition to moving to deport pro-Palestine students, the Trump administration is sending Latin American immigrants—including wrongfully expelled Maryland man Kilmar Abrego García—to a notorious prison in El Salvador, and the president has repeatedly threatened to send natural-born U.S. citizens there.
As with Öztürk and other detained students, the Trump administration has dubiously invoked the Alien Enemies Act in trying to deport García and others. However, federal judges—including multiple Trump appointees—have thwarted some of these efforts.
On Friday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said that Trump and his advisers are "actively looking at" suspending habeas corpus as a means of overcoming judicial pushback against the administration's deportation blitz.
"Well, the Constitution is clear—and that of course is the supreme law of the land—that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion," Miller told reporters at the White House. No foreign entity has invaded the United States since Japanese forces landed in the Aleutian Islands in the then-territory of Alaska during World War II.
Critics pointed out that Miller's proposal is, in fact, blatantly unconstitutional.
"Since it appears needs to be said: The authority to suspend habeas corpus lies with Congress, not the president, and is only legal during extreme circumstances of rebellion or invasion," Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott said on Bluesky. "Stephen Miller is full of shit."
It wasn't just Democrats and Palestine defenders who cheered Sessions' ruling Friday. Billy Binion, who covers "all things injustice" for the libertarian website Reason, said on social media that the government's "entire case against her is that... she wrote an op-ed."
"Hard to overstate how bleak—and frankly embarrassing—it is that the Trump administration wants to jail and deport someone for speech," he continued. "In America."