US Democratic lawmakers accused Donald Trump on Tuesday of using the FBI to “intimidate” members of Congress and said the law enforcement agency had requested interviews with them following their criticism of the president.

The legislators were among six who this month called on military and intelligence personnel to refuse any “illegal orders” by Trump, who labeled them “traitors.”

“President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress,” said a statement released by Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, who are all Democratic members of the House of Representatives.

“Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews,” they said. “No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.”

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The FBI in an email declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US military said on Monday it was weighing a court-martial against Democratic senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly, who had also appeared in the video released this month which urged troops to refuse unlawful orders.

Kelly, a decorated Navy combat pilot and former astronaut who commanded the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final flight, fired back that he would not be intimidated or “silenced by bullies.”

Elissa Slotkin, another senator who appeared in the video, said in a post on X on Tuesday that the FBI “appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like.”

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“The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place,” she said.

The six Democrats who released the video did not specify which orders they meant, but Trump has ordered the National Guard into multiple US cities — often against local objections — to curb what he calls rampant unrest.

Overseas, Trump has ordered strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that killed more than 80 people and which experts say are illegal.

Trump initially accused the group of “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”

Over the weekend, he wrote in an all-caps social media rant that the “traitors” who told troops to disobey him “should be in jail.”

A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul and co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.

This year’s Miss Universe contest concluded last week following a streak of scandals, including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.

But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner, fresh outrage has targeted Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, whose JKN Global Group co-owns the contest.

The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong on Tuesday after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in JKN in 2023.

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“The defendant invited [the plaintiff] to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time,” said a court statement shared with AFP on Wednesday.

A verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was scheduled for Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear in court, and the warrant was issued because her behaviour “could be interpreted as fleeing,” it added.

The court has rescheduled the verdict for December 26, but some local media have reported that Jakapong had left for Mexico amid rumours of mounting financial woes.

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The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement earlier this year that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.

Miss Universe 2025 wrapped up in Bangkok on Friday, after drama stirred by a public bust-up between a male competition host and the eventual winner, Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.

In a livestreamed event, the host singled her out for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb,” prompting Bosch to lead a walkout.

He apologised after a tearful news conference, though his behaviour drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised her compatriot for speaking out.

AFP

Under the National Pension Commission’s rules for the Contributory Pension Scheme, Nigerian workers may access part of their retirement savings while still employed, though only under specific conditions.

Under the scheme, both employers and employees contribute monthly to a Retirement Savings Account.

Normally, these savings are intended to provide a regular pension income at retirement; yet, certain circumstances enable early withdrawal.

One such condition applies when a worker loses his job and remains unemployed for at least four months.

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In that scenario, the individual is eligible to withdraw up to 25 per cent of the balance in his RSA.

To qualify, the worker must present a formal acceptance letter of resignation or disengagement issued by his employer.

According to PenCom’s Q4 2022 report, the commission “granted approval for the payment of N6.31 billion (being 25% of their RSA balances) to 9,966 RSA holders under the age of 50 years, who were disengaged from employment and unable to secure another job within four months.”

In addition to mandatory savings, employees can make voluntary contributions to their RSAs, which offer further flexibility but are subject to rules and taxes.

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Under current guidelines issued by PenCom, half of the voluntary contribution is classified as “contingent” (available for withdrawal), while the remaining 50 per cent is locked until retirement to supplement pension income.

Any withdrawal from this contingent portion is subject to income tax.

PenCom’s guidelines for Voluntary Contributions stated, “In line with Clause 3.13 above, (50%) of every amount lodged as Voluntary Contribution shall be treated as ‘contingent’ and available for withdrawal by a contributor while the balance of 50% shall be treated as ‘fixed’ until retirement date.”

Informal-sector workers — self-employed individuals or those employed by very small firms — are covered under the Micro Pension Plan.

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The PUNCH reports that after at least three months of contributions, they may withdraw up to 40 per cent of their RSA savings, with the remaining 60 per cent reserved for retirement.

This option opens pension access to Nigerians who lack traditional formal retirement benefits.

Another available route is using RSA savings to fund the equity portion of a home mortgage.

Under guidelines based on Section 89(2) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, eligible RSA holders may apply up to 25 per cent of their RSA balance to fund the equity portion of a home loan.

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If they have made voluntary contributions, the “contingent” portion of those savings can also be tapped for the equity payment

While these features enhance flexibility and support goals like home ownership, experts warn they come with trade-offs.

Early withdrawals reduce the funds available at retirement, which could lower the monthly pension stipends.

Many of those who access both job-loss withdrawals and mortgage-equity funds may end up with only a modest pension at old age.