The Trump administration has told U.S. embassies to stop scheduling new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors. This pause is part of a plan to increase social media checks on applicants.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government is reviewing how it screens these visa applicants and will soon update its guidelines. While interviews already scheduled can still happen, new ones must be canceled for now.
Officials say the goal is to make sure all visitors are thoroughly vetted, especially by checking their online activity. U.S. embassies are being told to focus on American citizen services, immigrant visas, and preventing fraud instead.
This move comes as Trump pushes stricter immigration rules, including deporting students or green card holders who support Palestinians or criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza. Critics say this violates free speech rights.
One student from Türkiye was even jailed for weeks after co-writing an article criticizing her university’s stance on Gaza. She was freed after a judge granted her bail.
Recently, Trump also moved to stop Harvard from accepting international students, accusing the university of resisting government demands. International students make up about 27% of Harvard’s student body.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 20th of August, covering the latest developments you need to k...
The White House debuted on TikTok on 20 August with a pro-Trump video, entering the platform even as its future in the U.S. remains uncertain under a ...
A Russian drone strike on the city of Okhtyrka in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast injured 12 people, including two children, according to local a...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had ruled out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the United States might provide ai...
Russia offered “almost immediate” concessions during last week’s Alaska summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump, a U.S. envoy has said, s...
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday it is ending the deployment of about 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a landmark plan to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the 2025 hurricane season. The move signals a fundamental shift in the nation's approach to disaster recovery, placing the primary responsibility on state governments.
The U.S. Mint will end production of the penny by early next year, citing high manufacturing costs and a directive from President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump signed four executive orders directing the Department of Energy to ease regulations and accelerate the construction of nuclear reactors.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 20th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The White House debuted on TikTok on 20 August with a pro-Trump video, entering the platform even as its future in the U.S. remains uncertain under a looming 17 September deadline.
A Russian drone strike on the city of Okhtyrka in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast injured 12 people, including two children, according to local authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had ruled out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the United States might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia's war in the country.
Russia offered “almost immediate” concessions during last week’s Alaska summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump, a U.S. envoy has said, signalling momentum towards a potential peace deal in Ukraine.
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