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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Applying For A US Visa In 2026? Your Answer To These 2 Questions Could Decide It

A fresh directive from the United States has introduced a significant change to the visa process, adding two key questions that could determine whether an application moves forward or stops altogether. According to a report by WSJ, the US State Department on April 28, circulated a diplomatic cable to embassies and consulates worldwide, mandating immediate implementation of the new rule. <h2>What Has Changed in the Visa Process?</h2> Under the revised framework, all applicants for non-immigrant visas, including tourists, students, technology professionals, business travellers and seasonal workers, must now respond to two specific questions during their visa interview. The questions are: “Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?” “Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?” Consular officers have been instructed that applicants must verbally answer “no” to both questions for the application to proceed. Also Read : <a title="Google Wallet Now Stores Your Aadhaar, But Is Your Data Safe?" href="https://ift.tt/zSfNl7t" target="_self">Google Wallet Now Stores Your Aadhaar, But Is Your Data Safe?</a> <h2>Why These Questions Matter</h2> The directive suggests that expressing fear of returning home could signal that the applicant may not intend to stay temporarily, raising concerns over misuse of visa categories. This effectively creates a high-stakes moment during the interview, where a single response could determine the outcome of the application. <h2>A Policy Shift Linked to Broader Crackdown</h2> US officials have tied the move to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which called for tighter scrutiny of visa programmes to prevent misuse by “foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security.” The timing is also notable. The directive comes shortly after a federal appeals court ruled that Trump’s earlier declaration of an “invasion” at the US-Mexico border, used to block asylum seekers, was unlawful. <h2>Concerns Over Future Legal Risks</h2> The policy raises questions about what happens if an applicant answers “no” during the visa process but later seeks asylum after entering the US. Immigration experts, as cited in the report, warn that such cases could lead to allegations of visa fraud and even deportation. The cable itself notes that a fear of returning home may cast doubt on whether the applicant’s original intent was truly temporary travel. <h2>Critics Warn of Chilling Effect</h2> The move has drawn strong criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who argue that it could undermine protections for vulnerable individuals. Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, said the policy appears to erode pathways for people seeking safety. “They’re trying to systematically demolish any means by which a persecuted person could seek protection and safety in the United States,” he said. He further added that the directive sends a troubling signal: “You’re explicitly asking someone: ‘Are you being persecuted in your country?’ And if they say ‘yes,’ the U.S. government’s official answer is: ‘Okay, stay there.’” Also Read : <a title="ITR 2026: Why Debt Funds, Equity Gains, & Interest Income Are All Taxed Differently" href="https://ift.tt/4aerZYw" target="_self">ITR 2026: Why Debt Funds, Equity Gains, & Interest Income Are All Taxed Differently</a> <h2>Impact on Asylum Pathways</h2> Under US law, individuals can apply for asylum after arriving in the country if they face persecution or have a credible fear of harm. A separate refugee resettlement system also exists for applicants outside the US, reported The Financial Express. However, the current administration has already taken steps to tighten both routes. Nearly all refugee admissions have been halted, except for specific categories such as White South Africans, citing fraud risks and security concerns. Data cited by analyst David Bier of the Cato Institute highlights the scale of the shift: monthly asylum seekers fell sharply from nearly 40,000 in December 2024 to just 26 in February 2025, shortly after Trump returned to office. <h2>A New Gatekeeping Mechanism?</h2> The introduction of these questions is being seen by critics as a pre-screening mechanism, potentially limiting asylum claims before individuals even reach US soil. The directive’s timing, coming soon after a court ruling that reopened pathways for asylum processing at the southern border, has further fuelled debate over whether the policy represents an indirect way to restrict access.

source https://news.abplive.com/business/us-visa-rule-2026-new-questions-will-decide-your-application-fear-impact-applicants-explained-1839406

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

‘Two Kings’: White House Post On Donald Trump, King Charles III Meet Raises Eyebrows

Donald Trump, King Charles III Meet: King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday, blending historical reflection with a pointed message on global alliances. His speech, delivered during a four-day state visit, struck a careful balance between diplomacy and quiet critique, particularly in the context of Donald Trump’s approach to international partnerships. <h3>A Reminder Rooted In History</h3> Charles invoked the unity demonstrated after the September 11 attacks, referencing NATO’s first-ever use of collective defence. “In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time … we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder,” Charles said, as per reports. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EoN8_CAqTBU?si=Rp8k8eECuaDkmJ_j" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> ALSO READ: <a title="Trump Claims ‘Iran In State Of Collapse, Wants Strait Of Hormuz Reopened Immediately’" href="https://ift.tt/6u5IHmN" target="_self">Trump Claims ‘Iran In State Of Collapse, Wants Strait Of Hormuz Reopened Immediately’</a> The reference was widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of transatlantic solidarity, subtly countering Trump’s past remarks questioning the relevance of NATO. The King also pointed to the enduring importance of democratic principles, citing the Magna Carta as evidence that even monarchs are bound by the rule of law. <h3>Ukraine, Alliances and Quiet Signals</h3> Beyond historical reflection, Charles urged continued global resolve in supporting Ukraine, emphasising the need for unity among allies. While avoiding direct criticism, the tone of his remarks suggested unease with growing scepticism around longstanding alliances. The address reinforced what has often been described as the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom, even as underlying tensions over defence commitments and geopolitical priorities linger. ALSO READ:<a title=" Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania Joke, Rejects ‘Violence’ Claim As Trump Demands Action" href="https://ift.tt/dVTfWua" target="_self"> Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania Joke, Rejects ‘Violence’ Claim As Trump Demands Action</a> <h3>Ceremony Meets Political Theatre</h3> The visit unfolded with full ceremonial grandeur, honour guards, military displays, and a formal state dinner. Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is scheduled to travel to New York to pay tribute at the 9/11 memorial alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. During his remarks, the King also condemned a recent act of violence, stating that “such acts of violence will never succeed.” <h3>The ‘TWO KINGS’ Optics</h3> Later at the White House, Trump welcomed the royal couple with visible warmth. A photograph of the meeting, shared by the administration, was captioned simply: “TWO KINGS.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> TWO KINGS. 👑 <a href="https://t.co/iPVUxc4i4H">pic.twitter.com/iPVUxc4i4H</a> — The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2049208884280062270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> The phrase echoed Trump’s earlier flirtations with monarchical imagery. In October 2025, he had circulated AI-generated visuals portraying himself as a crowned ruler, sparking debate and criticism. Supporters dismissed the backlash, while opponents pointed to the imagery as emblematic of a broader political narrative. Against this backdrop, Charles’s measured words and Trump’s theatrical framing created a striking juxtaposition—two leaders, two styles, and a moment heavy with both symbolism and geopolitical undertones.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/donald-trump-king-charles-iii-meet-white-house-post-raises-eyebrows-two-kings-1839299

US Marines board merchant ship in Arabian Sea suspected to be headed to Iran

Washington, Apr 29 (PTI): US Marines boarded a commercial ship in the Arabian Sea suspecting it was headed to Iran in violation of the US-imposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command said that the commercial ship M/V Blue Star III was searched and released after ascertaining that it was not headed to an Iranian port. "Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports," CENTCOM wrote on X on Tuesday. CENTCOM said US forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship's voyage would not include an Iranian port call. The vessel was released after a search determined it was not planning to dock at an Iranian port, it said. CENTCOM added that 39 vessels have been "redirected to ensure compliance" with the blockade. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the US-Israeli war against Iran began February 28, rattling global energy markets and raising fears of prolonged economic damage. The blockade has resulted in ships being anchored at various ports in the region. "Prior to the U.S. blockade on Iran, 5 ships were moored or anchored in the Iranian port of Chah Bahar on an average day. Today, more than 20 vessels remain in Chah Bahar as US forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran during the ongoing blockade," the CENTCOM said. According to marine traffic monitoring websites, M/V Blue Star III is a container ship sailing under the flag of Comoros and was headed to the port of Sohar in Oman. PTI SKU VN VN(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-marines-board-merchant-ship-in-arabian-sea-suspected-to-be-headed-to-iran-1839289

Historic Slump: Germany’s Birth Rate Hits New Low In 2025

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru Germany's birth rate fell to its lowest post-World War II level in 2025. According to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), around 655,000 live births were recorded in 2025, compared to around 680,00 in 2024. Last year, the country recorded more than one million deaths. This brings the birth deficit to around 350,000, setting yet another record. <h2>Declining birth rates for the fourth year in Germany</h2> Last year marked the fourth consecutive year of decline in the birth rate and the lowest level since 1946. Germany's current replacement rate is at 1.35 children per woman, which is a record low and far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The Destatis attributes this trend to the entry of the relatively small birth cohorts born in the 1990s into the crucial fertile age of their early 30s, as well as the decline in the total fertility rate since 2022. As in previous years, the number of births in 2025 fell more sharply in the eastern German states (-4.5%) than in the western states (-3.2%) compared to 2024. Contrary to the trend, Hamburg was the only German state with an increase in birth rates, rising 0.5% in 2025. Dastatis longterm projections, which extend to 2070, found that the population could shrink by around 10%. The report concludes that immigration will not offset the decline. <h2>Familienverband: Low birth rate is a 'wake-up call'</h2> The German Family Association (Familienverband) has described the figures as a "dramatic wake-up call." The decline of birth rate is not a historical coincidence, but the result of decades of structural discrimination against families, Federal Executive Director Sebastian Heimann told the Evangelical Press Service on Tuesday. "Our social security system, particularly the statutory pension, effectively punishes parents for raising children by leaving them empty-handed in old age. Especially mothers," Heimann explained. Since policymakers have failed for dacades to raise benefits such as parental allowance and have ignored the specific needs of families with multiple children, they should not be surprised by falling birth rates, she added. She urged for a family-friendly reform of the social security system and a genuine parental pension that would put the intergenerational contract on solid ground again. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/historic-slump-germany-s-birth-rate-hits-new-low-in-2025-1839284

Monday, April 27, 2026

Putin Pledges Support For Iran In Talks With FM Araghchi

Edited by: Louis Oelofse Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, with the Russian president telling the Iranian diplomat that he hoped for peace soon. Moscow, an ally of Iran, has so far resisted being drawn into the Middle East conflict as it continues with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But Putin on Monday offered support to Iran, saying that he was hoping for peace soon and that Iran would navigate this "difficult period" of war, according to Russia's state news agency. "For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible," the RIA news agency quoted Putin as saying during his meeting with Araghchi. Araghchi landed in Russia on Monday following trips to mediators Pakistan and Oman to discuss the Middle East conflict, as peace efforts between Tehran and Washington remain on hold. <h2>What To Know About Negotiations To End The Iran War</h2> Iran is said to have offered the US a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the Associated Press and Axios reported. Axios said Tehran wanted nuclear negotiations postponed to a later stage. US President Donald Trump appeared to have acknowledged the proposal, with a White House spokesperson telling Bloomberg News on Saturday that the "US holds the cards" in negotiations. Iran's Fars news agency said that efforts are still ongoing to create conditions for a second round of US-Iran talks, saying that Tehran had sent "written messages" to Washington via mediator Pakistan. <h2>US To Blame For Talks Failure: Araghchi</h2> According to the AFP news agency, which cited Iranian state media, upon arrival in Moscow, Araghchi said the US was responsible for the failure of the first round of negotiations in Pakistan in mid-April. "The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands," Araghchi was quoted as saying. He also said that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global issue." The strait's effective closure amid the conflict has led to massive disruptions in the global oil and gas supply. <h2>Iran Pushing Regional Diplomacy</h2> Araghchi's trips come against the background of the stalled negotiations with the US, as both sides have rejected several of each other's demands. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying talks there would amount to "sitting around talking about nothing." Araghchi met in Pakistan with the country's military chief, Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday. He then traveled to Oman before returning to Islamabad once more and then setting off for Russia to meet Putin. Araghchi said on X that his talks in Oman had focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which runs between Oman and Iran. <h2>US Maintains Pressure On Iran</h2> Washington has maintained an increased pressure on Tehran, including a blockade of its fossil fuel exports, as it calls upon the country to abandon its uranium enrichment program, saying it is aimed at building nuclear weapons. Tehran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/putin-pledges-support-for-iran-in-talks-with-fm-araghchi-1839056

‘Peace Mediator’ Pakistan Hits Afghan University, Kills Civilians; Tensions Spike At Border

Pakistan’s repeated claims of acting as a “peace mediator” on the global stage have come under sharp scrutiny following its latest military actions in Afghanistan. Even as it positions itself as a diplomatic bridge between Iran and the United States, the Pakistani military has reportedly carried out fresh drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure inside Afghanistan. According to photos and videos accessed by ABP Live, Pakistan launched multiple drone attacks on Syed Jamaluddin University in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Visual evidence from the site shows extensive damage to the university library, with students seen fleeing the campus in panic to save their lives. Footage recorded in the immediate aftermath captures scenes of chaos, with terrified students rushing out of buildings amid fears of further strikes. <img src="https://ift.tt/VZtqKPF" /> Images from the university’s rooftop suggest a direct hit from drone munitions. Preliminary reports indicate that at least four students and one professor sustained serious injuries in the attack on the educational institution. The strikes were not confined to the university. In Asadabad, the provincial capital of Kunar, Pakistani forces allegedly targeted multiple residential areas. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of four civilians, while more than 46 people, including children, have been injured, raising concerns over the indiscriminate nature of the assault. <img src="https://ift.tt/nU9mozj" /> While Pakistan has been accused of striking civilian zones and educational institutions, Afghan forces have responded militarily. Intense clashes have been reported along the Spin Boldak–Chaman border, where Afghan forces launched artillery and tank fire on Pakistani military positions. Pakistan has also claimed retaliatory action, releasing videos that purportedly show strikes on Afghan positions. The escalation comes despite a relative ceasefire between the two countries since Eid, during which only sporadic incidents had been reported. Tensions flared again after Pakistani forces initiated strikes on Afghan posts along the Angoor Adda border. In response, Afghan forces reportedly crossed into Pakistani territory late at night and carried out a targeted operation on military positions, resulting in the deaths of four Pakistani soldiers, with one soldier captured and taken into Afghanistan. Afghan forces also reportedly seized weapons from these positions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-afghanistan-drone-strikes-hit-afghan-syed-jamaluddin-university-kill-civilians-tensions-spike-at-border-1839051

Sunday, April 26, 2026

NSA Doval discusses regional situation with UAE President Al Nahyan

Dubai, Apr 26 (PTI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed measures to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership and the regional situation. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Doval conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to the UAE leader during his official visit to the Arab country. “Measures to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the regional situation, and other issues of mutual interest were discussed,” the Indian Embassy said in the post on X. Earlier this month, Doval met Saudi Arabia's senior leaders and discussed bilateral relations, the regional situation and other areas of mutual interests. Doval held meetings with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman and National Security Advisor Musaed Al-Aiban. During the meetings, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, the regional situation and other issues of mutual interests, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said in a post on X. Doval's visit to the UAE comes amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday landed in Pakistan for the second time in three days and met Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. There was no official word from Pakistan about the meeting which apparently focused on the ongoing peace efforts by Islamabad to arrange the second round of talks between the US and Iran. PTI GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/nsa-doval-discusses-regional-situation-with-uae-president-al-nahyan-1838879