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Monday, August 24, 2026

15 pc decline in Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US

Washington, Aug 25 (PTI): Amid tightening of immigration policies, the number of Indian students seeking admission in US colleges witnessed a 15 per cent decline in 2025-26 over the previous year, a report by a non-profit organisation representing over 1,100 institutions said.A report released by the Common App shows that although application volume for undergraduate admission in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants through March 1 fell 10 per cent, the steepest decline on record.The report recorded a 15 per cent decrease in applicants from India -- the top source for international students in the US.Earlier, a report by an organisation of educators had said that stricter visa rules and uncertain policy are expected to lead to up to 1.1 lakh fewer registrations of international students in US colleges and universities in Fall 2026.According to the report by NAFSA and research firm JB International, the registration of international students in Fall 2025-26 was an estimated 11.69 lakh, which has declined this year to 10.57 lakh.India is the largest source of international students in the US, with over 3.63 lakh enrolling for different courses in the 2024-25 academic year.According to the report, international students contributed USD 41.77 billion to the local economy in the Fall 2025-26. The same number is projected to be at 38.37 billion in 2026-27.In July, the US government notified new rules eliminating traditional “duration of status” for student and visitor visas, capping the stays at four years, which is the usual duration of an academic course.The US is also considering a USD 100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to use the Optional Practical Training program to work in the United States after their graduation. PTI SKU SHS(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/15-pc-decline-in-indian-students-seeking-admission-to-undergraduate-courses-in-us-1863699

US proposes additional USD 1.03 lakh fee for H-1B visa cap-subject applications

Washington, Aug 24 (PTI): The US on Monday proposed an additional fee of USD 103,265 for all H-1B visa cap-subject applications, including those filed by applicants eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The US Congress currently limits the H-1B visa programme to 65,000 visas a year under the regular cap. An additional 20,000 visas are available for foreign workers who have obtained a master's degree or higher from a US institution. This is commonly known as the "master's cap". The new proposal from the Department of Homeland Security comes a month after a federal appeals court rejected a plea to stay a district judge's order overturning the Trump administration's plan to charge a USD 1,00,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. "DHS proposes to implement the USD 103,265 amount as a separate, additional H-1B fee rather than combining it with the existing H-1B petition fee," according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The department has invited public comments on the proposal within the next 30 days. The final rule will be published after reviewing the comments. It said the fee would apply only to H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, but not to cap-exempt filings. Under the proposed rule, the additional fee would not apply to H-1B petitions that are not subject to the cap, such as petitions filed by certain nonprofit research organisations, governmental research bodies, and institutions of higher education, the DHS said. “The proposed H-1B fee is intended to recover the costs incurred across the federal government to adjudicate, vet, and support lawful immigration programmes that otherwise must be funded by taxpayers,” said US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The proposed fee is specifically to recover the interagency costs described in this rule, and having a standalone fee is intended to facilitate tracking, allocation, and reporting of the associated revenue, the DHS said. The proposed fee would be paid at the time of filing and would be imposed in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. For these reasons, DHS proposes to implement the USD 103,265 amount as a separate, additional H-1B fee rather than combining it with the existing H-1B petition fee, the notice said. DHS estimates the proposed fee would generate approximately USD 8.8 billion annually, based on a projected annual volume of 85,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions. "Same number. New wrapper. Same playbook. Throw enough things at the wall to restrict legal immigration and eventually something might stick (this won't)," said Emily Neumann, a US-based immigration attorney. Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, a bipartisan advocacy organisation that lobbies for changes in immigration and criminal justice policies, said the proposed move could hurt the US' ability to attract and retain skilled workers from around the world. PTI SKU SCY SCY(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-proposes-additional-usd-1-03-lakh-fee-for-h-1b-visa-cap-subject-applications-1863697

Iran Protests: 7 Months After Crackdown, Survivors Struggle With Life-Changing Injuries

Edited by: Wesley Rahn In January 2026, weeks before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, thousands of Iranians risked their lives in the largest and most widespread public uprising the regime in Tehran had ever faced. The protests began in December 2025 amid grievances over economic hardship, but soon grew in scope and scale. The regime's security forces, made up of elements from the Ministry of Intelligence, the Basij militia, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confronted the protesters on the streets with gunfire and beatings. The scale of the crackdown drew international condemnation. At one point, US President Donald Trump threatened military strikes against the regime in response, telling protesters "help is on its way." But help never came. As the ensuing war overshadowed the aftermath of the bloody crackdown, support for the Iranian public in standing up against the regime fell off of the agenda. There are no precise figures for the number of people killed or injured in the January 2026 protests. Iranian authorities have put the death toll at over 3,100. However, Amnesty International stresses that because of the internet shutdown during the protests, the scale of the crackdown, and pressure on victims' families, the actual number of deaths is likely to be much higher. The US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) confirmed over 7,000 deaths and investigated thousands more. <h2>Fearing backlash, victims forego medical treatment</h2> Seven months after the bloody crackdown, victims are dealing with permanent physical disability along with losing the opportunity to work or get an education. Obtaining information from within Iran is both difficult and dangerous, and DW's interview partners chose to use pseudonyms for safety reasons. DW was able to contact victims through human rights networks. One protester, Massoud, was buried just days ago, after months of enduring untreated wounds after being injured by hundreds of pellets during demonstrations in a city outside of Tehran. According to relatives, who did not want to reveal their exact location, Massoud was first hit by pellets in the head. A plainclothes officer then shot him in the thigh and repeatedly kicked the wound, dislocating his femur from the hip joint. Massoud struggled with his injuries for months. His relatives raised money for his treatment at home, and he underwent several surgeries, but the infection kept returning and spreading. Massoud in his final days declined further medical treatment, which his brother said had made him ashamed for being "such a burden" on his family. Hamid Hemmatpour, a physician and board member of the Austrian Association of Health Professionals for Human Rights, told DW that fear of arrest and the insecurity of medical facilities forced many of the wounded to seek treatment at home. Hemmatpour said the transfer and treatment of the injured during the protest crackdowns was catastrophic. Some victims were transported in pickup trucks because of a shortage of ambulances, while others were suffocated en route to treatment while piled beneath the bodies of other wounded people. "During two days of protests, around 2,000 injured people in need of hospitalization sought treatment at just one of the central hospitals in one of the cities, while the hospital had a capacity of 400 beds," he said. "Security forces, meanwhile, were trying to take some of the wounded away while they were still in that condition," he added. <h2>Iranian security forces 'shoot to kill'</h2> Hemmatpour, citing reports from doctors inside Iran, estimates the number of injured at several thousand. He told DW the most common injuries were to the head, neck and chest, followed by the abdomen and limbs. He added that most injuries were caused by live ammunition and automatic weapons. Targeting the head and chest, he said, may indicate shooting with the intention to kill. Hemmatpour said that in some cases, security forces attacked people with knives and machetes in areas including southern Tehran after their ammunition ran out. But much of what we know about the crackdown on protesters comes from human rights organizations. The international non-profit organization Iran House documented victims like Naghmeh, a teenage student who lost an eye, or Mina, a pianist who lost the use of her fingers, and Milad, a runner who has lost a leg. But consequences of the crackdown were not limited to protesters. Mahshid Nazemi, a human rights activist and director of public relations at Iran House, said that some of those injured had not been taking part in the protests at all. These were people shot while shopping, returning from a party or standing outside their businesses. Nazemi said that even families who filed complaints over indiscriminate shootings targeting their relatives were themselves subjected to prosecution by security forces. Mahla, a 32-year-old woman and the sole provider for three children, worked in Tehran's bazaar before the protests. On January 9, while trying to get her teenage son out of a gathering, she was shot by Basij forces and hit by dozens of pellets. Fearing security forces, she was treated at home for some time, but infections from her wounds eventually forced her to seek help from nurses she knew. Seven months later, injuries to her right leg and wrist still prevent her from returning to work. Lack of insurance, financial pressure and a sudden increase in rent have also forced her to leave her home. "They were shooting to kill. I wish they had killed me rather than leaving me disabled," she told DW. <h2>I thought the regime was 'finished'</h2> Nazemi said that some teenagers, after being injured, no longer want to continue their education. Psychological pressure on mothers, financial difficulties and family tensions have also increased. According to her, some of those injured, from athletes and hairdressers to pianists and taxi drivers, have been forced to undergo amputations after severe injuries and infections, losing their jobs or their professional futures. Ashkan was 17 when he was injured. Before the protests, he worked as a porter in Tehran's bazaar while learning jewelry-making, hoping to acquire a skill that would allow him to support himself and his mother. He joined the protests in Tehran on January 8. He told DW that he thought Trump was going to attack and bring the Islamic Republic's rule to an end. Still, he left a copy of his will on the table as he left the house. "I thought they would be finished by the evening, that we would go out and make some noise," he told DW. "I was wearing a mask, and I was writing slogans on the wall of a mosque with some other young people from the bazaar when one of them fell to the ground," he said. Ashkan said a bullet struck his friend directly in the heart; fired from a sniper rifle from a rooftop. "When I raised my head, everything went black. I heard people saying, 'They shot him in the eye.' When I regained consciousness in the hospital, I saw that my left leg had been amputated below the knee. Everything was blurry." Ashkan also lost an eye, and continues to suffer from serious complications. "What has been taken from me is not just a leg and an eye; there is no longer any such thing as a future for me and my mother," he said. <h2>Regime continues crackdown</h2> The Islamic Republic's regime continues to pressure or kill those it considers linked to the January protests. In July and August 2026, 12 people were sentenced to death in connection with the so-called "Alikhani Square" case in the city of Isfahan. During the protests on January 8, authorities claim four government security forces were killed by demonstrators. Five people have been executed so far in connection with the case, two of them publicly in the square. And executions continue. According to a UN report, since March 19, 2026, at least 56 people have been executed on charges related to national security, 27 of them protesters from January 2026. 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/iran-protests-7-months-after-crackdown-survivors-struggle-with-life-changing-injuries-1863691

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Norway King Harald’s Health Worsens In Hospital As He Receives Antibiotics For Blood Infection

Reported by: Karl Sexton with AFP, Reuters | Edited by: Wesley Dockery The health of Norway's King Harald has "deteriorated" while in the hospital this weekend, the royal household said in a statement on Sunday. Harald, 89, is being treated for haemolytic anaemia, a condition caused by the rapid destruction of red blood cells. The disorder causes fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and paleness. "His Majesty the King's health deteriorated over the weekend. The King is ⁠receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood, and &zwnj;has responded to this treatment," the ⁠palace said. His condition was stable, the statement added. <h2>What else do we know about the health of Norway's king?</h2> Harald was admitted on Monday to Oslo University Hospital because of fluid retention related to cortisone treatment he has been receiving. He was placed on sick leave for two weeks. The king has also canceled a visit to the Trondelag region in central Norway on September 1 and 2, which fall after the two-week sick leave period. Several relatives have visited him in hospital on Sunday, including his wife, Queen Sonja, their son Crown Prince Haakon, Haakon's wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the king's sister, according to the Verdens Gang newspaper. Haakon has been acting as regent in his father's absence. <h2>Harald's history of health issues</h2> Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, is the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. The king has suffered from numerous health issues in recent years. He has had a pacemaker fitted and has been forced to scale back his official activities and responsibilities. He was hospitalized with an infection and dehydration in February this year during a private trip with Queen Sonja in Tenerife. Despite his health issues, he has said he will not abdicate, as he took a lifelong oath before parliament. <h2>Norwegian royals' difficult year</h2> Harald's health is the latest concern for the Norwegian royals, who have been marred by scandal this year. His son Haakon's wife, Mette-Marit, has been in the headlines for her close ties with late US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her son from a previous marriage, Marius Borg Hoiby, was sentenced in June to four years in prison on two counts of rape. Hoiby has appealed the verdict. 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/norway-king-health-harald-worsens-in-hospital-as-he-receives-antibiotics-for-blood-infection-1863538

Iran Gets Invite to Join 'Islamic NATO' Amid US Tensions; Asim Munir Heads To Tehran

Iran has been invited to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on August 7, as Tehran continues to face tensions with the United States. Mehdi Rahimi, chief of Iran's Parliament news agency, said Tehran had received the invitation and was considering the offer, according to a report by Al Mayadeen. The invitation comes ahead of a planned visit to Tehran by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, adding significance to the proposed expansion of the defence arrangement. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-says-authorised-ships-crossing-strait-of-hormuz-must-pay-tehran-service-fees-1863512">Iran Says ‘Authorised’ Ships Crossing Strait Of Hormuz Must Pay Tehran Service Fees</a> <h2>What Is The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement?</h2> Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the joint defence agreement on August 7. According to statements from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry and the Saudi Press Agency cited by AFP, the pact states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all three. The agreement comes as tensions in the region remain high. The United States has also been closely watching developments, with President Donald Trump welcoming the signing and describing it as a bold and historic step. Trump said he was pleased that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan had finally signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. His comments came even as he has claimed US control over the Strait of Hormuz. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WusaBQkpsWo?si=izOfqudZ44royeJW" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2>Bangladesh Also Signals Interest In Pact</h2> Bangladesh has also appeared positive about joining the agreement. Humayun Kabir, the country's newly appointed state minister for foreign affairs, has spoken about the possibility of Bangladesh becoming part of the arrangement. According to PTI, Kabir also said Bangladesh would seek to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan through diplomatic engagement. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/retired-hindu-teacher-family-bangladesh-killing-2-suspects-detained-1863507">2 Suspects Detained After 4 Members Of Hindu Family Killed In Bangladesh</a> <h2>Pezeshkian Praises Iran's Response To US Pressure</h2> Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the country's people for standing firm in the face of the conflict and pressure from the US. He said there had been expectations that Iran could be turned into a situation similar to Venezuela, but the Iranian people had resisted the attack. Pezeshkian made the remarks on Sunday while speaking at the start of Government Week. His speech was broadcast by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV. The Iranian president said the US had attempted to turn Iran into another Venezuela. Instead, he said, Iran had emerged as a force that surprised the world through its resistance, solidarity and unity. Pezeshkian also called for continued unity to confront what he described as a comprehensive economic war launched by Iran's enemies. He said Iranians needed to stand together in the same way they had supported one another during the war involving the US and Israel.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-invited-to-join-islamic-nato-mecca-pact-amid-us-tensions-asim-munir-iran-visit-1863520

Iran Says ‘Authorised’ Ships Crossing Strait Of Hormuz Must Pay Tehran Service Fees

Iran on Sunday said that vessels from "authorised" countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz will now be required to pay service fees to Tehran. Detailing the scope of the decision, Iran's National Security Commission Spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei stated that the fees will cover a wide range of maritime, environmental, and logistical provisions. According to state broadcaster IRIB, this comes after the approval of the Article 3 "Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz" plan. "Article 3 of the 'Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz' plan was approved by the National Security Commission, according to which ships from countries authorised to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will pay for the services provided by Iran," he said. "Fees will be charged for services including navigation, environmental, fueling under certain conditions, insurance, safety and other services we provide," he added. The spokesperson further stated that the payment structures have been designed with flexible financial terms. "These fees will be charged in Rials or any other currency desired by the Islamic Republic of Iran," IRIB cited him as saying. Earlier, Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Mohsen Rezaei, on Saturday (local time) said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and will not reopen until the United States fulfils its commitments and changes its behaviour amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. In an interview with IRIB, Rezaei said, "The Strait of Hormuz is closed, despite American claims, and will not open until America corrects its behaviour." "This time, America must first fulfil its obligations," he added. Rezaei further alleged that Washington had abandoned military options and was relying on economic pressure against Tehran. "The Americans are completely disappointed with the military attacks and think they can help with military actions through economic blockade," he said. He claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured US President Donald Trump that an economic blockade would force Iran to surrender. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of US control over the critical waterway by sharing an image that depicts the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW US Territory." The latest post on Truth Social follows Trump's earlier sharing of the identical graphic on August 18, after he previously floated the prospect of claiming jurisdiction over the waterway. Addressing a police academy gathering on Long Island on August 14, Trump had stated, "Pretty soon I'll be declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States". The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of the ongoing confrontation, with Tehran holding that the vital passage is shut and warning of countermeasures against unapproved tanker traffic. The shipping disruptions have severely affected international energy movement. While President Trump has repeatedly cautioned foreign governments against providing Tehran with "any type of lifeline" and maintained that Iran must agree to what Washington deems the right deal, Iranian officials have signalled an openness to negotiations alongside their firm stance. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for diplomatic engagement to resolve the standoff, emphasising that Tehran should aim to end the conflict while safeguarding its national strength and dignity. With President Trump continuing to designate the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW US Territory" and Tehran maintaining that the passage will stay closed without a shift in American policy, the strategic transit route remains at the centre of the worsening crisis.  (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-says-authorised-ships-crossing-strait-of-hormuz-must-pay-tehran-service-fees-1863512

22 Killed As Massive Landfill Collapses In Guinea Capital After Heavy Rains

<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e63288f6-602b-4210-a69b-a98aa8e57942" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-6-mini" data-turn-start-message="true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class="fbskMG_root markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> At least 22 people were killed after a massive pile of rubbish collapsed at Guinea’s largest landfill in the capital Conakry early Sunday, according to a provisional toll released by the country’s civil protection service. Heavy rains began around 3am and washed over the waste at the Dar Es Salam landfill, triggering a landslide that buried nearby makeshift shelters. Search and rescue teams were deployed to look for survivors. The landfill had been scheduled for closure on Sunday, said Lt Col Baldé Mamadou Bailo, sanitation officer with the military engineering battalion. Authorities had issued eviction notices to residents living near the landfill, prompting many families to leave the area. However, several people were still there when the collapse occurred. “We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere,” Territorial Administration and Decentralisation Minister Dienabou Touré said at the site. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start"> </div> <div class="pointer-events-none -mb-px h-px w-full opacity-0" aria-hidden="true"> </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/people-killed-injured-several-feared-trapped-as-massive-landfill-collapses-in-guinea-capital-after-heavy-rains-1863509