revokes over 600
| |

US revokes over 600 visas in crackdown on birth to…

ByJustpaste.in

The United States has revoked more than 600 visas from foreign nationals over the past month as part of a sweeping campaign against birth tourism operations, the State Department announced Wednesday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media that American citizenship is not for sale, accusing criminal organizations of profiting by coaching foreign nationals to defraud the visa system and forge documents in order to secure citizenship for their children. He said these networks have systematically exploited weaknesses in US immigration law for financial gain.

The State Department recently launched a dedicated Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force tasked with identifying and dismantling these networks. Rubio said the unit will continue reviewing the activities of visa holders to put an end to what he called a heinous abuse of national law, and said the department intends to use every tool available to dismantle birth tourism networks and protect the integrity of American citizenship.

The crackdown follows an executive order President Donald Trump signed on August 6 that describes birth tourism as a calculated exploitation of immigration policy and casts it as a threat to national security. The order gives the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security authority to permanently bar entry and revoke documentation for individuals found to be facilitating these schemes.

Trump signed two executive orders on August 6 in a narrower attempt to limit birthright citizenship, again testing a constitutional provision even after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier version of his effort. Curbing birthright citizenship has remained one of the central goals of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, with the White House specifically targeting birth tourism, in which pregnant foreign nationals travel to the United States specifically to give birth on American soil.

Following the Supreme Court setback on June 30, Trump initially urged Congress to pass legislation addressing the issue before ultimately turning to executive orders instead, a route that allows the administration to set policy directly but carries less legal weight than legislation passed by Congress.

Similar Posts

  • Energy Minister: No Fuel Crisis for Thailand Despite Mideast War

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK — Thailand does not face a fuel crisis as a consequence of the Mideast war, Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon said on Tuesday, seeking to calm public concerns amid localized shortages and panic-buying in some provinces. Thailand has enough oil for local consumption, but prices will rise: Government Supplies are being delivered gradually, according to […]

  • |

    Amanda Knox defends comedy show after backlash from Meredith Kercher’s sister

    ByJustpaste.in

    Amanda Knox is standing by her Edinburgh Fringe comedy show, pushing back against claims from Meredith Kercher’s sister that the performance trivializes violence against women. Knox, 39, was convicted and later acquitted of murdering her British roommate Kercher in Italy 19 years ago. She took to Instagram on Thursday to say her show “honors Meredith Kercher’s memory” and “calls out the violence that was done to her and to me.” The show, titled “Cartwheel,” debuted Friday evening and runs for 11 nights straight at the Scottish festival. Its title nods to a widely repeated claim that Knox did cartwheels at the police station after Kercher’s death. The show is being pitched as the story of a woman nearing forty, balancing motherhood while finally processing her wrongful imprisonment. The backlash follows a BBC interview with Kercher’s sister, Stephanie, who said the show “normalizes and trivializes violence against women.” She acknowledged that Knox is free to live her life however she chooses, but argued that turning this particular story into comedy crosses a line. Stephanie stressed that her objection is not about guilt or innocence. She said the same discomfort would apply even if someone else were behind the show, though she admitted it stings more knowing it’s Knox herself. She said she feels strongly that the project shouldn’t be given a platform at all. An online petition demanding the show’s cancellation has gathered more than 4,400 signatures so far. It accuses the show of mocking the tragedy surrounding Kercher’s death and turning it into entertainment. Knox has previously defended the project in other interviews too. She told The Telegraph she believes Kercher would have “appreciated” the show, calling it an honest look at what it means to be a young woman, and even guessed her late roommate would have found parts of it funny. Despite the criticism, Knox appears set on moving forward with the run as planned. The show continues through the rest of its scheduled dates in Edinburgh, with public reaction still divided over whether the format is appropriate for such a painful and personal subject. For now, the controversy has added extra attention to a performance that was already drawing curiosity given Knox’s unusual path from headline-making legal saga to stand-up stage.

  • | |

    Sardar Yousaf renews call for creation of Hazara p…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has reiterated his demand for the creation of a separate Hazara province, saying there is broad political consensus on the issue and that administrative reforms are essential to improve governance and public service delivery. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Senator Talha Mahmood, the minister said the movement for Hazara province began in 2010 and has remained a longstanding demand of the region’s people. He said seven young people sacrificed their lives during the movement, adding that their contributions would always be remembered. According to the minister, people from different political parties have consistently supported the establishment of Hazara as a separate province. Sardar Yousaf noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed constitutional resolutions in support of Hazara province on three occasions—in 2014, 2018, and 2020. He added that bills seeking the creation of the new province have also been introduced in both the National Assembly and the Senate and have been referred to the relevant standing committees on law and justice. The minister said the creation of new administrative units has become a necessity in view of Pakistan’s growing population, which now exceeds 250 million. He argued that additional provinces would improve governance, revenue collection, and the implementation of development projects. He stressed that the demand for Hazara province is not linked to any single political party but represents a united movement supported by people from all walks of life, including political leaders, lawyers, journalists, students, traders, and religious scholars. Sardar Yousaf said several national political leaders have publicly expressed support for the Hazara province during visits to the region and public gatherings. He maintained that smaller administrative units would bring government services closer to the people, help address public issues more effectively, and strengthen the federation. He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the Hazara province movement, noting that Hazara Martyrs’ Day is observed every year on April 12 in their memory.

  • |

    Thailand school shooting leaves seven dead, 15 injured

    ByJustpaste.in

    At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured after a student opened fire at a school near Thailand’s capital Bangkok on Friday. The suspected shooter was among those killed after turning the weapon on himself, according to police. The incident took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok. Students rushed out of the school as emergency teams arrived at the scene. Several wounded people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Teachers and students were reportedly among those killed and injured. A student at the school said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for firecrackers or someone hitting an object. He later realised that several shots had been fired. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the incident as a terrible tragedy and questioned how such an attack could occur in the country. Emergency responders said they treated several students who had suffered gunshot wounds to their backs, chests and arms. A male teacher was found dead on an upper floor of the school, while a female teacher was also found with serious injuries. Rescue workers attempted to revive the injured teacher before rushing her to hospital, but she could not be saved. Following the shooting, traffic around the school came to a standstill as parents rushed to collect their children. Authorities also moved to provide assistance to students, teachers and affected families. Police identified the attacker as a student. The incident is the second school shooting reported in Thailand this year. Thailand has experienced several deadly shooting incidents in recent years. The country witnessed its deadliest mass killing in 2022, when a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, in a prolonged attack at a childcare centre. Other deadly shootings have also taken place in Bangkok and other parts of the country, raising continued concerns over gun violence and firearm access.

  • | | |

    12 militants killed in Balochistan intelligence op…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan’s security forces killed 12 suspected militants during two intelligence-based operations carried out in separate districts of Balochistan as part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. According to the military’s media wing, the operations were conducted on August 5 and 6 in Washuk and Mastung districts under the third phase of Operation Rad-ul-Fitna, which targets militant groups allegedly backed by hostile foreign elements. The ISPR said the first operation was launched on August 5 after intelligence agencies detected the movement of six suspected militants in Washuk district. Security forces swiftly moved to the area and engaged the suspects in a targeted operation. Following an exchange of fire, all six militants were killed. A second intelligence-based operation was conducted on August 6 in Mastung district after security forces received information about the presence of armed militants. The ISPR said another six suspected militants were killed during an intense firefight. Security personnel also destroyed a militant hideout during the operation. The military stated that both operations were based on credible intelligence and were part of continuous efforts to eliminate militant networks operating in Balochistan. It added that security forces carried out the missions with precision, preventing the militants from escaping. According to the ISPR, the operations form part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism strategy being implemented under Azm-e-Istehkam, the national security initiative approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. The military reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces, together with law enforcement agencies, will continue intelligence-led operations across the country to eliminate terrorism and dismantle militant infrastructure.

  • PSX recovers nearly 600 points as buying returns a…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Buying activity returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index rebounding strongly in early trading after suffering a sharp decline in the previous session. By 9:40am, the KSE-100 Index had climbed 592.08 points, or 0.33%, to 180,438.76 points, reflecting renewed investor interest in major listed companies. The recovery was broad-based, with buying activity reported across several important sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement manufacturers, commercial banks, fertiliser companies, oil and gas exploration firms, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and power generation companies. Several index-heavy stocks also contributed to the early gains. HUBCO, MARI, POL, PPL, HBL, MCB, MEBL, NBP and UBL were among the prominent stocks trading in positive territory. Investors reassess geopolitical risks The improved sentiment at the local bourse came as Pakistan signalled that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran could potentially lead to an arrangement aimed at reducing tensions. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that developments over the previous few days suggested that the two sides were moving closer to a possible understanding. According to the minister, the situation appeared to be developing in favour of a peace arrangement or agreement, raising hopes that easing geopolitical tensions could provide some relief to global energy markets. The prospect of reduced tensions is particularly important for Pakistan, where movements in international crude prices can have a significant impact on import costs, inflation expectations, the current account and overall investor sentiment. PSX suffers sharp decline in previous session The Wednesday rebound followed a difficult session at the PSX on Tuesday, when investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty and a rise in international oil prices. The KSE-100 Index ended Tuesday’s trading at 179,846.68 points, losing 1,463.60 points, or 0.81%. The decline reflected renewed selling pressure as market participants assessed the possible economic consequences of heightened tensions and uncertainty surrounding the outlook for a US-Iran agreement. Wednesday’s early recovery suggests that some investors were willing to return to equities as concerns over a possible escalation appeared to ease, although market sentiment remained sensitive to developments in global markets. Global markets remain focused on inflation data International markets were also trading cautiously on Wednesday, with oil and gold prices moving higher while Asian equities posted modest gains. Investors were closely watching the latest US consumer price index (CPI) data for indications about the future direction of US monetary policy. The inflation figures are expected to provide important clues about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook and the timing of any potential rate changes. Higher-than-expected inflation could reinforce expectations of tighter monetary policy for longer, while softer price pressures could strengthen the case for eventual rate reductions. In currency markets, the Japanese yen remained largely stable against the US dollar after giving back much of its recent gains following rare intervention in foreign-exchange markets by Japan and the United States. Geopolitical developments also continued to weigh on market sentiment. Reports of separate attacks involving shipping and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement added to concerns surrounding maritime security and energy supplies, while a North Korean missile launch further unsettled investors in Asia. Oil and gold prices rise Crude oil prices advanced amid continued concerns about supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. US crude futures increased 0.89% to $83.94 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.78% to $89.60 per barrel. Gold, another traditional safe-haven asset, also gained ground. Spot gold increased 0.46% to $4,387.03 per ounce as investors continued to monitor geopolitical developments and the direction of US monetary policy. In Asian equities, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5%. Japan’s Nikkei index remained broadly flat after markets reopened following a holiday.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *