All US immigrant visa applications have been paused by the Trump administration as the state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants whom they deem could need US assistance. The agency launched the initiative at all embassies and consulates in early August. Applicants with scheduled interviews were sent emails that their appointments had been canceled.
Agency officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. This week the Trump administration also announced plans to revoke visas from asylum seekers who had initially entered the US for tourism or business. Up to 200,000 people seeking asylum could be affected.
In February, a federal judge overturned the president’s attempt to suspend the US refugee system entirely. Adam Mosseri, the first senior Meta executive to testify in a historic lawsuit brought by 29 US states, disputed allegations by US prosecutors that his company hid negative information from the public in a court in California. Questioned over touting a feature called Take a Break, meant to encourage teens to close Instagram if they had been scrolling for a while, Mosseri was asked about not disclosing low user numbers for features geared toward teen safety.
He brushed the concerns aside, saying: “We don’t publish every single stat. I’ve definitely said publicly that the opt-in rates are low. I don’t know if I’ve said numbers.” Just 1.8% of teens signed up for the feature.
Why are the states suing Meta? The lawsuit centers on the allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. Meta has denied all allegations, saying the states are chasing an “outlandish payout”.
At least 14 newborn babies have died in a fire that broke out in the maternity ward at one of Pakistan’s most prominent state hospitals. The blaze began in the early hours of Wednesday and engulfed the ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the biggest state hospital in Islamabad. Dr Aneza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, said 15 babies were on the ward at the time and that “one baby was saved by a doctor”.
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