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In 2024-25, India remained leading place of origin of international students in U.S.: Report
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In 2024-25, India remained leading place of origin of international students in U.S.: Report

A 2025 report by the Institute of International Education showed India remained the leading source of international students in the U.S. in 2024-25, with over 360,000 students, a 9.5% increase. Globally, 1.17 million international students studied in the U.S., up 5%, despite a 7% decline in new enrollments overall, except for undergraduates. 49% of Indian students were graduate students, and 39% were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), which saw a 47% surge. Over 43% pursued Computer Science. The report notes concerns among students post-President Trump's second term regarding immigration laws. Still, 45 U.S. states saw an increase, with California, Texas, and New York leading. Public institutions hosted 59% of international students, with fastest growth in community and master’s colleges.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland and Chicago are being sent home
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Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland and Chicago are being sent home

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown, are being sent home, while remaining troops will stay off the streets amid ongoing court battles. This withdrawal, affecting California and Texas National Guard units, signifies a larger shift in troop deployments. The U.S. Northern Command announced a "shifting and/or rightsizing" of units, though a "constant, enduring, and long-term presence" will remain. Democratic leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, have criticized the deployments as illegal and normalizing military presence in American cities, arguing Trump lacked legal authority. A federal judge in Portland issued an injunction blocking troop deployment, which the administration is appealing. These deployments, initiated during Trump's second term, marked an expanded use of military for domestic goals, primarily protecting federal facilities related to immigration enforcement.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Trump backs tougher action on drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia
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Trump backs tougher action on drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia

U.S. President Donald Trump, on November 17, 2025, expressed support for aggressive measures against drug cartels and narcotics production in Mexico and Colombia, though he stopped short of announcing direct U.S. military intervention. Trump has already escalated his campaign against maritime drug trafficking, authorizing more forceful interdiction operations and granting U.S. forces expanded authority to disable or sink suspected vessels. When questioned about potential ground strikes in Mexico, he responded, "OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs." He further raised the possibility of targeting cocaine laboratories in Colombia, stating he would be "proud to do it personally" to "save millions of lives," while clarifying he hadn't committed to such action. This stance underscores his administration's intensified focus on combating drug networks in the Western Hemisphere.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza peace plan; Hamas rejects approval of international force
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U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza peace plan; Hamas rejects approval of international force

The U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution on November 17, 2025, endorsing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war and authorizing an international stabilization force for the enclave. The resolution, which Russia abstained from, legitimizes a transitional governance body and aims to reassure countries considering sending troops to Gaza. It also includes Trump's 20-point plan, referencing a future possibility of Palestinian statehood after reforms and redevelopment, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staunch opposition to a Palestinian state. Hamas, however, rejected the resolution, stating it fails to meet Palestinian demands and imposes an international trusteeship, stripping the international force of neutrality by tasking it with disarming the resistance. Hamas and allied factions view the resolution as a dangerous step serving Israeli interests and refuse to disarm.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Iran suspends visa waiver for Indians after ‘misuse by criminal elements’; MEA issues advisory
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Iran suspends visa waiver for Indians after ‘misuse by criminal elements’; MEA issues advisory

Iran has suspended its visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders, effective November 22, 2025, following numerous incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran under false pretenses. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory, stating many Indians were tricked with promises of employment or onward transit to third countries, only to be kidnapped for ransom upon arrival. This measure by the Iranian government aims to prevent further misuse of the visa waiver by criminal elements. Indian nationals with ordinary passports will now be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran. The MEA strongly advises vigilance and cautions against agents offering visa-free travel or transit via Iran, highlighting the risks involved in such fraudulent schemes.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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U.K. asylum reforms ‘to deter migrants who don’t stay where they land’ spark backlash within Labour Party, support from rivals
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U.K. asylum reforms ‘to deter migrants who don’t stay where they land’ spark backlash within Labour Party, support from rivals

The British government's new asylum reform plan, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, faces strong backlash from within the center-left Labour Party, despite some support from rivals. The plan aims to make the UK less attractive to asylum-seekers who "asylum shop" across Europe, deterring those who don't seek refuge in the first safe country they land in. Labour backbenchers criticize the policies as "cruel" and "dystopian," accusing Mahmood of courting the far-right. The reforms, modeled after Denmark's approach, would revoke the UK's legal duty to support asylum seekers, allowing withdrawal of housing and allowances, denying benefits to non-working individuals, and reviewing refugee status for repatriation. Despite a decline in net migration, boat arrivals have increased, and the issue remains politically volatile. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch supports the reforms, while Reform UK sees Mahmood's stance as aligning with their party, highlighting deep divisions within Labour ahead of potential leadership challenges for PM Starmer.

November 18, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state, ahead of U.N. vote leaving that door open
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Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state, ahead of U.N. vote leaving that door open

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his opposition to a Palestinian state on Sunday, November 16, 2025, ahead of a U.N. Security Council vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves open the possibility of Palestinian independence. Netanyahu argued that a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and potentially lead to a larger Hamas-controlled entity. Despite international pressure, he asserted his stance is unwavering. The U.S. proposal, revised to include a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood, faces opposition from Russia, China, some Arab countries, and Palestinian factions who reject an international mandate and disarming Gaza. Meanwhile, violence escalated in the West Bank, with a 19-year-old Palestinian man killed by Israeli fire, one of seven deaths in two weeks amid increased settler attacks, which Netanyahu attributed to a small minority.

November 17, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Nepal’s Election Commission publishes election schedule
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Nepal’s Election Commission publishes election schedule

Nepal's Election Commission on Sunday, November 16, 2025, announced the schedule for the parliamentary election on March 5. Candidates for the House of Representatives will file nominations on January 20, with the list published same day. Protests against candidates are set for January 21, and a verified list will follow. Withdrawals are allowed until January 23, with the final list and election symbol allotment occurring that afternoon. Voting will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 5. These elections were triggered by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's ouster on September 9, after violent Gen Z protests against corruption and a social media ban resulted in 76 deaths. Sushila Karki took oath as interim Prime Minister on September 12. The constitution mandates 165 members by first-past-the-post and 110 by proportionate voting for the 275-seat House.

November 17, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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Trump plans to meet with Mamdani, says 'he will work something out' with New York City's Mayor-elect
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Trump plans to meet with Mamdani, says 'he will work something out' with New York City's Mayor-elect

President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday, November 16, 2025, that he plans to meet with New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to "work something out," signaling a potential detente. This follows months of Trump's criticism, falsely labeling Mamdani a "communist" and threatening deportation and federal funding cuts. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, rose from state lawmaker to a symbol of resistance against Trump's anti-immigrant agenda, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Despite his campaign's opposition, Mamdani expressed willingness to work with the President for New Yorkers' benefit, a sentiment Trump reciprocated. The White House confirmed the planned meeting, though no date is set. Trump also mentioned possible discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

November 17, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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At least 32 killed in southeastern Congo after bridge at mine collapsed, authorities say
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At least 32 killed in southeastern Congo after bridge at mine collapsed, authorities say

A bridge at the Kalando copper and cobalt mine in Mulondo, Lualaba province, southeastern Congo, collapsed on Saturday, November 15, 2025, killing at least 32 people, according to regional official Roy Kaumba Mayonde. Illegal diggers forced their way into the quarry despite heavy rainfall and landslide warnings. A government report suggested gunfire from soldiers caused panic, leading to miners rushing the bridge and a death toll of at least 40. The presence of soldiers at the mine has been a long-standing dispute. Congo, the world's largest cobalt producer, faces accusations of child labor, unsafe conditions, and corruption in its mining industry, with Chinese companies controlling 80% of production. The region is also plagued by violence from various armed groups.

November 17, 2025•1 min read•Source: TheHindu
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