26 h. ago Trump crackdown on international students affects far more schools than Harvard

US President Donald Trump’s proclamation last week that he would bar Harvard University from enrolling new international students put the spotlight back on an unprecedented stand-off between the White House and America’s pre-eminent university. Trump’s move came less than a week after a federal court injunction blocked the US Department of Homeland Security’s termination of Harvard’s ability to host international students. It was also just hours after the administration threatened Columbia...

Politics

1 week ago Harvard Chinese student’s graduation speech strikes a chord as Trump leads purge

A Chinese student’s graduation speech at Harvard University emphasising “shared humanity” and calling for global unity has gone viral, days after the Trump administration pledged to “aggressively” revoke the visas of students from China. Yurong “Luanna” Jiang is the first Chinese woman selected to be the student speaker at a Harvard graduation ceremony. Her emotional speech on Thursday was delivered on the same day that a federal judge blocked a Department of Homeland Security order seeking to...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Xenophobic’: US ban on Chinese student visas provokes backlash

The Chinese embassy in Washington lodged a “solemn démarche with the US side without delay” on Thursday amid a growing backlash, including accusations of xenophobia, within the United States towards its decision to “aggressively” revoke Chinese student visas. The démarche – a form of official diplomatic protest – comes a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that his department would work with the Department of Homeland Security to cancel the visas of Chinese students, including...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong should seize on US rejection of foreign students, John Lee says

Hong Kong should capitalise on the Trump administration’s hostile stance over foreign enrolments by showing off the city’s prowess in higher education, the chief executive has said, pledging to provide “the best assistance” to Chinese students facing “unfair treatment”. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu weighed in on Thursday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US State Department would work with the Department of Homeland Security to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,...

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2 w. ago Israeli PM Netanyahu meets visiting US homeland security chief Kristi Noem in Jerusalem

Netanyahu’s office said Noem, who visited city’s Western Wall, ‘expressed unwavering support for the prime minister and the state of Israel’.

Politics

2 w. ago Israel’s Netanyahu meets US homeland security chief Noem in Jerusalem

Netanyahu’s office said Noem reaffirmed US support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict.

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese students speak of worries over Harvard ban: ‘there’s nothing we can do’

Thousands of foreigners are in limbo after the US Department of Homeland Security bans the university from taking international students.

Politics

3 w. ago Citing China ‘activity’, Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students

Almost 6,800 enrollees expected to be affected as Homeland Security chief also accuses university of fostering antisemitism.

Politics

3 w. ago Latest Oval Office ambush by Trump could make world leaders think twice

Ramaphosa meeting marked Trump’s second major ambush of an Oval Office visitor.

Politics

3 w. ago Strikes kill dozens across Gaza as Israel presses on with major offensive

Israel’s Netanyahu hits back at the leaders of Britain, France and Canada over Gaza criticism.

Events

3 w. ago Israel will allow limited aid into Gaza after nearly 3 months of blockade, Netanyahu says

Israeli PM said allowing some ‘basic’ aid in would enable Israel to expand its new military operation, which began on Saturday.

Politics

3 w. ago Israel’s Netanyahu resumes Gaza aid after pressure from allies over ‘images of hunger’

Israel’s PM said allowing in some ‘basic’ aid would enable Israel to expand its new military operation, which began on Saturday.

Politics

3 w. ago Could Brazilian leader Lula’s Beijing trip herald greater Chinese defence role in region?

Lula’s recent visit included a meeting with defence giant Norinco, which is reportedly seeking a major stake in aerospace firm Avibras.

Politics

last month Netanyahu vows ‘full force’ offensive in Gaza as Israel plans to relocate Palestinians

The Israeli PM pledged the Gaza offensive to defeat Hamas, amid international backlash and plans for Palestinian displacement.

Politics