Latest news with #Harvard-bound
Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Anxious Harvard-bound S'poreans press ahead with plans, even as some still don't have visas
The president of the Harvard Club of Singapore said that none of the prospective Singaporean students have relinquished their offers. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Anxious Harvard-bound S'poreans press ahead with plans, even as some still don't have visas SINGAPORE - Singaporean students bound for Harvard University are still pressing ahead with their plans despite uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's ban on foreign students, even as some still do not have their visas. Ms Welly Tantono, the president of its Singapore alumni club, told The Straits Times on June 14 that as far as she is aware, none of the prospective Singaporean students have relinquished their offers. The Harvard Club of Singapore on June 14 organised a pre-departure meeting for the Republic's Harvard hopefuls, which ST understands was attended by more than 10 matriculating undergraduates and postgraduates. Among them, about half have yet to obtain their visas, said a Harvard Club Board member, who declined to be named. Some existing visa appointments at the local US embassy have also been cancelled, and new appointments are difficult to make, he added. A total of 22 people had indicated on the club's website that they would attend the annual event, which was held at Monk's Brew Club in Katong. Ms Tantono said the event had hoped to 'offer comfort' to matriculating students. Typically a celebratory affair, it took on a different tenor this year with the theme Navigating Your Next Steps Amid Uncertainty, as anxious attendees sought advice and assurance. According to the club's website, immigration lawyers and consular officers were present to address students' concerns about student visas, immigration issues and legal documentation. Current Harvard students and alumni were also invited to offer guidance to new students. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had said on June 7 that Singapore's embassy in Washington has been seeking clarification from the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security on whether there would be a delay in visa processing for Singaporean students hoping to study in the US. He added that the Government is trying to find solutions to deal with the worst-case scenario where students are not able to physically study in Boston. Harvard's fall semester is due to start in late August, with first-year students arriving a week early for placement tests and adjustment to campus life. Ms Tantono said that amid the uncertainty, Harvard University has been up to date in its communications with international students, who understandably may have many concerns. The students have also been in contact with the Harvard International Office, she added. Mr Trump has made recent moves to re-work the landscape of American higher education – claiming that private schools have tolerated campus anti-Semitism, while fostering anti-American and 'radical left' ideologies. In April, the Trump Administration froze close to US$3 billion (S$3.8 billion) of Harvard's federal research funding. A month later, the school's right to host and enrol foreign students and scholars was terminated – a move that was later halted by a US District Judge. Mr Trump's June 4 directive to bar foreign nationals seeking to study the US from entering the country was also blocked temporarily by the judge, who on June 5, also extended May's hold by about two weeks. The new temporary block made in June will also last for two weeks. The effects of the president's siege have been felt across the university, where close to 6,800 international students make up about a third of the student populace. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What's changing for international students in the US right now?
A State Department-ordered pause on new student visa interviews in the United States is now entering its third week, with no clarity on when it might be lifted. The development comes at a critical time for international students, as the May–August window accounts for 70% of all US student visa issuances annually. NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw wrote on LinkedIn this week, 'This suspension comes at a peak time when at least 50% of new international students still need to schedule visa interview appointments in order to arrive in time for the fall semester.' The student visa delays follow a broader shift in US policy. On June 4, President Trump announced a new travel ban affecting 12 countries. Twelve nations—including Iran, Libya, and Somalia—are under a total entry measures include bans on issuing F, M, and J category student visas to citizens from the affected nations who are outside the US without a valid visa as of June 9. The White House maintains that existing valid visas will not be revoked. However, the move is being interpreted internationally as a signal that the US is becoming less open to foreign students. Malaysia, for instance, has responded by suspending US-bound scholarship programmes for its students. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Meanwhile, legal tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University have escalated. On May 22, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's SEVP certification. A court overturned that decision the next day. However, on June 4, President Trump issued a proclamation barring foreign students from entering the US to study at Harvard. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ US resumes visa processing for Harvard students after court blocks Trump's policy ban Degrees & dilemmas: Indian students at Harvard navigate uncertainties Columbia Crisis: Trump's crackdown sends chill through Indian students « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT 'I have determined that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at Harvard University or in an exchange visitor program hosted by Harvard University,' said the President in the proclamation. The order also left open the possibility of revoking existing visas of currently enrolled international students at Harvard. A court blocked implementation of the proclamation on June 5. On June 6, the State Department directed consulates worldwide to resume visa processing for Harvard-bound students. These unfolding developments are likely to have an impact on enrolment numbers for the upcoming academic year, with the final outcome dependent on how long the visa interview pause remains in effect and whether further legal interventions emerge.
Axios
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
What's actually up with crime at Harvard University
One of several reasons President Trump cited for denying Harvard-bound international students entry into the country was "rising crime, including violent crime." Why it matters: Harvard doesn't have a crime problem, unless you count the scores of electric scooter thefts the Harvard Crimson reported last year, experts say. What's happening: The Department of Homeland Security cited dramatic percentage increases of crime at Harvard, using data disclosed under the Clery Act. But the raw numbers tell a different story. The percentages: Aggravated assaults rose 195%, robberies increased 460% and bias crimes doubled between 2022 and 2023, the latest year of university crime data publicly available under the Clery Act. By the numbers: On a campus of 45,000, Harvard reported 59 aggravated assaults, 28 robberies and 10 bias crimes in 2023. Altogether, crime increased from 208 in 2022 to 323 in 2023, with more than 144 crimes involving "motor vehicle thefts." A Harvard University Police Department spokesperson confirmed all but one of those were electric scooter thefts. Criminal justice experts say the numbers are so low at Harvard that any increase could look deceptively high — a bias known as "the law of small numbers." What they're saying: "When you look at the crime statistics and compare them to jurisdictions around the country, it's clear that Harvard is a low-violent crime campus, in a low-violent crime city, in a low-violent crime state," says Thomas Abt, founding director of the Center for Study and Practice of Violence Reduction and a former Harvard Kennedy School fellow. "There's simply no public safety basis for targeting Harvard University in this way." Neither Harvard nor the White House commented on the crime trends when asked by Axios. Reality check: Harvard reported 659 crimes in 2024, up from 613 crimes in 2023, per the uniform crime reporting system required by the FBI. That's roughly 15 for every 1,000 Harvard affiliates. The UCR numbers tend to look higher as the Clery Act data doesn't show larcenies or fights that aren't bias-related. Yes, but: The UCR data doesn't distinguish between crimes on campus involving Harvard affiliates and crimes on nearby public property involving non-affiliates. The Clery Act data, which the Trump administration cites, shows that nearly one-third of criminal offenses in 2023 occurred in public parks, streets and other areas near campus that aren't Harvard affiliated. What we're watching: Harvard typically releases its security reports with annual crime data in the fall.
Boston Globe
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
A 20-game win streak? Billerica boys' lacrosse built for a trip to Division 2 semifinals
Billerica's set defense was nearly impenetrable with Caden Canney, Daniel Kinsella, and senior captain AJ Parrella holding down the back line in front of junior goalie Nolan Heffernan (8 saves). Walpole (17-4) came in averaging over 13 goals per game, but could never get rolling, with five of its six goals coming unassisted. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'We knew defensively, we had to minimize their guys and did a really good job on that end,' said Parrella, 'It was just a really good team win.' Advertisement When Walpole started to chip away at a 6-2 halftime deficit in the third quarter, Gearin provided the response. The electric middie, who missed the majority of the season with a broken tibia, scored three times in the frame and provided the first four goals for his squad in the second half to keep the Wolves at bay. Gearin also provided an early spark with three assists in the first quarter. Advertisement '[Gearin has] been itching to go,' said Nickerson. 'He had some pent up energy and tonight was a big release for him. We knew it would be a good matchup for him against their defense, but I didn't think it would be this good. He was awesome tonight.' Division 1 Lincoln-Sudbury 14, Concord-Carlisle 5 — With a decisive third-quarter surge, the third-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury boys' lacrosse team pulled away from No. 6 Concord-Carlisle quarterfinal. Junior Brady Malo paced Lincoln-Sudbury (15-4) with three goals, and seniors Rex Friedholm, Nolan Martindale, and Will Fosnot added two apiece. 'Our seniors really stepped up today,' Lincoln-Sudbury coach Brian Vona said. Lincoln-Sudbury built a 3-2 edge through one quarter and 6-3 halftime advantage after a slick behind-the-back pass from Friedholm to Malo in the final seconds. The Harvard-bound Friedholm dictated the action throughout the night, and senior Dante Venuto was sharp at the face-off X. Senior Jason Swaim (3 goals) helped the Patriots (17-4) stay within striking distance, then Fosnot spearheaded a 6-2 third quarter for Lincoln-Sudbury to make it 12-5. The Patriots made some noise in the fourth, but the outcome had already been sealed. After quarterfinal exits each of the past two seasons, the Warriors are back in familiar territory. They'll face No. 2 St. John's Prep in the semifinals Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Burlington High. 'I've never been to a Final Four game,' Friedholm said. 'A lot of these guys have never been. We were dying, we were dying. We were just clawing, scratching, everything we needed to do.' Division 2 State Advertisement Westwood 9, Longmeadow 8 — Senior Troy Fredrickson fired in the winner with 2:15 remaining (and assisted on another) to propel the 10th-seeded Wolverines (16-4) to the first semifinal appearance in program history. 'Today is one of the best days of my life,' an ecstatic coach Todd Zahurak said after the win. While there's not a singular star on the roster, 'we have a bunch of 'A' players that nobody really knows about,' said Zahurak. Junior attackman Sam Cochran had a trio of goals and classmate Jaden Pollack had 12 saves as the Wolverines completed a nearly 200-mile trip to upset No. 2 Longmeadow (17-4). Zahurak credited his defense, including junior Ryan Williams and senior Kyle Harvey for keeping a solid Longmeadow attack off the board. 'This group just really believes in each other, and they play for each other,' said Zahurak. Corresponents Lenny Rowe and Chloe Wojtanik contributed. Nate Weitzer can be reached at
The Star
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (June 8, 2025)
Malaysia: * No travel ban for Fahmi Reza, confirms IGP / PM wants Deputy IGP to look into travel ban on Fahmi Reza * 'My freedom to travel was restricted', says Fahmi Reza, threatens to sue govt * MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warning for eight states * Sukuk misuse case: Tan Sri to be quizzed soon following hospital discharge, says Azam * DAP backs judicial review on NFA over Teoh Beng Hock case * Nearly RM800mil allocated to states for water supply projects to address monsoon impact * Klang boat capsize: Victim's mother breaks down when identifying body * MCMC call data request from telcos to improve network, not invade privacy, says Fahmi * Telcos assure customer privacy in MCMC data initiative * Check before making further decision, Higher Education Ministry urges Harvard-bound Malaysians * Bursa Malaysia seen trading between the 1,500 and 1,530 level this week, pending fresh catalysts * Ringgit to continue its positive trend against US dollar this week, keen eyes on US economic data report * Badminton: Cheers to Wei Chong-Kai Wun for fighting on despite hostile atmosphere * Badminton: Pearly-Thinaah stretch China's world No. 1 pair before going down in final * Faster by train, not plane -- A train can never move faster than a plane, but a train ride can be faster than a flight Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) meets with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the State Department in Washington.-- AP Photo/Kevin Wolf Singapore: * My husband arranged for five men to rape me. I have to live for my children: Victim in Singapore wife-rape ring case * 'I want women to know that this kind of thing really happens': Wife-rape survivor in Singapore on telling her story * Man who let snakes bite him 200 times spurs new antivenom hope * Singapore to send delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to UN Ocean Conference * Over 20,000 devotees attend Sri Sivan Temple consecration in Singapore, crowd almost breaks through barricades * 15 people in Singapore to be charged with theft; food, medicine, clothing among items stolen from shops * Mum of six who juggles three jobs starts free breakfast club for children in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore * Woman arrested at Changi Airport check-in area for abusing public servant * Megan, half-Singaporean member of Katseye, comes out as bisexual * Who is Megan Skiendiel? Katseye's half-Singaporean teen member in the limelight for being bisexual but she also loves her laksa Indonesia: * Indonesia and Russia are among the major economies with lowest dependence on exports, as according to calculations * Five nabbed for murder of Indonesian in Kluang * Indonesia and EU are close to finalising major trade pact * Badminton: Dane Antonsen ends bane of being second best at Indonesian Open * Former Indonesian president Jokowi signals interest in leading PSI over PPP * Indonesian National Police Commission urges sanctioning Makassar officers for alleged extortion, assault * Prabowo sends Gerindra officials to meet Megawati, deliver confidential message Volunteers pick up trash during a coastal clean-up drive ahead of World Oceans Day, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. -- Photo: REUTERS/Lisa Marie David Thailand: * Thai and Cambodian forces to resume previous positions on border, Thailand says * Thailand cuts border crossing hours with Cambodia over security * Embassy hosts Aidiladha celebration for Malaysians in Bangkok * Thai DPM Phumtham cancels Paris trip to monitor three key developments * Thai authorities seize 346 tonnes of smuggled chicken feet amid bird flu concerns * Thailand enforces border controls to safeguard communities amidst rising tensions Philippines: * UN Ocean Conference sets sail in France on World Oceans Day * Philippine and Singapore expand cooperation in prioritised areas * Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea * Mass actions pressing for Sara Duterte trial set for June 9 to June 11 * Philippine Bureau of Investigation nabs yakuza boss in Angeles * Marcos, Machiavelli, and martial arts A saleswoman uses her phone as she waits for customers at a home appliance store in Hanoi on June 6, 2025. Vietnam's exports rose sharply last month, official figures showed June 6, as the communist country tries to negotiate relief from swingeing tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP Vietnam * Many opportunities for Asean amidst US' tariff tantrum, says Asean-BAC head * Vietnam PM attends Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco; event aims to help countries tackle financial challenges * US imposes anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese shrimp exporters * Vietnam exports up as US tariff threat lingers * Vietnam inks deals to buy US$3 Billion US products before talks * Smaller families still in favour for Vietnam young couples Myanmar: * US cuts Chinese medicine purchases threefold in April, according to customs data * Trump's travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect early Monday; Myanmar among countries on top of list * One minor, two micro earthquakes hit Myanmar on Sunday morning * China urges citizens to flee Myanmar conflict zone * Junta protests UN labour violations resolution South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae celebrate on the podium following their victory against Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani during their men's doubles final match at the Indonesia Open badminton tournament at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Sunday, June 8, 2025. -- Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP Cambodia: * Thailand reduces opening days for major border crossings with Cambodia; chaos at border gate as workers rush to go across * United Nations and Asean urge global community to protect oceans under threat * Chinese banana group expands Cambodian operations by 50% * Cambodia, Thailand hope for peaceful settlement of border dispute Laos: * Lao central bank governor, ministers reshuffled in major cabinet overhaul * Laos seeks to improve health system resilience * Road accidents claim 70 lives in Laos in May Brunei: * Bruneian on mission to conquer seven Central Java mountains * Fact-checking platform set to strengthen Brunei response to fake news, digital scams * QuickCheck: Can Singapore dollars be used in Brunei and vice versa? People walk on the sea promenade ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, French Riviera. -- AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani AseanPlus: * Kerala woman, accused of marrying 10 men and duping them, arrested before latest wedding * China committed to building South China Sea into sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, says report * K-pop sensation BTS' new single 'On' surpasses 500 million streams on Spotify * US to resume processing Harvard visas * Japan flexes its military muscle at China, and Trump * A classical music festival is giving historic Melaka a fresh dose of culture * China vice premier to meet US delegation for trade talks: Beijing * Australia seeks stronger trade ties after unjustified US tariffs * Foreign politicians urged to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs * Japan, EU to form Competitiveness Alliance to strengthen trade ties * Secret Russian intelligence document shows deep suspicion of China * A Brazilian medal for a Japanese princess * Restive Indian state orders curfew after fresh violence * With G7 on horizon, Lee Jae-myung races to fill key posts in South Korea * Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home * Naver to establish US subsidiary for investment in local startups * Civilians in Gaza face heavy attacks while seeking food at aid centres, says UN agency * Paid less than unskilled labourers, community health workers in India go on strike * Taiwan scholars mark 80th anniversary of victory in war against Japanese aggression * UK and India discuss 'counter-terrorism' cooperation after Pakistan ceasefire * Faulty prostate cancer tests leave 406 Hong Kong patients with nervy wait * Is China's Tiandu-1 first to enter resonant Earth-moon orbit? US raises doubts * Why Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a must-watch for global businesses * Leo, the first US pope, criticises nationalist politics at Sunday Mass * Still starving in Gaza -- When can Palestinians get any food aid? * Is China's Tiandu-1 first to enter resonant Earth-moon orbit? US raises doubts * Cricket-Australia's Hazlewood does not want to miss WTC final again * Aidiladha joy for muay thai exponent Nor Iman in ONE C'ship * Tennis-Gauff continues American renaissance by stunning Sabalenka for French Open glory * Swimming - Canadian teen McIntosh shatters 400 metres freestyle record
