Latest news with #U.S.StateDepartment
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
U.S. student visa interviews resume worldwide: What the new Social Media rule means
The United States has resumed student visa interviews with a significant change: applicants must now make their social media profiles public. Consular officers will review platforms used over the past five years to assess online behavior, looking for anti-American sentiment or extremist views. This new policy aims to enhance national security by thoroughly scrutinizing applicants' digital footprints. Good news for students! The United States has resumed processing student visa interviews across the globe after a temporary pause. However, there has been a significant new change which applicants must know. Starting now, those wishing to apply for a student visa will have to make their social media profiles public. Yes, you read that right! The new policy was implemented by the U.S. State Department. The main aim of this new change is to increase national security by reviewing the online presence of visa applicants more thoroughly. More about the Social Media Rule As per new rule, the consular officers will have to check all social media platforms used by student visa applicants over the past five years. These include F-1 academic visas, M-1 vocational visas, and J-1 exchange visitor visas. If someone attempts to delete, hide or restrict access to social media content may raise red flags during the visa review process. This new change follows an internal State Department directive. The social media will help scrutinise the online behavior of the applicant. It could indicate anti-American sentiment, extremist beliefs, or support for violence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Not only this, even deleted or edited content may be captured in screenshots for further evaluation. As per the guidance, all social media handles, including the ones which are no longer in use, will have to be mentioned. As per a cable from the State Department, American citizens expect their government to increase national security, especially when it comes to the visa system. 'Secretary Rubio is helping to make America and its universities safer while bringing the State Department into the 21st century,' the message said. Though visa interviews have now resumed with consular officers spending significant time reviewing applicant's digital histories. So now students applying for a U.S. visa, it's important to maintain complete transparency by mentioning every social media account they have used so far. Make sure content is viewable. Don't delete if you are planning to apply. With digital behavior now playing a central role in U.S. visa decisions, what students post on their social media platforms could play a significant role in their academic future. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US top diplomat Rubio discussed Israel-Iran war with key partners
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at NEST International Convention Center, in Antalya, Turkey May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/Pool/File Photo WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met British foreign minister David Lammy on Thursday and held separate calls with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss the war between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran. KEY QUOTES The U.S. State Department said that Rubio and the foreign ministers agreed that "Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon." Lammy said the same on X while adding that the situation in the Middle East "remained perilous" and a "window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution." WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The air war between Iran and Israel - which began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran - has raised alarms in a region that was already on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023. President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will get involved in the war, the White House said on Thursday. Trump has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting Washington might join the fighting on Israel's side. CONTEXT Israel, which is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons, said it struck Iran to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, has retaliated with its own strikes on Israel. Iran is a party to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while Israel is not. Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, the Human Rights Activists News Agency says. Israel says at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian attacks. The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and the European Union were due to meet in Geneva with Iran's foreign minister on Friday to try to de-escalate the conflict. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
TSA may pull you aside if you have these 4 letters on your boarding pass
TSA may pull you aside if you have these 4 letters on your boarding pass Show Caption Hide Caption What you need to know about airport security rules and checkpoints Here are TSA rules that you need to know and what to expect at each airport checkpoint. The code "SSSS" on a boarding pass stands for "Secondary Security Screening Selection," requiring additional screening at TSA checkpoints. Reasons for the "SSSS" code can include last-minute ticket purchases, one-way cash payments, travel to specific countries, suspicious behavior, or random selection. Passengers with "SSSS" on their boarding pass should allow an extra 15-45 minutes for security screening. As the temperatures rise and the skies clear up, you might be looking forward to a summer vacation. But before flying to your destination, you'll have to go through screening at a TSA checkpoint. Loading and unloading your luggage during the process is a hassle. But TSA can also pull you aside for additional screening if they find something on your boarding pass. Here's what to know. What will happen if there's an 'SSSS' on your boarding pass If your boarding pass has "SSSS" on it, TSA will pull you aside for additional screening. "SSSS" stands for "Secondary Security Screening Selection," which means you'll have to take an extra few steps beyond regular security protocols, according to Islands. This is not just for regular pass holders. Even those with a Trusted Traveler Program, such as Global Entry and TSA Precheck, or a CLEAR access purchase, may also be pulled for additional screening if they find those four letters on their boarding pass. Why is there an 'SSSS' on my boarding pass? The code can appear on anyone's boarding pass. A few common reasons for this group of letters include: Purchasing a last-minute ticket; Booking a direct one-way flight and paying in cash; Flying to or from a country flagged by the U.S. State Department; Raising suspicions at the airport; Selected at random. If you do find this quartet of letters on your boarding pass, allow 15–45 minutes of extra time to get through security at the airport. Annual traffic at airports in 2024 The TSA reported a total of 904,068,577 commercial passengers in 2024. That number was up from 858,548,196 passengers in 2023, according to TSA checkpoints. That's an increase of 5.3%. As of the end of May, 403,784,688 commercial passengers have passed through TSA checkpoints in 2025. Jim Ross contributed
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
US Embassy in Israel sends urgent notice to Americans stuck as Iran rains down missiles
The United States has started the voluntary evacuation process for U.S. citizens who wish to leave Israel amid the country's conflict with Iran. 'Urgent notice,' Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, posted on social media on Wednesday. 'American citizens wanting to leave Israel, the U.S. embassy in Israel is working on evacuation flights and cruise ship departures.' Advertisement The envoy urged citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive updates. 4 'Urgent notice,' Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, posted on social media on Wednesday. The U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday that it established a Middle East task force, operating 24 hours a day, to help coordinate support for U.S. citizens, diplomatic missions and personnel during the conflict between Israel and Iran. Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokeswoman, told reporters that the task force will help U.S. citizens stranded in regional trouble spots receive timely information, including travel advisories and security updates, through a website and hotline. Advertisement 4 The U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday that it established a Middle East task force, operating 24 hours a day. REUTERS But details about the potential evacuation of U.S. citizens were lacking, including figures of how many Americans have requested to depart and what options are available to them, even as other countries are calling for their citizens to leave Israel. 'Our commitment is to the safety and security of Americans around the world,' Bruce told reporters at the department's press briefing. Bruce denied that the department was caught flat-footed by the conflict's rapid pace. Advertisement 4 Details about the potential evacuation of U.S. citizens were lacking, including figures of how many Americans have requested to depart. / MEGA 'The Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist private U.S. citizens' departure from crisis areas, and we will alert the U.S. citizenry community if there is, and when there is, additional information to share regarding their options during any crisis, but certainly this one as well,' she said. Given the rate at which Israel is dismantling Iran's chain of political and military command, the issue may be moot, particularly if, as U.S. President Donald Trump hinted on Tuesday and Wednesday, the United States becomes actively involved in the attacks. 4 Bruce denied that the department was caught flat-footed by the conflict's rapid pace. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Still, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), and 43 other House members sent a bipartisan letter to Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging them to lay out to Congress the steps they have planned to evacuate American citizens from Israel. Read the latest on the conflict between Israel and Iran 'Americans in Israel are depending on our government for guidance and a pathway to safety,' the congressmen wrote. 'We understand the obstacles posed by the current security situation and the closure of Israel's airspace. Therefore, all available options, including evacuations by land routes and sea, must be explored.' The letter noted that constituents were already being directed to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program registration page, without further clarity. 'We trust that you will honor your responsibility to protect the American people, no matter where they are in the world,' the lawmakers wrote. They sought answers by today.
Global News
a day ago
- Politics
- Global News
As Iran-Israel conflict rages, Ottawa vows flight help if citizens get out
The federal government will help Canadians stuck in Iran, Israel and the West Bank leave the region on nearby commercial flights as the deadly conflict escalates. Those Canadians will have to reach a neighbouring country first, however, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in a statement Thursday. Airspace over Iran and Israel has been closed since the two countries began trading strikes nearly a week ago. The situation has only devolved further since then, with U.S. President Donald Trump currently weighing whether to authorize U.S. military force against Iran. Anand said the government is 'planning commercial options for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran to leave the region via certain neighbouring countries,' adding to existing assistance for Canadians wishing to leave Gaza. 'Given the airspace is not open, once Canadians have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, we have consular services available for them,' Anand said. Story continues below advertisement 2:44 Israel-Iran war: Iranians becoming more cut off as Israel tries to return to normal Extra consular services have been deployed in Jordan, Turkey and Armenia, she added, in addition to Israel and the West Bank. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We are developing further options with our allies,' Anand said, urging Canadians to register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive up-to-date information and guidance from officials. Global Affairs Canada said Tuesday that more than 82,000 Canadians in the Middle East are voluntarily registered with the service, including more than 4,000 in Iran and more than 6,600 in Israel. The numbers, which were up from just a day prior, do not reflect how many Canadians may be in the region. Canada has warned Canadians not to travel to the majority of countries in the Middle East due to the ongoing hostilities. Story continues below advertisement It relocated non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Canada's embassy in Tel Aviv and consular office in Ramallah on Monday. The U.S. State Department has told American citizens wishing to leave Iran that they must enter neighbouring countries like Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan by foot before securing commercial flights. The U.S. said Wednesday that it is planning evacuation flights for Americans out of Israel, including military transports in addition to commercial options. Canada and the U.S. do not have consular or diplomatic relations with Iran. Canadians in Iran are urged to contact the embassy in Ankara, Turkey, while the Swiss government provides consular services for Americans. More to come…
