Latest news with #PresidentialProclamation
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Manipur President's Rule Extended For Six More Months Despite NDA MLAs' Opposition
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will present a resolution in the Rajya Sabha on Friday seeking parliamentary approval to extend President's Rule in Manipur for an additional six-month period. The proposed resolution formally requests legislative endorsement for continuing the constitutional arrangement that has governed the northeastern state since February. The resolution's text specifies parliamentary approval for maintaining the Presidential Proclamation originally issued on February 13, 2025, under Article 356 of the Constitution, extending its validity for another six months starting August 13, 2025. This extension would effectively maintain central government control over Manipur's administration through early 2026. The decision to prolong President's Rule occurs against the backdrop of sustained political pressure from the state's own National Democratic Alliance legislators, including both Meitei and Naga representatives, who have been actively campaigning for months demanding the restoration of democratic governance in their state. These lawmakers have consistently argued for the reestablishment of an elected government rather than continued central administration. The current period of President's Rule was initially implemented on February 13, following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Singh's departure from office resulted primarily from mounting political pressure and internal dissent from fellow Bharatiya Janata Party legislators within the Meitei community, who had expressed opposition to his continued leadership during the state's ongoing ethnic crisis. During previous parliamentary discussions, Shah had justified the imposition of President's Rule by explaining that no political leader had come forward to stake a claim for forming a new government following Singh's resignation. This constitutional provision was invoked when the state appeared to lack viable political alternatives for governance. However, since April, a unified front of NDA legislators has emerged, including Singh himself, his political allies, and even those who previously opposed his leadership. This broad coalition has been persistently advocating for the restoration of what they term a "popular" government, arguing that President's Rule lacks public support and has failed to demonstrate sufficient progress toward restoring normalcy in the conflict-affected state. The proposed extension of central rule is anticipated to generate additional frustration and discontent among Meitei and Naga legislators, who view the continuation of President's Rule as undermining democratic principles and local governance. These lawmakers contend that an elected government would be better positioned to address the state's complex challenges and restore public confidence. Despite the political tensions surrounding governance, Manipur has experienced several months of relative tranquility, particularly in the sensitive foothill regions where the Meitei-majority valley intersects with the Kuki-Zo majority hills. These areas had previously witnessed some of the most severe violence during the ongoing ethnic conflict that has plagued the state. The most recent major outbreak of intercommunal violence occurred in November of the previous year, suggesting a gradual de-escalation of tensions between the affected communities. This period of reduced conflict has provided some hope for long-term stability in the region. Recent security developments have shown positive trends, with three significant weapons recovery operations conducted by security forces within the past month. These successful operations demonstrate continued efforts to remove illegal armaments from circulation and reduce the potential for renewed violence. Government officials have expressed optimism about facilitating the return of displaced populations to their original homes by the end of the current year. A substantial number of people were forced to relocate due to the ethnic violence, and their successful reintegration represents a crucial step toward normalizing life in the state. However, despite these encouraging developments, meaningful dialogue between representatives of the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities remains elusive. More than twenty-six months have passed since the conflict began, yet no substantial progress has been achieved in establishing formal communication channels or negotiation processes between the primary stakeholders from both communities. The absence of constructive dialogue continues to represent the most significant obstacle to achieving lasting peace and reconciliation in Manipur. Without genuine engagement between community leaders and representatives, the underlying issues that sparked the conflict remain unresolved, potentially setting the stage for future tensions despite the current period of relative calm.
Libya Observer
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
US Embassy in Libya issues guidance for immigrant visa applicants
The US Embassy in Libya has issued an important notice to Libyan citizens applying for immigrant visas to the United States. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the embassy advised applicants who believe they may be eligible for an exception under the Presidential Proclamation issued on June 4 to ensure they bring all required documents to their visa interview. The embassy stressed that fully and accurately submitting the necessary documentation is essential for any request to be considered under the exceptions outlined in the proclamation. News Tagged: US Embassy
Barnama
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
US Requires Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Public
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- All foreign nationals applying for US student and exchange visas are required to set their social media accounts to public, effective immediately, as part of stricter identity screening measures imposed by the US government. The new requirement applies to all applicants for F, M and J non-immigrant visas, to facilitate vetting processes aimed at verifying their identity and determining their admissibility under US law, according to the US Embassy in Malaysia on its official website. It follows a Presidential Proclamation restricting the entry of foreign nationals deemed to pose national security or public safety threats, which took effect on June 9, 2025.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge Shoots Down Trump's New Plot to Keep Foreign Students Out of Harvard
A federal judge has blocked President Trump's latest effort to prevent international students from studying at Harvard University. The president's latest move in his war against the Ivy League school saw him sign a proclamation that claimed that letting foreign nationals study at Harvard is 'detrimental to the interests of the United States,' because 'Harvard's conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.' Hours after Harvard's lawyers filed a complaint against the proclamation Thursday, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary order which blocked anyone from 'implementing, instituting, maintaining, enforcing, or giving force or effect to the Presidential Proclamation,' after agreeing with Harvard that it would cause 'immediate and irreparable injury' to the university before courts could properly review the case. Last month, Burroughs issued a similar order that blocked the Trump administration's previous attempt to ban foreign students from enrolling at Harvard, which was also extended after the university claimed the president's latest proclamation was an attempt to illegally bypass the judge's earlier ruling. 'The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard's students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,' the university claimed in its legal filing. Harvard President Alan Garber claimed the move was retaliation from Trump after the university refused to allow the government to control the curriculum, governance, and ideology of its students and faculty members. Garber previously claimed the institution will never stray from its 'core, legally-protected principles,' even if ordered to by the federal government. 'International students and scholars make outstanding contributions inside and outside of our classrooms and laboratories, fulfilling our mission of excellence in countless ways,' he added in a letter to the student body on Thursday night. 'We will celebrate them, support them, and defend their interests as we continue to assert our Constitutional rights.' In a statement on Thursday, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Harvard 'a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators.' 'Harvard's behavior has jeopardized the integrity of the entire U.S. student and exchange visitor visa system and risks compromising national security,' she added, Reuters reports. 'Now it must face the consequences of its actions.' Harvard has denied the claims.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
US govt to revoke Chinese students' visas: Why now, the likely impact
The Donald Trump administration announced Wednesday (May 28) that it will work 'to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not clarify how the administration will determine the connection to China's ruling party, which has around 100 million members, or what fields of study would be targeted. He said, 'We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.' Global Times, the CCP mouthpiece, cited a spokesperson as saying, 'US' unjust revocation of Chinese students' visas under the pretext of ideology and national security has seriously undermined their legitimate rights and interests and disrupted normal people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes this.' The move comes amid increasing restrictions on the entry of international students in the US, over pro-Palestine campus activism. Just last week, a court stayed a government order that ceased Harvard University's ability to enrol foreign students. The US Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, said in a letter, 'This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.' The campaign against Chinese students, however, goes back to the first Trump administration. During Trump's first term (2017-2021), his administration targeted Chinese students for threats to national security and to safeguard US technology and intellectual property. Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation in May 2020, saying, 'The PRC's (People's Republic of China) acquisition of sensitive United States technologies and intellectual property to modernize its military is a threat to our Nation…' It added that the PRC authorities 'use some Chinese students, mostly post‑graduate students and post-doctorate researchers, to operate as non-traditional collectors of intellectual property'. Those associated with the People's Liberation Army (the army of the CCP and China) were at 'high risk of being exploited or co-opted by the PRC authorities and provide particular cause for concern.' Later that year, the visas of over 1,000 Chinese nationals who purportedly met the criteria were revoked. The Joe Biden administration also denied visas under the proclamation. The Trump administration further trained its lens on the Chinese government-supported Confucius Institutes, which promote Chinese culture and language. Its Washington, DC centre was designated a 'foreign mission', allowing the US government greater access to its operations and funding. Most of these centres have shut down since then. In 2018, the Justice Department launched the 'China Initiative' to investigate Chinese economic espionage. Among other things, it targeted Chinese and Chinese-American researchers for allegedly concealing ties to the Chinese government and military. Despite the threat of espionage, such programs have been questioned over their efficacy and procedures. The MIT Technology Review found in 2021 that only about a quarter of people and institutions charged under the China Initiative have been convicted. 'Many cases have little or no obvious connection to national security or the theft of trade secrets,' it said. The program ended in 2022 over criticism that it promoted discrimination against Asian-Americans. Historically, Chinese students have sought overseas education as admission to domestic institutes can be highly competitive, and given the prestige that US educational institutions hold. Between 2010 and 2019, China was the biggest source of international students globally, in terms of total numbers. However, the numbers dipped in 2020 due to the pandemic-induced border closures. Even after the borders reopened, their outflow remained comparatively lower. The Economist Intelligence Unit attributed the slump to growing geopolitical tensions between China and the West, and enhanced domestic opportunities. However, many Chinese students still pursue education abroad, though data points to a shifting preference from the US to the UK. Data from the Open Doors project of the US State Department shows an over 25 per cent decline in the number of Chinese students studying in the US in the last five years. In 2023-24, as many as 2,77,398 Chinese nationals were studying in the US, down from 3,72,532 in 2019-20. Still, students from China form nearly a quarter of all international students in the US, behind only India at 29 per cent. In 2023, Chinese students contributed $14.29 billion to the US economy, including their tuition fees, accommodation and expenditure. What could the impact be? Experts have argued that membership in the CCP cannot be the sole grounds for suspicion. For Chinese citizens, joining the most powerful organisation in the country, one that controls most private and public activity, opens up job and business opportunities. It is also a means of upward social mobility, and doesn't necessarily indicate total ideological alignment. Notably, the latest announcement comes weeks after the US and China climbed down from the steep tariffs they had imposed on each other, following Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement. The US' tariffs on China have now decreased from a staggering 145 per cent to 30 per cent, and China reduced the duties on American goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. This marked a major de-escalation and was seen as a positive sign for relations between the world's two largest economies. Revoking visas could harm the temporary truce, affecting future US-China trade talks. Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take. ... Read More
