Indian-American Congressman criticises Trump administration's freeze on student visa interviews
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has criticized the Trump administration 's decision to freeze student visa interviews and consider strict social media screening for international students . He called it a "reckless decision" that could damage the country's economy and national security, as per a report by The Times of India.Krishnamoorthi also said that shutting international students out is a "strategic blunder" that weakens US global competitiveness. "I strongly oppose the Trump Administration's reckless decision to freeze new student visa interviews and consider sweeping, undefined social media vetting for international students. International students help drive cutting-edge research, fuel our universities, and build the industries of tomorrow," said Krishnamoorthi to TOI."These young people are not only scholars and innovators—they are vital to America's economic strength and national security. By developing the next generation of technologies and the good-paying jobs that come with them, they help ensure the United States remains a global leader," he added.His remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered embassies and consulates to stop scheduling new visa interviews for student applicants. The Trump administration is also considering requiring students to undergo expanded vetting of their social media activity.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)In a separate move, Trump suggested that Harvard University should cap the number of foreign students it admits at 15 percent. He claimed that the current figure, around 31 percent, includes students from "very radicalised" regions.(With inputs from TOI)
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Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Putin's Jet!': Alaska Becomes the Center of the Universe for One Weekend
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Nearly two decades ago, when the presidential nominee John McCain selected then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his Republican running mate, this Far North metropolis was swarmed with media, political consultants and other outsiders. It turns out that was merely a warm-up act. Anchorage now finds itself in a global spotlight, having hosted the much-anticipated summit between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. 'I thought we had sunk back into obscurity,' joked the veteran Alaska pollster Ivan Moore, referring to the end of the Palin frenzy. Instead, Trump-Putin mania has gripped Anchorage, with hotel rooms and car rentals sold out, and buzz about the historic moment sweeping through tourist destinations, including salmon-fishing spots and the Alaska Railroad depot, where visitors await the scenic ride to Denali National Park and Preserve, famed for its grizzlies and high peaks. Reactions have varied. Some are outraged Alaska would host Putin after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Others hope this marks a step toward peace. But most everyone agrees on one point. This summit—with the deadly war at stake—is perhaps the most notable event to happen in Alaska in modern memory. 'All eyes are on Anchorage,' declared a headline in the Anchorage Daily News, while Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy told a local news station that the event 'puts Alaska on the world map—where we should be.' 'This trip is very big,' said Mike Porcaro, a radio talk show host who said calls about the event flooded his conservative program. 'There have been other high-level meetings, but not of this magnitude.' 'Bucket list' On Friday morning, onlookers gathered on a pier, beneath the flight path to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, to see the plane carrying Putin, and Air Force One, land there. A website for the base, in the wooded outskirts, recommends that new arrivals enjoy a 'bucket list' of experiences including the Moose Run Golf Course and beluga whale watching. But the chance to see the rare joint landings of two world leaders topped that. 'Putin's jet!' local resident Cheryl Shroyer, 73, shouted from an overlook as a large plane believed to be carrying the Russian leader appeared first as a black dot against the snow-capped Alaska Range. The big jet grew larger, gliding over the Cook Inlet before disappearing as trees blocked the view of the base's airfield. At 10:17 a.m. local time, Shroyer shouted again: 'There it is, Air Force One!' as Trump's plane emerged from the clouds. (As it turned out, Putin's plane was another one, which came in after Trump.) Though Anchorage has nearly 300,000 people, it feels like a small town. Many locals drive pickup trucks, and the airport greets visitors with taxidermied grizzly, Kodiak and polar bears. Some Alaskans feel more kinship with Canada than the 'Outside,' local lingo for the Lower 48 U.S. states. Of course, Russia has long ties to Alaska. Once Russian territory, Alaska was sold to the U.S. in 1867 for $7.2 million. Palin, as McCain's running mate, drew late-show ridicule for reportedly saying, 'I can see Russia from my house.' (She actually said Russia is visible from the Alaskan island of Little Diomede island, which is about 2.5 miles from the Russian island of Big Diomede.) As hundreds of reporters and officials descended on Anchorage for the summit, local entrepreneurs seized on the surprise windfall. Some proprietors said it had been a challenging summer, with tourism hampered by a slowdown in foreign travel. David Liles, manager of the Ramada by Wyndham in downtown Anchorage, said occupancy jumped from 60%, with rooms running about $300 nightly, to fully booked, with rooms temporarily between $500 and $1,000. (Among those not getting hotels? Some Russian journalists who arrived as part of Putin's press pool Thursday night and slept on beds inside a sports stadium on the campus of the University of Alaska.) The Ramada price was nothing compared with what the owner of an Airbnb tried to charge: $7,000 a night after canceling a previous offer of $1,500. 'Some people are getting greedy ' Liles said. Autumn hues on the tundra on the Chugach peaks above Anchorage signal the approaching long winter. 'People who make money off tourists only have three months to do it in, so any publicity that brings extra people here is good for the economy,' said Kirill Gashenko, who rents out used cars. They were in hot demand. Cheers and jeers America's political divisions were on full display across Anchorage. 'We're really distraught that Putin is allowed on our soil, period,' said Janice Bunting, 65, watching for planes with her husband, Glenn, from lawn chairs beside a Ukrainian flag. Standing nearby, Jeff Henson, a 61-year-old Air Force veteran, disagreed. He said talking is the only way to resolve the conflict. 'The previous administration had three years,' said Henson, a Trump supporter accompanied by his husky mix, Leo. As the two presidents huddled, hundreds of Putin critics converged on a park near downtown Anchorage and unfurled a 132 foot by 65 foot Ukrainian flag—one of the largest in the world, organizers said. 'I can't think of a bigger F U to Trump and Putin,' organizer Erin Jackson-Hill said over a microphone to cheers. Minutes earlier, a lone man taunted the crowd with shouts of 'U.S.A.! U.S.A.!,' to which a demonstrator, Courtney Moore, shot back, 'Bootlicker!' A giant Ukrainian flag was unfurled at Delaney Park Strip in the heart of Anchorage. For her part, hotel clerk Amber Rookard just wanted the whole summit to go away. 'It just makes everybody uneasy,' said Rookard, who said three FBI agents came in and asked her if she had seen any 'unusual people.' Confused, she answered, 'I see a lot of unusual people.' Still, most locals seemed supportive. Soon after Anchorage was announced as the summit venue, Ivan Moore's Alaska Survey Research conducted a poll of 848 registered voters that found 59% said it was appropriate that Putin was invited to participate in the summit on U.S. soil—even if only 6% gave Putin a favorable rating. Unfortunately, there was little time for the two leaders to enjoy the outdoor adventures for which Alaska is revered. The incoming planes passed a line of fishermen at a creek known for its salmon. That might have caught the eye of Putin, who has been pictured fishing shirtless. At the Alaska Railroad depot, Steve Richmond, an Oregon resident visiting with his wife, suggested that Trump and Putin follow the group and see the park's famed wildlife. 'They should take advantage of being in this area,' Richmond, 74, said, as the train whistle blew nearby in preparation for departure. Write to Jim Carlton at
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Did Trump cave to Putin during Alaska Summit? Shocking report out as Zelensky, EU left scrambling
Did Trump cave to Putin during Alaska Summit? Shocking report out as Zelensky, EU left scrambling
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
America's Stock-Market Dominance Is an Emergency for Europe
The London Stock Exchange overhauled the ceremony for welcoming new companies to its ranks last year, adding confetti cannons, slick videos and cinematic music. It has mostly been used for such events as product launches and anniversaries. So far this year, according to Dealogic, six companies have gone public in the U.K., raising $208 million, the lowest level in three decades of data. It isn't much better across the English Channel, despite surging stock markets. Initial public offerings in continental Europe have nearly halved in value compared with last year. Fundraising in the U.S., meanwhile, has jumped 38% to around $40 billion, while IPOs more than doubled in value in Hong Kong after a fallow patch. Tech stars such as the Swedish 'buy now, pay later' company Klarna and the British chip designer Arm are eschewing local markets to list in New York. And stock-market heavyweights are disappearing, either bought out by American companies or moving their listings stateside, where business is growing faster. Examples are Wise, the British payments company, and the sports-betting company Flutter Entertainment. 'For the Europeans who are responsible for the future, this is a material wake-up call,' said Stéphane Boujnah, chief executive officer of Euronext, which owns seven stock exchanges in the region. Europe doesn't want to 'be just a zone between America and Asia,' he added. Amsterdam and London pioneered the creation of public stock trading centuries ago, raising money for ship voyages to Asia, Africa and the Caribbean that forged Europe's colonial empires. Now, Europe's stock markets face a crisis of inactivity. Not only are listing volumes moribund—exchanges are shrinking too. Hastened by a global shift toward greater private ownership of businesses, the number of listings in London has fallen by a fifth in five years, to about 1,600. London's total market value stands at about $5 trillion, while Nvidia alone is worth $4.4 trillion. The exodus looks likely to continue. Next year Wise and the machinery specialist Ashtead are set to move their main listings to the U.S. from the LSE, which is part of the broader London Stock Exchange Group. Speculation has swirled that AstraZeneca—the largest company in the FTSE 100—could do the same. In a recent interview in New York, CEO Pascal Soriot declined to comment on whether he is considering moving the listing. 'We are very committed to the U.K.,' he said. 'But the reality is, over time, the investments are moving to the U.S.' AstraZeneca recently pledged to invest $50 billion in the U.S. by 2030. European leaders see the withering of these historic exchanges as an emergency—and one of the culprits behind Europe's economic stagnation, low productivity, and the widening wealth gap between its citizens and Americans. 'The wealth creation will happen to Texas teachers and California public-sector employees, not to European pensioners,' said Stephan Leithner, CEO of Deutsche Börse, operator of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Politicians fear the continent's inability to finance and keep exciting companies entrenches American domination over financial markets and reduces Europe's strategic autonomy. President Trump's 'America First' stance has added to the sense of urgency. A lack of investment hurts European businesses, and starts long before they go public. Startups struggle to get access to venture-capital funding, and many leave for Silicon Valley or New York. Those who stay in Europe often get investment from American firms, which then want them to go public in the U.S. or shift operations there. Some companies that make the leap have become more American over time simply because their U.S. businesses grew so fast. New listings are in the doldrums as other corners of European finance, such as the debt markets, shine. Trans-Atlantic dealmaking—one reason for Europe's shrinking stock market—is generating big paydays for selling shareholders and advisers, as U.S. acquirers hunt for bargains. Europe's problem isn't a shortage of money, but an underdeveloped and risk-averse system for investing it. European Union households save more than Americans, but their wealth has grown by a third as much since 2009, according to a 2024 paper by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Europe's lack of competitiveness. Europeans hold $12 trillion of their savings, or about 70%, in bank accounts that typically have low yields, according to the European Commission. Unlike in the U.S., which cultivated widespread stock ownership through 401(k)s, they often rely on state pensions, paid out through government budgets, in retirement. Private pension systems—in places such as the U.K., the Netherlands and Denmark—invest mostly in supersafe assets including government bonds, or U.S.-focused global stock funds. Defense-spending pledges and aging populations are straining government budgets. Channeling more savings into high-returning investments would alleviate the pressure. Executives complain that tepid domestic investment results in lower stock valuations. The French oil producer TotalEnergies, its U.K. rival Shell and the mining company Glencore have in recent years raised the possibility of moving their listings, citing valuation gaps with U.S. peers, though none have made the jump. S&P 500 constituents have a forward price/earnings ratio of 22, compared with 13 for the FTSE 100 and 15 for Germany's DAX. Some Europeans argue that the premium on U.S. stocks is illusory, noting that groups such as the plumbing-supplies company Ferguson Enterprises failed to close the discount to American rivals after moving their primary listings to New York. Only three of the 20 U.K. companies that opted for a New York debut in the past decade have seen market value increase, while half have delisted, according to the LSE. Higher pay for U.S. executives is another draw. Peter Jackson, the chief executive of Flutter, which owns the betting platform FanDuel, nearly tripled his compensation after the gambling company moved its main stock listing to New York last year from London. European leaders have tried to reverse the tide, but with little to show so far. The U.K. has moved to deregulate, including by loosening restrictions on supervoting shares favored by tech founders. The government is launching a 'concierge service' to court businesses and backed an advertising campaign to encourage more retail investing. Speaking at a recent investment conference in London, Julia Hoggett, the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, urged attendees to be more confident. 'If we keep talking ourselves down…then we shouldn't be surprised of the consequences,' Hoggett said. The EU, meanwhile, has revived the painstaking work of knitting together its 27 members' capital markets. The project is already a decade and more than 55 regulatory proposals old. Deutsche Börse's Leithner was part of a working group that ended in a list of technical problems, such as tackling differences in national bankruptcy approaches. 'We need to make the leap from talking about technicalities to fundamental change,' said Leithner. 'If this doesn't happen, it will be a major shame. It would be almost a crime on the younger generation.' Write to Chelsey Dulaney at and Joe Wallace at America's Stock-Market Dominance Is an Emergency for Europe America's Stock-Market Dominance Is an Emergency for Europe
