Latest news with #788
News18
23-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
What Happens To The 788 Indian Students Currently Enrolled At Harvard University?
Last Updated: Harvard University Students Controversy: Harvard sees 500–800 Indian admissions yearly; this year, 788 Indian students enrolled out of 6,800 international students. Harvard University Students Controversy: In a move that could deliver a major blow to India's academic ambitions, the Donald Trump administration has imposed a ban on foreign student admissions at Harvard University. Each year, hundreds of Indian students secure admission to the Ivy League institution, regarded as one of the world's most prestigious centres of learning. Ranked fourth in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Harvard is a coveted destination for Indian students pursuing courses in business, law, science and technology. The announcement comes amid rising tensions between US President Donald Trump and Harvard University. Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), conveyed this decision through a letter to Harvard University, as reported by The New York Times. In her letter, Noem stated, 'I want to inform you that the certification of Harvard University's admission program for students and academic exchange has been cancelled with immediate effect." Consequently, this decision will affect Indian students currently studying at Harvard or those planning to enrol. Harvard's official records indicate that each year, between 500 to 800 Indian students secure admission at the university, with around 6,800 international students overall. For the current year, 788 Indian students have enrolled. Two Options For Indian Students The Trump administration's decision presents a significant challenge for these students, offering them two options: transferring to another institution or losing their legal status in the US. Indian students can opt for admission at another American institute; failing to do so will necessitate leaving the country. In the midst of this tension, there is a relief for students who have already commenced their current semester at Harvard. Kristi Noem's letter mentions that students enrolled in the current session can complete their graduation from Harvard. The policy change will be implemented from the academic year 2025-26, ensuring that current students face minimal disruption to their studies. Why Was The Ban Imposed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Harvard's failure to comply with federal demands for records concerning its foreign students led to the government's action. Noem accused Harvard of 'creating an unsafe campus environment hostile to Jewish students, fostering pro-Hamas sentiments, and enforcing racist 'diversity, equity and inclusion' policies." Consequently, the DHS revoked Harvard's certification under the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), which is crucial for universities to sponsor international student visas. How Did Harvard University Respond To The Ban Harvard University quickly condemned the Trump administration's decision as 'unlawful" and a 'retaliatory action." In a statement, the Ivy League institution affirmed its dedication to its international community, declaring, 'We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who come from over 140 countries and greatly enrich the University – and this nation." Why Are Harvard And Trump At Odds Tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University, the wealthiest university in the US with a $53.2 billion endowment as of 2024, have been escalating for months. In April 2025, Harvard became the first elite university to openly reject the White House's demands to curb pro-Palestinian protests and dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Following this, several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the National Institutes of Health, started cutting and freezing significant federal grant funding to Harvard, totaling billions of dollars and affecting numerous research projects. Donald Trump later suggested that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status, a move that would severely hinder the university's fundraising capabilities due to its impact on donor tax burdens.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over RM27 million development projects approved for first quarter in Negeri Sembilan
SEREMBAN: The current status of development projects (expenditure) approved in Negeri Sembilan for the first quarter of this year from January to March is RM27,043,020.12 out of the approved allocation of RM135 million, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) was told today. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the highest 3-vote expenditure performance was recorded for the first quarter of the 2025 financial year (FY) for Vote P50 (Menteri Besar) with an expenditure percentage of RM22,109,690 or 49.13 per cent. 'Also Vote P63 (Islamic Religious Affairs Department) for RM1,311,850.17 with an expenditure percentage of 21.16 per cent and Vote P54 (JPS) RM1,316,469.25 with an expenditure percentage of 12.36 per cent,' he said at the DUN sitting here today in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (BN-Rantau), represented by Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris (BN-Chembong), who wanted to know the current status of approved development projects for the first quarter of FY2025. He explained that the total number of projects recorded up to the first quarter of FY2025 based on the Development Vote was 361 projects. 'Regarding the physical status of the projects, 31 projects are in the 'not yet started' category, 177 projects are in (pre-implementation); 143 projects (in implementation); 10 projects (completed),' he said. Meanwhile, Aminuddin said the current balance of the state government's loan with the federal government is RM937,788,903.29, until Dec 31, 2024. According to him, since 2016, the state government has not had any new loans or debts with the federal government. 'Every year the state government without fail tries to pay off this debt according to the state government's ability or financial position where the current balance of the loan until Dec 31, 2024 is RM937,788,903.29. 'Meanwhile, the allocation for debt payments has been increased from RM1 million to RM3 million this year under the T04 liability vote - government debt payment. The RM3 million payment was also made on Feb 27,' he said in reply to a question from P. Gunasekaren (PH-Seremban Jaya) who asked about the status of the debt between the state government and the federal government.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thinking of buying a secondhand phone? Some tips on what to look for
LONDON: New smartphones aren't cheap and prices could reach even higher as globe trade tensions fuelled by US President Donald Trump's tariff threats throw Asian exports into turmoil. To save money, consider buying a secondhand device. The market for used cellphones is booming. It's now growing faster than the market for new devices, according to CCS Insight, a UK-based tech research firm. As each new model release sends consumers rushing to upgrade, they'll also be selling or trading in their existing devices, which usually have lots of life left. If you're on a budget, a refurbished secondhand phone can be up to 50% cheaper than new, and they now come with warranties, flexible financing and after-sales service, CCS said in a recent report. Meanwhile, the starting price of a new top of the line iPhone Pro Max could potentially rise 29% from US$1,200 (RM5,255) to US$1,550 (RM6,788), according to a UBS estimate. But buying a secondhand device is less straightforward than buying a new one. Here are some pointers: Which phones are the most popular? Apple fans will have the most choice because iPhones make up about 60% of the global market for secondhand phones, according to CCS insight. Samsung Android devices are second with about 17%. The rest is made up of lesser known Chinese brands like Xiaomi. Where can I buy them? There are numerous places online to buy secondhand phones, but like much of the Internet, there are many scammers. The usual advice applies: check reviews, look for trusted sellers and guarantees, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Try platforms that specialise in selling secondhand electronics and other goods such as Gazelle and Backmarket. Refurbished phones are also available from retailers like BestBuy and Amazon. Phone companies also sell them, so check with your wireless carrier. Even Apple and Samsung sell secondhand devices on their websites. The advantage there is that they've been refurbished by their in-house technicians, so you'll know they'll be reliable. The downside is that discounts aren't as significant and selection can be limited. Apple's website currently only lists refurbished iPhone 13 and 14 models, for example. When a phone is refurbished, it normally means that the data has been wiped and it has been tested and inspected for any problems. Any defective or faulty components are normally replaced. A used phone, however, could refer to any secondhand device, including those sold by individuals through online classifieds like Facebook Marketplace. Prices could be cheaper but it's buyer beware because used phones are often sold as-is and usually without any repairs or guarantees. "You will get the best price if you're prepared to handle that risk,' Simon Bryant, vice president of research at CCS Insight. Lots of used phones are also sold on marketplaces for so-called peer-to-peer transactions that also offer better protections for buyers, like eBay or Swappa, which have policies for refunds if a phone isn't as it was advertised. What about the battery? Just because a phone is refurbished doesn't mean that critical components – especially the battery – have been automatically replaced. It depends on a vendor's seller's policies. Apple and Samsung say their secondhand phones come with new batteries and, in Apple's case, a new shell. Both companies also include a cable, a one-year warranty and a new box. Meanwhile, other platforms might merely guarantee that a battery has a certain level of its original capacity, usually 80%. How do I judge the quality? There are ratings, but be cautious with the terminology. Each secondhand platform will usually have its own system of grading the quality of the devices it's selling. It's a useful gauge for comparing various phones that the vendor has for sale. But keep in mind there's no universal system of grading. One platform's rankings might, for example, read "Good, Very Good, Pristine and Like New', while another will run from "Fair and Good to Excellent and Premium'. Grading is "all over the place', said Bryant, and it makes it difficult for consumers to compare, say, a US$300 phone rated "Grade A' on one site with the same device on another site rated "like new' and priced at US$280 (RM1,226). "It makes it difficult to shop around,' he said. How old is too old? Bryant advises buyers to look for a phone that's about three generations old, and avoid anything that dates back more than five or six generations because that's getting to the point where its Android or iOS operating systems may not be supported anymore. Three generations is "the sweet spot", said Bryant. "You know it's going to work. It's going to have relatively new features and it's not going to be used so much. So the wear and tear on the device will be less.' What about the risk that a phone is stolen? Most online marketplaces have safeguards to prevent stolen phones from being sold to consumers, but check the policies to be sure. If a phone is reported stolen, the carrier will usually blacklist the serial number, known as the IMEI number. Swappa requires sellers to run their device's serial number through its online checker before it can be listed for sale. The number can be found by dialing (asterisk)#06#. Some phones have two IMEI numbers, so Swappa advises checking both. BackMarket says it works with the certified sellers that use its platform to make sure there are no blacklisted phones but sometimes "a bad apple" slips through. If that happens, it will work with buyers to return it immediately. Can I check for water damage? Most newer phones are water resistant and can withstand being dunked for a limited amount of time. But that doesn't mean they're totally waterproof. Any moisture that has gotten inside could damage components even if the phone looks fine from the outside. If you're buying a used phone in person, you can check if it has been exposed to liquid. Apple has a guide to finding the liquid contact indicator that every iPhone since 2006 has. Samsung has a similar page for Android devices. What about accessories? Charging cables or earphones might not be included. Don't forget to budget for these. – AP
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSX reaches record high as index surpasses 119,000 points
PSX reaches record high as index crosses 119,000 points for the first time Listen to article The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish momentum on Thursday, achieving an all-time high as the KSE-100 Index crossing the 119,421.81-point mark during intra-day trading The stock market is currently experiencing a positive movement, with the current index up by 689.71 points, reaching 118,663.73, reflecting a 0.58% increase during the day. The market reached an all-time high of 119,421.81 points today, while the lowest point recorded so far was 118,525.00. The trading volume stands at 268,125,313 shares, with a total value of Rs20,221,788,995. The market is still open, and the final performance will be determined once it closes. This upward trend indicates a positive sentiment among investors, showing growing confidence in the market as the session continues. Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) hit an all-time high, reaching nearly 118,000 points, as the market extended its winning streak, gaining over 950 points. This surge was driven by robust local institutional buying and the potential resolution of the longstanding circular debt issue in the power sector. Positive expectations surrounding the approval of the IMF's first review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility also boosted investor confidence. The IMF's potential approval of the government's circular debt management plan and the clearing of outstanding dues for independent power producers (IPPs) eased concerns in the energy sector. Key sectors, including cement, commercial banks, oil and gas, fertilisers, and power, saw strong buying, pushing the index to an intra-day high of 118,244. The KSE-100 index closed at 117,974.03, up by 972.94 points (0.83%). Key contributors to the rise included Hub Power, Mari Petroleum, Engro Holdings, Systems Limited, and Pakistan Petroleum. However, companies like Fauji Fertiliser Co, Engro Fertilisers, and Pakistan Oilfields slightly dragged the index down. The trading volume increased to 544.2 million shares, with a total value of Rs32.3 billion. Notably, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal was the volume leader, followed by Pak Elektron and WorldCall Telecom. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs963.9 million. Analysts are optimistic, predicting continued bullish momentum, with expectations of further progress on the IMF review and the circular debt resolution.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pete Alonso stays with Mets, agreeing to $54 million, 2-year contract, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — First baseman Pete Alonso is staying with the New York Mets, agreeing to a $54 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the agreement, first reported by The New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. Alonso will get a $10 million signing bonus and can opt out after the 2025 season to become a free agent again. Alonso, who turned 30 on Dec. 7, lingered on the market longer than other top players. Among other free-agent first basemen, Christian Walker agreed to a $60 million, three-year contract with Houston, and Paul Goldschmidt (New York Yankees) and Carlos Santana (Cleveland) accepted one-year agreements. Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed frustration last month, saying the negotiating was more difficult than the talks that led to a record $765 million, 15-year contract with Juan Soto, who like Alonso is represented by agent Scott Boras. 'I don't like the structures that are being presented to us,' Steve Cohen said. 'It's highly asymmetric against us and I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. You know, there's always a possibility. 'But the reality is that we're moving forward and we continue to bring in players. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is, it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have.' Alonso hit 226 homers over six seasons with the New York Mets and became a four-time All-Star, but his strikeouts steadily increased to a career high 172 last year while his OPS has dropped to a career-low .788. Nicknamed the Polar Bear, Alonso became a Citi Field fan favorite as a home-grown member of the Mets. He was NL Rookie of the Year in 2019, when he hit .260 with a major league-high 53 homers — a rookie record — and 120 RBIs. He had a career-high 131 RBIs in 2022. Alonso batted a career-low .217 in 2023 while hitting 46 homers and driving in 118 runs and hit .240 with 34 homers and 88 RBIs this year. His three-run, ninth-inning home run off Devin Williams lifted the Mets over Milwaukee in the decisive third game of their NL Wild Card Series.
