Latest news with #Mate
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Why did you hide Reddit account? Indian student faces US visa scrutiny
When a student from Maharashtra applying for a US F-1 visa walked in for her interview, she didn't expect her Reddit activity to come under scrutiny. She listed all other social media accounts, barring Reddit, where users mostly post anonymously. The student, who is facing visa scrutiny for not sharing her Reddit account, shared her experience with the consular officials – on online as HoneyBee2029, the Maharashtra-based applicant said she was issued a 221(g) slip, which suspended the visa process temporarily till disclosure of full officer delayed the visa process and flagged her Reddit account, even though it was public and had no objectionable content. "If you have an interview coming up, then yes. Name all, literally all your social media handles you've created in the last 5 years. I've been on hold due to a petty Reddit account which I never used. So don't risk it. They definitely have AI assistance to track all your digital footprints," the Reddit user a Reddit post recounting the experience, the student said the visa officer questioned why the Reddit handle hadn't been included in the DS-160 student maintained that her profile was open and clean, but the officer claimed the account "was not visible" during an internal the end of the interview, the officer issued the 221(g) form, asking the student to ensure that all social media handles were made public.'She mentioned that the account was not visible while it was an open account, and at the end of the interview, issued me a 221(g) slip requesting that I make all my social media handles public,' the student wrote, seeking advice on how to proceed with the users responded to the post, pointing out that linking social media profiles might have made it easier for the consular office to locate the person noted, "Mate why are you posting your full name here? A google search shows your Reddit account. I think just wait for a response at this point and go from there.""If you don't need this Reddit account, you might as well close this one and create one later, after the interview, and you land in the US," suggested another REDDIT IS UNDER SCANNER?A 221(g) form does not mean a visa rejection, it indicates the officer needs more information before making a final applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant US visas, which are meant for students, have been ordered to make their social media profiles per the US State Department, this will allow thorough vetting of added that the US visa is "a privilege, not a right", and its screening does not stop after a visa has been issued, and authorities may revoke it if one breaks the law."Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law," the US Embassy said in a notification on June provision for social media vetting for US visa applicants has been in place since 2019. However, the new announcements signal that foreign nationals will be subjected to an increased level of scrutiny. The enhanced surveillance comes amid President Trump's crackdown on immigration, leading to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids on illegal Maharashtra student's case is an example of how strict the vetting is, and that all social media accounts need to be listed to avoid further scrutiny.- Ends advertisement
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Amaysim might be new to selling internet plans, but it's won me over with this neat NBN 100 deal
If being value-minded is your MO when it comes to your mobile plan, then you've probably heard of Amaysim. The telco is a budget-focused offshoot of Optus, and has long been known for offering inexpensive postpaid mobile plans. When it launched its NBN offerings late last year, however, Amaysim skimped on providing value, with its home internet options costing above average for most speed tiers. And if you asked me at the time of their debut, I wouldn't have recommended Amaysim's NBN plans, but the telco has since introduced fresh introductory rates that have me eating my own words. Slicing a modest AU$120 off, Amaysim's NBN 100 plan is discounted to just AU$70p/m for the first 6 months, before the price increases to AU$90p/m. Much like the best NBN 100 plans, Amaysim advertises maximum speeds of 100Mbps during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm, and costs AU$23p/m less than the average for the tier — that's around AU$93p/m right now. The plan also comes with unlimited data and works on a no lock-in contract basis. You'll need to act fast to score this epic Amaysim deal — this AU$20p/m discount will expire on July 20, 2025. Amaysim | AU$70p/m (for 6 months, then AU$90p/m) Don't be fooled by this slightly more expensive introductory outlay — Amaysim's 100Mbps plan is a favourable midrange option, as it's still cheaper than the average of AU$93p/m for the tier. Do note, though, Amaysim only offers NBN services, so you'll need to supply your own modem for this plan. Total minimum cost: AU$70 | Total cost for first year: AU$960 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,080 When comparing pricing to competitors, Amaysim's offer costs the same as Mate's 100Mbps plan (AU$60p/m for 6 months, then AU$90p/m) in the long run, once the introductory price ends. However, you could pay as little as AU$80 per month if you bundle an Amaysim mobile plan with your NBN, reducing your ongoing bill by another AU$120. This would bring your ongoing yearly costs to just AU$960 — a.k.a. the cheapest ongoing rate for any NBN 100 plan. Amaysim's postpaid plans start from AU$10p/m for 15GB data. One thing of note is that Amaysim exclusively provides NBN services, so routers are strictly BYO, which isn't great if you're looking for an all-in-one NBN and modem package. But, if you've already got an NBN service (which you most likely do), then there's a very good chance that the modem you already have will work with this Amaysim plan. Alternatively, I do recommend this Amazon eero6+ router for AU$249.99 if you want to invest in something new. And, Amaysim does provide new customers with a satisfaction guarantee, where if you're unhappy with the service within the first 30 days, the telco will refund you for the month. So if you're keen on giving Amaysim NBN a go, there's no time like the present to switch and save. If you've got a real need for speed, you can check out Amaysim's other NBN plans here.
Tom's Guide
09-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Keurig just launched its smallest coffee maker ever — meet the K-Mini Mate
Keurig is seriously skilled in coffee making. The best Keurig coffee makers are a line-up of easy-to-use, convenient models, providing compact single-serve coffee at your fingertips. The convenience of pod coffee is as simple as popping in a pod (of which there are an abundance of choices), pressing a button and enjoying your swiftly-made brew. And Keurig's machines will whip up a variety of beverages from an espresso to latte to some brand favorite flavors. You'll even get iced, depending on the model. Now, the company has just released something even simpler and adorably tiny. The Keurig K-Mini Mate is the K-Mini, but smaller. At just four inches wide, it's the smallest brewer they've ever created — and it comes in some fabulously eye-catching colors. Available now for just $79.99, exclusively at Target. The Keurig K-Mini Mate is tiny, but mighty. It's the ultimate space-saving solution, sizing up at just four-inches wide, but still packed with the coffee-making technology of the bigger brewers. Plus, there's new colorways with Black, Red Rocks and Glamping Green all available at Target for just $79.99. Keurig may have already created the K-Mini, known for being extra portable and sizing up at 4.5 inches wide, but it's not to be confused with the brand's latest model, the K-Mini Mate. Despite it's small stature, the K-Mini Mate is still more than capable of whipping up a cup of coffee in cup sizes all the way up to 12oz. Plus, a removable drip tray means you can fill up those travel mugs that reach heights of up to 7.25 inches. Housed in the back is a one-cup reservoir that you simply fill with water, load up the pod at the front, and voilà, great-tasting coffee. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Of course, its direct competitor is its stablemate, the K-Mini. With the K-Mini, it'll cost you $89.99, as opposed to the Mate's $79.99. And aside from being a little bigger and a little more expensive, they share incredibly similar features. But, if you're after iced coffees, then the Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced is our "best overall" option with a large water reservoir and the ability to brew full carafes for the family. Of course, the biggest reason you're picking the K-Mini Mate is, well, that's it's not big. With the K-Duo, you're looking at over 12 inches in width, eight inches more than the Mate. There's a serious trend happening right now in the world of coffee makers — and it's all about adding a pop of color. De'Longhi's latest launch, the Dedica Duo, released in four different gelato-inspired shades, the Technivorm Moccamaster added to the brand's colorful line-up with a new Ocean tone and the Fellow Aiden launched in Matte White. Just in time for summer, coffee makers are telling us that adding color to our homes is exactly what we should be doing! Just in time for summer, coffee makers are telling us that adding color to our homes is exactly what we should be doing! And Keurig is hopping on the trend with the K-Mini Mate, available in three different colors all with unique names. Sure, one of them is Black and that's because it's still important to give coffee lovers the option of the sleek, classic look. But, the other two are Red Rocks and Glamping Green. Because, with a coffee maker as small as this, you really could take it anywhere (as long as there's a socket). The beauty of Keurig's single serve coffee makers is how easily they fit into your home and they've even trumped themselves with this one. A potential competitor for the 'best compact' spot in our best Keurig coffee makers list for sure, but we'll have to wait and see if makes the cut when we give it a full review for TG — coming soon.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- West Australian
'She's great': more charges mulled against taboo author
A Christian charity marketing executive accused of producing child abuse material could be hit with more criminal charges as her erotic novel is scanned line by line. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, 33, came to the attention of police and the courts after writing the book Daddy's Little Toy under her pen name Tori Woods. The Sydney woman issued a pre-release of the novel to about 20 advanced readers in March. The following month, Tesolin-Mastrosa pleaded not guilty to possessing, disseminating, and producing child abuse material. Her lawyer Mickaela Mate argued at the time that the book was "a fantasy within a fiction" and that there were no victims. Ms Mate returned to Blacktown Local Court on Thursday, when prosecutors said further charges over the novel were being considered. NSW Police had prepared a 10-page synopsis summarising the novel, the court was told. The DPP was endeavouring to get hold of the actual book in order to assess its contents, solicitor Milijana Masanovic said. Prosecutors were looking into the appropriateness of the charges already laid and whether any more should be brought, she said. Tesolin-Mastrosa's police interview, police statements and digital records of her two mobile phones still had yet to be compiled in the full brief of evidence, the court was told. She will next appear in court on July 31. Ms Mate successfully applied to vary her client's bail conditions on Thursday. The Quakers Hill woman will now only have to report to police once weekly instead of three times. Magistrate Bree Chisholm found Tesolin-Mastrosa had no risk of flight or not appearing in court as she had no criminal record and had strong community ties. Outside court, Ms Mate said her client was doing well. "She's great," she said before getting into her waiting car. In April, Ms Mate said the allegedly offensive content was between fictional characters who were two consenting adults. "(It) is a fantasy within a fiction and hence there are no victims."
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Perth Now
'She's great': more charges mulled against taboo author
A Christian charity marketing executive accused of producing child abuse material could be hit with more criminal charges as her erotic novel is scanned line by line. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, 33, came to the attention of police and the courts after writing the book Daddy's Little Toy under her pen name Tori Woods. The Sydney woman issued a pre-release of the novel to about 20 advanced readers in March. The following month, Tesolin-Mastrosa pleaded not guilty to possessing, disseminating, and producing child abuse material. Her lawyer Mickaela Mate argued at the time that the book was "a fantasy within a fiction" and that there were no victims. Ms Mate returned to Blacktown Local Court on Thursday, when prosecutors said further charges over the novel were being considered. NSW Police had prepared a 10-page synopsis summarising the novel, the court was told. The DPP was endeavouring to get hold of the actual book in order to assess its contents, solicitor Milijana Masanovic said. Prosecutors were looking into the appropriateness of the charges already laid and whether any more should be brought, she said. Tesolin-Mastrosa's police interview, police statements and digital records of her two mobile phones still had yet to be compiled in the full brief of evidence, the court was told. She will next appear in court on July 31. Ms Mate successfully applied to vary her client's bail conditions on Thursday. The Quakers Hill woman will now only have to report to police once weekly instead of three times. Magistrate Bree Chisholm found Tesolin-Mastrosa had no risk of flight or not appearing in court as she had no criminal record and had strong community ties. Outside court, Ms Mate said her client was doing well. "She's great," she said before getting into her waiting car. In April, Ms Mate said the allegedly offensive content was between fictional characters who were two consenting adults. "(It) is a fantasy within a fiction and hence there are no victims."
