World News

US to Require Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public for Security Screening

US to Require Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public for Security Screening

Washington D.C., June 23, 2025 — In a significant move to enhance national security, the United States has introduced a new regulation requiring all visa applicants to make their social media accounts publicly accessible during the application process. According to the latest update from the U.S. State Department, this mandate applies across all non-immigrant and immigrant visa categories. Applicants will now be required to ensure their social media handles including platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and others are set to public mode for officials to verify and screen their online activity. This new directive builds on the 2019…
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Asia Warming Nearly Twice as Fast as Global Average, Warns UN Climate Body

Asia Warming Nearly Twice as Fast as Global Average, Warns UN Climate Body

New Delhi, June 23, 2025 – Asia is heating up nearly twice as fast as the global average, placing the region at the center of escalating climate risks, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned in its newly released “State of the Climate in Asia 2024” report. The findings underscore that 2024 was among the warmest years on record for the continent, with widespread and prolonged heatwaves devastating ecosystems and economies alike.According to the report, the warming trend from 1991 to 2024 was nearly double that of the 1961–1990 period. The WMO highlighted alarming changes in sea surface temperatures, which reached…
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US Urges China to Prevent Iran from Shutting Down Strait of Hormuz Amid Soaring Tensions

US Urges China to Prevent Iran from Shutting Down Strait of Hormuz Amid Soaring Tensions

Washington/Beijing (National Times): Amid escalating Middle East tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged China to intervene diplomatically and stop Iran from potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Rubio’s appeal comes in response to reports from Iran's state-run Press TV, which stated that the Iranian parliament had approved a proposal to shut the Strait. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The Strait, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, facilitates the passage of nearly 20% of the global oil supply. Speaking…
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‘Economic Suicide’: Marco Rubio Warns Iran Against Closing Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions

‘Economic Suicide’: Marco Rubio Warns Iran Against Closing Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions

Washington, June 22, 2025 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stern warning to Iran against any move to close the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an act of “economic suicide” that could spark a dangerous global crisis. The remarks came amid rising geopolitical tensions following coordinated American and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.Speaking to media on Sunday, Rubio emphasized the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that facilitates nearly 25% of the world’s oil supply. “If Iran attempts to shut down this vital artery, they won’t just be harming the…
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Iran Moves to Close Strait of Hormuz After U.S. Strikes, Final Decision Awaited

Iran Moves to Close Strait of Hormuz After U.S. Strikes, Final Decision Awaited

Tehran, June 22, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation following U.S. precision strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran’s Parliament has approved a resolution backing the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The final decision now rests with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Iran's top security authority.The move comes just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, including the underground Fordow facility. The attacks, described by the Pentagon as “surgical and necessary,” have reignited fears of a full-blown regional war.The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to…
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Pakistan Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran After Supporting Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Pakistan Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran After Supporting Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Islamabad, June 22, 2025 — In a sharp reversal of tone, Pakistan has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace. The condemnation came just a day after Pakistan endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in mediating ceasefires and efforts to de-escalate global conflicts.The Pakistani Foreign Office expressed "deep concern" over the strikes, warning that "unilateral military actions only deepen instability in an already volatile region." The statement stressed Iran's right to self-defense and reiterated Pakistan's stance…
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UK PM Starmer Backs U.S. Strikes on Iran, Emphasizes Diplomatic Path Amid Escalating Conflict

UK PM Starmer Backs U.S. Strikes on Iran, Emphasizes Diplomatic Path Amid Escalating Conflict

London, June 22, 2025 — As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week with global ramifications, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to launch "massive precision" strikes on Iran. Starmer described Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a “grave threat” and insisted that Tehran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.In a statement shared on social media platform X, Starmer said, “Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.…
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Yemen’s Houthis Threaten US Warships Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict

Yemen’s Houthis Threaten US Warships Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict

Yemen (National Times) Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a stern warning on Saturday, threatening to strike American warships in the Red Sea if the United States joins Israel in its ongoing military operations against Iran. The threat comes just weeks after a fragile ceasefire was reached between the U.S. and the Houthis in May, under which both parties agreed to avoid targeting one another. However, the truce now appears to be under strain as regional tensions in West Asia intensify following Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. “If the United States participates in any aggression against Iran alongside the Israeli enemy,…
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Netanyahu Hails Trump After US Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Sites: “A Historic Shift Begins Tonight”

Netanyahu Hails Trump After US Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Sites: “A Historic Shift Begins Tonight”

Jerusalem/Washington (National Times): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday applauded U.S. President Donald Trump for ordering airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a "bold and historic decision" that he believes will reshape the future of the Middle East. In a nationally broadcast video statement following the strikes, Netanyahu declared, “President Trump and I have always said: ‘Peace through strength.’ Tonight, the United States demonstrated extraordinary strength under his leadership.” The U.S. military, in a coordinated nighttime assault, targeted Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. According to Trump’s comments on Fox News, the operation involved six…
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Tensions Soar as Iran Declares All Americans in West Asia ‘Targets’ Following US Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Tensions Soar as Iran Declares All Americans in West Asia ‘Targets’ Following US Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Tehran/Washington (National Times): Iran issued a stark warning to the United States on Saturday, declaring that all American personnel and citizens in West Asia are now considered targets, following U.S. airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In a broadcast on Iranian state television, Tehran condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and accused Washington of committing “a crime against Iran.” The message, aimed directly at U.S. President Donald Trump, stated: “Mr. President of the United States, you started it — and we will end it.” The segment aired alongside graphics highlighting U.S. military…
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