Trump’s latest rude shock: Suspending student visa interviews

Written by: Aarthi Ramnath, Raghav Bikhchandani & Yash Budhwar

Trump’s latest rude shock: Suspending student visa interviews

Foreign students who are getting ready to attend US colleges this fall may have to stay home instead—or find a different destination. The Trump White House has ‘paused’ all applicant interviews—wait for it—to give officials time to vet their social media accounts. What this means:

The policy shift could mean that an applicant’s public views about the U.S.—and possibly of Trump—would more heavily factor into a final decision. The notice indicates that, when interviews resume, there could be a significant slowdown in the student-visa process. Officials would comb through an applicant’s social-media presence for statements about the U.S., the current administration and its policies.

But what does that mean exactly? Nobody knows:

[Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman] declined to say what the process was for social media vetting or how it might change. “We’re not going to lay [the process] out here with the media, the nature of the steps that are taken, the methods that we use,” Bruce said, adding that while she will not reveal the details of the process, “it’s one that will hopefully achieve our understanding of who deserves to visit this country and who does not.”

‘Deserves’? A single word that speaks volumes. Btw, 1.1 million international students in the US pay more than $40 billion for the privilege each year.

What any of this means: In recent months, Washington has revoked visas without explanation, issued threatening circulars on compliance—and even yanked Harvard’s ability to enrol foreign students. Why does the United States ‘deserve’ to get the best and brightest students in the world? That’s a good question for every foreign student and their parents to ask. (Washington Post, login required, Politico)

75 nations drown in ‘tidal wave’ of Chinese debt

The context: In 2013, President Xi Jinping launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—using infrastructure development to extend its power across the globe. While Beijing financed most of these highway, port, and railway projects—it gave the funds as loans, not grants. It had loaned $385 billion to 165 nations as of 2021.

What we know now: According to an analysis by the Lowy Institute, a record $35 billion in Chinese IOUs will come due in 2025—of which $22 billion is owed by 75 of the world’s poorest countries. As the report puts it: “Now, and for the rest of this decade, China will be more debt collector than banker to the developing world.”

‘Debt trap’ diplomacy: Foreign policy experts have long warned that China is using debt to ‘trap’ countries. All these loans require collateral—typically physical assets when they are given to governments. When they struggle with payments, Beijing can seize their key infrastructure assets—or use its investment to extend its global power. In Sri Lanka, Beijing used BRI financing to secure 85% equity and a 99-year lease on the strategically important Hambantota Port.

Timing, timing, timing: This year also offers a well-timed opportunity to seal its “political leverage” over these countries—amid huge cuts to US aid and tariff wars:

As China increasingly allocates capital directly to higher-risk foreign assets, the conventional flow of global savings to the US is being reshaped, with important implications for the stability and functioning of the international monetary system.

Reminder: Washington is also threatening to slash its contribution to the IMF and World Bank. The confluence of Chinese debt and Trump madness could mark a tipping point—pushing the current global order over the edge.

Reading list: The Guardian has the best overview of the report. CEPR looks at the rise of China as an international lender. Read our Big Story for more context on the BRI and the research published in 2021.

A new ‘no news’ rule for Indian NGOs

The backstory: All organisations that receive foreign donations—be it in cash or in-kind—have to apply for a licence as per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The law was first instituted in 1976 as a national security measure—which is why it is enforced by the Ministry of Home Affairs—which makes sure nonprofits are not proxies for foreign interference.

Where we are now: The requirements for securing an FCRA licence have become extremely strict. And the government now revokes licences for NGOs that earn its displeasure. According to a 2024 report: “The Centre has cancelled the FCRA licences of more than 6,600 NGOs in the last five years for violation of the law. Overall, FCRA licences of 20,693 NGOs have been cancelled in the last decade.”

About that new rule: The government has now taken aim at NGOs’ ability to publish information. They are barred from ‘publishing’ any kind of news or sending out newsletters—and must submit a ‘Not a Newspaper’ certificate—issued by the government, of course.

Sounds harmless enough except the real aim is to shut down their ability to share information. In 2023, the government cancelled the FCRA licence of Harsh Mander-run think tank, Centre for Equity Studies. The reason: Mander regularly wrote columns for newspapers such as The Indian Express, The Hindu and The Wire. No one knows how they’ll define ‘publishing’ or ‘news’—which is exactly the point.

The larger goal: is to drown NGOs in a tsunami of bureaucratic rules and requirements. This publishing ban is just one amongst a flurry of new diktats—laying out long, tedious procedures for financial compliance. All of which makes it very easy to ‘detect’ non-compliance. (PTI via The Telegraph)

Clownfish are shrinking to survive

A new study has found that clownfish—whom you may remember from ‘Finding Nemo’—are becoming shorter during marine heatwaves. Like, literally smaller. Three-quarters of the fish lost several millimetres over the course of five very hot months. Reminder: Adult clownfish typically grow to about 8 cm long.

One possible reason: smaller clownfish have up to a 78% higher chance of surviving the heatwave. But why does small = survival? Scientists aren’t quite sure:

“It might be a bit counterintuitive, because you think that being bigger is generally better,” [researcher Theresa Rueger] said. It may be due to a lack of plankton for the fish to eat during warm spells, she said, or because smaller fish may maintain oxygen levels more easily.

This is all the more notable since, until now, scientists had only observed ‘stunting’ due to climate change—an adaptation across decades not months. As to why shrinking fish matter:

Across Earth’s oceans, fish species of all shapes and sizes are getting smaller, with potentially dire implications for the billions of people who rely on seafood for protein… Commercial and recreational fishing operations are plucking up the biggest fish. Meanwhile, the ripple effects of higher ocean temperatures may be making it harder for creatures to find food and take in enough oxygen.

You can check out the study here. BBC News and Vox (login required) have the best overviews of the study.

Speaking of oceans: They are getting ‘darker’. A related study found that over a fifth of the global ocean darkened between 2003 and 2022. What this means: the sunlit “photic zone”—the upper layer of water where most marine life survives—is shrinking. In 9% of the ocean, that zone has shrunk by 50 metres—or even 100 metres in some areas. (The Guardian)

what caught our eye

business & tech

Infosys and Cognizant’s bitter 10-month trade secrets battle may be winding down—a Dallas court’s calling both tech giants in for a conference to settle the spat.

sports & entertainment

Police say the driver who rammed into Liverpool fans acted alone—ruling out terrorism.
RCB secured a top-two finish thanks to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma’s blistering 85* off 33 which sealed the third-biggest chase in IPL history—downing LSG’s 227 with eight balls to spare.
In more IPL news, the tournament’s final is getting a patriotic twist—BCCI’s invited all three service chiefs and the closing ceremony will feature a tribute to honour Operation Sindoor.

health & environment

Indian scientists have uncovered a rarity—a new marine worm off Tamil Nadu, just the third-ever species of the elusive Pheronous genus, now named Pheronous jairajpurii.
BBC News has an in-depth look at how creatine—long hailed by gym bros—is now being studied for its potential to boost brainpower and mood.
The Guardian has a good read on Baja California’s booming swim-with-orcas tourism—why experts want tighter rules, and why local operators aren’t on board.
The Hindu gives us the lowdown on India’s new Bharat Forecast System—the world’s sharpest weather model with panchayat-level precision that beats the US, UK, and EU.
IMD sticks to its ‘above normal’ monsoon forecast—rain may slow near Delhi but could still beat the heat, with key agri zones set for 6% extra showers.

meanwhile, in the world

Israeli forces opened fire as starving Palestinians rushed toward the first bit of aid distributed by the controversial US-Israeli organisation, killing at least three and injuring dozens in a desperate scramble for food—an incident that encapsulates the cost of Israel’s relentless attacks.
Meanwhile, ceasefire confusion in Gaza: Hamas says yes to a US proposal, Israel says it’s not America’s to offer—and US envoy Steve Witkoff says the whole thing’s “completely unacceptable.”
Greenland has warned the EU and the US that if they don’t invest soon, it will turn to China for help in exploiting its minerals.
The Trump administration has moved to cancel all remaining contracts with Harvard—worth $100 million.
In an exclusive, Wall Street Journal (splainer gift link) details how top US universities are rethinking their investment game as a GOP tax hike targets endowment income.
On his state visit to Iran, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has expressed willingness to hold peace talks with India to resolve ‘all issues’.

meanwhile, in India

India is offering big pharma concessions as a trade deal with the US nears the finish line—generics and drug prices are at the heart of the talks.
Days after ANI’s steep fees riled YouTubers, PTI has swooped in with a friendlier offer—promising affordable video access for creators.
Delhi’s Patiala House court has cleared former wrestling federation chief Brij Bushan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by a minor female wrestler. He still faces a separate sexual harassment and stalking case by six adult female wrestlers.
India has approved a framework for building the country's most advanced stealth fighter jet, amid a new arms race with Pakistan. The Telegraph has more on the arms race.
The University of Liverpool has announced its first India campus in Bangalore—which will commence operations in 2026.
New York Times (login required) has a must-read on how the Booker Prize winner ‘Heart Lamp’ has redefined translation in literature.
Bombay High Court has granted bail to a 19-year-old student from Pune, who was arrested and expelled for sharing an Instagram post about Operation Sindoor.

Four things to see

One: Get ready for robot ‘fight club’. On Sunday, China kicked off the world's first humanoid kickboxing tournament—with contestants trained by AI. It’s basically a PR show for Chinese tech. You can watch the metal-on-metal bout below. (Asia Times)

Two: Meet Binita Chetry—a 9-year-old girl who is the first-ever contestant from Assam to reach the last round of Britain’s Got Talent. The grand finale will be held on May 31. Below is a video of her semi-final performance. (Indian Express)

Three: Check out the trailer for ‘Stolen’—a debut thriller by Karan Tejpal—which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. What caught our eye: the project has a rather long list of exec producers: Anurag Kashyap, Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani and Vikramaditya Motwane. The film drops on Amazon Prime on June 4. (Variety)

Four: If you want to watch Kannada director Srinidhi Bengaluru’s ‘Video’, download the QR code at the end of the teaser below. Fyi, it’s a found footage horror movie in which a group of friends explore a haunted building in Bangalore and Mudigere. (The Hindu)