First Thing: Pause on US immigrant visa leaves thousands of applicants in limbo
All US immigrant visa applications halted as state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access. Plus tributes pour in for Dolly Parton
Good morning. All US immigrant visa applications have been paused by the Trump administration as the state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants whom they deem could need US assistance. The agency launched the initiative at all embassies and consulates in early August.
Applicants with scheduled interviews were sent emails that their appointments had been canceled. Agency officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. This week the Trump administration also announced plans to revoke visas from asylum seekers who had initially entered the US for tourism or business. Up to 200,000 people seeking asylum could be affected.
Is the move lawful? “The court made clear that immigration laws cannot be used to justify discrimination,” Joanna Cuevas Ingram, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, said. In February, a federal judge overturned the president’s attempt to suspend the US refugee system entirely.
Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
Adam Mosseri, the first senior Meta executive to testify in a historic lawsuit brought by 29 US states, disputed allegations by US prosecutors that his company hid negative information from the public in a court in California.
Questioned over touting a feature called Take a Break, meant to encourage teens to close Instagram if they had been scrolling for a while, Mosseri was asked about not disclosing low user numbers for features geared toward teen safety. He brushed the concerns aside, saying: “We don’t publish every single stat. I’ve definitely said publicly that the opt-in rates are low. I don’t know if I’ve said numbers.” Just 1.8% of teens signed up for the feature.
Why are the states suing Meta? The lawsuit centers on the allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. Meta has denied all allegations, saying the states are chasing an “outlandish payout”.
At least 14 newborn babies die in fire at Pakistan hospital’s maternity ward
At least 14 newborn babies have died in a fire that broke out in the maternity ward at one of Pakistan’s most prominent state hospitals. The blaze began in the early hours of Wednesday and engulfed the ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the biggest state hospital in Islamabad.
Dr Aneza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, said 15 babies were on the ward at the time and that “one baby was saved by a doctor”. Women who had just given birth were forced to run down several flights of stairs to evacuate. Investigators were still at the scene and authorities have not confirmed the cause.
How have authorities responded? The prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation. “Such a situation involving children is irreparable,” said Sharif. “Those responsible should be identified and the strictest action should be taken.”
Trump threatens to demolish Kennedy Center if $250m renovation not done
The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts could be demolished if repairs are not carried out, the Trump administration has warned in a court filing. Lawyers for the US president said the national arts complex in Washington DC must undergo a $250m renovation or risk facing the wrecking ball.
The threat emerged on Monday as the administration urged a federal judge to reject a fresh legal challenge to Trump’s efforts to put his name on the Kennedy Center. The dispute has become part of a months-long battle over the president’s attempt to alter the memorial created by Congress in honor of John F Kennedy. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
What other changes has Trump already made in Washington DC? Trump has demolished the East Wing of the White House to make way for a $600m ballroom and ordered a renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool that resulted in algae blooms and a peeling liner. The Kennedy Center board has voted to change the building’s signage to read: “The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J Trump.” It also voted to name the grounds the “President Donald J Trump Plaza”.
In other news …
South Carolina voters have chosen Darline Graham as the Republican nominee for US Senate. She overcame concern about her lack of legislative experience to beat the five-term congressman Ralph Norman in Tuesday’s Republican special primary runoff.
An Ecuadorian mother and daughter were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at a hospital after a car crash in central Florida.
A polygamous sect leader serving a 50-year federal sentence for orchestrating sex involving children was given another 24 years in prison on separate state convictions for child abuse.
The father of a US navy sailor who has been deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has been released from immigration detention, according to his family.
Stat of the day: At least 47 killed and dozens kidnapped in gang attack near Haiti capital
At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped when armed men attacked a once peaceful community near Haiti’s capital. A gang leader has threatened to kill hostages if authorities kill any gang member, piercing the belief that security in the Caribbean country was improving.
Well Actually: 11 gym dos and don’ts from fitness experts
Hogging weights? Loud grunting? Sweaty benches? Here’s what professionals have to say about good workout etiquette, from using equipment to being on your phone.
Don’t miss this: Dolly Parton, country star, actor and philanthropist, remembered
The world feels a little dimmer today without Dolly in it after her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver on Instagram. We have lots of coverage worth spending a little time with – an appreciation of her music by critic Alexis Petridis, a wonderful gallery of her life in pictures, a selection of her greatest quotes, Hannah Marriott writing on Parton’s unique fashion style, and a list of her 10 best recordings. You can share your tributes and memories of the country music icon with us too. Rest well, Dolly.
Climate check: Record-breaking heat dome expected to bring dangerous temperatures to US south-west
Surging temperatures are expected to broil more than 45 million people as a heat dome settles across the south-western US through the end of August and into early September, according to the National Weather Service.
Last Thing: Call to ban marmot hunting in France as campaigners say they are ‘killed for fun’
Animal rights campaigners are gearing up for protests and petitions aimed at persuading the French government to ban the hunting of Alpine marmots. Although the marmot is not a threatened species, its numbers are reportedly declining as a result of the climate emergency. Campaigners say they are opposed to them being hunted for fun.
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