International

US Visa Social-Media Rule Sparks Concern

By BPN News Desk December 10, 2025

A new rule by the US State Department now requires H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media accounts publicly visible for screening. The policy comes into effect from December 15. Consular officers will be allowed to review posts, past handles and public activity from multiple platforms before deciding on a […]

International

Australia’s Social Media Ban For Under-16s Comes into Effect

By BPN News Desk December 10, 2025

Australia has enforced a nationwide ban that stops children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts. The law took effect from December 10 and applies to all major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch and others. Platforms that fail to remove under-age accounts can face heavy […]

International

IMF Approves $1.2 Billion Disbursement For Pakistan

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

The International Monetary Fund has approved a new disbursement of $1.2 billion for Pakistan. The approval followed the second review of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility and the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The package includes $1 billion under the EFF programme and $200 million under the RSF window. Support for balance of […]

International

Thailand Airstrikes Renew Border Conflict With Cambodia

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian territory after clashes along the disputed border, marking a sharp escalation in tensions. The strikes followed an incident earlier in the day in which a Thai soldier was killed during an exchange of fire. Military officials in Bangkok said the raids targeted Cambodian positions across the frontier. Civilian areas hit, […]

International

Trump Warns Mexico Of Higher Tariffs Over Water Issue

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

US President Donald Trump has warned Mexico that tariffs on its exports could be increased if it does not meet water delivery obligations under a 1944 treaty. He said Mexico must release a specific volume of water to the United States by December 31 or face additional duties. The issue has affected farmers in Texas, […]

International

Zelenskyy Meets European Leaders, Seeks Unity On Truce Plan

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met European leaders in London to discuss progress on a possible truce with Russia. The meeting was attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The discussions focused on aligning European positions with a US-mediated plan that aims to create a path toward […]

International

Trump To Block State-Level AI Rules With Executive Order

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

US President Donald Trump has said he will sign an executive order to prevent individual states from creating their own rules for artificial intelligence. The order is expected this week and is aimed at ensuring AI regulation is handled at the federal level under one unified system rather than through separate state laws. Concern over […]

International

UK Politician Fined For Hiring Indian Student As Nanny

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

A local politician in West London has been fined £40,000 for hiring an Indian student as a full-time nanny, despite the student having no legal right to work in the United Kingdom. A county court rejected the politician’s appeal and upheld the penalty for breaching immigration and employment laws. Illegal employment details According to the […]

International

China Accuses Japan Of Military Provocation

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

China has accused Japan of threatening it militarily after a recent confrontation in the East China Sea. The remarks were made by China’s Foreign Minister during talks with his German counterpart. He said Japan’s actions were “unacceptable” and created unnecessary risk between the two countries. Radar incident causes tension The exchange follows reports that Japanese […]

International

US May Impose Tariffs on Indian Rice

By BPN News Desk December 9, 2025

The administration of President Donald Trump is considering new tariffs on agricultural imports, including rice from India, following complaints from American farmers. Grower groups have claimed that imported rice is arriving in the US market at very low prices and hurting domestic producers. Trump signals action During discussions with farming representatives, Trump said