The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft and some other companies from seeking permanent residency for foreign workers hired through the H-1B visa program. It accuses them of exploiting the process to replace American citizens with cheaper labor.

Trump administrationMicrosoftH-1B visasimmigration policy

The US government is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and other major tech firms from a programme offering skilled foreign workers a path to permanent residency, amid allegations of visa fraud. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services are also among the firms affected. Officials separately announced a crackdown on alleged J-1 visa fraud at nine universities, accused of using international students to undercut US wages. JD Vance said Microsoft laid off 6,000 US workers while obtaining 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.

United StatesMicrosoftAdobevisa fraud

The US has suspended major IT firms, including Microsoft and Adobe, from the green card programme. Vice President JD Vance made an announcement about H-1B fraud at an anti-fraud initiatives press conference in Washington on October 8.

United Statesgreen card programmeMicrosoftAdobe

The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft and other tech companies from an immigration program that allows employers to hire foreign workers who can live permanently in the US. Vice President JD Vance said the program had become rife with fraud and accused Microsoft of abusing it more than any other company. Adobe, Cognizant, and Infosys were also suspended; Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MicrosoftTrump administrationworker visasimmigration policy

Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling cited multiple active federal investigations into Microsoft and Adobe's involvement in the program on Thursday.

MicrosoftAdobegreen cardsforeign workers

Donald Trump said the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, adding that Washington and Tehran were having “productive discussions.”

United StatesIranDonald Trumpdiplomacy

Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the midterm election.

United StatesIranDonald Trump

President Trump said the United States is having productive discussions with Iran and will not launch an attack on the country before November’s midterm elections.

United StatesIranDonald Trumpdiplomacy

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission returned on Thursday after nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station. Its four astronauts splashed down safely in the Pacific near Los Angeles, completing a 237-day mission that included scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.

spaceflightSpaceXInternational Space Station

The National Football League urged the US Supreme Court to permit states to regulate prediction markets, putting the league at odds with the Trump administration in a high-stakes clash.

NFLUS Supreme Courtprediction markets

Arizona congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia says two men raped her as she was repairing one of her campaign signs.

Arizonacongressional racerape allegation

Democrat Bernadette Greene-Placentia says she was raped and knocked unconscious while fixing campaign signs late at night in Sun City on 14 August. She reported the alleged attack to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later; the investigation is ongoing.

Arizonacampaignrape allegationpolice investigation

French high school students again blockaded schools and marched in cities, saying government pledges do not meet their demands for more education funding and improved conditions. The protests, now in their tenth day, have left hundreds injured, with further clashes with police during demonstrations.

Francestudent protestseducation fundingclashes with police

Students have clashed with police outside French schools as blockades, tear gas and fires feature in a new nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.

Francestudent protestsclashes with police

Experts say France’s protests over education reflect generational discontent, as student demonstrations did in 1968 before nationwide strikes. Organisers and unions call the current movement exceptional; government sources put Tuesday’s protest turnout at 266,000. Students cite education funding, teacher shortages, crowded classrooms and school facilities, while historians say deeper frustrations include economic problems, political extremes, war risks in Europe, AI’s threat to careers, youth unemployment and the climate crisis.

Francestudent protestseducationgenerational discontent

French high school students continued protesting on Thursday, saying the government had failed to address their demands. It was the fourth day of protests.

Francehigh school studentsprotests

French teenagers blockaded some high schools and marched in cities on Thursday after the government pledged to address concerns over teacher shortages and deteriorating school buildings. Protesters told France 24 they considered the measures vague and would keep demonstrating until concrete action is taken.

Francestudent protestsschool blockadesteacher shortages

Protests have restarted at schools across France, with high school students demanding more education funding and better conditions. University students and unions have joined. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered ministers to prepare an action plan, but protesters say they will continue until demands are met. Dozens have been injured and at least 6,600 arrests have been made.

Francestudent protestseducation fundingpolice

The death of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, two weeks after her eviction from her Madrid home, has brought Spain’s housing crisis into sharper focus ahead of a general election at the end of November. The Sánchez government has proposed emergency housing measures, which rightwing and far-right parties rejected, and redrafted them as new decrees. People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of claiming the housing mantle too late.

Spanish politicshousing crisisPedro Sánchezgeneral election

International Criminal Court judges ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can understand the charges against him and follow proceedings. His legal team has argued that he has cognitive deficiencies. The trial is scheduled to begin on November 30.

Rodrigo DuterteInternational Criminal Courtcrimes against humanitytrial

Judges have found former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte fit to stand trial, the International Criminal Court said on Thursday.

International Criminal CourtRodrigo Dutertetrial

Two Latvian men were arrested at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire after police found a small breach in the perimeter fence. They are suspected of trespass and entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Police say there is no indication so far that the incident is connected to last month’s events at RAF Fairford.

UK military baseRAF MolesworthLatvian menpolice investigation

Isaias has strengthened into the Atlantic season’s first hurricane and is moving toward the northern US Gulf Coast. It is forecast to make landfall in parts of Florida, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi late Friday or early Saturday, bringing up to 10 inches of rain and risks of flooding and storm surges. Some offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf has been halted ahead of the storm.

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Hurricane Isaias threatens to disrupt U.S. oil and gasoline production as retail gas and diesel prices are already squeezing American consumers.

Hurricane Isaiasoil productiongas prices

Hurricane Isaias is moving quickly toward the Gulf Coast and is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 storm. Preparations are underway at Pensacola Beach after Florida declared a state of emergency in 25 counties.

HurricaneIsaiasFlorida

After Tropical Storm Isaias strengthened into a hurricane and headed toward the Gulf Coast, officials issued warnings from Louisiana to Florida and preparations began. Nearly a foot of rain, dangerous storm surge and possible tornadoes are expected over the weekend.

hurricaneIsaiasGulf Coast

Isaias, the Atlantic season’s first hurricane, is moving quickly toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. The governors of Florida and Alabama declared emergencies in dozens of counties.

HurricaneIsaiasU.S. Gulf Coast

Anti-migrant protests turned violent on Thursday in Durban and Johannesburg’s Soweto township, with cars set ablaze in both places and gunshots reported in Soweto, local media said.

South Africaanti-migrant protestsunrest

Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said Russian troops had developed a new offensive tactic in the special military operation zone. He also claimed Ukraine’s senior command was controlled by NATO and dependent on Western aid, and accused Western countries of using terrorists against Russian units in Africa, saying Russia knows where they are trained.

Russia-Ukraine warRussian Defense MinistryNATOterrorism

Starbucks explored a takeover of Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Financial Times reported Thursday. Such a deal would reunite CEO Brian Niccol with the burrito chain he led before joining Starbucks two years ago.

StarbucksChipotletakeover

Chipotle Mexican Grill shares rose sharply after the Financial Times reported that Starbucks had worked with advisers in recent months on a proposal to acquire the burrito chain.

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