US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran fires first wave of missiles at Israel under new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

Google and Apple advised US-based employees on work visas not to travel internationally after their outside counsel warned of delays of up to 12 months at US embassies and consulates worldwide amid the immigration crackdown, documents reviewed by Business Insider show. On Thursday, BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, sent a memo stating, “Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months.” It added that employees would “risk an extended stay outside the US” if they travelled without a valid stamp. Last week Fragomen, acting for Apple, issued a similar warning. “Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the US, we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now,” the memo said. “If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragome..

AdvertisementUnited StatesWorldUnited States & CanadaUS Supreme Court lets Trump continue cuts on Snap food aid, even as shutdown nears endReopening the government would restart the programme that helps 42 million Americans, but it’s not clear how soon full payments can resume
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAssociated PressPublished: 7:49am, 12 Nov 2025The US Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an order blocking full Snap payments, amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume.
AdvertisementThe order keeps in place at least for a few more days a chaotic situation. People who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme to feed their families in some states have received their full monthly allocations, while others have received nothing.
The order will expire just before midnight on Thursday.
The Senate has approved a bill to end the shutdown and the House of Representatives could vote on it as early as Wednesday.
Reopening..

AdvertisementConsumer protection in Hong KongHong KongSocietyMapping issues in 7 of 8 power bank rental platforms tested by Hong Kong watchdogConsumer Council also finds significant variance in rental fees across different stations within the same platform
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPHarvey KongPublished: 2:14pm, 15 Jan 2026Seven out of eight power bank rental platforms tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog displayed inaccurate navigation or positioning data on map applications, a problem that may waste users’ time and incur extra charges due to delays.
The Consumer Council on Thursday also found a significant variance in rental fees across different stations within the same platforms, with charges for a 30-minute rental differing by nearly 1.3 times and the daily cap on charges differing by more than 2.3 times.
“When in urgent need of a power bank, consumers’ phone battery is often critically low. Inaccurate navigation not only wastes time, but may also deplete the p..