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11 teenagers wounded in mass shooting at birthday gathering in US state of Georgia

Eleven teenagers were wounded in a mass shooting at a birthday gathering in the US state of Georgia, with two of them in critical condition, media reports said on Monday. The shooting occurred around midnight during a “large gathering” at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon, about 85 miles (137 kilometres) southeast of Atlanta, CBS News reported, citing the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The victims were four 18-year-old men, two 18-year-old women and five 17-year-old boys. An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy remained in critical condition, while the other nine victims were stable. Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said the gathering appeared to be a birthday party that had originally been planned at another location before attendees moved to the park. Another group later arrived, and an argument between the two groups escalated into gunfire, Davis said. All 11 people wounded were part of the birthday gathering. No arrests had been made, and the investigation r...

US to impose $250 visa fee for foreign nationals

The United States will soon require most foreign nationals applying for non-immigrant visas to pay a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250, under a provision in the Trump administration’s newly passed domestic policy bill, according to a CNN report. The non-refundable upfront fee, which could be reimbursed only after visa holders prove compliance with immigration rules, is aimed at curbing overstays, strengthening border security, and funding enforcement efforts, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The new charge will apply to nearly all international visitors requiring a non-immigrant visa, including students, workers, and business travellers — but not tourists from Visa Waiver Programme countries such as the UK, Australia, or many EU nations. The policy’s rollout date remains unclear as DHS says the fee requires inter-agency coordination. The State Department confirmed it will publish details on its visa information page once implementation procedures are finalised. Under the provision, travellers who fully comply with visa terms may request a refund, although immigration lawyers caution that the process will likely be burdensome and is currently undefined. The US Travel Association sharply criticised the move, calling it a “step backward” that could discourage international visitors. The group estimated it would increase visa-related costs by 144%, adding financial complexity that might deter tourism and business travel. The policy states the fee will be set at $250 or a higher amount as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, with annual inflation adjustments. Unclaimed fees will be deposited into the US Treasury’s general fund.

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