The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from certain countries pay as much as $15,000 in bonds if they are confirmed World Cup ticket holders, the State Department told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the Republican administrations broader crackdown on immigration. Travelers to the United States from 50 countries are required to pay the new bond, and five of those countries have qualified for the World Cup Algeria, Cabo Verde, Cte dIvoire, Senegal and Tunisia.The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.The waiver is a rare loosening of immigration requirements under the administration and will ease travel burdens for at least some visitors to the U.S. for the World Cup, which begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already were exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administrations orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament. Ordinary fans, even if they had confirmed tickets, had not been exempt until Wednesday.The administration has taken dramatic steps to restrict immigration in ways that critics say are incongruous with the type of unifying message that a global sporting event such as the World Cup is supposed to project.For instance, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from Cte dIvoire and Senegal, also World Cup qualifiers, face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban. Foreign travelers also are facing new requirements to submit their social media histories, while the administration had deployed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at airports recently when Transportation Security Administration personnel were not being paid. Those measures prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a World Cup travel advisory" that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S.In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for significantly suppressing international demand, leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated. The American Hotel & Lodging Association said travelers are concerned about potentially lengthy visa wait times and increased fees, along with uncertainty about how they're being processed to enter the U.S.The bond requirements are part of the administrations larger effort to clamp down on migrants who travel to the U.S. on temporary visas but then overstay them. Visa applicants from the affected countries are required to pay $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 in bonds, which will be refunded if the traveler complies with the terms of the visa or if the visa application is denied.As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling.FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, and was the topic of discussion at multiple meetings at the White House and elsewhere in Washington for several months, the officials said.

Adam Peaty will compete under a new name for the first time this summer after being selected in Team England's swimming squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.The 31-year-old superstar will be listed as Ramsay-Peaty on official start sheets following his marriage to Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.It means the three-time Olympic champion is set to race under a different surname for the first time in his glittering international career.The Briton has been named in a 42-strong Team England squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and is the oldest swimmer selected.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayPeaty will return to Glasgow hoping to make history in the city where his Commonwealth journey first began in 2014.If he wins gold in Scotland, he will become the first British swimmer to claim Commonwealth titles at four consecutive Games.The Staffordshire-born star already boasts four Commonwealth gold medals, having triumphed in Glasgow, on the Gold Coast and in Birmingham.This summer he is expected to compete in both the 100m breaststroke and the 50m breaststroke, where he is the defending Commonwealth champion.The competition at Tollcross International Swimming Centre will mark Peaty's first major championship since the Paris 2024 Olympics.It also represents a significant step in his build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with the British great determined to extend one of the most decorated careers in swimming history.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Rory McIlroy takes drastic step after PGA Championship injury scareMiddlesbrough boss fights back tears as he blasts 'disgraceful' Southampton after play-off heartbreakBarcelona release statement after Real Madrid president accuses rivals of 'biggest scandal in football'"Being selected to represent your country is always an honour and there is something special about a home Commonwealth Games," Peaty said."The event also marks a significant milestone in my international career which began in Glasgow 12 years ago at the 2014 Commonwealth Games."I'm particularly excited to compete in Scotland this summer as I know everyone will come together to make it a brilliant occasion."Peaty married Holly Ramsay at Bath Abbey in December in a high-profile ceremony attended by former David Beckham and a host of other celebrity guests.Alongside Peaty, Team England's squad also includes Olympic champions Tom Dean and James Guy, plus six Paralympic gold medallists including Alice Tai.Team England chef de mission Jonathon Riall said: "It's brilliant to be able to announce such a strong swimming team for Glasgow 2026."The Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2 after Glasgow stepped in to rescue the event when Victoria withdrew as host in 2023.For Peaty, though, the biggest talking point may be that one of Britain's greatest-ever swimmers will be chasing history under a brand-new name.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Q Manivannan, originally from India, is on a student visa which is due to expire at the end of the year.

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Virat Kohli has etched his name in IPL history on Wednesday, becoming the most-capped player with his 279th appearance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This significant milestone places him ahead of legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Kohli's enduring presence underscores his pivotal role in the league's evolution since its inception.

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