Iranian student's dreams derailed by US visa ban

A determined 35-year-old aspiring student has found his academic dreams halted by the U.S. visa ban on Iranian applicants, despite years of preparation and a recent university acceptance.

For three years, Alireza devoted himself to the process of academic migration, often hearing that it was too late for someone his age. Undeterred, he meticulously completed document translations, secured recommendation letters, submitted applications, and even progressed through the initial visa stages.

Against all odds, he earned a coveted university acceptance, only to find his plans derailed by restrictive U.S. visa policies.

"All the documents I had gathered from day one-all that effort-was in vain and never came to fruition," said Alireza.

The new immigration law blocks his entry solely because he is Iranian, halting not just his academic aspirations but also the life he had spent years building toward. Alireza shared his frustration, stating that continuing his education had been his only goal and that the setback had left him feeling defeated.

"This wasn't just an educational opportunity for me. It was a path to the life I had spent years planning for," he said.

Now exploring alternatives, Alireza is considering universities in Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. He remains hopeful that the visa restriction might eventually be lifted, allowing him another chance to pursue his dream.

"Right now, because of this law-or rather, this decision-not only me but also my friends who want to go to the U.S. from here are facing problems. They can't go. Even those who came from the U.S. to Iran and now want to return are struggling-they can't go back. Even friends currently in the U.S. who want to visit their families are afraid to come, worried that this law might prevent them from returning. This has created a problem for my friends and others I know," said Alireza.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on June 4 banning entry from 12 nations, including Iran, citing national security concerns. The policy is set to take effect on June 9.

Iranian student's dreams derailed by US visa ban

China's commodity price index stood at 129.9 points in March, up 4 percent month on month and 14.5 percent year on year, according to data released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) on Sunday.

Among the 50 major commodities under key monitoring by the CFLP, 38 recorded a month-on-month price increase in March.

Specifically, diesel, methanol and ethylene glycol led the gains, rising 30.5 percent, 30.4 percent and 29.3 percent, respectively, from the previous month.

Affected by imported factors such as tensions in the Middle East and a sharp rise in international crude oil prices, China's energy and chemical price indices rose significantly, up 16.5 percent and 21.8 percent month on month, respectively.

Driven by rising international fertilizer prices and growing demand for biofuels, China's agricultural product price index increased by 2.8 percent month on month.

Analysts noted that the sharp rise in the commodity price index in March comes from factors such as the recovery of the domestic commodity market, the good outcomes of policies, and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Given the increasingly volatile international commodity prices and the rising uncertainties in importing energy, chemicals and other commodities, it is necessary to diversify the sources of raw materials, expand the use of alternative resources, and enhance the ability to resist and respond to risky factors that may cause fluctuation in markets, said the analysts.

China's commodity price index up 4 pct in March