► The Russian government has decided to close the U.S. Embassy’s American Center at M. Rudomino All-Russia State Library of Foreign Literature in Moscow, ending more than two decades of U.S.-Russia cooperation, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
► In a series of tweets last week, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump advocated for increased opportunities for international students to stay in the U.S. after graduating from American colleges and universities.
► A federal court found the 17-month extension to the F-1 optional practical training (OPT) program invalid, ruling that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not follow required procedures, Inside Higher Ed reports.
► A warming in U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations, along with a potential nuclear agreement, may create new opportunities for academic exchanges, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education and the PIE News.
► Meeting with 500 Mandela Washington Fellows earlier this week, President Obama praised the “incredible talent” of the fellows and the diplomacy value of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
► Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) spoke in support of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program on the House floor on Tuesday.
► Local News Stories of the week: