Several major US companies are said to have advised staff on highly skilled visas not to leave the United States after the Trump administration suddenly increased the annual visa fee to a hundred-thousand-dollars. Reports say the firms - including Microsoft and Amazon - told those outside the country to return before midnight on Saturday when the rules come into effect, fearing they will be barred entry. More than 70 percent of H-1B visa-holders are Indian nationals.

Also in the programme: Russian military jets enter Estonian airspace; and President Trump steps up his pressure on Venezuela.

(Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order. CREDIT: REUTERS/Ken Cedeno)