Author: Akancha Mishra

President Donald Trump has announced a major change to the H-1B visa system, introducing a $100,000 fee per petition, dramatically higher than the previous $1,500 administrative cost. The executive order, effective September 21, is expected to affect thousands of Indian American IT professionals, as well as Chinese workers, who form the majority of H-1B visa holders. The White House justified the fee by claiming the H-1B program has been misused to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor. Data cited by the administration shows that foreign STEM workers in the US have doubled from 1.2 million in 2000 to 2.5…

The Trump administration has announced a dramatic increase in H-1B visa application fees, raising them to $100,000 per petition effective September 21, 2025. The move aims to curb misuse of the program while giving preference to highly paid and specialized foreign professionals. This change is expected to have a significant impact on Indian IT employees and US companies heavily reliant on foreign STEM talent. The H-1B visa program allows US firms to hire foreign workers in specialized roles across IT, engineering, science, mathematics, and medicine. Previously, fees ranged from $1,700 to $4,500, meaning the new charge represents a staggering 2,111%…

The much-anticipated courtroom drama Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, finally hit theaters on September 19, 2025, and the initial reactions suggest the film has struck the right chord with audiences. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been buzzing since morning with enthusiastic reviews from moviegoers who were quick to call it a powerful entertainer. One user described the film as a “masterpiece,” praising Akshay Kumar for delivering one of the finest performances of his career. Arshad Warsi, reprising his role as Jolly, was lauded for effortlessly blending humor and seriousness, a combination that made his…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first official conversation with Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, on Thursday. During the exchange, Modi expressed heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of lives in Nepal and assured India’s continued support in restoring peace and stability across the Himalayan nation. In a message shared on X, Modi described the discussion as warm and reaffirmed India’s commitment to assist Nepal during this turbulent phase. He extended greetings to Karki and the people of Nepal on the eve of their National Day, highlighting the deep historical and cultural connections between the two neighbors. Sushila Karki,…

The battle for artificial intelligence expertise has intensified, with major tech players like Meta, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Grok competing aggressively for top researchers. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has frequently voiced concerns about employee poaching, and now Google CEO Sundar Pichai has weighed in on the issue, offering a measured response to the debate. Speaking to Business Insider, Pichai admitted that the competition from Microsoft and OpenAI is real but emphasized that Google is managing the challenge effectively. He noted that while isolated incidents of employees leaving tend to make headlines, the broader numbers paint a healthier picture. According to…

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, emphasized the enduring and dynamic space partnership between ISRO and NASA, describing it as one of the strongest pillars of India-US collaboration. He made the remarks at the India-USA Space Collaboration event in Washington, which featured astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Kwatra remarked that the gathering offered a refreshing perspective, bringing together “individuals with a space-centric view of Earth.” Reflecting on the long-standing cooperation, he noted that India and the US began their space journey in the 1970s with the Satellite…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75 on September 17, 2025. Unlike conventional celebrations, his birthdays have consistently been marked by acts of public service, the launch of welfare schemes, and symbolic initiatives that underscore his commitment to nation-building. Born on September 17, 1950, in Mehsana, Gujarat, Modi served as the state’s Chief Minister for three consecutive terms before becoming Prime Minister in 2014, now serving his third term in office. Each year, the Bharatiya Janata Party observes Sewa Pakhwara, a fortnight of activities centered around citizen welfare, to commemorate his birthday. This tradition highlights the Prime Minister’s preference for service-oriented…

India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in a match overshadowed by heightened tensions and historical sensitivities. The game began and ended without the customary handshake between captains, as India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Agha chose not to greet each other at the toss or after the match. Yadav remained unbeaten on 47 runs from 37 balls, delivering a composed performance that anchored India’s chase. After the win, he dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces and expressed solidarity with families affected by the Pahalgam terror…

Trade tensions continue to strain ties between Washington and New Delhi, yet senior US leaders are emphasizing the strength of the relationship. During a Senate hearing to confirm Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador to India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described India as one of America’s most critical partners worldwide. Rubio highlighted India’s growing weight in international affairs, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which he called the defining arena of the 21st century. “Sergio Gor is the nominee for India, which stands among the United States’ top global partnerships in shaping the future,” Rubio said. He noted that…

New Delhi has become the center of global attention as a three-day international conference on “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage” commenced at Vigyan Bhawan. This landmark gathering signals the beginning of an ambitious cultural project—Gyan Bharatam—unveiled in the 2025-26 national budget. The initiative aims to unite diverse stakeholders, including institutions, scholars, and private custodians, in building a comprehensive framework for safeguarding India’s manuscript heritage. The Ministry of Culture has envisioned Gyan Bharatam as an institutional body similar to the Archaeological Survey of India. Its primary mission is to preserve, document, and digitize the vast treasure of manuscripts scattered…