Sanctuary Cities Reevaluate Stance as Trump Prepares Mass Deportation Policies As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again with plans to enforce mass deportations, several sanctuary cities are reassessing their positions on immigration policies. While some local officials are softening their rhetoric and signaling a willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, others remain steadf

Following the Indian cricket team’s defeat in the Test series against Australia, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has introduced a new  guidelines aimed at promoting discipline, team cohesion, and reducing the influence of 'star culture' within the team. These rules come after consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir and are designed to ensure a more unif

The Edakunni v. Mayorkas Settlement: Key Details and Implications as Expiration Looms The Edakunni v. Mayorkas settlement, enacted in 2023, provided much-needed relief to H-4 and L-2 dependents—the spouses and children of H-1B and L-1 visa holders—by reinstating simultaneous adjudications for dependent status and work authorization applications. This practice aimed to res

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has made a remarkable achievement by registering over 1 crore members, a first in the party's history. The ongoing membership drive, which has seen a surge in registrations, has reached an impressive milestone of 1,00,20,065 members, with notable participation from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The drive gained momentum under the leadership of Nara Lokesh, who introduced an insurance policy offering a Rs 5 lakh coverage, adding significant value for

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States will inaugurate its consulate in Bengaluru on Friday, January 17, 2025, fulfilling a long-standing demand from the city and its residents for local access to US consular services. The announcement was made by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who confirmed that the consulate would be dedicated by the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti.  

Concerns Over Travel and Policy Changes As Donald Trump prepared to assume office as the U.S. President on January 20, Indian H-1B visa holders faced significant uncertainty about potential immigration policy changes. Lawyers and employers advised many to avoid international travel due to fears that reentry could become difficult under new regulations. This led to a wave of caution among Indian p

The ongoing battle between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took a significant turn today with the Ministry of Home Affairs giving its nod for the prosecution of Kejriwal. This decision is connected to the ongoing money laundering case linked to the controversial Delhi excise policy. Earlier, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, had already granted permission for the prosecution of the former Delhi Chief Minister. T

The United States is set to implement a modernized version of the H-1B visa program starting January 17, 2025, aiming to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency in hiring global talent. The updated rules, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also address concerns over fraud involving employers, employees, and advocacy groups. Boosting Competitiveness and Flexibility

The morning after last year’s Election Day, a civics teacher and ESL coordinator at a South Florida school with a predominantly Latino student population, found herself taking on an unexpected role. By the end of that day, more than two dozen students had approached her, deeply concerned about potential changes to immigration enforcement under the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency.

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the controversial comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential US acquisition of Greenland, stating that such an action is not realistic and urging the world not to waste time discussing it. Speaking in Paris during his farewell tour, Blinken stressed that the Biden administration's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strong alliances, with the belief that the US is more effective when working alongside its allies.

The United States will soon allow highly skilled professionals, especially Indians working in specialized fields, to renew their H-1B visas without leaving the country. This change follows a successful pilot program launched a year ago, which involved approximately 20,000 participants. The new process, aimed at making visa renewals quicker and more convenient, eliminates the need for applicants to travel back to their home countries for a visa stamp. This has been a long-awaited relief for ma

On December 13, 2024, the United States and China signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, revising a 45-year-old pact. However, this new agreement limits research collaboration and narrows the scope of topics allowed for joint study, reflecting heightened concerns over international research security. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., European Union, Canada, and Japan, have introduced stricter measures to safeguard sensitive scientific data from foreign interference, esp

Indian IT services companies are likely to benefit from ongoing discussions about H-1B visa policy changes, despite holding a relatively small share of the overall visa sponsorships, according to Macquarie Research. The report emphasizes the challenges of hiring locally within the United States and underscores the crucial role H-1B visas play in addressing the shortage of technical talent.  

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun

2024 has been officially declared the hottest year in China’s history, with the national average temperature reaching 10.92°C (51.66°F), according to the China Meteorological Administration. This marks the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking heat in the country. The year witnessed the hottest month, July, along with the warmest August and autumn season on record. Global temperature records were also shattered, with the United Nations confirming that 2024 was set to be the

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of

The H-1B visa is a temporary work permit issued by the U.S. to foreign nationals with specialized skills in fields like technology, engineering, medicine, and finance. Initially granted for three years, the visa can be extended up to six years, with the possibility of indefinite renewals for those pursuing permanent residency through a Green Card. The visa provides a vital bridge for skilled workers to join U.S. companies facing talent shortages. The application process for the H-1B

The US Treasury Department confirmed that a China state-sponsored actor was responsible for a recent cyber breach, compromising its workstations and some unclassified documents. The incident occurred earlier this month when the actor gained access through a third-party cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust. Once the breach was detected, Treasury swiftly contacted the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and began working with law enforcement to investigate the incident and assess