Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo, scheduled for January 17-22, 2025, is poised to become the world's largest event in the automotive sector, with over 1,500 exhibitors and an expanded exhibition space of 200,000 square meters. This second edition of the expo will bring together leading global vehicle manufacturers, showcasing electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as advanced automotive technologies. The event will include the unveiling of new models and electric vehicles f

The Biden administration has introduced important modifications to the H-1B visa program, aimed at facilitating the hiring of highly-skilled foreign workers, particularly in the tech sector. These changes are expected to benefit thousands of Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States. The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expands the definition of specialty occupations and introduces provisions for nonprofits and governmental research organizations t

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

The recent discontinuation of the Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024, has left many Indian students reassessing their plans to study in Canada. The SDS program previously allowed students to speed up the student visa process if they met specific English proficiency test (EPT) requirements like IELTS or PTE. However, with the end of SDS, students now have the opportunity to explore a broader range of EPTs accepted by Canadian institutions. One of the

US President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office in January 2025, has begun implementing stricter immigration policies, leading to a significant crackdown on undocumented individuals. Among the 1.45 million people slated for deportation, nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are at risk. India Among "Uncooperative" Countries India has been classified as one of the "uncooperative" countries in the deportation process, alongsid

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Elon Musk’s Tesla has become one of the top employers of H-1B workers, with over 1,700 H-1B visas approved for Tesla employees in 2020. This marks a significant reliance on skilled foreign workers as Tesla continues to grow. Musk’s early career began with illegal work on a student visa in the U.S., but now Tesla’s future is intertwined with the availability of H-1B workers, a visa program that is crucial for attracting talent to the tech industry. The Trump adminis

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

The UK government has announced an extension of the grace period for accepting expired physical travel documents until March 31, 2025, as part of its transition to a fully digital eVisa system. This move is intended to ease the burden on visa holders facing challenges in the ongoing switch to eVisas.   Who Is Affected? The initiative, led by the UK H

Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff fe

The Rs 450-crore Rushikonda Palace in Vizag has sparked controversy after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described it as a "criminal waste" of money. The opulent building is equipped with expensive amenities, including Rs 36 lakh bathtubs and Rs 16 lakh commodes with autowash features, raising questions about its necessity. Amid the debate, suggestions have emerged to repurpose the palace as a US Visa Application Centre, as many students from Telugu-speaking stat

The 1990 Immigration Act brought significant changes to the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards, imposing caps of 65,000 and 140,000 annually, respectively. These restrictions were implemented without considering the growing demand for skilled labor fueled by technological advancements. The arbitrary cap on H-1B visas quickly became insufficient as more than 70% of graduate students in tech fields at US universities were international students. In response to the escalat

A groundbreaking study using data from NASA and German satellites has revealed a concerning and persistent decline in Earth's freshwater reserves since May 2014. The findings, published in Surveys in Geophysics, highlight a significant reduction in the amount of freshwater stored on land, including in lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. This shift, tracked by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, suggests a transition towards drier conditions across co

US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed H-1B visa restrictions could have significant implications for India's economy. A report by the State Bank of India (SBI) suggests that while stricter visa rules might increase costs for Indian IT firms operating in the US, they could also encourage India to focus more on domestic manufacturing and economic independence. This potential shift aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative,

Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election has sent shockwaves through global markets, with countries around the world feeling the effects of his win. The dynamics between nations are shifting, and conflicts are being impacted in new ways, highlighting the significant role Trump plays on the world stage. One country that stands to benefit from Trump's policies is India. With China currently dominating the market as the largest exporter of iPhones, India is

With Donald Trump set to become the US president, Indian exporters may face challenges due to potential changes in trade policies. Experts suggest that the 'America First' agenda could lead to higher customs duties on goods like automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, stricter H-1B visa rules may impact Indian IT firms, as a significant portion of their revenue comes from the US market. The US is India's largest trading partner, accounting for a substantia

In a bold move towards establishing India as a global sports powerhouse, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formally expressed its intent to host the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics. A Letter of Intent was sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Future Host Commission on October 1, reinforcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of bringing the Games to Indian soil. PM Modi has publicly shared his enthusiasm for the 2036 Games, emphasizing their potential to foster economi

Nara Lokesh, the scion of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is currently on an extended trip to the USA, where he is actively engaging with global tech giants to attract investments to Andhra Pradesh. One of the highlights of his visit occurred in Atlanta, where he unveiled a statue of the legendary Sr NTR, commissioned by the NRI TDP workers. The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair, marked by a unique spectacle of flower petals showered from a helicopter, adding a festive atmosphere