India and the United States are preparing to open formal discussions this week on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, taking advantage of a 90-day pause in escalating tariffs. The two nations, long-standing economic and strategic partners, are moving to resolve trade tensions and explore deeper commercial engagement at a time when global trade is under pressure from protectionist trends and economic uncertainty. The initial discussions will be conducted virtually, with officials from both

India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dr

After months out of the spotlight, former President Joe Biden returned to the national stage with a blistering critique of the current administration’s handling of Social Security and the deepening divide in American politics. Addressing a crowd of policy advocates and community leaders, Biden warned of sweeping staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and accused the White House of undermining a foundational institution that millions of Americans rely on. Biden&rs

A growing clash between academic independence and federal oversight has erupted into a full-scale standoff after the Trump administration announced a freeze on over $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University. The decision comes after the Ivy League institution firmly rejected a list of sweeping federal demands, including audits of student viewpoints and the dismantling of diversity and inclusion programs. On Monday night, the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat

A controversial proposal by Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from constitutional scholars, legal analysts, and civil rights advocates after he suggested that U.S. citizens convicted of crimes should be deported to foreign countries, including El Salvador. The idea, mentioned during a recent meeting with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, has been widely condemned as unconstitutional and without legal basis under existing immigration law. Trump, during his remarks, focused

In a significant policy shift, the United States government has implemented a rule mandating that all foreign nationals residing in the country for more than 30 days must register with federal authorities. This measure, rooted in historical legislation, has been revived and is now being enforced with renewed vigor. The rule stipulates that non-citizens aged 14 and above must submit their personal information, including fingerprints and residential addresses, to the U.S. Citizenshi

As immigration concerns and political unpredictability in the United States intensify, Britain—particularly London—is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for not only global travellers and academics but also for vibrant artistic talent. Recent trends highlight a noticeable drop in the number of British citizens traveling to the US, while simultaneously showcasing a surge in visibility and success of Indian-origin actors on the West End stage The drop in Briti

In a sweeping change to US immigration enforcement, a new federal mandate now requires all immigrants—including legal visa holders and permanent residents—to carry valid identification at all times while in the United States. This directive, which came into effect on April 11, has sparked significant discussion among immigrant communities and legal experts, particularly those affected, such as H-1B workers, F-1 student visa holders, and Green Card recipients. The polic

A roofing company in northern Washington state became the focal point of a major federal immigration enforcement action this week, resulting in the arrest of 37 individuals. The operation took place in Bellingham, a city situated near the Canadian border, where federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) executed a raid at Mt. Baker Roofing’s warehouse early Wednesday morning. The agents, part of ICE’s Home

A federal judge has declined a request to block immigration enforcement operations at religious institutions, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the balance between national immigration policy and religious freedom. The ruling was delivered by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington, D.C., who determined that the plaintiffs—over two dozen religious organizations representing Christian and Jewish communities—did not demonstrate sufficient gro

A wave of student visa revocations at universities across the U.S. has left hundreds of international students in limbo, with Texas institutions such as the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), University of North Texas (UNT), Texas A&M, and UT Austin among those affected. School officials are scrambling to support affected students while seeking clarity from federal authorities regarding the reasoning behind these abrupt visa terminations. Although the exact cause of the revoca

The annual H-1B visa lottery has always been a high-stakes moment for both international employees and employers in the United States. With the 2025 H-1B lottery now complete, many human resource managers are facing a challenging yet crucial task: supporting valued employees who were not selected. The disappointment of not being chosen can bring significant uncertainty for these workers, but HR professionals can play a vital role in guiding them through their next steps and exploring alternative

The University of Texas at Austin has announced the immediate termination of its Flags program, a cornerstone of its graduation requirements for the past two decades. The university will replace it with a skills-based educational model designed to better align with workforce demands, student flexibility, and public scrutiny around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Flags program required undergraduates to complete coursework in cultural diversity, global cultures, ethics,

  A small family-run theater in Washington Township, New Jersey, has been forced to change its policies after a viral social media trend led to widespread chaos and damage during the opening night of the much-anticipated Minecraft movie. The Township Theatre, a local entertainment staple, announced new restrictions requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult when attending the movie after a disruptive incident that left the facility damaged and other guests distressed.

  India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has expressed confidence that the recent tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump could present an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in global trade. In response to the sudden shift in the U.S. trade stance, Goyal stated that India is well-positioned to benefit economically from the new environment created by America's protectionist approach. Trump recently declared a s

A growing wave of visa cancellations is sweeping through international student communities in the United States, raising alarm among students, universities, and civil rights advocates. According to a report by the Associated Press, international students—especially those from India—are facing heightened scrutiny, with some losing their student visas over issues as minor as traffic violations or social media activity. In a troubling shift, several top US universities including Harvard

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, will begin a two-day official visit to India on Tuesday, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Monday. This marks the first official visit to India by Sheikh Hamdan in his capacity as Crown Prince and will include meetings with top Indian leadership as well as engagements aimed at strengthening b

As the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage nears, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of certain categories of visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The suspension affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas and will remain in place until mid-June, aligning with the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The decision reportedly aims to address logistical challenges and prevent unauthorized participation in the Hajj. The countries impacted by this move inc

If you are planning to apply for a marriage-based green card in 2025, prepare for a significantly more challenging and time-consuming process. The changes, largely influenced by the revised policies during the Trump administration, are causing delays across various stages, including biometrics, interviews, and approvals. USCIS has not implemented fixes to these delays yet, and applicants can expect longer processing times as well as more stringent documentation checks. A marria

The results of the 2026 H-1B visa lottery have left thousands of hopeful Indian professionals facing disappointment. The high demand once again overwhelmed the limited supply of available slots, with only 65,000 positions under the regular cap and an additional 20,000 allocated for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Despite the odds, not being selected in this competitive lottery doesn't necessarily spell the end of the road. For those who weren’t chosen, there