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

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,

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

As part of its commitment to the NDA coalition's promises made prior to the elections, the central government is actively working to halt the disinvestment process of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), commonly known as the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, there are ongoing efforts to ensure the plant remains operational amid concerns over financial viability and raw material shortages. Recent reports indicate that the B

In a significant update for the food and hospitality sector, the office of the Commissioner of Police in Visakhapatnam City has issued new instructions allowing restaurants and eateries to stay open until midnight. This decision follows guidelines set by the Government of Andhra Pradesh under Sections 7(2) and 15(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act 1988, which specifically excludes bars and restaurants. Previously, hotels and eateries were restricted to operating u

In a powerful display of solidarity, 50 senior faculty members at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have resigned in support of protesting junior doctors. This unprecedented action comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, which has ignited widespread outrage and demands for reform within the healthcare system. Visuals shared on social media captured the moment when students erupted in applause as the senior doctors submit

Hurricane Helene, now classified as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm, is racing across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, posing a severe threat of "catastrophic" storm surges in the state's northwestern region. The storm is expected to bring destructive winds, heavy rains, and flash flooding to a vast portion of the southeastern U.S., with landfall anticipated by Thursday evening, according to forecasters. States of emergency have been declared in Flor

Vijay Sharma, a fake doctor, was arrested for orchestrating a significant scam that involved selling fraudulent medical degrees to over 400 students. This deceptive scheme defrauded students of approximately ₹3.7 crore, leaving many unaware of the illegitimacy of their degrees until they sought employment or applied for medical licenses. The investigation revealed that Khusro Memorial P.G. College played a pivotal role in issuing these fake MBBS degrees from various universities across Indi

Introduction and Background: In Kolkata, junior doctors are continuing their protest over the horrific rape-murder of a fellow doctor. Their protest has brought significant attention to their demands for greater transparency in the investigation and meetings with state officials. Recently, these doctors received a "fifth and final" invitation from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss their concerns. This meeting is crucial given the recent develop

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a dramatic standoff with junior doctors in an emotional speech, expressing her willingness to step down from her post to prioritize the well-being of the people. The tension peaked after doctors refused to attend a crucial meeting at the state secretariat due to a disagreement over the live transmission of the proceedings. Banerjee's offer to resign was driven by her frustration with the ongoing healthcare cr

RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has recently issued a notice to 51 of its doctors, including senior residents, house staff, interns, and professors, for allegedly promoting a culture of intimidation that threatens the democratic atmosphere of the institution. The notice, signed by the hospital's principal, demands that these doctors appear before an enquiry committee on September 11 to prove their innocence. Until then, their access to the hospital campus is restricted and their parti

In the ongoing Kolkata hospital rape-murder case, the Supreme Court’s fresh scrutiny has significantly intensified the BJP's demand for the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. The court's focus on alleged lapses in the police investigation, including a missing postmortem challan and the 14-hour delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR), has fueled calls for accountability. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, emphasized the importance of the

India has reported its first confirmed case of Mpox (Monkeypox) in Delhi, marking a notable development amid a global rise in infections and fatalities. The patient, a young male with recent travel history from a region experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care facility. The individual remains clinically stable and does not exhibit any severe symptoms or comorbidities, according to the health authorities. The government of India has

In recent months, CM Chandrababu Naidu has focused on driving investment into Andhra Pradesh, engaging with global entities such as the World Bank and Brookfield Corporation, and exploring opportunities in EV and alternative energy sectors. His latest push involves a significant meeting with Godrej Industries, where he discussed a potential Rs 2800 crore investment for pesticide manufacturing in Amarava