The US PERM suspension affecting Microsoft, Infosys, TCS and five other technology firms has raised questions about changing employers. H-1B workers may qualify for job portability, but transferring jobs can require new green card sponsorship. Approved I-140 petitions may offer protections. Indian technology professionals affected by the US government's suspension of eight companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) may still be able to change em

The US PERM suspension affecting eight technology companies has raised questions about existing H-1B visas and approved I-140 petitions. The October 8, 2026, decision targets labor certification processing, not automatic cancellation of existing immigration approvals, although individual cases may face complications. The US government's suspension of eight major technology companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) has raised questions among for

The US PERM suspension announced on October 8, 2026, has halted processing of pending labor certification applications involving eight major technology companies. Indian H-1B workers pursuing employment-based green cards could face delays, while questions remain about existing applications. The US government's decision to suspend eight technology companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) has created uncertainty for foreign professionals awaitin

The US PERM suspension announced October 8, 2026, affects Microsoft, Infosys, TCS, Adobe and four other technology companies. The restrictions halt new and pending labor certification processing, potentially delaying employment-based green cards for Indian H-1B workers. The Trump administration announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026, that eight major technology companies would be suspended from the US Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), citing alleged immi

The DHS OPT fee proposal would require SEVP-certified U.S. schools to pay $70,000 before an initial F-1 OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later recommendations, potentially reshaping post-study work options for international students.   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a major new fee structure for Optional Practical Training, or OPT, that would require participating colleges and universities to pay tens of thousands of dollars before

Foreign nationals facing criminal proceedings in India may still be able to seek renewal of an employment visa, but approval is not automatic. FRRO authorities examine eligibility, documents and applicable restrictions, while some cases may require separate court clearance. A pending criminal case in India does not necessarily mean that a foreign national is automatically barred from applying to renew an employment visa. However, the application can become more comp

An FRRO NOC may be required in certain Indian immigration or visa cases, depending on the applicant's visa category and circumstances. Here is how FRRO services work, when additional clearance may be sought and why an NOC does not itself guarantee visa approval. Foreign nationals living, studying or working in India may encounter the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, or FRRO, when dealing with registration and visa-related services. In some cases, applicants

Anant Ambani’s Champions of Care initiative brings Vantara and more than 50 animal welfare groups together to strengthen rescue services, veterinary care, shelters and community animal support across India, with a focus on long-term, practical solutions.   Anant Ambani has launched Champions of Care, a new nationwide animal welfare initiative that aims to strengthen the work of organisations caring for animals across India. The programme, led by Vantara, has brou

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize race has taken an unusual turn as the International Space Station joins political leaders, humanitarian organisations and international courts in public speculation. With 287 candidates registered and the Oct 9 Nobel announcement approaching, attention is turning to who best represents peace and cooperation. The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on October 9. According to the Nobel Peace Pri

Canada work permit processing times are becoming more personalized for certain applicants, including some workers and international graduates, as IRCC provides estimates more closely tied to when an application was submitted rather than only a general current timeline. Canada has updated how some applicants see Canada work permit processing times, giving certain workers and international graduates estimates more closely connected to when their appl

A 27-year-old postgraduate medical student was found dead inside a hotel room in Hyderabad’s Miyapur area, prompting police to register a murder case and launch an investigation. Police are also searching for a man who was reportedly with her at the hotel. The deceased has been identified as K Srijana, a resident of Sangareddy. She was pursuing her first-year postgraduate course in Paediatrics at a medical college in Ha

US visa revocations have surpassed 250,000 since President Donald Trump returned to office, according to the State Department. The total includes cases involving criminal conduct, visa violations, fraud and about 2,300 revocations connected to birth tourism. The U.S. State Department says it has revoked more than 250,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, marking a major increase in immigration screening and post-issuance enforcem

Asian Games 2026 Day 12 turned into a memorable outing for India as compound archery delivered three gold medals and Neeru Dhanda added another shooting title. Lovlina Borgohain reached the boxing final, while Indian squash and tennis players also made progress. India compound archery gold medals lift tally to 10 India enjoyed one of its strongest days at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya as the compound archery contingent produced a remarkable run of

India specialty pharma zero tariff treatment will apply to qualifying medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients entering the United States under new Commerce Department rules. India is among 19 eligible jurisdictions as Washington prepares to apply a 100% Section 232 tariff to many covered patented drugs from September 29. Specialty drugs The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security has defined several categories that can r

Russia backs India for a permanent UNSC seat as Sergey Lavrov renews Moscow’s support for India and Brazil at the UNGA. The move sharpens the UNSC reform debate, highlighting G4 differences and calls for stronger Global South representation.   Russia backs India UNSC bid at UN General Assembly Russia has renewed its support for India becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using citizens from 47 countries in its war against Ukraine, naming India, Ghana, Nepal and several other nations during an address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026. Zelensky also focused on foreign recruitment, North Korea, expanding drone partnerships, possible winter attacks and efforts to reduce Russian war revenue. Recruitment raises concerns over foreign fighters

Ilaiyaraaja has received a ceremonial stamp honour at the Australian Parliament in recognition of his 50 years in cinema. The celebrated composer shared the news on social media, describing the moment as deeply moving for someone who grew up in a remote village in Tamil Nadu. Ilaiyaraaja thanks artists and listeners Ilaiyaraaja thanked Victorian Finance Minister E

The NHS could improve patient outcomes substantially without simply relying on higher spending, according to a new Health Foundation report examining productivity across England’s health service. The study says structural problems, ageing infrastructure and administrative burdens are limiting what doctors, nurses and hospitals can achieve with existing resources. NHS red tape adds pressure on staff The Health Foundation’s NHS Productivity Commission says unnecessary regulation, reporting and compliance requirements are consuming staff time that could be used more effectively. It argues that fragmented accountability and short-term planning make it difficult for NHS organisations to sustain improvements. The report recommends creating a dedicated mechanism to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy while giving local NHS leaders greater freedom to improve services. It also stresses that managers and administrative staff play an important role in preventing additional non-clinical work from falling onto doctors and nurses. NHS AI use could improve productivity Technology is another major area where the report sees room for improvement. It says poor IT systems and uneven adoption of new tools continue to waste clinical time, even though artificial intelligence could help streamline administration, diagnostics and patient care. The commission recommends a national “test-and-learn” approach so the NHS can evaluate promising technologies, including AI, before expanding successful models across the system. Separate UK government work on healthcare AI has also highlighted its potential to help identify serious conditions earlier and reduce administrative workload, while stressing the need for safety and human oversight. Early diagnosis could prevent thousands of deaths Delayed diagnosis remains another productivity and health challenge. The report points to diseases including cancer, diabetes and other treatable conditions where earlier detection could improve survival and reduce the need for more complex treatment later. Its international analysis estimates that if England matched the outcomes of better-performing comparable health systems, there could be around 18,500 to 20,600 fewer treatable deaths each year. People could also gain an average of 2.5 to 4.5 additional years of good health. These figures are estimates based on comparisons between health systems rather than guaranteed outcomes from individual reforms. NHS bed gaps and ageing hospitals limit care Infrastructure remains a major obstacle. Ageing hospitals, maintenance needs and limited diagnostic, operating-theatre and bed capacity can slow patient movement through the health system. The Health Foundation has previously noted that England has fewer hospital beds and less diagnostic capacity than several comparable countries. More staff alone cannot solve those constraints if hospitals lack modern buildings, equipment, technology and enough capacity to diagnose and treat patients efficiently. NHS savings could reach £33 billion a year The commission estimates that sustained productivity improvements could eventually be worth around £33 billion annually, roughly equivalent to about $44 billion depending on exchange rates. The central argument is not that the NHS can simply cut spending, but that it can generate better outcomes from the resources already available. The Department of Health and Social Care said the NHS is already improving productivity through greater use of technology, reduced agency staffing and leaner back-office operations. It pointed to record numbers of appointments, tests and scans, while acknowledging that considerably more work remains under the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. 

Vijay expands Kamaraj breakfast scheme in Tamil Nadu to Classes 6-8, adding nearly 15.30 lakh students. The Tamil Nadu free breakfast scheme now widens school meal coverage across government and government-aided schools. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has expanded the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to students studying in Classes 6 to 8, significantly widening the reach of the state's free morning meal programme.

Pakistan is facing one of its most serious security challenges in years as militant violence rises, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad blames groups including the TTP, now officially called Fitna al-Khawarij, while cross-border strikes in Afghanistan are adding fresh tension. Pakistan terror surge reaches decade-high levels