The United States is making significant changes to its non-immigrant visa procedures, reinstating mandatory in-person interviews for most applicants under the B1 and B2 visa categories, which cover short-term business and tourist travel. These new regulations will take effect from September 2, 2025, and will affect a broad segment of travelers, especially from countries like India that have a high volume of B1/B2 applicants. According to an official update from the government on J

President Donald Trump has announced what he described as the largest trade agreement ever signed between the United States and the European Union. This comprehensive pact includes the imposition of a 15% tariff on European Union imports to the United States. The agreement was reached following a high-level meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the President’s private resort in Scotland. It was finalized just ahead of a looming deadline that could have

A newly introduced $250 "visa integrity fee" for non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States is raising significant concerns among travelers, students, and immigration professionals. Passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this fee is scheduled to take effect during the United States fiscal year 2025, spanning from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Although the legislative framework is already in place, the exact implementation date and detailed administrative pr

President Donald Trump has announced a major trade deal with Indonesia, declaring that the United States will now enjoy full market access to the Southeast Asian country. According to the President, Indonesia will impose a reduced 19% tariff on its exports to the United States, while American exports to Indonesia will be completely exempt from both tariffs and non-tariff barriers. In his statement, Trump also claimed that India is working along the same lines as Indonesia in its ongoing trade ta

  Indian-origin executive Vaibhav Taneja, currently serving as Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer, has emerged as a key figure in Elon Musk’s latest political move — the formation of the America Party (AMEP). According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Taneja has been officially listed as the Treasurer and Custodian of Records for the party. This appointment places him at the administrative and financial core of Musk’s ambitious

The United States government has taken urgent steps to safeguard its citizens and diplomatic personnel in response to rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In anticipation of potential retaliation from Iran, the State Department has doubled the number of emergency evacuation flights available for American citizens wishing to depart from Israel. This move reflects growing concern over the rapidly deteriorating secu

As of June 19, 2025, the United States is transitioning from spring into summer, with two distinct interpretations of seasonal timing offering different start dates. Meteorologically, summer began on June 1, while astronomically, the summer season officially starts on June 20. This variation often leads to the question: what season is it in the United States right now? The answer depends on whether one is looking through the lens of astronomy or meteorology. Both systems are valid and widely

San Jose’s independent police auditor is advocating for the authority to review every police use-of-force incident, including those that do not result in injury. This expanded oversight model, already in place at the county level, has sparked debate and resistance from the city’s police department and councilmembers, who cite budget and staffing concerns. In 2024, San Jose police reported 400 incidents involving the use of force, of which 13 led to great bodily injury.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a major expansion of its travel ban, potentially adding 36 countries to the list of those restricted from entering the United States. This move comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which began in earnest during his second term. Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation banning travelers from 12 countries, citing national security concerns and threats posed by foreign t

  A disturbing incident at Newark Liberty International Airport has triggered widespread concern after an Indian student was reportedly handcuffed and deported, prompting a response from both the US Embassy in India and the Indian Consulate in New York. The controversy began after a video posted on social media by Kunal Jain, a non-resident Indian (NRI) and social entrepreneur, went viral. Jain described witnessing a young Indian student in visible distress being

The cost of tariffs remains one of the most contentious and difficult aspects of international trade policy. While politically charged, the real impact on American consumers can be analyzed by modeling how the proposed tariffs influence retail prices of everyday goods. A detailed analysis by retail consultancy AlixPartners shows just how significantly shoppers might feel the pinch under former President Donald Trump’s proposed and existing tariffs, particularly when it comes to commonly

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has issued a strong cautionary message about the future of the United States economy, highlighting the dangers posed by continued political interference in the flow of international students to American universities. Speaking in an interview, Rajan warned that recent visa policy changes and administrative tightening could have long-term negative consequences on the country's global innovation leadership, economic vitality, and competiti

The US Embassy in India has officially announced that student visa (F-1) appointments for the Fall 2025 intake will begin opening from May 20, 2025. This announcement comes as a welcome move for thousands of Indian students planning to begin their studies in the United States later this year. The appointments will be released gradually across various consulates in India, including those in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and will be offered in phases over the summer months.

The United States Embassy in Romania has announced an important procedural change for all nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective April 7, all applicants must present a printed copy of their DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode to confirm that the same DS-160 form was used to schedule their visa appointment. Before attending their visa interview, applicants must ensure that the barcode number on the DS-160 form exactly matches the one used to book their appointment on USTrav

OpenAI unveiled its latest innovation, Deep Research, on February 2, 2025, a powerful AI tool designed to perform complex research tasks by gathering and synthesizing data from across the internet. This AI tool promises to function at the level of a research analyst, providing users with comprehensive, well-synthesized reports using information from various online sources, including text, images, and PDFs. Deep Research is built on a version of OpenAI’s upcoming o3 model, optimized for

A groundbreaking study has uncovered notable differences in the nut-cracking abilities of chimpanzees within the same group, shedding new light on their cognitive and motor skills. Researchers analyzed extensive video footage of wild chimpanzees from Bossou, Guinea, where they observed 3,882 instances of chimps attempting to crack open nuts using stones as tools. The study found varying levels of efficiency among individuals, indicating differences in cognitive abilities and physical dexterit

US Election 2024: Will H-1B Visas Face More Restrictions if Donald Trump Wins? The outcome of the 2024 US Presidential Election could significantly impact employment-based immigration, particularly for H-1B visa holders. A report by JM Financial highlights that if Donald Trump returns to office, his previous restrictive policies on H-1B and L-1 visas may resurface, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and higher denial rates. During Trump’s fi

US Election 2024: Donald Trump Leads Kamala Harris in All Swing States As the 2024 Presidential Election approaches its final days, the focus remains on the critical swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the election. According to a recent poll conducted by AtlasIntel, former President Donald Trump is leading against Vice President Kamala Harris in all seven key swing states. The poll shows Trump with 49% of the overall vote, leading Harris, who stands at 4