Residents of the Bay Area experienced a jolt early Monday morning when a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Berkeley, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake hit at 2:56 a.m. and was centered about two miles from Berkeley, occurring along the well-known Hayward fault line that runs through the East Bay. While the earthquake was strong enough to be felt by people across several nearby cities, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, offering reli

The United States has introduced a sweeping change to its immigration policy with the decision to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. Announced by President Donald Trump, the new rule has sent shockwaves across the technology sector, particularly among Indian professionals who make up the majority of recipients of these visas. However, reports suggest that the measure may not be applied uniformly, as certain exemptions could be granted in cases deemed to serve the national

Meta and Microsoft have issued urgent advisories to their H-1B visa employees following US President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown. Internal emails accessed on Saturday revealed that the two tech giants advised foreign workers not to leave the United States for at least 14 days and instructed those currently abroad to return within 24 hours to avoid possible denial of re-entry. Meta’s adviso

US President Donald Trump has stunned India with back-to-back decisions that are being described as both hostile and strategic. Just three days after wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and hailing him as a “tremendous friend,” Trump revoked the sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar Port and slapped an unprecedented $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applicants. Analysts believe these twin moves are a calculated attempt to pressure New

Singer and viral sensation D4vd has canceled the remaining dates of his United States tour following the discovery of a decomposed body in his impounded Tesla. The 15-year-old girl, identified as Celeste Rivas, was found earlier this month, leading authorities to open a death investigation that has now overshadowed the artist’s career. The young performer, who rose to fame on TikTok with viral songs like “Romantic Homicide,” had been touring since August, with sche

The partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, is one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year. Unlike a total eclipse where the Moon completely hides the Sun, this will be a partial eclipse, with the Moon covering up to 80–85% of the Sun’s disk in the most favorable viewing spots. The spectacle will be most striking at sunrise in southern New Zealand and during the morning hours in eastern and southern Australia, including cities like

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has strongly criticised Washington’s trade and tariff threats, arguing that major powers such as India and China cannot be coerced into changing their policies through ultimatums. Speaking on a television programme in Moscow, Lavrov said that the repeated warnings from the United States to cut energy ties with Russia were not only failing but also backfiring, as they were pushing countries to diversify markets, look for alternative energy resources

A 29-year-old software professional from Telangana’s Mahabubnagar district was shot dead by police in the United States after a violent altercation with his roommate. The incident, which occurred on September 3 in Santa Clara, California, has left his family in India devastated and appealing to authorities for assistance in bringing his body home. The victim, Mohammed Nizamuddin, had been living in California after completing his master’s degree in the US and working in

US President Donald Trump has described the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as an “unbreakable bond,” highlighting both its historical significance and present-day strength. Speaking at a business roundtable alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump emphasized that the bilateral partnership is not only rooted in history but also evolving with unprecedented trade and investment initiatives. He called the ties between the two nations &ldq

The state of Ohio is once again at the center of a debate over religion and government after an online petition was launched to remove its official motto, “With God, all things are possible.” The phrase, drawn directly from the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew 19:26, has been a fixture of Ohio identity since 1959 but has faced challenges over the years from those who believe it promotes a specific religion in violation of the principle of separation of church and state. T

The United States has taken a strong stand against the illegal fentanyl trade by revoking and denying visas to several Indian corporate executives and their families over alleged links to trafficking of fentanyl precursors. The move was confirmed by the US Embassy in New Delhi, which described the measure as part of Washington’s intensified efforts to combat the flow of synthetic opioids into America. Although the statement did not name the individuals or companies involved, it signaled

A shocking case from Punjab has highlighted once again the vulnerability of individuals who put their trust in online relationships. Rupinder Kaur Pandher, a 71 year old US citizen of Indian origin, travelled to India in the hope of starting a new life with a man she believed to be her partner. Instead, she was met with betrayal of the cruellest kind, and within weeks of her arrival, she was brutally murdered and burnt alive. Police investigations have revealed that the very man who had promi

What exactly is a hydrogen bomb, the most destructive weapon ever built? Unlike the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which relied on the fission of heavy elements like uranium and plutonium, a hydrogen bomb unleashes its fury through a two-stage process that combines nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Fission provides the spark, generating immense heat and pressure, under which isotopes of hydrogen such as deuterium and tritium fuse tog

Every year, thousands of highly skilled Indian professionals move to the United States on temporary work visas such as the H1B and L1. Their contributions to the American technology sector and wider economy are undeniable, powering billion-dollar businesses and playing a crucial role in innovation and growth. Yet while these professionals help build wealth abroad, billions of their own hard-earned dollars vanish into the US system without ever returning to them. The absence of a totalisation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received birthday wishes from US President Donald Trump ahead of his 75th birthday, even as India and the United States grapple with trade tensions. In a message on X, Modi thanked Trump for his greetings and reiterated his commitment to strengthening the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership. He also expressed support for Washington’s initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means.

Indian actor Jr NTR, who has earned global attention through his performances in Telugu cinema and his recent Bollywood debut, met United States Consul General Laura Williams in Hyderabad. The meeting highlighted not only his film career but also the growing cultural and creative ties between India and the United States. Williams shared her thoughts publicly, appreciating the actor’s projects filmed in the US and underlining how such ventures contribute to economic and cultural partners

The United States was left shaken in the wake of the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump. His death, following a shooting at Utah Valley University, has stirred a heated political storm and brought renewed debate over gun violence, political extremism, and immigration policy. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded firmly, declaring that immigrants found celebrating Kirk’s killing would face visa revocations and possible depo

The latest flashpoint in India-US trade relations has surprisingly centered on corn. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick recently targeted India over its unwillingness to import American maize, questioning why a nation of 1.4 billion people does not buy even a single bushel of US corn while continuing to export heavily to the United States. His comments came against the backdrop of resumed trade negotiations and reflect Washington’s growing desperation to find buyers for surplus grain.

A federal appeals court has ruled that Lisa Cook, a governor at the United States Federal Reserve, will remain in her position for now despite efforts by former President Donald Trump to remove her. The ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit came just before a major Federal Reserve meeting scheduled to begin on Tuesday, where policymakers are expected to weigh critical decisions on interest rates. Trump has sought to dismiss Cook from her role, accu

US President Donald Trump on Monday (September 15) announced that his administration had reached a preliminary agreement with a “certain company,” which he described as the one “young people” in the US “very much wanted to save.” While he did not directly name TikTok, it was evident from the context of his comments. The US Treasury later confirmed that Washington and Beijing had agreed on a framework deal regarding TikTok. Trump also revealed that he would