Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) have surged to an all-time high, climbing 0.43% from Thursday's rates, reaching Rs 79,970 for contracts expiring on February 5, 2025. The precious metal has seen an upward trajectory this week, following a climb in spot prices which also touched record highs. As of 6:50 a.m. on Friday, gold's spot price in India stood at Rs 79,980 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. Despite the earlier rise, prices cooled o

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order A federal district court in Seattle became the first battleground in a legal war over President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting birthright citizenship. The executive order, which sought to restrict automatic U.S. citizenship to children born only to U.S. citizens and green card holders, was blocked temporarily

In one of his first actions upon returning to the Oval Office this week, President Trump directed federal agencies to explore measures to ease consumer prices in the U.S. However, experts caution that his administration's strict immigration policies could increase inflation and negatively impact various industries by reducing the nation's workforce. “A reduced labor supply exerts upward pressure on wages,

There’s a growing rush among Indian couples in the U.S. to schedule C-sections ahead of a critical February 20 deadline, following President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Indian-origin doctors report an influx of requests, with one gynecologist revealing he has received calls from around 20 couples in just a few days. Under this policy, children born in the U.S. on or before

Trump expressed strong support for the H-1B program, emphasizing the value of bringing “competent” and “great” people into the United States. “I like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping others who may not have the qualifications they do,” Trump said. He acknowledged the role of skilled workers in expanding businesses an

Trump Declares Emergency at Southern Border, Proposes Revocation of Birthright Citizenship Washington, D.C. – In a controversial move, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border on his first day back in office. He outlined a series of sweeping immigration reforms aimed at curbing illegal immigration, including a proposed executive order t

Sanctuary Cities Reevaluate Stance as Trump Prepares Mass Deportation Policies As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again with plans to enforce mass deportations, several sanctuary cities are reassessing their positions on immigration policies. While some local officials are softening their rhetoric and signaling a willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, others remain steadf

In a significant development for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (Vizag Steel), the Union Government has announced a Rs 11,440 crore financial package to revive the struggling plant. This decision, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a critical step towards revitalizing the steel plant that has been facing severe financial chal

The Edakunni v. Mayorkas Settlement: Key Details and Implications as Expiration Looms The Edakunni v. Mayorkas settlement, enacted in 2023, provided much-needed relief to H-4 and L-2 dependents—the spouses and children of H-1B and L-1 visa holders—by reinstating simultaneous adjudications for dependent status and work authorization applications. This practice aimed to res

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States will inaugurate its consulate in Bengaluru on Friday, January 17, 2025, fulfilling a long-standing demand from the city and its residents for local access to US consular services. The announcement was made by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who confirmed that the consulate would be dedicated by the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti.  

Concerns Over Travel and Policy Changes As Donald Trump prepared to assume office as the U.S. President on January 20, Indian H-1B visa holders faced significant uncertainty about potential immigration policy changes. Lawyers and employers advised many to avoid international travel due to fears that reentry could become difficult under new regulations. This led to a wave of caution among Indian p

The United States is set to implement a modernized version of the H-1B visa program starting January 17, 2025, aiming to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency in hiring global talent. The updated rules, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also address concerns over fraud involving employers, employees, and advocacy groups. Boosting Competitiveness and Flexibility

The morning after last year’s Election Day, a civics teacher and ESL coordinator at a South Florida school with a predominantly Latino student population, found herself taking on an unexpected role. By the end of that day, more than two dozen students had approached her, deeply concerned about potential changes to immigration enforcement under the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency.

Gold prices saw an increase of Rs 250, reaching Rs 80,550 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday. This rise in prices was driven by continuous demand from retailers and stockists, as well as the weakening of the Indian rupee, which hit a record low. The previous day, gold had been priced at Rs 80,300 per 10 grams, according to the All-India Sarafa Association. Silver prices, however, remained unchanged at Rs 93,000 per kg. Gold of 99.5% purity continued its upward trajectory

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has released the admit card for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025. Registered candidates can now download their admit cards from the official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in. GATE 2025 is set to take place on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and it will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode across eight different zones. Results are expected to be announced on March 19, 2025. Candidates can follow a simple ste

The United States will soon allow highly skilled professionals, especially Indians working in specialized fields, to renew their H-1B visas without leaving the country. This change follows a successful pilot program launched a year ago, which involved approximately 20,000 participants. The new process, aimed at making visa renewals quicker and more convenient, eliminates the need for applicants to travel back to their home countries for a visa stamp. This has been a long-awaited relief for ma

Indian IT services companies are likely to benefit from ongoing discussions about H-1B visa policy changes, despite holding a relatively small share of the overall visa sponsorships, according to Macquarie Research. The report emphasizes the challenges of hiring locally within the United States and underscores the crucial role H-1B visas play in addressing the shortage of technical talent.  

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has postponed the release date for the GATE 2025 admit cards. Initially scheduled for January 2, the admit cards will now be available for download starting January 7, 2025. Registered candidates can access their admit cards by visiting the official GATE 2025 website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in, using their login credentials. The GATE 2025 exam is scheduled for February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and it will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mo

The H-1B visa is a temporary work permit issued by the U.S. to foreign nationals with specialized skills in fields like technology, engineering, medicine, and finance. Initially granted for three years, the visa can be extended up to six years, with the possibility of indefinite renewals for those pursuing permanent residency through a Green Card. The visa provides a vital bridge for skilled workers to join U.S. companies facing talent shortages. The application process for the H-1B

A vlogger recently outlined compelling reasons why Indian passport holders should consider investing in a 10-year U.S. visa, highlighting its long-term advantages for frequent travelers. The multiple-entry visa eliminates the need for repeated applications and offers flexibility for personal, professional, or leisure trips to the United States. In a post on X, Ami Palan, an Indian passport holder, emphasized that possessing a U.S. visa often simplifies the process of obtaining visas