The Trump administration has moved to overhaul the H-1B visa program, proposing to eliminate the long-standing lottery system in favor of a wage-based selection model. The Department of Homeland Security announced that the new rules would prioritize higher-paid and higher-skilled workers, significantly altering how foreign talent enters the United States. Under the proposal, applicants would be weighted based on the

India and the United States appear to be finding common ground in long-stalled trade negotiations, with sources calling the latest talks in New York encouraging. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and India’s chief trade negotiator Rajesh Agarwal met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to restart discussions on a pending agreement. According to officials, both delegations expressed commitment to moving past earlier setbacks and accelerating pr

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions to win the Nobel Peace Prize depend entirely on whether he can end the ongoing war in Gaza. Speaking to France’s BFM TV from New York, Macron emphasized that Trump is the only leader with enough influence to pressure Israel to halt the conflict. According to Macron, Washington’s role in supplying weapons and equip

Addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2025, United States President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on India, China, and even some NATO allies. In a strongly worded speech, Trump alleged that both New Delhi and Beijing are the “primary funders” of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine through their continued purchase of Russian oil. He claimed that these energy imports were a major reason why Moscow had been able to susta

Cricket lost one of its most iconic and beloved figures as legendary umpire Dickie Bird passed away on September 23, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on April 19, 1933, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, Bird was not only an umpire but a symbol of the spirit of cricket, respected for his fairness, humanity, and ability to bring warmth to the game. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club confirmed his death with “profound sadness,” recognising him as a national treasure

The Diwali season is one of the busiest times of the year for Apple in India, and 2025 is no exception. With the launch of the iPhone 17 series creating a frenzy across major cities, Apple has rolled out attractive festive offers that include instant cashback, no-cost EMIs, and deals across iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watch devices. Buyers in India can now take advantage of discounts that make premium Apple devices more accessible just in time for the

Dulquer Salmaan, one of India’s most popular actors, is as famous for his impeccable taste in cinema as he is for his passion for luxury automobiles. Known as an avid car enthusiast, Dulquer has quietly built one of the most talked-about private garages in the country. With recent reports of nationwide inspections into luxury car tax evasion placing him back in headlines, his car collection has drawn even more public fascination. From Ferraris to classic

US President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications has triggered heated debates across global markets. While the move is designed to discourage foreign workers from entering the United States, economists warn that its long-term impact could weigh more heavily on the US economy than on India, the country supplying the majority of H-1B talent. H-1B visas are critica

Missing a flight is one of the most common travel nightmares. The panic of seeing your plane taxi away can make passengers assume they have lost all the money spent on their ticket. However, aviation regulations and airline policies provide multiple options for recovering part of your costs, even if you are marked as a no-show. In India and abroad, rules around refunds, credits, and travel insurance are more flexible than most people realize. Knowing your right

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

President Donald Trump paid tribute to Charlie Kirk during the activist’s funeral, calling him a “great American hero” and a “martyr” for freedom. As thousands gathered to honor Kirk, Trump shared what he said were among Kirk’s final words to him, connecting his memory to the ongoing crime crisis in Chicago. “He was an all-American in everything he did,” Trump said. “One of the last things he said to me was, ‘Please sir,

The 71st National Film Awards will be held on September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours. Beginning at 4 pm IST, the ceremony will celebrate excellence in Indian cinema for films released in 2023. The event can be watched live on the DD News YouTube channel from 3 pm, starting with the red carpet. This year’s winners reflect the wide spectrum of Indian

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, just before the start of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace, marked their first in-person engagement since the United States announced an additional twenty-five percent tariff on India in response to Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, which raised the total tariff burden to fifty percent. This face-to-face discuss

The festival season has started with gold shining at record highs, igniting the debate on where investors should park their money right now. On the first day of Navratri 2025, spot gold surged 1.1% to $3,723.81 per ounce, briefly hitting $3,726.19 — its highest level yet. US gold futures for December delivery also climbed 1.4% to $3,758.40, strengthening gold’s dominance as a safe-haven asset. With price

The Government of India has rolled out a historic reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system by eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs and restructuring the tax categories. The changes, which took effect today, bring relief to households as 99% of daily-use products will now fall under lower tax rates. However, in order to balance revenue and discourage harmful or luxury consumption, the government has introduced a new 40% GST slab for specific goods.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will hold crucial talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, September 22. This meeting, taking place on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, marks the first high-level engagement between India and the United States since President Donald Trump’s sharp policy moves targeting New Delhi, including a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods and a steep increase in H1-B vi

Popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, known for his soulful voice and evergreen hits, passed away on September 19 in Singapore after a tragic swimming accident. According to officials, he removed his life jacket on a yacht trip, calling it oversized, but was later found floating in the sea. Despite immediate CPR and being rushed to Singapore General Hospital, he was declared dead. His mortal remains reached Delhi, where Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,

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