The 1990 Immigration Act brought significant changes to the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards, imposing caps of 65,000 and 140,000 annually, respectively. These restrictions were implemented without considering the growing demand for skilled labor fueled by technological advancements. The arbitrary cap on H-1B visas quickly became insufficient as more than 70% of graduate students in tech fields at US universities were international students. In response to the escalat

Donald Trump’s presidential appointments of Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz mark a decisive shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to China. Rubio, tapped as Secretary of State, and Waltz, named National Security Advisor, represent a hawkish approach to international relations, one that sharply contrasts with

Despite warnings from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, MLAs from the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh are reportedly continuing to interfere in liquor and sand businesses. Complaints of intimidation and demands for commissions from business owners have been flooding in, despite Naidu's instructions to refrain from such activities. The new excise policy has also been marred by controversies, with allegations of MLAs obstructing businesspeople from participating in the tender process f

Donald Trump’s recent vow to stop renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind farms, on the first day of his potential presidency has raised alarm bells across the clean energy sector. In a statement that shocked industry leaders, Trump promised to “make sure that ends on day one,” referring to the offshore wind farms that are seen as a key component of the Biden administration’s green energy agenda. The pledge sent ripple effects through the stock market, wi

The possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2024 raises important questions about the future of India-US relations. A second Trump presidency could bring significant shifts across several key areas, including trade, immigration, military cooperation, and broader diplomatic engagement. During his first term, Trump’s “America First” agenda and his transactional approach to foreign policy led to major policy changes such as tariffs on foreign goods

In a notable shift in immigration policy, Canada has decided to cut its immigration targets significantly, responding to increasing public concerns regarding the impact of new arrivals on housing and resources. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the government will lower its immigration goals from a planned 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 to 395,000 for 2025 and 380,000 for 2026. This decision follows a recent survey indicating that a majority of Canadians now believe the co

During a compelling interview at the  World Summit, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar shed light on the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, which have faced significant strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar criticized what he termed "double standards" in diplomatic treatment, noting that while Canadian diplomat

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his displeasure regarding the rising complaints about the implementation of the new sand policy in Andhra Pradesh, particularly concerning the availability of sand and the high transportation charges associated with it. In light of these issues, the Mining Department has made a crucial adjustment to the policy. Effective immediately, citizens are now permitted to collect free sand from their nearest reaches and fulfillment points using

As of October 16, the long-anticipated liquor policy of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has officially launched, marking a significant shift in how liquor is sold in the state. Under this new policy, all liquor shops have been privatized, ensuring that only quality liquor will be sold, alongside the introduction of digital payment options, replacing the cash-only system that was prevalent under the previous YCP government. In an impressive start, new license holders have contri

The Andhra Pradesh government's recent call for tenders for new liquor outlet licenses has led to a significant surge in applications, with nearly 90,000 non-refundable applications received as of October 13. The lottery process to select the winning bids took place on October 14, marking a pivotal moment in the implementation of this new policy. From the 90,000 applications alone, the government has already raised ₹1,800 crore, with each application costing ₹2 lakh. The win

The government of Andhra Pradesh has reached a significant milestone in implementing its new liquor policy. The issuance of liquor licenses has been finalized, generating a remarkable ₹1,797.64 crore in revenue for the state. The government invited tenders for the existing 3,396 liquor outlets across AP, resulting in an astonishing 89,882 applications. Each tender application cost ₹2 lakh, with

Telangana has a vibrant culture that sees liquor sales soar during the Dasara season, and this year has been no exception—setting an unprecedented record. From October 1st to 11th, a staggering 10.4 lakh cases of liquor and 17.5 lakh cases of beer were sold, accumulating sales worth ₹1,057.42 crore. By October 10th, the figures had already reached 836,000 cases of li

In a significant move, the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has initiated steps to overturn the controversial liquor policy implemented by former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Under Jagan's regime, all liquor shops were government-run, leading to widespread complaints about poor-quality liquor, inflated prices, and a cash-only payment policy. Starting from October 1 to 9, tenders will be invited for

On Thursday, the government revealed a significant increase in minimum wage rates through the revision of the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), aiming to assist workers in managing the rising cost of living. This adjustment will particularly benefit those in the unorganised sector, including workers involved in construction, loading and unloading, cleaning, housekeeping, mining, and agriculture within central sphere establishments. The revised wage rates will be implemented startin

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a strategic move to reduce the number of international study permits granted to foreign students, aiming to curb the rising population of temporary residents in the country. As part of this initiative, the government will decrease the number of study permits by 35% this year, with plans for an additional 10% cut next year. This decision underscores the government's intent to crack down on abuses of the immigration system.

Elon Musk's latest generation of Starlink satellites is raising significant concerns among Dutch scientists, who argue that the rapid expansion of these satellites is severely interfering with astronomical research. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) have reported that thousands of Starlink satellites are "blinding" radio telescopes, complicating the collection of clean data essential for understanding the universe. While Starlink sat

As the vibrant Onam celebrations unfold in Kerala, the state-run Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) has reported a staggering ₹818.21 crore in liquor sales over the festival's 12-day period. This figure surpasses last year's sales of ₹809.25 crore, underscoring the central role that spirits play in marking one of the state's most cherished festivals. The peak sales day, Uthradam—preceding Thiruvonam—saw remarkable activity at BEVCO outlets, partic

The Andhra Pradesh government has officially announced a new liquor policy that will take effect on October 1st, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to alcohol sales and pricing. Excise Minister Kollu Ravi held a media briefing to outline the key features of the forthcoming policy, aiming to address longstanding issues related to overpriced liquor and accessibility for the general public. One of the main points raised by Minister Ravi was the problem of inflated

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced his resignation just a month before the crucial Delhi Assembly elections, marking an unusual move in the political landscape. Kejriwal, who was recently released on bail after spending nearly six months in Tihar Jail in connection with the Delhi Liquor case, made the startling announcement during a meeting with his party cadres. He vowed to step down from his position within the next 48 hours, promising to return to office on

Political strategist Prashant Kishor is preparing to formally enter politics with the launch of his new party, the Jan Suraj Party, scheduled for October 2nd. In a bold declaration, Kishor has promised to overturn Bihar’s longstanding liquor ban within one hour of his party assuming power. He has been working on the party's launch for the past two years and is confident in his ability to challenge the dominance of the Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ