Foreign workers and international students in the United States are facing increased uncertainty as the Trump administration expands immigration enforcement involving employment-based green cards, H-1B visas, J-1 exchange programs and student work authorization. For employees affected by the temporary suspension of PERM processing at eight companies, one of the biggest concerns is a potential delay in the employment-based green card process. Immigration attorneys say the impact coul

The DHS OPT fee proposal would require SEVP-certified U.S. schools to pay $70,000 before an initial F-1 OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later recommendations, potentially reshaping post-study work options for international students.   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a major new fee structure for Optional Practical Training, or OPT, that would require participating colleges and universities to pay tens of thousands of dollars before

Can an F-1 student start a business in the US? Ownership and employment are separate. F-1 students may pursue entrepreneurship through qualifying OPT, while unauthorized day-to-day work can violate status. STEM OPT startups face additional employer and training requirements. An F-1 international student may be able to own or invest in a U.S. business, but actively working for that business is a separate immigration

The F-1 fixed admission rule scheduled for September 15, 2026, would replace open-ended duration-of-status admissions with fixed periods. Indian students may face new requirements involving I-94 dates, program extensions, OPT, transfers and graduate study. F-1 students would receive a fixed admission date A major U.S. immigration rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, would end th

A Texas Apache helicopter crash has killed two US Army soldiers after an AH-64E based at Fort Hood went down near Salado on Wednesday. Military personnel and emergency responders remain at the scene as investigators work to determine what caused the aircraft to crash during Fort Hood operations. Salado crash kills two Fort Hood soldiers Fo

Getting a software engineering job in the US after MS requires more than a graduate degree. International students can improve their prospects through strong coding skills, practical projects, internships, focused resumes, networking, interview preparation and careful OPT planning. Start preparing before graduation Getting a software engineering job in the US after MS usually requires preparation well before graduation. A master’s degr

A master’s in AI in the US can provide Indian students with specialized skills and access to a large technology job market, but the decision requires careful evaluation of tuition, career goals, university quality and post-study work eligibility such as OPT and STEM OPT. Is a US master’s in AI worth the investment? Artificial intelligence has become an in

Greece Firefighting Helicopter Collision Kills Two Near Athens A Greece firefighting helicopter collision claimed the lives of two crew members after two aircraft crashed while battling a massive wildfire near Psatha, west of Athens. The accident unfolded as firefighters struggled to contain fast-moving flames driven by strong winds across the Attica region.

Trump OPT Proposal Could Cost Indian Students $100,000 The Trump OPT proposal could dramatically increase the cost of studying in the United States by introducing a reported $100,000 fee for post-study work authorization. While the proposal has not been officially announced, it has raised concerns among Indian students, universities and employers because of the OPT programme's importance. US OPT Programme F

The US is considering a $100,000 OPT fee for international graduates, though no formal policy has been issued. The proposal comes as a separate DHS rule ending duration of status for many F, J and I visa holders takes effect on September 15, 2026, nationwide. The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee connected to Optional Practical Training, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Thursday, July 30

Seven people were killed in an Argentina firefighting helicopter crash in San Juan province on Wednesday, July 29. The Bell 412 was travelling toward La Rioja to support wildfire operations when it went down near Ischigualasto, prompting a major emergency response and official investigation. Argentina helicopter crash kills seven A firefighting helicopter crashed in Argentina’s western San Ju

The F-1 grace period will generally fall from 60 days to 30 days under the DHS fixed-stay rule effective September 15, 2026. Qualifying students protected by the transition provisions may retain 60 days after their Form I-20 or EAD end date, subject to the rule’s limits. The Department of Homeland Security’s final fixed-stay rule will reduce the standard F-1 departure period from 60 days to 30 days for students admitted un

F-1 student travel after September 15, 2026, may lead to a fixed admission period at reentry. Students should check the new Form I-94, understand how travel affects transition protection, and review risks involving OPT, STEM OPT and pending extension applications. The Department of Homeland Security’s final fixed-stay rule will change what happens when some F-1 students return to the United States after international travel. Published on Friday, July 17, 2026, it

The OPT under new F-1 rule creates a temporary Form I-539 exemption for qualifying students who file Form I-765 by March 18, 2027. Other post-completion OPT and STEM OPT applicants may need separate employment authorization and extension-of-stay filings. The Department of Homeland Security’s fixed-stay rule changes how some F-1 students will request post-completion Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT. Published on Friday, July 17, 2026, it takes effect on Tue

The DHS F-1 duration of status rule takes effect September 15, 2026, replacing open-ended D/S admission with fixed stays. New students may receive up to four years, while eligible students already in the U.S. receive transition protection and new extension filing requirements. The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule ending the “duration of status,” or D/S, admission system for F-1 students. Published on Friday, July 17, 2026, the rule takes effe

An Indonesian court has sentenced 19 people to prison for their roles in an Indonesia baby trafficking operation that moved infants through several cities and sold some to adoptive families in Singapore. The Bandung City District Court imposed terms ranging from three years and four months to seven years after finding all defendants guilty of human trafficking. The convictions were delivered on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Court

The Trump student visa rule would replace duration of status with fixed admission periods of up to four years. F-1 and J-1 students may face new USCIS extension filings, shorter departure periods, travel effects and tighter limits on school or program changes. WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on Friday, July 17, 2026, replacing the “duration of status” system for F-1 students, J

An F-1 student on Optional Practical Training shared a personal U.S. re-entry experience after returning from India following a 40-day family visit. According to the student’s account, the return journey was on Etihad Airways. During the transit process at Abu Dhabi, the student said there was no full U.S. immigration interview. Airport staff reportedly checked the student’s passport and Form I-20 before placing a clearance stamp on the boarding pass. F-1 OPT

UK issues formal apology over forced adoption practices The United Kingdom has issued a formal apology over historic forced adoption practices that affected an estimated 185,000 babies born to unmarried mothers in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the policy and its consequences as “a stain on our history”, acknowledgi

The Indian Army’s Negev light machine guns are set for an optics upgrade with the addition of MEPRO X6 daytime sights. The move is expected to improve aiming, target visibility and firing confidence for soldiers using the weapon in field conditions. The Negev LMG, originally developed by Israel Weapon Industries, is already part of the Indian Army’s infantry firepower. The new sighting system will help troops use the weapon more effectively at longer distances, especially in open terrain, border areas and demanding operational zones. Why the MEPRO X6 sight matters A light machine gun is not just used for rapid fire. It must also deliver controlled and accurate fire when troops need to engage targets at extended ranges. That is where a reliable optic becomes important. The MEPRO X6 gives the soldier a clearer view of the target during daytime operations. Compared with basic aiming methods, a magnified sight helps improve target identification and reduces guesswork while firing. In difficult environments, this can make the weapon more useful and consistent. Tested for army requirements The Indian Army selected the MEPRO X6 after field assessments and environmental testing. Such trials are important because military equipment has to perform in heat, dust, rough movement and high-pressure combat situations. The focus was not only on accuracy but also on durability, ease of use and reliability. For soldiers, an optic must be simple to operate and strong enough to handle regular field deployment. Made in India push The order includes more than 10,000 MEPRO X6 sights, with deliveries expected during 2026 and 2027. The project also supports India’s defence manufacturing goals through local production. Meprolight has signed a Transfer of Technology agreement with RRP Defense. Under this arrangement, RRP Defense will manufacture the sights in Mumbai and supply them to Bharat Electronics Limited, which is expected to act as the main contractor for the Indian Army. Bigger demand may follow The current order covers only part of the wider Negev LMG requirement. Since the Indian Army has ordered around 41,000 Negev guns, more optics may be needed as additional weapons are delivered and deployed. The upgrade also shows the continued defence cooperation between India and Israel. At the same time, local manufacturing of the sights supports India’s effort to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment. For the soldier on the ground, the real value is simple: better visibility, better aim and better control during operations.