US launches 12th consecutive strikes on Iranian military targets as CENTCOM expands its military campaign against Iran under President Donald Trump's direction. The latest operation aims to reduce threats to commercial vessels and regional maritime security while tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise. US military campaign against Iran continu

  H-1B parents generally cannot obtain Parent PLUS loans based on H-1B status alone, even when their child is a U.S. citizen. Families may still use FAFSA, student federal loans, institutional aid, 529 funds and other financing options. An H-1B parent may help a child complete the FAFSA, but that does not automatically make the parent eligible to borrow a federal Parent PLUS loan.

  Indian parents can pay U.S. college fees from India through authorized banks under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Families should understand the $250,000 annual limit, current TCS rules, education-loan exemption, university instructions and currency costs. Parents living in India can send money for a child’s U.S. tuition, housing and other education expenses through authorized foreign-exchange chann

  A 529 plan for NRI families can provide tax-advantaged savings for U.S. education and certain eligible foreign colleges. Indian-American parents should verify qualified expenses, FAFSA treatment, state tax benefits and cross-border tax consequences. A 529 plan can help NRI and Indian-American families save for college without immediately sacrificing retirement funds. Contributions are made with after-tax

H-4 students can attend U.S. colleges, but H-4 status alone does not qualify them for FAFSA-based federal grants, work-study or loans. Families should explore institutional aid, merit scholarships, CSS Profile colleges and immigration-status changes. Children of H-1B workers often complete high school in the United States and apply to American colleges while remaining in H-4 dependent status. They may attend school without

A $300,000 college-cost dilemma shows why NRI parents must balance a child’s U.S. education with retirement security. The decision should consider 529 savings, FAFSA foreign-income reporting, withdrawal taxes, scholarships and affordable college alternatives. A U.S. family earning about $550,000 annually is considering spending roughly $300,000 so its daughter can attend a preferred college. The parents have approximately $1.2 million across

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

India has strongly raised concerns over the safety of its merchant seafarers after four Indian crew members were killed in a Russian missile strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila. The discussion highlighted India's demand for better protection of civilian merchant mar

The Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict came under intense scrutiny during a Senate hearing after a heated confrontation between Senator Gary Peters and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The exchange quickly became the hearing's defining moment as lawmakers debated military strategy, troop support and billions of dollars in additional defence spending. The hearing also examined whether the administration has a clear long-term plan for the

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed India-US trade, tariff concerns, defence ties, energy cooperation, critical minerals and artificial intelligence during talks in Manila. Their meeting reflected continued diplomatic engagement as both countries work through commercial differences while expanding their strategic partnership. India-US Trade and Tariff Talks

Andhra Pradesh Covid cases have increased to 26 after seven fresh infections were detected across Guntur, East Godavari and Bapatla, but officials have ruled out a cluster outbreak. Andhra Pradesh Covid Cases Rise Across Districts Andhra Pradesh reported seven new Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, increasing the state’s total number of confirmed cases to 26. The Health Department said the fresh infections were recorded in separate distric

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his call for the ICC arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be enforced, following President Donald Trump's statement that Netanyahu would not be arrested if he visits the United States. The remarks have intensified debate over international law and US policy. Mamdani Urges ICC Warrant Against Netanyahu Be Enforced   Mamdani Calls for ICC Arrest Wa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s new army chief, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi amid nationwide protests. The leadership change places military reform, technology, mobilisation and long-range strikes at the centre of Ukraine’s war strategy. Zelensky Appoints Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine Army Chief   Mykhailo Drapatyi Becomes Ukraine Army Chief

Trump's generic drug tariff plan introduces a phased import duty that could reach 200% within three years, encouraging pharmaceutical companies to manufacture in the United States. The proposal could significantly affect India's pharmaceutical industry, which supplies nearly 40% of generic medicines used in the US. Trump Generic Drug Tariffs Target India Pharma Export

US military readiness for a possible wider Iran conflict is facing increased scrutiny as officials and defence experts warn about shrinking missile stockpiles, operational challenges and Pentagon concerns. The debate comes as President Donald Trump signals that US military objectives in Iran remain incomplete. US Military Readiness for Iran War Faces Growing Concerns

The US military campaign against Iran now carries an estimated cost of $37.5 billion, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The updated figure includes projected expenses through September as the Pentagon seeks additional funding while defending the effectiveness of operations against Iran before Congress. US Military Campaign Against Iran Costs $37.5 Billion

Trump restores direct US flights to Lebanon after more than four decades, marking a major policy shift during Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's White House visit. The announcement comes amid discussions on regional security, Israeli troop withdrawal, Hezbollah, and stronger US support for Lebanon's stability. Trump Restores Direct US Flights to Lebanon After 40 Years

The UK approves US military bases for Iran operations under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, continuing Britain's defense cooperation with Washington. The decision allows US aircraft to operate from Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for defensive missions linked to Iran missile threats and Strait of Hormuz security, while raising political and legal debate within the UK. UK

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

Columbia’s student visa advisory recommends that international students return to New York before classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The guidance comes before a DHS rule establishing fixed admission periods for F and J visa holders takes effect. Columbia University has advised international students to return to New York before classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, ahead of a major change to U.S. admissi