The US visitor visa bond program has become permanent, affecting selected B1/B2 visa applicants from 50 countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Eligible travellers may need to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000, depending on a consular officer's assessment. US Visitor Visa Bond Program Becomes Permanent The United States has

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

Modi government under pressure as a youth-led movement over exam leaks continues at Jantar Mantar while farmers mobilise against the proposed India-US trade deal. The parallel protests test the Centre’s response on education, policing, trade safeguards and rural livelihoods. Youth and Farmers Put Modi Government Under Pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is facing two politically sensitive protest movements at the same ti

US imposes 50% tariff on Canadian goods as the Trump administration escalates trade tensions with its northern neighbour. The new duties target products including hockey sticks, wine and cement, while Washington cites unfair trade practices and retaliatory Canadian policies as the reason for the move. US Imposes 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods Amid Trade Dispute &n

The United States will impose a 25% tariff on Brazilian imports following a year-long USTR Section 301 investigation. The action covers most Brazilian goods but includes tariff exemptions for selected products that could affect domestic supplies or cause wider economic disruption. Brazil Trade Tariff Covers Most Imported Goods The United States has announce

The US military testosterone screening program will introduce annual military medical screening for eligible service members to improve combat readiness. The policy also offers voluntary testosterone replacement therapy for troops diagnosed with low hormone levels. US Military Testosterone Screening Introduced to Improve Combat Readiness The United States D

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a revised sanctions bill that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries purchasing large amounts of Russian oil and gas. India and China are among the five countries specifically targeted, placing renewed pressure on their energy trade with Moscow while raising questions about the future of India-US commercial relations. India tariff threat under revised US bill

Trump-Backed Russia Bill Puts 100% Tariff Risk on India India could face tariffs of up to 100% under a revised US sanctions bill aimed at countries that remain major buyers of Russian oil and gas. President Donald Trump has backed the legislation, which would give the White House broad authority to use trade penalties to reduce the energy revenue available to Moscow. The updated proposal is

A boiler explosion at a private steel melting unit in Gummidipoondi SIPCOT killed Bihar worker Ravi Ranjan and injured seven migrant workers. Firefighters controlled the blaze, while police began investigating the cause of the industrial accident.   A 26-year-old worker was killed and seven others suffered severe burn injuries after a boiler exploded at a private steel melting unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district early on Tuesday, July 1

The University of Sydney has received a $180,000 Maitri Grant to create a three-year music partnership with India’s Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts. The project will support student travel, staff exchanges, curriculum development and community programs across Sydney and Bengaluru. Sydney Maitri Grant supports three-year partnership The University??

Microsoft Xbox layoffs have intensified the US debate over H-1B visas after Rep. Riley Moore linked the job cuts to foreign-worker approvals. Microsoft says the restructuring is based on business needs and that H-1B employees were also affected. Microsoft announces thousands of job cuts Microsoft’s Xbox layoffs have renewed political scrutiny of the H-1B visa program, with critics questioning

Australia has assured India that opportunities for Indian students in Australia will remain open and fair despite visa delays and stricter assessments. The MEA also rejected reports of broad application restrictions and highlighted expanding university partnerships. Australia Assures Indian Students of Fair Study Opportunities Australia has assured India that genuine India

A Fujian shoe factory fire in Jinjiang killed at least 28 people after flames spread through the Huiteng Shoes facility. Firefighters launched a major rescue operation as officials investigated the cause and reviewed safety risks tied to flammable shoe-making materials. A major fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, killed at least 28 people and triggered a large rescue operation in southeastern China on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Jinj

Nara Lokesh takes Andhra Pradesh investment pitch to Seoul Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has taken the state’s investment outreach campaign to South Korea, holding discussions with business leaders and pitching Andhra Pradesh as a destination for new projects in technology, electronics, manufacturing and other major industrial sectors. Lokesh’s six-day official visit to South Korea, scheduled from July 5 to

US opens H-1B visa fraud investigation The United States has launched a major investigation into alleged fraud involving the H-1B visa programme, with IT services company Cognizant among the firms named as authorities examine possible misuse. The probe was announced by US Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito, who said investigators were looking into

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is pushing the state to prepare for a possible future expansion of India’s ethanol economy, calling on officials to encourage investment in ethanol production and related fuel projects. His focus comes as India continues to debate the next phase of its biofuel transition after the nationwide expansion of E20 petrol. Naidu has previously urged the Centre to consider increasing ethanol blending

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has stepped up efforts to attract fresh manufacturing investment to the state, holding talks with South Korea’s Boo Young Group over a proposed footwear and components production facility. Continuing his South Korea visit on its fourth day, Lokesh met Boo Young Group CEO and President Director Ryan Kang and Business Strategy and Planning Manager Millie Richardson. During the discussions, he invited the company to examine investment opportunities in A

A proposed US tariff on selected Indian imports has brought fresh uncertainty to India-US trade negotiations, even as both sides continue efforts to finalise a wider agreement. Washington has suggested an additional 12.5 per cent duty on some goods, citing concerns over weak enforcement against forced labour in global supply chains. India has rejected the move, saying the allegation is broad, unsupported by clear country-specific evidence and should not be used to justif

Microsoft begins new round of job cuts Microsoft has announced another round of layoffs, cutting nearly 4,800 jobs worldwide, or about 2.1 percent of its global workforce, as the company continues to restructure parts of its business. The latest Microsoft layoffs include a significant impact on the Xbox division, where about 1,600 employees have already been affected

US raises alarm over China missile launch The United States has sharply criticised China after Beijing conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, saying the launch reflects growing concern over China’s expanding and opaque nuclear programme. The missile, which carried a dummy warhead, was fired on Monday, July 6, in what Beijing