US Archives - National Times

10 Oct

US Plans Sweeping Reforms to H-1B Visa Program, Proposes Steep Filing Fee Hike

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsH-1B visa, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): In a move set to reshape the landscape for foreign professionals in the United States, the Biden administration—continuing some policies from the Trump era—is advancing plans to tighten regulations around the H-1B visa system. Among the most striking proposals is the introduction of a $100,000 mandatory filing fee for each H-1B petition, a significant jump from current costs and a potential deterrent for many employers. The proposal, listed in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) regulatory agenda, falls under a broader initiative titled “Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program.” The rule, expected to be made…

08 Oct

Federal Stalemate Drags On as U.S. Government Shutdown Reaches Second Week

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsUS

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): The ongoing federal government shutdown has stretched into its second week, with political tensions rising and no immediate breakthrough in sight. Key operations remain suspended, Capitol Hill visits have been cancelled, and House proceedings continue to be on hold as partisan divisions deepen. The impasse revolves largely around disputes over healthcare funding. While Democrats are pushing for the inclusion of insurance subsidy protections, Republicans — who maintain control of Congress — have stood their ground, refusing to approve any spending package that includes what they call "unconditional concessions." President Trump Signals Conflicting Messages President Donald Trump…

24 Sep

Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Ties Highlight Complex U.S. Foreign Policy, Says Rubio

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, Trending, World NewsIndia, Marco Rubiio, US

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the Trump administration imposed trade penalties on India due to its ongoing energy dealings with Russia, despite New Delhi being one of Washington’s key allies in the region. Rubio’s comments came during an interview with Good Morning America, where he was pressed on the former president's approach to Russian aggression in Ukraine and the claim that Donald Trump often avoided following through on threats directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Rubio defended the administration’s record, pointing to specific economic decisions. “India is one of our…

21 Sep

PM Modi’s Nationwide Address Scheduled for 5 PM

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGST 2.0, H-1B visa, India, PM Modi, trade reforms, US

New Delhi, September 21, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 5 pm today, focusing on significant economic and global developments, including the introduction of GST 2.0 and the recently announced changes to H-1B visa rules by the United States.Government sources suggest that the Prime Minister is likely to discuss how GST 2.0 will simplify the tax system, improve compliance, and enhance digital integration for businesses. The reforms are expected to facilitate smoother trade, strengthen revenue collection, and boost the overall economic environment ahead of the festive season.Alongside domestic economic updates, PM Modi may also address India’s…

16 Sep

India-US Trade Talks Begin Amid Renewed Criticism on Russian Oil Imports

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, Trending, World NewsIndia, Russia, US

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A new round of India-US trade discussions is set to begin today as American negotiator Brendan Lynch lands in the capital, though the agenda has been clouded by fresh remarks from White House adviser Peter Navarro. Navarro alleged that Indian refiners have been “quick to align with Russian suppliers” since the Ukraine conflict, claiming such purchases indirectly strengthen Moscow’s military capacity. “American workers lose while India profits. On top of that, they maintain some of the steepest tariffs globally,” Navarro said on Monday. Despite these pointed remarks, both governments are attempting to push forward with dialogue…

22 Aug

U.S. Freezes Truck Driver Work Visas After Deadly Florida Crash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsFlorida, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The U.S. government has ordered an immediate suspension of the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing rising safety concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move on X, noting that an influx of foreign drivers on American roads was “putting lives at risk” and undermining U.S. trucking jobs. Florida Accident Sparks Action The policy shift follows a tragic accident on August 12 in Florida, where three people lost their lives. The truck involved was driven by Harjinder Singh, an Indian national who had reportedly crossed into the United States illegally in 2018. Investigators…

16 Aug

Trump-Putin Talks in Alaska End Without Deal, India Caught in between

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, Russia, US, Vladimir Putin

Alaska (Rajeev Sharma): The much-anticipated Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without a breakthrough, leaving India facing fresh uncertainty over punitive American tariffs. Despite warm optics and friendly rhetoric, the two leaders could not resolve their sharp differences on Ukraine. Trump spoke of “considerable progress” and hinted that only a few issues remained, while Putin emphasized hopes for stronger bilateral ties with Washington but stood firm on Russia’s core positions. For New Delhi, the deadlock is troubling. The U.S. has already tied a new 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports to Delhi’s…

03 Aug

4 Indians Missing on Way to US Temple Found Dead in Car Crash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsUS

New York (National Times): In a tragic turn of events, four Indian-origin family members who went missing during a road trip from Buffalo, New York, to West Virginia were found dead in a car crash, confirmed Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty late Saturday night. The deceased have been identified as Dr. Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan. Authorities discovered their light green Toyota Camry around 9:30 pm on August 2 at the bottom of a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road in Marshall County, West Virginia. “The four individuals reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have…

19 Jul

Donald Trump Revives Controversy With Claim of “Five Jets Shot Down” in India-Pakistan Conflict

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, India, Pakistan, US

Washington/New Delhi (National Times): US President Donald Trump has stirred fresh controversy with a dramatic claim that "five jets were shot down" during the recent India-Pakistan military standoff that followed the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The comment, made during a private dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House on Friday, lacked clarity on which country's aircraft were allegedly downed. “In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five — five, four or five — but I think five jets were shot down actually,” Trump said, while referencing the escalation between the two…

18 Jul

US Designates The Resistance Front as Foreign Terrorist Organization Following Pahalgam Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsMarco Rubio, US

Washington D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant move aimed at reinforcing counterterrorism efforts, the United States Department of State on Thursday officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing TRF’s direct links to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). The designation comes in response to TRF’s claim of responsibility for the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. It was the deadliest assault on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks—also orchestrated…