"trump-administration"

Vice President JD Vance said US troops will be paid despite the prolonged shutdown, now in its 29th day, as millions face food aid cuts and federal workers miss paychecks. A federal judge blocked mass firings while talks remain stalled in Congress.

US lawmakers from both parties have rallied to defend the India–US partnership through a series of bipartisan letters and resolutions, pressing the Trump administration for accountability over policies targeting Indian interests and urging cooperation amid ongoing trade and visa tensions.

The US Department of Homeland Security has clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies only to first-time applicants outside the US, exempting current visa holders and those seeking extensions or status changes.

Mass “No Kings” protests swept US cities as demonstrators accused President Donald Trump of authoritarianism during an ongoing government shutdown. The rallies, featuring a street-party vibe, drew thousands nationwide amid sharp partisan clashes over democracy and dissent.

A US federal judge in California has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, siding with unions that argued the layoffs were unlawful and politically motivated. The injunction affects over 4,000 workers.

The US entered a government shutdown after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding deal by Wednesday’s deadline. Around 7,50,000 federal workers face furloughs, services risk disruption, and political deadlock deepens as Trump pursues a hardline agenda.

The Trump administration has clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies only to new petitions and not to current holders or renewals. The move offers relief to thousands of Indian professionals in the US amid earlier confusion and panic.

The United States has revoked and denied visas to certain Indian business executives and corporate leaders over alleged involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors. While the identities remain undisclosed, the US embassy stated that firms linked to fentanyl precursor trade will face heightened scrutiny.

The US has lowered tariffs on Japanese cars to 15% under a bilateral deal, but South Korean autos remain subject to a 25% levy. Seoul is pressing Washington to implement a similar cut under their July trade agreement.

A Boston federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reverse $2.6 billion in research funding cuts to Harvard, ruling they were illegal retaliation. The decision restores grants but faces appeal, as the White House accuses Harvard of failing to address antisemitism

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to expand expedited deportations of undocumented migrants. The ruling raises due process concerns, highlighting potential violations of the Fifth Amendment rights of migrants living in the US interior

Former US Charge d’Affaires to India Donald Heflin warned that Washington’s broken diplomatic norms and loss of career diplomats are complicating trade talks with New Delhi. While cautiously optimistic about incoming envoy Sergio Gor, he cautioned US unpredictability may strain ties

The US administration will raise tariffs on Indian imports to 50% from Wednesday, targeting India over continued Russian oil purchases, sparking concerns in markets and raising trade tensions.

Postal services in Australia, Switzerland, India, and several European countries have temporarily halted shipments to the United States following new customs and tariff rules, including the removal of the $800 de minimis exemption for low-value parcels.

With global powers chasing competing visions, multipolarity is being shaped more by rivalry, and less by cooperation

The US is launching a visa bond pilot program that could require some business or tourist visa applicants to pay up to $15,000 as a bond. This move aims to curb overstays and includes tighter screening of student visa applicants.

The US State Department has launched a probe into Harvard’s eligibility in the Exchange Visitor Program, amid rising political tensions over foreign student policies, free speech concerns, and national security.

Bitcoin surged past $1,21,000 for the first time, driven by institutional demand, ETF inflows, and macroeconomic factors. Ethereum also rose. Experts cite regulatory clarity, tokenization progress, and US policy support as key drivers of this sustained crypto market rally

Twenty U.S. states have sued the Trump administration for allegedly violating federal privacy laws by sharing Medicaid data of non-citizens with DHS to aid deportations. California AG Rob Bonta says the move breaches HIPAA and long-standing federal protections.

The US Embassy in a brief statement on X also said if anyone breaks the US law, they will be punished with "significant criminal penalties".