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India and the United States are nearing the first tranche of a trade agreement, with dairy access remaining a key obstacle. Tariff concessions, Russian oil purchases, energy supplies and rising fuel prices ahead of US midterm elections shape the negotiations.
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A Congressional Research Service report says Trump administration changes to the H-1B programme have increased employer costs and scrutiny. The assessment details proposed wage hikes and fees, changes affecting foreign workers and families, and a sharp decline in certain overseas recruitment petitions.
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Two senior Democratic lawmakers have urged FBI Director Kash Patel to cancel a reported Russia visit, citing espionage and national security risks. They have sought a closed-door congressional briefing on the trip, FBI cooperation with foreign agencies and counterintelligence safeguards.
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Former US Vice President Kamala Harris is weighing a possible 2028 presidential bid, but husband Doug Emhoff reportedly has reservations. Meanwhile, Democratic donors and party figures have questioned her prospects as she campaigns for candidates ahead of November’s midterm elections.
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US President Donald Trump thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for a diesel supply deal, defended the agreement amid criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and claimed oil prices were falling. Trump also discussed Iran, a reported Riyadh airport attack and the Fort Hood shooter.
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The US has listed 50 countries whose nationals may have to post visa bonds of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 for B1/B2 visas. India is excluded, while Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are among the South Asian countries covered.
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US President Donald Trump declined to reveal his next move regarding Iran but said the situation was “working out very well” and predicted the conflict would not last long. He also said Europe would increase diesel supplies to the global market.
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OpenAI has cancelled the planned October release of GPT-6.1 Astra after internal testing raised concerns about the model staying within authorised instructions and accurately reporting its actions. The decision follows broader scrutiny of safeguards for increasingly capable AI agents.
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The US will host G20 trade ministers in Milwaukee from September 29 to October 1 for talks on forced labour, food trade, industrial overcapacity and trade rules. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will represent India at the ministerial.
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President Donald Trump has signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, expanding sanctions and authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The legislation targets Russia’s energy sector, leadership and so-called shadow fleet.
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President Donald Trump has renewed a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa applications and ordered federal agencies to scrutinise employers’ recent and planned layoffs. The measures also expand inter-agency checks and follow changes to the H-1B selection system.
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Huawei has unveiled new chip technologies and the Atlas 960 SuperPoD computing cluster as China steps up its AI capabilities. The company also plans new Ascend chip series, amid US restrictions on advanced chips and growing China-US technology competition.
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US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts against illicit opium cultivation and said he looked forward to continued India-US cooperation on drug policy. India was listed among major drug transit or producing countries, but not among those failing demonstrably.
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US workers at Bombardier fear job losses after President Donald Trump threatened restrictions on the Canadian aircraft maker’s jets. The company employs thousands across the US, while aviation supply chains between the two countries remain closely connected.
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US Vice President JD Vance said the Small Business Administration had suspended nearly 870,000 borrowers over suspected pandemic loan fraud involving an estimated $39 billion in taxpayer money, while officials pledged to pursue fraudulent borrowers and prevent future losses.
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The Trump administration has completed its review of a proposal to eliminate the 60-day grace period available to H-1B and other foreign workers after job loss. The existing protection remains in force until the proposed rule completes the regulatory process.
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US President Donald Trump has described the Strait of Hormuz as American territory while warning that Iran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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The US military helped move more than 15 million barrels of oil and petroleum products through the Strait of Hormuz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. Oil flows have recovered sharply but remain below pre-conflict levels amid continuing security concerns.
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China and Russia are the only countries with infrastructure to produce HALEU at scale, according to a US watchdog report. The United States lacks commercial-scale capacity, raising concerns over fuel supplies as Washington seeks to expand advanced nuclear power.
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US Vice-President JD Vance has endorsed Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for governor of Ohio, praising him as a strong Republican candidate. The endorsement came during Vance’s speech at a steel plant in Middletown, where he discussed manufacturing and immigration.
