Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to declare UK recognition of Palestinian state on Sunday, following through on his July ultimatum. Starmer announced the UK would recognize Palestinian statehood by September 2025 unless Israel met certain conditions, including ending Gaza operations and committing to genuine peace processes. The deadline was set after Israel failed to agree to substantive steps including Gaza ceasefire, West Bank annexation halt, and increased humanitarian aid. Recent polling shows 44% of Britons support recognition versus 18% opposed. President Trump recently expressed disagreement with Starmer's decision during private talks. This marks a significant shift from decades of UK policy requiring negotiated settlement first.

Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee targets program abuse as White House reveals alarming replacement patterns. One company received 5,189 H-1B approvals while laying off 16,000 US workers, another got 1,698 approvals but cut 2,400 Oregon jobs. A third company eliminated 27,000 US positions since 2022 despite 25,075 H-1B approvals. Some American IT workers were forced to train foreign replacements under NDAs. The administration says the program discourages Americans from pursuing STEM careers, threatening national security. The fee applies only to new petitions, not renewals or current holders. USCIS confirmed existing visa holders outside the US don't pay re-entry fees. (PC: Forbes & Hindustan Times)

A sudden U.S. policy change imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions has caused widespread panic among Indian tech professionals. At San Francisco International Airport, passengers disembarked from flights upon hearing the news, fearing re-entry issues. Videos of the chaos circulated on social media, showing passengers pleading to deboard. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and JP Morgan advised H-1B holders to return to the U.S. before the September 21 deadline or avoid international travel to prevent complications. The steep fee hike has raised concerns about its impact on the Indian tech community.   

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Afghanistan of "bad things" if it does not return control of the Bagram Air Base to the United States. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the strategic importance of the base, located near China's nuclear facilities. He stated that the U.S. is in discussions with Afghan authorities to reclaim the base, which was abandoned during the 2021 withdrawal. Experts caution that re-occupying Bagram would require significant military resources and could lead to increased tensions in the region. (PC: AP)    

Amid confusion, the White House clarified that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced under President Trump is a one-time payment, applicable only to new applicants. It does not apply to renewals or current visa holders, including those re-entering the U.S. Earlier remarks by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting an annual fee caused chaos among Indian professionals and U.S. tech firms. The clarification aims to calm fears of widespread disruption in the IT sector. The new rule, effective Sunday 12:01 am ET, is part of Trump’s effort to reform visa policies and prioritize U.S. workers. (PC: AP)

The White House clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced under President Trump will apply only to new applicants in upcoming lottery cycles, not existing visa holders or renewals. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed it is not an annual fee, easing concerns among Indian IT professionals and companies. The rule, aimed at curbing visa misuse and protecting U.S. workers, allows case-by-case exemptions if applications serve the national interest. Existing H-1B holders, whose visas take effect on October 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this order. (PC: Mint)  

Joint security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector recovered 20 Chinese hand grenades during an intelligence-led operation, thwarting a major terror plot. The cache was intended for hinterland infiltration. Last month, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) associates were arrested in Bandipora with Chinese grenades, UBGL rounds, and AK-series ammunition; one Army jawan was injured. Counter Intelligence units also raided seven Kashmir districts, seizing digital devices and documents. Intelligence reports reveal Pakistan’s ISI is supplying Chinese-made weapons like pistols, grenades, night vision gear via drones to POK terror camps. Terrorists are receiving encrypted communication tools and digital maps to evade Indian surveillance and aid infiltration.(PC: India Today)

A cyberattack has disrupted operations at major European airports, including London’s Heathrow and Brussels Airport, causing flight cancellations and delays. The attack targeted check-in and boarding systems, forcing airport staff to manually process passengers. UK broadcaster Sky News reported the issue as a “technical problem,” while Brussels Airport confirmed it was due to a cyberattack. The disruption led to long queues and confusion among travelers. Authorities are investigating the breach, which highlights vulnerabilities in aviation infrastructure. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updates. The incident underscores growing concerns over cybersecurity threats to critical transportation systems across Europe.(PC: Reuters)

Following President Donald Trump's renewed crackdown on immigration, major tech firms Meta and Microsoft urgently advised their H-1B visa holders not to leave the U.S. for at least 14 days. Internal emails accessed by NDTV Profit reveal that employees currently outside the U.S. were instructed to return within 24 hours to avoid re-entry denial. The directive comes amid heightened restrictions on legal immigration, prompting swift internal coordination among top companies. The move underscores growing uncertainty for foreign tech workers and signals a volatile shift in U.S. immigration policy. Companies are bracing for further disruptions as the administration tightens its stance on visa regulations.(PC: CNN & Pinterest)

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation requiring all H-1B visa holders—including current employees—to have their employer pay USD 100,000 per year, or face denial of entry starting 12:01 am EDT on September 21, 2025. New and renewal applications must also meet this fee requirement annually. The change is described as aimed at curbing “systemic abuse” of the H-1B programme, protecting American workers, and ensuring foreign skilled workers hired genuinely qualify. Exceptions may be granted in special cases where hiring is deemed in the national interest.