Donald Trump’s sudden decision to raise H-1B visa fees to $100,000, effective September 21, has triggered panic among Indian techies who make up 70% of H-1B holders. Many deboarded flights mid-journey, fearing exclusion unless their sponsoring firms pay the steep fee. Airfares between India and the US surged dramatically: New Delhi to JFK jumped from ₹37,000 to ₹80,000 within hours. Airlines are capitalizing on the chaos, especially during Durga Puja travel. Top firms like Amazon and Microsoft have urged employees not to leave the US. Those abroad are rushing back before the deadline. The situation at airports is described as “extremely bad”.(PC: The Times Of India & 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)

Andy Pycroft has been appointed as the match referee for the upcoming Super Four clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. This appointment comes amidst ongoing debates and controversies surrounding Pycroft's previous involvement in the tournament. His role in officiating the high-stakes encounter has sparked discussions among fans and experts alike. The match is set to take place on September 21, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium, promising an intense showdown between the two arch-rivals.

A controversy has arisen after 26 Spix’s macaws—a parrot species extinct in the wild since 2019—were transferred from Germany to Vantara zoo in Gujarat, India, operated by the Ambani family’s philanthropic wing. Brazil claims it was never consulted for the export, and that Vantara has not joined the official Spix’s Macaw conservation programme. India’s Supreme Court cleared the zoo of legal wrongdoing, finding its acquisition process lawful under CITES and domestic rules. Germany initially approved the transfer but later declined further exports to Vantara over program membership concerns. Under international attention, Brazil, India, and Germany are now seeking resolution via the UN-administered wildlife trade body. (PC: Reuters)

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. 

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on companies hiring foreign skilled workers via the H-1B visa program. This is aimed at discouraging US firms from relying on international talent, particularly from India and China, and boosting employment of American graduates. Critics warn the move could hurt the US tech industry, which depends heavily on highly skilled foreign workers. Proponents say this protects domestic workers and promotes reskilling of Americans.   

A cyberattack on the passenger-handling systems of several European airports has caused widespread disruption. Airlines at Brussels, London Heathrow, Berlin's Brandenburg among others saw their check-in and boarding processes disabled, forcing manual operations. Brussels Airport said flight schedules were “largely impacted” as only manual check-in and boarding were possible. Heathrow described the issue as a “technical issue” with a service provider. Berlin airport also cut off connections to affected systems after the service provider was attacked. The provider involved is Collins Aerospace, which offers kiosks for self check-in, printing boarding passes and baggage tags. 

Former U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice has cautioned that India's potential pivot away from the United States could result in a significant strategic loss for Washington. Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event, Rice criticized President Trump's attempts to claim credit for easing tensions between India and Pakistan, noting that India did not embrace this narrative, leading to strained relations. She highlighted India's growing ties with Russia and China, particularly its participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as indicative of a shift towards alternative global alignments. (PC: Wikipedia)

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to visit Washington for high-level trade discussions, following recent talks between U.S. Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal. The discussions aim to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025, targeting over $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing India's purchase of Russian crude oil, while India seeks exemptions for sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy. The BTA negotiations are progressing positively, with both sides committed to a mutually beneficial outcome.

In response to the Trump administration's new $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, major U.S. employers Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan have urgently advised their H-1B and H-4 visa holders to remain in the country. Amazon instructed employees to return to the U.S. by September 21, 12 a.m. Eastern Time, while Microsoft and JPMorgan recommended staying in the U.S. and avoiding international travel until further guidance is issued. The policy shift, effective September 21, 2025, is expected to significantly impact Indian tech professionals, who account for 72% of H-1B visa holders.