US Labour Dept Suspends Cognizant's PERM Green-Card Filings Amid Fraud Probe; IT Industry Faces Tougher Scrutiny

US Proposes $103,265 H-1B Fee: Impact on Indian IT Firms and Workers

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional $103,265 fee on H-1B visa petitions subject to annual caps, targeting Indian IT professionals who account for over 70% of approved petitions. This follows a court striking down a similar $100,000 fee imposed via presidential directive, now using formal rulemaking under a different legal provision. The move could significantly increase costs for Indian IT firms and reduce opportunities for Indian workers.

US-Iran Talks: Key Sticking Points – Lebanon Issue, Strait of Hormuz, Crude Oil Price

After 156 days of war and an MoU, US-Iran talks resume amid uncertainty. Key issues include military aggression in Lebanon, control of the Strait of Hormuz (through which 1/5th of global oil passes), and surging crude oil prices impacting global economies, especially oil-importing nations like India.

India and V4 Hold First Foreign Ministers' Meeting at UNGA 81, Agree on Annual Business Forum and Defence Cooperation

India and the Visegrad Group (V4) of Central Europe – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia – held their first-ever Foreign Ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. They agreed to institutionalize annual meetings, launch a business forum, and deepen defence, technology, and space cooperation. This marks a new diplomatic milestone for India's engagement with a key European sub-regional grouping.

Houthi Missile Attack on Saudi Tanker Reduces Gulf Shipping Traffic to 3 Vessels in Key Straits

The Houthi attack on a Saudi oil tanker has drastically reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, two critical chokepoints for global oil trade. This escalates tensions in the Gulf and could disrupt energy supplies, affecting India's oil imports. Exam relevance: Prelims (geography, current events) and Mains (security, energy security, India's foreign policy).

China Cuts Tariffs on US Farm Goods, Excludes Soybeans; Trade Council to Discuss Reciprocal Cuts on $30 bn

China has announced tariff cuts on a broad range of U.S. agricultural goods, excluding soybeans, following the Xi-Trump summit. This signals a potential de-escalation in the trade war, but the 10% additional tariff on soybeans remains a sticking point. A trade council will discuss reciprocal cuts on $30 billion worth of products.

US Names India Among 40 Nations in 'Great Transshipment Scam' Report; AI 'Detective Border' to Detect Evasion

The US has released a report accusing India and 40+ nations of forming a shadow network to help China evade American tariffs. The report, titled 'The Great Transshipment Scam', estimates the value of rerouted goods at $40-303 billion annually. The US plans to use an AI tool named 'Detective Border' to detect such shipments.

Trump Pauses 50% Additional Tariffs on Canadian Goods for 3 Days After Preliminary Deal

The US and Canada reached a preliminary deal to pause 50% additional tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, averting immediate escalation. This highlights the volatility of Trump's tariff policy and its impact on global trade, relevant for IR and Economy sections.

US-Canada Trade War Escalates: Trump Threatens 50% Tariffs on Vehicles, Steel as Canada Plans Retaliatory Measures

The US-Canada trade war is rapidly escalating with Canada set to announce retaliatory tariffs after talks collapsed. President Trump has threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts, and steel, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut electricity exports to the US. This dispute has major implications for the USMCA trade pact, cross-border supply chains, and Canada's economic sovereignty.