By The Hindu Bureau

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Trump signs proclamation imposing $1,00,000 fee for H-1B visa applications

In a move that could adversely impact Indian professionals on visas in the U.S., President Donald Trump on Friday (September 19, 2025) signed a proclamation that will raise the fee for H1-B visas to a staggering $1,00,000 annually, the latest in the administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration. The Trump administration said that the $1,00,000 fee is aimed at ensuring that the people being brought into the country are “actually very highly skilled” and do not replace American workers.

Two Assam Rifles jawans killed in Manipur attack

Two Assam Rifles (AR) personnel were killed and five others were seriously injured when their vehicle was ambushed by “unidentified terrorists” in the Nambol area of Bishnupur district in Manipur on Friday (September 19, 2025) evening. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility so far, but a senior government official told The Hindu that the banned Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), a valley-based Meitei insurgent group which operates from Myanmar, is suspected to be behind the attack. The outfit, banned since 1979, seeks the secession of Manipur from India. The deceased Assam Rifles personnel have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung & Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap.

India, U.S. to intensify efforts for a trade deal, says MEA

India and the United States have decided to “intensify efforts” for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement, said an official of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday (September 19, 2025). Speaking at the weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed several issues in India-U.S. relations, including the ending of the 2018 waiver for the Chabahar port of Iran and said India was studying the latest order from the U.S. that has said that persons working in the Chabahar port may expose themselves to sanctions under the IFCA (Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act) after September 29.

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate India’s first overseas Defence factory in Morocco

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a three-day visit to Morocco from September 21 to 23, where he will hold bilateral talks and inaugurate India’s first overseas Defence manufacturing facility in Casablanca. A senior Defence official confirmed that Mr. Singh will lead a delegation to launch the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) plant, established in partnership with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces. The facility will initially assemble Wheeled Armoured Platform 8×8 vehicles for Moroccan forces, with plans to expand production for the larger African market.

Army soldier injured as encounter breaks out in J&K’s Udhampur

The Army on Friday (September 19, 2025) said a group of terrorists was engaged in a firefight on the Doda-Udhampur border in the Jammu division. One Army soldier was injured in an encounter, officials said. “In an intelligence-based operation in the Doda-Udhampur border, alert troops of the White Knight Corps established contact with terrorists at around 8 p.m.,” the Army spokesman said. “Operations are currently in progress,” the Army added.

Karnataka CEO will continue to assist probe into Aland case: ECI

The Election Commission of India on Friday (September 19, 2025) said that the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has been providing, and would continue to provide, all information to the State CID for investigation into the Aland fake voter deletion matter. The ECI on Friday (September 19, 2025) said in an official statement that although an elector of the constituency can fill out Form 7 online to apply for deletion of an entry from that particular constituency, it does not mean that the entry gets automatically deleted merely by submitting the Form 7.

Trump sees progress on TikTok, says will visit China

U.S. President Donald Trump hailed on Friday (September 19, 2025) what he called progress with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including on selling the app TikTok and said he would visit the Asian power, which offered a more cautious assessment of their talks. The leaders of the world’s two largest economies spoke by telephone for the second time since the return to the White House of Trump, who has tried to keep a lid on tensions despite his once virulent criticism of China. Mr. Trump told reporters ahead of the call that he hoped it would finalise a deal to take TikTok out of Chinese hands, the social media hugely popular with young Americans that the Republican mogul has turned to himself to garner support.

Nepal’s ousted PM Oli calls for probe into deadly youth protests

Nepal’s deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said on Friday (September 19, 2025) his government did not order police to open fire on protesters and called for a probe into violence that killed at least 73 people. In his first statement since stepping down last Tuesday, the 73-year-old said “infiltrators” were responsible for inciting bloodshed during youth-led protests that swept the Himalayan nation beginning September 8. “The government did not issue orders to target the protesters and fire shots,” Mr. Oli said, as the country marked its constitution day Friday (September 19, 2025).

Israel Army says will use ‘unprecedented force’ in Gaza City

The Israeli military warned on Friday (September 19, 2025) it would operate with “unprecedented force” in Gaza City, telling residents to flee southwards as it presses its ground offensive on the territory’s largest urban centre. The military on Friday (September 19, 2025) said it estimated 4.8 lakh of them have fled since late August. “From this moment, Salah al-Din Road is closed for south-bound travel,” Avichay Adraee said in a post on X addressing residents of the city, referring to the main north-south artery through the Gaza Strip. “The Israel Defence Forces will continue to operate with unprecedented force against Hamas and other terrorist organisations,” Mr. Adraee said on X.

Asia Cup, IND vs Oman | India maintains perfect run with a nervy victory

When India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat against Oman in a Group-A fixture of the Asia Cup on Friday (September 19, 2025), a ripple of excitement reverberated around the Zayed Cricket Stadium. After India restricted the opposition to meagre totals on the way to comfortable wins in the first two games, the expectation among the spectators in blue was for Suryakumar’s men to now flex their firepower with the willow and notch up another big victory.