A new executive order signed by Donald Trump has raised the application fee for the popular H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers to $100,000 annually—a dramatic increase from the previous average of $1,500.

The order argues that the program has long been abused, negatively affecting American jobs. However, business leaders including Elon Musk countered that the H-1B system attracts top global talent critical to U.S. innovation.

Alongside the hike, Trump introduced a new “Gold Card” program, allowing certain immigrants to fast-track visas by paying fees starting at £1 million. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the move, saying, “Big companies have agreed, and now it’s time we train our own youth.”

Legal experts, however, warn the move could be devastating for startups and small businesses. Immigration attorney Tahmina Watson described it as “the final nail in the coffin” for many. Analysts predict the sharp increase will disproportionately affect Indian applicants, who make up the majority of H-1B recipients.

Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces targeted another Venezuelan drug-laden vessel, killing at least three people onboard.
He alleged that the boat was headed toward the United States, marking the third such strike in recent weeks against suspected drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela.
In a statement, Trump said the operation was carried out in the Southern Command region, which spans 31 countries across South and Central America and the Caribbean. Intelligence reports, he added, confirmed the vessel was using a notorious smuggling route intended to poison Americans with narcotics.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it is carefully assessing the implications of the reported strategic mutual defense pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted India’s deepening strategic partnership with Riyadh in recent years and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would remain mindful of “mutual interests and sensitivities.”

“We have seen reports of a Pakistan-Saudi defense pact. Its implications for our national security, as well as for regional and global stability, will be considered,” Jaiswal said.

Under the reported pact, an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia would be treated as an attack on both, prompting a joint response.

The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning its citizens to exercise “a high degree of caution” due to the risk of political unrest, including protests, strikes, and blockades.

In its notice, Ottawa marked Bangladesh under the yellow alert category, advising heightened vigilance across the country. For the three hill districts, a red alert has been issued, meaning Canadian nationals are advised to avoid travel there altogether.

The advisory cautions that Bangladesh’s security situation may deteriorate suddenly without warning. It highlights the risk of politically motivated violence, kidnappings, and sporadic clashes among ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, urging citizens to avoid the region entirely.

The United States has canceled the visas of several Indian businesspeople and corporate executives over allegations of trafficking raw materials used in the production of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic drug.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that not only were their visas revoked, but any future visa applications from these individuals have also been denied. However, the embassy declined to release their names.

Fentanyl precursors—core chemical substances used to manufacture the drug—are considered the primary driver behind America’s opioid overdose crisis. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States.

The embassy also stated that Washington is working closely with the Indian government to combat narcotics trafficking. It is worth noting that during his administration, Donald Trump had imposed tariffs of up to 50% on imports from India.

Several Awami League activists have been arrested in connection with the recent attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York.

Press Minister Golam Mortuza, based at the Bangladesh Embassy, confirmed that the consulate has formally reported the incident to U.S. authorities, including police and the Secret Service, with video evidence identifying the attackers.

He emphasized that while freedom of expression is valued, violent actions cannot be tolerated. Investigations are ongoing, and U.S. agencies will share findings with the consulate and embassy before any charges are filed. Mortuza dismissed claims of compromise with Awami League, calling them baseless.

A deadly shooting in Pennsylvania’s York County left three police officers dead and two others critically injured on Wednesday. The gunman was also killed in return fire from law enforcement.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time near a school in the small town of Spring Grove, about 100 miles east of Philadelphia. Authorities said the assailant opened fire indiscriminately at police officers, killing three on the spot.

Police quickly returned fire, neutralizing the attacker. The injured were airlifted to a hospital by helicopter.

Pennsylvania’s governor assured residents that the town of 2,500 people faces no immediate threat, while investigations into the motive and details of the attack are ongoing.

A total of 176 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya’s Tajoura Detention Center with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They are expected to arrive at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on September 18 via Buraq Airlines.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Abul Hasnat Muhammad Khairul Bashar, along with embassy officials, bid them farewell at the Libyan Immigration Department’s reception center. He urged migrants to avoid illegal migration routes, warning that such attempts lead not only to financial and physical harm but also cause suffering for families and society at large.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a defense pact under which an attack on either country will be considered an act of aggression against both.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A joint statement described the pact as a reflection of both nations’ shared commitment to enhancing security and promoting peace in the region and beyond.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two leaders also discussed strengthening strategic cooperation across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments.

Bangladesh and India have joined six countries in Zapad-2025, a large-scale military exercise hosted by Russia and Belarus.

India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it has deployed 65 soldiers to the five-day drill, which involves around 100,000 troops. The exercises showcased nuclear-capable bombers and warships, underscoring their strategic weight amid heightened NATO-Russia tensions following the downing of a Russian drone over Poland last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, donning military attire, announced: “Today we are conducting the final phase of the Zapad-2025 strategic exercise.”

Apart from Bangladesh and India, Iran, Burkina Faso, Congo, and Mali also sent military representatives. Analysts suggest Washington may risk losing India—its key Asian ally and long-standing counterbalance to China—to Moscow’s growing defense influence. Notably, India had also taken part in Russian military exercises prior to the Ukraine war.

Nearly nine months after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the first arms sale to Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Undersecretary has already signed off on the shipment.

Two consignments, each worth $500 million in weapons and ammunition, are set to be delivered soon. However, the arms will be purchased by Kyiv’s European allies from the U.S. and then sent to Ukraine, with Europe covering the logistics costs.

American officials revealed that under a new deal, codenamed “PEARL,” Washington has agreed to supply Ukraine with $10 billion worth of arms. The upcoming delivery marks the first shipment under this arrangement.

Notably, during his January 20 inauguration, Trump had pledged to prioritize ending the Russia-Ukraine war and vowed not to authorize further military aid to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected military exercises wearing full combat uniform, according to footage released by Moscow. Anadolu reported that Putin visited the drill site alongside Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and senior military commanders.

At the command center, Putin issued operational instructions and personally reviewed modern weaponry used in the exercise.

The drills are part of a seven-day joint military exercise under the CSTO alliance, launched in late August in Belarus. Forces from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are participating across 41 locations, with over 100,000 troops involved. The CSTO, formed in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union, has become a key defense platform for the region.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Britain on Tuesday night for what is being described as an unprecedented second state visit. The trip is expected to see the signing of multiple investment agreements between Washington and London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would use Trump’s visit to highlight the strengthening of the “special relationship” between the two nations. Ahead of the visit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves jointly announced the creation of a “Transatlantic Taskforce.”

King Charles will formally welcome Trump on Wednesday, while Starmer is set to host him at the prime minister’s countryside residence, Chequers, on Thursday. Starmer is also arranging meetings with leading business groups to promote Britain as an attractive destination for U.S. investment.

In an emergency summit held in Doha, leaders from nearly 60 Arab and Muslim nations called for a reassessment of diplomatic and economic relations with Israel in light of its recent actions in Gaza.

The joint declaration urged all states to take "legal and effective measures" to stop Israeli aggression against Palestinians, including suspending ties and pursuing international legal action.

While the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt—countries that recognize Israel—sent representatives, their top leaders were notably absent. The summit was attended by high-profile figures including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The declaration also called on UN member states to work toward suspending Israel’s membership. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Qatar following his Israel trip.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will refrain from ordering further military strikes in Qatar, calling the Gulf nation "a very good ally."

"From now on, Netanyahu will work in cooperation with Qatar," Trump said, highlighting the importance of Doha’s role in the region.

The statement follows Israel’s controversial September 8 airstrike on a Doha apartment building sheltering Hamas leaders, an attack that killed six people but missed senior figure Khalil al-Hayya. The strike drew widespread international condemnation, though U.S. officials had reportedly warned Qatar in advance of potential Israeli action.