US Archives - Page 5 of 6 - National Times

24 Apr

US Warns Citizens Against Travel to Jammu and Kashmir After Pahalgam Terror Strike

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsJammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam, US

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In response to Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead, the United States on Wednesday updated its travel guidance, urging American citizens to refrain from visiting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory, posted on the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India website, stated: "Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this territory (except visits to eastern Ladakh and its capital, Leh).” It warned that sporadic violence occurs, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and…

17 Apr

Indian Student Outflow Declines Sharply: Canada, US, UK See First Simultaneous Drop in 4 Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India, World NewsCanada, UK, US

New Delhi (National Times): In a major reversal of recent trends, the number of Indian students heading abroad has seen a steep and simultaneous decline across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the top three global education destinations. This marks the first time in four years that all three countries have recorded a dip at the same time, according to an analysis by The Indian Express based on official visa data. In 2024, student visa approvals for Indians dropped by at least 25 percent in all three nations: Canada recorded a 32% decline, with the number of study…

07 Apr

Canada Issues Updated Travel Advisory for the US Following Actor’s Detention

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney, US

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian government has revised its travel advisory for citizens heading to the United States, warning travelers to prepare for heightened security checks and possible scrutiny at U.S. border crossings. The update comes a month after Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney — known for her role in American Pie — was reportedly detained by U.S. immigration authorities in San Diego, California. Stricter Checks and Device Screenings In the advisory updated on April 4, Ottawa cautioned Canadian travelers to be "compliant and forthcoming" when interacting with U.S. border officials. The updated guidance also notes that American authorities are authorized…

16 Mar

Canada Reconsiders F-35 Fighter Jet Deal with US, PM Mark Carney Explores ‘Other Options’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney, US

Calgary (National Times): In a significant policy move, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair to review the country's planned purchase of America’s F-35 fighter jets. The directive comes with a call to explore alternative options “given the changing environment,” according to Blair’s spokesperson on Saturday. Canada’s Original F-35 Purchase Plan Two years ago, Canada agreed to acquire 88 F-35 jets, legally committing funds for the first 16 aircraft as part of its long-term defense strategy. The planned acquisition was set to be the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over…

05 Mar

“If US Wants War, We’re Ready,” China Denounces U.S. Tariffs as “Blackmail” Over Fentanyl

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina, Donald Trump, US, US China War

Beijing (National Times)– A spokesperson for the Chinese government has issued a fiery rebuke of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, labeling them a baseless pretext tied to the fentanyl crisis and vowing to resist what they called American "bullying." In a statement released today, China defended its retaliatory actions as "entirely justified and essential" to protect its interests, while accusing the U.S. of exploiting the drug epidemic to justify economic aggression. The fentanyl crisis, which has ravaged communities across the United States, has long been a point of contention between Washington and Beijing. U.S. officials have claimed that China plays…

28 Feb

Canada Vows Strong Response if US Imposes Tariffs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Donald Trump, United States, US

Ottawa (National Times): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a stern warning regarding the potential imposition of tariffs by the United States, asserting that Canada will respond immediately and forcefully if such measures are enacted. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trudeau emphasized that his government is doing everything possible to prevent the tariffs from taking effect but will not hesitate to retaliate if necessary. "We will continue working to prevent these tariffs, but if on Tuesday the US imposes unjustified tariffs on Canada, we will have an immediate and extremely strong response, as Canadians expect," Trudeau stated, as reported…

26 Feb

Trump Introduces $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa to Replace EB-5 Program

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Gold Card Visa, US

Washington, D.C. (National Times): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new “Gold Card” visa, a $5 million fast-track route to U.S. citizenship for wealthy foreign investors. The initiative aims to replace the existing EB-5 visa program, which has been in place since 1990. What is the ‘Gold Card’ Visa? The Gold Card visa will grant permanent residency to individuals who invest $5 million in the U.S. economy. Trump claims this new policy will attract affluent investors, stimulate economic growth, and eliminate fraud associated with the EB-5 program. Full details are expected to be disclosed in two weeks. Trump’s…

19 Feb

Elon Musk Warns of U.S. Bankruptcy, Criticizes Government Spending and Trade Deficit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Elon Musk, United States, US

Washington, D.C. (National Times): Tesla CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns over the United States' rising trade deficit and government spending, warning that if corrective measures are not taken, “America will go bankrupt.” In a recent Fox News interview, Musk said that the $2 trillion trade deficit inherited by U.S. President Donald Trump has put the country in a dangerous economic situation. He criticized how taxpayer money is being misused, stating that every American should be “mad as hell” over the reckless spending by the government. Elon Musk on the U.S. Deficit: “It’s Insane” Musk expressed deep concerns about the…

15 Feb

US Reduces H-1B Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility from 48 to 12 Months for Indians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsH1b visa, US

Washington DC (National Times): The United States has revised its eligibility criteria for the Visa Interview Waiver, commonly known as the Dropbox program, for Indian applicants. The eligibility window has been reduced from 48 months to just 12 months, meaning only those whose visas expired within the past year will now qualify for Dropbox processing. What is the Dropbox Program? The Dropbox program allows eligible visa applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This streamlined process has been particularly beneficial for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders, reducing processing…

14 Feb

Two More Deportation Flights Carrying Indians to Arrive in Amritsar This Week

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Illegal immigrant, United States, US

Washington DC (National Times): Two additional flights carrying deported Indian immigrants from the United States are set to land in India this week, following the recent deportation of 104 individuals under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While the exact number of Indians on these upcoming flights remains unclear, sources indicate that the first of the two flights will arrive in Amritsar on February 15, with another expected in the following days. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has criticized the decision to land these deportation flights in Amritsar, alleging that the NDA-led central government is deliberately attempting to defame Punjab. "Why…