Trump Imposes a US$ 100,000 Fee on H‑1B Visas
In a controversial move, the US administration imposed a US$ 100,000 fee on each H‑1B visa application. This fee is far higher than the previous charges and aims to restrict the entry of foreign skilled workers.
- Policy change: Employers must now pay the fee for each H‑1B applicant, significantly raising hiring costs.
- Objective: According to US officials, the high fee is intended to deter misuse of the visa programme and encourage hiring of American workers.
- Impact on India: Indian IT firms are among the largest users of H‑1B visas. The hike could reduce the number of Indian professionals working in the US and push companies towards automation or off‑site operations.
- About the H‑1B visa: This non‑immigrant visa allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialised occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is initially valid for three years and can be extended to six years. There is an annual quota of 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for holders of US master’s degrees.
Aflatoxins
Indonesia recently suspended groundnut imports from India due to concerns over aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are a serious food safety issue.
- Definition: Aflatoxins are toxic chemical compounds produced by certain fungi (Aspergillus species) that contaminate crops such as groundnuts, maize, rice and spices.
- Types: The main aflatoxins are B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1. Aflatoxin B1 is the most common and carcinogenic. M1 is found in milk from animals that have consumed contaminated feed.
- Characteristics: These toxins are heat‑stable (ordinary cooking does not destroy them) and cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste.
- Health risks: Long‑term exposure can lead to liver cancer, immune suppression and growth retardation. Infants are particularly at risk from contaminated milk.
- Trade impact: Many countries enforce strict limits on aflatoxin levels, and contamination can lead to rejected consignments and financial losses for farmers and exporters.
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
India was re‑elected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union during the 28th UPU Congress in Dubai.
- What it is: The UPU, established in 1874 through the Treaty of Bern, is a specialised United Nations agency that coordinates postal policies among its 192 member countries.
- Headquarters: Berne, Switzerland. It is the world’s second‑oldest international organisation, after the International Telecommunication Union.
- Aims: To promote efficient, affordable and universal postal services and facilitate global e‑commerce and financial services.
- Governance: The UPU has four main bodies: the Congress (policy‑making assembly), the Council of Administration (policy and regulatory issues between congresses), the Postal Operations Council (technical and operational matters) and the International Bureau (secretariat).
- Functions: Sets postal rules and standards, resolves disputes, offers technical assistance and helps countries modernise postal infrastructure.
Androth Anti‑Submarine Warfare Ship
The Indian Navy has inducted the Androth, the second vessel in a series of Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW‑SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
- Purpose: Designed for coastal security, anti‑submarine patrols and shallow‑water operations around islands and strategic sea lanes.
- Specifications: The ship is about 77 metres long, powered by diesel engines and water‑jet propulsion. It is armed with indigenous lightweight torpedoes and anti‑submarine rockets and equipped with advanced sonar and sensors.
- Indigenisation: Over 80 % of the ship is made in India, supporting the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative for self‑reliance in defence production.
One‑In, One‑Out Scheme
An Indian national became the first person deported from the United Kingdom to France under a new “one‑in, one‑out” migration arrangement between the two countries.
- What it is: A bilateral agreement whereby the UK can return illegal migrants who arrived via small boats across the English Channel to France. In return, for each person sent back, the UK agrees to accept a legal asylum seeker from France.
- Aim: To deter dangerous small‑boat crossings, disrupt human‑smuggling networks and ensure safer, managed migration routes.
- Operation: The pilot scheme runs from August 2025 to June 2026. It includes fast‑track deportations, a voluntary return option and judicial oversight to ensure due process.
- Significance: Enhances border security and illustrates international cooperation in managing migration. However, critics argue that it may violate migrants’ rights and does not address underlying causes of migration.
New Coral Species – Iridogorgia chewbacca
Marine biologists identified a previously unknown deep‑sea coral species, naming it Iridogorgia chewbacca after the hairy Star Wars character due to its curly, shiny branches.
- Description: The coral has long, hair‑like branches that grow upright from the ocean floor. Its reflective surface gives it a distinctive sheen.
- Location: Found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. It was first observed in 2006 and formally described in the scientific journal Zootaxa.
- Inspiration for name: The species’ appearance reminded scientists of Chewbacca, leading to a playful but memorable scientific name.
- Importance: The discovery underscores how many marine species remain undocumented. Naming such organisms after popular culture icons can spark public interest in biodiversity and conservation.
Chabahar Port
The United States revoked the sanctions waiver that had allowed India to participate in developing Iran’s Chabahar Port. This decision has implications for India’s regional connectivity plans.
- What it is: Chabahar is Iran’s only deep‑water port. India and Iran are jointly developing the Shahid Beheshti terminal to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia.
- Location: Situated on the Gulf of Oman in southeastern Iran’s Sistan‑Baluchestan province, about 170 km west of Pakistan’s Chinese‑developed Gwadar Port. It comprises the Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports.
- History: Proposed in 1973, construction began in 1983 during the Iran‑Iraq War. India signed an agreement in 2003 to develop the port, and a trilateral pact with Iran and Afghanistan in 2016 aimed to operationalise it. Phase I of the terminal opened in 2017, and India took partial operational control in 2018.
- Aims: Provide India an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that avoids Karachi; anchor the International North–South Transport Corridor linking the Indian Ocean to Europe; and enhance Iran’s trade despite US sanctions.
- Features: The four‑phase development plan will eventually give Chabahar a capacity of around 82 million tonnes per year across 32 jetties. Phase I currently handles about 5.8 million tonnes. Its strategic location near the Strait of Hor