UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced formal recognition of a Palestinian state. He said the move is meant to support peace and keep the two-state solution alive. Australia and Canada also recognised Palestine, while Portugal may follow. Israel strongly opposed the step, calling it a “reward for terrorism.” Families of Israeli hostages also criticised the decision. Starmer insisted Hamas would have no role in a future Palestinian government. The UK said recognition is based on 1967 borders with land swaps. The war in Gaza continues, with heavy strikes, mass displacement, and growing international alarm. (PC: Downing Street)

Peru's Machu Picchu faces potential loss of its New 7 Wonders status after receiving over 100 million votes in 2007's global competition. The New7Wonders organization warns the Inca sanctuary risks losing "credibility" due to overtourism, inadequate conservation policies, and social conflicts. The organization issued a weekend statement emphasizing everything depends on Peru's "key decision-makers," who have received proposals for implementing a strategic transformation plan. The designation requires shared commitment to conservation and responsible management meeting international standards. However, Machu Picchu's 1983 UNESCO World Heritage Site status remains unaffected, as it operates independently from the New7Wonders campaign. The warning highlights mounting pressure on Peru to address preservation challenges threatening the iconic archaeological site. (PC: Pinterest)

Britain's Deputy PM clarified Sunday that recognizing a Palestinian state would not bring one into existence "overnight," emphasizing recognition must be part of broader peace process. The statement comes as PM Starmer plans to announce new Hamas sanctions alongside Palestinian state recognition. Starmer faces massive Labour pressure to grant recognition before UN General Assembly, when France and others plan similar moves. The UK had set September deadline after Israel failed to make sufficient progress on Gaza humanitarian situation. Starmer recently welcomed Palestinian Authority President Abbas to Downing Street, discussing the "intolerable situation in Gaza". Recognition follows months of diplomatic ultimatum amid escalating Middle East tensions. (PC: The Guardian & Reuters)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to declare UK recognition of Palestinian state on Sunday, following through on his July ultimatum. Starmer announced the UK would recognize Palestinian statehood by September 2025 unless Israel met certain conditions, including ending Gaza operations and committing to genuine peace processes. The deadline was set after Israel failed to agree to substantive steps including Gaza ceasefire, West Bank annexation halt, and increased humanitarian aid. Recent polling shows 44% of Britons support recognition versus 18% opposed. President Trump recently expressed disagreement with Starmer's decision during private talks. This marks a significant shift from decades of UK policy requiring negotiated settlement first.

Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee targets program abuse as White House reveals alarming replacement patterns. One company received 5,189 H-1B approvals while laying off 16,000 US workers, another got 1,698 approvals but cut 2,400 Oregon jobs. A third company eliminated 27,000 US positions since 2022 despite 25,075 H-1B approvals. Some American IT workers were forced to train foreign replacements under NDAs. The administration says the program discourages Americans from pursuing STEM careers, threatening national security. The fee applies only to new petitions, not renewals or current holders. USCIS confirmed existing visa holders outside the US don't pay re-entry fees. (PC: Forbes & Hindustan Times)

A sudden U.S. policy change imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions has caused widespread panic among Indian tech professionals. At San Francisco International Airport, passengers disembarked from flights upon hearing the news, fearing re-entry issues. Videos of the chaos circulated on social media, showing passengers pleading to deboard. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and JP Morgan advised H-1B holders to return to the U.S. before the September 21 deadline or avoid international travel to prevent complications. The steep fee hike has raised concerns about its impact on the Indian tech community.   

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Afghanistan of "bad things" if it does not return control of the Bagram Air Base to the United States. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the strategic importance of the base, located near China's nuclear facilities. He stated that the U.S. is in discussions with Afghan authorities to reclaim the base, which was abandoned during the 2021 withdrawal. Experts caution that re-occupying Bagram would require significant military resources and could lead to increased tensions in the region. (PC: AP)    

Amid confusion, the White House clarified that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced under President Trump is a one-time payment, applicable only to new applicants. It does not apply to renewals or current visa holders, including those re-entering the U.S. Earlier remarks by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting an annual fee caused chaos among Indian professionals and U.S. tech firms. The clarification aims to calm fears of widespread disruption in the IT sector. The new rule, effective Sunday 12:01 am ET, is part of Trump’s effort to reform visa policies and prioritize U.S. workers. (PC: AP)

The White House clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced under President Trump will apply only to new applicants in upcoming lottery cycles, not existing visa holders or renewals. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed it is not an annual fee, easing concerns among Indian IT professionals and companies. The rule, aimed at curbing visa misuse and protecting U.S. workers, allows case-by-case exemptions if applications serve the national interest. Existing H-1B holders, whose visas take effect on October 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this order. (PC: Mint)  

Joint security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector recovered 20 Chinese hand grenades during an intelligence-led operation, thwarting a major terror plot. The cache was intended for hinterland infiltration. Last month, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) associates were arrested in Bandipora with Chinese grenades, UBGL rounds, and AK-series ammunition; one Army jawan was injured. Counter Intelligence units also raided seven Kashmir districts, seizing digital devices and documents. Intelligence reports reveal Pakistan’s ISI is supplying Chinese-made weapons like pistols, grenades, night vision gear via drones to POK terror camps. Terrorists are receiving encrypted communication tools and digital maps to evade Indian surveillance and aid infiltration.(PC: India Today)