The U.S. government has officially entered a shutdown after Congress failed to pass a stopgap funding bill, leaving federal agencies without funds to operate. The deadlock arose from sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats over federal spending priorities, border security, and aid to Ukraine. With no agreement reached before the fiscal deadline, non-essential federal services have been forced to halt, while essential functions such as national security and air traffic control continue. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees face unpaid furloughs or delayed salaries, adding to the pressure on both lawmakers and citizens. The shutdown highlights deepening political gridlock in Washington, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse. Democrats accuse Republicans of holding the economy hostage with partisan demands, while GOP leaders argue that unchecked federal spending is unsustainable. Economists warn that if the shutdown continues, it could disrupt markets, delay public services, and hurt economic recovery. For ordinary Americans, the impact will soon be felt in delayed government assistance, closed national parks, and uncertainty over federal programs. The coming days will determine whether Congress can overcome the deadlock and restore funding. #USShutdown #Congress #GovernmentShutdown #WashingtonPolitics #FederalFunding #USPolitics #EconomicImpact #PartisanDivide #AmericanDemocracy #StopgapBill
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has criticized the Union government over the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, alleging that states are shouldering half of the financial burden without receiving due recognition or compensation. Stalin pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that citizens would save ₹2.5 lakh crore through GST and income tax relief, the Centre has failed to acknowledge that state governments are contributing 50% of this relief. He further accused the Union government of denying funds to states like Tamil Nadu, citing the withholding of Samagra Shiksha funds as an example of punitive measures against states resisting "Hindi imposition" The GST Council's recent decision to rationalize tax rates has led to significant reductions in the prices of essential goods and services. However, opposition-ruled states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal, have expressed concerns about the financial implications of these changes. They have called for a robust revenue protection framework to ensure that the benefits of GST rate cuts are passed on to consumers without adversely affecting state revenues #GSTReform #StateFinances #MKStalin #TamilNadu #GSTRelief #TaxPolicy #Federalism #EconomicImpact #newsone #GSTDebate
President Donald Trump's recent executive order imposing a $100,000 application fee on new H-1B visa petitions has sent shockwaves through the U.S. tech industry. The H-1B visa program has been instrumental in enabling companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, particularly from India and China. This policy change, which does not affect current visa holders but applies to new applications submitted after September 21, 2025, has led to significant concerns among tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta, all of which rely heavily on the H-1B program to fill critical roles. The immediate impact on India's IT sector has been profound, with companies losing nearly $10 billion in market value. Analysts anticipate a 4% to 13% drop in earnings per share for these firms. This development has prompted Indian companies to reassess their U.S. operations due to increased costs and operational uncertainties. Moreover, the policy may lead to reduced wage growth in India's tech sector, diminished U.S. remittance flows, and potential job disruptions, affecting over 5.6 million jobs supported by the IT sector. In response to the policy, some tech leaders have expressed support, viewing the fee as a means to attract top global talent and reduce misuse of the system. However, others, including Elon Musk and Satya Nadella, have criticized the move, highlighting the foundational role of H-1B visa holders in building American tech giants. The debate underscores the critical role of immigrant talent in shaping the U.S. tech industry. #H1BVisa #TechIndustry #ImmigrationPolicy #USTech #IndianTech #GlobalTalent #VisaFee #EconomicImpact #newsone #TechDebate @DonaldJTrump
