US suspends Microsoft, Adobe from filing for green cards

The Trump administration has suspended major tech companies, including Microsoft, from applying for permanent residency for workers employed through a US Visa program for high-skilled workers, accusing the tech giant of abusing the H-1B system.

The move blocks a path to permanent Residency for affected workers but does not suspend the H-1B program, which allows skilled foreign workers to work temporarily in the us. critics of the H-1B program say it is overused, allows cheaper foreign workers to replace American employees, and is rife with abuse.

The suspensions are due to ongoing Federal investigations into those firms.

The move will affect hundreds of companies owned by the tech giant, escalating the Trump administration's cracking down on immigrant labor.

Reference Sources

1. theguardian - Microsoft suspended from applying for green cards for H-1B workers, JD Vance says
2. axios - Trump's foreign worker crackdown comes for Microsoft, Adobe, IT firms
3. axios - H-1B visas aren't suspended. Here's what Vance is really targeting
4. newyorkpost - Trump admin cuts off Microsoft from major visa program, accuses tech giant of fraud and abuse
5. dwen - US suspends Microsoft, Adobe from filing for green cards

Elon Musk questions Ambani’s influence as Starlink India launch stalls

Elon Musk has questioned the influence of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani as SpaceX struggles to launch its Starlink satellite Internet service in the country. Musk's comments escalate a dispute over regulatory delays after the Indian government rejected his claims that powerful business interests were blocking its entry. Musk accused unnamed "Oligarchs" of blocking Starlink's launch in India to maintain what he called their "monopolistic chokehold" on the country, without identifying them or providing evidence for his claim.

The Indian government rejected the allegation a day later, saying its regulatory framework for satellite communications is "fair and non-discriminatory." Musk questioned why Starlink is still waiting to begin commercial operations in India despite years of engagement with regulators and compliance work.

He also took a pointed swipe at India's telecom power structure, asking whether billionaire Mukesh Ambani was effectively calling the shots. Musk's latest clash with India over Starlink's delayed launch has exposed a bigger question than who gets to sell satellite Internet in the country: what happens when a private foreign company controls a communications network that can become critical infrastructure.

The pushback comes as SpaceX struggles to turn years of regulatory work and partnerships with India's biggest telecom operators into a commercial launch in one of the world's largest Internet markets.

Reference Sources

1. techcrunch - Elon Musk questions Ambani’s influence as Starlink India launch stalls
2. indiatoday - 'Is Ambani real boss of India?' Musk doubles down as govt rejects Starlink claims
3. aljazeera - India defends satellite internet approval process after Elon Musk jab
4. indiatoday - The Starlink kill switch: Why India is careful in dealing with Musk's broadband empire
5. techcrunch - India rejects Elon Musk’s claim of discrimination over Starlink launch

Fed Telegraphs Another Interest Rate Hike This Year

The US Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again before the end of the year, according to minutes from the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, which were released on Wednesday.

The minutes showed that all participants supported raising the target range for the Federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 3-3/4 to 4%. Participants generally emphasized that inflation remained elevated while the labour market appeared to be near full employment with rising growth for the economy overall, but that inflation will remain elevated in the near term. Uncertainty over the geopolitical situation, particularly rising oil prices due to the war in Iran, was also mentioned as a factor in inflation.

The Fed is focused on bringing inflation back to the central bank’s 2% target promptly, which he described as roughly 18 months.

The dollar held near its strongest level in a year-and-a-half in subdued trading at the start of the Asian session on Thursday, after hawkish minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee signaled policymakers at the US central bank viewed inflation as the biggest risk to their outlook.

The dollar index, which measures its strength against a basket of six currencies, was steady at 102.23 after rising 0.3% on Wednesday.

Reference Sources

1. barrons - Kevin Warsh’s New Fed Framework Could Mean More Rate Hikes
2. thestarmy - Dollar edges back from 18-month high after FOMC minutes
3. axios - Fed officials feared inflation pressures could spread, minutes show
4. usnews - Fed Telegraphs Another Interest Rate Hike This Year
5. wsj - U.S. Interest Rates Could Rise Over Next Six to Nine Months, Fed’s Musalem Says

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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