US Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

US Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

THE largest U.S. business lobbying group filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The lawsuit by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which says it represents 300,000 businesses, is the group’s first against the Trump administration since the Republican president took office for a second term in January. The Chamber says in the lawsuit that Trump’s September proclamation imposing the fee on new H-1B visa applications was beyond his powers and would disrupt the complex visa system created by Congress. HIGHER COSTS OR FEWER WORKERS The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields, and technology companies in particular rely heavily on workers who receive H-1B visas. The program offers 65,000 visas annually, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years. The fee would force businesses that rely on the H-1B program to choose between dramatically increasing their labor costs or hiring fewer highly-skilled workers, the Chamber said. “Many members of the U.S. Chamber are bracing for the need to scale back or entirely walk away from the H-1B program, to the detriment of their investors, customers, and their own existing employees,“ the group said in the lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., federal court. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The H-1B fee is being challenged in at least one other lawsuit filed this month by unions, employers, and religious groups in a California federal court. WORKER REPLACEMENT OR SHORTAGE SOLUTION? Critics of H-1Bs and other work visa programs say they are often used to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. But business groups and major companies have said H-1Bs are a critical means of addressing a shortage of qualified American workers. Employers who sponsor H-1B workers currently typically pay between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees, depending on the size of the company and other factors. The Chamber, in its lawsuit, said most H-1B petitions cost less than $3,600. Trump’s order bars new H-1B recipients from entering the United States unless the employer sponsoring their visa has made an additional $100,000 payment. The fee will first apply to H-1B applicants selected in an annual lottery that takes place in March. Trump in his unprecedented order invoked his power under federal immigration law to restrict the entry of certain foreign nationals that would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. He said the “large-scale replacement of American workers” through the H-1B program threatens the country’s economic and national security. But the Chamber argued in its lawsuit that the $100,000 payment does not amount to an entry on restriction because it is paid by businesses and not visa recipients. - Reuters

14-year-old boy detained for alleged sexual assault of schoolgirl

14-year-old boy detained for alleged sexual assault of schoolgirl

SHAH ALAM: Police have detained a 14-year-old boy for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl at a school in Sabak Bernam. Sabak Bernam district police chief Superintendent Md Yusoff Ahmad stated that the incident involved a 15-year-old victim and allegedly occurred during recess at approximately 9.30 am on October 13. He confirmed that the arrest was made on the same day at Jalan Parit in Sungai Besar. The suspect has been remanded for four days starting from October 14. The case is being investigated under section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. – Bernama

Tiga beradik mohon bantuan rawat ibu uzur

Tiga beradik mohon bantuan rawat ibu uzur

JERANTUT: Tiga beradik di Felda Kota Gelanggi Dua di sini, berdepan kesukaran kewangan kerana menanggung kos kebajikan dan rawatan ibu mereka yang terlantar akibat angin ahmar. Noriah Keria, 79, memerlukan penjagaan rapi termasuk susu khas, lampin pakai buang, rawatan berkala di hospital dan keperluan harian lain yang menelan belanja kira-kira RM2,000 sebulan. Nik Nurliana Nik ... Read more The post Tiga beradik mohon bantuan rawat ibu uzur appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Peluang terakhir Ronaldo julang Piala Dunia

Peluang terakhir Ronaldo julang Piala Dunia

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo sekali lagi bakal mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila dijangka mengetuai Portugal pada Piala Dunia 2026 yang bakal menjadi penampilan keenamnya di pentas paling berprestij dunia itu. Pada usia 41 tahun ketika kejohanan berlangsung tahun depan, Ronaldo masih menjadi sandaran utama Roberto Martinez yang dilaporkan terus menaruh kepercayaan penuh kepada legenda Portugal itu meskipun ... Read more The post Peluang terakhir Ronaldo julang Piala Dunia appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Harvard endowment grows to $56.9 billion with 11.9% investment return

Harvard endowment grows to $56.9 billion with 11.9% investment return

BOSTON : Harvard University’s endowment, the largest academic fund globally, increased by nearly $4 billion to $56.9 billion in fiscal 2025. Strong investment returns drove this growth despite the Trump administration reducing the university’s research funding. Harvard Management Company, the institution’s investment arm, reported an 11.9% return for the fiscal year ending June 30. This performance exceeded the school’s long-term 8% target, as detailed in its annual financial report. The endowment had earned a 9.6% return in fiscal 2024, bringing its total value to $53.2 billion at that time. Harvard also received a record $600 million in unrestricted donations from alumni and supporters. These contributions arrived as the university’s conflicts with the Trump administration gained widespread media attention. President Donald Trump accused Harvard of promoting antisemitism on campus during Israel’s war in Gaza. Critics argued these allegations were a pretext for a broader campaign against perceived anti-conservative bias in academia. The legal dispute now involves federal efforts to cut research funding and restrict international student enrollment. Harvard’s endowment allocated 41% of its assets to private equity investments and 31% to hedge funds. The fund maintained its public equities allocation at 14%, according to Harvard Management CEO N.P. Narvekar. Narvekar wrote that endowment results were dampened by having less public than private equity exposure. He noted that Harvard Management Company’s overall performance was bolstered by discerning manager selection. Ivy League endowment returns are closely monitored because these institutions pioneered alternative investment strategies. Harvard’s investments face increased scrutiny due to the ongoing political battles surrounding the university. President Alan Garber stated the university continues adapting to uncertainty and threats to revenue sources. He did not specifically name President Trump in his written comments. – Reuters

MACC develops AI procurement system for government transparency

MACC develops AI procurement system for government transparency

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is developing an artificial intelligence-driven procurement system to enhance transparency and integrity in government operations. A trial run of this new system will be carried out in Johor state soon according to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. He stated that rapidly developing Johor must pay attention to integrity issues as its active economic growth exposes the state to large-scale corruption cases. “MACC is always ready to assist the state government in strengthening governance and ensuring integrity in every policy implementation,“ he said in his speech at the MACC Engagement Session with Johor Assemblymen. The engagement session was held at the Meeting Hall in Bangunan Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad at Kota Iskandar. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi affirmed the state government’s full commitment to working with MACC in strengthening integrity and boosting investor confidence. “The Johor government, together with the state executive council members and all assemblymen, will give unwavering support to MACC to ensure that Johor remains on the path of good governance, transparency and integrity,“ said the menteri besar. He added that MACC’s presence in Johor provides a valuable opportunity to enhance the state’s administrative system particularly in terms of integrity and efficiency. Onn Hafiz also expressed the state government’s support for the MACC’s Keep Malaysia Clean campaign which aligns with the aspirations of Johor and Malaysia MADANI. “If MACC has the KMC campaign, Johor can adopt the spirit of Keep Johor Clean in line with our desire to develop the state with integrity and good governance,“ he said. – Bernama

B40 children get new outfits for Deepavali

B40 children get new outfits for Deepavali

IPOH : The spirit of Deepavali shone brightly at Little India here when a local saree shop stepped forward to bring joy to 15 children from B40 families by presenting them with new festive attire on Oct 8. For the past 18 years, Priyanka Saree Centre has carried out this initiative, ensuring that children from underprivileged backgrounds get to experience the happiness of wearing new clothes for the Festival of Lights. Its proprietor S. Rajendran personally presented the colourful sarees and outfits to the children, who beamed with joy as they received their gifts. The event was organised by Persatuan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti Buntong, which helped identify families in need. Its chairman S. Jayagopi expressed gratitude to Rajendran for his generosity and community spirit. Meanwhile, traders in Little India have lamented a quieter festive season this year. “The number of stalls has dropped compared with 2024,” said Little India Traders Association chairman T. Vignes Thillai. “This is due to earlier sales held at expos and malls, as well as more people shopping online.” He added that shoppers today prefer to avoid the festive rush and parking hassles, choosing instead to buy in air-conditioned venues that also feature celebrity appearances and entertainment. Still, the festive atmosphere remains vibrant. A total of 85 stalls have been set up from Oct 6 to 19, offering traditional clothing, festive cookies, food and decorations. From Oct 14 to 18, visitors would also be treated to daily dance and song performances.

Malaysia welcomes Chinese cooperation in rare earth industry development

Malaysia welcomes Chinese cooperation in rare earth industry development

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia welcomes cooperation with China to develop its domestic rare earth elements processing industry according to the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry. MITI stated that Malaysia has always taken advantage of strategic partnerships with countries possessing high technology capabilities in rare earth processing. The ministry noted that although Malaysia possesses rare earth deposits it currently lacks sufficient expertise and technology to process them effectively. Malaysia has always welcomed cooperation with foreign countries that have capabilities in developing rare earth resources including both China and the United States. MITI provided this written response on the Parliament website addressing questions about balancing China’s development offer with existing United States relations. This cooperation with China also aims to ensure Malaysia does not become overly reliant on rare earth separation technology from any single country. MITI emphasised that this strategy aligns with national policies including the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Advanced Materials Technology Roadmap 2021-2030. Both national policies focus specifically on the development of high technology materials and advanced industrial capabilities. – Bernama

Trump rejects global carbon tax vote for shipping industry

Trump rejects global carbon tax vote for shipping industry

WASHINGTON : United States President Donald Trump expressed outrage over the International Maritime Organization’s upcoming vote on a carbon emissions price for global shipping. He declared the United States will not accept what he termed a Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping. Trump stated his administration will not adhere to the proposed measure in any way, shape or form. The president made these remarks in a Truth Social post on Thursday. The International Maritime Organization is scheduled to hold the vote this week. – Reuters