Page 8 - Us

Saddened by loss of lives due to severe floods in Pakistan: US Official

The White House has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and devastation caused by severe flooding in Pakistan. Floods triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains have caused widespread havoc across Pakistan, killing over 1,100 people and displacing 33 million or one-seventh of the country's population. "We are saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction as a result of the severe flooding in Pakistan. We send our deepest condolences to all the individuals and families impacted. The United States stands with communities in Pakistan as they experience severe flooding and landslides," White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference here on Wednesday. "Yesterday, USAID announced it is providing an additional USD30 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the severe flooding. With these funds, USAID partners will prioritise urgently needed support for food, nutrition, safe water, improved sanitation and

Toyota Motor to invest $5.3 bn in Japan, US for EV battery supply

In addition, about $2.5 billion will be invested in Toyota Battery Manufacturing in North Carolina

Oil recoups some losses on Tuesday on signs of firm US fuel demand

API data showed crude stocks rose by about 593,000 barrels, against analysts' estimates of a drop of around 1.5 million barrels

US NSA to hold trilateral dialogue with Japan, South Korea on Sept 1

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will hold a trilateral dialogue with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea in Hawaii on September 1, the White House announced Tuesday. The meeting assumes significance amidst the growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with China engaging in security drills following the Taiwan visit of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Sullivan, Japan's National Security Secretariat Secretary General Akiba Takeo, and Republic of Korea's Director of the National Security Office Kim Sung-han will meet at the Headquarters of the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 1, the White House said. "The officials will meet bilaterally on August 31. After the bilateral meeting, Sullivan will visit the United States Indo-Pacific Command to discuss our alliances in defense of the free and open Indo-Pacific," the media announcement said.

US announces $30 mn humanitarian aid to Pak as it battles deadly floods

The United States on Tuesday announced USD 30 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan as it battles one of the worst floods in recent history. US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said, "We stand with Pakistan in this difficult time." "As Pakistan suffers from devastating flooding, the United States -- through the USAID -- is now providing USD30 million towards critical humanitarian assistance like food, safe water, and shelter," he said. The flooding has affected an estimated 33 million people and resulted in more than 1,100 deaths and over 1,600 injuries, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, told reporters during a conference call. "In addition, more than one million homes have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly 735,000 livestock a major source of livelihood and food have been lost, and the flooding has damaged roads and more than two million acres of agricultural land, he said. USAID (United States Agency for International Development) ...

US has concerns about any country exercising with Russia: Official

The United States has concerns about any country conducting an exercise with Russia which has waged an unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday. It said this in response to a question on a multinational military exercise -- called "Vostok 2022" -- from September 1-7 in Russia which among others would be attended by India and China. This will be the first large-scale multinational military exercise in Russia since the beginning of its offensive in Ukraine. "The United States has concerns about any country exercising with Russia while Russia wages an unprovoked, brutal war against Ukraine. But, of course, every participating country will make its own decisions. And I'll leave it at that," White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard the Air Force One. When she was specifically asked why "not put any pressure on India", Jean-Pierre said, "My first sentence there is saying that we have concerns over any country exercising with Russi

Raja Krishnamoorthi urges to prosecute woman who harassed Indian-Americans

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has asked the police in Dallas to prosecute to the full extent of the law the woman responsible for the hate-motivated harassment and assault on four women of Indian descent last week, saying such bigoted attacks victimise not only those targeted by them but also broader communities. The Indian-American women have been racially abused and smacked by a Mexican-American woman in Dallas in the US state of Texas, who hurled racist slurs at them that they are "ruining" America and should "go back to India". "Such bigoted attacks motivated by racism, xenophobia, and other forms of hate victimise not only those directly targeted by them, but also broader communities through creating an atmosphere of fear and danger," Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, said. Esmeralda Upton from Plano in Texas was arrested for the racially-motivated physical and verbal assault of the four women at a parking lot last Wednesday. "I'm appalled by the footage of the ...

US inks agreement on Cyber Security Cooperation with Israel: US Treasury

The Treasury noted that during his Israel visit last year, Adeyemo launched a bilateral Cyber Task Force with Israel aimed at combating the global threat of ransomware

US Congress mulls American aid to India on improvement in human rights

Members of the US Congress could consider whether or not to condition future American aid to India on "improvements" in human rights and civil liberties in the country, an independent and bipartisan congressional research body has said. The Biden Administration has requested USD 117 million in foreign assistance to India for FY 2023. Congress could consider whether or not to condition some or all of such aid on improvements in human rights and civil liberties in India, Congressional Research Service said in its In Focus report titled India: Human Rights Assessment. The USD 117 million aid to India through USAID is a proposal by the Biden Administration. Notably, India has not asked for any such American assistance. Also, this amount is insignificant considering the India-US trade and business ties. During COVID-19 pandemic, the US corporate sector alone donated equipment and aid worth USD 500 million in a matter of weeks. India has repeatedly rejected criticism by foreign government

US reaches H-1B visa cap of 65,000 for 2023: Immigration Services

The US has received sufficient number of applications needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 H1-B visa cap for the fiscal year 2023, the country's federal agency for immigration services said on Tuesday. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The H-1B visa programme is the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians. We have received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa US advanced degree exemption, known as the master's cap, for fiscal year 2023, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said in a statement. USCIS has completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants' online accounts. The

US reports over 15,000 monkeypox cases, highest in the world: CDC

Over the last week, the US also saw the largest increase in monkeypox infections of any country, according to data from the World Health Organization

Russia may step up strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure, facilities: US

The US State Department has issued a security alert warning that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days. The US Embassy in Kyiv on Monday urged US citizens still in Ukraine to depart the country immediately. If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover, the State Department said in its alert. If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings. The State Department issued the alert after the US intelligence community on Monday declassified a finding that determined that Russia would increasingly target Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence. The official was not authorized to comment publicly about the finding and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Owing to international pressure US to discuss over frozen funds to Kabul

The United Nations has highlighted that nearly half the country's 40 million people face acute hunger and are on the brink of starvation

Resumption of US-Russia dialogue on strategic stability uncertain: Ryabkov

According to Ryabkov, Russia has been tracking certain signals regarding the potential resumption of dialogue on strategic stability, but there has been no clarity on the issue

US first lady Jill Biden ends isolation after testing negative for Covid-19

She tested positive for Covid-19 last week and had mild symptoms

Streaming viewership pips cable TV for first time in US: Nielsen report

Streaming viewership has exceeded cable usage for the first time in the US, amid the slowdown of new content on traditional television and reduced sports programming, a new report has shown.

US judge leans toward disclosure of document for Trump's Mar-a-Lago search

A federal judge in Florida said he is likely to order the release of a key court document for the search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, despite warnings that it may harm the investigation.

Russia expects US to issue visa to Lavrov for UNGA visit: Foreign Ministry

Russia expects that US will issue visas to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his delegation for their participation in the high-level meetings during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

US, Taiwan plan to start trade talks, eye growth with shared values

The US and Taiwan have announced trade talks after both sides agreed on improving trade and investment relationships and, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values.

US Fed indicates further rate hikes as inflation shows no signs of abating

US Federal Reserve officials indicated that further rate hikes could follow as there is "little evidence" that inflation pressures were subsiding, according to the Fed's latest policy meeting.