Page 17 - Usa

US' death toll from Hurricane Ian crosses 110; 300,000 still without power

The death toll from Hurricane Ian in the US has exceeded 110, while hundreds of thousands of people remain without power

Joe Biden juggles nuclear talks as Iran escalates repression of protestors

President Joe Biden has hit back at Iran over the government's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. He's praised the brave women of Iran for demanding basic rights and signalled that he'll announce more sanctions against those responsible for violence against protesters in the coming days. The outpouring of anger largely led by young women and directed at the government's male leadership has created a seminal moment for the country, spurring some of the largest and boldest protests against the country's Islamic leadership seen in years. And while the Biden administration says it is dedicated to standing by the women of Iran, the president faces a tough question: Can he credibly side with the protest movement while also trying to salvage the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal that would pump billions into Tehran's treasury? The risk of a nuclear Iran is terrifying on all levels, Marjan Keypour Greenblatt, director of a network of activists that promotes human rights in Ir

Mexico pledges to bring second lawsuit against gun dealers in border states

The Mexican government plans to bring another lawsuit against US companies it claims are responsible for the flow of illegal weapons into Mexico, Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Wednesday. Ebrard suggested the new lawsuit could target gun shops or dealers in US border states like Arizona who sell guns to straw purchasers who pass them on to smugglers, who then take the weapons into Mexico. Ebrard said about 60% of the weapons seized in Mexico in recent years were believed to have been sold in 10 US counties, mostly along the border. Mexico has very strict restrictions on weapon possession, but drug cartel violence has cost hundreds of thousands of lives in the country in recent years. Mexico is going to file the second lawsuit in Arizona, and we are going to show that many of these outlets where they sell these products in these counties I mentioned, are dealing with straw purchasers, and criminal charges have to be brought, Ebrard said in an appearance before the ...

N Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles towards sea as US redeploys carrier

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the Korean Peninsula in response to Pyongyang's previous launch of a nuclear-capable missile over Japan. The latest missile launches suggest North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to continue with weapons tests aimed at boosting his nuclear arsenal in defiance of international sanctions. Many experts say Kim's goal is to eventually win US recognition as a legitimate nuclear state and the lifting of those sanctions, though the international community has shown no sign of allowing that to happen. The latest missiles were launched 22 minutes apart from the North's capital region and landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The first missile flew 350 kilometers (217 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and the second flew 800 kilometers (497

Joe Biden writes to S Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol seeking talks on IRA

US President Joe Biden has sent a letter to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol expressing his willingness to continue frank and open-minded talks on the US Inflation Reduction Act

Is US Ambassador Blome's visit to POK a signal to India and China?

US is going about systematically restoring ties with war-on-terror ally Pakistan, that had once sent Washington and its fearsome military on a wild-goose chase for a decade looking for Osama bin Laden

S Korea, US fire 4 missiles into East Sea against N Korea's provocation

South Korea and the United States fired four ground-to-ground missiles into the East Sea in joint drills, a day after North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile launch

Dr Vivek Murthy appointed as US representative on WHO executive board

President Joe Biden has nominated US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy to serve as the country's representative on the executive board of the World Health Organisation. Dr Murthy, 45, will serve in the new position alongside his continued duties as the US Surgeon General, the White House said in a statement. He was confirmed by the US Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the country. He previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Barack Obama. As the nation's doctor, the Surgeon General's mission is to help lay the foundation for a healthier country, relying on the best scientific information available to provide clear, consistent and equitable guidance and resources for the public. "While serving as the 21st Surgeon General, Dr Murthy is focused on drawing attention to and working across government to address a number of critical public health issues, including the growing proliferation of health misinformation, the ongoing youth mental heal

14.8 million US children infected with Covid-19 since pandemic's onset

Nearly 14.8 million children in the US have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association

US President Joe Biden plans to hold Diwali celebrations at White House

US President Joe Biden has plans to celebrate Diwali at the White House this year, his spokesperson said. Details and nature of preparations have not been revealed yet. Yes, he has plans to celebrate Diwali just like he did last year, White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference here. We don't have a date to share with you at this time but it is an event that he thinks is very important as he sees a partnership with India as well as Indian Americans here in this country, Jean-Pierre said in response to a question. Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Lawrence Hogan has declared October as Hindu Heritage Month. Beginning with the Bush Administration, Diwali is being celebrated at the White House every year.

Putin facing further isolation from international community: White House

Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing isolation from the international community, the White House said as it took note of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "We're asking that countries around the world, and we've been very clear about that, continue to speak out publicly and continue to engage diplomatically on this as well. And so, I think that's what you're seeing from the prime minister (of India)," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Tuesday. Responding to a question, the press secretary said she doesn't has anything to read out on any recent conversation between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi. "But his public comments directly to Putin are very clear. Now is not the time for war. And it's not the time, he was even more specific to that, he said his war, Putin's war, he was alluding to," she said. "Look, Putin is facing further isolation from ...

US' gross national debt surpasses $31 trillion as new fiscal year begins

The nation's gross national debt has surpassed USD31 trillion, according to a US Treasury report released Tuesday that logs America's daily finances. Edging closer to the statutory ceiling of roughly USD31.4 trillion, an artificial cap Congress placed on the US government's ability to borrow, the debt numbers hit an already tenuous economy facing high inflation, rising interest rates and a strong US dollar. And while President Joe Biden has touted his administration's deficit reduction efforts this year and recently signed the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which attempts to tame 40-year high price increases caused by a variety of economic factors, economists say the latest debt numbers are a cause for concern. Owen Zidar, a Princeton economist, said rising interest rates will exacerbate the nation's growing debt issues and make the debt itself more costly. The Federal Reserve has raised rates several times this year in an effort to combat inflation. Zidar said the debt "should

Donald Trump asks US Supreme Court to intervene in Mar-a-Lago dispute

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court on Tuesday to step into the legal fight over the classified documents seized during an FBI search of his Florida estate. The Trump team asked the court to overturn a lower court ruling and permit an independent arbiter, or special master, to review the roughly 100 documents with classified markings that were taken in the Aug. 8 search. A three-judge panel last month limited the special master's review to the much larger tranche of non-classified documents.

Technological battles heat up between US and China over semiconductor chips

Amid heightened cross-strait tensions between China and Taiwan, there is a shortage of semiconductor chips across the world, fuelling a technological cold war between the US and China

US announces 4 more advanced rocket systems to assist Ukraine in war

The US will soon deliver to Ukraine four more of the advanced rocket systems credited with helping the country's military gain momentum in its war with Russia. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, will be part of a new USD 624 million package of aid expected to be announced on Tuesday, according to US officials. The decision marks the first time the US has sent more HIMARS to Ukraine since late July, and it will bring the total number delivered so far to 20. The systems have become a key tool in Ukraine's ability to strike bridges that Russia has used to supply its troops, enabling Ukrainian forces to make inroads in Russia-controlled regions. The US in recent weeks also provided funding through a separate program the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative so another 18 HIMARS can be purchased through longer-term contracts. USAI funds are being used as part of the effort by the US and Western allies to ensure Ukraine's forces are trained and equipped to ..

US to block carriers if they fail to stop automated calls to customers

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has threatened to block calls from voice service providers that have failed to take action against illegal robocalls

September's credit wipeout foretells even more pain in for US investors

The pain is just beginning for investors in US credit markets after Federal Reserve tightening and recession angst sent investment-grade bonds, high-yield debt and leveraged loans spiraling in Sept

US Defence Secretary to host Pakistan Army chief for talks at Pentagon

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday will host Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Pentagon for talks amidst signs of enhanced military engagement between the two countries. Last week, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was in the town meeting top officials of the Biden Administration, including Secretary of State Tony Blinken. Bajwa will be accorded an "enhanced honour cordon" at the riverside entrance of the Pentagon by Austin following which the two will be holding a meeting on bilateral and regional issues. America's engagement with Pakistan, in particular with its military, has increased in recent months. Last month, the US announced a USD450 million F-16 fighter jet sustenance package for Pakistan.

Donald Trump seeks $475 million in defamation lawsuit against CNN

US Former President Donald J Trump on Monday (local time) sued CNN, accusing the network of engaging in a smear campaign against him ahead of the 2024 presidential elections

US to impose costs on Iran for crackdown against peaceful protesters: Biden

US President Joe Biden has said they will impose costs on perpetrators of violence against peaceful protesters in Iran, the country witnessing protests over the death of a woman in the custody of the morality police. "This week, the United States will be imposing further costs on perpetrators of violence against peaceful protesters. We will continue holding Iranian officials accountable and supporting the rights of Iranians to protest freely," Biden said in a statement. Biden said the United States is making it easier for Iranians to access the internet. The United States is also holding accountable Iranian officials and entities, such as the morality police, that are responsible for employing violence to suppress civil society, he said. "I remain gravely concerned about reports of the intensifying violent crackdown on peaceful protests in Iran, including students and women, who are demanding their equal rights and basic human dignity," he said. They are calling for just and unive