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FDA acknowledges delays in response to US Infant formula shortage

The Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged that its response to the US infant formula shortage was slowed by delays in processing a whistleblower complaint and test samples from the nation's largest formula factory. A 10-page report from the agency on Tuesday offers its first formal account of the factors that led to the ongoing shortage, which has forced the US to airlift millions of pounds of powdered formula from overseas. The review zeroed in on several key problems at the agency, including outdated data-sharing systems, inadequate staffing and training among its food inspectors, and poor visibility into formula supply chains and manufacturing procedures. For things that are critical to the public health, if you don't have some understanding of how all the pieces fit together, then when you get into a crisis or a shortage you have a real problem, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told The Associated Press in an interview. To a large extent that's what happened here. Califf

47 people charged in largest ever Covid-19 relief fraud scheme in US

US prosecutors have charged 47 people in connection with the largest ever Covid-19 relief fraud scheme, with the suspects accused of stealing a whopping $250 million from a government aid programme

India, Israel, UAE, US express commitment to deepen economic partnership

The I2U2 grouping of India, Israel, UAE and the US have expressed commitment to deepening their economic partnership and has taken stock of current projects in agriculture and clean energy and reviewed potential projects to help the group's objectives. The group met here on Tuesday on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly Meeting. According to a statement from the US State Department, Under Secretary of State Jose W Fernandez met with his I2U2 Group counterparts India's Ministry of External Affairs Economic Relations Secretary Dammu Ravi, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Alon Ushpiz and United Arab Emirates Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh. "The group expressed its commitment to deepening the economic partnership among the four countries. They took stock of current projects in agriculture and clean energy and reviewed potential projects to help further the group's objectives," it said. The group looks forward to building on the success of t

US: At least 8 people injured in Chicago residential building blast

At least eight people were injured after an explosion ripped through a residential building in Chicago on Tuesday (local time), according to local fire department authorities.Chicago Fire Department confirmed the explosion at 9:45 am (local time) and tweeted pictures which showed that the top floor of the four-story brick apartment building on the city's West Side almost completely destroyed by the blast.The department said that the blast occurred near Washington Boulevard and Central Avenue."Background on explosion. This is a four-story apartment building. With 35 units. Investigation underway into cause by CFD OFI. Assisted by ATF and CPD. Looking at 4th Floor as possible source," Chicago Fire Department said in a tweet.ABC News reported that three of those injured are in a critical condition.Fire officials said that a building adjacent to the site of the explosion was being evacuated.Deputy Fire Commissioner Marc Ferman told reporters during a midday briefing that first responders .

US traffic deaths hit record high with 20,175 cases in first half of 2022

Traffic deaths in the US increased 0.5 per cent to 20,175 in the first half of 2022, the highest number killed in the period since 2006, a US official estimate has said

Joe Biden urges Republican Party to support Disclose Act in Senate voting

US President Joe Biden has urged the Republican Party to support the Disclose Act, which aims at fighting "dark money" by requiring political parties to reveal the names of big donors, ahead of voting on it before the Senate this week. The Disclose Act has already been passed by the US House of Representatives. Biden stressed that 'dark money' erodes public trust which needs to be protected. "Republicans should join Democrats to pass the Disclosure Act and get it on my desk right away. 'Dark money' has become so common in our politics that I believe sunlight is the best disinfectant. I acknowledge it's an issue for both parties," Biden told reporters at the White House. "But here's the key difference Democrats in Congress support more openness and accountability and republicans in Congress so far don't. I hope they'll come around," he said. The US president said Republican Senators should follow the lead of party governors in state legislatures in Tennessee and Wyoming that have

Senators urge Biden admin for secondary sanctions on Russian oil purchases

The push comes as the US and Group of Seven nations seek to limit Russian President Vladimir Putin's ability to fund his war in Ukraine

Vikram Solar bags order from US-based firm for 350 MW project in Arizona

Solar energy solutions provider Vikram Solar on Tuesday said it has bagged an order from a US- company for a 350 MW power project. The order is for supplying solar modules for the project that will be located at Arizona in the US, a company statement said. The new order further strengthens Vikram Solar's presence in the US and is aligned to the company's commitment to accelerate the clean energy transition in this market, it said. "We are witnessing an increasing demand for high-quality Indian-made modules in the US aligned to the clarion call of diversifying sourcing policies. We are focused on further strengthening our market share in the US and cater to the utility, commercial as well as residential customers," Gyanesh Chaudhary, Vice Chairman and MD, Vikram Solar, said. According to the International Energy Agency, over next 4-5 years, the US has the potential of adding up to 20-25 GW of solar energy annually. Kolkata-based Vikram Solar specializes in efficient photovoltaic (P

US court awards $73 million to family of deceased Venezuelan opponent

A federal judge in Miami has awarded USD 73 million in damages to the family of a prominent opponent of Venezuela's socialist government who died while in custody in what he described as a murder for hire carried out by a criminal enterprise led by President Nicolas Maduro. Fernando Alban was arrested in 2018 upon arrival to the international airport in Caracas from New York, where he was part of a delegation that had denounced Maduro's government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. He died three days later in what authorities initially described as a suicide jump from the 10th floor of a building belonging to Venezuela's intelligence services. Alban's death provoked international outrage and condemnation from the US. Last year, his widow and two children sued Maduro and several high-ranking members of his government for carrying out the kidnapping, torture and murder of the one-time Caracas councilman. The family accused the men of belonging to the Cartel of t

China lodges complaint after Biden vows to help Taiwan during invasion

China reserves the right to take all necessary measures in response to activities that split the nation apart, said Mao Ning, spokesperson at the foreign ministry

No plan to meet Biden at UN General Assembly, says Iranian President Raisi

Iran's president headed on Monday to New York, where he will be speaking to the UN General Assembly later this week, saying that he has no plans to meet with President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. event. President Ebrahim Raisi spoke at the Tehran airport before his departure as talks to revive Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers remain stalled. There is no plan for a meeting or negotiations with US leaders," Raisi said. We have no plans whatsoever for meeting them. The Iranian president called his appearance at the United Nations an opportunity to explain to the world about alleged malice that unspecified nations and world powers have toward Iran. He did not elaborate. Raisi, who is accompanied by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani, is to address both the General Assembly and a UNESCO meeting on religions. Talks between Iran and world powers over reviving a 2015 nuclear deal remained stalled though Tehran

US forces would defend Taiwan against Chinese invasion, says Joe Biden

President Joe Biden says US forces would defend Taiwan if China tries to invade the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, adding to displays of official American support for the island democracy. Asked during an interview broadcast on Sunday on CBS News's 60 Minutes program whether US forces, US men and women, would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden said, Yes. CBS News reported the White House said after the interview that US policy hasn't changed. That policy says Washington wants to see Taiwan's status resolved peacefully but doesn't say whether US forces might be sent in response to a Chinese attack. Biden's comments come amid rising tension over Taiwan following efforts by Chinese President Xi Jinping's government to intimidate the island by firing missiles into the sea and flying fighter jets nearby and visits to Taipei by political figures including US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Washington is obligated by federal law to see tha

US becomes 101st country to ratify International Solar Alliance Agreement

The US has ratified the International Solar Alliance Agreement.

Zydus Lifesciences US arm gets tentative USFDA nod for Sugammadex injection

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd on Friday said its US-arm has received tentative approval from the country's health regulator to market its generic version of Sugammadex injection. The injection is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adults undergoing surgery. The tentative approval granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc is for Sugammadex Injection of strengths 200 mg/2 mL (100 mg/mL) and 500 mg/5 mL (100 mg/mL), single-dose vial, the company said in a regulatory filing. The drug will be manufactured at the group's injectables manufacturing facility at Jarod (Gujarat), India, it added. Sugammadex Injection had annual sales of USD 772 million in the US, the company said citing IQVIA MAT July 2022.

Veteran NY judge appointed as independent arbiter in Trump Mar-a-Lago probe

A federal judge has appointed a veteran New York jurist to serve as an independent arbiter and review records seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump's Florida home last month. The selection of Raymond Dearie, a former federal prosecutor who for years served as the chief judge of the federal court based in Brooklyn, came after both the Justice Department and Trump's lawyers made clear that they would be satisfied with his appointment as a so-called special master. In that role, Dearie will be responsible for reviewing the documents taken during the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and segregating out any that may be covered by claims of privilege. It is not clear how long the work will take but the special master process has already delayed the investigation, with a judge in Florida directing the Justice Department to temporarily pause core aspects of its probe. The Justice Department is investigating the hoarding of top-secret materials and other classified document

Biden talks about inflation, Russia-Ukraine war in '60 Minutes' interview

President Joe Biden sat down this week for his first interview of his presidency with the news magazine show 60 Minutes. CBS said on Thursday that Biden gave the interview to correspondent Scott Pelley while visiting Detroit on Wednesday, and that the two-part interview will air Sunday as part of the premiere of the program's 55th season. Biden discussed inflation, Russia's war on Ukraine, U.S.-China tensions, the midterm elections and more, according to CBS. The network plans to air a preview on Friday of Pelly's interview on CBS Mornings. Biden has done fewer television interviews and press conferences than his recent White House predecessors in the early going of his presidency.

Flood-hit Pakistani citizens need America's assistance: US Congresswoman

Asserting that the people of Pakistan need America's help, a US lawmaker has introduced legislation to provide more help to the country that has been devastated by recent floods. The cash-strapped nation has been struggling with the worst floods in the past 30 years, leaving more than 1,400 dead and 33 million people affected since early June. A third of the country is submerged in water and one in every seven persons is badly affected by the floods that have led to an estimated USD 12 billion in losses that have left about 78,000 square kilometres (21 million acres) of crops under water. The people of Pakistan need our help. The Pakistani Americans have risen to their call. So many in my Congressional district are providing and offering to help send medical care if you will, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-chair of the Pakistani Congressional Caucus said in her remarks in the House of Representatives. Speaking on the floor of the House, Jackson-Lee said that it is very import

White supremacy, hate-fuelled violence has no place in America: Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden has asserted that white supremacy, all forms of hate-fuelled by violence have no place in America, amidst a spurt in hate-related incidents across the country, including those against the Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. Regardless of our backgrounds, our beliefs, we have to stand united against hate-fuelled violence, which you know than anyone, that forever an attack on one group of us is literally an attack on all of us, Biden said in his address to the United We Stand summit organised by the White House on Thursday. Addressing the participants who had gathered from across the country in the East Room of the White House, Biden said he decided to run for president after such incidents. I had no intention of running. I give you my word. I was teaching and I thought that was the best thing for me to do, as Chris knows, my colleague from Delaware. But Charlottesville changed everything because I believed our story is to unite as people of one nation and one America, h

Over 14.6 million US children infected with Covid-19 since the breakout

More than 14.6 million children in the US have tested positive for Covid since the onset of the pandemic, according to the report by American Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Association

WikiLeaks founder's family brings release Julian Assange campaign to Mexico

This week the objective was to insert mention of Julian Assange into a meeting between Mexico's president and the United States' top diplomat. Next week, it will be to have Australia's prime minister bring it up with the U.S. president at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. The efforts are part of the campaign by John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, to find allies and convince the U.S. to drop espionage charges against Assange, who remains in a British prison awaiting extradition to the U.S. The journey by the septuagenarian Australian architect together with another son, Gabriel, brought them this week to Mexico. The country has become the family's main ally in Latin America since President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador offered Assange political asylum and called for the U.S. to allow him to seek refuge there. We call President Lpez Obrador an ice-breaker, because afterward the leaders of Chile, Colombia and Bolivia called for his release too, Gabriel Shipton said during the visit