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US to start using $3.5 billion 'Afghan fund' Biden seized from Afghanistan

The Biden administration has announced the establishment of a platform to begin spending USD 3.5 billion to benefit the people of Afghanistan, using funds that President Joe Biden had frozen and seized from Afghanistan's central bank after the Taliban took over the country last year. The Switzerland-headquartered 'Afghan Fund' established by the US on Wednesday in association with its international partners, the government of Switzerland and Afghan economic experts will facilitate the use of certain Afghan central bank reserves for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan without benefiting the Taliban. In February, President Biden set a policy of enabling USD 3.5 billion worth of Afghan central bank reserves to be used for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan. With the Afghan fund, the US and our partners are following through with that commitment with a concrete step toward ensuring that these additional resources will contribute to helping relieve hardship and suffering in ..

130 Indian-Americans in key positions of Biden administration: White House

US President Joe Biden has appointed 130 Indian-Americans to key positions in his administration so far, a senior White House official has said, the best representation from the community that makes up around one per cent of the American population. Representing the Biden administration at an event to celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava' at the US Capitol, Raj Panjabi, who is currently serving as Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefence on the White House National Security Council, read out a list of top Indian Americans in the US Government. Panjabi said that US President Biden has appointed 130 Indian Americans in his administration. This is something to be proud of, he said in his address to Indian Americans. As many as 75 Indian American organisations have come together to observe the historic milestone of India's journey after 1947. Prominent among these organisations include US India Relationship Council, Sewa International, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Hindu

Trade with India saw biggest jump among 15 nations in 1 year: US envoy

US's trade with its top 15 partners increased over the past one year, but the single biggest jump was with India, the country's Consul General in Kolkata Melinda Pavek said. Pavek, while addressing a session here at the East India Summit 2022 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said India-US trade stood at USD 67 billion during the first six months of 2022. "Exports to India were USD 23 billion, while Indian exports to the US stood at USD 44 billion during January-June. "US trade with its top 15 partners has increased over the past year, but I am proud to say that the single biggest jump was with India... US companies are consistently India's biggest source of foreign direct investment (FDI)," she said. In 2021, overall US-India bilateral trade in goods and services was USD 157 billion, as per official data. Some of the top trading partners of the US include China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Pavek also said several US agenc

Russia covertly spent over $300 mn since 2014 to influence politicians: US

The US has alleged that Russia covertly spent more than $300 million since 2014 to influence politicians in over 24 countries, the media reported on Wednesday.

California school staff member shot after fight among students, strangers

A Northern California high school staff member was shot on Tuesday after breaking up a fight on campus, authorities said. The Vallejo High School staff member was struck at least once and is expected to survive, police said. The staff member had just broken up a fight among several students and some unknown males" when the shooting occurred around 3.45 pm. Some of the brawlers fled in a sedan, firing back toward the remaining group before they left, police said. This is a senseless act of violence committed by some individuals who do not value human life, Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said in a news release. Enough is enough. It's a sad day anyone is shot in front of our children at school where they should feel safe. The school was put on lockdown in the aftermath of the violence. There will be an increased police presence on campus on Wednesday. Vallejo is about 32 miles (50 kilometres) north of San Francisco.

Xi Jinping back at world stage with Putin to counter US dominance

Xi and Putin on Thursday will hold their first in-person meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine, according to the Kremlin, in a sign that Beijing sees the relationship as crucial to countering the US.

Indian semiconductor industry may benefit from the proposed US CHIPS Act

US Chips act has a total outlay of $53 billion, five times India's PLI scheme for semiconductors which amounts to $10 billion

US added to WHO countries with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus list

The US now joins a list of nearly 30 other countries with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) identified by the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said

US has very close partnership, defence relationship with India: Pentagon

The United States has a very close defence relationship with India, the Pentagon has said as it dismissed questions about the latest multinational military exercises involving Russia, India and China. India's a sovereign nation, they can make their own decisions in terms of who they're going to conduct exercises with, Pentagon Spokesman Brig Gen Patrick Ryder told reporters at his news conference on Tuesday. Certainly, we have appreciated our partnership with India in the region. They're an important partner, as you know. And we'll continue to work closely with them, he said responding to a question on India participating in a war game with Russia and China. They have participated in games -- war games with Russia and China, which seems a little bit troubling to some people, he was asked. We have a very close partnership and relationship -- defence relationship with India. We obviously will continue to work with India and further develop that relationship, Ryder said. The Vostok .

There is a sense of momentum by Ukrainian forces against Russia, says US

The White House has said that there is a sense of momentum by Ukrainian forces against Russia but cautioned that the ongoing war in Ukraine remains "unpredictable". We've been watching closely. The events in the north are more dramatic than what we've seen in the south. I would let President Volodymyr Zelenskyy determine and decide whether he feels militarily they've reached a turning point. But clearly, at least in the Donbas, there's a sense of momentum here by the Ukrainian armed forces, said John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House on Tuesday. Responding to questions, Kirby said that in the north they have seen Russians evacuate, withdraw, and retreat from their defensive positions, particularly there in and around the Kharkiv oblast. They have left fighting positions. They've left supplies, he said. They are calling it a repositioning, but it's certain they have withdrawn in the face of Ukrainian armed forces .

Biden announces creation of new agency ARPA-H to reduce cancer deaths in US

US President Joe Biden has announced an ambitious plan to reduce cancer deaths in the United States, which is the second most cause of death in the country after heart disease. Despite the progress of lives extended, and lives saved, cancer is still the number two cause of death in America, second only to heart disease. For too many cancer patients and their families, instead of hope, there's bewilderment, the feeling of being on your own, Biden said. In a major policy speech in Boston, the president announced the creation of a new agency ARPA-H, Advanced Research Projects Agencies for Health. ARPA-H will have a singular purpose, to drive breakthroughs to prevent, detect, and treat diseases including cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and other diseases and enable us to live healthier lives, he said. Imagine the possibilities, Biden said noting that ARPA-H is based on DARPA, the Defence Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, which has helped lead to breakthroughs in technologi

US vows to support Ukrainians fighting hard to defend their country

The US has vowed to continue to give support to Ukraine as the Ukrainians are fighting hard to defend their country and take back territory seized by Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. "We're not going to speak for Ukrainians. We'll leave it to Ukrainians to describe their operations. But it's clear they are fighting hard to defend their country and take back territory, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday. We're going to continue to give them the support they need to succeed on the battlefield, she said. The US has announced two significant security assistance packages last week, brought more than 50 countries together to coordinate its support, and has worked to fulfil the Ukrainian requests for what they need to be successful on the battlefield, the official noted. After Ukraine seized Balakliya last Thursday, .

Joe Biden pays tributes to 9/11 victims on tragedy's 21st anniversary

US President Joe Biden attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, saying "What was destroyed, we have repaired"

Space must be protected for the benefit of all people: Kamala Harris

Space remains a place of undiscovered and unrealised opportunity and it is our responsibility to work together to guide humanity forward into this new frontier the US Vice President said.

Mosquito Fire in California's Sacramento spreads to almost 30,000 acres

The explosive Mosquito Fire burning in the foothills east of Sacramento, capital city of the western US' California, grew to 29,585 acres (119.7 square km) on Friday noon

Judge restores oil lease on land sacred to Native Americans in US, Canada

A federal judge ordered the Biden administration to reinstate a drilling lease that has been in dispute for decades on land near the Blackfeet Indian Reservation that is considered sacred to Native American tribes in the US and Canada. The 10-square-mile (25-square-kilometer) oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine area of northwestern Montana was first issued in 1982. It was cancelled in 2016 under then-US Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, at the request of the Blackfoot tribes and conservation groups. There have been efforts to declare the area a national monument or make it a cultural heritage area, and tribal leaders have bitterly opposed drilling in recent decades. But US District Judge Richard Leon on Friday said Jewell lacked the authority to withdraw the lease so many years after it was sold and after several prior studies examined the environmental and other impacts of drilling in the area. He ordered Interior Department officials to reinstate the lease and a issue a .

Burger King to invest $ 400 mn in US revamp over next 2 yrs to boost sales

Burger King plans to invest USD 400 million in its US restaurants over the next two years to update its stores and boost flagging sales. The burger chain said on Friday the investment includes USD 250 million to revamp stores and update technology and kitchen equipment and USD 120 million for heavier advertising. Burger King also plans to spend USD 30 million upgrading its app to offer smoother ordering and personalized deals. The moves come after several years of disappointing sales at Burger King's 7,058 US stores. In 2019, Burger King's same-store sales or sales at stores open at least a year rose less than 2 per cent. By comparison, market leader McDonald's US same-store sales were up 5 per cent. Burger King's US sales plunged during the pandemic, then recovered in 2021, rising 5 per cent. But that was still slower growth than McDonald's, which saw US same-store sales jump 14 per cent in 2021. Wendy's overtook Burger King as the No. 2 US fast food chain by sales in 2020 and

Biden, First lady sign condolence book at Embassy following Queen's demise

US President Joe Biden and the First Lady drove down to the British Embassy here to sign the condolence book and pay their respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. We mourn for all of you. She was a great lady, I'm so delighted I got to meet her, Biden said on Thursday as he walked over to the embassy staff. According to a White House pool report, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were greeted by the British ambassador and her husband. Biden walked over to the condolence book and asked if he could write a message, taking a card with notes out of his jacket pocket. The ambassador said, If you would like to, Sir. He wrote for a few minutes, while the First Lady watched over and the ambassador stood to the side, behind him. The First Lady then sat down in the chair and appeared to sign her name. Our hearts are with you, she said. As my mother would say, God love you, Biden said, and thanked the staff. He then walked out of the room, holding hands with the F

US Justice Dept appeals for special master to review Mar-a-Lago documents

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed a ruling to appoint a special master to review documents FBI agents seized from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence on August 8

India, US to soon hold trade policy forum meet to promote trade, investment

India and the US will "very soon" hold the next ministerial-level meeting of the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in America to discuss ways for promoting trade and investment between the countries. India and the US held the 12th TPF in New Delhi on November 23 last year. The forum is an inter-agency collaboration led by the US Trade Representative (USTR). It is the principal trade dialogue between the two countries. It has five focus groups: Agriculture, Investment, Innovation and Creativity (intellectual property rights), Services, and Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers. "We will be having the next trade policy forum very soon in the US and in the TPF we are hoping to add further deliverables and newer areas of engagement being discussed, for which both teams have been tasked to start engaging with each other," Goyal told reporters here. The minister held a bilateral meeting here with USTR Katherine Tai and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. When asked about restoring the trade benefits