White House

US recognises Arunachal Pradesh as India's integral part: White House

The US has recognised Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities, the White House has said. The US reaction came in response to Beijing announcing Chinese names for 11 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which the neighbouring country claims as the southern part of Tibet. The official names of the 11 places were released on Sunday by China's ministry of civil affairs. "The United States has recognised that territory (Arunachal Pradesh) for a long time (as an integral part of India). And we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday. "And so, again, this is something that we have long stood by, Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. India on Tuesday outrightly rejected China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integra

Several celebrities refuse to pay Elon Musk $8 for Twitter Blue: Report

The White House and The New York Times have already refused to pay for verified Blue with subscription service

White House refuses to pay for Twitter's Blue verification: Report

"It is our understanding that Twitter Blue does not provide person-level verification as a service. Thus, a blue check mark will now simply serve as a verification that the account is a paid user"

Former president Donald Trump indictment sets US on uncertain course

The grand jury on Thursday voted to indict 76-year-old Trump, a Republican, for his role in paying money to porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair

In Putin and Russia, Xi sees a counterweight to American influence: WH

In President Vladimir Putin and Russia, the Chinese President Xi Jinping sees a counterweight to the American and NATO influence in the world, the White House said Tuesday. The statement by John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, came as Putin hosted the Chinese leader. "I think you've seen over the years that these two countries are growing close together. I wouldn't go so far to call it an alliance. (it's) a marriage of convenience, because that's what I think it is. In President Putin and Russia, President Xi sees a counterweight to American influence and NATO influence, certainly on the continent and elsewhere around the world," Kirby told reporters at a daily news conference here. "In President Xi, President Putin sees a potential backer here. This is a man who doesn't have a whole lot of friends on the international stage. They can count them on one hand mostly. He really needs and wants President Xi's support for wha

Vandalism at Indian Consulate absolutely unacceptable, says White House

"State Department's diplomatic security service is working with local authorities to properly investigate. State department will work on infrastructure perspective to repair the damage"

TikTok can threaten America's safety, national security: White House

Chinese-owned video hosting service TikTok can threaten America's safety and its national security, the White House said on Thursday

White House applauds US Senators for introducing bill targeting TikTok

The White House on Tuesday applauded a group of Senators for introducing the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act

Joe Biden, German Chancellor Scholz to huddle on Ukraine war at White House

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting the White House on Friday for a private meeting with President Joe Biden as both allies become increasingly vocal about their concerns that China may step off the sidelines and supply weapons to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Such a step could dramatically change the war's trajectory by allowing Moscow to replenish its depleted stockpiles. China is Germany's top trading partner, and European nations have generally been more cautious than the United States in taking a hard line with Beijing. However, there are signs that may be shifting as global rivalries grow more tense. In a speech to the German parliament on Thursday, Scholz called on China to use your influence in Moscow to press for the withdrawal of Russian troops, and do not supply weapons to the aggressor Russia. The US and Germany have worked closely together to supply Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance. But there has also been friction over issues such as ...

Chinese app TikTok a 'potential national security risk', says White House

The White House on Wednesday (local time) asserted that the Chinese-owned app TikTok is a "potential national security risk"

No more TikTok on government devices within 30 days, says White House

The White House is giving all federal agencies 30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices, as the Chinese-owned social media app comes under increasing scrutiny in Washington over security concerns. The Office of Management and Budget calls the guidance, issued Monday, a critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place; the guidance calls on the rest of the federal government to follow suit within 30 days. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices. The Biden-Harris Administration has invested heavily in defending our nation's digital infrastructure and curbing foreign adversaries' access to Americans' data, said Chris DeRusha, the federal chief information security officer. This guidance is part of the Administration's ongoing commitment to securing our digital infrastructure and protecting the

No definitive conclusion on Covid-19 origin theory, says White House

There is no definitive conclusion on the origin of COVID19, the White House said on Monday. "The intelligence community and the rest of the government is still looking at this. There's not been a definitive conclusion, so it's difficult for me to say, nor should I feel like I should have to defend press reporting about a possible preliminary indication here," National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters at a daily White House news conference. Kirby was responding to questions on the findings of the Department of Energy that a lab leak most likely caused the COVID19 pandemic, which was first reported in The Wall Street Journal over the weekend. "What the President wants is facts. He wants the whole government designed to go get those facts, and that's what we're doing. And we're just not there yet. And when we're there yet and if we have something that is ready to be briefed to the American people and the Congress, then we're going to d

White House promises crackdown on exploitation of migrant child labour

The Biden administration said Monday that it is creating a new task force to crack down on an explosion of the illegal exploitation of migrant children for labour in the U.S. Hundreds of companies that employed nearly 4,000 children last year were found in violation of federal labor laws, a dramatic increase in the last five years. The growing problem has put Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the hot seat, with concerns mounting that migrant children have been discharged from shelters and out of federal custody too quickly, pushing them into vulnerable situations where they're more likely to become victims of child labor. In a new video that's been circulating, first reported by The New York Times, the secretary urged his staff to discharge children from the federal government's broken system of shelters faster. If Henry Ford had seen this in his plants, he would have never become famous and rich, Becerra told staff during a meeting last summer in a recording. T

G7 sanctions to target key industries helping Russia's war: White House

This would be the largest layoff in the industry. Analysts predict that North America would likely be worst affected

Biden to host G7 virtual meet, announce sanctions against Russia: WH

US President Joe Biden on Friday would host a virtual meeting of leaders from G-7 nations along with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky during which he will expect sweeping sanctions against Russia as its war against Ukraine enters the second year, the White House has said. G-7 comprises seven major world economies Canada, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and the United States. Tomorrow morning, President Biden will gather with G-7 leaders and President Zelenskyy for a virtual meeting to continue coordinating our efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its war, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. Thanking Japan, the new G-7 president, for its recent pledge to provide Ukraine with an additional USD 5.5 billion in economic assistance, Jean-Pierre said Tokyo has proven a steadfast ally, ready to step up and do its part to advance their shared interests and values. Our alliance with Japan

Biden, Modi discuss importance of US-India strategic technology partnership

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the importance of the US-India strategic technology partnership and committed to continue working together and in groups like the Quad to advance economic growth and expand cooperation on their shared priorities, a presidential spokesperson has said. A phone call between the two leaders took place on Tuesday following the announcement of a historic deal between Boeing and Air India for the latter to buy more than 200 planes from the American plane manufacturer. They also discussed the importance of the strategic technology partners between India and the United States. And the two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the US-India relationship, and committed to continue working together and in groups like the Quad to advance economic growth for our two countries and expand cooperation on their shared priorities, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a news conference. In November 2017, the US, ...

White House defends decision to shoot down 3 unidentified objects

The White House on Monday defended the shootdowns of three unidentified objects in as many days even as it acknowledged that officials had no indication the objects were intended for surveillance in the same manner as the high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed American airspace earlier this month. The three objects, including one shot down Sunday over Lake Huron, were travelling at such a low altitude as to pose a risk to civilian air traffic, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby. While the Biden administration does not yet have evidence that they were equipped for spying purposes or even belonged to China officials have not ruled that out, he said. "These were decisions based purely and simply on what was in the best interests of the American people," Kirby said. The weeks-long succession of objects, starting with a giant white orb first detected over US skies in late January, has puzzled American officials and stirred curiosity around the world. Though t

US to welcome efforts by India to end hostilities in Ukraine: White House

The US will welcome any attempt that could lead to ending the raging Russia-Ukraine conflict, including any effort that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is willing to undertake, the White House has said. The remarks by National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby came on Friday, days after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin. When asked if there is still time for Prime Minister Modi to convince Russian President Putin to stop the war, Kirby said: "I think there's still time for Putin to stop the war. I think there's still time for it." "PM Modi can convince; I will let PM Modi speak to (or make) whatever efforts he's willing to undertake. The US would welcome any effort that could lead to an end of hostilities in Ukraine that are in keeping with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy's objectives and his leadership, his determination of what is acceptable to the Ukrainian people," Kirby ...

US would welcome any efforts by PM Modi to stop Ukraine war: White House

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, " I think there's still time for Putin to stop the war. I think there's still time for it. PM Modi can convince"

Quad nations launch public campaign to improve cyber security: White House

The Quad -- a plurilateral framework comprising India, Australia, Japan and the US -- has announced the launch of a public campaign to improve cyber security in these four nations. Named "Quad Cyber Challenge", Internet users across the Indo-Pacific and beyond have been invited to join it and pledge to practice safe and responsible cyber habits, the White House said. According to a media release, the initiative reflects the Quad's continuing efforts to strengthen people's cyber security awareness and action as well as to foster a more secure and resilient cyber ecosystem to benefit economies and users everywhere. "We joined our Quad partners in launching the cyber challenge to advance cyber security across our nations. Together, we are asking people and companies to commit to simple actions to secure themselves and their customers," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. Internet users worldwide are targets of cybercrime and other malicious cyber threats that can cost ...