Page 51 - Us Government

House passes bill to enhance child tax credit, revive tax breaks for biz

The House accomplished something unusual Wednesday in passing with broad, bipartisan support a roughly USD 79 billion tax cut package that would enhance the child tax credit for millions of lower-income families and boost three tax breaks for businesses, a combination that gives lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle coveted policy wins. Prospects for the measure becoming law are uncertain with the Senate still having to take it up, but for a House that has struggled to get bills of consequence over the finish line, the tax legislation could represent a rare breakthrough. The bill passed by a vote of 357-70. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., threw his support behind the bill on Wednesday morning. He spent part of the previous day meeting with GOP lawmakers who were concerned about particular features of the bill, namely the expanded child tax credit. Some were also unhappy that it failed to address the $10,000 cap on the total amount of property taxes or state or local taxes that

Chinese hackers determined to 'wreak havoc' on US infrastructure: FBI chief

Chinese government hackers are busily targeting water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other critical infrastructure inside the United States, FBI Director Chris Wray told House lawmakers Wednesday in a fresh warning from Washington about Beijing's global ambitions. Underscoring the threat, the Justice Department and FBI announced just before the hearing that they had disrupted a botnet of hundreds of US-based small office and home routers owned by private citizens and companies and hijacked by the Chinese state hackers to cover their tracks and hide their origin as they sowed the malware. Speaking before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Wray said there's been far too little public focus on a cyber threat that affects every American". China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has co

Elon Musk slams Delaware, hints at Tesla move to Texas after pay snub

Musk said states such as Nevada and Texas, where Tesla's headquarters is located, are "better for letting shareholders decide" corporate-governance issues such as pay packages

Elon Musk slams Delaware, hints at Tesla move to Texas after pay snub

Musk said states such as Nevada and Texas, where Tesla's headquarters is located, are "better for letting shareholders decide" corporate-governance issues such as pay packages

US F-16 fighter jet crashes in South Korean sea, pilot ejects safety

A US Air Force pilot safely ejected from an F-16 fighter jet that crashed into waters off South Korea's southwestern coast on Wednesday, in the second crash of the aircraft in less than two months. The unidentified pilot was conscious and was transported to a medical facility for assessment, the US 8th Fighter Wing said in a statement. It said it closely worked with US and South Korean mission partners to recover the pilot, who experienced an unspecified in-flight emergency and ejected before the plane crashed into sea near the port city of Gunsan. The cause of the crash was being investigated. "We are very thankful to the Republic of Korea rescue forces and all of our teammates who made the swift recovery of our pilot possible," said Col. Matthew C. Gaetke, the commander's wing, referring to South Korea's formal name. "Now we will shift our focus to search and recovery of the aircraft." The 8th Fighter Wing, which is composed of two F-16 squadrons, previously experienced an F-16 ..

USCIS unveils H-1B programme reforms for FY 2025, streamlines processes

The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap will open on March 6, 2024, and run through March 22, 2024

US suspends $300,000 funding to UNRWA amid probe into alleged Hamas ties

Last week, the US announced the temporary suspension of funding after reports surfaced about UNRWA staff potentially being linked to the Hamas attacks

Highlights of the day: 2 killed in clash between ethnic groups in Manipur

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

US doesn't seek another war: WH on drone strike by Iran-backed group

A day after three US troops were killed in a drone strike in Jordan, the White House on Monday said it does not want to seek another war or escalate the tension, but would absolutely do what is required to protect itself in the region. John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference here that the attack also sent more than 30 US soldiers to hospital, some with serious injuries. "These troops were conducting a vital mission in the region, aimed at helping US work with partners to counter ISIS. And even as the Defense Department gathers more information about the attack, that mission must and will continue," he said. "The counter-ISIS mission is separate and distinct ..indeed it has been longstanding and unrelated to our efforts to support Israel and to prevent a wider conflict in the region," Kirby said. "We do not seek another war. We do not seek to escalate. But we will absolutely do what

Indian student who went missing at Purdue University confirmed dead

An Indian student pursuing a double major at the prestigious Purdue University in the US state of Indiana, who went missing on Sunday, has been confirmed dead, the university has said. Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office officials were called around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible dead body. Upon arrival, a college-aged male was found deceased outside Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories on Purdue's campus. Neel Acharya went missing on Sunday. It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students Neel Acharya has passed away. The leadership in the Department of Computer Science expresses our profound sorrow for his passing. I am deeply saddened by his loss. My condolences go out to his friends family and all affected, Chris Clifton, interim head of the university's Computer Science Department, said in an email to the department on Monday. Clifton said Neel was a driven individual and academically talented. He pursued a double major i

US starts 5-week H1-B visas renewal drive, to accept 20,000 applications

The announcement by the US Department of State on the pilot program for in-country renewal of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals, was made in June 2023

US, Chinese officials hold over 12-hour meet in Bangkok: White House

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held more than 12 hours of meetings in Bangkok, the White House said Monday. "Over the weekend, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held more than 12 hours of meetings in Bangkok with his counterpart from the People's Republic of China, Director Wang Yi," John Kirby, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House told reporters at a news conference here. "Sullivan and Director Wang took stock of progress on key issues following the meeting between President (Joe) Biden and (Chinese) President Xi (Jinping) back in November. Now, that includes discussing efforts to resume military-to-military communication, which has occurred; addressing artificial intelligence safety and risks; and advancing bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation," Kirby said. In fact, the launch of a working group on counter-narcotics will begin Tuesday in Beijing. The US delegation will be led by Deputy Homeland ...

US pulls some of Venezuela's sanctions relief as court blocks oppn leader

The US government on Monday pulled back part of the sanctions relief it granted Venezuela last year, following through on its threat after the South American country's highest court blocked the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader. The Department of the Treasury gave companies transacting with Venezuela's state-owned mining company until February 13 to wind down operations. The department had allowed transactions with the mining company in October after the government of President Nicols Maduro reached an agreement with the US-backed opposition faction to work toward levelling the playing field ahead of the presidential election. On Friday, however, the prospect of a free presidential election was dealt a heavy blow when the country's highest court upheld a ban on the candidacy of Mara Corina Machado, a longtime government foe and winner of the primary held by the opposition. Machado, a former lawmaker, won the opposition's independently run presidential primary with more

Revolutionary changes taking place in India-US relationship: Amb Sandhu

Revolutionary changes are taking place in the India-US relationship, the outgoing Indian Ambassador here, Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, stressing that the bilateral ties have only covered the tip of the iceberg and are going to go far and wide. Addressing a gathering of Indian Americans at the Republic Day celebration here, Sandhu said it is important that their second generation remains connected to India. I only wanted to tell you that today revolutionary changes are taking place in India, also in US-India relations," he said, "And therefore it is important that your children and your families are aware of India, stay connected with India, Sandhu, who retires later this month from the foreign service after more than 35 years, said As international capital and multinational companies move into India, all the young Indian Americans will be uniquely placed to get most of those job opportunities, Sandhu said. So therefore, not only for emotional, cultural, and so many other reason

India-US relations bound to grow deeper, says outgoing Indian envoy Sandhu

Sandhu particularly underscored the defense and strategic partnership between the two countries that has expanded to $ 25 billion over the years

Donald Trump testifies in court against E Jean Carroll defamation trial

Donald Trump began testifying on Thursday in a New York defamation trial to determine how much he might owe the advice columnist E. Jean Carroll for disparaging her as a liar after she publicly accused him of a decades-old rape in 2019. I just wanted to defend myself, he said in testimony that lasted less than three minutes. Carroll, who is seeking over USD 10 million in damages, was in the courtroom as Trump was sworn in as a witness in Manhattan federal court. Carroll claims Trump ruined her reputation after she accused him for the first time publicly in a memoir of sexually abusing her in spring 1996 in the dressing room of a Manhattan luxury department store. Trump, 77, has vehemently denied the accusations for the last five years and continues to assail Carroll, 80, on the campaign trail as he pursued the presidency as the Republican frontrunner. US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in Manhattan has instructed jurors that they must accept the findings of another New York jury th

US shows concern over Sri Lanka's controversial internet regulation law

The United States expressed concerns over Sri Lanka's online regulation bill on Thursday, a day after it passed overwhelmingly in Parliament over protests by the media, opposition and rights activists. The Online Safety bill allows the government to set up a commission with a wide range of powers, including ordering people and internet service providers to remove online posts deemed prohibited statements. It can also legally pursue people who publish such posts. Julie Chung, the US ambassador in Sri Lanka, said the United States has concerns about the potential impact of the legislation and urged Sri Lanka to prioritise transparency and ensure any legislation does not stifle the voices of its people . In addition to jeopardizing democratic values, vague and overly restrictive legislation can hinder investment and the development of a digital economy, undermining the economic growth that Sri Lanka needs, Chung said in a statement posted on her X account. Critics say the law is an ..

Trump could testify as trial set to resume in his legal fight with Carroll

Former President Donald Trump could return to a New York courtroom Thursday to defend himself against a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million for things he said about advice columnist E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of sexual assault. Trump's first visit to court on Monday ended abruptly because a juror was ill. The trial has been suspended since then. Carroll's lawyers are expected to finish presenting their case in the morning. If everything goes as planned, Trump could be on the witness stand before a lunch break. Trump is fresh off big victories in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday and the Iowa caucus last week. Carroll, 80, testified at a trial last year in the same courtroom that she was attacked by Trump in the dressing room of a midtown luxury department store in spring 1996. A jury last year agreed that it happened and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation. Trump denies ever knowing Carroll and says she made up her claims to sell a

Maine's top court declines to hear appeal of Donald Trump ballot decision

Maine's top court Wednesday evening declined to weigh in on whether former President Donald Trump can stay on the state's ballot, keeping intact a judge's decision that the U.S. Supreme Court must first rule on a similar case in Colorado. Democrat Shenna Bellows concluded that Trump didn't meet ballot qualifications under the insurrection clause in the U.S. Constitution but a judge put that decision on hold pending the Supreme Court's decision on the similar case in Colorado. In a unanimous decision, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court decided to maintain the status quo, rejecting Bellows' interlocutory appeal of the judge's decision requiring her to await the U.S. Supreme Court decision before withdrawing, modifying or upholding her decision to keep Trump off the primary ballot on Super Tuesday. Bellows' decision in December that Trump was ineligible made her the first election official to ban the Republican front-runner from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. In Colorado, the state

Ron DeSantis withdraws from White House race, endorses Trump for 2024

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Sunday announced to withdraw from the GOP's presidential primary race and endorse former US president Donald Trump as the party's nominee. Indian American and the former governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley, 51, is the only Republican left in the race against Trump, 77, who is seeking to enter the White House for the second term. A White House occupant from January 2017 to January 2021, Trump lost to incumbent Joe Biden in 2020 elections. Trump, who is so far the most popular Republican presidential candidate with a majority of the party members supporting him, as per all major polls, won the Iowa Caucus last week and is leading in the New Hampshire primaries which is scheduled for January 23. With the withdrawal by DeSantis, who once was seen as a formidable challenge to Trump, it's now a race of two in the GOP between Trump and Haley. Political pundits now say that the former president is set to be the GOP's nominee and the November 20204 ...