Page 15 - Us

US fertility rate reached new low in 2024 with 1.6 kids per woman: CDC

The fertility rate in the US dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman, new federal data released Thursday shows. The US was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades as more women are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. The new statistic is on par with fertility rates in western European countries, according to World Bank data. Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, like issuing an executive order meant to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilisation and backing the idea of baby bonuses that might encourage more couples to have kids. But there's no reason to be alarmed, according to Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy. We're

US bans flu shots with thimerosal in RFK Jr led vaccine policy shift

About 5 per cent of flu shots given in the US in the last flu season were multi-dose vials that contained the preservative, which was largely phased out decades ago

610 antiquities retrieved from six countries in five years, says govt

A total of 610 antiquities were retrieved from the US, the UK and four other countries over the last five years, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared this information in a written reply to a question on whether the government has conducted any survey or study regarding theft of Indian artefacts in the last five years; and details of the total number of artefacts recovered, still missing and unaccounted for over the same period. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains up-to-date data of theft cases in respect of protected monuments, sites and museums under its jurisdiction, he said. On retrieval of antiquities from abroad, according to the data shared by him, in 2020, three artefacts were brought back from Australia and five from the UK. In 2021, 157 antiquities were brought back from the US and one each from Canada and the UK. In 2023 and 2024, the figures stood at 105 (the US) and 297 (the US) ...

Samyukt Kisan Morcha to mark Aug 13 as 'Corporations Quit India' day

The Samyuk Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday said it would observe August 13 as 'Corporations Quit India' day, as it warned of a major "showdown" on November 26, marking five years of the historic farmers' protest at Delhi's borders. SKM leaders in a press conference said the agitation will be over their long-standing demands of a guaranteed MSP based on the Swaminathan commission's recommendation, loan waivers, privatisation, as well as land acquisitions happening across the country, and against the trade deal with the US. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Vijoo Krishnan said 106 delegates from 37 farmer organisations from 12 states participated in the meeting held on Sunday. "SKM will observe 13th August 2025 as 'Corporations Quit India' Day throughout the country," Krishnan said. Raminder Singh Patiala of Kirti Kisan Union expressed his concern at the land pooling issue in Punjab and land acquisitions across the country. "On August 13, we will hold vehicle and tractor parades, and

Air India cockpit recording suggests captain cut off fuel supply: Report

The US assessment is not contained in a formal document, said the source, who emphasized the cause of the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad, India, that killed 260 people remains under investigation

Domino's tops Q2 US sales estimates on strong demand, new menu deals

The world's largest pizza chain introduced items such as the parmesan-stuffed crust pizza to its list, and attracted value-conscious consumers through deals under its rewards program

China stood up to Trump, and it's not giving Europe an inch, either

Beijing is betting that economic pressure and diplomatic defiance will force concessions, but its stance could put more strain on its ties with Europe at a crucial time

EU plans retaliation strategy as US hardens trade stance before deadline

The overwhelming preference is to keep negotiations with Washington on track in a bid for an outcome to the impasse ahead of next month's deadline

Bangladesh signs US wheat-import deal in bid to curb tariff pressure

The US tariff hike has rattled Bangladesh export sector, especially the ready-made garments industry, which fears losing competitiveness in one of its largest markets

China's exports of rare earth magnets to the US skyrocket in June

China, which provides more than 90 per cent of global supply of rare earth magnets, decided in early April to add several rare earth items to its export restriction list in retaliation for US tariffs

President Donald Trump will sign new cryptocurrency bill into law on Friday

President Donald Trump on Friday will sign into law a new set of regulations for a type of cryptocurrency that are seen as a way to legitimise the burgeoning industry. The GENIUS Act sets initial guardrails and consumer protections for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency that is tied to a stable asset like the US dollar to reduce price volatility. It passed both the House and Senate with wide bipartisan margins. The measure is meant to bolster consumer confidence in the rapidly growing crypto sector. Its passage comes as Trump makes it a mission to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. Congratulations to our GREAT REPUBLICANS for being able to accomplish so much, a record, in so short a period of time," Trump wrote on his social media site Friday morning as he announced the bill signing. The House also passed two other bills Thursday that are meant to boost the legitimacy of the crypto industry. One creates a new market structure for cryptocurrency, and the other bans th

Fed holds off on rate cuts as inflation risks outweigh Trump pressure

Powell and other Fed officials said they expected price increases to quicken this summer

Gold heads for weekly dip as platinum surges to near 11-year high

The dollar is down 0.4 per cent for the day, but is headed for a second straight weekly rise. A stronger dollar tends to make gold expensive for buyers holding other currencies

Brazil's Lula open to talks with Trump amid trade spat, says minister

Brazil's Lula open to talks with Trump amid trade spat, says minister

US Solar firms file trade petition against India over cheap imports

The new anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions were filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes First Solar Inc, Mission Solar Energy and Qcells

Wells Fargo suspends China travel after employee exit ban: Report

The US banking giant's Chenyue Mao was subjected to an exit ban after she entered China in recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter

Funders pledge $1 billion to develop AI tools for frontline workers

A coalition of funders, including the Gates Foundation and Ballmer Group, will spend USD 1 billion over 15 years to help develop artificial intelligence tools for public defenders, parole officers, social workers and others who help Americans in precarious situations. The funders announced Thursday that they will create a new entity, NextLadder Ventures, to offer grants and investments to nonprofits and for-profits to develop tools for those who often manage huge caseloads with few resources. The solutions that we're investing in, the hundreds of entrepreneurs that are going to bring forward solutions that incorporate leading edge technologies, are going to do it by coming alongside people who are living through some of the struggles in the economy, said Brian Hooks, CEO of Stand Together, a nonprofit started by Kansas-based billionaire Charles Koch. The other funders include hedge fund founder John Overdeck and Valhalla Foundation, which was started by Inuit cofounder Steve Cook an

Only 1 in 4 US adults say Trump's policies helped them: AP-NORC poll

Only about one-quarter of US adults say that President Donald Trump's policies have helped them since he took office, according to a new poll that finds underwhelming marks for him on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. In fact, the Republican president fails to earn majority approval on any of the issues included in the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. He's even slipped slightly since earlier this year on immigration, which has consistently been a strength for him in his second term. And while a majority of Americans do see Trump as at least somewhat capable of getting things done following the passage of his sprawling budget bill, fewer believe he understands the problems facing people like them. Most don't see positive impact from Trump's policies Roughly half of US adults report that Trump's policies have done more to hurt them since his second term began six months ago, the survey found. Ab

Thailand to cut tariffs on 90% of US goods to avoid Trump trade levy

Thailand is one of the Southeast Asian countries racing to finalize terms with the US

India's goods exports may face pressure in fiscal 2026 amid tariffs: Crisil

Ratings firm CRISIL said that India's goods exports are likely to face some headwinds in fiscal 2026, as reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US are seen to aggravate this. With the tariff hikes expected to come into effect from August, India and the US are negotiating on a bilateral trade agreement and a key monitorable, the report said. The World Trade Organisation forecasts a 0.2 per cent decline in the volume of merchandise trade in 2025 compared to 2.9 per cent in 2024. The report said global growth is expected to slow down to 2.9 per cent in 2025 from 3.3 per cent. Growth in the US, India's largest export destination, is projected to slow to 1.7 per cent from 2.8 per cent. Accordingly, India's merchandise trade is expected to come under pressure this fiscal. However, the current account deficit (CAD) is expected to stay in the safe zone at 1.3 per cent of the GDP in the current financial year. The surplus in services trade, a robust flow of remittances is expected to cushion