Page 30 - Us

One out of every five US student visas issued in India in 2022: US envoy

One out of every five US student visas was issued in India in 2022, which is more than the proportion of Indian population in the world, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. The US Mission in India held its seventh annual Student Visa Day countrywide on Wednesday with Consular Officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewing almost 3,500 Indian student visa applicants. Speaking on the occasion, Garcetti said, "More Indians come to the United States as students than from any other country in the world. One out of every five student visas was issued right here in India in 2022 which is, by the way, more than the proportion of Indian population in the world. Indians have not only pursued education in the US but for decades have shown excellence. We are on track to process the highest number of visa applications for students in our history." The ambassador said that they will be making more visa appointments available for students this year than ..

Looking forward to once again address joint meeting of US Congress: PM Modi

India is proud of its Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US that is built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. He made the remarks in a tweet while thanking House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the invitation to address a joint meeting of the US Congress during his visit to the country later this month. "Thank you @SpeakerMcCarthy, @LeaderMcConnell, @SenSchumer, and @RepJeffries for the gracious invitation. I am honored to accept and look forward to once again address a Joint Meeting of the Congress," Modi said on Twitter. "We are proud of our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US, built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering ...

India, US finalise roadmap for fast-tracking defence technology transfer

India and the US on Monday concluded an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation to fast-track technology tie-ups and co-production of military platforms such as air combat and land systems, a move that comes in the wake of China's increasingly aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region. The new framework for cooperation was finalised during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his visiting American counterpart Lloyd Austin, two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington. Singh and Austin also decided to initiate negotiations on a framework for the security of supply arrangement and a reciprocal defence procurement agreement, which will promote long-term supply chain stability. The US defence secretary said the US-India cooperation matters "because we all face a rapidly changing world. We see bullying and coercion from the People's Republic of China and Russian aggression against Ukraine that seeks to redraw borders and ...

Netanyahu appoints new media advisor who has been critical of Biden: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a new media advisor who has tweeted critically against President Joe Biden, the daily Haaretz reported. The appointment comes at a time when US-Israel relations are strained. Gilad Zwick, a journalist with a conservative Israeli TV station, has in his tweets called Biden "unfit" to rule and said that he was "slowly but surely destroying America". He also posted tweets suggesting he supported President Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 US election was rigged. At least one of the tweets that was live earlier was deleted later in the day. Zwick did not respond to a request for comment but tweeted on Monday in English that he was a private citizen when writing the posts about Biden. "I don't hold those views today and I will act in a completely professional manner in the prime minister's office," he said. Zwick had previously worked for Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu daily. Netanyahu's office declined to comment. Zwick's

Nearly 4,000 people lost their jobs in US due to AI in May: Report

The Automotive sector announced 8,308 job cuts last month for a total of 18,017 this year, a 235 per cent increase from the 5,380 cuts announced in the same period last year

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in India on two-day visit

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in India on Sunday on a two-day visit to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, especially in areas of transfer of critical technologies for co-development of military hardware. Secretary Austin's trip comes over two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington during which the two sides are expected to unveil initiatives to expand the India-US global strategic partnership. "I'm returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we're advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," the US defence secretary tweeted shortly after landing in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Austin are set to discuss in their talks on Monday the General Electric's proposal to share technology with India for fighter jet engines and New Delhi's plan to procure 30 MQ-9B armed drones at a cost of over USD 3 billion fro

US FDA to temporarily import Chinese cancer drug to ease shortage

Cisplatin, a generic drug available for decades in the US, has faced national shortage since February after an Indian pharmaceutical company temporarily halted production for the US market

US, Saudi Arabia urge Sudan's warring parties to agree to a new cease-fire

Saudi Arabia and the United States urged Sudan's warring parties in a statement on Sunday to agree to and effectively implement a new cease-fire amid renewed fighting in the northeastern African nation. Sudan descended into chaos after fighting broke out in mid-April between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. For weeks, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been mediating between the warring parties. On May 21, both countries successfully brokered a temporary cease-fire agreement to help with the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Their efforts, however, were dealt a blow when the military announced on Wednesday it would no longer participate in the cease-fire talks held in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah. Following the military's decision, the US and Saudi Arabia said they were suspending the talks as a result of repeated serious violations of the ...

Ukrainian army's training on tanks, F-16 jet part of long-term strategy: US

Training for Ukrainian forces on advanced U.S. Abrams tanks has begun, and while those systems will not be ready in time for the imminent counteroffensive, those weapons will be critical in the longer-term to Ukraine ultimately pushing Russia out of its occupied territories, Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley said. Tank training began as the U.S. and allies began to work out agreements to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets another long-wished-for advanced capability. Ultimately, while the tanks are needed to expel Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, the F-16s would be part of a longer-term security plan to deter future attacks, Milley said Thursday. Everyone recognises Ukraine needs a modernised Air Force, Milley said. It's going to take a considerable amount of time. Milley said detailed planning on class sizes, the types of flying tactics and locations for training was underway now between the U.S. and allies such as the Netherlands and the U.K. that have already ..

US job openings rise to 10.1 mn, labour market strong despite rate hikes

US job openings rose unexpectedly in April, illustrating the resilience of the American labour market even as the Federal Reserve attempts to cool the economy in its fight against inflation. Employers posted 10.1 million job openings last month, up from 9.7 million in March and the most since January. Economists had expected vacancies to slip below 9.5 million. Layoffs fell, but the number of people quitting their jobs a sign of confidence that they can find better pay or working conditions elsewhere slid last month. The Fed has raised its benchmark interest rate 10 times in the last 14 months, making it more expensive for businesses to borrow and invest. The central bank is hoping achieve a so-called soft landing raising rates enough to slow hiring, economic growth and price increases without tipping the world's biggest economy into recession. Economists are sceptical and many expect a recession to start later this year. Inflation has come down steadily from the four-decade

Musk meets China's Qin Gang, calls for mutual respect in US-China relations

China's foreign minister met Tesla Ltd. CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday and said strained U.S.-Chinese relations require mutual respect, while delivering a message of reassurance that foreign companies are welcome. U.S.-Chinese relations are especially tense after Washington shot down a Chinese balloon believed to be gathering intelligence and warned Beijing against supplying arms to Russia for its war against Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported China has rejected a request for its defense minister to meet the U.S. defense secretary when both are in Singapore this weekend. We need to keep the steering wheel in the right direction of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Qin Gang told Musk, according to a ministry statement. The two sides should avoid dangerous driving,' Qin said. He gave no details of steps to improve relations. Musk's visit comes at a time when the ruling Communist Party is trying to revive investor interest in China's slowing economy. Fore

US ends probe into Tesla for allowing video games in vehicles while moving

U.S. highway safety regulators have closed an investigation into Tesla allowing video games to be played on centre touch screens while vehicles are moving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted Tuesday that Tesla disabled the feature called passenger play with an online software update in December of 2021, under pressure from the agency. The agency said in documents that removing passenger play resolved its concerns about distracted driving that could be caused by the feature. The software update covered more than 580,000 vehicles from the 2017 through 2022 model years. One month after software update went out, Tesla reported that 97% of the vehicles had received it. The agency said it opened the investigation in December of 2021 after getting a complaint from a Tesla owner that games could be played by the driver while the vehicles are moving. The investigation was opened to assess the driver distraction potential. It says in documents that

Sri Lankan rupee shows appreciation against US Dollar in recent months

The LKR depreciated dramatically from 202 per dollar in March 2022 to around 360 after the government allowed it to float

US Navy hit by Chinese state-sponsored hacking campaign: Official

The US Navy didn't respond for comment. China denied the hacking accusations

Modi-Biden talks to revolve around peace, people during visits: US Envoy

: The discussions during the upcoming state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US and American President Joe Biden's trip to India will revolve around four Ps- Peace, Prosperity, Planet, and People, said a top diplomat of the US here on Friday. U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti who was in the city, told reporters that the entire planet is counting on the friendship between India and US and the deepening ties. In four months, our leaders will meet thrice face-to-face, and probably as I said it feels natural I think as I said those four Ps- peace, prosperity, work on our planet, and connecting our people will be what you see when Prime Minister (Modi) comes to Washington and you'll see a further reflection and deepening that when the president (Biden) comes here to India.. I hope that he (Biden) will have a chance not just visit the capital Delhi but maybe go someplace else in the country as well, the envoy said when asked about the main agenda of the leaders' visit. P

Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution to invest $4.3 bn in US battery plant

In October, Hyundai Motor Group began the construction of a 300,000-unit-a-year EV and battery plant in Georgia, aiming to begin commercial production in the first half of 2025

US economic growth for last quarter revised up to 1.3% annual rate

The US economy grew at a lackluster 1.3 per cent annual rate from January through March as businesses wary of an economic slowdown trimmed their inventories, the government said on Thursday, a slight upgrade from its initial estimate. The government had previously estimated that the economy grew at a 1.1 per cent annual rate last quarter. The Commerce Department's revised measure on Thursday of growth in the nation's gross domestic product the economy's total output of goods and services marked a deceleration from the second half of 2022. Despite the first-quarter slowdown, consumer spending, which accounts for around 70 per cent of America's economic output, rose at a healthy pace. The steady weakening of economic growth is a consequence of the Federal Reserve's aggressive drive to tame inflation, with 10 interest rate hikes over the past 14 months. Across the economy, the Fed's rate increase have elevated the costs of auto loans, credit card borrowing and business loans. With

China defends ban on Micron, accuses Washington of 'economic coercion'

The Chinese government on Wednesday defended its ban on products from US memory chipmaker Micron Technology Inc. in some computer systems after Washington expressed concern, adding to strains over technology and security. The security review of Micron products was conducted in accordance with the law," said a foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. The Cyberspace Administration of China on Sunday said Micron products have unspecified security risks but gave no details. It banned them from computers that handle sensitive information. That came after Washington, Japan and the Netherlands blocked Chinese access to technology to make advanced processor chips on security grounds at a time when the ruling Communist Party is threatening to attack Taiwan and is more assertive toward its other Asian neighbours. China's cybersecurity review does not target specific countries or regions, Mao said. We do not exclude technologies and products from any country. Companies on both sides have bee

Donald Trump's hush-money payment case trial date set for March 2024

He was first arrested and appeared in a New York courtroom in April, where he was charged with 34 felony counts of fraud in a 16-page indictment

US 'natural partner' in Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, says official

Describing Atmanirbhar Bharat as a brilliant initiative which was long overdue, a top Indian-American chief executive has said that the US is a natural partner in India's initiative to make the country self-reliant in various fields, particularly in defence. The remarks by Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the US in June. I think it (Atmanirbhar Bharat) is a brilliant initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Atmanirbhar Bharat is a long overdue process that needs to evolve and, in its definition, itself is a lot of collaboration, a lot of R&D (Research and Development), joint R&D, and a lot of technologies that need to be incubated for the betterment of India," Lall told PTI in an interview. "It is a very laudable initiative. I think the US is a natural partner in that. The ability of the US and India to work together to achieve the Prime Minister's goals is probably the best path ..