All stories by Lalit K Jha
No definitive conclusion on Covid origin theory: White House
Rediff.com28 Feb 2023"The intelligence community and the rest of the government are 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.
US offers all support to make India's G20 presidency a success
Rediff.com25 Feb 2023Blinken will also attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping and will hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Delhi.
Relief for Indians as US allows students to apply for visa 1 year in advance
Rediff.com24 Feb 2023In a much-needed relief for foreign students looking to study in the US, the Biden administration has announced they can now apply for a visa up to a year before their academic term begins.
Blinken to travel to India on March 1 for G20 meet
Rediff.com24 Feb 2023United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to India next week to attend the meeting of G20 foreign ministers and meet senior Indian officials to reaffirm America's strong partnership with the country.
Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head World Bank
Rediff.com23 Feb 2023At the World Bank Banga will be replacing David Malpass, a former Trump treasury official, reports axios.com. Malpass had already announced that he will resign by July, months ahead of his term expired. "Ajay is uniquely equipped to lead the World Bank at this critical moment in history," President Biden said in a statement. Banga, 63, currently serves as vice chairman at General Atlantic.
Seattle resolution on caste 'Hinduphobic': Indian-American senator
Rediff.com23 Feb 2023"I condemn in the strongest terms the ordinance passed by the Seattle City Council. Caste discrimination simply doesn't exist now," Niraj Antani, the first Hindu and Indian-American state senator in Ohio's history, said.
Seattle first US city to ban caste discrimination but not everyone is happy
Rediff.com22 Feb 2023Seattle has become the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination after its local council passed a resolution, moved by an Indian-American politician and economist, to add caste to its non-discrimination policy.
Days after spy balloon row, US warns China against helping Russia
Rediff.com19 Feb 2023United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned China that its 'material support' for Russia's war against Ukraine would attract sanctions and condemned the 'unacceptable violation' of American sovereignty by a Chinese spy balloon as he met Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi.
US, Europe need countries like India to outcompete China: Top US Senator
Rediff.com18 Feb 2023Earlier in an op-ed in The Washington Post, Schumer said the democratic international order must stand strong to confront the rise of the Chinese Communist Party.
Arunachal integral part of India: US resolution snubs China
Rediff.com17 Feb 2023The resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including China's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Beijing's territorial claims in Bhutan.
3 other downed objects not linked to Chinese spy programme: Biden
Rediff.com17 Feb 2023The three high-flying objects which were shot down over the American and Canadian airspace this month were not related to the Chinese balloon programme, but most likely tied to private companies, recreation, or research institutions, United States President Joe Biden said Thursday.
Neal Mohan to succeed Susan Wojcicki as YouTube CEO
Rediff.com17 Feb 2023Wojcicki, 54, said in her blog post that she will focus on "family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about." Wojcicki, who was previously a senior vice president for ad products at Google, became CEO of YouTube in 2014.
Nikki Haley launches US president bid, says China will end up like Russia
Rediff.com15 Feb 2023Indian-origin Republican leader Nikki Haley on Wednesday asserted that like the erstwhile Soviet Union, Communist China will also end up on the "ash heap of history."
Air India-Boeing deal to create 1 million jobs in US: Biden to Modi
Rediff.com15 Feb 2023The landmark Air India-Boeing deal will create up to 1 million jobs across 44 states in the US and will further deepen bilateral ties, President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Boeing and Air India announced a mega deal on Tuesday under which the Tata Group-owned airline will purchase 190 B737 MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777X for a total of 220 firm orders valued at $34 billion at list price. The deal will also include customer options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX and 20 Boeing 787, totalling 290 airplanes for a total of $45.9 billion at the list price.
Aware of BBC raid, cannot offer any judgement: US
Rediff.com15 Feb 2023'We support the importance of free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world. It has strengthened this democracy here in this country. It has strengthened India's democracy'
Air India to buy 470 planes from Airbus, Boeing in a landmark aviation deal
Rediff.com14 Feb 2023Air India will purchase 220 planes from Boeing for $34 billion, with an option to buy 70 more aircraft that could take the total transaction value to $45.9 billion, a deal that US President Joe Biden described as a "historic agreement". While announcing the Boeing-Air India deal on Tuesday, Biden also asserted that together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was looking forward to deepen the ties between India and the US. As per an announcement from the White House, Boeing and Air India have reached an agreement under which the airline will purchase 190 B737 MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777X for a total of 220 firm order valued at $34 billion at list price.
Nikki Haley, the doer who loves to be underestimated
Rediff.com14 Feb 2023Dubbed as "Jobs Governor", Haley turned South Carolina's economy around during her tenure as governor and transforming the state into a manufacturing powerhouse. She cut taxes, repealed burdensome regulations, and turned South Carolina into "the Beast of the Southeast". Under her leadership, figures note, the state's unemployment rate hit a 15-year low, and when she left office, South Carolina was at full employment.
Nikki Haley announces US presidential run, will take on Trump
Rediff.com14 Feb 2023Prominent Indian-American politician Nikki Haley launched her presidential campaign on Tuesday, becoming the first Republican to challenge former US President Donald Trump in his 2024 bid for the White House.
Aliens or terrestrial activity? US clarifies on recent takedowns
Rediff.com14 Feb 2023After the third unidentified object was shot down in the US on Sunday, speculations were made that they could be alien or terrestrial activities.
In fourth such op, US shoots down another airborne object
Rediff.com13 Feb 2023The United States on Sunday shot down another unidentified airborne object in its airspace, a day after it brought down a similar 'cylindrical' object over Canada.