All stories by Lalit K Jha
Trump focused on feeding his ego, didn't take COVID seriously: Obama
Rediff.com1 Nov 2020Obama, who was the 44th US president, blasted Trump for his policies and rhetoric.
US court asks ISRO arm Antrix to pay $1.2bn to Devas for cancelled deal
Rediff.com30 Oct 2020A US court has asked Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, to pay a compensation of USD 1.2 billion to a Bengaluru-based startup, Devas Multimedia, for cancelling a satellite deal in 2005.
Trump's pick Amy Barrett sworn in as Supreme Court justice
Rediff.com27 Oct 2020The Senate confirmed the nomination of Barrett as the Supreme Court Judge by 52-48 votes, overcoming the unified opposition of Democrats.
Trump wanted me to be Secretary of State: Nikki Haley
Rediff.com25 Oct 2020"I was the Governor of South Carolina, the best job serving the state that raised me. And then I got a phone call (after the 2016 elections," Haley, 48, said during a fireside chat organised by Indian Voices for Trump in Norristown in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Biden slams Trump for calling India 'filthy'
Rediff.com25 Oct 2020It's not how you talk about friends and it's not how you solve global challenges like climate change,Biden said in a tweet.
US does not want India-China row to escalate: Official
Rediff.com24 Oct 2020The official told the reporters during a conference call on Friday, ahead of the next week's 2+2 India-US Ministerial in New Delhi, that the Trump administration was providing support to India through defence sales, joint military exercises and information sharing.
Biden vows free COVID vaccine for all if elected as US president
Rediff.com24 Oct 2020In a major policy speech on the coronavirus in his home state of Delaware, Biden on Friday flayed US President Donald Trump for his policies to combat the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 220,000 people and has had a devastating impact on the country's economy.
Trump, Biden spar over Covid, race, climate in final presidential debate
Rediff.com23 Oct 2020Donald Trump is one of the "most racist presidents" in modern history, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said, as he tore into the current United States president during the final presidential debate and accused him of pouring "fuel on every racist fire".
Cost of Trump order on H-1B, L1 visas to US? $100 bn
Rediff.com23 Oct 2020President Donald Trump's executive order restricting entry of skilled foreign workers into the US, mainly on H-1B and L1 visas, has resulted in an estimated loss of $100 billion to companies in the US, a top American think-tank claimed. The executive order signed by Trump on June 22, that had temporarily banned issuing fresh H-1B and L-1 visas till December 31, caused a negative impact to the valuation of Fortune 500 firms equivalent to over $100 billion in losses, Brookings Institute said in a report released this week.
'November 3 US poll election of a lifetime'
Rediff.com23 Oct 2020The November 3 presidential poll is an "election of a lifetime" for it being held amid a pandemic and seeing the "highest participation" of India-Americans, according to eminent community leader Swadesh Chatterjee.
US plans on business visa will hit hundreds of Indians
Rediff.com22 Oct 2020The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed several companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians. The proposal, if finalised, will eliminate any misconception that the "B-1 in lieu of H policy" provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US to perform skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the H non-immigrant classification established by Congress to protect the US workers, the State Department said.
India to be most consequential partner in Indo-Pacific: US ahead of 2+2 meet
Rediff.com21 Oct 2020India will be the most consequential partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific this century, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday ahead of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between the two countries next week. Esper on Tuesday told a Washington audience that he and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would be travelling to New Delhi next week for the 2+2 ministerial with their respective Indian counterparts Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Kamala Harris turns 56; next birthday at White House, says Biden
Rediff.com21 Oct 2020Biden took to Twitter to post a photograph showing their hands clasped together. 'Happy Birthday, Kamala Harris. Next year, let's celebrate with some ice cream at the White House,' tweeted Biden, who had in August picked her as his running mate.
Lawsuit filed against Trump's new H-1B visa rules
Rediff.com20 Oct 2020Several individuals and organisations, including the US Chambers of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's recent rules related to the H-1B visa, terming them "arbitrary" and "haphazard" regulations that will undermine high skilled immigration into America. Early this month, the Trump administration announced new restrictions on H-1B non-immigrant visa programme which it said is aimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners, a move which is likely to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals.
Kamala Harris' niece's tweet irks Hindus
Rediff.com20 Oct 2020Hindu groups in the United States have sought an apology from Senator Kamala Harris's niece for tweeting an 'offensive' image, which depicted the Democratic vice presidential nominee as goddess Durga.
Trump-Biden debate to feature 'mute' button
Rediff.com20 Oct 2020Under the new rules, Trump and Biden will each have two minutes of uninterrupted time to speak at the beginning of every 15-minute segment of the debate.
Biden not good for India, we've to understand China's threat: Trump's son
Rediff.com19 Oct 2020"When you look at our opponents in this race, you think the Chinese gave Hunter Biden $1.5 billion -- because he was a great businessman, or because they knew the Bidens could be bought, and therefore soft on China," he said.
Outrage as Republican senator mocks Kamala Harris' name
Rediff.com18 Oct 2020The mispronunciation outraged a large number of Harris' supporters and her spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, "I'll keep it simple: If you can pronounce 'former' Senator David Perdue, you can pronounce 'future' Vice President Kamala Harris."
'Samosa Caucus': New Congress may have more Indian-Americans
Rediff.com18 Oct 2020The "Samosa caucus" comprises of five Indian-American lawmakers, including four members of the House of Representatives and Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
China, Russia and India spewing stuff into air: Trump
Rediff.com16 Oct 2020'I love clean air but Russia and China, you look at a map you have all these spots and India and many others are spewing it in. What do you suggest?'