All stories by Lalit K Jha
White House budget chief nominee Neera Tanden withdraws nomination
Rediff.com3 Mar 2021Tanden, president of the left-leaning think tank Center for American Progress, would have led a key economic post that oversees the production of the President's proposed budget for his agenda if she had been confirmed.
Biden admin 'undecided' on ending Trump-era H-1B visa ban
Rediff.com2 Mar 2021The Biden administration has indicated that it is still undecided on ending the Trump-era ban on issuing new H-1B visas, with the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asserting that the US government's top priority is the acute needs of individuals fleeing persecution. The H-1B visa, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
Bill introduced in US Congress to scrap 'one-China' policy
Rediff.com2 Mar 2021The US maintained normal diplomatic relations with the government in Taiwan until 1979, when then-President Jimmy Carter abruptly cut off formal ties with Taipei and recognised the Communist regime in Beijing.
Can't allow China to dominate: US lawmaker on India cyberattack report
Rediff.com2 Mar 2021The United States State Department said it is aware of these reports.
Mumbai power outage may have been handiwork of China: Report
Rediff.com1 Mar 2021A report details the campaign conducted by a China-linked threat activity group RedEcho targeting the Indian power sector.
We will prevail: Trump hints at 2024 presidential bid
Rediff.com1 Mar 2021Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Committee in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, the 74-year-old leader, who left the White House on January 20, stopped short of announcing to run for the president in 2024, although he gave enough indications that he is moving in that direction.
US approves Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine
Rediff.com28 Feb 2021The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which works with one dose instead of two, got approval on Saturday, the third vaccine cleared in the country after emergency use authorisation (EUA) was given to two-dose shots from Pfizer and Moderna in December last year.
Saudi prince approved killing of Khashoggi: US report
Rediff.com27 Feb 2021Fifty-nine-year-old Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist who lived in the US as a legal permanent resident and wrote for the Washington Post, was critical of the prince's policies and was killed in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in the Turkish city on October 2, 2018.
US, UN, EU welcome India-Pak ceasefire agreement
Rediff.com27 Feb 2021The United States, the United Nations and the European Union have welcomed the announcement by the militaries of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors, and hoped that it would lead to greater peace and stability in South Asia.
Biden revokes Trump-era ban on Green Card
Rediff.com25 Feb 2021Reopening the country to people seeking green cards, or legal permanent residence, Biden in his proclamation on Wednesday said that the policy of former US President Donald Trump does not advance the interests of the United States.
Countering Chinese Propaganda Act introduced in US Congress
Rediff.com25 Feb 2021A legislation has been introduced in the United States Congress for countering the Chinese propaganda by creating a new sanctions authority against state-backed disinformation networks.
US names Anjali Bharadwaj among 12 anti-corruption champions
Rediff.com24 Feb 2021Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist working on issues of transparency and accountability, is one of the 12 anti-corruption champions announced by the Biden administration.
Biden nominates Desi lawyer to head office of personnel management
Rediff.com24 Feb 2021United States President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American lawyer and rights activist Kiran Ahuja to head the Office of Personnel Management, a federal agency that manages America's more than two million civil servants.
White House backs Neera Tanden as Republicans oppose her nomination
Rediff.com24 Feb 2021The White House and the Indian-American community are solidly backing the nomination of Neera Tanden as the director of Office of Management and Budget, describing her as the most appropriate candidate to hold the position.
Covid: Biden calls 500,000 toll in US 'heartbreaking milestone'
Rediff.com23 Feb 2021Citing the figure of 500,071 dead in the US, Biden said, "that's more Americans who've died in one year -- this pandemic -- than in World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined.
Closely following India, China troop disengagement: US
Rediff.com23 Feb 2021Both countries have reached a mutual agreement for disengagement of troops from the most contentious area of North and South Pangong Lake.
US reaches H-1B visa cap for 2021
Rediff.com18 Feb 2021The US has received enough petitions needed to reach the Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2021 and successful candidates for the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians, would be decided by a computerised draw of lots. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
Desis in US launch rose campaign in support of protesting farmers
Rediff.com14 Feb 2021A group of Indian diaspora organisations launched a rose campaign on the occasion of Valentine's Day on Sunday in support of the farmers protesting against the new farm laws in India.
Democracy is fragile: Biden after Trump's acquittal
Rediff.com14 Feb 2021United States President Joe Biden has said that the Senate's acquittal of his predecessor Donald Trump for inciting a mob to storm the Capitol on January 6 was a reminder that democracy was 'fragile' and every American had a duty to defend the truth.
Trump 'ready for yet another phase of active public life'
Rediff.com14 Feb 2021Donald Trump has told millions of his supporters that he is ready for yet another phase of active public life after the United States Senate acquitted him in his second impeachment trial.