USA exempts India from certain sanctions for development of Chabahar port in Iran
WASHINGTON: The United States of America (USA) has exempted India from the imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan. The decision by the Trump administration, which a day earlier imposed the toughest ever sanctions on Iran […]
Toshiba to shed troubled assets, cut 7,000 jobs
TOKYO: Toshiba Corp is liquidating its British nuclear power unit and selling its US liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, as the once-mighty industrial conglomerate seeks to unload troubled assets and regain investors’ confidence. The plans are part of a new five-year business strategy Toshiba announced on Thursday, which also included 7,000 job cuts, or 5% […]
OPEC considers 2019 oil production cuts in yet another U-turn
The wind changed again in a stormy oil market as Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) signaled it will consider a return to cutting output next year, potentially making the second production U-turn this year. Amid a summer of rising prices and unprecedented political pressure from President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other producers […]
Facebook blocks 115 accounts ahead of USA midterm elections
LONDON: Facebook said it blocked 115 accounts for suspected “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” linked to foreign groups attempting to interfere in Tuesday’s United States of America (USA) midterm elections. 2018 elections in the United States are being held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, except for certain special elections. All these races, whether for a federal, state, […]
Apple delivers strong profits, but investors punish shares
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has delivered blockbuster earnings, but saw shares punished after a disappointing holiday season forecast and word that it will stop reporting how many iPhones it sells. The California-based technology giant makes most of its money from iPhones, and sales numbers have been seen as a bellwether of the company’s fortunes. Apple shares […]
Birthright citizenship has created birth tourism: Donald Trump
WASHINGTON: United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump has claimed that the provision of birthright citizenship has created an entire industry of birth tourism in the US with Chinese people benefitting a lot from this “crazy, lunatic policy”. Birth tourism refers to the practice of people travelling to another country solely to give birth […]
Italy tells European Union it will control deficit, stick to big-spending budget
MILAN: Italy’s populist government on Monday responded to EU (European Union) criticism of its budget with a vow to stick to its public spending hike while scrupulously keeping to its own deficit limits. “The figure of 2.4 per cent (deficit to GDP ratio in 2019) is a ceiling that we have solemnly undertaken to respect,” […]
Donald Trump says ‘anyone entering USA illegally will be arrested, detained and deported’
NEW DELHI: Anyone entering the United States of America (USA) illegally would be arrested, detained and then deported back, President Donald Trump has warned as he threatened three Central American nations to halt a migrant caravan from heading to America or lose millions of dollars in foreign aid. Trump’s warning comes amidst reports that a […]
Sundar Pichai says Google still planning a censored search engine in China
NEW YORK: Google is still considering whether to launch a censored version of its search engine in China, CEO Sundar Pichai has said, in rare public comments about the controversial and secret project. Google’s possible return to China – a market it abandoned over censorship concerns in 2010 – was first leaked in August by […]
USA plans big changes in H-1B visa rules
WASHINGTON : The Donald Trump administration said it is planning to “revise” the definition of employment and specialty occupations under the US H-1B visas by January, a move which will hit Indian IT companies in the US and small and medium-sized contractual firms mostly owned by Indian-Americans. The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows […]
USA move to abolish H-4 visas set to impact tens of thousands of Indians
By Lalit K Jha, PTI WASHINGTON: Abandoning the Obama-era rule of granting work permits to H-4 visa holders — who are spouses of professionals holding H-1B visas, mostly Indians — will benefit some US workers, the Department of Homeland Security believes. The Trump administration is planning to revoke a rule that makes spouses of thousands of […]
Donald Trump wants people to come to USA on basis of merit
WASHINGTON: The United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump has said that he wants people with merit to enter the USA, a move that can help technology professionals from countries such as India. “I’m very tough at the borders. We’ve been very tough at the borders. People have to come into our country legally, […]
WTO not equipped to deal with China and its industrial policies: USA
By Lalit K Jha WASHINGTON: China’s economic system is not compatible with the norms of the WTO, the Trump administration has said, asserting that the international trade body is not equipped to deal with Beijing and its industrial policies. The Trump administration is also seeking to redefine the term ‘developing nations’ as countries like China, […]
Lockheed Martin, Tata to hold suppliers’ meet in India to create F-16 jets’ manufacturing ecosystem
WASHINGTON: Lockheed Martin and Tata will jointly host a suppliers’ meet in India to provide unmatched opportunities for Indian companies to establish new business ties with the F-16 fighter jets’ maker and other industry leaders, the American aerospace giant announced on Tuesday. Such a move from Maryland-based Lockheed Martin comes as part of its broader […]
India USA trade deal negotiations started: White House
NEW DELHI: Discussions with “very valuable ally” India on a trade deal has started, the White House said Thursday, as United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump insisted that New Delhi has reached out to his administration on this. “Yes, discussions (with India on a trade deal) has started. No details please. But discussions […]
Reliance has 10% offset in Rafale: Dassaul CEO
Our joint-venture with India’s Reliance will meet about 10% of Dassault Aviation’s offset (compensations) obligations required by the 36 Rafale fighters contract with New Delhi, said Thursday Eric Trappier, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, to AFP as the choice of this company is disputed in India. 1) The Rafale India contract makes provision for offsets […]