In January, the then President Donald Trump had extended the ban on issuing of new H-1B visas till March 31 The Biden administration on March 1 indicated it is still undecided on ending the Trump-era ban on issuing of new H-1B visas, with the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asserting that its top priority is the acute needs of individuals fleeing persecution.Also read: U.S. reaches H-1B visa cap for 2021In January, the then President Donald Trump had extended the ban on issuing of new H-1B visas till March 31 arguing that the country is having a very high unemployment rate…
Author: Mike Harrison
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), led by former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, recommended clamping down on China’s ability to procure the manufacturing equipment needed to make advanced computing chips. (Subscribe to our Today’s Cache newsletter for a quick snapshot of top 5 tech stories. Click here to subscribe for free.)A U.S. national security commission on Monday recommended Congress tighten up “choke points” on chipmaking technology to prevent China from overtaking the United States in semiconductors in the coming years.The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), led by former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, recommended clamping down on…
A month ago, India and Japan were ejected from a 2019 tripartite agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal, amid port unions’ resistance to ‘foreign involvement’. Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it will develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) at the Colombo Port along with India and Japan, in a near-360 degree policy turn from a month ago, when the two partners were ejected from a 2019 tripartite agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal (ECT), amid port unions’ resistance to “foreign involvement”. Briefing the media on decisions taken at Monday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said…
Abdallah Al-Mouallimi said the newly declassified Central Intelligence Agency report “is based on could’ve, should’ve and would’ve and does not rise to anywhere close to proving the accusation beyond reasonable doubt Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador on Monday disputed the US intelligence report which concluded that the Saudi crown prince approved an operation to kill or capture dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying in a tweet: “Let us all move forward to tackle the serious business of world issues!!”.Abdallah Al-Mouallimi said the newly declassified Central Intelligence Agency report “is based on could’ve, should’ve and would’ve and does not rise to anywhere close…
Document talks about using all tools available to counter ‘coercive’ practices The Biden administration’s trade agenda will make pandemic recovery a top priority and focus on the American worker, according to the 2021 President’s Trade Agenda and 2020 Annual Report, an annual document submitted by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to Congress. The administration will push for labour standards in its trade agreements, negotiate environmental standards and address China’s “coercive and unfair” trade practices, the document said. Impact on workers“The Biden Administration will review past trade policies for their impacts on, and unintended consequences for, workers,” it said.“Workers will have…
Agnes Callamard, special rapporteur on summary executions who led a U.N. investigation into Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, reiterated her call for sanctions targeting Mohammed bin Salman’s assets and his international engagements. A U.N. human rights investigator said on Monday that it was “extremely dangerous” for the United States to have named Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler as having approved an operation to capture or kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi but not to have taken action against him.Agnes Callamard, special rapporteur on summary executions who led a U.N. investigation into Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, reiterated her call for sanctions targeting Mohammed bin Salman’s assets…
The world’s singular focus right now should be to keep transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible, said Dr. Michael Ryan, director of WHO’s emergencies program. A senior World Health Organization official said Monday it was “premature” and “unrealistic” to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death.The world’s singular focus right now should be to keep transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible, said Dr. Michael Ryan, director of WHO’s emergencies program.“If we’re smart, we can finish with…
The Supreme Court on Monday held that residential accommodation for nuns near a convent and hostels for students attached to educational institutions can claim exemption from paying building tax in Kerala.A Bench led by Justice Rohinton Nariman, in a judgment, said a building can be exempted from property tax if its core purpose is to accommodate nuns and students, not for profit, but to provide them easy access to their respective centres of study.“Nuns are living in a neighbouring building to a convent only so that they may receive religious instruction there, or if students are living in a hostel…
Furfura peer criticised Congress leadership for not conceding his demands on seat sharing Left Front chairperson Biman Bose on Monday cautioned Indian Secular Front chief and Furfura peer Abbas Siddique not to target the Congress party leadership. “When we are in alliance, we should speak in one voice. We hope that he will heed the advice and not repeat that in future,” Mr. Bose said referring to remarks made by Mr. Siddique at the Brigade Parade Grounds on Sunday and later to journalists. While thanking the Left parties, he had criticised the Congress leadership for not conceding his demands on…
The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Sessions court hearing a sexual assault case involving Malayalam actor Dileep six months’ time, starting from March 4, to complete the trial. A Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar made it clear that the time was given as an “indulgence” and as a “last opportunity”. “The parties must cooperate for early conclusion of the trial,” the apex court said. The order came on a request, dated January 16, 2021, from the Additional Special Sessions Judge, Ernakulam, Kerala, for six more months to complete the trial proceedings. The apex court had earlier extended the…