Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan deals a serious blow to the peace process and regional stability. He was speaking with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

"Wang Yi noted that the US`s hasty withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan already dealt a serious blow to the peace process in Afghanistan, as well as negatively affected the regional stability," Wang Yi was quoted as saying in the statement by the country`s foreign ministry.

"Under the circumstances, China expects the UN to play its due role, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) needs to closely monitor the situation. Afghanistan`s neighbour countries must strengthen relations, join efforts and take coordinated action," he said during the phone conversation on Saturday ahead of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-resumes-shooting-as-ceasefire-ends-385400">Afghanistan: Taliban resumes shooting as ceasefire ends</a>

Taliban has tried to take over some strategic areas in Afghanistan ever since the announcement of the final drawdown of US troops from Afghanistan

Earlier this week, Wang Yi elaborated on China`s position on the Afghan situation, when holding talks with foreign ministers of Central Asia countries in Xi`an City, Shaanxi Province.

The minister had said that the current evolution of the Afghan situation has drawn great attention from the international community.The Chinese side holds the view that foreign troops should withdraw from Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner to prevent any hasty action from adversely affecting and seriously interfering with the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, he added.

US President Joe Biden announced last month the decision to withdraw troops by September 11. The Taliban rejected President Joe Biden`s announcement that troops would stay on past the deadline but withdraw over the next four and a half months.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan deals a serious blow to the peace process and regional stability. He was speaking with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan deals a serious blow to the peace process and regional stability. He was speaking with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi. "Wang Yi noted that the US`s hasty withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan already dealt a serious blow to the peace process in Afghanistan, as well as negatively affected the regional stability," Wang Yi was quoted as saying in the statement by the country`s foreign ministry. "Under the circumstances, China expects the UN to play its due role, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) needs to closely monitor the situation. Afghanistan`s neighbour countries must strengthen relations, join efforts and take coordinated action," he said during the phone conversation on Saturday ahead of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. Also Read | Afghanistan: Taliban resumes shooting as ceasefire ends Taliban has tried to take over some strategic areas in Afghanistan ever since the announcement of the final drawdown of US troops from Afghanistan Earlier this week, Wang Yi elaborated on China`s position on the Afghan situation, when holding talks with foreign ministers of Central Asia countries in Xi`an City, Shaanxi Province. The minister had said that the current evolution of the Afghan situation has drawn great attention from the international community.The Chinese side holds the view that foreign troops should withdraw from Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner to prevent any hasty action from adversely affecting and seriously interfering with the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, he added. US President Joe Biden announced last month the decision to withdraw troops by September 11. The Taliban rejected President Joe Biden`s announcement that troops would stay on past the deadline but withdraw over the next four and a half months. (With inputs from agencies)

Hasty US withdrawal a blow to Afghan peace process, says China

After BuzzFeed News said, it easily found the US president on the payment app Venmo, accounts for Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden were removed on Friday. The discovery raised several national security questions.&nbsp;

The news website was looking for US President’s account after it was mentioned in a New York Times report on White House conditions and working practices.&nbsp;

It took 'less than 10 minutes' to find president’s account by using only a combination of the app’s built-in search tool and public friends feature, said BuzzFeed.&nbsp;

Not just this, it also found nearly a dozen Biden family members and mapped out a social web that encompasses not only the first family but a wide network of people around them in the process, it said. &nbsp;

These include the president’s children, grandchildren, senior White House officials and all of their contacts on Venmo.&nbsp;

Although the White House did not immediately comment, the accounts for the president and first lady were removed by late Friday as per BuzzFeed.&nbsp;

According to a Venmo spokesperson, “The safety and privacy of all Venmo users and their information is always a top priority, and we take this responsibility very seriously. Customers always have the ability to make their transactions private and determine their own privacy settings in the app. We are consistently evolving and strengthening the privacy measures for all Venmo users to be able to provide a safe, secure way to send and spend money.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After BuzzFeed News said, it easily found the US president on the payment app Venmo, accounts for Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden were removed on Friday. The discovery raised several national security questions.

After BuzzFeed News said, it easily found the US president on the payment app Venmo, accounts for Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden were removed on Friday. The discovery raised several national security questions. The news website was looking for US President’s account after it was mentioned in a New York Times report on White House conditions and working practices. It took 'less than 10 minutes' to find president’s account by using only a combination of the app’s built-in search tool and public friends feature, said BuzzFeed. Not just this, it also found nearly a dozen Biden family members and mapped out a social web that encompasses not only the first family but a wide network of people around them in the process, it said. These include the president’s children, grandchildren, senior White House officials and all of their contacts on Venmo. Although the White House did not immediately comment, the accounts for the president and first lady were removed by late Friday as per BuzzFeed. According to a Venmo spokesperson, “The safety and privacy of all Venmo users and their information is always a top priority, and we take this responsibility very seriously. Customers always have the ability to make their transactions private and determine their own privacy settings in the app. We are consistently evolving and strengthening the privacy measures for all Venmo users to be able to provide a safe, secure way to send and spend money.” (With inputs from agencies)

Venmo account of Biden discovered in less than 10 minutes: Report 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the UN Security Council to seek an early de-escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers. He also blamed the US for the council's lack of action so far.&nbsp;

"Regrettably, the council has so far failed to reach an agreement, with the United States standing on the opposite side of international justice," the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying in a phone conversation on Saturday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.&nbsp;

He expressed support for a two-state solution, and said China, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, expects all parties to speak with a unified voice when the council discusses the conflict later on Sunday.&nbsp;

Wang said the Security Council should reconfirm a two-state solution and urge Palestinians and Israelis to resume talks on that basis as soon as possible. &nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Saudi Arabia has called for foreign ministers of the world's largest body of Muslim nations to hold a meeting on Sunday.

The gathering is to discuss Israeli acts of violence against Palestinians and the Israeli police's use of force against protesters at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

The kingdom will host the virtual summit, gathering ministers of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territory, particularly acts of violence in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the body said on Saturday.

The Saudi-headquartered OIC includes countries Iran, Turkey, Indonesia and a range of Muslim majority nations.

The sanctity of Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, is a sensitive and emotive issue for Muslims around the world.&nbsp;The OIC was formed 51 years ago in response to a Jewish extremist arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem.

The hilltop on which the mosque stands is also sacred to Jews, who revere it as the Temple Mount because it was the site of the biblical temples.

Some Jews and evangelical Christians support building a new Jewish temple on the site, an idea that Muslims find alarming because they fear it would lead to the mosque being partitioned or demolished.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the UN Security Council to seek an early de-escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers. He also blamed the US for the council's lack of action so far.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the UN Security Council to seek an early de-escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers. He also blamed the US for the council's lack of action so far. "Regrettably, the council has so far failed to reach an agreement, with the United States standing on the opposite side of international justice," the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying in a phone conversation on Saturday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He expressed support for a two-state solution, and said China, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, expects all parties to speak with a unified voice when the council discusses the conflict later on Sunday. Wang said the Security Council should reconfirm a two-state solution and urge Palestinians and Israelis to resume talks on that basis as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has called for foreign ministers of the world's largest body of Muslim nations to hold a meeting on Sunday. The gathering is to discuss Israeli acts of violence against Palestinians and the Israeli police's use of force against protesters at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The kingdom will host the virtual summit, gathering ministers of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territory, particularly acts of violence in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the body said on Saturday. The Saudi-headquartered OIC includes countries Iran, Turkey, Indonesia and a range of Muslim majority nations. The sanctity of Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, is a sensitive and emotive issue for Muslims around the world. The OIC was formed 51 years ago in response to a Jewish extremist arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem. The hilltop on which the mosque stands is also sacred to Jews, who revere it as the Temple Mount because it was the site of the biblical temples. Some Jews and evangelical Christians support building a new Jewish temple on the site, an idea that Muslims find alarming because they fear it would lead to the mosque being partitioned or demolished. (With inputs from agencies)

China calls for UN council action, slams US over fighting between Israel, Gaza

A tiger that frightened residents after it was last seen briefly wandering around a Houston neighbourhood has been found after a nearly week-long search and appears to be unharmed, police announced on Saturday evening. &nbsp;

In a short video tweeted by Houston police, Cmdr Ron Borza can be seen sitting next to the tiger, petting the animal and saying it has been a long week searching for it. &nbsp;

"But we got him, and he's healthy," Borza said as the wife of the man police allege is the animal's owner sat next to him and fed the tiger with a baby bottle. The tiger was being held at BARC, the city of Houston's animal shelter, but was expected to be taken on Sunday morning to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, an animal sanctuary in Murchison, Texas, located southeast of Dallas. &nbsp;

Authorities had been searching for the tiger, a 9-month-old male named India, since it was spotted on May 9 in a west Houston neighbourhood. At the time, it was nearly shot by an off-duty deputy before being whisked away in a car by Victor Hugo Cuevas, who police allege is the owner. &nbsp;

At a news conference later on Saturday evening, Borza said that Cuevas' wife, Giorgiana, turned over the tiger to police on Saturday after a friend of hers reached out to officials at BARC. &nbsp;

"It is Victor's tiger. That's what I was told by (Giorgiana Cuevas) ... She says they've had that animal for nine months," Borza said. He alleged that the tiger was passed around to different people but that Cuevas' wife knew where the tiger was at all times this week as authorities searched for it. &nbsp;

Police are still trying to determine where exactly the tiger was held this week and if any charges related to having the tiger will be filed. Tigers are not allowed within Houston city limits under a city ordinance unless the handler, such as a zoo, is licensed to have exotic animals. &nbsp;

But Cuevas' attorney, Michael W Elliott, on Saturday night continued to insist his client doesn't own the tiger, saying, "I am not sure it makes any difference, who technically owns India as he does not have a birth certificate or title."&nbsp;

"Victor was not the primary owner of India nor did India stay with him the majority of the time," Elliott said. "Victor was, however, involved in the caretaking of India often. Victor loves India as anyone else would love a favorite pet... He treated India with love and fantastic treatment in all respects."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A tiger that frightened residents after it was last seen briefly wandering around a Houston neighbourhood has been found after a nearly week-long search and appears to be unharmed, police announced on Saturday evening.

A tiger that frightened residents after it was last seen briefly wandering around a Houston neighbourhood has been found after a nearly week-long search and appears to be unharmed, police announced on Saturday evening. In a short video tweeted by Houston police, Cmdr Ron Borza can be seen sitting next to the tiger, petting the animal and saying it has been a long week searching for it. "But we got him, and he's healthy," Borza said as the wife of the man police allege is the animal's owner sat next to him and fed the tiger with a baby bottle. The tiger was being held at BARC, the city of Houston's animal shelter, but was expected to be taken on Sunday morning to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, an animal sanctuary in Murchison, Texas, located southeast of Dallas. Authorities had been searching for the tiger, a 9-month-old male named India, since it was spotted on May 9 in a west Houston neighbourhood. At the time, it was nearly shot by an off-duty deputy before being whisked away in a car by Victor Hugo Cuevas, who police allege is the owner. At a news conference later on Saturday evening, Borza said that Cuevas' wife, Giorgiana, turned over the tiger to police on Saturday after a friend of hers reached out to officials at BARC. "It is Victor's tiger. That's what I was told by (Giorgiana Cuevas) ... She says they've had that animal for nine months," Borza said. He alleged that the tiger was passed around to different people but that Cuevas' wife knew where the tiger was at all times this week as authorities searched for it. Police are still trying to determine where exactly the tiger was held this week and if any charges related to having the tiger will be filed. Tigers are not allowed within Houston city limits under a city ordinance unless the handler, such as a zoo, is licensed to have exotic animals. But Cuevas' attorney, Michael W Elliott, on Saturday night continued to insist his client doesn't own the tiger, saying, "I am not sure it makes any difference, who technically owns India as he does not have a birth certificate or title." "Victor was not the primary owner of India nor did India stay with him the majority of the time," Elliott said. "Victor was, however, involved in the caretaking of India often. Victor loves India as anyone else would love a favorite pet... He treated India with love and fantastic treatment in all respects." (With inputs from agencies)

Police: Missing Texas tiger has been found safe, healthy 

US&nbsp;Trade&nbsp;Representative Katherine&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;said on Thursday that World&nbsp;Trade&nbsp;Organization negotiations over intellectual property&nbsp;waivers for COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines are a&nbsp;chance&nbsp;for the deeply divided&nbsp;trade&nbsp;body to make&nbsp;itself relevant to the world's needs.

Tai, speaking to the House Ways and Means Committee, said she was committed to entering negotiations that take into account concerns from all sides, including drug companies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccine-makers-oppose-ip-waiver-say-manufacturing-hurdles-slowing-rollout-379755">Vaccine makers oppose IP waiver, say manufacturing hurdles slowing rollout</a>

"The&nbsp;WTO&nbsp;has not got a record of moving quickly, or getting to yes, across 164 members who must all agree, very often,"&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;said. "This is the opportunity for the&nbsp;WTO&nbsp;to&nbsp;show&nbsp;its&nbsp;relevance&nbsp;for mankind."

For the second day in a row,&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;heard criticism from Republican lawmakers that the intellectual property rights&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;will give critical biopharmaceutical technology to China, Russia and other strategic rivals while failing to increase&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;supplies.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-warns-of-vaccine-apartheid-if-rich-countries-hog-shots-384074">South Africa warns of 'vaccine apartheid' if rich countries hog shots</a>

Republican Representative Devin Nunes told&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;that he is concerned China is one of the few countries that could quickly manufacture messenger RNA&nbsp;vaccines, a technology partly developed with&nbsp;US&nbsp;tax dollars.

"It really seems like they (China) want to steal this very new technology, especially as it relates to the Moderna and Pfizer&nbsp;vaccines."

Tai&nbsp;said the administration was working to exercise leadership on the issue to try to reach a solution that saves lives and puts&nbsp;the world back on a faster growth track, which will benefit the United States.

India and South Africa, the proponents of the original, much broader proposal are expressing "that they feel extremely vulnerable in not having access to&nbsp;vaccines and not being able to make them either,"&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;said.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;Tai&nbsp;told a Senate hearing that companies making&nbsp;vaccines could be "a hero" by helping the world gain increased access to COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines.

She declined to discuss&nbsp;details of her consultations with drug companies before announcing the decision to join&nbsp;WTO&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;negotiations last week but said that some are driven by more than their obligations to shareholders.

"Some of them do see themselves as important actors in the public health ecosystem in the world."

Tai&nbsp;said that the intellectual property&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;was just one of a number of actions that would be required to increase manufacturing and equitable distribution of&nbsp;vaccines around the world.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday that World Trade Organization negotiations over intellectual property waivers for COVID-19 vaccines are a chance for the deeply divided trade body to make itself relevant to the world's needs.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday that World Trade Organization negotiations over intellectual property waivers for COVID-19 vaccines are a chance for the deeply divided trade body to make itself relevant to the world's needs. Tai, speaking to the House Ways and Means Committee, said she was committed to entering negotiations that take into account concerns from all sides, including drug companies. Also read | Vaccine makers oppose IP waiver, say manufacturing hurdles slowing rollout "The WTO has not got a record of moving quickly, or getting to yes, across 164 members who must all agree, very often," Tai said. "This is the opportunity for the WTO to show its relevance for mankind." For the second day in a row, Tai heard criticism from Republican lawmakers that the intellectual property rights waiver will give critical biopharmaceutical technology to China, Russia and other strategic rivals while failing to increase vaccine supplies. Also read | South Africa warns of 'vaccine apartheid' if rich countries hog shots Republican Representative Devin Nunes told Tai that he is concerned China is one of the few countries that could quickly manufacture messenger RNA vaccines, a technology partly developed with US tax dollars. "It really seems like they (China) want to steal this very new technology, especially as it relates to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines." Tai said the administration was working to exercise leadership on the issue to try to reach a solution that saves lives and puts the world back on a faster growth track, which will benefit the United States. India and South Africa, the proponents of the original, much broader proposal are expressing "that they feel extremely vulnerable in not having access to vaccines and not being able to make them either," Tai said. On Wednesday, Tai told a Senate hearing that companies making vaccines could be "a hero" by helping the world gain increased access to COVID-19 vaccines. She declined to discuss details of her consultations with drug companies before announcing the decision to join WTO waiver negotiations last week but said that some are driven by more than their obligations to shareholders. "Some of them do see themselves as important actors in the public health ecosystem in the world." Tai said that the intellectual property waiver was just one of a number of actions that would be required to increase manufacturing and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

Vaccine waiver talks a chance for WTO to show its relevance: US trade chief Tai

The developed world is ditching the mask. In the US, fully vaccinated citizens can stop wearing the mask in most places. While the UK has come up with new rules for hugging. Palki Sharma tell you more.

Gravitas: These countries are taking off the mask

Indian-American policy expert Neera Tanden has been appointed as a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, two months after she withdrew her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget due to stiff opposition from Republican senators.&nbsp;

Tanden has been entrusted with two tasks, launch a review of the US Digital Service, and plan contingencies that could result from the Supreme Court's consideration of Republican lawsuits seeking to strike down the Affordable Care Act.&nbsp;

Tanden, 50, is currently the president and CEO of a progressive think-tank, Center for American Progress (CAP). She expected to join the White House team on Monday.&nbsp;

"Neera's intellect, tenacity, and political savvy will be an asset to the Biden administration," CAP founder and director John Podesta said.&nbsp;

He said the White House has made remarkable progress combating numerous once-in-a-generation challenges from vaccinating millions of Americans to delivering real economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic, and from strengthening the Affordable Care Act to tackling climate change.&nbsp;

"Many of these bold policy solutions, which have bipartisan support from voters across the country, were developed and led by Neera at CAP over many years. The administration's efforts will be magnified with Neera Tanden on the team," Podesta added.&nbsp;

In March, she faced a tough time for the confirmation of her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) over her past social media outbursts against several lawmakers, including those from her own Democratic Party. She became the Biden administration's only Cabinet nominee rebuffed by the Senate.&nbsp;

Tanden previously served as a senior adviser for health reforms at the US Department of Health and Human Services. She worked with Congress and stakeholders on particular provisions of former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act.&nbsp;

Before that, Tanden was the director of domestic policy for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign, where she managed all domestic policy proposals.&nbsp;

Tanden also served as policy director for Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign.&nbsp;

Before the 2008 presidential campaign, Tanden served as legislative director in Clinton's office, and deputy campaign manager and issues director for Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign.&nbsp;

She began her career as an associate director for domestic policy in former President Bill Clinton's White House, and senior policy adviser to the First Lady.&nbsp;

Tanden holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a law degree from the Yale Law School. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian-American policy expert Neera Tanden has been appointed as a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, two months after she withdrew her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget due to stiff opposition from Republican senators.

Indian-American policy expert Neera Tanden has been appointed as a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, two months after she withdrew her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget due to stiff opposition from Republican senators. Tanden has been entrusted with two tasks, launch a review of the US Digital Service, and plan contingencies that could result from the Supreme Court's consideration of Republican lawsuits seeking to strike down the Affordable Care Act. Tanden, 50, is currently the president and CEO of a progressive think-tank, Center for American Progress (CAP). She expected to join the White House team on Monday. "Neera's intellect, tenacity, and political savvy will be an asset to the Biden administration," CAP founder and director John Podesta said. He said the White House has made remarkable progress combating numerous once-in-a-generation challenges from vaccinating millions of Americans to delivering real economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic, and from strengthening the Affordable Care Act to tackling climate change. "Many of these bold policy solutions, which have bipartisan support from voters across the country, were developed and led by Neera at CAP over many years. The administration's efforts will be magnified with Neera Tanden on the team," Podesta added. In March, she faced a tough time for the confirmation of her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) over her past social media outbursts against several lawmakers, including those from her own Democratic Party. She became the Biden administration's only Cabinet nominee rebuffed by the Senate. Tanden previously served as a senior adviser for health reforms at the US Department of Health and Human Services. She worked with Congress and stakeholders on particular provisions of former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act. Before that, Tanden was the director of domestic policy for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign, where she managed all domestic policy proposals. Tanden also served as policy director for Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign. Before the 2008 presidential campaign, Tanden served as legislative director in Clinton's office, and deputy campaign manager and issues director for Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. She began her career as an associate director for domestic policy in former President Bill Clinton's White House, and senior policy adviser to the First Lady. Tanden holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a law degree from the Yale Law School.

Indian-American policy expert Neera Tanden appointed White House senior adviser  

Google is leading a determined effort by US tech giants to support a programme that gives work authorisation for spouses of those possessing H-1B foreign work visas, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals.&nbsp;

Goggle is joined by 30 other companies to support the H-4 EAD ((Employment Authorisation Document) programme.&nbsp;

An H-4 visa is issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years of age) of the H-1B visa holders.&nbsp;

The H-1B visa 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.&nbsp;

"Google is proud to support our nation's immigrants. We joined 30 other companies to protect the H-4 EAD programme which spurs innovation, creates jobs and opportunities, and helps families," Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted.&nbsp;

Google on Friday filed a legal brief in a lawsuit called Save Jobs USA vs US Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

Tech companies that signed onto the amicus brief include Adobe, Amazon, Apple, eBay, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, PayPal and Twitter.&nbsp;

"To support this important programme, we are leading an amicus brief with over 40 companies and organisations to preserve and protect the H-4 EAD programme," Catherine Lacavera, Vice President, Legal, Google, said in a blog post.&nbsp;

"This builds on an amicus brief we recently joined in support of a lawsuit filed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to expedite the delayed processing time of H-4 work authorisations," she said.&nbsp;

Kent Walker, Senior Vice President, Global Affairs, Google, said H-4 EAD authorisations for the spouses of high-skilled workers help American companies recruit and retain the world's best talent.&nbsp;

"Today we led a business coalition filing on behalf of 30 companies to preserve and protect the programme," Walker said.&nbsp;

"H-4 EADs provide work authorisation to more than 90,000 H-4 visa-holders--more than 90 per cent women. COVID has disproportionately affected women. Ending this programme would make things worse, disrupting careers and reducing wages," he said.&nbsp;

"It doesn't make sense to welcome a person to the US to work but to make it harder for their spouse to work. That hurts their family and hurts our economy now and in the future," he added.&nbsp;

The plaintiff is Save Jobs USA, a group of computer workers formerly employed by Southern California Edison and replaced by foreign workers imported on H-1B guest worker visas.&nbsp;

Save Jobs USA filed the lawsuit in 2015. It was delayed as former president Donald Trump's administration considered rescinding the H-4 work rule. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Google is leading a determined effort by US tech giants to support a programme that gives work authorisation for spouses of those possessing H-1B foreign work visas, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals.

Google is leading a determined effort by US tech giants to support a programme that gives work authorisation for spouses of those possessing H-1B foreign work visas, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals. Goggle is joined by 30 other companies to support the H-4 EAD ((Employment Authorisation Document) programme. An H-4 visa is issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years of age) of the H-1B visa holders. The H-1B visa 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. "Google is proud to support our nation's immigrants. We joined 30 other companies to protect the H-4 EAD programme which spurs innovation, creates jobs and opportunities, and helps families," Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted. Google on Friday filed a legal brief in a lawsuit called Save Jobs USA vs US Department of Homeland Security. Tech companies that signed onto the amicus brief include Adobe, Amazon, Apple, eBay, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, PayPal and Twitter. "To support this important programme, we are leading an amicus brief with over 40 companies and organisations to preserve and protect the H-4 EAD programme," Catherine Lacavera, Vice President, Legal, Google, said in a blog post. "This builds on an amicus brief we recently joined in support of a lawsuit filed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to expedite the delayed processing time of H-4 work authorisations," she said. Kent Walker, Senior Vice President, Global Affairs, Google, said H-4 EAD authorisations for the spouses of high-skilled workers help American companies recruit and retain the world's best talent. "Today we led a business coalition filing on behalf of 30 companies to preserve and protect the programme," Walker said. "H-4 EADs provide work authorisation to more than 90,000 H-4 visa-holders--more than 90 per cent women. COVID has disproportionately affected women. Ending this programme would make things worse, disrupting careers and reducing wages," he said. "It doesn't make sense to welcome a person to the US to work but to make it harder for their spouse to work. That hurts their family and hurts our economy now and in the future," he added. The plaintiff is Save Jobs USA, a group of computer workers formerly employed by Southern California Edison and replaced by foreign workers imported on H-1B guest worker visas. Save Jobs USA filed the lawsuit in 2015. It was delayed as former president Donald Trump's administration considered rescinding the H-4 work rule. (With inputs from agencies)

Google leads US tech giants' effort to support work authorisation for spouses of H-1B visa holders 

US trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday virtually met World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss increasing vaccine production and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on COVID-19 vaccines for the pandemic.&nbsp;

According to a readout from her office, Tai explained the Biden-Harris administration’s support for the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and explained that this fits the United States' comprehensive effort to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution around the world.&nbsp;

She also asked Ghebreyesus for his views on the immediate steps to collectively increase access to vaccines. Tai asked how the WHO declares the existence, and the end, of a pandemic, and the steps the global health body is taking to increase pandemic preparedness. She and Ghebreyesus also agreed to stay in regular communication in the days ahead. &nbsp;

Earlier, the US Trade Representative also met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss on the same issues. As per the readout from her office, Tai conveyed her deep sympathy for the people of India as they battle a wave of COVID-19 cases and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to help India during its time of need.&nbsp;

She also explained her support for the TRIPS waiver and text-based negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's comprehensive effort to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution around the world.&nbsp;

Tai recognised the WTO Members, who have expressed support for future negotiations and welcomed an update from Goyal about India's efforts to revise and resubmit their waiver proposal. She and the Union Minister agreed to stay in regular communication in the days ahead.&nbsp;

The TRIPS waiver aims to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and save lives. In October last year, India and South Africa, along with 57 members of WTO proposed a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19.&nbsp;

The WTO agreement on TRIPS is a comprehensive multilateral agreement on intellectual property. US President Joe Biden's administration had on May 6 announced its support for a global waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines and said it will negotiate the terms at the WTO. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

US trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday virtually met World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss increasing vaccine production and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on COVID-19 vaccines for the pandemic.

US trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday virtually met World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss increasing vaccine production and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on COVID-19 vaccines for the pandemic. According to a readout from her office, Tai explained the Biden-Harris administration’s support for the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and explained that this fits the United States' comprehensive effort to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution around the world. She also asked Ghebreyesus for his views on the immediate steps to collectively increase access to vaccines. Tai asked how the WHO declares the existence, and the end, of a pandemic, and the steps the global health body is taking to increase pandemic preparedness. She and Ghebreyesus also agreed to stay in regular communication in the days ahead. Earlier, the US Trade Representative also met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss on the same issues. As per the readout from her office, Tai conveyed her deep sympathy for the people of India as they battle a wave of COVID-19 cases and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to help India during its time of need. She also explained her support for the TRIPS waiver and text-based negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's comprehensive effort to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution around the world. Tai recognised the WTO Members, who have expressed support for future negotiations and welcomed an update from Goyal about India's efforts to revise and resubmit their waiver proposal. She and the Union Minister agreed to stay in regular communication in the days ahead. The TRIPS waiver aims to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and save lives. In October last year, India and South Africa, along with 57 members of WTO proposed a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19. The WTO agreement on TRIPS is a comprehensive multilateral agreement on intellectual property. US President Joe Biden's administration had on May 6 announced its support for a global waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines and said it will negotiate the terms at the WTO. (With inputs from agencies)

US Trade Representative Tai meets WHO chief, discusses vaccine production, TRIPS waiver 

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions. 
 
Hyundai`s announcement comes as U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration prioritized a push toward electric cars, aiming to replace the 650,000 vehicles in federal fleets with U.S.-made electric vehicles. 
 
In January, Biden also signed an executive order aimed at imposing tougher rules on government procurement practices to increase purchases of American-made products, strengthening domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies. 
 
Analysts said Hyundai`s U.S. investment was essential to take advantage of the Biden administration`s EV policies and to receive subsidies and tax incentives. 
 
"If Hyundai seeks to fully leverage U.S. EV policies, they need to pursue not only EV production but also sourcing major auto parts in the United States," said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment &amp; Securities. 
 
Lee added that it is up to how the South Korean carmaker sources U.S.-made batteries for its U.S. EV production, raising potential further investment in the United States by top battery makers. 
 
Hyundai`s announcement came before U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington next week in talks that are expected to cover North Korea, COVID-19 vaccines and other topics. 
 
Biden has called for $174 billion in new spending to boost electric vehicles and charging. 
 
The group`s Hyundai Motor Co will begin electric vehicle production at a U.S. facility in 2022, while affiliate Kia Corp also plans to build electric vehicles in the United States. Hyundai has a factory in Alabama, while Kia produces cars at a plant in Georgia. 
 
"We are reviewing options including expanding on our production facility after we’ve taken a closer look at U.S. market conditions and U.S. government’s new EV policy," Hyundai said in a statement to Reuters. 
 
The move comes as Hyundai`s major electric battery supplier, SK Innovation, proceeds with construction of new U.S. factories for Volkswagen and Ford and plans to expand capacity in the United States. 
 
SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has said SK could invest up to $5 billion for battery business in the United States, meaning it appears there is room for SK to invest further in the U.S., a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. 
 
Since 2018, SK Innovation has so far invested about 3 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to build two EV battery factories in Georgia. 
 
Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea`s No. 2 conglomerate, did not provide the investment breakdown but said the spending would be primarily for Hyundai and Kia. Analysts said that Hyundai is likely to allocate the biggest amount to its EV capex, and that spending for cooperation with other U.S. companies could be more flexible depending on how the U.S. EV market changes. 
 
Hyundai said it will work with the U.S. government and business partners to install hydrogen refuelling stations and offer its NEXO hydrogen SUVs. 
 
Hyundai is also investing in robotics, urban air mobility and autonomous driving technology, the company said.

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions.

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions. Hyundai`s announcement comes as U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration prioritized a push toward electric cars, aiming to replace the 650,000 vehicles in federal fleets with U.S.-made electric vehicles. In January, Biden also signed an executive order aimed at imposing tougher rules on government procurement practices to increase purchases of American-made products, strengthening domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies. Analysts said Hyundai`s U.S. investment was essential to take advantage of the Biden administration`s EV policies and to receive subsidies and tax incentives. "If Hyundai seeks to fully leverage U.S. EV policies, they need to pursue not only EV production but also sourcing major auto parts in the United States," said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment & Securities. Lee added that it is up to how the South Korean carmaker sources U.S.-made batteries for its U.S. EV production, raising potential further investment in the United States by top battery makers. Hyundai`s announcement came before U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington next week in talks that are expected to cover North Korea, COVID-19 vaccines and other topics. Biden has called for $174 billion in new spending to boost electric vehicles and charging. The group`s Hyundai Motor Co will begin electric vehicle production at a U.S. facility in 2022, while affiliate Kia Corp also plans to build electric vehicles in the United States. Hyundai has a factory in Alabama, while Kia produces cars at a plant in Georgia. "We are reviewing options including expanding on our production facility after we’ve taken a closer look at U.S. market conditions and U.S. government’s new EV policy," Hyundai said in a statement to Reuters. The move comes as Hyundai`s major electric battery supplier, SK Innovation, proceeds with construction of new U.S. factories for Volkswagen and Ford and plans to expand capacity in the United States. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has said SK could invest up to $5 billion for battery business in the United States, meaning it appears there is room for SK to invest further in the U.S., a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. Since 2018, SK Innovation has so far invested about 3 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to build two EV battery factories in Georgia. Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea`s No. 2 conglomerate, did not provide the investment breakdown but said the spending would be primarily for Hyundai and Kia. Analysts said that Hyundai is likely to allocate the biggest amount to its EV capex, and that spending for cooperation with other U.S. companies could be more flexible depending on how the U.S. EV market changes. Hyundai said it will work with the U.S. government and business partners to install hydrogen refuelling stations and offer its NEXO hydrogen SUVs. Hyundai is also investing in robotics, urban air mobility and autonomous driving technology, the company said.

Hyundai to invest $7.4 billion in US by 2025, with electric cars in focus

China has finally been cornered on Xinjiang. U.K, U.S. and Germany clashed with China at the United Nations and demanded access to Xinjiang. What did China do? Got Muslim clerics to parrot 'Xinjiang is beautiful'. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: China cornered on Xinjiang

COVID-19 deaths in the United States have tumbled to an average of around 600 per day, the lowest level in 10 months. The US capital which has already vaccinated more than 70% of its residence launched a unique vaccine drive.

US prepares for a COVID-free future

US President Joe Biden took to the airways on Thursday to assure the American public that it can expect things to return to normal over the next couple of days following last Friday's cyberattack on the colonial pipeline.

US faces gas shortage after pipeline cyberattack

Teenagers across the United States lined up to get their jabs against COVID-19 on Thursday, a day after CDC gave its green light to the use of Pfizer vaccine for children above 12 years of age.

Children over the age of 12 get vaccinated against COVID-19 across US

A spokesperson at the US Embassy in Moscow, Rebecca Ross is among the 10 American diplomats being expelled from Russia in a retaliatory move. 
 
"Yes, I`m on the list," Xinhua news agency quoted Ross as saying by the local media on Wednesday. 
 
The US diplomats will have to leave the country until May 21, the local media said. 
 
A source from the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said that the Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Washington was denied entry into the US. 
 
The Ministry announced the expulsion of 10 US embassy workers last month, in a tit-for-tat response to Washington`s expulsion of 10 Russian officials and a wide array of sanctions against the country.

A spokesperson at the US Embassy in Moscow, Rebecca Ross is among the 10 American diplomats being expelled from Russia in a retaliatory move. "Yes, I`m on the list," Xinhua news agency quoted Ross as saying by the local media on Wednesday.

A spokesperson at the US Embassy in Moscow, Rebecca Ross is among the 10 American diplomats being expelled from Russia in a retaliatory move. "Yes, I`m on the list," Xinhua news agency quoted Ross as saying by the local media on Wednesday. The US diplomats will have to leave the country until May 21, the local media said. A source from the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said that the Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Washington was denied entry into the US. The Ministry announced the expulsion of 10 US embassy workers last month, in a tit-for-tat response to Washington`s expulsion of 10 Russian officials and a wide array of sanctions against the country.

US Embassy spokesperson among diplomats expelled from Russia

Did Joe Biden's pandemic advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci fund Wuhan Virus research? Republican Senator Rand Paul says Fauci could be personally involved in the origin of the virus. Palki Sharma separates facts from fiction.

Gravitas: Did Dr. Fauci fund Wuhan Virus research?

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said on Tuesday that&nbsp;the Central American nation, a long-standing diplomatic ally of Taiwan, could open a trade office in China in a bid to acquire coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

Honduras does not have formal relations with China and is one of a group of Latin American nations with strong diplomatic ties to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. &nbsp;

Hernandez, frustrated rich countries have 'hoarded' global vaccine supplies, said poorer countries desperately need vaccines and his government was willing to do whatever was necessary to help its people during a global pandemic.&nbsp;

If necessary, his government would open a trade office in China "because it is in the best interest of the Honduran people," he said in a televised speech. &nbsp;

In order to buy Chinese vaccines, Hernandez said he would do as the Chinese had suggested and look for a 'diplomatic bridge’.&nbsp;

He suggested Mexico, Chile, Argentina or El Salvador could help his nation acquire Chinese vaccines, and had also asked Taiwan to press the United States to help.&nbsp;

"As we have a relationship with Taiwan, we have asked Taiwan to help us talk with people in Washington because we have been very close allies with the United States. And they have a huge number of vaccines that are going to expire," Hernandez said.&nbsp;

A host of Latin American nations are receiving Chinese vaccines, although several countries that have built ties with Taipei rather than Beijing, such as Honduras and Guatemala, are not in line to receive them.&nbsp;

Both China and Russia, as well as the United States, have sought to deepen ties through providing vaccines in Latin America, part of 'vaccine diplomacy' efforts to further their countries` geopolitical clout in the region.&nbsp;

Beijing has been gradually whittling away at Taiwan's diplomatic allies, now down to just 15 countries, which has alarmed Washington, nervous about an increased Chinese presence in Latin America and the Pacific where those allies are concentrated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said on Tuesday that the Central American nation, a long-standing diplomatic ally of Taiwan, could open a trade office in China in a bid to acquire coronavirus vaccines.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said on Tuesday that the Central American nation, a long-standing diplomatic ally of Taiwan, could open a trade office in China in a bid to acquire coronavirus vaccines. Honduras does not have formal relations with China and is one of a group of Latin American nations with strong diplomatic ties to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. Hernandez, frustrated rich countries have 'hoarded' global vaccine supplies, said poorer countries desperately need vaccines and his government was willing to do whatever was necessary to help its people during a global pandemic. If necessary, his government would open a trade office in China "because it is in the best interest of the Honduran people," he said in a televised speech. In order to buy Chinese vaccines, Hernandez said he would do as the Chinese had suggested and look for a 'diplomatic bridge’. He suggested Mexico, Chile, Argentina or El Salvador could help his nation acquire Chinese vaccines, and had also asked Taiwan to press the United States to help. "As we have a relationship with Taiwan, we have asked Taiwan to help us talk with people in Washington because we have been very close allies with the United States. And they have a huge number of vaccines that are going to expire," Hernandez said. A host of Latin American nations are receiving Chinese vaccines, although several countries that have built ties with Taipei rather than Beijing, such as Honduras and Guatemala, are not in line to receive them. Both China and Russia, as well as the United States, have sought to deepen ties through providing vaccines in Latin America, part of 'vaccine diplomacy' efforts to further their countries` geopolitical clout in the region. Beijing has been gradually whittling away at Taiwan's diplomatic allies, now down to just 15 countries, which has alarmed Washington, nervous about an increased Chinese presence in Latin America and the Pacific where those allies are concentrated. (With inputs from agencies)

In diplomatic shift, Honduran president says he may open China office 

China has blamed the abrupt withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan for a surge in attacks in the country, days after a series of explosions in Kabul killed over 60 people, mostly girl students.&nbsp;

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was 'shocked' by the attacks and 'deeply saddened' by the death toll, calling on the US to pull out troops 'in a responsible manner'.&nbsp;

"It needs to be pointed out that the recent abrupt US announcement of complete withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan has led to a succession of attacks throughout the country, worsening the security situation and threatening peace and stability as well as people's lives and safety," Hua said in a statement.&nbsp;

"China calls on foreign troops in Afghanistan to take into full account the security of people in the country and the region, pull out in a responsible manner and avoid inflicting more turmoil and suffering on the Afghan people," she added.&nbsp;

Biden announced earlier this month, the decision to withdraw troops from the country starting on that May 1 deadline, with the aim of completely withdrawing from Afghanistan by September 11, which would mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that sparked the war in Afghanistan, the longest conflict in American history.&nbsp;

Beijing has long feared that instability in Afghanistan would give ground to Islamic fundamentalism that would spill over into China's predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region, SCMP reported. The withdrawal of troops by the US has already led to a surge in fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces.&nbsp;

Observers said Beijing was unlikely to station troops in Afghanistan, but might work with other countries in the region to reduce the security risk to China.&nbsp;

Pang Zhongying, an international relations professor at Ocean University of China, said though China was tempted to fill the vacuum, it was unlikely to play a significant military role there because the risk was too high, the SCMP reported.&nbsp;

She also said that the UN framework is 'too fragile' and it would also be difficult for China to project its strategic influence through this platform. &nbsp;

At least three explosions took place near Sayed-ul-Shuhada High School in the west of Kabul on Saturday afternoon. As many as 63 people, all students, were killed in a Kabul school bombing and 150 more were wounded, TOLO News reported citing sources and relatives of victims.&nbsp;

The incident was heavily condemned by the international community. However, the Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack. "We condemn in strongest terms the killing of civilians in Dashti Barchi, Kabul, as a result of incessant explosions and call for a neutral and transparent investigation," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen had said in a tweet. The Taliban later announced that they would observe a three-day ceasefire for the festival of Eid. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

China has blamed the abrupt withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan for a surge in attacks in the country, days after a series of explosions in Kabul killed over 60 people, mostly girl students.

China has blamed the abrupt withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan for a surge in attacks in the country, days after a series of explosions in Kabul killed over 60 people, mostly girl students. According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was 'shocked' by the attacks and 'deeply saddened' by the death toll, calling on the US to pull out troops 'in a responsible manner'. "It needs to be pointed out that the recent abrupt US announcement of complete withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan has led to a succession of attacks throughout the country, worsening the security situation and threatening peace and stability as well as people's lives and safety," Hua said in a statement. "China calls on foreign troops in Afghanistan to take into full account the security of people in the country and the region, pull out in a responsible manner and avoid inflicting more turmoil and suffering on the Afghan people," she added. Biden announced earlier this month, the decision to withdraw troops from the country starting on that May 1 deadline, with the aim of completely withdrawing from Afghanistan by September 11, which would mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that sparked the war in Afghanistan, the longest conflict in American history. Beijing has long feared that instability in Afghanistan would give ground to Islamic fundamentalism that would spill over into China's predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region, SCMP reported. The withdrawal of troops by the US has already led to a surge in fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces. Observers said Beijing was unlikely to station troops in Afghanistan, but might work with other countries in the region to reduce the security risk to China. Pang Zhongying, an international relations professor at Ocean University of China, said though China was tempted to fill the vacuum, it was unlikely to play a significant military role there because the risk was too high, the SCMP reported. She also said that the UN framework is 'too fragile' and it would also be difficult for China to project its strategic influence through this platform. At least three explosions took place near Sayed-ul-Shuhada High School in the west of Kabul on Saturday afternoon. As many as 63 people, all students, were killed in a Kabul school bombing and 150 more were wounded, TOLO News reported citing sources and relatives of victims. The incident was heavily condemned by the international community. However, the Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack. "We condemn in strongest terms the killing of civilians in Dashti Barchi, Kabul, as a result of incessant explosions and call for a neutral and transparent investigation," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen had said in a tweet. The Taliban later announced that they would observe a three-day ceasefire for the festival of Eid. (With inputs from agencies)

China blames US troop withdrawal for surge in attacks in Afghanistan 

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate, 2019 is the last year for which it is available, and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. &nbsp;

But soaring numbers of students, who are failing classes or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements.&nbsp;

“When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years.&nbsp;

At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city.&nbsp;

“If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said.&nbsp;

Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement.&nbsp;

The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization warned that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the US made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.&nbsp;

To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts.&nbsp;

“If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic. There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate, 2019 is the last year for which it is available, and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. But soaring numbers of students, who are failing classes or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements. “When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years. At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city. “If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said. Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement. The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization warned that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the US made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts. “If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

US schools fight to keep students amid fear of dropout surge due to Covid

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators.&nbsp;

India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds.&nbsp;

"The reason that India is in such dire straits now is that they had an original surge and made the incorrect assumption that they were finished with it, and what happened, they opened up prematurely and wind up having a surge right now that we're all very well aware of is extremely devastating," Fauci told the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee during a hearing on Tuesday on the COVID-19 response.&nbsp;

Dr Fauci, who is the Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is also the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden.&nbsp;

Chairing the hearing, Senator Patty Murray said that the surge of COVID-19 that is devastating India is a painful reminder really that the US can't end the pandemic here until it ends it everywhere.&nbsp;

"I'm glad the Biden administration is leading that global fight by rejoining the World Health Organization and funding global vaccine efforts and committing to donate 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines to other countries by July 4," she said.&nbsp;

"India's outbreak underscores the need for a robust public health infrastructure in the US to respond appropriately to this pandemic and future outbreaks, as well," Senator Murray said as she asked Fauci what can the US learn from India's outbreak.&nbsp;

"One of the important things is don't ever underestimate the situation," Fauci said as he referred to India's incorrect assumption and premature opening up.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators.

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators. India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds. "The reason that India is in such dire straits now is that they had an original surge and made the incorrect assumption that they were finished with it, and what happened, they opened up prematurely and wind up having a surge right now that we're all very well aware of is extremely devastating," Fauci told the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee during a hearing on Tuesday on the COVID-19 response. Dr Fauci, who is the Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is also the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden. Chairing the hearing, Senator Patty Murray said that the surge of COVID-19 that is devastating India is a painful reminder really that the US can't end the pandemic here until it ends it everywhere. "I'm glad the Biden administration is leading that global fight by rejoining the World Health Organization and funding global vaccine efforts and committing to donate 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines to other countries by July 4," she said. "India's outbreak underscores the need for a robust public health infrastructure in the US to respond appropriately to this pandemic and future outbreaks, as well," Senator Murray said as she asked Fauci what can the US learn from India's outbreak. "One of the important things is don't ever underestimate the situation," Fauci said as he referred to India's incorrect assumption and premature opening up. (With inputs from agencies)

India opened up prematurely, Dr Fauci on COVID-19 crisis 

A US Coast Guard ship fired about 30 warning shots after 13 vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and other American Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon said on Monday.&nbsp;

This is the second time within the last month that US military vessels have had to fire warning shots because of what they said was unsafe behaviour by Iranian vessels in the region, after a relative lull in such interactions over the past year. &nbsp;

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the warning shots were fired after the Iranian fast boats came as close as 150 yards (450 feet) of six US military vessels, including the USS Monterey, that were escorting the guided-missile submarine Georgia. &nbsp;

The US Coast Guard cutter Maui fired the warning shots from a .50-caliber machine gun before the Iranian vessels left, Kirby said. &nbsp;

"It's significant... and they were acting very aggressively," he said, adding that the number of Iranian vessels was more than in the recent past. &nbsp;

In April, a US military ship fired warning shots after three vessels from IRGCN came close to it and another American patrol boat in the Gulf.&nbsp;

The latest incident comes as world powers and Iran seek to speed up efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord.&nbsp;

US officials returned to Vienna last week for a fourth round of indirect talks with Iran on how to resume compliance with the deal, which former US President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, prompting Iran to begin violating its terms about a year later.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A US Coast Guard ship fired about 30 warning shots after 13 vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and other American Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon said on Monday.

A US Coast Guard ship fired about 30 warning shots after 13 vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and other American Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon said on Monday. This is the second time within the last month that US military vessels have had to fire warning shots because of what they said was unsafe behaviour by Iranian vessels in the region, after a relative lull in such interactions over the past year. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the warning shots were fired after the Iranian fast boats came as close as 150 yards (450 feet) of six US military vessels, including the USS Monterey, that were escorting the guided-missile submarine Georgia. The US Coast Guard cutter Maui fired the warning shots from a .50-caliber machine gun before the Iranian vessels left, Kirby said. "It's significant... and they were acting very aggressively," he said, adding that the number of Iranian vessels was more than in the recent past. In April, a US military ship fired warning shots after three vessels from IRGCN came close to it and another American patrol boat in the Gulf. The latest incident comes as world powers and Iran seek to speed up efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord. US officials returned to Vienna last week for a fourth round of indirect talks with Iran on how to resume compliance with the deal, which former US President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, prompting Iran to begin violating its terms about a year later. (With inputs from agencies)

US military ship fires 30 warning shots after encounter with Iranian vessels 

A deadly weekend of mass shootings in the US ended with 9 incidents- claiming 15 lives. The spate of attacks has triggered the debate on gun rights and the relevance of the Second Amendment. Palki Sharma tells you how gun lobbies still hold sway over US leaders.

Gravitas: Deadly weekend of mass shootings in the US

Two days ago, the US seized a staggering cache of weapons in the Arabian Sea. The vessel allegedly came from Iran and was on its way to Yemen. Then, the US Navy had a direct face-off with Iranian vessels. Why are tensions high between the US and Iran? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Staggering cache of weapons seized in the Arabian Sea

A US Coast Guard ship fired about 30 warning shots after 13 vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and other American Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Coast Guard ship fires 30 warning shots after encounter with Iranian vessels

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