A Truth Social post screenshot went viral on social media, claiming that US President Donald Trump announced to rename the US state of "New Mexico" to "New America". However, the claim is "entirely false", KRQE News reported.&nbsp;
According to Google Trends, there has been a recent increase in searches over the past week for information about Trump announcing a decision to rename New Mexico.&nbsp;
The rumour circulated on X and Facebook last week, along with screenshots allegedly showing a Truth Social post from Trump, making the proposal.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fact-check-did-dalai-lama-cancel-meeting-with-us-vp-jd-vance-after-pope-francis-death-8989768">Fact Check: Did Dalai Lama 'cancel' meeting with US VP JD Vance after Pope Francis' death?</a>
<h2>Let's fact check&nbsp;</h2>
After checking whether the information was true or not, it was confirmed that the post in question was fabricated.&nbsp;
It emerged that the narrative which spread on social media, came from a satirical article that was misconstrued as fact, as reported by News Break.&nbsp;
There is no record of such a statement made on Trump's official Truth Social account.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meet-jamison-wagner-lipstick-wearing-man-arrested-for-arson-attack-on-new-mexico-gop-office-firebombing-tesla-showroom-8966083">Meet Jamison Wagner, lipstick-wearing man arrested for arson attack on New Mexico GOP Office, firebombing Tesla showroom</a>
The claim emerged from a parody website which is already known for satirical political commentary. The article "falsely" cites Trump as saying that renaming New Mexico would "finally make sense" because "there's already one Mexico".&nbsp;
The article was published in a humorous manner, however, screenshots of the headline and fake quotes were shared on X and Facebook, without reference to its satirical origins.&nbsp;
It created confusion among people, while some believed it was legitimate news.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hostile-and-political-white-house-slams-jeff-bezos-over-amazons-move-to-show-trumps-tariffs-on-price-tags-9015831">&lsquo;Hostile and political&rsquo;: White House slams Jeff Bezos over Amazon&rsquo;s move to show Trump&rsquo;s tariffs on price tags</a>
Moreover, several local media outlets in Mexico also received queries from concerned residents and viewers asking if the state's name was actually being changed.&nbsp;
After a fact check was done, there is no evidence of Trump making such claims regarding renaming the US state of New Mexico.&nbsp;
Also, a spokesperson for New Mexico's governor's office also confirmed that no such communications had been received from any federal officials or political figures.&nbsp;
The spokesperson said that the claim is "clearly fictitious and not grounded in any reality.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-canada-and-we-decide-what-happens-here-mark-carneys-dig-at-sometimes-hostile-america-9013410">'This is Canada, and we decide what happens here': Mark Carney's dig at 'sometimes hostile' America</a>

The rumour circulated on X and Facebook last week, along with screenshots allegedly showing a Truth Social post from Trump, making the proposal. World

A Truth Social post screenshot went viral on social media, claiming that US President Donald Trump announced to rename the US state of "New Mexico" to "New America". However, the claim is "entirely false", KRQE News reported. According to Google Trends, there has been a recent increase in searches over the past week for information about Trump announcing a decision to rename New Mexico. The rumour circulated on X and Facebook last week, along with screenshots allegedly showing a Truth Social post from Trump, making the proposal. Also read: Fact Check: Did Dalai Lama 'cancel' meeting with US VP JD Vance after Pope Francis' death? Let's fact check After checking whether the information was true or not, it was confirmed that the post in question was fabricated. It emerged that the narrative which spread on social media, came from a satirical article that was misconstrued as fact, as reported by News Break. There is no record of such a statement made on Trump's official Truth Social account. Also read: Meet Jamison Wagner, lipstick-wearing man arrested for arson attack on New Mexico GOP Office, firebombing Tesla showroom The claim emerged from a parody website which is already known for satirical political commentary. The article "falsely" cites Trump as saying that renaming New Mexico would "finally make sense" because "there's already one Mexico". The article was published in a humorous manner, however, screenshots of the headline and fake quotes were shared on X and Facebook, without reference to its satirical origins. It created confusion among people, while some believed it was legitimate news. Also read: ‘Hostile and political’: White House slams Jeff Bezos over Amazon’s move to show Trump’s tariffs on price tags Moreover, several local media outlets in Mexico also received queries from concerned residents and viewers asking if the state's name was actually being changed. After a fact check was done, there is no evidence of Trump making such claims regarding renaming the US state of New Mexico. Also, a spokesperson for New Mexico's governor's office also confirmed that no such communications had been received from any federal officials or political figures. The spokesperson said that the claim is "clearly fictitious and not grounded in any reality.” Also read: 'This is Canada, and we decide what happens here': Mark Carney's dig at 'sometimes hostile' America

Fact Check: Did Trump announce a name change for 'New Mexico' to 'New America'? FYI - New Mexico is a US state

Republicans have been vying to ban drag shows in several US states since long. Amid this push by GOP leaders, Tennessee legislators will debate on Thursday whether to restrict drag performances in public or in front of children.&nbsp;

The issue around drag performances figured in the 2023 legislative session wherein at least 26 anti-drag bills were introduced in about 14&nbsp;states by Republican legislators. It is seen as a part of conservative right-wing movement in the country which seeks to curb lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or queer (LGBTQ) rights.&nbsp;

Lately, drag performances in US have seen a transition. Earlier, the performances were in shadows but now they have&nbsp;become&nbsp;a part of the mainstream entertainment.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/high-levels-of-forever-chemicals-found-across-uk-europe-report-565239">High levels of 'forever chemicals’ found across UK, Europe: Report</a>

There are dissenting voices as well. Critics including performers and other civil rights groups have slammed the proposed drag regulations but others are lending support to these amendments arguing it is in favour of the children.&nbsp;

Republican and Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said, "It gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualised performance."&nbsp;

Tennessee Senate has already passed the bill criminalising "adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult." The Senate approved the legislation on a 26-6 vote. All the chamber's Democrats opposing the move.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-11-year-old-girl-dies-of-bird-flu-in-cambodia-first-death-since-2014-565223">An 11-year-old girl dies of Bird Flu in Cambodia, first death in nation since 2014</a>

Now, the state house will hear the bill on Thursday. As per reports, if it passes, the bill will head to the desk of Governor Bill Lee. A Republican, Lee reportedly has a track record of signing anti-trans bills into law.&nbsp;

"Drag is best known for humour and for glamour: We're talking about people lip-syncing to pop songs and dancing around in elaborate costumes," Lynne Pervis, a Tennessee courts administrator who has sometimes done drag, testified in opposition to the bill at a committee hearing.

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-talks-of-boosting-nuclear-forces-565118">Russia Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin talks of boosting nuclear forces</a>

"Seeing a drag queen doesn't make a kid gay or trans, but it can help queer kids who are suffering so that there's hope of being able to one day freely express themselves."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Republicans have been vying to ban drag shows in several US states since long. Amid this push by GOP leaders, Tennessee legislators will debate on Thursday whether to restrict drag performances in public or in front of children.

Republicans have been vying to ban drag shows in several US states since long. Amid this push by GOP leaders, Tennessee legislators will debate on Thursday whether to restrict drag performances in public or in front of children. The issue around drag performances figured in the 2023 legislative session wherein at least 26 anti-drag bills were introduced in about 14 states by Republican legislators. It is seen as a part of conservative right-wing movement in the country which seeks to curb lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or queer (LGBTQ) rights. Lately, drag performances in US have seen a transition. Earlier, the performances were in shadows but now they have become a part of the mainstream entertainment. Also Read | High levels of 'forever chemicals’ found across UK, Europe: Report There are dissenting voices as well. Critics including performers and other civil rights groups have slammed the proposed drag regulations but others are lending support to these amendments arguing it is in favour of the children. Republican and Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said, "It gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualised performance." Tennessee Senate has already passed the bill criminalising "adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult." The Senate approved the legislation on a 26-6 vote. All the chamber's Democrats opposing the move. Also Read | An 11-year-old girl dies of Bird Flu in Cambodia, first death in nation since 2014 Now, the state house will hear the bill on Thursday. As per reports, if it passes, the bill will head to the desk of Governor Bill Lee. A Republican, Lee reportedly has a track record of signing anti-trans bills into law. "Drag is best known for humour and for glamour: We're talking about people lip-syncing to pop songs and dancing around in elaborate costumes," Lynne Pervis, a Tennessee courts administrator who has sometimes done drag, testified in opposition to the bill at a committee hearing. Watch | Russia Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin talks of boosting nuclear forces "Seeing a drag queen doesn't make a kid gay or trans, but it can help queer kids who are suffering so that there's hope of being able to one day freely express themselves." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tennessee may become first US state to ban drag shows in public, before kids

In pics: Bans in place in multiple US states within hours of court ruling

Aerospace company Boeing Co was explicit, naming who among its dozen directors were women, Asian and African American. Agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland Co offered a more general accounting, saying its board was 55% diverse. 
 
Illinois officials have seen the range of responses from local companies - many with international profiles - to new state requirements they identify the gender and race or ethnicity of each board member. The regulators say they are going to push all to be more like Boeing. 
 
Companies, investors and elected officials will watch closely what happens next with the state`s rare requirement for director-by-director declarations. 
 
Others say less specific disclosures protect directors’ privacy, but even those plans face opposition. Some Republicans have called for regulators to reject a Nasdaq Inc proposal to ask for the number of directors by gender, race and ethnicity - without any names. 
 
State Representative Chris Welch, the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, proposed what became the 2019 Illinois law on board diversity reporting. "You can`t go wrong with more data," said Welch, who is Black. 
 
Corporate America`s white-dominated leadership has been under the spotlight for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement while listing few leaders of colour. Activists point to some studies suggesting companies with diverse boards perform better. 
 
Chicago-based Morningstar Inc CEO Kunal Kapoor said, "Over time investors want more detail, rather than less." 
 
"Putting sunlight on areas that lacked it has rarely had a poor outcome for investors," added Kapoor, who is Indian American and identified as Asian in a corporate filing last year. 
 
Companies face no penalty if they do not fully report but may comply to avoid criticism by people scrutinizing the information, which began appearing on the Secretary of State’s website last year. 
 
Last month Illinois officials tweaked a disclosure form to make more explicit the call for companies to list the self-identified race or ethnicity of each director and gender. 
 
A spokeswoman for ADM - which in 2020 gave the 55% figure and noted five of its 11 directors were African American, Asian or Hispanic, and that three were women - told Reuters the company will consider reporting further detail next year. It has since added a director and says that half its 12-person board is now African American, Asian or Hispanic. 
 
Sixty-six of the 74 companies that filed forms since the law was passed provided enough information to parse out their racial diversity, University of Illinois professor Richard Benton said in a March study. He found non-white people held about 15% of the average company`s boardroom seats, compared to their 40% share of the state’s population. 
 
But even among companies with incomplete filings there seemed to be little resistance to the disclosures. For instance, at U.S. Cellular Corp only two of fifteen directors provided their race on a form last July. The company did not make directors available to comment but a spokeswoman said for a more current filing, “100% of our members have self-identified.” 
 
Phyllis Lockett, a director at exchange operator CME Group Inc, said that diversity disclosures should give some breakdown by race and ethnicity to help identify what groups might be missing. She said she did not mind being identified as a Black woman on a filing last August. "I am Black and I am a woman. There’s no secret there,” she said. 
 
Ekta Singh-Bushell, who described herself as Indian American and is identified as Asian in a filing from Huron Consulting Group, said that disclosure must have details and nuance on directors’ skills, knowledge and experience to show they do more than "check the box" for gender or race 
 
“To bring about sustainable and real, lasting change, the conversation should be, `Do we have the right representation to fulfil our highest purpose as a corporation?`” she asked. 
 
Among the S&amp;P 500, 9% of directors were Black as of January, according to researcher Equilar, up from 8% in August. Hispanics were 4.2% of S&amp;P 500 directors, up from 3.6% in August. Asian or Pacific Islander directors accounted for 4.5%, up from 4.4% in August. 
 
African Americans were 13.4% and Hispanics 18.5% of the U.S. population, as of 2019. Asians were 5.9%. Women, 51% of the U.S population, held 23.5% of board seats at Russell 3000 companies last year, up from 18.5% in 2018, Equilar found. 
 
Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Collins, an African American who co-sponsored the legislation, said that without name-by-name disclosures, it can be hard to determine whether companies are being frank when they declare they are diverse. 
 
"So we want to know the specific participation,” Collins said. 
 
Other plans do not go as far. Stock exchange operator Nasdaq Inc is awaiting regulators` approval to require companies it lists to report the number of directors by gender and in categories including Black or Hispanic and LGBTQ+, but not name-by-name. The exchange wants boards to have at least one woman and one minority or LGBTQ+ member, or explain why they do not. 
 
"We don`t actually care about which person is which. We want to understand the boardroom as a whole,” said Wendy Cromwell, vice-chair of the $1.1 trillion Boston money manager Wellington Management. It supports the Nasdaq plan especially for having companies provide diverse information in easily compared tables. 
 
But Joe Shoen, the CEO of U-Haul’s parent company, Nasdaq-listed Amerco, objects. 
 
"As soon as you sort people by skin colour, you got my back up," Shoen, who described his family as interracial, said in an interview. “That it has some meaningful indication as to how a corporation is being managed is superficial at best.” 
 
Shoen said he regularly speaks with entry-level U-Haul employees to gain diverse perspectives.

Aerospace company Boeing Co was explicit, naming who among its dozen directors were women, Asian and African American. Agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland Co offered a more general accounting, saying its board was 55% diverse.

Aerospace company Boeing Co was explicit, naming who among its dozen directors were women, Asian and African American. Agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland Co offered a more general accounting, saying its board was 55% diverse. Illinois officials have seen the range of responses from local companies - many with international profiles - to new state requirements they identify the gender and race or ethnicity of each board member. The regulators say they are going to push all to be more like Boeing. Companies, investors and elected officials will watch closely what happens next with the state`s rare requirement for director-by-director declarations. Others say less specific disclosures protect directors’ privacy, but even those plans face opposition. Some Republicans have called for regulators to reject a Nasdaq Inc proposal to ask for the number of directors by gender, race and ethnicity - without any names. State Representative Chris Welch, the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, proposed what became the 2019 Illinois law on board diversity reporting. "You can`t go wrong with more data," said Welch, who is Black. Corporate America`s white-dominated leadership has been under the spotlight for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement while listing few leaders of colour. Activists point to some studies suggesting companies with diverse boards perform better. Chicago-based Morningstar Inc CEO Kunal Kapoor said, "Over time investors want more detail, rather than less." "Putting sunlight on areas that lacked it has rarely had a poor outcome for investors," added Kapoor, who is Indian American and identified as Asian in a corporate filing last year. Companies face no penalty if they do not fully report but may comply to avoid criticism by people scrutinizing the information, which began appearing on the Secretary of State’s website last year. Last month Illinois officials tweaked a disclosure form to make more explicit the call for companies to list the self-identified race or ethnicity of each director and gender. A spokeswoman for ADM - which in 2020 gave the 55% figure and noted five of its 11 directors were African American, Asian or Hispanic, and that three were women - told Reuters the company will consider reporting further detail next year. It has since added a director and says that half its 12-person board is now African American, Asian or Hispanic. Sixty-six of the 74 companies that filed forms since the law was passed provided enough information to parse out their racial diversity, University of Illinois professor Richard Benton said in a March study. He found non-white people held about 15% of the average company`s boardroom seats, compared to their 40% share of the state’s population. But even among companies with incomplete filings there seemed to be little resistance to the disclosures. For instance, at U.S. Cellular Corp only two of fifteen directors provided their race on a form last July. The company did not make directors available to comment but a spokeswoman said for a more current filing, “100% of our members have self-identified.” Phyllis Lockett, a director at exchange operator CME Group Inc, said that diversity disclosures should give some breakdown by race and ethnicity to help identify what groups might be missing. She said she did not mind being identified as a Black woman on a filing last August. "I am Black and I am a woman. There’s no secret there,” she said. Ekta Singh-Bushell, who described herself as Indian American and is identified as Asian in a filing from Huron Consulting Group, said that disclosure must have details and nuance on directors’ skills, knowledge and experience to show they do more than "check the box" for gender or race “To bring about sustainable and real, lasting change, the conversation should be, `Do we have the right representation to fulfil our highest purpose as a corporation?`” she asked. Among the S&P 500, 9% of directors were Black as of January, according to researcher Equilar, up from 8% in August. Hispanics were 4.2% of S&P 500 directors, up from 3.6% in August. Asian or Pacific Islander directors accounted for 4.5%, up from 4.4% in August. African Americans were 13.4% and Hispanics 18.5% of the U.S. population, as of 2019. Asians were 5.9%. Women, 51% of the U.S population, held 23.5% of board seats at Russell 3000 companies last year, up from 18.5% in 2018, Equilar found. Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Collins, an African American who co-sponsored the legislation, said that without name-by-name disclosures, it can be hard to determine whether companies are being frank when they declare they are diverse. "So we want to know the specific participation,” Collins said. Other plans do not go as far. Stock exchange operator Nasdaq Inc is awaiting regulators` approval to require companies it lists to report the number of directors by gender and in categories including Black or Hispanic and LGBTQ+, but not name-by-name. The exchange wants boards to have at least one woman and one minority or LGBTQ+ member, or explain why they do not. "We don`t actually care about which person is which. We want to understand the boardroom as a whole,” said Wendy Cromwell, vice-chair of the $1.1 trillion Boston money manager Wellington Management. It supports the Nasdaq plan especially for having companies provide diverse information in easily compared tables. But Joe Shoen, the CEO of U-Haul’s parent company, Nasdaq-listed Amerco, objects. "As soon as you sort people by skin colour, you got my back up," Shoen, who described his family as interracial, said in an interview. “That it has some meaningful indication as to how a corporation is being managed is superficial at best.” Shoen said he regularly speaks with entry-level U-Haul employees to gain diverse perspectives.

The US state with the most detailed corporate diversity disclosures

Ahead of third India, US 2+2 foreign and defence ministers meet in New Delhi next week, the US state department has said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control with Chinese forces amassed will be discussed at the meet. The 2+2 meet will take place on October 26 and 27, and for that US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo and US Defence secretary Mark Esper will visit India.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean R. Thompson, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs speaking to reporters in Washington said, "Certainly, I think the situation on the Line of Actual Control will be – will probably be discussed at some point, and we’re watching the situation closely. &nbsp;I think both sides have expressed a desire to de-escalate violence".

The Ministry of external affairs' spokesperson Anurag Srivastav on Thursday during weekly virtual presser said, "The Third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross cutting bilateral issues of mutual interest. &nbsp;In addition, both sides will also exchange views on salient regional and global issues."

India and China are engaged in a tensed standoff at LAC in eastern Ladakh, which started in the month of April. The situation got worse in June after 20 Indian soldiers died in Galwan valley due to Chinese aggressiveness, and even though Chinese also suffered casualties, they never came out with any number.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-official-india-and-usa-will-hold-22-dialogue-next-week-337003">Also read|&nbsp;It's official: India and USA will hold 2+2 dialogue next week</a>

On Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) which is a military pact, Thompson said, "We’re in the process of finalizing a lot of the discussions right now, and so I know that BECA and other agreements are in the works. &nbsp;I’m not going to, I think, commit to anything right this minute, but we do expect to have several items highlighted as we go through the trip."

BECA will be the last of the four foundational military pacts that will be signed to increase interoperability and share information. India and US have already signed Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002.

Asked about the 2+2 happening just a week before the US goes to the election, the state department official said, "the 2+2 had previously been scheduled, has been delayed, and this was an opportunity where schedules worked out to get together, so that’s really what’s driving the opportunity for this trip right now."

Explaining, " There’s a lot happening in the relationship with India and with our other partners in the region, and so the fact that we could go now, that we could have this discussion, is driven by the situation in the region and what – where we’re headed. "

The previous two dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in December 2019. US Secretary of state will be on a four-country tour next week, starting with India, followed by Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

Ahead of third India, US 2+2 foreign and defence ministers meet in New Delhi next week, the US state department has said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control with Chinese forces amassed will be discussed at the meet.

Ahead of third India, US 2+2 foreign and defence ministers meet in New Delhi next week, the US state department has said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control with Chinese forces amassed will be discussed at the meet. The 2+2 meet will take place on October 26 and 27, and for that US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo and US Defence secretary Mark Esper will visit India. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean R. Thompson, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs speaking to reporters in Washington said, "Certainly, I think the situation on the Line of Actual Control will be – will probably be discussed at some point, and we’re watching the situation closely. I think both sides have expressed a desire to de-escalate violence". The Ministry of external affairs' spokesperson Anurag Srivastav on Thursday during weekly virtual presser said, "The Third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross cutting bilateral issues of mutual interest. In addition, both sides will also exchange views on salient regional and global issues." India and China are engaged in a tensed standoff at LAC in eastern Ladakh, which started in the month of April. The situation got worse in June after 20 Indian soldiers died in Galwan valley due to Chinese aggressiveness, and even though Chinese also suffered casualties, they never came out with any number. Also read| It's official: India and USA will hold 2+2 dialogue next week On Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) which is a military pact, Thompson said, "We’re in the process of finalizing a lot of the discussions right now, and so I know that BECA and other agreements are in the works. I’m not going to, I think, commit to anything right this minute, but we do expect to have several items highlighted as we go through the trip." BECA will be the last of the four foundational military pacts that will be signed to increase interoperability and share information. India and US have already signed Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002. Asked about the 2+2 happening just a week before the US goes to the election, the state department official said, "the 2+2 had previously been scheduled, has been delayed, and this was an opportunity where schedules worked out to get together, so that’s really what’s driving the opportunity for this trip right now." Explaining, " There’s a lot happening in the relationship with India and with our other partners in the region, and so the fact that we could go now, that we could have this discussion, is driven by the situation in the region and what – where we’re headed. " The previous two dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in December 2019. US Secretary of state will be on a four-country tour next week, starting with India, followed by Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

US state department says LAC situation will be discussed at 2+2; BECA agreement in works

The US Department of Justice has asked Google to provide records on past investigations, as part of its extensive probe of tech giants over possible anti-competitive practices, the internet titan said Friday.&nbsp;

Washington has not named the companies it has targeted in its probe&nbsp;which began in July but it appears directed at the likes of dominant tech players such as Google, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antitrust-probe-of-facebook-may-be-first-step-against-big-tech-248217">Facebook</a>, Twitter and Amazon.

"We have answered many questions on these issues over many years, in the United States as well as overseas, across many aspects of our business, so this is not new for us," Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs, said in a blog post.

"The DOJ (Department of Justice) has asked us to provide information about these past investigations, and we expect state attorneys general will ask similar questions," Walker said, confirming rumors in the US media that a coalition of US states would soon launch an antitrust investigation of the group.

"We have always worked constructively with regulators and we will continue to do so," he said.

Google was "one of America's top spenders on research and development, making investments that spur innovation: Things that were science fiction a few years ago are now free for everyone," he stressed.

Lawmakers and activists have raised concerns about the growing dominance of online giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon in key segments of the digital economy.

A coalition of US states, including New York, on Friday launched an antitrust investigation of Facebook, the first of what is expected to be a wave of action against dominant technology firms.

The US Department of Justice has asked Google to provide records on past investigations, as part of its extensive probe of tech giants over possible anti-competitive practices, the internet titan said Friday.

The US Department of Justice has asked Google to provide records on past investigations, as part of its extensive probe of tech giants over possible anti-competitive practices, the internet titan said Friday. Washington has not named the companies it has targeted in its probe which began in July but it appears directed at the likes of dominant tech players such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon. "We have answered many questions on these issues over many years, in the United States as well as overseas, across many aspects of our business, so this is not new for us," Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs, said in a blog post. "The DOJ (Department of Justice) has asked us to provide information about these past investigations, and we expect state attorneys general will ask similar questions," Walker said, confirming rumors in the US media that a coalition of US states would soon launch an antitrust investigation of the group. "We have always worked constructively with regulators and we will continue to do so," he said. Google was "one of America's top spenders on research and development, making investments that spur innovation: Things that were science fiction a few years ago are now free for everyone," he stressed. Lawmakers and activists have raised concerns about the growing dominance of online giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon in key segments of the digital economy. A coalition of US states, including New York, on Friday launched an antitrust investigation of Facebook, the first of what is expected to be a wave of action against dominant technology firms.

US Department of Justice seeks Google records as US states launch antitrust probe of Big Tech

The U.S. State Department condemned Iran over its alleged harassment of a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rose in the Persian Gulf region, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint."

US State Dept. condemns harassment of UK vessel

The US state of West Virginia on Tuesday sued a Catholic diocese and a bishop over allegations they knowingly employed paedophiles in schools.

State attorney general Patrick Morrisey announced he had filed suit against the diocese of Wheeling/Charleston -- located over 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Washington -- and against its former bishop Michael Bransfield.

Bransfield was himself dismissed in September following allegations of sexual harassment against adults. He had been bishop since 2005.

Now, he and the diocese face a consumer protection suit.

"The bishops and diocese knew the diocese employed priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children in schools and camps and intentionally failed to warn the purchasers of educational and recreational services, parents," the suit claims.

According to the complaint, one priest confessed to assaulting a student at a high school in the 1980s, and was laid off before returning to a job at a primary school in the diocese between 1998 and 2001.

Another disclosed while applying for a job in 2002 that he had been accused of assaulting a minor in 1979. Nevertheless, he went on to work at a primary school in the diocese for four years.

Morrisey also accused the diocese of lying on its website, which claimed that school employees were subject to background checks. A man convicted of rape in Washington was hired to teach in a diocese high school, with his contract terminated in 2013, the complaint said.

The American Catholic Church was shaken last year by revelations of sexual abuse by some 300 priests over decades in Pennsylvania.

In October, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, who was suspected of covering up the scandal.

The US state of West Virginia on Tuesday sued a Catholic diocese and a bishop over allegations they knowingly employed paedophiles in schools. State attorney general Patrick Morrisey announced he had filed suit against the diocese of Wheeling/Charleston -- located over 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Washington -- and against its former bishop Michael Bransfield.

The US state of West Virginia on Tuesday sued a Catholic diocese and a bishop over allegations they knowingly employed paedophiles in schools. State attorney general Patrick Morrisey announced he had filed suit against the diocese of Wheeling/Charleston -- located over 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Washington -- and against its former bishop Michael Bransfield. Bransfield was himself dismissed in September following allegations of sexual harassment against adults. He had been bishop since 2005. Now, he and the diocese face a consumer protection suit. "The bishops and diocese knew the diocese employed priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children in schools and camps and intentionally failed to warn the purchasers of educational and recreational services, parents," the suit claims. According to the complaint, one priest confessed to assaulting a student at a high school in the 1980s, and was laid off before returning to a job at a primary school in the diocese between 1998 and 2001. Another disclosed while applying for a job in 2002 that he had been accused of assaulting a minor in 1979. Nevertheless, he went on to work at a primary school in the diocese for four years. Morrisey also accused the diocese of lying on its website, which claimed that school employees were subject to background checks. A man convicted of rape in Washington was hired to teach in a diocese high school, with his contract terminated in 2013, the complaint said. The American Catholic Church was shaken last year by revelations of sexual abuse by some 300 priests over decades in Pennsylvania. In October, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, who was suspected of covering up the scandal.

US diocese, bishop sued over employing known pedophiles

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uber-to-allow-tipping-for-drivers-reversing-long-standing-policy-17071" target="_blank">ride-hailing Global Transportation technology</a>, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indian-rape-survivor-sues-uber-ceo-kalanick-for-obtaining-medical-records-illegally-16899" target="_blank">Uber</a>, was slapped with a fine of $8.9 million by a western US state Colorado.

The US state&nbsp;fined the company stating that the ride services company had appointed 57 &quot;undeserving and unqualified drivers&quot;.

&nbsp;It said the drivers&nbsp;lacked valid driver&#39;s licenses or had committed other offences that made&nbsp;them unfit for the job.&nbsp;

A probe conducted by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission found violations that included 12 drivers convicted with felony, 17 drivers with major moving-vehicle violations and three drivers with a type of driver&#39;s license required after recent drunk-driving convictions.

The global transportation company has about 600,000 drivers in the US.

The company had undergone difficult times in the recent past with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uber-ceo-orders-urgent-investigation-after-allegations-of-sexism-harassment-at-company-12596" target="_blank">allegations of bribery laws and sexual harassment</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uber-ceo-says-he-must-grow-up-after-blasting-uber-driver-complaining-of-cuts-12908" target="_blank">Uber </a>recently said in a statement that it discovered an error in its background check process in Colorado. It further stated that it had begun working to correct the issue.

Colorado fined the company stating that the ride services company had appointed 57 undeserving and unqualified drivers

The ride-hailing Global Transportation technology, Uber, was slapped with a fine of $8.9 million by a western US state Colorado. The US state fined the company stating that the ride services company had appointed 57 "undeserving and unqualified drivers". It said the drivers lacked valid driver's licenses or had committed other offences that made them unfit for the job. A probe conducted by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission found violations that included 12 drivers convicted with felony, 17 drivers with major moving-vehicle violations and three drivers with a type of driver's license required after recent drunk-driving convictions. The global transportation company has about 600,000 drivers in the US. The company had undergone difficult times in the recent past with allegations of bribery laws and sexual harassment. Uber recently said in a statement that it discovered an error in its background check process in Colorado. It further stated that it had begun working to correct the issue.

Colorado fines Uber $8.9 million over 'unqualified' drivers

us-state

Us State, News on Us State, stories on Us State, articles on Us State, Us State stories at Wion, Us State news, Us State latest news

us state