M Zulqernain And Lalit K Jha

Stories by M Zulqernain And Lalit K Jha

Bill in California Senate against caste-based discrimination

Bill in California Senate against caste-based discrimination

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2023

A bill seeking to explicitly ban caste discrimination has been introduced in the California Senate by a Democratic lawmaker, which, if passed, could make America's most populous state also the country's first to outlaw caste-based bias.

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2023

The US has announced that individuals travelling to the country on a business or tourist visa - B-1 and B-2 - can apply for new jobs and even appear in interviews, but the prospective employees must ensure that they have changed their visa status before starting a new role. B-1 and B-2 visas are generally referred to as "B visas", and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B-1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B-2 visa is issued mainly travelling for tourism purposes.

In Putin and Russia, Xi sees counterweight to US, Nato influence: White House

In Putin and Russia, Xi sees counterweight to US, Nato influence: White House

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2023

The statement by John Kirby, national security council coordinator for strategic communications at the White House, came as Putin hosted the Chinese leader.

Did US provide real-time intel to India on Chinese 'incursion'?

Did US provide real-time intel to India on Chinese 'incursion'?

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2023

The US provided crucial intelligence to the Indian military last year that helped it successfully tackle the Chinese "incursions".

Khalistani protestors first tried to set fire to Indian consulate in San Francisco

Khalistani protestors first tried to set fire to Indian consulate in San Francisco

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2023

A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on Sunday made an attempt to set on fire India's consulate in San Francisco, with senior Indian diplomats informing their American counterparts that they anticipate more such protests by anti-national elements in the coming weeks.

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2023

Released by secretary of state Antony Blinken, the annual human rights reports of the state department is a mandatory requirement of the US Congress giving details of human rights status in countries across the world.

10,000 cops storm Imran Khan's house in Lahore, dozens arrested

10,000 cops storm Imran Khan's house in Lahore, dozens arrested

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2023

The police personnel removed barricades from the entrance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief's residence and removed all camps the PTI activists had erected to protect their leader.

US Senate confirms Biden's aide Eric Garcetti as envoy to India

US Senate confirms Biden's aide Eric Garcetti as envoy to India

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2023

The former Los Angeles mayor's nomination was pending before the US Congress since July 2021 when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic posting by Biden.

Eric Garcetti another step closer to becoming envoy to India

Eric Garcetti another step closer to becoming envoy to India

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

President Joe Biden's close aide Eric Garcetti is set to be confirmed as US ambassador to India after the Senate on Wednesday voted on the cloture motion limiting debate on his nomination, reflecting that the ruling Democratic Party has enough votes for his selection for the top post.

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

A presidential advisory sub-committee has recommended the federal government to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from the existing 60 days to 180 days so that the workers have enough opportunities to find a new job or other alternatives. "The immigration subcommittee recommends the Department of Homeland Security and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from 60 days to 180 days," Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, said on Tuesday. In his presentation, Bhutoria highlighted the significant challenges faced by H1-B workers laid off from their jobs.

Arunachal integral part of India, not China's: US

Arunachal integral part of India, not China's: US

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

The resolution also pushes back against People's Republic of China (PRC) claims that Arunachal Pradesh is PRC territory, which is a part of the PRC's increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies.

Imran Khan supporters clash with police, foil his arrest

Imran Khan supporters clash with police, foil his arrest

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

Scores of PTI workers and policemen suffered injuries in the violent clashes. So far, no casualty has been reported.

Biden appoints 2 Indian-Americans to advisory panel for trade policy

Biden appoints 2 Indian-Americans to advisory panel for trade policy

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2023

On Friday, Biden announced his intent to appoint 14 people to the advisory committee, which provides overall policy advice to the United States trade representative on matters of development, implementation, and administration of the US trade policy.

Eric Garcetti moves a step closer to becoming US ambassador to India

Eric Garcetti moves a step closer to becoming US ambassador to India

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

Garcetti's nomination is pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic posting by President Joe Biden.

We support dialogue, but...: US on India-Pak relations

We support dialogue, but...: US on India-Pak relations

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

The United States supports a constructive dialogue and meaningful conversation between India and Pakistan, the Biden administration said Thursday reiterating that it's for New Delhi and Islamabad to decide on the nature of that dialogue.

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

This includes over $15 billion of proposed investment in the infrastructure sector in the Indo-Pacific and $9 billion for shoring up American defence in the region.

Conflict between India, Pak, China likely: US intel

Conflict between India, Pak, China likely: US intel

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2023

It also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to Pakistani provocations.

Holi celebration stopped in Pak varsity, 15 injured

Holi celebration stopped in Pak varsity, 15 injured

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2023

At least 15 students from Pakistan's minority Hindu community were injured on Monday after members of a radical Islamic student organisation allegedly stopped them from celebrating Holi at the Punjab University premises in Lahore.

Imran Khan dodges arrest, says will appear before court on Mar 7

Imran Khan dodges arrest, says will appear before court on Mar 7

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2023

The Lahore police closed the main road leading to the Zaman Park residence of Khan by placing containers. Riot police and water cannons are currently present near Khan's residence.

India led G20 very well to date, but...: US

India led G20 very well to date, but...: US

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

India as the G20 host has a 'unique role' to play in bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine due to its 'longstanding historical' ties to Russia, the United States has said, expressing hope to work closely with New Delhi to find a way to stop the conflict.