Asian Lite News Archive

Category: USA News

  • US diplomat headed to India for talks

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    A top US diplomat is headed to India to prepare the ground for their strategic dialogue ahead of the first summit meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reset India-US ties. Deputy Secretary of William J. Burns “will be the highest-level Administration official to visit since the inauguration of the new…

  • Don’t forget to charge your equipment

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    Britain’s busiest airport has told passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage are charged before travel if they are flying to the US. Heathrow Airport posted details of the new rule on its website and Facebook page. The move follows a request from the US that “certain overseas airports” implement enhanced security measures, BBC reported. The UK…

  • New York Times drops India Ink section

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     Citing resource constraints, the New York Times has dropped its special “India Ink” section providing in-depth coverage of “The World’s largest Democracy at a Crossroads” after a three year run. The Times though painted it only as a ‘change of address” saying “that kind of specificity is no longer the way The Times wants to…

  • AAPI to help Indian medical system

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    Arun Kumar interviews Dr. Jayesh Shah, who handed over charge to the new AAPI President Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar  One of the largest ethnic organisations in the US, representing about 100,000 Indian doctors settled here, is working on a plan to help India improve its health services in a coordinated fashion. The outlines of the plan were…

  • US JULY 4 – INDY DAY Pictorial

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  • JULY 4 SPECIAL – Indians in the US

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    Arun Kumar writes from Washington says Indian Americans celebrate their culture, language and cuisine in their adopted country Several Indian diaspora organisations representing people from four corners of India are marking the July 4 American independence day with a celebration of their own culture, language and cuisine across the US. Two Telugu community organisations –…

  • India, US keen to expand strategic partnership

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    India and the US Thursday expressed a desire to revitalize their relationship and expand their strategic partnership. US Senator John McCain met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed the keen desire in the US to work with him to revitalize the India-US strategic partnership, an official release said here. He also conveyed the expectations in…

  • US cable firm to reverse anti-turban bias

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     US cable distribution major Comcast will air a Public Service Announcement (PSA) throughout July recognizing Sikhs as a vibrant part of America’s cultural tapestry and aiming to reverse Americans’ anti-turban bias. Featuring Waris Ahluwalia, a Sikh American actor and designer, the PSA demonstrates through words and images how Sikh Americans’ values are America’s values, including…

  • US urges North Korea to release jailed Americans

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    The US Monday called on North Korea to release two Americans, who have been detained and are facing trial in that country. The US is aware of reports that citizens Matthew Miller and Jeffrey Fowle will face trial in North Korea, Xinhua quoted State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as telling a regular briefing. “Out of…

  • US deploys more troops in Iraq

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    US President Barack Obama said that about 200 troops arrived in Iraq to protect the US embassy in Baghdad amidst fierce fighting in the war-torn country, a media report said Tuesday. The new troops, who arrived Sunday and Monday, will provide security for the embassy, the Baghdad airport and other facilities in Iraq, CNN quoted…

  • US increase fleet in Persian Gulf

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     The US has sent another warship to the Persian Gulf with 1,000 marines on board as clashes between Iraqi forces and Islamic militants intensified Sunday, the media reported. The USS Bataan will join seven other American warships — the USS Arleigh Burke, the USS Truxton, the USS Gunston Hall, the USS George HW Bush, the…

  • Obama downplays ISIS threat in Iraq

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    President Barack Obama Friday downplayed the threat posed by Islamic militants making advances in Iraq, saying the US has been under “serious threat” during his entire presidency, Xinhua reported. In an interview with ABC channel, Obama was asked about the threat by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as his former ambassador…

  • Court limits Obama’s recess appointments

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    The US Supreme Court Thursday decided to limit the powers of the presidency, ruling decisively that President Barack Obama violated the constitution by going around the senate to make three major appointments to the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) in 2012. But the majority opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer did not go further and strike…

  • US targets LeT fronts

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    The US has added various front organisations of the Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taeba (LeT) to its list of foreign terror organisations, saying the action would help cut off their funding and prevent future attacks. LeT which “has claimed responsibility for the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks that killed at least 163 people,” was also “responsible for the…

  • US asked to explain immunity to Singh

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    A US court has asked the US government to respond by July 10 to a Sikh group’s challenge to “suggestion of immunity” to former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in a human rights violation case. “The United States may have until July 10, 2014, to respond to Plaintiffs’ Response to its suggestion of immunity,” a…

  • Kerry arrives in Iraq

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    US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad Monday for talks on the situation in the violence-hit country, media reported. During his Iraq visit, Kerry will meet Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as well as both Shiite and Sunni leaders, CNN reported. The militants of the Islamic…

  • US hails Ukraine ceasefire

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    US Vice President  hailed Ukraine’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire with militants in the country’s eastern region, but warned of further sanctions, media reported Monday. In a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Biden voiced “concern” about the militants’ refusal to reciprocate Kiev’s week-long ceasefire declared Friday, Xinhua quoted a statement issued by the…

  • PICS: Yoga at Times Square

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         Enthusiasts practice yoga during the “Solstice in Times Square” event at Times Square in New York, the United States, June 21, 2014. Hundreds of New Yorkers marked the Summer solstice day by practicing yoga in Times Square Saturday. The 12th annual Solstice in Times Square was sponsored by the Times Square Alliance  

  • Modi to address US Congress

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    Long denied a US visa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may well get the rare honour of addressing a joint session of US Congress when he visits US in September. A suggestion to invite Modi to address a joint session of the House and Senate during his trip has gone to House Speaker John Boehner…

  • Rangoli at Times Square

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    Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal says Sari draping, Rangolis and Diwali celebrations are some of the themes that will mark the Maharashtra’s tourism promotional event to be held in New York’s iconic Times Square in September Sari draping, Rangolis and Diwali celebrations are some of the themes that will mark the Maharashtra government’s mega-tourism promotional event…

  • Monica crowned in Dubai

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    Monica Gill from US is Miss India Worldwide 2014   Miss India US Monica Gill was crowned Miss India Worldwide 2014 here Friday night. The second place went to Miss India Switzerland and third to Miss India Bahrain. More than 40 contestants of Indian origin settled in various countries across the globe between the age…

  • US steps into Iraq

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      Moving cautiously in the face of an onslaught by Sunni militants advancing on Baghdad, Presidents Barack Obama is sending 300 military advisers to Iraq, but US would not be returning to a combat role there. Under pressure to come to the aid of the embattled Iraq government, Obama announced Thursday he was sending advisers…

  • No combat role in Iraq: Obama

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     Under pressure to come to the aid of the embattled Iraq government, President Barack Obama said the US is prepared to send up to 300 military advisers to Iraq, but won’t be returning to a combat role there. The US advisers would be deputed to Iraq to “assess how we can best train, advise and…

  • White House Maker Faire

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    Arun Kumar writes White House Maker Faire features Indian-Americans’ creations  Creations of a couple of Indian Americans were featured at the first-ever White House Maker Faire to “celebrate a nation of makers and help empower America’s students and entrepreneurs to invent the future”. The Faire on Wednesday featured over 100 makers, innovators and entrepreneurs of…

  • US captures Benghazi attack suspect

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    The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday that the US forces have captured in a raid “a key figure” suspected behind the September 2012 attacks on the US diplomatic facilities in Libya’s second largest city of Benghazi. The suspect, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, is in the US custody in a secure location outside of Libya, Xinhua quoted John Kirby,…

  • White House hails undocumented Indian girl

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    New Delhi born Pratishtha Khanna, who came to the US illegally at the age of ten, is one of ten local “Champions of Change” honoured by the White House for their exemplary leadership in their communities. All the ten honoured Tuesday were what are called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients under a programme…

  • Obama to deploy 275 troops in Iraq

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    Amid concerns over a militant group’s advancement toward the Iraqi capital, US President Barack Obama Monday notified Congress that up to about 275 US military personnel will be in Iraq to provide support and security for US personnel and the American embassy in Baghdad. Obama said in a letter to Congressional leaders that the force,…

  • Obama’s ‘ My enemy’s enemy’ option

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    The Obama administration, unable to move the needle in the three-year-old Syrian civil war, now finds itself on the verge of moving toward a “my enemy’s enemy” foreign policy with Iran in order to keep Iraq from falling apart next door reports . The possibility of partnering with Iran to deal with a common foe…

  • US deploys aircraft carrier to Gulf

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    US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Saturday ordered the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to move from the North Arabian Sea into the Gulf, amid escalating violence in Iraq. The order will provide President Barack Obama additional flexibility should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq, Pentagon spokesperson John…

  • PICS- Obama: Happy Father’s Day

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    He is the most powerful man on earth.  A busy person. But the President will never spoil an opportunity to entertain children. In the weekly address to the nation, US President Obama wished America’s dads a happy Father’s Day and underscored the crucial role fathers play in our society. The President encouraged Americans to support those…

  • Obama names NRI to science forum

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    US President Barack Obama plans to appoint a Madras University graduate and alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology as a member of the National Science Board of National Science Foundation. The proposed appointment of Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan, Senior Vice President of the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development at Arizona State University (ASU), was announced…

  • US teenagers on holy path

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    Survey shows sex, smoking among US teenagers on decline Here’s good news for American parents. A youth survey by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that lesser numbers of high school students are reporting sexual intercourse, smoking or fighting episodes compared to earlier findings. According to the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey…

  • Obama rules out troops to Iraq

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    US President Barack Obama said Friday he will not send US troops back to Iraq to help fight Islamist militants.   “We will not be sending US troops back into combat in Iraq,” Obama told reporters at the White House South Lawn, acknowledging “significant gains” made by the Islamic State, an offshoot of Al Qaeda…

  • Obama decision soon on Iraq

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    US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday voiced “deep concern” about the worsening situation in Iraq, saying President Barack Obama will make “key decisions in short order”. “We are deeply concerned about what is happening in Iraq, and we are not concerned and waiting,” the top American envoy told reporters before meeting with visiting…

  • NASA’s Mars spacecraft nearly ready

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    With just six months until its first scheduled trip to space in December this year, engineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center have begun the final assembly of Orion spacecraft that could take man to Mars. Engineers began stacking the crew module on top of the completed service module, the first step in moving the three…

  • 10 yr Indian graduates US High School

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    A home-schooled 10-year-old Indian-origin genius has surprised one and all by becoming one of the youngest ever in the US to graduate high school. Tanishq Abraham, a native of Sacramento, California, received his high school diploma at a private ceremony at California Auto Museum , reports PTI. Home-schooled since the age of 7, Abraham passed…

  • Recession hits Europe, America

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    The economic crisis in Europe and North America led to more than 10,000 extra suicides, according to figures from UK researchers. A study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, showed “suicides have risen markedly”. The research group said some deaths may have been avoidable as some countries showed no increase in suicide rate, BBC…

  • Rajat faces jail term

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    Rajat Gupta, former Indian-American director of Goldman Sachs Group, must report to prison June 17 to begin his two-year sentence for insider trading with the Supreme Court rejecting his plea. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Wednesday rejected Gupta’s request for an order letting him remain free on bail while he appeals his 2012 conviction. Gupta,…

  • Ethnic paper wins top award

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      The South Asian Times, a leading newspaper for the Indian community in the US, has bagged an Ippies award given to the ethnic and community press for “Best Investigative/In Depth Story”. The Ippies Awards are given by the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Journalism. Jinal Shah (Associate Editor) won the…

  • Cantor’s primary defeat jolts Republican party

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    A day after his stunning defeat in a primary sent shock waves through the Republican party, House majority leader Eric Cantor announced his decision to quit the second top job in the party hierarchy. Cantor, the first sitting House majority leader to lose a primary since the position was created in 1899, was vanquished in…

  • Indian-origin woman wins service award

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    An Indian-origin woman in the US has been conferred an Indian diaspora organisation’s 2014 Service Award. Meena Kumari, associate professor of anatomy and physiology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the 2014 Service Award of the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America, a university statement said. “It is very…

  • Gun control frustrates Obama

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    US President Barack Obama Tuesday called for greater national effort against gun violence just hours after a latest school shooting happening in the US State of Oregon Tuesday left two dead, including a student. Obama warned that mass shootings were “off the charts” in a way no other advanced country would tolerate, urging people of…

  • Modi to cement ties with US

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    Kaliph Anaz says India-US ties to see high momentum over next few months  The signals from both India and the US are loud and clear – engagement in every sector, and fast. Pushing back the slackness that had crept into the important strategic relationship over the last few years, the new Indian government signaled its…

  • Amaan, Ayaan go Holle, Holle

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    Sarod maestros Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan have collaborated with a San Francisco-based vocalist Devika Chawla to create a new-age single titled “Holle Holle”. “Holle Holle” brings together Devika’s voice and Amaan and Ayaan’s sarod performance. The track started taking shape when the duo met Devika in San Francisco. Inspired by the surroundings…

  • CIA joins social media

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    The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), one of the top intelligence-gathering agencies of the US government, has sent out its first tweet on its official Twitter page. It quickly confirmed in a press release Friday that it has joined social networking sites Twitter and Facebook. Within two hours of the post, it received around 90,000 retweets…

  • US job growth continues

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     The US job market continued to improve at a solid pace in May, giving some reassurance that the world’s largest economy has recovered from an abrupt contraction in the first quarter. Non-farm payroll employment increased 217,000 in May, the fourth consecutive month of job gains above 200,000, Xinhua reported. The unemployment rate stayed unchanged at…

  • Modi-Obama summit to reset ties

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    The US is looking forward to the first summit meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reset India-US ties that had gone adrift in the last days of the previous government. In what analysts describe as a significant foreign policy move, Modi is reported to have accepted Obama’s invitation to visit…

  • Kshama Sawant scores for Seattle

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    The US port city of Seattle enacted laws on Monday raising minimum wage for workers to $15 an hour, the highest in America, thanks in large part to a movement led by Kshama Sawant, a self-described socialist born in Pune, India. Kshama Sawant, a Pune-born young Indian-American activist-academic, become the first socialist to be elected…

  • Obama meets Ukraine’s president-elect

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    US President Barack Obama met Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko in the Polish capital city Wednesday. It was Obama’s first meeting with Poroshenko, who was elected president of Ukraine May 25 and will be officially sworn-in June 7. The US president said he discussed a plan of bringing back peace and economic growth to Ukraine with…

  • More Indian-Americans to contest

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    With their wins or second place finishes in California’s “jungle” primaries, four Indian-Americans – Neel Kashkari, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera and Kamala Harris – are set to compete in four key election races in November. In California’s open or “jungle” primaries, top two finishers advance to the general elections irrespective of their party affiliation. Kashkari,…