Washington DC

USA: House approves ban on Russian oil to US

Washington, Mar 10 (AP) The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday night that would ban Russian oil imports to the United States, an effort to put into law the restrictions announced by President Joe Biden in response to the escalating war in Ukraine.

Going further than Biden's import ban on Russian oil, the bill making its way through Congress would also encourage a review of Russia's status in the World Trade Organization and signal U.S. support for sanctions on Russian officials over human rights violations, as the U.S. works to economically isolate the regime.

India and US to collaborate on building resilient supply chains

Washington, Mar 8 (PTI) As part of its efforts to address the global supply chain crisis, the Joe Biden administration plans to collaborate with India on building resilient supply chains and promote a transparent rules-based trading system for market economies and democracies, the US Trade Representative has told Congress.

USA: Discrimination against Sikhs have increased; lawmakers told

Washington, Mar 8 (PTI) Religious discrimination and hate crime against the Sikh community in the United States has increased in recent years, an eminent human rights expert has told the lawmakers urging the administration and the US Congress to take steps to end this.

Congress must take action, Amrith Kaur Aakre told members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties during a recent Congressional hearing on Discrimination and Civil Right.

Aakre is legal director of the Sikh Coalition.

US demands that Israel should take clear position on Russia-Ukraine

04 March 2022; MEMO: The US has demanded that Israel should take a clearer position on the Russian war in Ukraine, Israeli media outlets have reported.

According to Walla, Washington is aware of Israel's need to be balanced on the Ukrainian issue between its public reaction and bilateral relations with Russia, as well as the continuation of military coordination between Moscow and Tel Aviv in Syria.

US ties with Gulf partner UAE are being tested, Envoy

03 March 2022; MEMO: US ties with the United Arab Emirates are being tested, a senior Emirati diplomat said on Thursday, in a rare admission of strains in their strategic partnership, which have been highlighted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports.

The wealthy Gulf Arab oil exporter has signalled unease in recent years over what it sees as Washington's declining commitment to the security of US partners in the region, while Abu Dhabi has deepened ties with Moscow and Beijing.

China is provoking India at every turn says US diplomat

Washington, Mar 3 (PTI) China is provoking India at every turn just as it is doing with the United States and Washington is committed to accelerating progress in strengthening India's defence capacity to deter Chinese provocations, a senior Biden administration official has told lawmakers.

India's relationship with China is right now going through a very difficult phase after Beijing violated agreements not to bring the military forces to the eastern Ladakh border.

Qatar: Israel occupation is 'one of worst ongoing humanitarian crises'

02 March 2022; MEMO:Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, on Monday described Israel's occupation of Palestinian land as "one of the worst ongoing humanitarian crises."

Speaking at the 49th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, he said: "The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab lands still represents a model of colonial occupation that has been transcended by history."

UN Assembly to vote on resolution demanding Russia stop war

United Nations, Mar 2 (AP) Country after country, from Europe's economic powerhouse to a tiny Pacific island nation, have lined up to lash out at Russia's invasion of Ukraine and urge support for a UN resolution demanding an immediate halt to Moscow's offensive and withdrawal of all Russian troops.

Biden joins allies, bans Russian planes from US airspace

Washington, Mar 2 (AP) President Joe Biden announced Tuesday night in his State of the Union address that the US is banning Russian flights from its airspace in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.

The move follows similar action by Canada and the European Union this week. Biden also issued an ominous warning that without consequences, Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression wouldn't be contained to Ukraine.

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