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Afghanistan Welcomes India's Remarks At "Heart Of Asia" Conference In Dushanbe

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Afghanistan Welcomes India's Remarks At 'Heart Of Asia' Conference In Dushanbe" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-03/04945qr8_s-jaishankar-in-dushanbe-650_625x300_31_March_21.jpeg" title="Afghanistan Welcomes India's Remarks At 'Heart Of Asia' Conference In Dushanbe" /></div>
External Affairs Minister speaks at the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe.
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New Delhi:
Afghanistan has welcomed the remarks made by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar at the ''Heart Of Asia'' conference in Dushanbe on Tuesday.
Referring to the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan, S Jaishankar had said, "For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine 'double peace', that is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan."
S Jaishankar's remarks were seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan's continued support to regional terrorism and non-state actors.
Talking exclusively to ANI, the Afghan envoy to India backed India's position and said that support to non-state actors from foreign governments must stop.
Farid Mamundzay said, "Till terror support continues from within the region of beyond region the conflict will continue, we have been suffering our people are suffering because of foreign fighters, Afghans have suffered the most, it's not a civil war in Afghanistan, it's international terrorism and that has caused a lot of misery and lot of blood, so wherever it is coming from we want all those non-state actors to stop killing Afghans and destabilising Afghanistan."
Recently, Afghanistan foreign minister Mohammed Hanif Atmar, who was in New Delhi, urged India to be part of all forum where peace in Afghanistan is discussed as it has huge stakes in the development of the country.
The security scenario in Afghanistan has direct implications for India. Moreover, New Delhi also echoed its support for an immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan envoy to India said, "Troika echoed the opinion of international community produced a very good statement that level of violence should be dropped, this is a very principle position from India, it is a very strategic partner, it is the largest contributor to development in Afghanistan, it has stakes in Afghanistan, India wants peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, we are grateful India is supporting the position of the Afghan government, violence has to be stopped, violence has to dropped in weeks and months ahead."
According to diplomatic sources, the External Affairs Minister is expected to make a visit to Kabul soon. It is learnt that Atmar invited S Jaishankar to Kabul during his India visit and that dates are being worked out.
When asked about the S Jaishankarproposed visit to Kabul, the envoy said, "No dates are finalised, we are working on it, we expect senior leadership to visit Afghanistan soon."
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/afghanistan-welcomes-indias-remarks-at-heart-of-asia-conference-in-dushanbe-2402736">https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/afghanistan-welcomes-indias-remarks-at-heart-of-asia-conference-in-dushanbe-2402736</a>

news world Afghanistan Welcomes India's Remarks At "Heart Of Asia" Conference In Dushanbe

External Affairs Minister speaks at the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe. New Delhi: Afghanistan has welcomed the r...

Capitol Police Sue Donald Trump Over January 6 Riot

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Capitol Police Sue Donald Trump Over January 6 Riot" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-10/n7aosb3_donald-trump-afp-650_625x300_06_October_20.jpg" title="Capitol Police Sue Donald Trump Over January 6 Riot" /></div>
Donald Trump was sued for inciting the January 6 insurrection.
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Washington, United States:
Two Capitol Police officers sued former US president Donald Trump Tuesday for inciting the January 6 insurrection that left dozens of their fellow officers injured and one dead.
Officers James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby said they suffered "physical and emotional injuries" in the riot they said was fomented by Trump, when he was in his final weeks as president and refusing to accept his election defeat.
"The insurrectionists were spurred on by Trump's conduct over many months in getting his followers to believe his false allegation that he was about to be forced out of the White House because of massive election fraud," they said in the suit filed in federal court in Washington.
"The insurrectionist mob, which Trump had inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted, forced its way over and past the plaintiffs and their fellow officers, pursuing and attacking them."
Blassingame, a 17-year veteran of the Capitol police force, said he incurred injuries to his head and back and suffers emotionally from the event.
The African-American officer said he was subjected to racist attacks during the assault on Congress from the Trump supporters.
Hemby, an 11-year officer, has hand and knee injuries after being crushed against Capitol building doors, and was sprayed in his face and on his body by chemical sprays in the attack.
"Officer Hemby normally has a calm demeanor but has struggled to manage the emotional fallout from being relentlessly attacked," the suit says.
The lawsuit compiles numerous instances in which it says Trump encouraged the insurrection.
It accuses Trump of directing and abetting assault and battery and emotional distress, incitement to riot, and violating public safety statutes.
The officers asked the court for compensatory damages of a minimum of $75,000 each and an unstated amount in punitive damages.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/capitol-police-sue-donald-trump-over-january-6-riot-2402734">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/capitol-police-sue-donald-trump-over-january-6-riot-2402734</a>

news world Capitol Police Sue Donald Trump Over January 6 Riot

Donald Trump was sued for inciting the January 6 insurrection. Washington, United States: Two Capitol Police officers sued former US pr...

After Canada, Germany Halts AstraZeneca Vaccine For Under-60s Over Clot Risks

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="After Canada, Germany Halts AstraZeneca Jabs For Under-60s Over Clot Risk" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-03/2cobgk4g_astrazenecareuters_625x300_15_March_21.jpg" title="After Canada, Germany Halts AstraZeneca Jabs For Under-60s Over Clot Risk" /></div>
The latest restrictions amounted to a new setback for vaccine developed by Anglo-Swedish laboratory.
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Berlin, Germany:
Germany will deploy AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine for general use only for over-60 year olds, the government said Tuesday, imposing restrictions for younger people taking the jab after several severe clotting cases.
Under-60s can still decide to take the vaccine but only following "consultation with the doctor carrying out the vaccination ... and with an individual risk analysis," said ministers of Germany's 16 states as well as the federal health minister in a policy statement.
The World Health Organization and the EU's health watchdog have both deemed the AstraZeneca vaccine safe, but several countries have restricted its use over clotting fears.
Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that experts have recorded in recent weeks "very rare but very serious cases of thrombosis" in people vaccinated with AstraZeneca. 
"They are findings that (Germany's vaccine commission) and finally us, cannot ignore," she said.
Germany's vaccine commission known as STIKO earlier Tuesday recommended that use of the jabs be halted for under-60s because of "currently available data on the occurrence of rare but very severe thromboembolic side effects" in younger vaccinated people.
It intends to make another recommendation by the end of April on how to proceed with people under 60 who have already received a first dose of the vaccine, it said.
Pending this decision, ministers said people who are due for their second jab can either choose to take it if cleared by their attending doctor, or they can opt to wait for the commission to make its recommendation.
The latest restrictions amounted to a new setback for the vaccine developed by the Anglo-Swedish laboratory.
Nevertheless Health Minister Jens Spahn said Germany would be able to meet its goal of offering every adult a coronavirus jab by the end of the summer.
Rollercoaster
Just after it received approval from European regulator EMA for use in the bloc, Germany restricted the AstraZeneca jab to under-65s because of insufficient data.
After clearing it for older people subsequently, Germany along with several EU nations suspended its use again in mid-March because of clotting fears.
Just over a week after allowing its use again, German authorities have now again halted its use among younger people.
Merkel insisted however that it is such careful consideration and transparency that can keep the public's confidence in the vaccine.
"Trust stems from the knowledge that every suspicion, every individual case will be examined," she said.
The cities of Berlin and Munich, as well as Brandenburg state had announced earlier that they were suspending the vaccine for younger people.
Germany's medicines regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), has now reported 31 cases of blood clots in people who have received AstraZeneca, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Tuesday.
Almost all cases are reportedly in younger and middle-aged women, prompting several German hospitals to suspend the use of the jab for women under 55 this week. 
On Monday, Canada also recommended halting the use of the jab for under-55s "pending further analysis". 
The AstraZeneca vaccine has had something of a rollercoaster ride. 
Britain, which developed it, staunchly supports its use, South Africa has rejected it outright.
France has limited its use to over-55s, while Spain has done the same for under-65s.
Germany's vaccination campaign has been sluggish, with official figures showing around 11 percent of the population have received a first dose so far.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/after-canada-germany-halts-astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-for-under-60s-over-clot-risks-2402709">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/after-canada-germany-halts-astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-for-under-60s-over-clot-risks-2402709</a>

news world After Canada, Germany Halts AstraZeneca Vaccine For Under-60s Over Clot Risks

The latest restrictions amounted to a new setback for vaccine developed by Anglo-Swedish laboratory. Berlin, Germany: Germany will depl...

"In Spirit Of April Fool's Day...": Volkswagen Clarifies On US Name Change

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="'In Spirit Of April Fool's Day...': Volkswagen Clarifies On US Name Change" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-03/177q9tf8_volkswagen-us-reuters_625x300_31_March_21.jpg" title="'In Spirit Of April Fool's Day...': Volkswagen Clarifies On US Name Change" /></div>
A Volkswagen spokesman in Germany called the rebranding a "nice idea" with a focus on marketing.
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Washington:
German automaker Volkswagen AG's U.S. unit issued a false news release on Tuesday claiming it would rename its U.S. operations as "Voltswagen of America" in a marketing stunt designed to call attention to its electric vehicle efforts, the company said on Tuesday.
VW came under criticism on social media for its misleading news release, some commenters recalling the company's diesel emissions scandal and years of misleading customers and regulators.
"Volkswagen of America will not be changing its name to Voltswagen. The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fool's Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV and signaling our commitment to bringing electric mobility to all," a VW U.S. spokesman said in a statement.
The news release, posted on its website and accompanied by tweets, was reported by Reuters and other outlets globally and included a detailed description of its purported rebranding efforts and new logos. The company pulled it late Tuesday.
A Volkswagen spokesman in Germany called the rebranding a "nice idea" with a focus on marketing. Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh did not respond to messages.
At least one analyst wrote a research note praising the name change. VW's preferred shares closed 4.7% higher. Ordinary shares closed up 10.3%.
The world's second-largest carmaker expects to double electric vehicle deliveries and boost profits for its core brand this year after stepping up its switch to fully electric vehicles.
Some VW officials have expressed frustration that its significant U.S. EV efforts have not drawn as much attention as Tesla or General Motors.
The Volkswagen brand aims to invest 16 billion euros ($19 billion) in electrification and digitalization by 2025. It has committed to sell one million EVs worldwide by 2025.
Volkswagen in 2015 admitted to using illegal software to rig diesel engine tests in the United States, sparking Germany's biggest corporate crisis and costing the carmaker more than 32 billion euros ($38 billion) in fines, refits and legal costs.
In 2017, VW pleaded guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice and making false statements as part of a $4.3 billion settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department over the automaker's diesel emissions scandal.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/volkswagen-clarifies-on-us-name-change-in-spirit-of-april-fools-day-2402700">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/volkswagen-clarifies-on-us-name-change-in-spirit-of-april-fools-day-2402700</a>

news world "In Spirit Of April Fool's Day...": Volkswagen Clarifies On US Name Change

A Volkswagen spokesman in Germany called the rebranding a "nice idea" with a focus on marketing. Washington: German automaker...

Biden To Let Trump's H-1B Visa Ban Expire In Win For Tech Firms: Report

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Biden To Let Trump's H-1B Visa Ban Expire In Win For Tech Firms: Report" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2017-04/us-visa-650_650x400_71492399700.jpg" title="Biden To Let Trump's H-1B Visa Ban Expire In Win For Tech Firms: Report" /></div>
The ban on guest-worker visas was not revoked at the same time. (Representational)
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President Joe Biden plans to allow a pandemic-related ban on visas for certain temporary workers, enacted by former President Donald Trump, to expire Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter.
The moratorium, which affected H-1B visas used by technology companies to hire foreign coders and engineers, was imposed last June. Biden is opting not to renew it, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the decision hasn't been announced. The White House declined to comment.
Biden's decision will please business groups, which had pressured the administration to lift the ban ever since the new president took office. Executives have grown frustrated that the directive was not immediately revoked, arguing it hurt U.S. companies.
Trump's restrictions on guest-worker visas, which also covered non-agricultural seasonal laborers, au pairs and others, had been under review by the Biden administration.
Biden last month withdrew a related Trump executive order that stopped the issuance of new green cards, citing the pandemic -- a move that drastically cut legal immigration to the U.S. Trump had argued the policies were necessary to protect the American economy as it emerged from the pandemic-induced recession.
"To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here," Biden said in a presidential proclamation at the time. "It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world."
The ban on guest-worker visas was not revoked at the same time. Temporary work visas are unpopular with labor unions and other worker groups who argue that they put American workers at a disadvantage to their foreign counterparts.
Despite the Trump administration's extension of the visa ban at the end of 2020, opponents of the restrictions had already found some success in court.
A federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction on Oct. 1 in a lawsuit brought by several large business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The groups argued Trump exceeded his authority by imposing immigration restrictions in his June 22 proclamation.
The Trump Justice Department appealed that ruling to the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In February, the appellate court requested a status report from the parties by April 7.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/joe-biden-to-let-trumps-h-1b-visa-ban-expire-in-win-for-tech-firms-report-2402697">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/joe-biden-to-let-trumps-h-1b-visa-ban-expire-in-win-for-tech-firms-report-2402697</a>

news world Biden To Let Trump's H-1B Visa Ban Expire In Win For Tech Firms: Report

The ban on guest-worker visas was not revoked at the same time. (Representational) President Joe Biden plans to allow a pandemic-related...

Biden Expected To End Trump's H-1B Visa Ban: Report

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Biden Expected To End Trump's H-1B Visa Ban: Report" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2016-04/us-visa-generic_650x400_81460792605.jpg" title="Biden Expected To End Trump's H-1B Visa Ban: Report" /></div>
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U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to allow a proclamation from his Republican predecessor that had blocked many temporary foreign workers from coming into the United States to expire on Wednesday, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The Democratic president has rolled back many of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies since taking office on Jan. 20 including last month revoking a proclamation that had blocked many applicants for permanent residency - known as a green card - from entering the United States.
Trump first issued his directive on temporary foreign workers in June 2020 and renewed it through March 31 before leaving office, portraying it as necessary to protect American workers amid high unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. jobless claims dropped to a one-year low in mid-March as the public health situation improved and temperatures warmed. Still, a Labor Department report last week showed a large number of Americans - nearly 19 million - were still receiving unemployment checks.
Major U.S. business associations, including the National Association of Manufacturers and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sued in July to try to overturn Trump's temporary worker ban. A California-based federal judge in October blocked the policy as it applied to hundreds of thousands of U.S. businesses with membership in the associations that had sued.
The judge found Trump's policy would cause "irreparable harm" to the businesses by interfering with their operations and leading them to lay off employees and close open positions.
Bloomberg News first reported Biden's plan to allow the foreign worker ban to expire.
Among those affected by the restrictions are skilled foreign workers on so-called H-1B visas that let U.S. employers temporarily hire foreign employees in specialty occupations. Companies that provide outsourcing services typically make up the bulk of the H-1B program's top users.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/joe-biden-expected-to-end-donald-trumps-h1-b-visa-ban-report-2402682">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/joe-biden-expected-to-end-donald-trumps-h1-b-visa-ban-report-2402682</a>

news world Biden Expected To End Trump's H-1B Visa Ban: Report

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to allow a proclamation from his Republican predecessor that had blocked many temporary foreign work...