Page 51 - United States
South Korea, US mull delaying drills due to presidential election
South Korea and the US are considering postponing their combined springtime military exercise due to the March 9 presidential election and the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple sources said on Thursday.
 "South Korea, US mull delaying drills due to presidential election")
US watching China Covid lockdown, sees likely economic impact: White House
The United States is monitoring the lockdowns imposed in the central Chinese city of Anyang and assesses that they are likely to have an impact isolated to the Chinese market
 "US watching China Covid lockdown, sees likely economic impact: White House")
Senate approves Eric Garcetti's nomination as US Ambassador to India
The Senate Committee has approved LA Mayor Eric Garcetti's nomination as US Ambassador to India
 "Senate approves Eric Garcetti's nomination as US Ambassador to India")
President Joe Biden to huddle with Senate Democrats on voting bills
President Joe Biden is set to meet with Senate Democrats at the Capitol on Thursday, a visit intended to deliver a jolt to the party's long-stalled push for voting and elections legislation
 "President Joe Biden to huddle with Senate Democrats on voting bills")
US House Jan 6 committee seeks cooperation from Republican Kevin McCarthy
The US House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for a voluntary interview and records in his possession that are related to the attack.
 "US House Jan 6 committee seeks cooperation from Republican Kevin McCarthy")
US State Department releases study on China's South China Sea claims
US State Department released a study on China's South China Sea claims challenging many of Beijing's assertions in the strategically important region.
 "US State Department releases study on China's South China Sea claims")
US CDC projects over 62,000 Covid-related deaths in coming 4 weeks
A new ensemble forecast from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicted that more than 62,000 more people could die from Covid-19 over the next four weeks.
 "US CDC projects over 62,000 Covid-related deaths in coming 4 weeks")
US's Sherman meets with European leaders about Russia-Ukraine tensions
US Deputy State Secretary Wendy Sherman met with European leaders to discuss ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid an alleged buildup of Russian forces on their western border
 "US's Sherman meets with European leaders about Russia-Ukraine tensions")
US Army ups bonuses for recruits to $50K, as Covid-19 takes toll
Two years of the pandemic has made it more difficult to recruit in schools and at public events, and the competition for quality workers has intensified as young people weigh their options
US hits North Korean officials with sanctions after missile test
The Treasury Department announced it was imposing penalties on the officials over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the North's missile programs
 "US hits North Korean officials with sanctions after missile test")
US inflation leaps 7% in 2021 to hit nearly 40-year high, shows data
The consumer price index climbed 7% in 2021, the largest 12-month gain since June 1982, according to Labor Department data
 "US inflation leaps 7% in 2021 to hit nearly 40-year high, shows data")
NATO, Russia to hold more high-level talks despite tensions
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said both parties had expressed the need to dialogue
 "NATO, Russia to hold more high-level talks despite tensions")
Oscars to have host again after an absence of three years: US media
The 2022 edition of the Academy Awards will have a host after a gap of three years, broadcaster ABC has announced. Craig Erwich, president, Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, shared the news that the Oscars 2022 ceremony will be led by a formal host during the Television Critics Association winter press tour on Tuesday. "You heard it here first, I can confirm that this year's Oscars will have a host," Erwich said. Asked who will be emceeing the annual award gala, he quipped, "It might be me." The Academy Awards went hostless in 2019 after actor Kevin Hart, who was set to emcee the ceremony, was embroiled in a controversy over his past homophobic tweets. For the subsequent editions, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) decided to continue the practise of organising the Oscars without an official host. Jimmy Kimmel last served as the host of the Academy Awards, having emceed the ceremony in 2017 and 2018. Other hosts over the past decade included Chris Rock ...
 "Oscars to have host again after an absence of three years: US media")
Oil extends gains, tests pre-Omicron highs on economic growth
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $81.60 a barrel at 0224 GMT, adding to a 3.8% jump in the previous session
 "Oil extends gains, tests pre-Omicron highs on economic growth")
US FTC delays vote on Lockheed purchase of Aerojet for two weeks: Report
Aerojet shares were up more than 3% in after-market trading on Tuesday as investors viewed the delay as a positive sign that the deal would go through
 "US FTC delays vote on Lockheed purchase of Aerojet for two weeks: Report")
Hindalco's subsidiary Novelis to build aluminium recycling plant in US
Once the facility become fully functional, it is likely to generate 140 new jobs in Kentucky.
 "Hindalco's subsidiary Novelis to build aluminium recycling plant in US")
US airlines say China blocking flights' entry amid Covid-19 restrictions
US airlines say China has blocked more than a dozen recent and future flights from entering the country, which has been tightening already-strict Covid-19 travel restrictions.
 "US airlines say China blocking flights' entry amid Covid-19 restrictions")
Extreme weather events collectively cost US $145 billion in 2021: Report
A total of 20 weather events occurring in the US in 2021 that were chronicled by the US National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) collectively cost the country at least $145 billion.
 "Extreme weather events collectively cost US $145 billion in 2021: Report")
Swarm of earthquakes, largest one of 6.8 magnitude, hits off Alaska islands
A swarm of earthquakes was recorded Tuesday off Alaska's Aleutian Islands, including the largest with a magnitude of 6.8 followed by aftershocks. There were few reports of the underwater quakes in the North Pacific being felt in nearby communities in a sparsely populated region of Alaska and no reports of damage, officials said. Natalia Ruppert, a seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center, said it was a very unusual, very energetic swarm of earthquakes. The largest quake, at magnitude 6.8, was preceded just minutes before by a couple of foreshocks. The strong quake occurred about 2:36 am, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Nikolski, a community of 39 residents on Alaska's Unmak Island. The community is about 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, the state's largest city. About an hour later, a magnitude 6.6 aftershock was reported in the same area, followed throughout the morning by about a dozen aftershocks with many magnitude 4.0 or higher. State emerg
 "Swarm of earthquakes, largest one of 6.8 magnitude, hits off Alaska islands")
US reports nearly 8.5 mn child Covid-19 cases, increasing 'exponentially'
Nearly 8.5 million children in the US have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, and Covid-19 cases among American children are "increasing exponentially"
