Kathmandu, Oct 9 (IANS) The devastating floods that struck Nepal on August 26 caused an estimated US$1.66 billion in direct economic damage to physical assets, with infrastructure accounting for 83 per cent of the total, according to a World Bank report.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) Microsoft defended its use of H-1B visas, saying 80 per cent of its approximately 6,000 applications last fiscal year involved existing employees rather than new hires, as the Trump administration suspended the company's ability to sponsor foreign workers through a key employment-based green-card programme.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) The Trump administration unveiled more than $6 billion in science and technology initiatives, bringing together federal agencies, technology companies, universities and philanthropies to accelerate research in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear-powered space exploration and biomedical science.
United Nations, Oct 9 (IANS) With India voluntarily supporting the use of Hindi by the UN's Department of Global Communications (UNDGC), the language continues to retain a non-official language status, according to India's Permanent Representative P Harish.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) A senior US senator has proposed establishing an emergency communication channel between Washington and Beijing to prevent serious artificial intelligence incidents from escalating into international security crises, as part of a broader plan to impose mandatory safeguards on advanced AI systems.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) A senior Democratic senator said that he plans to pursue legislation requiring the Pentagon to allow members of Congress access to American military bases overseas after being denied entry to a major US installation in Qatar during a visit to the Gulf.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) Indian-origin Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has thanked US President Donald Trump for conferring on him the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, saying he was humbled to receive the honour alongside some of America's leading technology pioneers.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) Two Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticised the Trump administration's decision to suspend Microsoft and other technology companies from a key employment-based green-card programme, warning that the move threatens legal immigration pathways for skilled foreign professionals already working in the United States.
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) Two US senators have warned that China could gain a strategic advantage in shaping global 6G and satellite communications rules unless the Trump administration moves quickly to appoint the American delegation's leader for a major international telecommunications conference in Shanghai next year.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Ethiopia and expressed his keenness to advance India's strategic partnership with the African nation through productive engagements.
