Lalit K Jha | Washington, Mar 20 (PTI) In a blow to Indian professionals, the US today announced additional measures for hiring of foreign specialists under the H-1B visa work programme making it more difficult for the companies receiving federal aid money to hire overseas workers. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the measures to enforce the provisions of the new Employ American Workers Act (EAWA) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which prohibits hiring of H-1B visa holders by American companies who receive the federal aid money. Indian nationals account for bulk of the coveted H-1B visas.
These measures come about ten days before the USCIS starts accepting petitions for new H-1B visas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.
"Under this legislation any company that has received covered funding and seeks to hire new H-1B workers is considered an 'H-1B dependent employer'.
All H-1B dependent employers must make additional attestations to the US Department of Labour (DOL) when filing the Labour Condition Application (LCA)," the USCIS said.
"USCIS reminds petitioners that a valid LCA must be on file with DOL at the time the H-1B petition is filed with USCIS," it said.
This means that if the petitioner indicates on its petition that it is subject to the EAWA, but the Labour Condition Application does not contain the proper attestations relating to H-1B dependent employers, USCIS will deny the H-1B petition, the statement said. PTI
India against marking sections of Taliban as 'good' or 'bad'
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Mar 20 (PTI) Cautioning against attempts to draw a line between "good" and "bad" Taliban, India has said that doubts and divergences in the fight against terrorists in Afghanistan would embolden them and weaken the collective will of nations.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Indian Ambassador Nirupam Sen stressed the need for stability of Afghanistan in the interest of economic progress of the region and asked the international community to collectively fight the threat posed by Taliban and al Qaeda who are out to undermine the country.
"Doubts, hesitation and divergences in the international community in the fight against terrorists would only weaken the collective will and embolden them," Sen warned the Security Council.
He cautioned against attempts to distinguish between "good" and "bad" Taliban and asked the international community to get beyond the "unworkable" efforts of sifting the two.
Sen's remarks were a reference to Obama administration's indication that it might be willing to talk to the less radical elements among the Taliban, which the US and NATO forces are fighting against in Afghanistan.
"Apart from application of force wherever terrorist groups are active, we must work together to deny them safe havens, political and material sustenance in Afghanistan or across the border," Sen said in a debate. PTI
Iran seeking change in US policy
Iran has given a cautious welcome to US President Barack Obama's offer of "a new beginning" in relations, but said the US had to change its behaviour.
An advisor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Washington must reverse its support for Israel and end sanctions against Iran.
The advisor, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, also said the US had to apologise to Iran for its past actions.
Mr Obama's offer came in a video address to mark the Iranian New Year.
In the address, Mr Obama said he was seeking engagement with Iran that was "honest and based on mutual respect".
"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us," Mr Obama said.
But in separate Nowruz (Persian new year) messages to the Iranian people, neither Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei nor President Ahmadinejad mentioned Mr Obama's speech.
Relations between Iran and the US have been strained over Tehran's controversial nuclear activities.
'Friendly hand'
Reacting to Mr Obama's unprecedented message, Mr Javanfekr said the US had to recognise its past mistakes if it wanted to engage Iran.
He said if the US did so, Iran would not turn its back.
"By fundamentally changing its behaviour America can offer us a friendly hand," he told Reuters news agency.
"Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed," he said.
"Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture and the New Year is an opportunity for the United States to change this policy."
The US fears Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a cover to build atomic weapons, a charge Iranian officials deny.
In his Nowruz address, Ayatollah Khamenei said world powers had been convinced they could do nothing to halt the progress Iran was making on its nuclear programme.
Mr Obama, like his predecessor George W Bush, wants Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, but is trying to build up diplomatic capital before confronting the issue, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
Warning
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana described Mr Obama's appeal as "very constructive" and urged Teheran to pay close attention to it.
Mr Obama's message was released to coincide with the festival of Nowruz, when Iranians mark the arrival of spring.
In it, President Obama said he wanted "to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran".
He said his administration was committed "to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community".
"With the coming of a new season, we're reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning," the message said.
But Mr Obama warned: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."
"The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities."
'Axis of evil'
Mr Obama's message was distributed to news outlets in Iran with subtitles in Farsi, and posted on the White House's official website.
The message is a dramatic departure from the policies of the Bush administration, which described Iran as part of the "axis of evil", the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says.
Earlier this year, President Obama said he was looking for "openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face-to-face" with Iran.
However, Mr Obama acknowledged in his message on Thursday that it would not be easy to overcome "the old divisions".
Mr Obama has talked of engagement with Iran but has not made clear how that might take place.
Shortly after coming to office in January, he said "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
But earlier this month he extended sanctions against Iran for a year, saying it continues to pose a threat to US national security.
In another possible move towards engagement, the state department is said to be considering an overture in the form of a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei before the Iranian elections this summer.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7955550.stm
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
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These measures come about ten days before the USCIS starts accepting petitions for new H-1B visas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.
"Under this legislation any company that has received covered funding and seeks to hire new H-1B workers is considered an 'H-1B dependent employer'.
All H-1B dependent employers must make additional attestations to the US Department of Labour (DOL) when filing the Labour Condition Application (LCA)," the USCIS said.
"USCIS reminds petitioners that a valid LCA must be on file with DOL at the time the H-1B petition is filed with USCIS," it said.
This means that if the petitioner indicates on its petition that it is subject to the EAWA, but the Labour Condition Application does not contain the proper attestations relating to H-1B dependent employers, USCIS will deny the H-1B petition, the statement said. PTI
India against marking sections of Taliban as 'good' or 'bad'
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Mar 20 (PTI) Cautioning against attempts to draw a line between "good" and "bad" Taliban, India has said that doubts and divergences in the fight against terrorists in Afghanistan would embolden them and weaken the collective will of nations.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Indian Ambassador Nirupam Sen stressed the need for stability of Afghanistan in the interest of economic progress of the region and asked the international community to collectively fight the threat posed by Taliban and al Qaeda who are out to undermine the country.
"Doubts, hesitation and divergences in the international community in the fight against terrorists would only weaken the collective will and embolden them," Sen warned the Security Council.
He cautioned against attempts to distinguish between "good" and "bad" Taliban and asked the international community to get beyond the "unworkable" efforts of sifting the two.
Sen's remarks were a reference to Obama administration's indication that it might be willing to talk to the less radical elements among the Taliban, which the US and NATO forces are fighting against in Afghanistan.
"Apart from application of force wherever terrorist groups are active, we must work together to deny them safe havens, political and material sustenance in Afghanistan or across the border," Sen said in a debate. PTI
Iran seeking change in US policy
Iran has given a cautious welcome to US President Barack Obama's offer of "a new beginning" in relations, but said the US had to change its behaviour.
An advisor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Washington must reverse its support for Israel and end sanctions against Iran.
The advisor, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, also said the US had to apologise to Iran for its past actions.
Mr Obama's offer came in a video address to mark the Iranian New Year.
In the address, Mr Obama said he was seeking engagement with Iran that was "honest and based on mutual respect".
"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us," Mr Obama said.
But in separate Nowruz (Persian new year) messages to the Iranian people, neither Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei nor President Ahmadinejad mentioned Mr Obama's speech.
Relations between Iran and the US have been strained over Tehran's controversial nuclear activities.
'Friendly hand'
Reacting to Mr Obama's unprecedented message, Mr Javanfekr said the US had to recognise its past mistakes if it wanted to engage Iran.
He said if the US did so, Iran would not turn its back.
"By fundamentally changing its behaviour America can offer us a friendly hand," he told Reuters news agency.
"Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed," he said.
"Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture and the New Year is an opportunity for the United States to change this policy."
The US fears Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a cover to build atomic weapons, a charge Iranian officials deny.
In his Nowruz address, Ayatollah Khamenei said world powers had been convinced they could do nothing to halt the progress Iran was making on its nuclear programme.
Mr Obama, like his predecessor George W Bush, wants Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, but is trying to build up diplomatic capital before confronting the issue, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
Warning
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana described Mr Obama's appeal as "very constructive" and urged Teheran to pay close attention to it.
Mr Obama's message was released to coincide with the festival of Nowruz, when Iranians mark the arrival of spring.
In it, President Obama said he wanted "to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran".
He said his administration was committed "to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community".
"With the coming of a new season, we're reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning," the message said.
But Mr Obama warned: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."
"The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities."
'Axis of evil'
Mr Obama's message was distributed to news outlets in Iran with subtitles in Farsi, and posted on the White House's official website.
The message is a dramatic departure from the policies of the Bush administration, which described Iran as part of the "axis of evil", the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says.
Earlier this year, President Obama said he was looking for "openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face-to-face" with Iran.
However, Mr Obama acknowledged in his message on Thursday that it would not be easy to overcome "the old divisions".
Mr Obama has talked of engagement with Iran but has not made clear how that might take place.
Shortly after coming to office in January, he said "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
But earlier this month he extended sanctions against Iran for a year, saying it continues to pose a threat to US national security.
In another possible move towards engagement, the state department is said to be considering an overture in the form of a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei before the Iranian elections this summer.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7955550.stm
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
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