Latest news with #WASHINGTON
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
World War II pilot from Georgetown finally accounted for
The Brief Georgetown pilot killed during World War II finally accounted for Charles W. McCook was killed in a plane crash in Burma McCook will be buried in Georgetown in August WASHINGTON - A Georgetown pilot killed during World War II has finally been accounted for, according to the U.S. government. What we know The U.S. Department of Defense's POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) says that 23-year-old Charles W. McCook, a first lieutenant in the Army Air Forces, was accounted for on April 18. McCook, who was from Georgetown, was killed during World War II. In summer 1943, he was a member of the 22nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), 10th Air Force. On Aug. 3, 1943, while he was the Armor-Gunner of a B-25C on a low-altitude bombing raid in Burma, his plane crashed. McCook was one of four killed; the two survivors were captured by Japanese forces. His remains were not recovered after the war, and he was declared missing in action. Dig deeper In 1947, four sets of remains, later designated X-282A-D, were recovered from a common grave near a Burmese village. Local witnesses said the remains came from an "American crash". The remains could not be identified at the time and thus were interred as "unknowns" in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. In Jan. 2022, all four sets of remains were exhumed and taken to the DPAA for analysis. Scientists then used dental, anthropological and isotope analysis to identify his remains. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System also used mitochondrial DNA analysis and genome sequencing data. What's next McCook will be buried in Georgetown in August. His name was recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, along with others missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to show he has been accounted for. The Source Information in this report comes from the US Dept of Defense's POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, U.S. Share Understanding That Tariff Discussions Progressing Toward Agreement; Sides Will Coordinate for Leaders to Meet During G7 Summit
Pool photo From the right, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minister, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick are seen in Washington on Friday. WASHINGTON — Japan and the United States shared a common understanding that their discussions are progressing toward an agreement during the fourth round of Japan-U.S. ministerial tariff negotiations in Washington on Friday. The two countries will accelerate the discussions, aiming for the two leaders to reach an agreement at the Group of Seven summit in Canada in mid-June. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minister and chief tariff negotiator, talked with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick for about two hours and ten minutes. In the negotiations, the Japanese side demanded that the United States abolish the series of tariff measures it has put on goods, including additional tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum products. Meanwhile, the U.S. side asked for Japan to take measures such as expanding investment in the United States and cooperating on economic security. 'Mutual understanding is deepening,' Akazawa told reporters after the discussion. 'Japan and the United States were able to fully recognize each other's positions and confirm that the discussion is progressing toward an agreement. We will accelerate our coordination.' Japan and the United States are coordinating to hold talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S President Donald Trump to coincide with the G7 summit. Aiming for the two leaders to reach an agreement, the two governments also agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting ahead of the G7 summit. Akazawa said the abolition of these tariffs is a precondition for an agreement. 'The Japanese automobile industry has been placed in position where it is losing ¥1 billion or ¥2 billion per day,' he said. 'I don't think it will work to leave any part of them in place.' During the most recent negotiations, participants are thought to have discussed cooperation to strengthen supply chains for rare earths and semiconductors, as well as expanding Japanese imports of American agricultural products and reviewing non-tariff barriers on importing automobiles.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US to revoke some Chinese student visas, expand social media vetting for Communist Party ties
The Brief Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US will revoke visas for some Chinese students tied to the CCP or studying in "critical fields." New visa interviews for all international students are paused until updated vetting guidelines are released. The announcement comes amid a larger crackdown on international student visas under President Trump. WASHINGTON - The US State Department is moving to revoke some visas held by Chinese students and increase screening of international applicants' social media, part of a broader policy shift that could impact America's reputation as a global leader in education and research. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement Tuesday on X, saying the effort will target individuals "with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies its scrutiny of international students more broadly. The backstory Rubio's post and a diplomatic cable sent to US embassies signal that visa enforcement will focus on students studying subjects tied to national security or economic competition, such as advanced technologies. While specifics haven't been publicly released, Rubio framed the new policy as a national security measure. The cable also instructed embassies to halt new visa interviews for international students until updated vetting guidelines are issued. Appointments already on the calendar may proceed under current review procedures. Dig deeper Since 2019, the State Department has required visa applicants to submit social media handles as part of the application. The new policy will deepen scrutiny of those accounts, although officials have yet to detail what that will entail. Analysts say this expanded monitoring could deter prospective students. "The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the US as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange," said Jonathan Friedman of PEN America. What they're saying With more than 1.1 million international students enrolled in the US last year—many of whom pay full tuition—university leaders are sounding the alarm about potential fallout. "This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time," said Northeastern University spokesperson Renata Nyul. Some students have already changed their travel plans. A student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison canceled a summer trip home to Vietnam over fears his legal status could change. "There's just this constant unease. It's quite stressful, really," he said. The other side The new visa crackdown comes just days after the Trump administration attempted to block Harvard University from enrolling new international students—a decision temporarily paused by a federal judge. Trump has said Harvard, which has a large international student population, should reduce that number to "about 15%." "They're taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized," Trump said Wednesday. "We don't want them making trouble in our country." His administration has also sought to deport students involved in campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war and revoked student visas before backtracking and expanding enforcement criteria. What's next The pause applies to three major visa categories: F-1 visas for full-time academic students J-1 visas for exchange program participants M-1 visas for vocational or non-academic studies The current guidance does not block already-approved visas, but officials say new rules will be issued soon. Universities like Northeastern have begun developing contingency plans, while advocacy groups like NAFSA warn the US risks losing its competitive edge. "International students and scholars are tremendous assets," said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA. "Undermining their ability to study here is self-defeating." The Source This story is based on Associated Press reporting from Washington and statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department, and affected students and institutions.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Aircraft leasing giant calls on Trump to expand zero-tariff plane pact
By Tim Hepher and David Shepardson PARIS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of the world's largest aircraft leasing company has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to renegotiate and expand a duty-free trade agreement for the aircraft industry to include newcomers like China in a new lobbying twist to the trade war. The aerospace industry has for weeks been pushing for exemptions to tariffs introduced by Trump, or to any foreign retaliation, and wants a return to the status quo represented by a 1979 deal between some 30 nations to ban tariffs on jetliners. But Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap, said the current trade crisis also represented a chance to expand and improve the decades-old pact to ensure a level playing field under what he termed a "Trump trade accord" for aviation. "It would be a fantastic win for the president if he could enhance and significantly improve the 1979 aerospace treaty, which has only got (33) countries signed up to anything, while countries like India and China are not in it," Kelly said. The call for a Trump-led renegotiation marks a shift of emphasis by the aviation industry, which has so far focused mainly on restoring the existing tariff-free regime. Dublin-based AerCap is the world's largest aircraft owner. "If the president could convince other countries to join this zero-for-zero tariff agreement, that'll be an enormous win for high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs in the United States," Kelly told Reuters in an interview. The White House said it was in regular contact with industry groups about trade policy. "The only special interest guiding President Trump's decision-making, however, is the best interest of the American people,' spokesperson Kush Desai said. A coalition of aerospace companies was expected to meet officials at the Commerce Department later on Wednesday. U.S. SURPLUS The Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft came into force in 1980 and eliminated tariffs on aircraft and parts. It is one of a handful of side deals that survived from an earlier round of trade talks when the World Trade Organization was formed in 1995. Current members include the United States and European Union - home to Boeing and Airbus - while China, India and several other fast-growing aerospace nations, such as South Korea and Turkey only have observer status. Brazil is in the process of becoming a full member, but Mexico - with its growing supply chain - is not a signatory. The AIA aerospace association has said the 1979 pact supports a $75 billion trade surplus for the U.S. aerospace sector, which includes manufacturing giants like GE Aerospace and RTX. Analysts say a renegotiation would not be simple, however. Trump has shown a preference for bilateral deals over broad alliances from trade to security and a new aircraft pact would include nations already embroiled in a larger jigsaw of trade disputes, making it harder to isolate specific issues. Washington did however grant a carve-out to jet engines in a recent trade deal with Britain, benefiting Rolls-Royce. The call for an expanded pact comes as China is increasing production of a home-grown competitor to Boeing and Airbus, the C919, though it has yet to win Western approvals. Boeing deliveries to China were effectively frozen after the two largest economies imposed triple-digit tariffs on each other last month, before agreeing a pause in trade tensions. Trump also briefly floated heavier tariffs on the European Union, which has placed Boeing on a list of possible reprisals. Kelly said the U.S. would gradually cede aerospace manufacturing in any prolonged trade war. "With very high tariffs, if they're retaliatory, then of course we're going to see the rest of the world move over time towards Airbus," he said, though "It won't happen overnight". Sign in to access your portfolio
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Aircraft leasing giant calls on Trump to expand zero-tariff plane pact
* Appeal goes beyond previous industry calls for duty exemptions * AerCap CEO urges Trump to broaden and expand existing pact * Decades-old pact includes US and Europe but not China or India * White House says regularly talks to industry groups on policy PARIS/WASHINGTON, - The head of the world's largest aircraft leasing company has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to renegotiate and expand a duty-free trade agreement for the aircraft industry to include newcomers like China in a new lobbying twist to the trade war. The aerospace industry has for weeks been pushing for exemptions to tariffs introduced by Trump, or to any foreign retaliation, and wants a return to the status quo represented by a 1979 deal between some 30 nations to ban tariffs on jetliners. But Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap, said the current trade crisis also represented a chance to expand and improve the decades-old pact to ensure a level playing field under what he termed a "Trump trade accord" for aviation. "It would be a fantastic win for the president if he could enhance and significantly improve the 1979 aerospace treaty, which has only got countries signed up to anything, while countries like India and China are not in it," Kelly said. The call for a Trump-led renegotiation marks a shift of emphasis by the aviation industry, which has so far focused mainly on restoring the existing tariff-free regime. Dublin-based AerCap is the world's largest aircraft owner. "If the president could convince other countries to join this zero-for-zero tariff agreement, that'll be an enormous win for high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs in the United States," Kelly told Reuters in an interview. The White House said it was in regular contact with industry groups about trade policy. "The only special interest guiding President Trump's decision-making, however, is the best interest of the American people,' spokesperson Kush Desai said. A coalition of aerospace companies was expected to meet officials at the Commerce Department later on Wednesday. U.S. SURPLUS The Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft came into force in 1980 and eliminated tariffs on aircraft and parts. It is one of a handful of side deals that survived from an earlier round of trade talks when the World Trade Organization was formed in 1995. Current members include the United States and European Union - home to Boeing and Airbus - while China, India and several other fast-growing aerospace nations, such as South Korea and Turkey only have observer status. Brazil is in the process of becoming a full member, but Mexico - with its growing supply chain - is not a signatory. The AIA aerospace association has said the 1979 pact supports a $75 billion trade surplus for the U.S. aerospace sector, which includes manufacturing giants like GE Aerospace and RTX. Analysts say a renegotiation would not be simple, however. Trump has shown a preference for bilateral deals over broad alliances from trade to security and a new aircraft pact would include nations already embroiled in a larger jigsaw of trade disputes, making it harder to isolate specific issues. Washington did however grant a carve-out to jet engines in a recent trade deal with Britain, benefiting Rolls-Royce. The call for an expanded pact comes as China is increasing production of a home-grown competitor to Boeing and Airbus , the C919, though it has yet to win Western approvals. Boeing deliveries to China were effectively frozen after the two largest economies imposed triple-digit tariffs on each other last month, before agreeing a pause in trade tensions. Trump also briefly floated heavier tariffs on the European Union, which has placed Boeing on a list of possible reprisals. Kelly said the U.S. would gradually cede aerospace manufacturing in any prolonged trade war. "With very high tariffs, if they're retaliatory, then of course we're going to see the rest of the world move over time towards Airbus," he said, though "It won't happen overnight".
