Washington, August 12
The USA has announced another $16.25-million aid for flood relief work in Pakistan, thus totalling more than $71 million in less than a week, while more is on its way.

On Tuesday, Washington had announced $20 million for the humanitarian effort to help more than 14 million people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan, the worst in more than 80 years.

“We have already committed $55 million to this effort. Our Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration intends to provide an additional $16.25 million to the UNHCR and to the ICRC to assist Pakistan’s flood victims,” State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said.

“This funding should help support Red Cross relief distributions, including food, tents, and shelter, water purification, restoration of community water supplies, preventive health measures, and the like,” he said.

“We obviously will look at the specifics of the UN appeal and I would expect that we’ll have more - a higher contribution to make as we understand exactly what is needed.”

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Robert Gates announced that USS Peleliu would provide helicopter service to aid Pakistan in its efforts to combat floods that were affecting 14 million people there.

Gates said the Peleliu was off Pakistan’s port city of Karachi and would provide airlift assistance. — PTI

Washington, August 12
US President Barack Obama has signed a key industrial bill, aimed at bringing back thousands of jobs in manufacturing sector that over the years went to countries like China, into law to strengthen American economy.

“We will rebuild this economy stronger than before and at its heart will be three powerful words: Made in America,” Obama said at a function held at the White House to sign the bill “Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010” into law. “For too long, we've been buying too much from the rest of the world, when we should be selling more to the rest of the world. That's why, in my state of the Union address, I set an ambitious goal for this country,” Obama said.

“Over the next five years, we are going to double our exports of goods and services, an increase that will grow our economy and support millions of American jobs. We've got a lot of work to do to reach this goal. Our economy has fallen into the habit of buying from overseas and not selling the way it needs to.” It is vitally important for America to reverse the trend as 95 per cent of the world's customers and fastest-growing markets are beyond its borders, he said.

“And we're going to compete aggressively for every job, for every industry, and every market out there,” Obama said. The Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010, he said, will create jobs, help American companies compete and strengthen manufacturing as a key driver of its economic recovery. “Here is how it works. To make their products, manufacturers - some of whom are represented here today - often have to import certain materials from other countries and pay tariffs on those materials,” he noted.

The legislation, popularly known as “Made in America”, will reduce or eliminate some of those tariffs, which will significantly lower costs for American companies across the manufacturing landscape from cars to chemicals, medical devices to sporting goods. It will boost output, support good jobs here at home and lower prices for American consumers, he asserted. — PTI

Washington, August 12
Osama bin Laden's former cook, who played a key role in the Al-Qaida chief's escape from Afghanistan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the US, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail by military jurors, but he could be released much sooner under a plea bargain.

The sentencing hearing of Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al-Qosi, 51, who is from Sudan, took place in a military commission courtroom at the US naval station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, yesterday. It followed his guilty plea in July during, which he admitted that he was engaged in hostilities against the US in violation of the laws of war. Details of al-Qosi's plea deal remained secret, raising the possibility that he could serve a much shorter sentence or be repatriated to Sudan.

He is only the fourth Guantanamo detainee to be convicted since the prison was opened in 2002. His sentencing was also the first such verdict at Guantanamo since President Barack Obama assumed office in January last year. — PTI

Toronto, August 12
The Canadian authorities have said that they will intercept a ship of asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka before it reaches the coast because the passengers may include people Canada considers terrorists.

The ship was reported to be within 200 miles (322 km) of Canada’s Pacific coast province of British Columbia, said Chris McCluskey yesterday, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.

He said the ship would be intercepted.

Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea is expected to reach the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Vancouver island late today or early tomorrow. Between 400 and 500 persons are believed to be on board.

“A vessel is approaching the shores of British Columbia, and is within the 200 mile limit. We will ensure that everyone on board is appropriately scrutinised to protect the safety and security of Canadians,” McCluskey said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press. — AP