United states mints

ITER, the international fusion experiment under construction in Cadarache, France, aims to prove that nuclear fusion is a viable power source by creating a "burning plasma" that produces more energy than the machine itself consumes. Although that goal is at least 20 years away, ITER is already burning through money at a prodigious pace. The United States is only a minor partner in the project, which began construction in 2008. But the U.S. contribution to ITER will total $3.9 billion—roughly four times as much as originally estimated—according to a new cost estimate released yesterday. That is about $1.4 billion higher than a 2011 cost estimate, and the numbers are likely to intensify doubts among some members of Congress about continuing the U.S. involvement in the project. The United States and ITER share a complicated history. The project was first proposed in 1985 as a joint venture with the Soviet Union and Japan. The United States backed out of that effort in 1998, citing … [Read more...] about Cost Skyrockets for United States’ Share of ITER Fusion Project

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Whether the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics begin as planned this July could come down to support from the United States and its new president, the Wall Street Journal quoted Tokyo organising committee member Haruyuki Takahashi as saying in an interview. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese organisers have been increasingly bullish in recent weeks about the prospect of holding the postponed Games, despite dwindling public support and rising coronavirus cases. However, Takahashi thinks the Olympics' future could depend on the support of US President Joe Biden, the article said. "Mr Biden is dealing with a tough situation with the coronavirus," Takahashi told the WSJ in the article published on Wednesday (Jan 27). "But if he makes a positive statement about the Olympics going ahead, we'd gain strong momentum. "It's up to the US. I hate to say it, but (IOC President) Thomas Bach and the IOC are not the ones who are able to make the decision about … [Read more...] about Olympics: Tokyo 2020 member says Games going ahead ‘is up to United States’

BEIJING: Three main differences remain in the China-US trade talks, including the removal of all the additional tariffs , Chinese state media said on Saturday (May 11), following the end of the latest round of negotiations in Washington. The ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily and the official Xinhua news agency said that in addition to the lifting of the additional tariffs, the differences centred on trade purchases and a "balanced" text to any trade deal. READ: Trump orders tariff hike on remaining Chinese imports "China will never yield to the United States side's maximum pressure and will not compromise on matters of principle. China has made it clear to call for the elimination of all additional tariffs to resume normal bilateral trade," the People's Daily said. "China clearly requires that the trade procurement figures should be realistic; the text must be balanced and expressed in terms that are acceptable to the Chinese people and do not undermine … [Read more...] about China state media says three main differences remain in US trade talks

BEIJING: China on Thursday (Aug 8) denounced rules unveiled by the United States that ban technology giant Huawei and other Chinese firms from government contracts as "abuse of state power" in the latest move in the escalating China-US trade war. The interim rule, which will preclude any US federal agency from purchasing telecom or technology equipment from the firms, is part of a sweeping effort by Washington to restrict Huawei, which officials claim is linked to Chinese intelligence. "The abuse of state power by the United States to unscrupulously and deliberately throw mud at and suppress specific Chinese enterprises seriously undermines the image of the United States and its own interests," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. READ: Commentary: On the trade war, China's gain is not necessarily America's gain "We firmly support the relevant Chinese companies in taking up legal weapons to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests," she said in an … [Read more...] about China decries US ban on Chinese firms as ‘abuse of state power’

WASHINGTON: Last summer, the Wayne Rooney effect was very real for DC United. With the former England captain on board, the latter part of the season contained a verve and joy akin to an extended summer vacation. The Black and Red went 11-2-4 down the stretch to secure a playoff spot, a feat that seemed beyond DCU earlier in the season. The first-round playoff defeat to the Columbus Crew seemed a mere hiccup in terms of United's ascent back among the league's elite. Ten games into 2019, the magic, both for Rooney and the team, has been harder to lock down. There have been stretches of dynamic play, mixed with DC getting backed into its own half for extended periods. The inconsistency has been such that a look at the Eastern Conference standings causes something of a double take. The rough patches, in particular a 4-0 home shellacking at the hands of LAFC, stick in the memory, and yet there sits DC United, tied for first place in the conference alongside the Philadelphia … [Read more...] about Magic has been more elusive for Rooney’s second year in DC United

NEW ORLEANS: US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Barry bears down on New Orleans, as the southern city braces for extreme winds over the weekend. The weather system is expected to reach hurricane strength Friday (Jul 12) or early Saturday when it nears Louisiana's coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and has already caused major flooding in the low-lying city. Trump on Thursday issued a national disaster declaration, which will allow federal agencies to participate in emergency relief efforts, in response to a request by Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards. "Thank you President Trump for quickly responding to my request ... We appreciate the support of the White House and our federal partners as we continue our unprecedented flood fight," the governor said in a tweet Thursday. READ: Braced for Barry - New Orleans girds for 'extreme' storm The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) separately announced that it … [Read more...] about Trump declares state of emergency as storm bears down on New Orleans