FCC seeks public comments on bringing call centres back to US

<p>Washington, Mar 27 (PTI): The Federal Communications Commission has mooted proposals to encourage businesses to bring call centre jobs back to the US and require call-takers to be proficient in American Standard English.</p><p>In a statement here, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said that over the past few decades many corporations shifted their customer service and call centre operations from America to a range of foreign countries – with nearly 70 per cent of US companies outsourcing at least one department.</p><p>“American consumers deserve call centres that speak proficient English, provide clear answers, and are based here at home—not halfway around the world,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement.</p><p>The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), adopted by the FCC on Thursday, has sought comments from the public on ways to encourage and facilitate the onshoring of call centres; steps that can be taken to improve customer service and data security and ways to combat illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centres.</p><p>“I welcome today’s NPRM to address risks to Americans that originate from call centres located overseas,” Commissioner Olivia Trusty said in a statement on Thursday.</p><p>The FCC has sought comments from the public about ideas such as empowering consumers to transfer calls to a US-based location and requiring that calls involving certain types of sensitive information be handled domestically.</p><p>It also sought views on requiring covered providers to disclose the location of the call centre during the customer interaction; requiring disclosure to consumers of the extent of a provider’s use of US call centres; and requiring workers at call centres to be proficient in American Standard English and otherwise be trained appropriately for resolving issues with US customers.</p><p>“Specifically, we are identifying ways to address illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centres, such as ways we can take the profit out of those operations,” Carr said.</p><p> Last year, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Keep Call Centres in America Act to discourage companies from moving customer service operations offshore or replacing live agents with AI.</p><p>From a cost perspective, onshore call centres in the United States face significantly higher operating expenses, primarily wages, compliance, and real estate.</p><p>According to industry benchmarks, US customer service agents earn three to five times more than their offshore counterparts. These higher costs inevitably flow through to the consumer.</p><p>The Philippines, India, Colombia, South Africa are the leading countries that US businesses outsource their customer service call centre jobs to. PTI SKU PRK</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-bringing-call-centres-back-to-us-1833152

Jaishankar highlights urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations in G7 meet

<p>Paris, Mar 26 (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in France.</p><p>Jaishankar spoke at the meeting in France with partners on the reform of global governance.</p><p>"Spoke at the @G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting session with invited partners on reform of global governance. Highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains," Jaishankar posted on X.</p><p>"Specifically raised Global South’s concerns about energy challenges, fertiliser supplies and food security," the post read.</p><p>India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it rightly deserved a place as a permanent member in the United Nations.</p><p>Currently, the UNSC has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution.</p><p>Jaishankar arrived in France on Thursday to participate in the meeting, where he will discuss the West Asia crisis with a focus on coordinating efforts to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international shipping.</p><p>The two-day meeting, being held at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay on March 26–27, comes at the invitation of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot.</p><p>Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.</p><p>The Group of 7 (G7) brings together seven of the world's most advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The European Union is also a member of the bloc.</p><p>The G7 serves as the forum of choice for its members to discuss and coordinate action in response to major economic, financial and geopolitical challenges on the global stage.</p><p>Besides India, France has invited Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil.</p><p>According to a French official, there will be a session dedicated to the crisis in West Asia.</p><p>Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).</p><p>West Asia has been a major source of India's energy procurement. PTI AMS</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/jaishankar-highlights-urgency-of-unsc-reforms-streamlining-peacekeeping-operations-in-g7-meet-1833148

Trump Says Iran Gave US 10 Oil Tankers As ‘Present’, Claims They Carried Pakistani Flags

<p>U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (March 26, 2026) claimed that Iran had allowed the passage of 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a &ldquo;present&rdquo; to signal its seriousness about ending the ongoing conflict.</p> <p>Referring to earlier remarks about a &ldquo;gift&rdquo; from Tehran, Trump said Iran initially allowed eight oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, followed by two more later.</p> <p>According to him, the vessels included tankers flying Pakistani flags. He said the move was intended to demonstrate Iran&rsquo;s willingness to engage in efforts to end the war.</p> <h2><strong>Remarks On Hormuz Tolls</strong></h2> <p>Trump also said Iran should not be charging tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it is currently doing so.</p> <p>The Strait remains a critical global shipping route, and its status continues to be closely watched amid the conflict.</p> <h2><strong>Warning To Iran Over Nuclear Ambitions</strong></h2> <p>The U.S. President reiterated his stance on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme, warning of consequences if Tehran does not change course.</p> <p>&ldquo;Iran now has the opportunity to abandon its nuclear ambitions forever and chart a new course. We will see if they want to do that. If they don't, we will be their worst nightmare. For now, we will continue to attack,&rdquo; he said.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-claims-iran-allowed-10-oil-tankers-through-hormuz-as-present-amid-war-tensions-1833137

16 dead after bus plunges into river in Bangladesh, search on for missing

<p>Dhaka, Mar 26 (PTI): At least 16 people have died and several others remain missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh while attempting to get onto a transport ferry, officials said.</p><p>The accident happened in the southwestern district of Rajbari at the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at about 5.15 pm on Wednesday, they said.</p><p> “(Salvage vessel) Hamza retrieved the bus with its cranes and 14 bodies were found inside,” fire service official Sohel Rana told reporters at the scene.</p><p>He added that the divers earlier recovered bodies of two women in their late 50s or early 60s and found the 14 others as the bus was salvaged at around Wednesday midnight after six hours of efforts amid rough weather.</p><p>Fire service and coastguard divers continued their search for the missing people with military and police assistance, according to Rana.</p><p>Officials said they estimated that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying some 40 passengers including several children, and most were returning to the capital after ending their Eid holidays.</p><p>According to the Rajbari district administration officials, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called them to know salvage campaign updates and ordered investigation into the accident.</p><p>Police and witnesses earlier said about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued but most others remained missing.</p><p>“When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pontoon, another smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon. It plunged into the river as the bus driver lost control of the steering,” the terminal’s supervisor Monir Hossain said.</p><p>“Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” he added.</p><p>Doctors at Dauladia health complex said two women were brought dead while another woman, herself a doctor, received treatment.</p><p>According to witnesses and officials, many of the passengers were members of the same family. While several of them survived as they stood outside, their relatives were in the bus as it drowned. PTI AR PRK</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/16-dead-after-bus-plunges-into-river-in-bangladesh-search-on-for-missing-1832974

US President Trump to visit China in May after rescheduling trip due to Iran war

<p> Washington, Mar 25 (PTI): US President Donald Trump will travel to China on May 14 and 15 for a rescheduled summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the White House announced on Wednesday.</p><p> Trump, who was earlier scheduled to travel to Beijing by the end of this month, postponed his trip due to the war in Iran.</p><p> Announcing Trump’s “long-awaited” trip to China, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US president and First Lady Melania will also host President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a reciprocal visit to Washington DC at a later date this year.</p><p> Responding to a question if the two leaders spoke about the conclusion of the war as a precondition to reschedule this meeting, she answered there was no discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting between the president and Xi.</p><p> “President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout the region right now. He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accept it, which is why we have a meeting,” Leavitt said.</p><p> Asked if the war would conclude by the time of the meeting in May, Leavitt said, “Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks.” Trump and Xi last met in person in October on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Busan, South Korea.</p><p> Trump said last week while meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin in the Oval Office that he would be going to China in five or six weeks' time instead of at the end of the month. He said he would be rescheduling his trip to China.</p><p> “We're working with China, they were fine with it,” Trump said. “I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, I think,” he added.</p><p> The US-Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28 and the retaliation by the Islamic nation extended the war to the entire Gulf region.</p><p> The US and Israel attack killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The joint strikes came after days of build-up, with Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme.</p><p> The conflict has also taken a major toll on energy supply chains, especially across the Strait of Hormuz. PTI SKU GSP GSP</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-president-trump-to-visit-china-in-may-after-rescheduling-trip-due-to-iran-war-1832969

Balen Shah Set To Take Oath As Nepal PM On Friday

<p>Kathmandu, Mar 25 (PTI) Balendra Shah 'Balen,' a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is likely to be sworn-in as Nepal's youngest prime minister on Friday, an RSP leader said Wednesday.</p> <p>Shah, popular as 'Balen,' who was projected by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as the prime ministerial candidate during the campaign ahead of the March 5 general election, will also be the first person from the Madhes region to hold the top executive post in the country.</p> <p>Balen, 35, will be sworn-in as a member of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday by 78-year-old Arjun Narsing KC, the eldest among the newly elected members of the HoR and then on Friday, he will be given oath as the prime minister by President Ramchandra Paudel.</p> <p>On Thursday, the RSP will hold its central committee meeting, which will form the Parliamentary Party.</p> <p>The Parliamentary Party meeting will then elect Balen as its leader, formally qualifying him for the top executive post of the country, according to Shanker Shrestha, secretary of the RSP's central organisation committee.</p> <p>The central secretariat will then finalise the names of the ministers to be inducted in the new council of ministers on Thursday itself, he added.</p> <p>Earlier on Wednesday, as per the tradition, President Paudel administered oath of office and secrecy to KC, elected to the Lower House under the proportionate voting system representing Nepali Congress party.</p> <p>On Thursday, KC will administer oaths to all the newly elected members of the HoR, including Balen, as the Parliament is yet to elect its Speaker, sources said.</p> <p>The president will then initiate the process of formation of the government by making a formal call by Thursday evening, according to sources at the President's office.</p> <p>As the RSP secured 182 seats out of a total 275 seats in the HoR, it is eligible to form a majority government under Article 76 (1) of the Constitution.</p> <p>According to sources at the President's Office, Balen, 35, will be sworn-in as the prime minister during a special ceremony at the President's Office, Sheetal Niwas on Friday, March 27.</p> <p>Sources close to Balen's secretariat said he is likely to form a small cabinet with the number ranging between 15 to 18.</p> <p>Earlier in the month, Nepal chose fresher Balen and his RSP to form the next government decimating the traditional parties in the first general elections since last year's violent Gen Z protests that sought generational change and corruption-free regime.</p> <p>Rapper-turned-politician Balen defeated four-time prime minister K P Sharma Oli, the chair of Nepal's legacy party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist&ndash;Leninist) by a huge margin in Jhapa-5 constituency, the latter's stronghold for decades.&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/balen-shah-set-to-take-oath-as-nepal-pm-on-friday-1832957

Fire Erupts At Kuwait International Airport After Drone Hits Fuel Tank

<p>A drone strike triggered a fire at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, marking another escalation in the widening West Asia conflict. Authorities said the attack struck a fuel storage tank, setting off a blaze that was later brought under control with no reported casualties.</p> <p>Officials described the damage as limited, though the incident prompted swift emergency action and renewed concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.</p> <h3>Firefighters Contain Blaze After Fuel Tank Hit</h3> <p>According to Kuwait&rsquo;s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, emergency teams responded immediately after the strike ignited flames at the airport. Fire crews worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other facilities, as reported by AFP.</p> <p>Agency spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi said the impact was &ldquo;limited,&rdquo; confirming that firefighters were continuing operations to fully extinguish the blaze. Preliminary assessments indicated that the attack caused only material damage.</p> <h3>Air Defences Activated Across Kuwait</h3> <p>The Kuwait National Guard reported intercepting six drones earlier in the day, while the Kuwaiti military said its air defence systems were actively engaging incoming threats.</p> <p>In an official statement, authorities reassured residents that loud explosions heard in the capital were the result of defensive interceptions targeting missiles and drones, rather than direct hits on populated areas.</p> <h3>Iran Claims Responsibility For Regional Strikes</h3> <p>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones targeting Israel as well as U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. Iranian state media said &ldquo;precision-guided&rdquo; weapons were used in the attacks.</p> <p>Kuwait confirmed its air defence systems were responding to the strikes, though so far the damage reported within the country has been confined to infrastructure.</p> <h3>Repeated Attacks Disrupt Aviation In Gulf</h3> <p>Wednesday&rsquo;s strike is the latest in a string of attacks targeting Kuwait&rsquo;s main airport since the conflict intensified on February 28. Earlier incidents include a March 14 drone strike on radar systems and a March 8 attack that damaged fuel storage facilities. A separate strike on a passenger terminal had left several people with minor injuries.</p> <p>The ongoing hostilities have significantly disrupted air travel across the Gulf region. Airlines have either suspended or reduced operations due to security risks and logistical challenges, including fuel supply concerns.</p> <p>In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, authorities reported intercepting four drones in eastern provinces, underscoring the broader regional spread of the conflict.</p> <h3>Security Tightened As Investigations Begin</h3> <p>Kuwaiti authorities have launched investigations into the latest attack while stepping up security at key infrastructure sites, including airports and energy facilities.</p> <p>The repeated targeting of Kuwait International Airport highlights growing risks to civilian infrastructure as the conflict intensifies, raising fears of further disruptions and potential escalation in the days ahead.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/kuwait-international-airport-status-fire-erupts-after-drone-hits-fuel-tank-iran-israel-conflict-1832797