Page 11 - United States

Trump immunity ruling brings focus on Indian-origin judge Amit Mehta

Indian-American judge Amit Mehta has come into focus after he ruled that US President Donald Trump's speech ahead of the violence that rocked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was not subject to presidential immunity. Mehta, a federal judge of the US District Court of the District of Columbia, in 2022 rejected Trump's effort to dismiss three lawsuits accusing him of bearing responsibility for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Last August, Mehta had ruled that Google had broken anti-trust laws to maintain its dominance in online search. Born in Patan in Gujarat in 1971, Mehta was nominated as a judge to the US District Court for the District of Columbia in 2014 by then-President Barack Obama. Mehta came to the US as a one-year-old and went on to pursue his B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. After law school, Mehta worked in a law firm in San Francisco before clerking for Sus

US voices concern over detentions of Panama-flagged vessels by China

The US on Thursday voiced concerns about over detentions of Panama-flagged vessels by China saying such "bullying" destabilises supply chains, raises costs and erodes confidence in the global trading system. "The United States stands with Panama against any retaliatory actions against its sovereignty and will always support our partners in the face of bullying," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X. "The United States stands firmly with Panama and looks forward to increasing our economic and security cooperation with this important partner," the Department of State said in a statement. The statement came after China reportedly detained Panama-flagged ships for inspections at Chinese ports. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14-15. China's action came in the wake of Panama cancelling contracts of Hong Kong-based C K Hutchison to operate two port terminals near the Panama Canal on direction of the Supreme Court and transferred interim operatio

Hegseth asks US Army Chief Gen Randy George to step down: Pentagon

The move comes as the US and Israel continue a war against Iran, a mission that has recently seen the US send thousands of troops into the region for a possible ground operation

Trump warns Iran to strike a deal 'before it is too late' as war deepens

Earlier Thursday, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that airstrikes had hit numerous targets, including a bridge connecting Tehran to the city of Karaj

US trade deficit widens to $57.3 billion in February, below forecast

The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for an almost $61 billion deficit

Iran's 'new regime' seeks ceasefire, 'will consider if Hormuz opens': Trump

Trump claimed that an Iranian leader had sought a ceasefire. He added that the United States would consider it only when the Strait of Hormuz was open, free, and clear

In a first, Trump attends US Supreme Court arguments on citizenship

Trump was driven by motorcade from the White House and arrived before the arguments, wearing a red tie and dark suit

Iran foreign minister slams US 'America First' policy amid war tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister criticises US stance, says trust deficit blocks talks

US flags India's satellite rules for DTH, internet curbs as trade barriers

The US has listed India's preference for use of domestic satellites for direct-to-home (DTH) television services and localised shutdown of internet as a barrier to foreign trade. The 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers released by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), also flagged that since 2021 American firms have been subject to increasing number of takedown requests for content and user accounts related to issues that appear "politically motivated". The report noted that localised internet shutdowns restrict access to information and services, disrupting commercial operations, and thereby undermining a free and open internet and impeding trade in the digital economy. "The United States continues to monitor the impact of these events on US trade and investment, including services exports," according to the report released on Tuesday. On satellite services, the report said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting maintains a preference fo

Musk must face class action over late disclosure of Twitter stake: Judge

The investors said Musk saved more than $200 million, and cheated them because they sold Twitter shares at depressed prices during the 11-day period

US judge orders Trump admin to halt White House ballroom construction

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a USD 400 million ballroom it demolished the East Wing of the White House to make space for, barring work from proceeding without congressional approval. US District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preservationist group's request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts US President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project. The White House quickly filed a notice to appeal while Trump fumed at the ruling. "We built many things at the White House over the years. They don't get congressional approval," he told reporters in the Oval Office a short time later. He also noted that the ruling will allow work on underground bunkers and other security measures around the White House grounds to continue - even though those will be paid for by taxpayers, not the private donors and Trump himself that the president has promised will cover the cost of the ballroom. Leon, who was nominat

Trump signs order to create national voter list; move to face challenges

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order creating a nationwide list of verified eligible voters, a move that is sure to draw legal challenges as the president continues to demand further restrictions on voting ahead of this year's midterm elections. The order calls on the Department of Homeland Security, working in conjunction with the Social Security Administration, to make the list of eligible voters in each state. It also seeks to bar the US Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to those not on each state's approved list, although the president likely lacks the power to mandate what the Postal Service does. Trump is also calling for ballots to have secure envelopes with unique barcodes for tracking, according to the executive order, which was first reported by the Daily Caller. "I think it's going to be really great," Trump said. Yet Tuesday's order is expected to prompt legal challenges, as the president continues to try to interfere with state-run ...

Italy refuses US aircraft use of Sicily base for West Asia ops: Report

Daily Corriere della Sera reported "some U.S. bombers" had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before heading to the West Asia. It did not say when they had been due to land

Indian-origin Mangala Kuppa appointed as CIO of US labour department

Indian-origin technology leader Mangala Kuppa has been appointed the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the US Department of Labour, formalising her role after serving in an acting capacity since October last year. Kuppa, who also serves as the department's Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, was appointed earlier this month. She will continue to oversee information technology strategy, digital transformation and AI adoption across the agency. In a LinkedIn post confirming her appointment, Kuppa said she was "grateful for the opportunity to keep serving and making a difference". A seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of experience, Kuppa has played a key role in advancing the department's modernisation agenda, including development of enterprise AI strategy, expansion of data platforms and strengthening cybersecurity systems. She joined the Labour Department in 2010 and has since held several senior positions, including Chief Technology Officer and Director of Busine

US going to achieve objective in weeks, Iran at its weakest point: Rubio

US Secretary of State said Prez Trump has several options on the table to prevent Iran's hegemony over the strait

Will blow up Iran's energy sites if no ceasefire is reached soon: Trump

In a social media post, Trump said the United States would "conclude its 'lovely' stay" by blowing up Iran's civilian and energy infrastructure

US unveils 'Greater North America' strategy to redefine regional security

Plan outlines expanded northern security perimeter, urges allies to share defence responsibilities

Dozens arrested in LA as 'No Kings' protests against Trump sweeps US

Authorities in Los Angeles deployed tear gas near a federal detention centre and made dozens of arrests following one of thousands of "No Kings" rallies held this weekend across the United States and in Europe to protest President Donald Trump's actions and the war in Iran. Los Angeles police said Sunday that 74 people were arrested for failing to heed a dispersal order that was given after Saturday's rally ended. One other person was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing a weapon that police described as a dagger. The arrests stood out from what otherwise were mostly peaceful protests. Organisers said there were more than 3,100 events registered in all 50 US states. As hundreds of protesters surrounded a federal complex in downtown Los Angeles, some threw rocks, bottles and broken concrete blocks at officers, the US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement late Saturday night. Two officers who were struck by concrete blocks sustained undetermined injuries and ..

North Korea conducts test for missile capable of targeting US mainland

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of a high-thrust, solid-fuel engine test and hailed it as a development to boost the country's strategic military capability, state media reported Sunday. The test likely indicates Kim is intent on enlarging and modernising an arsenal of missiles capable of reaching the United States mainland. The report on Sunday from Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) came days after Kim delivered a speech at North Korea's Parliament pledging to irreversibly cement his country's status as a nuclear power and accusing the US of global "state terrorism and aggression," in an apparent reference to the war in the Middle East. Kim watched the ground jet test of the newly upgraded engine using a composite carbon fibre material, according to the KCNA, which reported the engine's maximum trust is 2,500 kilotons, up from about 1,971 kilotons reported in a similar solid fuel engine test in September. A push to increase the engine power is likely associated wit

Five killed after a train and a van collide in rural Mississippi in US

Five people were killed when a train and van collided in rural Mississippi, authorities said Friday. All five killed were in the van, Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry said. The lone surviving van passenger, a 23-year-old woman, was flown to a hospital, Flurry said. No one aboard the train was reported injured. The crash occurred when a Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train collided with a vehicle in a crossing, the railroad said in a statement. The location was near the town of Wiggins about 45 miles (72 kilometres) northwest of Biloxi. The Stone County Sheriff's Office was investigating the crash, the company said. "Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy," the railroad company said. The driver of the van, Ryan C Peterson, 26, and the front seat passenger, Kristina Carver, 45, were among those killed, Flurry said. Two of Carver's daughters also died, 22-year-old Emley Chamblee and 20-year-old Sarabeth Chamblee, as did 23-year-old .