Page 132 - United States

India-US partnership to grow regardless of who wins elections: USISPF CEOi

The India-US relationship would continue its upward trajectory regardless of who wins the presidential elections, USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi said, underlining that the contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump was "too close to call". The geopolitical alignment between the two countries is very strong, Aghi said in an interview with PTI on Thursday. "What are the implications, regardless of who comes in? I think India stays critical to US geopolitical ambitions. That is trying to contain the rise of aggressive China. It also serves India's interest. That it has a partner to deal with a neighbour who will never accept India as an equal partner. "The alignment geopolitically is very, very strong between the two countries. So, regardless of who comes in, either Trump or Kamala Harris, the partnership will continue to go in that direction," he said. The US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) chief said the elections are "very, v

Federal judge sets October deadlines for Trump's election interference case

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan suggested Trump's defense team was trying to drag out the case as he campaigns for a return to the White House

Americans less supportive of TikTok ban ahead of govt deadline: Survey

Pew found that 38 per cent of US adults supported a ban last fall and 50 per cent were in favor in March 2023

Hunter Biden wants to change not guilty plea in federal tax evasion case

Hunter Biden wants to change his not guilty plea to avoid going to trial on federal tax evasion charges , his defence attorney said Thursday, appearing to surprise prosecutors and the judge just as jury selection was set to begin. Defence attorney Abbe Lowell told the judge that the evidence against Hunter Biden is overwhelming and that the president's son wants to resolve the case with a plea instead of going to trial for a second time just months after he was convicted of felony gun charges in a separate case. But prosecutors are objecting to the proposed Alford plea, under which a defendant maintains their innocence but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to secure a conviction. Hunter Biden is not innocent. Hunter Biden is guilty, prosecutor Leo Wise said. He is not entitled to plead guilty on special terms that apply only to him. The Justice Department charged Hunter Biden with misdemeanour and felony charges over what prosecutors say was a four-year scheme to avoid

High-level delegation of US pension funds to visit India next week

These funds with $1.8 trillion AUM are looking to bet big on India

Glenmark to pay $25 million as part of settlement with US authorities

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has agreed to pay USD 25 million as part of a settlement with the US Department of Justice regarding a case related to the pricing of a generic drug. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mumbai-based drug maker, has agreed to pay the amount in six installments over five years, with interest on the settlement amount at a rate of 4.25 per cent per annum from May 28, 2024, the company said in a late night regulatory filing on Wednesday. The Civil Division of the US Department of Justice has concluded its False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute investigation in a settlement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA, it said. "The settlement amount and interest on the settlement amount constitute restitution," the drug maker said. As noted, the settlement does not contain any admission of liability by the company, except to the extent already admitted by Glenmark in the August 2023 Deferred Prosecution Agreement, it added. Last ye

Alaska Triangle: Over 20,000 people vanished from this mysterious place

The Alaska Triangle came into the limelight when two US politicians suddenly disappeared while travelling to Juneau from Anchorage in 1972. Here's all you need to know

Right-wing influencers were duped to work for covert Russian operation: US

They have millions of followers online. They have been major players in right-wing political discourse since Donald Trump was president. And they worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation, U.S. prosecutors say. An indictment filed Wednesday alleges a media company linked to six conservative influencers including well-known personalities Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson was secretly funded by Russian state media employees to churn out English-language videos that were often consistent with the Kremlin's interest in amplifying U.S. domestic divisions in order to weaken U.S. opposition" to Russian interests, like its war in Ukraine. In addition to marking the third straight presidential election in which U.S. authorities have unveiled politically charged details about Russia's attempted interference in U.S. politics, an indictment indicates how Moscow may be attempting to capitalize on the skyrocketing popularity of right-wing podcasters

President Biden close to blocking Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel

US Steel had earlier warned that a failure to conclude a deal with Japan-based Nippon would put thousands of US union jobs at risk

Israel's Netanyahu demands open-ended control of Gaza's border with Egypt

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel must keep open-ended control of Gaza's border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail cease-fire efforts. Netanyahu's comments came as the United States is developing a new proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release, hoping to break a long deadlock and bring an end to the nearly 11-month-old war. The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor - a narrow strip of land along Gaza's border with Egypt, seized by troops in May - has become a central obstacle in the talks. Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal. Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the U.S. and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor. And on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, which established formal ties with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, also criticized the Israeli ...

US welcomes role of any nation to help end Ukraine conflict, says WH

The US welcomes any nation that is willing to try to help end the conflict in Ukraine, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby has said. His remarks came after he was asked at a press conference on Wednesday about President Joe Biden's call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter's trip to Ukraine that was preceded by his visit to Moscow, and if he thought India could play a role in ending the war. Kirby said, "Any nation that is willing to try to help end this war and do so in keeping with President Zelenskyy's prerogatives, the Ukrainian people's prerogatives, his plan for a just peace, we would certainly welcome a role like that." On whether he thought India could play a role in bringing peace, the White House official said, "Well, we certainly hope so." In his call, Biden commended Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support f

Ex-New York official charged as 'secret agent' for Chinese government

The former New York official has been accused of using her influential government position to benefit China while enriching herself in the process

Gaza war: US expects ceasefire soon; key Philadelphi Corridor deal likely

The US is pushing Israel for a Gaza ceasefire deal as the conflict with Hamas approaches its one-year mark, with at least 40,000 Palestinians dead and extensive regional devastation in Gaza

US charges Hamas chief Sinwar, other leaders over Oct 7 attack on Israel

It also accuses Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah of providing financial support and weapons to Hamas

US elections: Campaign launched to boost Indian diaspora's participation

Ahead of the November 5 US presidential elections, an Indian diaspora group has launched a campaign to increase the policy impact and participation of Indian-American voters in the polls. Launched by non-profit institution Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), the "Indo American Votes Matter" campaign underscores the critical role the community can play in shaping the nation's future, a statement issued on Tuesday said. "As a vibrant and growing immigrant minority, Indo-Americans-- numbering approximately 4.5 million across the United States -- have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the 2024 elections. Concentrated in key swing states such as Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, the Indo-American vote could be decisive in determining the outcome of crucial races," the FIIDS said. A comprehensive survey of Indian-Americans will gather their views on both domestic and global policy matters of the US important to them

China: Anti-dumping probe into canola imports as Canada imposes EV tariff

Canada has followed the lead of the United States and European Union, and announced last week a 100 per cent tariff

Travel industry to contribute record $11 trillion to global GDP in 2024

Travel spending in the US, Chinese and German economies is expected to contribute the most to GDP

'India has trade surplus with 151 nations; deficit with 75 during Jan-June'

India has recorded trade surplus with as many as 151 countries such as the US and Netherlands, while the country has a trade deficit with 75 nations including China and Russia during the first half of this year, according to think tank GTRI. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India does not need to worry about the trade deficit from importing crude oil and coal, however, it must focus on reducing the industrial goods imports, especially from countries like China, as these threaten India's economic sovereignty. "Between January and June 2024, India had a trade surplus with 151 countries, representing 55.8 per cent of its exports and 16.5 per cent of its imports, totalling USD 72.1 billion," GTRI said in a report. The biggest surpluses were with the USA (USD 21 billion) and the Netherlands (USD 11.6 billion) during January-June this year. "India had a trade deficit with 75 countries, which accounted for 44.2 per cent of its exports and 83.5 per cent of its imports,

'At War With Ourselves': A must-read for a potential second Trump term

At War With Ourselves serves as essential reading for anyone countenancing a potential second round of Trump as a global leader

Sunita Williams assures mother of safe return amid extended space mission

Originally planned as a week-long mission, Sunita Williams' stay has been extended by several months due to repeated helium leaks and other technical challenges