Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House on his maiden state visit on Thursday to hold high-level talks with President Joe Biden, aimed at further boosting the growing Indo-US strategic relations.

Indian PM Modi received by US President & First Lady at White House

Narendra Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22, becoming the first Indian prime minister to be accorded this honour twice — his first address came in June 2016.

PM Modi In Washington: Meeting With Biden, Address to US Congress on 2nd Day

PM Narendra Modi has left New York for Washington, DC. His first engagement will be the Indus-X conference. What else is on his agenda? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: PM Modi leaves for Washington, DC

French President Emmanuel Macron called on European nations to seek more independence on airspace defense and advocated against relying too much on the US and Israel.

Macron urges Europe to develop its own air defense systems and not rely on US & Israel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged American students to come to India during his first official stop in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, as he met with US First Lady Jill Biden at the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.

Indian PM Modi invites US students to India as he kicks off official visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington DC today (June 22) on the second day of his state visit to the United States. After the bilateral talks, PM Modi will also address a joint sitting of the US Congress.

PM Modi in US: Biden-Modi to hold talks to deepen defence ties and technology cooperation

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House. PM Modi presented a sandalwood box containing an idol of lord Ganesha to POTUS Joe Biden and gifted a 7.5-carat lab-grown green diamond to FLOTUS Jill Biden.

PM Modi in US: Indian PM Modi exchanges gifts with US President & First Lady

A Russian court, on Thursday (June 22) rejected United States journalist Evan Gershkovich’s recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage. This comes nearly a month after Moscow extended his pre-trial detention for three more months until late August.&nbsp;

<h2>Russian court upholds Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention</h2>

“The appeal is rejected,” said the judge, as quoted by news agency AFP, after the short closed-door hearing. The Wall Street Journal reporter’s parents, Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, who left the Soviet Union for the US in 1979, were also in the court for the hearing on Thursday.

“The court considered the complaint brought by Gershkovich’s defence against the decision to extend his...detention, and ruled that the initial decision should be left unchanged and the complaint of the defendant’s defence should not be satisfied,” said the judge in Moscow court.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/evan-gershkovich-us-journalist-arrested-in-russia-on-charges-of-espionage-denied-bail-583727">Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail</a>

Images show Gershkovich in blue jeans and a black T-shirt as he stood in a glass box when the journalists were briefly allowed to film him before the start of the proceedings. Russia has previously said that the sensitivity of espionage charges against Gershkovich means the trial must be held in private and court documents should not be made public.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Wrongfully detained’: US ambassador</h2>

“We were extremely disappointed by the denial of his appeal,” said US Ambassador Lynne Tracy, who was not allowed inside the courtroom but addressed the reporters outside the court in Moscow, on Thursday.&nbsp;

She added, “Despite Russian officials’ public assertions about Evan’s activities, let me reiterate the US government’s firm position: the charges against him are baseless.”

Similarly, the American newspaper has vehemently denied the accusations against Gershkovich while officials in Washington, including US President Joe Biden, have called for his release and called the charges against him “baseless”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-extends-wsj-journalist-evan-gershkovichs-detention-us-calls-for-immediate-release-595697">Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release</a>

“He’s an innocent journalist, who was carrying out journalistic activities and has been wrongfully detained. Such hostage diplomacy is unacceptable,” said the US ambassador.

<h2>The accusations and appeals</h2>

Gershkovich has been accused of collecting state secrets about the Russian industrial-military complex.&nbsp;Moscow claims&nbsp;to have caught him “red-handed” earlier this year in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. &nbsp;

Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union.&nbsp;

While Gershkovich has denied the spying charges against him, if convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Last month (May 23), a Russian court extended the US journalist’s pre-trial detention till August 30.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-formally-charges-us-journalist-evan-gershkovich-with-espionage-580257">Moscow formally charges US journalist Evan Gershkovich with espionage</a>

The recent appeals by Gershkovich have been about his continued detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison ahead of his trial, for which no date has been set.

Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A Russian court, on Thursday (June 22) rejected United States journalist Evan Gershkovich’s recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage.

A Russian court, on Thursday (June 22) rejected United States journalist Evan Gershkovich’s recent appeal against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage. This comes nearly a month after Moscow extended his pre-trial detention for three more months until late August. Russian court upholds Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention “The appeal is rejected,” said the judge, as quoted by news agency AFP, after the short closed-door hearing. The Wall Street Journal reporter’s parents, Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, who left the Soviet Union for the US in 1979, were also in the court for the hearing on Thursday. “The court considered the complaint brought by Gershkovich’s defence against the decision to extend his...detention, and ruled that the initial decision should be left unchanged and the complaint of the defendant’s defence should not be satisfied,” said the judge in Moscow court. ALSO READ | Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail Images show Gershkovich in blue jeans and a black T-shirt as he stood in a glass box when the journalists were briefly allowed to film him before the start of the proceedings. Russia has previously said that the sensitivity of espionage charges against Gershkovich means the trial must be held in private and court documents should not be made public. ‘Wrongfully detained’: US ambassador “We were extremely disappointed by the denial of his appeal,” said US Ambassador Lynne Tracy, who was not allowed inside the courtroom but addressed the reporters outside the court in Moscow, on Thursday. She added, “Despite Russian officials’ public assertions about Evan’s activities, let me reiterate the US government’s firm position: the charges against him are baseless.” Similarly, the American newspaper has vehemently denied the accusations against Gershkovich while officials in Washington, including US President Joe Biden, have called for his release and called the charges against him “baseless”. ALSO READ | Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release “He’s an innocent journalist, who was carrying out journalistic activities and has been wrongfully detained. Such hostage diplomacy is unacceptable,” said the US ambassador. The accusations and appeals Gershkovich has been accused of collecting state secrets about the Russian industrial-military complex. Moscow claims to have caught him “red-handed” earlier this year in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. While Gershkovich has denied the spying charges against him, if convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Last month (May 23), a Russian court extended the US journalist’s pre-trial detention till August 30. ALSO READ | Moscow formally charges US journalist Evan Gershkovich with espionage The recent appeals by Gershkovich have been about his continued detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison ahead of his trial, for which no date has been set. Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich loses appeal against extended pre-trial detention

Half of Americans believe US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

The two-day poll that closed on Wednesday showed Americans were divided along partisan lines in their views on the case, with 75 per cent&nbsp;of Republicans seeing preferential treatment compared with just 33 per cent&nbsp;of Democrats.

Most respondents said the case would not affect their likelihood of voting for the elder Biden next year when he is seeking re-election. 
 
WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax crimes

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US&nbsp;Attorney David Weiss, a federal prosecutor appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that Hunter Biden, 53, has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge.

Trump and his Republican allies charged that the plea agreement amounted to special treatment for Biden's son. Weiss was one of a few Trump-appointed prosecutors that Biden asked to stay on after he took office in January 2021, to avoid the appearance of tampering in politically sensitive investigations.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-biden-to-plead-guilty-on-two-misdemeanor-charges-on-july-26-607213">Hunter Biden to make court apperance on July 26 to plead guilty on misdemeanor charges</a>

The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with substance abuse.

He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Delaware on July 26, a court filing showed on Wednesday.

According to court filings, Hunter Biden received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018 but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-year-long-hunter-biden-probe-nears-decision-what-is-the-controversy-588735">EXPLAINED | Four-year-long Hunter Biden probe nears decision on pressing charges. What is the controversy?</a>

He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly Oct. 12 to Oct 23, 2018, when he was using and addicted to a controlled substance. For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,004 US&nbsp;adults nationwide and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points. 
 
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Half of Americans believe US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Half of Americans believe US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The two-day poll that closed on Wednesday showed Americans were divided along partisan lines in their views on the case, with 75 per cent of Republicans seeing preferential treatment compared with just 33 per cent of Democrats. Most respondents said the case would not affect their likelihood of voting for the elder Biden next year when he is seeking re-election. WATCH | Gravitas: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax crimes US Attorney David Weiss, a federal prosecutor appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that Hunter Biden, 53, has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge. Trump and his Republican allies charged that the plea agreement amounted to special treatment for Biden's son. Weiss was one of a few Trump-appointed prosecutors that Biden asked to stay on after he took office in January 2021, to avoid the appearance of tampering in politically sensitive investigations. ALSO READ | Hunter Biden to make court apperance on July 26 to plead guilty on misdemeanor charges The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with substance abuse. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Delaware on July 26, a court filing showed on Wednesday. According to court filings, Hunter Biden received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018 but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED | Four-year-long Hunter Biden probe nears decision on pressing charges. What is the controversy? He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly Oct. 12 to Oct 23, 2018, when he was using and addicted to a controlled substance. For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction. The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,004 US adults nationwide and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Half of Americans think US President Joe Biden's son received special treatment, shows poll

As the Indian Prime Minister holds talk with Joe Biden, a new era in the India- US ties is poised to begin. During an interview accessed by WION, a member of House of Representatives RO Khanna spoke on what is expected out of these meetings.

US Congressman RO Khanna on Significance of Modi-Biden Meeting

After leading huge multi-country Yoga celebrations at the UN Headquarters Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Washington DC. He is set to have bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden, address a joint session at the US Congress, and also attend a state dinner at the White House. The US capital city has rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi watch to know more.

PM Modi's state visit to the US: Private dinner with Bidens at White House

The Bidens hosted PM Modi at the White House. PM Modi gifted a handcrafted sandalwood box to Joe Biden with ‘Das Danam’ which means ten donations.

PM Modi’s gifts to the Bidens

A special plant-based cuisine is being prepared for PM Modi and the 400 guests invited to the State dinner at the White House.

STATE DINNER: What’s cooking for PM Modi and guests?

The founder of OneTaste, a sexual wellness company that claims to teach "orgasmic meditation," plans to challenge a federal criminal charge that she surveilled group members and withheld promised wages, her lawyer said on Wednesday.

Reid Weingarten, a lawyer for Nicole Daedone, told U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati in a hearing in Brooklyn federal court that the indictment made public earlier this month lacked details and that he would move to dismiss it.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-planning-to-ease-living-and-working-for-indians-with-new-visa-rule-as-pm-modi-vists-607139">US planning new H-1B visa rule to ease living, working for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits</a>

"Who are they saying were the victims?" Weingarten said. "Who are the slaves that we enslaved?"

Daedone, who also served as OneTaste's chief executive until 2017, and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz have each pleaded not guilty to one count of forced labour conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say they induced volunteers, contractors and employees to incur debt to take courses that they claimed could heal sexual trauma and dysfunction, and instructed them to engage in sex acts for "freedom and enlightenment." 
 
Jenny Kramer, a lawyer for Cherwitz, told Gujarati her client denied the charges.

WATCH |&nbsp;Indian Diaspora expresses excitement over PM Modi's US Visit

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Founded in 2004, California-based OneTaste was the subject last year of the Netflix documentary "Orgasm Inc," which followed its rise and includes interviews with former members.

The company has said it has cooperated with prosecutors but called the charges the culmination of a "misogynistic" campaign to "tear down a feminine empowerment project."

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The founder of OneTaste, a sexual wellness company that claims to teach "orgasmic meditation," plans to challenge a federal criminal charge that she surveilled group members and withheld promised wages, her lawyer said on Wednesday.

The founder of OneTaste, a sexual wellness company that claims to teach "orgasmic meditation," plans to challenge a federal criminal charge that she surveilled group members and withheld promised wages, her lawyer said on Wednesday. Reid Weingarten, a lawyer for Nicole Daedone, told U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati in a hearing in Brooklyn federal court that the indictment made public earlier this month lacked details and that he would move to dismiss it. ALSO READ | US planning new H-1B visa rule to ease living, working for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits "Who are they saying were the victims?" Weingarten said. "Who are the slaves that we enslaved?" Daedone, who also served as OneTaste's chief executive until 2017, and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz have each pleaded not guilty to one count of forced labour conspiracy. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say they induced volunteers, contractors and employees to incur debt to take courses that they claimed could heal sexual trauma and dysfunction, and instructed them to engage in sex acts for "freedom and enlightenment." Jenny Kramer, a lawyer for Cherwitz, told Gujarati her client denied the charges. WATCH | Indian Diaspora expresses excitement over PM Modi's US Visit × Founded in 2004, California-based OneTaste was the subject last year of the Netflix documentary "Orgasm Inc," which followed its rise and includes interviews with former members. The company has said it has cooperated with prosecutors but called the charges the culmination of a "misogynistic" campaign to "tear down a feminine empowerment project." WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US 'orgasmic meditation' group founder to challenge forced labour charges

Gifts were also exchanged between PM Modi and the US President. PM Modi presented a special sandalwood box as a gift to Joe Biden, which has been handmade by a master craftsman from Jaipur, Rajasthan. The sandalwood sourced from Mysore, Karnataka has intricately carved flora and fauna patterns.

PM Modi US Visit: Indian PM Gifts 7.5-carat green diamond to Joe Biden`s Wife

The son of American President Biden, Hunter Biden, has acknowledged to using a handgun while pleading guilty to two federal tax offences. An agreement was reached with the justice department that would probably keep him out of jail, but it is clear that having the matter pursued will affect Joe Biden's bid for the presidency in 2024.

US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden charged with federal tax and gun offences

The United States and China have one of the world's most important and complex bilateral relationships since 1949 the countries have experienced periods of both tension and cooperation over issues including trade climate change and Taiwan a rare Beijing visit by the U.S Secretary of State saw U.S and China make progress but the two sides closed no gaps here at a Democratic party donors reception U.S President Joe Biden equated Xi Jinping with dictators before leaving China Anthony Blinken said I'm quoting here the relationship was at a point of instability and both sides have recognized the need to stabilize ties here in February a Chinese balloon which Beijing denies was a government spy vessel spent a week flying over the United States and Canada before being shot down and speaking at a campaign fundraiser in North California Biden stated that the Chinese balloon had two box Cars full of spy equipment now the U.S president said that the reason why Xi Jinping got upset was that he did not know the balloon was there.

Blinken: A profound difference between de-risking and decoupling

US-China ties: Joe Biden equates Xi Jinping with dictators

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New York on Tuesday. The Indian PM is also scheduled to meet various other US business & community leaders during his 3-day state trip. As per sources, Modi's talks with Musk will focus on Tesla's foray into the Indian market and Musk says that he is serious about Tesla's plans to establish a manufacturing base in India.

PM Modi's US Visit: US and India to focus on AI, semiconductor chips and quantum computing

India & the US are expected to sign a slew of defence agreements during PM Narendra Modi's state visit. Molly Gambhir tells you how these deals will propel India-US defence ties.

Gravitas: India, US to sign historic defence deal

The first leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official State visit to the United States begins in New York. PM will meet CEOs, Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, academicians, and professionals in the health sector today while in New York. PM will attend the UN headquarters' Yoga Day events on June 21.

PM Modi's US Visit: PM Modi greeted by Indian diaspora at New York airport

Gravitas: India-US to sign historic defence deal

Indian PM Modi and US President Joe Biden are expected to discuss sharing critical technology and cooperation in the tech space. There is already a framework in space to enable such cooperation. It is called the iCET. What is this deal all about? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: What is India-US initiative on future tech? | iCET explained

Ex-US President Donald Trump has been a figure unlike any other in the nation's history. From his initial days in Washington, he has made headlines with his statements. Is Trump the victim of a witch-hunt or is he reaping what he had sown? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Is Trump the victim of a witch-hunt?

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