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Brazil on Wednesday approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) for relief against a hefty trade tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on more than a third of US-bound exports from the Latin American powerhouse.&nbsp;The 50-percent tariff on several Brazilian goods went into force Wednesday over what Trump has termed a "witch hunt" against his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro, the former president on trial for plotting a coup.&nbsp;Sources in the government of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told AFP that Brasilia had filed a request for consultations with the US mission to the WTO -- the first formal step in the trade body's dispute settlement process.&nbsp;Donald Trump's latest tariff salvo raised duties on Brazil from 10 percent to 50 percent for key exports, including coffee, beef, and sugar.&nbsp;Exempt were nearly 700 other exports, including civilian planes, orange juice and pulp, Brazil nuts, and some iron, steel, and aluminum products.&nbsp;Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin previously told journalists the new tariff would apply to about 36 percent of the country's exports to the United States, equal to trade of about $14.5 billion last year.&nbsp;Trump's Brazil tariff is among the highest imposed on US trading partners and was framed in openly political terms, sweeping aside centuries-old trade ties and a surplus Brasilia put at $284 million last year.<h2>'Judge and jury'</h2>In an executive order last week, the Trump administration lashed out at Brazilian officials for "unjustified criminal charges" against Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly plotting to wrest back power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Lula.Trump's order also charged that the Lula government's recent policies and actions threatened the US economy, national security, and foreign policy.&nbsp;US tensions with Brazil are not likely to dissipate soon, with a Brazilian judge on Monday placing Bolsonaro under house arrest pending the outcome of his trial for contravening a social media ban.&nbsp;The judge, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, presides over Bolsonaro's trial and was himself hit with financial sanctions this week as Washington claimed he had "taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt."Moraes has clashed repeatedly with the far-right in Brazil, and with tech titan Elon Musk over the spread of online misinformation.&nbsp;Bolsonaro risks decades in prison if found guilty on the coup charges that had allegedly also included discussions to assassinate Lula and other senior officials.&nbsp;The tariff hike on Brazilian goods came a day before a separate wave of higher duties on dozens of economies ranging from the European Union to Taiwan.&nbsp;Analysts at Pantheon Macroeconomics estimate the pending increases would boost the average effective tariff rate for US imports to nearly 20 percent.&nbsp;This marks the highest level since at least the 1930s, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University.

Brazil on Wednesday approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) for relief against a hefty trade tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on more than a third of US-bound exports from the Latin American powerhouse.

Brazil on Wednesday approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) for relief against a hefty trade tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on more than a third of US-bound exports from the Latin American powerhouse. The 50-percent tariff on several Brazilian goods went into force Wednesday over what Trump has termed a "witch hunt" against his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro, the former president on trial for plotting a coup. Sources in the government of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told AFP that Brasilia had filed a request for consultations with the US mission to the WTO -- the first formal step in the trade body's dispute settlement process. Donald Trump's latest tariff salvo raised duties on Brazil from 10 percent to 50 percent for key exports, including coffee, beef, and sugar. Exempt were nearly 700 other exports, including civilian planes, orange juice and pulp, Brazil nuts, and some iron, steel, and aluminum products. Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin previously told journalists the new tariff would apply to about 36 percent of the country's exports to the United States, equal to trade of about $14.5 billion last year. Trump's Brazil tariff is among the highest imposed on US trading partners and was framed in openly political terms, sweeping aside centuries-old trade ties and a surplus Brasilia put at $284 million last year. 'Judge and jury' In an executive order last week, the Trump administration lashed out at Brazilian officials for "unjustified criminal charges" against Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly plotting to wrest back power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Lula. Trump's order also charged that the Lula government's recent policies and actions threatened the US economy, national security, and foreign policy. US tensions with Brazil are not likely to dissipate soon, with a Brazilian judge on Monday placing Bolsonaro under house arrest pending the outcome of his trial for contravening a social media ban. The judge, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, presides over Bolsonaro's trial and was himself hit with financial sanctions this week as Washington claimed he had "taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt." Moraes has clashed repeatedly with the far-right in Brazil, and with tech titan Elon Musk over the spread of online misinformation. Bolsonaro risks decades in prison if found guilty on the coup charges that had allegedly also included discussions to assassinate Lula and other senior officials. The tariff hike on Brazilian goods came a day before a separate wave of higher duties on dozens of economies ranging from the European Union to Taiwan. Analysts at Pantheon Macroeconomics estimate the pending increases would boost the average effective tariff rate for US imports to nearly 20 percent. This marks the highest level since at least the 1930s, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University.

Donald Trump's latest tariff salvo raised duties on Brazil from 10 percent to 50 percent for key exports.

Brazil seeks WTO relief against Donald Trump tariffs: Report

Data from the United Nations has revealed that the majority of the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is being intercepted before reaching the starving civilians. According to the UN Office for Project Services, out of more than 29,885 pallets of aid supplies sent by multiple agencies to Gaza, only about 4,182 have reached their destination, which is roughly 14 per cent. The rest of the 86 per cent of the aid is being looted by “either peacefully by hungry people or forcefully by armed actors during transit,” according to the data.&nbsp;The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, earlier accused armed militias of stealing the aid convoys at gunpoint. The recent revelation comes as Israel has consistently complained that most of the aid is being stolen by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.&nbsp;Although the UN is unable to determine exactly how much of the missing aid, about 23,353 tons in the last two and a half months, has been looted by Hamas militants or taken by some of the civilians in the war-torn region that is gripped with famine conditions. However, the data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.&nbsp;<h2>Situation in Gaza ‘beyond catastrophic’</h2>&nbsp;UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq on Wednesday (Aug 6) told reporters that the situation in Gaza is “beyond catastrophic”. He added that the hospitals in the region are “overstretched” with medical supplies and are “severely lacking” equipment. He said that emergency medical teams were refused entry into Gaza on Tuesday (Aug 5).&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>At least 20 killed after truck overturns</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that at least 20 people died after an aid truck overturned near the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. “Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned … while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid,” the agency’s spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.&nbsp;

The data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.

Data from the United Nations has revealed that the majority of the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is being intercepted before reaching the starving civilians. According to the UN Office for Project Services, out of more than 29,885 pallets of aid supplies sent by multiple agencies to Gaza, only about 4,182 have reached their destination, which is roughly 14 per cent. The rest of the 86 per cent of the aid is being looted by “either peacefully by hungry people or forcefully by armed actors during transit,” according to the data. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, earlier accused armed militias of stealing the aid convoys at gunpoint. The recent revelation comes as Israel has consistently complained that most of the aid is being stolen by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Although the UN is unable to determine exactly how much of the missing aid, about 23,353 tons in the last two and a half months, has been looted by Hamas militants or taken by some of the civilians in the war-torn region that is gripped with famine conditions. However, the data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game. Situation in Gaza ‘beyond catastrophic’ UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq on Wednesday (Aug 6) told reporters that the situation in Gaza is “beyond catastrophic”. He added that the hospitals in the region are “overstretched” with medical supplies and are “severely lacking” equipment. He said that emergency medical teams were refused entry into Gaza on Tuesday (Aug 5). At least 20 killed after truck overturns Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that at least 20 people died after an aid truck overturned near the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. “Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned … while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid,” the agency’s spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.

The data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.

Gaza situation ‘beyond catastrophic’: UN reveals 86% of aid does not reach starving Palestinians

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had a “highly productive meeting” with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington pushes to end the war in Ukraine. “My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-not-ruled-out-putin-says-he-s-open-to-meeting-zelensky-but-only-this-condition-is-met-1754341651169">'Not ruled out': Putin says he’s open to meeting Zelensky, but only THIS condition is met</a><h2>Three-hour Kremlin talks</h2>Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in Moscow lasted three hours, according to the Kremlin’s press office, and came just two days before a US-imposed Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face new economic penalties. It was not immediately clear if concrete progress was made, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had spoken to Witkoff after the talks and expected the administration to make “some announcements” later in the day, “maybe positive, maybe not.”The Kremlin released video footage showing Putin warmly greeting Witkoff. This was the fifth time the two men have met this year. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “useful” and “constructive,” saying they covered both the “Ukraine issue” and “perspectives for possible strategic cooperation” between Moscow and Washington.<h2>Trump grows impatient with Putin</h2>The meeting took place amid signs of Trump’s frustration with Putin over continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities despite months of US-led mediation. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the conflict within “24 hours” by using his personal rapport with the Russian leader, but he recently admitted that daily reports of civilian casualties have tested his patience.“I go home, I tell the first lady, ‘You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ And she said, ‘Oh really? Another city was just hit,’” Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office last month.<h2>New tariffs on India amid war pressure</h2>In a separate move on Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing an extra 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil. The step was seen as part of Washington’s broader campaign to squeeze Moscow economically.

US envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Putin in Moscow ahead of a US ceasefire deadline, with President Trump calling the talks “highly productive” amid Ukraine war diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had a “highly productive meeting” with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington pushes to end the war in Ukraine. “My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Also read: 'Not ruled out': Putin says he’s open to meeting Zelensky, but only THIS condition is met Three-hour Kremlin talks Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in Moscow lasted three hours, according to the Kremlin’s press office, and came just two days before a US-imposed Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face new economic penalties. It was not immediately clear if concrete progress was made, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had spoken to Witkoff after the talks and expected the administration to make “some announcements” later in the day, “maybe positive, maybe not.” The Kremlin released video footage showing Putin warmly greeting Witkoff. This was the fifth time the two men have met this year. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “useful” and “constructive,” saying they covered both the “Ukraine issue” and “perspectives for possible strategic cooperation” between Moscow and Washington. Trump grows impatient with Putin The meeting took place amid signs of Trump’s frustration with Putin over continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities despite months of US-led mediation. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the conflict within “24 hours” by using his personal rapport with the Russian leader, but he recently admitted that daily reports of civilian casualties have tested his patience. “I go home, I tell the first lady, ‘You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ And she said, ‘Oh really? Another city was just hit,’” Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office last month. New tariffs on India amid war pressure In a separate move on Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing an extra 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil. The step was seen as part of Washington’s broader campaign to squeeze Moscow economically.

US envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Putin in Moscow ahead of a US ceasefire deadline, with President Trump calling the talks “highly productive” amid Ukraine war diplomacy.

'Everyone agrees war must come to close': Trump says ‘great progress’ made in Witkoff’s three-hour talks with Putin

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports on top of 25 per cent duties imposed earlier, marking an escalation in the trade tensions. According to the executive order signed by Trump, the move has been taken in response to India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia. This comes weeks ahead of trade talks scheduled on August 25, raising questions about whether the recent decision taken by the US president is a bid to pressure India.&nbsp;“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” the executive order reads. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent.”&nbsp;Trump also threatened any retaliation against the US in the order, saying that, “Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered.”&nbsp;A similar warning to Russia was stated in the order: “Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order.”&nbsp;The recent announcement by the White House came two days after India called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”. On Monday (Aug 4), National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”&nbsp;<h2>US-India trade talks</h2>&nbsp;News agency PTI reported on July 29 that a new round of trade negotiations between India and the US will take place between August 25-29. The upcoming meetings will mark the sixth round of talks between the two nations after they failed to secure a deal before the August 1 deadline imposed by Trump&nbsp;Last month, the US president announced 25 per cent tariffs on India and several other nations, which are set to take effect from August 7, as per a statement by the White House.&nbsp;<h2>Why did the previous round of talks fail?</h2>&nbsp;According to a Reuters report citing government officials from India and the US, the previous rounds of negotiations failed due to “a mix of political misjudgment, missed signals and bitterness.” The talks faltered despite technical agreements on most issues, the report added.&nbsp;“Trump saw the issue differently and wanted more concessions,” the report said. It further cited a White House official as saying that the US did not get “a deal that we were looking for.”&nbsp;The report also added that an Indian official acknowledged that New Delhi wasn’t ready to match what others offered.

The recent announcement by the White House came two days after India called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports on top of 25 per cent duties imposed earlier, marking an escalation in the trade tensions. According to the executive order signed by Trump, the move has been taken in response to India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia. This comes weeks ahead of trade talks scheduled on August 25, raising questions about whether the recent decision taken by the US president is a bid to pressure India. “I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” the executive order reads. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent.” Trump also threatened any retaliation against the US in the order, saying that, “Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered.” A similar warning to Russia was stated in the order: “Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order.” The recent announcement by the White House came two days after India called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”. On Monday (Aug 4), National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.” US-India trade talks News agency PTI reported on July 29 that a new round of trade negotiations between India and the US will take place between August 25-29. The upcoming meetings will mark the sixth round of talks between the two nations after they failed to secure a deal before the August 1 deadline imposed by Trump Last month, the US president announced 25 per cent tariffs on India and several other nations, which are set to take effect from August 7, as per a statement by the White House. Why did the previous round of talks fail? According to a Reuters report citing government officials from India and the US, the previous rounds of negotiations failed due to “a mix of political misjudgment, missed signals and bitterness.” The talks faltered despite technical agreements on most issues, the report added. “Trump saw the issue differently and wanted more concessions,” the report said. It further cited a White House official as saying that the US did not get “a deal that we were looking for.” The report also added that an Indian official acknowledged that New Delhi wasn’t ready to match what others offered.

The recent announcement by the White House came two days after India called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”.

Is Trump using pressure tactic on India? US doubles tariffs to 50% ahead of trade talks on August 25

In a surprising move, Taiwan has launched a TV show, named "Zero Day Attack", showing what a potential Chinese invasion could look like. Partially funded by the Taiwanese government, the show hopes to raise awareness about the possible threat China poses. Beijing has always viewed self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to reunify with it someday.&nbsp;The series "Zero Day Attack" was launched over the weekend as the first episode aired.&nbsp;The show, aimed at raising awareness, has been seen otherwise by some critics. As some are raising concerns over the show being an attempt to spread fear. The show is focused on how various parts of Taiwanese society deal with the invasion.<h2>Here's what Chinese invasion would look like?</h2>One of the key scenes in the show presents a Chinese fighter jet plane crashing in the waters off Taiwan's coast, prompting Chinese warships to blockade the island for a "search and rescue".&nbsp;While Taiwanese soldiers who were manning Dadan Island, a rocky outcrop located a few kilometres from China's coast, began vanishing mysteriously.&nbsp;One night, a fishing boat lands on Dadan, triggering a signal flare into the sky as it illuminates Chinese soldiers who have spilled out of the boat and amassed on the beach.&nbsp;Moreover, the show further presents several scenarios in which an invasion could unfold and affect the lives of Taiwanese people. It includes disruption of Taiwan's communication lines; Chinese disinformation campaigns; "fifth column" supporters of China stirring up unrest; and military officials turned collaborators who conspired against Taiwan.&nbsp;In an interview with the BBC, Showrunner Cheng Hsin-mei said that she wanted to make the series to warn the Taiwanese people that the war is really coming, citing China's rising use of "disinformation campaigns and grey zone warfare to put our society in chaos and make us confused about our identity".&nbsp;While Taiwan's culture ministry has partially funded the show, the military has supported filming and production. Moreover, Chunghwa Telecoms, Taiwan's largest telecommunications company, in which the government has a minority stake, also contributed funding.

The show, aimed at raising awareness, has been seen otherwise by some critics. As some are raising concerns over the show being an attempt to spread fear. The show is focused on how various parts of Taiwanese society deal with the invasion.

In a surprising move, Taiwan has launched a TV show, named "Zero Day Attack", showing what a potential Chinese invasion could look like. Partially funded by the Taiwanese government, the show hopes to raise awareness about the possible threat China poses. Beijing has always viewed self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to reunify with it someday. The series "Zero Day Attack" was launched over the weekend as the first episode aired. The show, aimed at raising awareness, has been seen otherwise by some critics. As some are raising concerns over the show being an attempt to spread fear. The show is focused on how various parts of Taiwanese society deal with the invasion. Here's what Chinese invasion would look like? One of the key scenes in the show presents a Chinese fighter jet plane crashing in the waters off Taiwan's coast, prompting Chinese warships to blockade the island for a "search and rescue". While Taiwanese soldiers who were manning Dadan Island, a rocky outcrop located a few kilometres from China's coast, began vanishing mysteriously. One night, a fishing boat lands on Dadan, triggering a signal flare into the sky as it illuminates Chinese soldiers who have spilled out of the boat and amassed on the beach. Moreover, the show further presents several scenarios in which an invasion could unfold and affect the lives of Taiwanese people. It includes disruption of Taiwan's communication lines; Chinese disinformation campaigns; "fifth column" supporters of China stirring up unrest; and military officials turned collaborators who conspired against Taiwan. In an interview with the BBC, Showrunner Cheng Hsin-mei said that she wanted to make the series to warn the Taiwanese people that the war is really coming, citing China's rising use of "disinformation campaigns and grey zone warfare to put our society in chaos and make us confused about our identity". While Taiwan's culture ministry has partially funded the show, the military has supported filming and production. Moreover, Chunghwa Telecoms, Taiwan's largest telecommunications company, in which the government has a minority stake, also contributed funding.

The show, aimed at raising awareness, has been seen otherwise by some critics. As some are raising concerns over the show being an attempt to spread fear. The show is focused on how various parts of Taiwanese society deal with the invasion.

'Warning, the war is coming': Taiwan TV show 'Zero Day Attack' depicts what Chinese invasion could look like

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has warned that US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods could severely hurt India’s exports to the American market. “I don’t think that’s particularly good news for us, and that takes our total tariffs to 50 per cent. Then that’s going to make our goods unaffordable to a lot of people in America,” Tharoor told reporters on Thursday.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reacts-to-trump-s-additional-25-per-cent-tariff-unreasonable-unjustified-1754493361197">India reacts to Donald Trump's additional 25 per cent tariff: 'Unreasonable'</a><h2>Competitors could gain from India’s loss</h2>Tharoor cautioned that higher duties would make Indian products less competitive compared to other Asian exporters. “In particular, when you’re looking at these percentages, you have to compare them with the tariffs being levied on some of our competitors. I’m afraid that if you look at people like Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, even Bangladesh and Pakistan have lower tariffs than us. Then ultimately, people will not be buying goods from us in America if they can buy them cheaper elsewhere. So that’s not very good for our exports to America,” he said.<h2>Push to diversify export markets</h2>The Congress MP urged India to urgently expand its trade partnerships beyond the US. “This means we need to very seriously diversify to other countries and other markets that may be interested in what we have to offer. We now have an FTA with the UK. We are talking to the EU. There are many countries in which hopefully we would be able to, but in the short term, it is definitely a blow,” Tharoor added.<h2>New Delhi calls tariffs ‘unfair and unreasonable’</h2>India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the new tariffs, calling them “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” “We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the MEA said in a statement. “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” it added.<h2>Tariffs linked to Russia trade and BRICS membership</h2>The fresh duties come on top of a 25% tariff introduced on 1 August, with the new levy to take effect 21 days later. The combined 50% rate will apply to most Indian goods, except a small exemption list. Trump said the penalties were linked to India’s continued imports of Russian oil and military products, as well as its participation in the BRICS bloc, which he described as “anti-American.” The move is part of Washington’s wider pressure campaign on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor warned that US President Trump’s new 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total duties to 50%, could hurt exports, benefit competitors, and push India to diversify trade markets.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has warned that US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods could severely hurt India’s exports to the American market. “I don’t think that’s particularly good news for us, and that takes our total tariffs to 50 per cent. Then that’s going to make our goods unaffordable to a lot of people in America,” Tharoor told reporters on Thursday. Also read: India reacts to Donald Trump's additional 25 per cent tariff: 'Unreasonable' Competitors could gain from India’s loss Tharoor cautioned that higher duties would make Indian products less competitive compared to other Asian exporters. “In particular, when you’re looking at these percentages, you have to compare them with the tariffs being levied on some of our competitors. I’m afraid that if you look at people like Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, even Bangladesh and Pakistan have lower tariffs than us. Then ultimately, people will not be buying goods from us in America if they can buy them cheaper elsewhere. So that’s not very good for our exports to America,” he said. Push to diversify export markets The Congress MP urged India to urgently expand its trade partnerships beyond the US. “This means we need to very seriously diversify to other countries and other markets that may be interested in what we have to offer. We now have an FTA with the UK. We are talking to the EU. There are many countries in which hopefully we would be able to, but in the short term, it is definitely a blow,” Tharoor added. New Delhi calls tariffs ‘unfair and unreasonable’ India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the new tariffs, calling them “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” “We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the MEA said in a statement. “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” it added. Tariffs linked to Russia trade and BRICS membership The fresh duties come on top of a 25% tariff introduced on 1 August, with the new levy to take effect 21 days later. The combined 50% rate will apply to most Indian goods, except a small exemption list. Trump said the penalties were linked to India’s continued imports of Russian oil and military products, as well as its participation in the BRICS bloc, which he described as “anti-American.” The move is part of Washington’s wider pressure campaign on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor warned that US President Trump’s new 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total duties to 50%, could hurt exports, benefit competitors, and push India to diversify trade markets.

Tharoor warns Trump’s 50% tariff will make Indian goods ‘unaffordable’ in US

Several parts of Fort Stewart, a US Army base in southeast Georgia, were shut down on Wednesday after an active shooter was reported in the sprawling post. The Army facility informed the masses about the situation on Facebook, saying there were several casualties and the situation "is ongoing".&nbsp;"We are currently assessing the situation, but we can confirm an active shooter," Lt. Col. Angel Tomko was quoted as saying by AP.&nbsp;Fort Stewart's Facebook page had told all personnel in the area to stay inside and lock all windows and doors.&nbsp;Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. It houses thousands of soldiers of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and their families. All gates of Fort Stewart are closed.&nbsp;The nature of the casualties is unclear.&nbsp;The Facebook post said that Fort Stewart was closed down at 11.04 am local time, and law enforcement was on the scene of the incident.&nbsp;Around 10,000 personnel and their family members live on the army base.&nbsp;Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on X that he was in "close contact" with law enforcement.&nbsp;"We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," he said.

Several parts of Fort Stewart, a US Army base in southeast Georgia, were shut down on Wednesday after an active shooter was reported in the sprawling post. The Army facility informed the masses about the situation on Facebook, saying there were several casualties and the situation "is ongoing".

Several parts of Fort Stewart, a US Army base in southeast Georgia, were shut down on Wednesday after an active shooter was reported in the sprawling post. The Army facility informed the masses about the situation on Facebook, saying there were several casualties and the situation "is ongoing". "We are currently assessing the situation, but we can confirm an active shooter," Lt. Col. Angel Tomko was quoted as saying by AP. Fort Stewart's Facebook page had told all personnel in the area to stay inside and lock all windows and doors. Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. It houses thousands of soldiers of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and their families. All gates of Fort Stewart are closed. The nature of the casualties is unclear. The Facebook post said that Fort Stewart was closed down at 11.04 am local time, and law enforcement was on the scene of the incident. Around 10,000 personnel and their family members live on the army base. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on X that he was in "close contact" with law enforcement. "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," he said.

Fort Stewart shooting: The Army facility&nbsp;informed the masses about the situation on Facebook, saying there were several casualties.

Active shooter at US Army base Fort Stewart in Georgia, 5 soldiers injured

The Indian economy is “doing very well” and contributing more to global growth than the US, Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump’s remark of India being a dead economy.The country is expected to grow 6.5 per cent, as against the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) estimate of about 3 per cent global growth in 2025, Malhotra told reporters at the central bank headquarters here.“We are contributing about 18 per cent, which is more than the US where the contribution is expected to be much less — about 11 per cent or something. We are doing very well and we will continue to improve further,” Malhotra said, replying to a question on Trump’s recent comments.Malhotra said the aspirational growth rate for India should be more than 6.5 per cent, which the RBI is projecting for FY25, and added that the country has grown at a yearly average of 7.8 per cent in the past.Amid the trade policy negotiations, Trump had called India as a “dead economy” while expressing disappointment with New Delhi’s posturing to continue buying cheap oil from Russia.“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together,” Trump had reportedly said.This statement and the ones following that were as sharp a critique, while having the potential to destabilise the India-US relationship, have also led to concerns over exact tariffs and penalties for buying Russian oil that await India from the Trump administration.Malhotra said the RBI does not expect any impact on inflation because of the tariff-related aspects, while Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta elaborated that there will not be any first order impact of the geopolitical issues on the domestic inflation.Even in the event of India being forced to shift away from Russian oil because of US concerns, there will not be any impact on domestic inflation, Malhotra said.He said this fiscal year, authorities will step in to ensure that the purchase prices of petroleum prices do not pinch the common man, hinting of a possible cut in duties if the oil becomes dearer.

The RBI governor said the aspirational growth rate for India should be more than 6.5 per cent, which the RBI is projecting for FY25, and added that the country has grown at a yearly average of 7.8 per cent in the past.

The Indian economy is “doing very well” and contributing more to global growth than the US, Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump’s remark of India being a dead economy. The country is expected to grow 6.5 per cent, as against the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) estimate of about 3 per cent global growth in 2025, Malhotra told reporters at the central bank headquarters here. “We are contributing about 18 per cent, which is more than the US where the contribution is expected to be much less — about 11 per cent or something. We are doing very well and we will continue to improve further,” Malhotra said, replying to a question on Trump’s recent comments. Malhotra said the aspirational growth rate for India should be more than 6.5 per cent, which the RBI is projecting for FY25, and added that the country has grown at a yearly average of 7.8 per cent in the past. Amid the trade policy negotiations, Trump had called India as a “dead economy” while expressing disappointment with New Delhi’s posturing to continue buying cheap oil from Russia. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together,” Trump had reportedly said. This statement and the ones following that were as sharp a critique, while having the potential to destabilise the India-US relationship, have also led to concerns over exact tariffs and penalties for buying Russian oil that await India from the Trump administration. Malhotra said the RBI does not expect any impact on inflation because of the tariff-related aspects, while Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta elaborated that there will not be any first order impact of the geopolitical issues on the domestic inflation. Even in the event of India being forced to shift away from Russian oil because of US concerns, there will not be any impact on domestic inflation, Malhotra said. He said this fiscal year, authorities will step in to ensure that the purchase prices of petroleum prices do not pinch the common man, hinting of a possible cut in duties if the oil becomes dearer.

The RBI governor said the aspirational growth rate for India should be more than 6.5 per cent, which the RBI is projecting for FY25, and added that the country has grown at a yearly average of 7.8 per cent in the past.

RBI governor reacts to Trump's 'dead economy' remark - Here's how he defended India

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which has been making the headlines recently, has taken a new turn as unseen letters and photographs have emerged, revealing the late sex offender's shocking connections with some of the biggest personalities, including Elon Musk, Bill Clinton and the Saudi Arabian crown prince. Not just this, some major photographs are out, showing his life at his Manhattan mansion.&nbsp;The New York Times published a bunch of unseen letters and photographs, revealing Epstein's hidden life. It included a letter written to Epstein by high-profile individuals, given to him on his 63rd birthday in 2016.&nbsp;Along with letters, the Times also published photos from inside his seven-story New York mansion. One of the images shows a taxidermied tiger and reportedly shows a green first edition copy of Lolita, which is a controversial 1955 novel about a middle-aged man’s sexual obsession with and sexual abuse and rape of a 12-year-old girl.<h2>Inside his Manhattan mansion</h2>Moreover, surveillance cameras were spotted in his bedroom and an adjoining room. In his "massage room", there were paintings of naked women, shelves of lubricant and a large silver ball and chain. Notably, many underage victims have said that they were sexually assaulted by Epstein in his massage room.&nbsp;In other photographs revealed by The Times, Epstein is pictured alongside his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison. He was also pictured with Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, Pope John Paul II, Mick Jagger, Fidel Castro, Larry Summers, and Richard Branson.Here's what the letters reveal&nbsp;The letters, which were written by some of the high-profile people, were compiled and given as a birthday gift to Jeffrey Epstein. In one of the letters from filmmaker Woody Allen, he recalled Epstein's dinner parties at his Upper East Side townhouse, calling them "always interesting".&nbsp;He further said that the parties included "politicians, scientists, teachers, magicians, comedians, intellectuals, journalists, and even royalty”.&nbsp;The filmmaker further described the dinners as "Well served", adding, "I say well served – often it’s by some professional houseman and just as often by several young women” who he said reminded him of “Castle Dracula where Lugosi has three young female vampires who service the place.”&nbsp;Another letter was written by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his wife. They wrote, "There is no limit to your curiosity. You are like a closed book to many of them, but you know everything about everyone." They further described Epstein as “A COLLECTOR OF PEOPLE”.&nbsp;“May you enjoy a long and healthy life and may all of us, your friends, enjoy your table for many more years to come," the two added.&nbsp;Other letters were from billionaire media mogul Mortimer Zuckerman; Noam Chomsky and his wife; Joichi Ito, the former head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab; physicist Lawrence M Krauss; and Harvard biologist and mathematician Martin Nowak.&nbsp;When requested for comment, Krauss reportedly said that he did not recall the letter but did attend "several lunches with interesting discussions" with authors, scientists and others at Epstein's house.Moreover, in his mansion, there was a map of Israel drawn on a chalkboard that had the signature of former Israeli prime minister Barak.&nbsp;

The New York Times published a bunch of unseen letters and photographs, revealing Epstein's hidden life. It included a letter written to Epstein by high-profile individuals, given to him on his 63rd birthday in 2016. 

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which has been making the headlines recently, has taken a new turn as unseen letters and photographs have emerged, revealing the late sex offender's shocking connections with some of the biggest personalities, including Elon Musk, Bill Clinton and the Saudi Arabian crown prince. Not just this, some major photographs are out, showing his life at his Manhattan mansion. The New York Times published a bunch of unseen letters and photographs, revealing Epstein's hidden life. It included a letter written to Epstein by high-profile individuals, given to him on his 63rd birthday in 2016. Along with letters, the Times also published photos from inside his seven-story New York mansion. One of the images shows a taxidermied tiger and reportedly shows a green first edition copy of Lolita, which is a controversial 1955 novel about a middle-aged man’s sexual obsession with and sexual abuse and rape of a 12-year-old girl. Inside his Manhattan mansion Moreover, surveillance cameras were spotted in his bedroom and an adjoining room. In his "massage room", there were paintings of naked women, shelves of lubricant and a large silver ball and chain. Notably, many underage victims have said that they were sexually assaulted by Epstein in his massage room. In other photographs revealed by The Times, Epstein is pictured alongside his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison. He was also pictured with Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, Pope John Paul II, Mick Jagger, Fidel Castro, Larry Summers, and Richard Branson. Here's what the letters reveal The letters, which were written by some of the high-profile people, were compiled and given as a birthday gift to Jeffrey Epstein. In one of the letters from filmmaker Woody Allen, he recalled Epstein's dinner parties at his Upper East Side townhouse, calling them "always interesting". He further said that the parties included "politicians, scientists, teachers, magicians, comedians, intellectuals, journalists, and even royalty”. The filmmaker further described the dinners as "Well served", adding, "I say well served – often it’s by some professional houseman and just as often by several young women” who he said reminded him of “Castle Dracula where Lugosi has three young female vampires who service the place.” Another letter was written by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his wife. They wrote, "There is no limit to your curiosity. You are like a closed book to many of them, but you know everything about everyone." They further described Epstein as “A COLLECTOR OF PEOPLE”. “May you enjoy a long and healthy life and may all of us, your friends, enjoy your table for many more years to come," the two added. Other letters were from billionaire media mogul Mortimer Zuckerman; Noam Chomsky and his wife; Joichi Ito, the former head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab; physicist Lawrence M Krauss; and Harvard biologist and mathematician Martin Nowak. When requested for comment, Krauss reportedly said that he did not recall the letter but did attend "several lunches with interesting discussions" with authors, scientists and others at Epstein's house. Moreover, in his mansion, there was a map of Israel drawn on a chalkboard that had the signature of former Israeli prime minister Barak.

The New York Times published a bunch of unseen letters and photographs, revealing Epstein's hidden life. It included a letter written to Epstein by high-profile individuals, given to him on his 63rd birthday in 2016.&nbsp;

Epstein scandal: Unseen photos reveal shocking connections with Musk, Bill Clinton - See secrets hidden in his NY mansion

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 5) imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on India, doubling it, making it 50 per cent now in total. On Tuesday, Trump warned that he would be raising the tariff in the next 24 hours, over India's buying Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war.&nbsp;The US president signed an executive order, imposing additional 25 per cent tariffs on India as they "directly or indirectly" import Russian oil.&nbsp;"I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," Trump stated in the order.&nbsp;He added, "Articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent." Trump said that the rate of duty will be effective on or after 12:01 am, 21 days after the date of this order.&nbsp;Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered.<h2>What will happen if India retaliates?</h2>In the executive order, Trump also stated the basis on which the order can be modified in the future. He stated that he might modify the order, "including in light of additional information, recommendations from senior officials, or changed circumstances."&nbsp;If India retaliates, the US president might modify the order to ensure the efficacy of the actions mentioned in the order.&nbsp;"Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered," the order read.&nbsp;"Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order," he added.&nbsp;Trump further warned that if his secretary of commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, and along with other officials will “recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country.”

The US president signed an executive order, imposing additional 25 per cent tariffs on India as they "directly or indirectly" import Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 5) imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on India, doubling it, making it 50 per cent now in total. On Tuesday, Trump warned that he would be raising the tariff in the next 24 hours, over India's buying Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war. The US president signed an executive order, imposing additional 25 per cent tariffs on India as they "directly or indirectly" import Russian oil. "I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," Trump stated in the order. He added, "Articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent." Trump said that the rate of duty will be effective on or after 12:01 am, 21 days after the date of this order. Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered. What will happen if India retaliates? In the executive order, Trump also stated the basis on which the order can be modified in the future. He stated that he might modify the order, "including in light of additional information, recommendations from senior officials, or changed circumstances." If India retaliates, the US president might modify the order to ensure the efficacy of the actions mentioned in the order. "Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered," the order read. "Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order," he added. Trump further warned that if his secretary of commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, and along with other officials will “recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country.”

The US president signed an executive order, imposing additional 25 per cent tariffs on India as they "directly or indirectly" import Russian oil.

What will happen if India retaliates against US tariffs? Trump WARNS after imposing 50% import duties over buying Russian oil

Operations at the United Kingdom's Birmingham Airport were temporarily halted on Wednesday (August 8) after an "aircraft incident". The airport shut its runway following the incident.After the "airport incident", flights have been put on hold at the airport as passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling."Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause," Birmingham Airport said in a statement, shortly after 2:40 pm (local time).“We will keep passengers already at the airport informed, and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport," it added.One passenger at the airport told The Standard that they could see fire engines on the runway near a small airplane. Moreover, one person has suffered injuries, the police said, according to the BBC.The police force in an update on social media said, "A small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries."Moreover, following the incident, the website for Birmingham Airport has gone down and it has been down for an hour now. This led to the police force beginning an investigation. The police said that the Civil Aviation Authority has been informed of the incident and "the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out".

After the "airport incident", flights have been put on hold at the airport as passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling.

Operations at the United Kingdom's Birmingham Airport were temporarily halted on Wednesday (August 8) after an "aircraft incident". The airport shut its runway following the incident. After the "airport incident", flights have been put on hold at the airport as passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling. "Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause," Birmingham Airport said in a statement, shortly after 2:40 pm (local time). “We will keep passengers already at the airport informed, and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport," it added. One passenger at the airport told The Standard that they could see fire engines on the runway near a small airplane. Moreover, one person has suffered injuries, the police said, according to the BBC. The police force in an update on social media said, "A small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries." Moreover, following the incident, the website for Birmingham Airport has gone down and it has been down for an hour now. This led to the police force beginning an investigation. The police said that the Civil Aviation Authority has been informed of the incident and "the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out".

After the "airport incident", flights have been put on hold at the airport as passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight before travelling.

'Aircraft incident': UK's Birmingham Airport shuts runway, passengers warned

In an escalation in the trade tensions between the United States and India, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports into the US. According to the executive order, the move has been taken against India for directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia. The tariffs are set to take effect in three weeks and will be added on top of the 25 per cent levies earlier announced by Trump.&nbsp;“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” the order reads. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent.”&nbsp;The order threatened potential penalties on other countries deemed to be “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NEW: President Donald J. Trump just signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Here is the text of the Order: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the…&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953092521753473316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The US president further threatened in the order, “Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered.”&nbsp;It further warned Russia against taking any step, “Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order.”&nbsp;Earlier on Monday (Aug 4), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the US tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”, adding that “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Moscow to hold meetings with senior Russian officials on Thursday (Aug 7) over India-Russia defence and security cooperation, oil sanctions, and an upcoming Modi-Putin summit.

According to US President Donald Trump’s executive order, the move has been taken against India for directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia.

In an escalation in the trade tensions between the United States and India, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports into the US. According to the executive order, the move has been taken against India for directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia. The tariffs are set to take effect in three weeks and will be added on top of the 25 per cent levies earlier announced by Trump. “I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” the order reads. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent.” The order threatened potential penalties on other countries deemed to be “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.”

According to US President Donald Trump’s executive order, the move has been taken against India for directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia.

Trump imposes additional 25% tariff on India over continued purchase of Russian oil

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly clashed over the political push for full Gaza occupation. Zamir argued that the decision is a ‘trap’ for the IDF. According to the report by the Hebrew Media the two men clashed on social media over the post by prime minister’s son, Yair Netanyahu who rebuked Amir claiming he was behind a “rebellion and attempted military coup that is fit for a banana republic in Central America in the 70s".Zamir lashed out, "How does that look? Why are you attacking me? Why are you speaking against me in the middle of a war?”Netanyahu responded,“Don’t threaten to quit in the media. I can’t accept that every time you threaten that if we don’t accept your plans, you’ll leave. My son is 33, he’s a grown man."Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for full military takeover of Gaza, &nbsp;backed by far-right coalition members including Itamar Ben‑Gvir and supported by public endorsements from his son Yair Netanyahu. Zamir has openly opposed that plan and warn that this will endanger the life of the hostages. He also warned that this operation will significantly erode the capacity of the Israeli military.Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly defended Zamir, saying that it was his responsibilty to offer counsel on military and strategy operation. This latest spat happened reportedly three-hour meeting of a limited group of ministers before the voting of Thursday to go ahead with the full occupation of Gaza. Netanayhu is ready to go ahaed with the plan a long standing demand of the far right member.&nbsp;&nbsp;

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had reportedly clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his push for full occupation ahead of the cabinet voting of Thursday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly clashed over the political push for full Gaza occupation. Zamir argued that the decision is a ‘trap’ for the IDF. According to the report by the Hebrew Media the two men clashed on social media over the post by prime minister’s son, Yair Netanyahu who rebuked Amir claiming he was behind a “rebellion and attempted military coup that is fit for a banana republic in Central America in the 70s". Zamir lashed out, "How does that look? Why are you attacking me? Why are you speaking against me in the middle of a war?” Netanyahu responded,“Don’t threaten to quit in the media. I can’t accept that every time you threaten that if we don’t accept your plans, you’ll leave. My son is 33, he’s a grown man." Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for full military takeover of Gaza, backed by far-right coalition members including Itamar Ben‑Gvir and supported by public endorsements from his son Yair Netanyahu. Zamir has openly opposed that plan and warn that this will endanger the life of the hostages. He also warned that this operation will significantly erode the capacity of the Israeli military. Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly defended Zamir, saying that it was his responsibilty to offer counsel on military and strategy operation. This latest spat happened reportedly three-hour meeting of a limited group of ministers before the voting of Thursday to go ahead with the full occupation of Gaza. Netanayhu is ready to go ahaed with the plan a long standing demand of the far right member.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had reportedly clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his push for full occupation ahead of the cabinet voting on Thursday.

IDF chief Eyal Zamir CLASHES with Benjamin Netanyahu, warns full occupation of Gaza is a 'trap'

A few days ago, the Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg approached Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI and now the founder of the AI startup ‘Thinking Machines Lab,’ with an offer to acquire her startup for $1 billion. Instead of this handsome offer, Murati turned it down. In response, Zuckerberg launched a full-scale raid to recruit her top talent.&nbsp;One of the biggest targets of her company was Andrew Tulloch, a popular machine learning expert and cofounder of Thinking Machines, who was offered $1.5 billion over six years. But Tulloch also refused the extraordinary offer.<h3>Who is Mira Murati?</h3>She is an Albanian-American engineer, business executive, and leading figure in the artificial intelligence field who is widely known as the former chief technology officer at OpenAI, where she played a key role in the development of ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Codex systems.&nbsp;Later, she resigned from OpenAI in September 2024 and subsequently founded Thinking Machines Lab, an AI public benefit corporation based in San Francisco, in February 2025. Her work helped bring generative AI into the mainstream, leading a series of innovations globally across industries from education and healthcare to design and coding.&nbsp;After the launch of 'Thinking Machines' in 2025, the platform quickly emerged as one of the most-watched AI startups. The company recently raised a stunning $2 billion seed round at a valuation nearing $12 billion, led by Andreessen Horowitz, despite not launching a single product yet.<h3>What is Mira Murati’s net worth in 2025?</h3>The estimated net worth of Mira Murati is approximately $1.4 billion, primarily driven by her 14 per cent equity stake in her AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab. Her company achieved a valuation of $10–12 billion after a major funding round in July 2025, according to a report in Finance Monthly.<h3>Why did Mira Murati reject Mark Zuckerberg’s $1 billion offer?</h3>Mira Murati rejected Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's $1 billion offer, as she and her team at the Thinking Machines Lab prioritised independence, long-term vision, and the potential impact of their mission over immediate financial gain. Her startup focused on creating customizable, interpretable, and widely accessible AI systems that could redefine the AI landscape.&nbsp;

Before launching her AI startup, ‘Thinking Machines Lab,' in February 2025, Mira Murati was employed as CTO of OpenAI. Her work helped bring generative AI into the mainstream, which led to a series of innovations across the world.

A few days ago, the Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg approached Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI and now the founder of the AI startup ‘Thinking Machines Lab,’ with an offer to acquire her startup for $1 billion. Instead of this handsome offer, Murati turned it down. In response, Zuckerberg launched a full-scale raid to recruit her top talent. One of the biggest targets of her company was Andrew Tulloch, a popular machine learning expert and cofounder of Thinking Machines, who was offered $1.5 billion over six years. But Tulloch also refused the extraordinary offer. Who is Mira Murati? She is an Albanian-American engineer, business executive, and leading figure in the artificial intelligence field who is widely known as the former chief technology officer at OpenAI, where she played a key role in the development of ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Codex systems. Later, she resigned from OpenAI in September 2024 and subsequently founded Thinking Machines Lab, an AI public benefit corporation based in San Francisco, in February 2025. Her work helped bring generative AI into the mainstream, leading a series of innovations globally across industries from education and healthcare to design and coding. After the launch of 'Thinking Machines' in 2025, the platform quickly emerged as one of the most-watched AI startups. The company recently raised a stunning $2 billion seed round at a valuation nearing $12 billion, led by Andreessen Horowitz, despite not launching a single product yet. What is Mira Murati’s net worth in 2025? The estimated net worth of Mira Murati is approximately $1.4 billion, primarily driven by her 14 per cent equity stake in her AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab. Her company achieved a valuation of $10–12 billion after a major funding round in July 2025, according to a report in Finance Monthly. Why did Mira Murati reject Mark Zuckerberg’s $1 billion offer? Mira Murati rejected Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's $1 billion offer, as she and her team at the Thinking Machines Lab prioritised independence, long-term vision, and the potential impact of their mission over immediate financial gain. Her startup focused on creating customizable, interpretable, and widely accessible AI systems that could redefine the AI landscape.

Before launching her AI startup, ‘Thinking Machines Lab,' in February 2025, Mira Murati was employed as CTO of OpenAI. Her work helped bring generative AI into the mainstream, which led to a series of innovations across the world.

Who is Mira Murati? Founder of 'Thinking Machines Lab' who turned down Zuckerberg's $1 billion offer to join Meta AI

Iran today executed Rouzbeh Vadi, a man convicted of spying for the Israeli Intelligence agency Mossad. According to the report by Judiciary news outlet Mizan, the execution was carried out at dawn, following allegations that Vadi passed sensitive information to Israel, which ultimately led to the targeted assassination of Iranian top officials and nuclear scientist during an Israeli air strike in June.According to Iran's judiciary, Vadi was employed by one of Iran's “important and sensitive organisations,” and he was recruited by Mossad online before meeting them in Vienna, Austria. Authorities claim he handed them over information that aided Israel's 12-day airstrike. Iran has already executed seven people for espionage during the conflict with Israel, sparking fear within activists and rights groups. Iran's opaque judicial process has long been condemned by the rights group. “We see a consistent lack of fair trials, forced confessions, and executions carried out behind closed doors,” said a spokesperson from Amnesty International.Vadi's case mirrors that of Mohsen Langarneshin, who was exeçuted in April. He was accused of facilitating the 2022 assassination of Revolutionary Guard Colonel and aiding drone strikes in Isfahan. However, this aggressive response shows an attempt to deter further informants and any chances of internal conflict. The Vadi execution sheds little light on the shadowy world of intelligence warfare between Israel and Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iran executed a nuclear scientist on Wednesday, for leaking information that helped Israel carry out the nuclear strike in the 12-day-long war and led to the deaths of top officials and nuclear scientists.

Iran today executed Rouzbeh Vadi, a man convicted of spying for the Israeli Intelligence agency Mossad. According to the report by Judiciary news outlet Mizan, the execution was carried out at dawn, following allegations that Vadi passed sensitive information to Israel, which ultimately led to the targeted assassination of Iranian top officials and nuclear scientist during an Israeli air strike in June. According to Iran's judiciary, Vadi was employed by one of Iran's “important and sensitive organisations,” and he was recruited by Mossad online before meeting them in Vienna, Austria. Authorities claim he handed them over information that aided Israel's 12-day airstrike. Iran has already executed seven people for espionage during the conflict with Israel, sparking fear within activists and rights groups. Iran's opaque judicial process has long been condemned by the rights group. “We see a consistent lack of fair trials, forced confessions, and executions carried out behind closed doors,” said a spokesperson from Amnesty International. Vadi's case mirrors that of Mohsen Langarneshin, who was exeçuted in April. He was accused of facilitating the 2022 assassination of Revolutionary Guard Colonel and aiding drone strikes in Isfahan. However, this aggressive response shows an attempt to deter further informants and any chances of internal conflict. The Vadi execution sheds little light on the shadowy world of intelligence warfare between Israel and Iran.

Iran executed a nuclear scientist on Wednesday, for leaking information that helped Israel carry out the nuclear strike in the 12-day-long war and led to the deaths of top officials and nuclear scientists.

Executed for espionage: Iran hangs ‘Mossad Agent’ behind leak on assassinated nuclear scientist

Amid the ongoing standoff between the US and Russia, US &nbsp;President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (August 5). Witkoff arrived in Russia today, just two days ahead of the August 8 deadline set by Trump for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin held "constructive" talks with Witkoff in Moscow over the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin said Wednesday after the three-hour meeting.&nbsp;"A quite useful and constructive conversation took place," Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said, adding that as well as Ukraine, Russia-US strategic cooperation was discussed.&nbsp;This comes as the US keeps threatening India with tariffs over its purchase of Russian oil amid its war with Ukraine. While the Russian president has stressed that he will not end his campaign in Ukraine, according to a Bloomberg report.&nbsp;WATCH | India pushes back against US criticism on Russian oil imports | Doval's Moscow visit amid US tariff&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pushes-back-against-us-criticism-on-russian-oil-imports-doval-s-moscow-visit-amid-us-tariff-1754476165894/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pushes-back-against-us-criticism-on-russian-oil-imports-doval-s-moscow-visit-amid-us-tariff-1754476165894/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump has been frustrated with Russia over its continued war in Ukraine, as hundreds of people are getting killed. Expressing “disappointment” with the Russian leader, Trump even reduced his 50-day deadline for Russia to 10-12 days because Putin “just won't stop killing people.”<h2>Russia attacks gas transportation facilities in Ukraine</h2>Just hours before Witkoff met Putin, Russia struck a gas facility in Ukraine's Odesa region. The Russian defence ministry confirmed that they have attacked the gas transportation facilities in Ukraine.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it was an attempt to undermine Ukrainian preparations for winter, according to a Reuters report.&nbsp;“This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season, absolutely cynical, like every Russian blow to the energy sector,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.&nbsp;Notably, Ukraine has faced a major gas shortage since a series of devastating Russian missile strikes this year, significantly reducing domestic gas production.

Trump's special envoy and Russian President Putin meets as the US keeps threatening India with tariffs over its purchase of Russian oil amid its war with Ukraine.

Amid the ongoing standoff between the US and Russia, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (August 5). Witkoff arrived in Russia today, just two days ahead of the August 8 deadline set by Trump for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin held "constructive" talks with Witkoff in Moscow over the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin said Wednesday after the three-hour meeting. "A quite useful and constructive conversation took place," Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said, adding that as well as Ukraine, Russia-US strategic cooperation was discussed. This comes as the US keeps threatening India with tariffs over its purchase of Russian oil amid its war with Ukraine. While the Russian president has stressed that he will not end his campaign in Ukraine, according to a Bloomberg report. WATCH | India pushes back against US criticism on Russian oil imports | Doval's Moscow visit amid US tariff https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pushes-back-against-us-criticism-on-russian-oil-imports-doval-s-moscow-visit-amid-us-tariff-1754476165894/embed Trump has been frustrated with Russia over its continued war in Ukraine, as hundreds of people are getting killed. Expressing “disappointment” with the Russian leader, Trump even reduced his 50-day deadline for Russia to 10-12 days because Putin “just won't stop killing people.” Russia attacks gas transportation facilities in Ukraine Just hours before Witkoff met Putin, Russia struck a gas facility in Ukraine's Odesa region. The Russian defence ministry confirmed that they have attacked the gas transportation facilities in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it was an attempt to undermine Ukrainian preparations for winter, according to a Reuters report. “This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season, absolutely cynical, like every Russian blow to the energy sector,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. Notably, Ukraine has faced a major gas shortage since a series of devastating Russian missile strikes this year, significantly reducing domestic gas production.

Trump's special envoy and Russian President Putin meets as the US keeps threatening India with tariffs over its purchase of Russian oil amid its war with Ukraine.

'Discussed Ukraine conflict': Trump's envoy Witkoff holds 'three-hour' long meeting with Putin amid US-Russia standoff

The US administration is set to halt projects aimed at developing vaccines that fight respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and the flu. These projects are worth $500 million, and the Trump administration is looking to pull funding for these projects.&nbsp;The Department of Health and Human Services will soon be cancelling contracts and pulling funding, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced. The vaccines that were under development were using mRNA technology.&nbsp;WATCH | Ex‑DOGE staffer mugged in Washington DC; Trump and Musk demand federal control<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ex-doge-staffer-mugged-in-washington-dc-trump-and-musk-demand-federal-control-1754479761987/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ex-doge-staffer-mugged-in-washington-dc-trump-and-musk-demand-federal-control-1754479761987/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The US HHS stated that it would terminate 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccines as it questioned the safety of a technology credited with helping end the COVID-19 pandemic and saving millions of lives.&nbsp;“To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we’re prioritising the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate," Kennedy said, criticising mRNA vaccines.&nbsp;However, certain late-stage projects were excluded from the move “to preserve prior taxpayer investment”.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-develop-common-vaccine-for-covid-19-flu-and-common-cold-8891565">Also read: Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold</a><h2>How will it affect?</h2>RFK Jr has been a major critic of the mRNA vaccines. While, experts believe that they are safe and helped in minimising the spread of coronavirus in the year 2020. According to infectious disease experts, without mRNA vaccines, future pandemics would be more difficult to stop.&nbsp;"I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, according to Associated Press.&nbsp;Not just infectious diseases, the mRNA vaccines were also being used for researching cancer immunotherapies. Earlier this year, billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison praised the vaccines for being able to treat cancer.

The Department of Health and Human Services will soon be cancelling contracts and pulling funding, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced. The vaccines that were under development were using mRNA technology.

The US administration is set to halt projects aimed at developing vaccines that fight respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and the flu. These projects are worth $500 million, and the Trump administration is looking to pull funding for these projects. The Department of Health and Human Services will soon be cancelling contracts and pulling funding, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced. The vaccines that were under development were using mRNA technology. WATCH | Ex‑DOGE staffer mugged in Washington DC; Trump and Musk demand federal control https://www.wionews.com/videos/ex-doge-staffer-mugged-in-washington-dc-trump-and-musk-demand-federal-control-1754479761987/embed The US HHS stated that it would terminate 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccines as it questioned the safety of a technology credited with helping end the COVID-19 pandemic and saving millions of lives. “To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we’re prioritising the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate," Kennedy said, criticising mRNA vaccines. However, certain late-stage projects were excluded from the move “to preserve prior taxpayer investment”. Also read: Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold How will it affect? RFK Jr has been a major critic of the mRNA vaccines. While, experts believe that they are safe and helped in minimising the spread of coronavirus in the year 2020. According to infectious disease experts, without mRNA vaccines, future pandemics would be more difficult to stop. "I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, according to Associated Press. Not just infectious diseases, the mRNA vaccines were also being used for researching cancer immunotherapies. Earlier this year, billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison praised the vaccines for being able to treat cancer.

The Department of Health and Human Services will soon be cancelling contracts and pulling funding, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced. The vaccines that were under development were using mRNA technology.

'Dangerous decision': Trump administration to halt $500 million vaccine development projects - Here's how it can affect Americans

Natural disasters like the cloudbursts, earthquakes, and tsunamis severely damage the topography of any location. Here are a few natural disasters that damaged top tourist places.

Cloudbursts, earthquakes & chaos: Top tourist places that faced natural disaster

A Russian influencer suffered a serious spinal injury after attempting the viral "stiletto challenge," inspired by Nicki Minaj's song High School. In this trend, the participants are suppose to wear high heels while striking dramatic poses to the tune of the hit track. Mariana Barutkina, who is a new mom, shared a video of herself attempting the challenge in her kitchen. However, she suffered a medical emergency because of the challenge, but does not regret the attempt as it made her an overnight star.<h2>What happened?</h2>In the clip, Mariana Barutkina is seen standing on a jar of baby food placed on a saucepan before climbing onto a countertop in stilettos. She attempts a one-foot squat in heels, managing to hold her balance for a few seconds. However, she suddenly slips and falls backward off the counter, hitting the ground and suffering a serious injury. "I decided to start blogging, the first content shooting - and here I am leaving the doctor diagnosed with 'Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body,'" Barutkina wrote in the caption. "The irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment," she added. Barutkina also said she had no regrets because this one video made her a “popular person.” "People, thank you for your popularity, for your concerns and for your comments. I'm doing great, following the guidelines and now living in "star" status," she added.&nbsp;

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<h2>What is ‘Stiletto Challenge’?</h2>The "Stiletto Challenge" is a viral social media trend where participants, often women, attempt to perform Nicki Minaj’s iconic stance from her 2013 High School music video while wearing high stiletto heels. In the video, Minaj was seen balancing in stilettos by a pool. The challenge began when influencer Imanni shared a video balancing on a dumbbell, prompting others to join in with their versions using stools, kitchenware, and pottery equipment. On August 5, 2025, Nicki Minaj herself participated in the challenge, sharing a video on Instagram. She captioned it: “Dear Barbz, about that pose… this Chanel dress was just a tad shorter than I thought and the thongs definitely didn’t help. Didn’t want to make it explicit. Both feet on the ground tho. Ten toes. Ima put on a different outfit that won’t show so much skin and do it again for you guys later. Love.” Medical professionals have since warned that attempting advanced moves in stilettos can lead to serious injuries including: spine and back injuries, fractures and dislocations, long-term mobility issues.

Barutkina's case highlights how dangerous viral challenges like the stiletto challenge can be. Though she embraces the fame it brought, her injury serves as a cautionary tale about the real-world consequences of chasing virality.

A Russian influencer suffered a serious spinal injury after attempting the viral "stiletto challenge," inspired by Nicki Minaj's song High School. In this trend, the participants are suppose to wear high heels while striking dramatic poses to the tune of the hit track. Mariana Barutkina, who is a new mom, shared a video of herself attempting the challenge in her kitchen. However, she suffered a medical emergency because of the challenge, but does not regret the attempt as it made her an overnight star. What happened? In the clip, Mariana Barutkina is seen standing on a jar of baby food placed on a saucepan before climbing onto a countertop in stilettos. She attempts a one-foot squat in heels, managing to hold her balance for a few seconds. However, she suddenly slips and falls backward off the counter, hitting the ground and suffering a serious injury. "I decided to start blogging, the first content shooting - and here I am leaving the doctor diagnosed with 'Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body,'" Barutkina wrote in the caption. "The irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment," she added. Barutkina also said she had no regrets because this one video made her a “popular person.” "People, thank you for your popularity, for your concerns and for your comments. I'm doing great, following the guidelines and now living in "star" status," she added.

Barutkina's case highlights how dangerous viral challenges like the stiletto challenge can be. Though she embraces the fame it brought, her injury serves as a cautionary tale about the real-world consequences of chasing virality.

Russian woman breaks spine after trying viral 'stiletto challenge': What is it?

The Trump administration is aiming to simplify the use of drones for commercial purposes, ranging from delivering coffee to inspecting infrastructure and supporting agricultural activities. A new proposal was announced on Tuesday by the Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, outlining how businesses could gain approval to operate drones in US airspace and the regulations they would have to follow.&nbsp;Previously, companies seeking to fly drones beyond the operator's visual line of sight had to apply for a waiver or exemption, which was awarded on a case-by-case basis, Duffy said. "And because of that complication, I don't think we saw the innovation that we should have in America," he added.&nbsp;This move follows an executive order signed by President Trump two months ago, intended to speed up the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by businesses in the United States. The announcement of Duffy was welcomed by drone industry stakeholders, saying that advancements in drone technology have surpassed the ability of the government to regulate the aircraft.&nbsp;"Drone operators must navigate a labyrinth of ill-suited regulations designed for crude aircraft, placing an artificial ceiling on innovation and hampering progress," CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, Lisa Ellman, said. "In the meantime, we've seen our global peers and adversaries surge ahead in the deployment of commercial drone technology," she added, NPR reported.<h3>Complex and restrictive processes vs growth</h3>Earlier, businesses had to request individual waivers or exemptions for those who were seeking to fly drones beyond the operator’s visual line of sight. In response, Duffy noted that complex and restrictive processes were hampering innovation in the country.&nbsp;In an emailed statement, the Air Line Pilots Association told NPR that in order to ensure that emerging technologies and drone operations do not compromise aviation safety, it is committed to working with the Department of Transportation.&nbsp;The group added that "recent tragic events have underscored the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in our increasingly complex airspace, and we will continue advocating for policies that require all airspace users to operate with adequate surveillance, communication, and collision avoidance capabilities."

After Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the order, drone industry stakeholders welcomed this move, saying that advancements in drone technology have surpassed the ability of the government to regulate the aircraft.

The Trump administration is aiming to simplify the use of drones for commercial purposes, ranging from delivering coffee to inspecting infrastructure and supporting agricultural activities. A new proposal was announced on Tuesday by the Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, outlining how businesses could gain approval to operate drones in US airspace and the regulations they would have to follow. Previously, companies seeking to fly drones beyond the operator's visual line of sight had to apply for a waiver or exemption, which was awarded on a case-by-case basis, Duffy said. "And because of that complication, I don't think we saw the innovation that we should have in America," he added. This move follows an executive order signed by President Trump two months ago, intended to speed up the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by businesses in the United States. The announcement of Duffy was welcomed by drone industry stakeholders, saying that advancements in drone technology have surpassed the ability of the government to regulate the aircraft. "Drone operators must navigate a labyrinth of ill-suited regulations designed for crude aircraft, placing an artificial ceiling on innovation and hampering progress," CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, Lisa Ellman, said. "In the meantime, we've seen our global peers and adversaries surge ahead in the deployment of commercial drone technology," she added, NPR reported. Complex and restrictive processes vs growth Earlier, businesses had to request individual waivers or exemptions for those who were seeking to fly drones beyond the operator’s visual line of sight. In response, Duffy noted that complex and restrictive processes were hampering innovation in the country. In an emailed statement, the Air Line Pilots Association told NPR that in order to ensure that emerging technologies and drone operations do not compromise aviation safety, it is committed to working with the Department of Transportation. The group added that "recent tragic events have underscored the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in our increasingly complex airspace, and we will continue advocating for policies that require all airspace users to operate with adequate surveillance, communication, and collision avoidance capabilities."

After Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the order, drone industry stakeholders welcomed this move, saying that advancements in drone technology have surpassed the ability of the government to regulate the aircraft.

Drones to deliver your coffee? Trump administration pushes for wider use of UAVs in business

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) said that he was not aware that Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was transferred to a different prison recently. Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred from a Florida prison to a lower-security facility in Texas to continue serving her 20-year sentence for helping &nbsp;Epstein sexually abuse underage girls, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said last Friday. Trump's answer has raised eyebrows as the move came right after the Justice Department's number two, that is, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, grilled Maxwell. The grilling came amid huge demand for the release of the Epstein Files by Trump's critics as well as a few MAGA supporters.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Were you aware of and did you personally approve the prison transfer for Ghislaine Maxwell that your Justice Department —” Trump was asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “I didn’t know about it at all, nope. I read about it just like you did,” the president cut in, adding later that the transfer was “not a very uncommon thing.”&nbsp;Notably, Maxwell's lawyer, after her meeting with Blanche, said that she answered all the questions and has nothing to hide. He also said that the truth will be out soon. She was also seen carrying a big box after she was grilled by Maxwell. Soon after, she was moved from FCI Tallahassee, a low-security prison, to the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas.&nbsp;<h2>Epstein Files and Donald Trump</h2>The Epstein files are a collection of legal documents, court records, and investigative materials connected to Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier accused of operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls. These files have drawn international attention due to Epstein’s links to high-profile figures in politics, business, and entertainment. A major part of the Epstein files comes from court cases, a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most outspoken accusers. In early 2024, hundreds of pages of these court documents were unsealed, revealing names, emails, and testimonies involving powerful individuals; however, large portions remain sealed or redacted. Jeffrey Epstein died under controversial circumstances in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;During his campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump said he would release the Epstein Files; however, he took a U-turn after coming to power and has now said that he cannot understand why his supporters are demanding its release. He also called it a ‘hoax’ started by the Democrats and the radicals. He said that the Justice Department should release the details to avoid controversy around those not involved. However, his former buddy Elon Musk had in May claimed that US president's name is present in the controversial files.&nbsp;<h2>Melania's involvement in Epstein saga&nbsp;</h2>Speaking to the Daily Beast podcast, Wolff said that Melania was very much involved in Epstein's social circle and Epstein was the link how she met Donald Trump. "She’s introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. She’s been introduced to Trump that way. Epstein [knew] her well," Wolff said. Trump and Melania reportedly met in September 1998 through Paolo Zampolli, the founder of ID Models, who helped Melania emigrate to the United States. Zampolli had ties to Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, Politico reported. “Where does [Melania] fit into the Epstein story? Where does she fit into this, into this whole culture of models of indeterminate age? So this is another complicated dimension in this,” she added. However, the White House Communications Director Steven Cheung blasted Wolff as a "fraud" over his statement about Melania Trump.&nbsp;

Trump said he was unaware of Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent prison transfer to a lower-security Texas facility. The move followed her grilling by Deputy AG Todd Blanche, raising questions amid calls—including from some MAGA supporters—for the release of the Epstein Files.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Aug 6) said that he was not aware that Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was transferred to a different prison recently. Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred from a Florida prison to a lower-security facility in Texas to continue serving her 20-year sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said last Friday. Trump's answer has raised eyebrows as the move came right after the Justice Department's number two, that is, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, grilled Maxwell. The grilling came amid huge demand for the release of the Epstein Files by Trump's critics as well as a few MAGA supporters. “Were you aware of and did you personally approve the prison transfer for Ghislaine Maxwell that your Justice Department —” Trump was asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “I didn’t know about it at all, nope. I read about it just like you did,” the president cut in, adding later that the transfer was “not a very uncommon thing.” Notably, Maxwell's lawyer, after her meeting with Blanche, said that she answered all the questions and has nothing to hide. He also said that the truth will be out soon. She was also seen carrying a big box after she was grilled by Maxwell. Soon after, she was moved from FCI Tallahassee, a low-security prison, to the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. Epstein Files and Donald Trump The Epstein files are a collection of legal documents, court records, and investigative materials connected to Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier accused of operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls. These files have drawn international attention due to Epstein’s links to high-profile figures in politics, business, and entertainment. A major part of the Epstein files comes from court cases, a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most outspoken accusers. In early 2024, hundreds of pages of these court documents were unsealed, revealing names, emails, and testimonies involving powerful individuals; however, large portions remain sealed or redacted. Jeffrey Epstein died under controversial circumstances in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. During his campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump said he would release the Epstein Files; however, he took a U-turn after coming to power and has now said that he cannot understand why his supporters are demanding its release. He also called it a ‘hoax’ started by the Democrats and the radicals. He said that the Justice Department should release the details to avoid controversy around those not involved. However, his former buddy Elon Musk had in May claimed that US president's name is present in the controversial files. Melania's involvement in Epstein saga Speaking to the Daily Beast podcast, Wolff said that Melania was very much involved in Epstein's social circle and Epstein was the link how she met Donald Trump. "She’s introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. She’s been introduced to Trump that way. Epstein [knew] her well," Wolff said. Trump and Melania reportedly met in September 1998 through Paolo Zampolli, the founder of ID Models, who helped Melania emigrate to the United States. Zampolli had ties to Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, Politico reported. “Where does [Melania] fit into the Epstein story? Where does she fit into this, into this whole culture of models of indeterminate age? So this is another complicated dimension in this,” she added. However, the White House Communications Director Steven Cheung blasted Wolff as a "fraud" over his statement about Melania Trump.

Trump said he was unaware of Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent prison transfer to a lower-security Texas facility. The move followed her grilling by Deputy AG Todd Blanche, raising questions amid calls—including from some MAGA supporters—for the release of the Epstein Files.

Ghislaine Maxwell moved to Texas prison after Trump's nod? Here's what US president says

The chequered history of antagonistic stances during the decades-long USA-Soviet Union Cold War and subsequent détente, which brought Capitol Hill and Raisina Hill closer, shaped by geopolitical power balances between the world’s oldest and youngest democratic countries, is a tell-tale sign of the complexity and dynamics of their relationship. A high-voltage trade war between the United States and India could have far-reaching consequences—not just economically, but also diplomatically and strategically. At a time when the US is already deeply entrenched in a tech and trade cold war with China, the feasibility of sustaining another trade conflict, particularly with a strategic partner like India, appears both impractical and unwise. Such a conflict could overshadow the efforts of former US presidents like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, who extended an olive branch to Delhi to work together on common concerns regarding growing Islamic extremism, energy security, and climate change.&nbsp;The trade war between the United States and China, initiated under the Trump administration and continued with nuanced strategies by President Joe Biden, has disrupted global supply chains, increased tariffs, and led to decoupling in key sectors like semiconductors, AI, 5G, and pharmaceuticals. This rivalry is not just about economics but also technology supremacy, national security, and ideological competition between democratic and authoritarian models of governance.&nbsp;The US is now actively working to "de-risk" from China, which includes encouraging Chian Plus One strategy, manufacturing relocations, forming trade partnerships with democratic nations, and controlling Chinese access to cutting-edge technologies. In this strategic calculus, India has emerged as a natural partner—not only because of its shared democratic values, but also due to its economic potential, strategic location, and growing technological prowess.&nbsp;India, with a population of over 1.4 billion and a GDP nearing USD 4 trillion, is the world's fastest-growing major economy, placing it behind the United States with a GDP of USD 30.51 trillion, China at USD19.23 trillion, and Germany at USD 4.74 trillion. It is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2030. More importantly, it is a robust democracy, unlike China, and has a young, digitally enabled consumer base.&nbsp;Over the years, successive Indian governments—whether led by the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have nurtured deeper ties with the United States. From the civil nuclear deal during the Manmohan Singh-Bush era to the strengthening of QUAD and signing of key defense agreements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden, bilateral ties have touched new heights. "Howdy Modi" and "Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar," the reverberations of which are still echoing around the world, have cemented India-US relations with an emotional bond between PM Modi and Trump.&nbsp;The US now sees India as a central pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at counterbalancing Chinese influence in the region. From military cooperation and joint exercises like Malabar to investments in critical technologies and semiconductors, India’s positioning with the US has become more strategic than transactional.<h2>Can the US Sustain Strained Ties with India?</h2>&nbsp;Engaging in a trade war with India, especially in the current geopolitical climate, could be counterproductive for the United States. Here are five compelling reasons WHY:&nbsp;1. India as a Consumer Powerhouse&nbsp;India is one of the largest markets for American companies in sectors like technology, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and energy. US giants such as Apple, Amazon, Boeing, and Tesla see India as a critical growth destination. Restricting trade or imposing tariffs would directly impact US corporate interests.&nbsp;Moreover, India’s increasing emphasis on local manufacturing (Make in India, PLI schemes) is creating opportunities for American investments in electronics, green energy, and EVs. Disrupting this potential through a trade war could push India toward alternative partners such as Russia or the EU.&nbsp;2. A Reliable Democratic Ally in Asia&nbsp;As the US seeks to strengthen global democracies and build resilient supply chains, India remains the only large, stable, and democratic counterweight to China in Asia. Its neutral stance in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war has also demonstrated India's commitment to strategic autonomy, a quality the US respects.&nbsp;India’s G20 presidency and leadership role in the Global South further enhance its diplomatic influence. Isolating or antagonizing such a partner could weaken the US's broader goals of forming a rules-based global order.&nbsp;3. Economic Interdependence&nbsp;In the fiscal year 2024–25, India–US trade reached USD 131.8 billion, comprising USD 86.5 billion in exports from India and USD 45.3 billion in imports, making the US India’s largest trading partner. This shows a strong and robust strategic economic relationship between the two countries. Nearly 2,000 American companies operate in India, while Indian firms have invested over USD 40 billion in the US, creating around 425,000 jobs that is documented in a report titled "Indian Roots, American Soil”. This economic interdependence serves as a buffer against abrupt policy shifts or trade hostilities.&nbsp;4. Geopolitical Timing Matters&nbsp;With tensions in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and Ukraine-Russia conflict still unresolved, the US cannot afford to lose India as a regional ally. Unlike Cold War times, today’s conflicts are multipolar and multidimensional—ranging from cyberspace to climate diplomacy. India’s cooperation is crucial in areas like AI regulation, global data flows, cybersecurity, and space exploration.&nbsp;5. India-US for Global PeaceIndia and the US, united, can ensure global peace, prosperity, and stability. India, once counted among the 'Fragile Five' nations, as coined by investment firm Morgan Stanley, today finds itself among the 'Fabulous Five' economies of the world. The strong base of the Indian diaspora in the US works with honesty and dedication, in line with the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World is One Family). The India-America partnership operates on the principle of promoting global peace.<h3>Pragmatism Over Provocation</h3>&nbsp;Of course, India and the US have their share of trade disputes—ranging from tariffs on agricultural products and medical devices to data localization policies and digital taxation. But these should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation mechanisms such as the US-India Trade Policy Forum, rather than retaliatory measures. Both nations are members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and have begun collaborating on semiconductor supply chains, critical minerals, and AI governance. These positive developments must be leveraged to create a roadmap for sustainable, balanced trade rather than indulging in protectionist impulses.&nbsp;In an era where alliances are being redrawn and global order is in flux, the US must tread carefully. Engaging in a trade war with India would not only harm American business interests but also erode the foundation of a strategic partnership that is essential to its Indo-Pacific vision. India, with its demographic dividend, economic momentum, and democratic stability, is not just another trade partner—it is a strategic necessity for the United States. It worth mentioned the famous quote of former US president Barack Obama, “India is not simply an emerging power; it is already a world power, and a natural partner of the United States.” So, instead of trade conflict, collaboration should guide the next phase of India-US relations, Donald Trump must rethink.

 A high-voltage trade war between the United States and India could have far-reaching consequences—not just economically, but also diplomatically and strategically.

The chequered history of antagonistic stances during the decades-long USA-Soviet Union Cold War and subsequent détente, which brought Capitol Hill and Raisina Hill closer, shaped by geopolitical power balances between the world’s oldest and youngest democratic countries, is a tell-tale sign of the complexity and dynamics of their relationship. A high-voltage trade war between the United States and India could have far-reaching consequences—not just economically, but also diplomatically and strategically. At a time when the US is already deeply entrenched in a tech and trade cold war with China, the feasibility of sustaining another trade conflict, particularly with a strategic partner like India, appears both impractical and unwise. Such a conflict could overshadow the efforts of former US presidents like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, who extended an olive branch to Delhi to work together on common concerns regarding growing Islamic extremism, energy security, and climate change. The trade war between the United States and China, initiated under the Trump administration and continued with nuanced strategies by President Joe Biden, has disrupted global supply chains, increased tariffs, and led to decoupling in key sectors like semiconductors, AI, 5G, and pharmaceuticals. This rivalry is not just about economics but also technology supremacy, national security, and ideological competition between democratic and authoritarian models of governance. The US is now actively working to "de-risk" from China, which includes encouraging Chian Plus One strategy, manufacturing relocations, forming trade partnerships with democratic nations, and controlling Chinese access to cutting-edge technologies. In this strategic calculus, India has emerged as a natural partner—not only because of its shared democratic values, but also due to its economic potential, strategic location, and growing technological prowess. India, with a population of over 1.4 billion and a GDP nearing USD 4 trillion, is the world's fastest-growing major economy, placing it behind the United States with a GDP of USD 30.51 trillion, China at USD19.23 trillion, and Germany at USD 4.74 trillion. It is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2030. More importantly, it is a robust democracy, unlike China, and has a young, digitally enabled consumer base. Over the years, successive Indian governments—whether led by the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have nurtured deeper ties with the United States. From the civil nuclear deal during the Manmohan Singh-Bush era to the strengthening of QUAD and signing of key defense agreements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden, bilateral ties have touched new heights. "Howdy Modi" and "Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar," the reverberations of which are still echoing around the world, have cemented India-US relations with an emotional bond between PM Modi and Trump. The US now sees India as a central pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at counterbalancing Chinese influence in the region. From military cooperation and joint exercises like Malabar to investments in critical technologies and semiconductors, India’s positioning with the US has become more strategic than transactional. Can the US Sustain Strained Ties with India? Engaging in a trade war with India, especially in the current geopolitical climate, could be counterproductive for the United States. Here are five compelling reasons WHY: 1. India as a Consumer Powerhouse India is one of the largest markets for American companies in sectors like technology, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and energy. US giants such as Apple, Amazon, Boeing, and Tesla see India as a critical growth destination. Restricting trade or imposing tariffs would directly impact US corporate interests. Moreover, India’s increasing emphasis on local manufacturing (Make in India, PLI schemes) is creating opportunities for American investments in electronics, green energy, and EVs. Disrupting this potential through a trade war could push India toward alternative partners such as Russia or the EU. 2. A Reliable Democratic Ally in Asia As the US seeks to strengthen global democracies and build resilient supply chains, India remains the only large, stable, and democratic counterweight to China in Asia. Its neutral stance in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war has also demonstrated India's commitment to strategic autonomy, a quality the US respects. India’s G20 presidency and leadership role in the Global South further enhance its diplomatic influence. Isolating or antagonizing such a partner could weaken the US's broader goals of forming a rules-based global order. 3. Economic Interdependence In the fiscal year 2024–25, India–US trade reached USD 131.8 billion, comprising USD 86.5 billion in exports from India and USD 45.3 billion in imports, making the US India’s largest trading partner. This shows a strong and robust strategic economic relationship between the two countries. Nearly 2,000 American companies operate in India, while Indian firms have invested over USD 40 billion in the US, creating around 425,000 jobs that is documented in a report titled "Indian Roots, American Soil”. This economic interdependence serves as a buffer against abrupt policy shifts or trade hostilities. 4. Geopolitical Timing Matters With tensions in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and Ukraine-Russia conflict still unresolved, the US cannot afford to lose India as a regional ally. Unlike Cold War times, today’s conflicts are multipolar and multidimensional—ranging from cyberspace to climate diplomacy. India’s cooperation is crucial in areas like AI regulation, global data flows, cybersecurity, and space exploration. 5. India-US for Global Peace India and the US, united, can ensure global peace, prosperity, and stability. India, once counted among the 'Fragile Five' nations, as coined by investment firm Morgan Stanley, today finds itself among the 'Fabulous Five' economies of the world. The strong base of the Indian diaspora in the US works with honesty and dedication, in line with the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World is One Family). The India-America partnership operates on the principle of promoting global peace. Pragmatism Over Provocation Of course, India and the US have their share of trade disputes—ranging from tariffs on agricultural products and medical devices to data localization policies and digital taxation. But these should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation mechanisms such as the US-India Trade Policy Forum, rather than retaliatory measures. Both nations are members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and have begun collaborating on semiconductor supply chains, critical minerals, and AI governance. These positive developments must be leveraged to create a roadmap for sustainable, balanced trade rather than indulging in protectionist impulses. In an era where alliances are being redrawn and global order is in flux, the US must tread carefully. Engaging in a trade war with India would not only harm American business interests but also erode the foundation of a strategic partnership that is essential to its Indo-Pacific vision. India, with its demographic dividend, economic momentum, and democratic stability, is not just another trade partner—it is a strategic necessity for the United States. It worth mentioned the famous quote of former US president Barack Obama, “India is not simply an emerging power; it is already a world power, and a natural partner of the United States.” So, instead of trade conflict, collaboration should guide the next phase of India-US relations, Donald Trump must rethink.

&nbsp;A high-voltage trade war between the United States and India could have far-reaching consequences—not just economically, but also diplomatically and strategically.

Can US afford trade war with India amid evolving geopolitics? 5 must-know geopolitical realities

What are your thoughts on the overall economy so far? From your perspective as a scholar, how do you see the current situation? Specifically, with the US prioritising tariffs and placing itself first, what is your opinion on this approach?&nbsp;Yeah, look, I mean, at one level, this reflects a kind of view taken by the administration and by this president, that the U.S., for a very long time, has borne the costs of global public goods, right? So, setting up the WTO or the United Nations, or whatever it is, and that the U.S. has not earned the proportionate return from having borne those costs. So this is a perspective. There are many who would disagree with that perspective and push back, saying that in fact the U.S. has done extremely well, and that the kind of post-World War II, postwar trading regime or geopolitical system that was in place has actually served U.S. interests and the U.S. economy very well. But be that as it may, right? So this idea that America has to be first, and that other countries are exploiting the United States and so on, is a particular type of view, and the view that, for example, trade deficits the U.S. is experiencing, or has experienced for many decades now, reflect some sort of exploitative intent by other countries toward the United States. I personally disagree with that, but that's where the thinking is, and that's where the policy is emanating from in Washington, right? So very clearly, it's led to a very high degree of economic uncertainty, a very high degree of geoeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. And where this all ends, we’ll see. We're still very much in a stage of transition. And, as I’m sure you’ve noticed as well, just over the last three or four months, even under this administration, there have been tons of announcements: the recalls of the tariffs, delayed tariffs, changes in tariffs. And so, you know, where all this actually settles, and what finally is implemented, I guess, is yet to be seen.&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you think the Indian diaspora in the U.S. views Trump’s tariffs as a setback to the growing U.S.-India trade partnership or just part of a tough negotiation strategy?&nbsp;Yeah, but given the very positive trajectory of U.S.–India trade relations both in an economic sense and a geopolitical sense over the last several decades, I think there was certainly an expectation that this would be continued, and maybe even improved, under the new Trump administration, especially given the apparently friendly relationship between the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. So there was everyexpectation going into this that there would be continuity or even an improvement in that trajectory. So, in a certain sense, then, the tariff announcements and the trade negotiations are, in fact, a setback. But let's be careful, I mean, the dust really hasn’t settled on this issue. The tariffs announced for India, even they are not permanent; they can be changed anytime, really. And as I understand it, at least, negotiations are still ongoing. So we’ll wait and see where things finally settle. Maybe this is just a tough negotiation strategy. Maybe it’s going to be the case that the eventual outcome is a trade deal that leaves both countries in a better position than where they are today. That’s entirely conceivable. And so, that’s yet to be seen. I think most people are just still taking in the news. In terms of the diaspora, I don’t think they’ve really had a chance to fully process what it is that’s going on. That being said, I’m sure that there are many who are surprised, and maybe a bit disappointed, by the toughness of the statement from the White House with respect to India, right? So this stance taken in these negotiations seems to focus very narrowly on the issue of international trade, trade deficits, and business, and doesn’t seem to give any allowance or room for the broader goal of improving economic and geopolitical linkages between the two countries. So I think there’s some element of surprise there, that the kind of positive connection that was building, and where the momentum had been growing over the past many years, including very recently, I would add, that somehow, that seems to have been set aside. And these negotiations are on a kind of track that seems to have their own momentum, independent of those broader considerations.&nbsp;How do you see these tariffs affecting that mission and the broader sentiment among Indian-American entrepreneurs?&nbsp;Yeah, current tariffs will certainly lower trade. And this is especially consequential because, on the one hand, one of the dominant themes of the last decade or at least the last half-decade has been this U.S. attempt to pivot away from overreliance on China. The so-called “China plus one” strategy, where you have China as a key supplier of goods to the U.S., but you’re also looking for other partners. And India was certainly one of the countries mentioned very often in that context, as a possible alternative platform for manufacturing particularly for the kinds of goods the U.S. needs to import. So that was an interesting window of opportunity, both for Indian businesspeople and for entrepreneurs in the U.S. And some of those opportunities were taken some very high-profile, including Apple setting up shop and opening a plant in India to manufacture iPhones and so on. So that, too, was something on a positive trajectory. But that becomes harder when there’s friction in the flow of goods between the two countries whether it’s Indian goods being exported to the U.S., or U.S. goods going to India, or U.S. companies setting up manufacturing plants and sending intermediate inputs from the U.S. to be processed and finalized, then sent back to the States. All of this type of exchange starts to become more problematic in the presence of tariffs. And so, if the tariffs are implemented and stay in place for some time, I’m sure there will be negative impacts on businesses on both sides of the border, and there’s bound to be some apprehension about that. That being said, I still think there’s an opportunity for India and the U.S. to work out a better trade arrangement even given the particular concerns expressed by the White House. I think there’s room for India to look at its own tariff regime, which is undoubtedly characterized by high tariffs in some manufacturing and other sectors, and ask some tough questions about what type of liberalization it can realistically undertake. One that could, on the one hand, satisfy American demands, and on the other, actually help the Indian economy itself. So this shouldn’t be seen purely as a concession to the United States. These are tariff reductions that could help Indian consumers, and also Indian producers especially if these are intermediate inputs coming in from the U.S. that would aid domestic production. In many ways, these goals are actually joint goals. If you think about Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India” aspiration and President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” with its emphasis on manufacturing these two goals can be reconciled. I still believe a trade negotiation and deal could achieve both. And so I’m optimistic about that. I’m sure the business community remains optimistic as well. That being said, there’s no doubt we’re in a period of great uncertainty about policy. I expect this will hurt business sentiment and likely freeze, or at least pause, some investment plans and new business ideas that people were thinking about. And overall, when the whole concept was first introduced by the administration, they were proud to announce that everything was going to be “made in America.” But from an economic standpoint, we understand that importing goods from countries like China and others with cheaper labor and inputs often makes more sense than trying to build something like an iPhone entirely within America. Because at the end of the day, the costs of that approach are going to be felt by consumers. And ultimately, it all comes down to the consumer being affected by the cost of these decisions.&nbsp;Many in the diaspora identify as both proud Americans and proud Indians. How are they navigating this moment where the two countries may appear at odds economically?&nbsp;Yeah, let me take both of these slightly separately, right? So your first point about the benefits of international trade you're a good student of international trade, and so you know there are benefits to mutual exchange and so on. And I think that’s obvious, that’s visible. By and large, I would think that public sentiment in the United States as well as political sentiment over many decades has been broadly in support of free trade. And that’s reflected in the fact that the U.S. is a relatively open economy I’d say a very significantly open economy and has been for many decades. That being said, I think this kind of increasing concern in the U.S. is not completely unjustified when it applies to specific issues. So, if you reach a point where you're over-reliant on a particular country for crucial imports imports that may have national security implications then it’s very natural to recalibrate and rethink: how reliant are we on, say, China? We’re not talking about the import of Barbies and Kendalls here. If it’s rare earths, semiconductors, communications devices, and so on, I think it’s reasonable for a country to ask itself: what can we do to ensure our national security interests aren't threatened? Now, whether the response that’s actually come out of the White House is the right one to that concern I think it’s been too broad in its sweep. Alongside chips and sensitive technologies, the policy also targets everything else plastic toys, razor blades, every other goddamn thing in the world. So, it seems poorly targeted, if you will. So that’s the question about international trade the benefits of trade versus concerns about over-concentration which, again, I’d summarize as legitimate, but perhaps not adequately or efficiently addressed by the current policy. On the Indian diaspora I’m sure there’s a wide range of views and reactions to recent developments. Some are hoping this is temporary and will get resolved. Others are more pensive, not just about what this means for international trade relations, but also for broader relations between India and the U.S., and even the U.S. and the rest of the world. There are immigration concerns; people are worried about the way the U.S. is engaging the world and the shift that appears to be taking place. So yes, there are many different concerns. But I think one important thing to recognize in the midst of all this and it’s important for your readership as well is that it’s not as if India has been specifically singled out by this administration. India has not been uniquely targeted. Very close allies of the U.S. like the European Union, Japan, NATO countries, South Korea, Mexico, Canada have all been in similar positions. These are strong military and economic allies, many of whom are part of long-standing trade agreements like NAFTA, and even they have been targeted by high tariffs and have gone through tough negotiations with the U.S., many of which remain unresolved. So from the standpoint of proud Indians and proud Indian Americans, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not something specific to India it reflects a broader policy shift. Of course, we can remain disappointed with the policy that’s valid but this should not be viewed as an action aimed solely at India. I’m sure everyone wishes for a smooth resolution that addresses the core interests of both countries to mutual benefit. And I remain optimistic about that as well.&nbsp;Pakistan has proven conventional crude oil reserves estimated at around 200 to 300 million barrels and is ranked as the 50th largest oil importer in the world. Given this, what are your thoughts on the new oil pact between the USA and Pakistan?&nbsp;Frankly, I was surprised to see that announcement as I think many others were. I didn’t know that Pakistan had major oil reserves. Maybe someone unearthed reserves that we were previously unaware of, and we’ll just have to wait for future announcements on that. And I’ll just leave it at that, right? Of course, if there are oil reserves and there’s interest in developing them, the U.S. is free to engage in those businesses as it sees fit and so is Pakistan. So I don’t know much more about the Pakistan issue, especially with respect to oil reserves. Yeah.&nbsp;In closing, how do you foresee this evolving in the future? Is there potential for additional tariffs to be implemented, and could we see a further increase in figures for the United States and India? The current 25% rate may well rise. What is your perspective on this trajectory?&nbsp;Look, my thoughts on this operate at two or three different levels. One, purely from the perspective of just going into the U.S. or India or any other country lowering tariffs would be a good thing, right? There’s a very long economic history of the world that shows the benefits of international trade, the benefits of freer international trade, and that really can’t be ignored. And right now, we seem to be going against that experience. So I hope, at some point, that what we’re seeing is just the positioning and posturing that comes with negotiations and that once those are complete, we’ll return to more reasonable levels of tariffs that support global commerce in the way it has done so effectively in the past. Trade has helped generate prosperity and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the past few decades. All of that has been supported by a relatively open international trading system, and I hope we can return to that.&nbsp;On the other hand, I’m actually concerned and I say this as someone who works in international economics and trade, and who has spent time thinking about the global trade system, the WTO, and so on. This kind of unilateral action by the United States, as I see it, violates many of the rules and norms of the WTO. And that has left the WTO in a very weak position. It clearly cannot enforce its own rules when one of its most powerful members chooses to act outside them. That weakens the overall structure of international trade law the rules that countries have broadly followed since the GATT and the WTO came into existence. It wasn’t a perfect system far from it but there was a framework. And now we have to ask: What is the future of that system, if countries can just decide, with little notice, to pull back from it or violate its principles, and do so without consequence? If the U.S. can do it, so can others. And if arbitrariness becomes the norm, then a lot of countries facing economic or political difficulties may start to do the same. That’s a real concern, one of the potentially lasting consequences of these recent developments.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is an old point but one that economists and students of international trade know well: It is to remind your readers that when a country imposes tariffs, the cost is largely borne by that country itself. Sure, some of that cost may be passed on to the exporting country, because they might lower their prices to stay competitive. But for the most part, and there are many quantitative studies to support this the cost falls on the importing country. Even with the tariffs the U.S. imposed on China in recent years, studies have shown that 90% of the cost was borne by the U.S. by U.S. consumers.

Pravin Krishna, Intl Economics Prof, Johns Hopkins SAIS, spoke to WION's Dhruv Goyal and shared insights on the evolving US-India trade relationship. He emphasised the importance of strategic partnership, mutual respect, and optimism for a balanced resolution despite tariff war.

What are your thoughts on the overall economy so far? From your perspective as a scholar, how do you see the current situation? Specifically, with the US prioritising tariffs and placing itself first, what is your opinion on this approach? Yeah, look, I mean, at one level, this reflects a kind of view taken by the administration and by this president, that the U.S., for a very long time, has borne the costs of global public goods, right? So, setting up the WTO or the United Nations, or whatever it is, and that the U.S. has not earned the proportionate return from having borne those costs. So this is a perspective. There are many who would disagree with that perspective and push back, saying that in fact the U.S. has done extremely well, and that the kind of post-World War II, postwar trading regime or geopolitical system that was in place has actually served U.S. interests and the U.S. economy very well. But be that as it may, right? So this idea that America has to be first, and that other countries are exploiting the United States and so on, is a particular type of view, and the view that, for example, trade deficits the U.S. is experiencing, or has experienced for many decades now, reflect some sort of exploitative intent by other countries toward the United States. I personally disagree with that, but that's where the thinking is, and that's where the policy is emanating from in Washington, right? So very clearly, it's led to a very high degree of economic uncertainty, a very high degree of geoeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. And where this all ends, we’ll see. We're still very much in a stage of transition. And, as I’m sure you’ve noticed as well, just over the last three or four months, even under this administration, there have been tons of announcements: the recalls of the tariffs, delayed tariffs, changes in tariffs. And so, you know, where all this actually settles, and what finally is implemented, I guess, is yet to be seen. Do you think the Indian diaspora in the U.S. views Trump’s tariffs as a setback to the growing U.S.-India trade partnership or just part of a tough negotiation strategy? Yeah, but given the very positive trajectory of U.S.–India trade relations both in an economic sense and a geopolitical sense over the last several decades, I think there was certainly an expectation that this would be continued, and maybe even improved, under the new Trump administration, especially given the apparently friendly relationship between the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. So there was every expectation going into this that there would be continuity or even an improvement in that trajectory. So, in a certain sense, then, the tariff announcements and the trade negotiations are, in fact, a setback. But let's be careful, I mean, the dust really hasn’t settled on this issue. The tariffs announced for India, even they are not permanent; they can be changed anytime, really. And as I understand it, at least, negotiations are still ongoing. So we’ll wait and see where things finally settle. Maybe this is just a tough negotiation strategy. Maybe it’s going to be the case that the eventual outcome is a trade deal that leaves both countries in a better position than where they are today. That’s entirely conceivable. And so, that’s yet to be seen. I think most people are just still taking in the news. In terms of the diaspora, I don’t think they’ve really had a chance to fully process what it is that’s going on. That being said, I’m sure that there are many who are surprised, and maybe a bit disappointed, by the toughness of the statement from the White House with respect to India, right? So this stance taken in these negotiations seems to focus very narrowly on the issue of international trade, trade deficits, and business, and doesn’t seem to give any allowance or room for the broader goal of improving economic and geopolitical linkages between the two countries. So I think there’s some element of surprise there, that the kind of positive connection that was building, and where the momentum had been growing over the past many years, including very recently, I would add, that somehow, that seems to have been set aside. And these negotiations are on a kind of track that seems to have their own momentum, independent of those broader considerations. How do you see these tariffs affecting that mission and the broader sentiment among Indian-American entrepreneurs? Yeah, current tariffs will certainly lower trade. And this is especially consequential because, on the one hand, one of the dominant themes of the last decade or at least the last half-decade has been this U.S. attempt to pivot away from overreliance on China. The so-called “China plus one” strategy, where you have China as a key supplier of goods to the U.S., but you’re also looking for other partners. And India was certainly one of the countries mentioned very often in that context, as a possible alternative platform for manufacturing particularly for the kinds of goods the U.S. needs to import. So that was an interesting window of opportunity, both for Indian businesspeople and for entrepreneurs in the U.S. And some of those opportunities were taken some very high-profile, including Apple setting up shop and opening a plant in India to manufacture iPhones and so on. So that, too, was something on a positive trajectory. But that becomes harder when there’s friction in the flow of goods between the two countries whether it’s Indian goods being exported to the U.S., or U.S. goods going to India, or U.S. companies setting up manufacturing plants and sending intermediate inputs from the U.S. to be processed and finalized, then sent back to the States. All of this type of exchange starts to become more problematic in the presence of tariffs. And so, if the tariffs are implemented and stay in place for some time, I’m sure there will be negative impacts on businesses on both sides of the border, and there’s bound to be some apprehension about that. That being said, I still think there’s an opportunity for India and the U.S. to work out a better trade arrangement even given the particular concerns expressed by the White House. I think there’s room for India to look at its own tariff regime, which is undoubtedly characterized by high tariffs in some manufacturing and other sectors, and ask some tough questions about what type of liberalization it can realistically undertake. One that could, on the one hand, satisfy American demands, and on the other, actually help the Indian economy itself. So this shouldn’t be seen purely as a concession to the United States. These are tariff reductions that could help Indian consumers, and also Indian producers especially if these are intermediate inputs coming in from the U.S. that would aid domestic production. In many ways, these goals are actually joint goals. If you think about Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India” aspiration and President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” with its emphasis on manufacturing these two goals can be reconciled. I still believe a trade negotiation and deal could achieve both. And so I’m optimistic about that. I’m sure the business community remains optimistic as well. That being said, there’s no doubt we’re in a period of great uncertainty about policy. I expect this will hurt business sentiment and likely freeze, or at least pause, some investment plans and new business ideas that people were thinking about. And overall, when the whole concept was first introduced by the administration, they were proud to announce that everything was going to be “made in America.” But from an economic standpoint, we understand that importing goods from countries like China and others with cheaper labor and inputs often makes more sense than trying to build something like an iPhone entirely within America. Because at the end of the day, the costs of that approach are going to be felt by consumers. And ultimately, it all comes down to the consumer being affected by the cost of these decisions. Many in the diaspora identify as both proud Americans and proud Indians. How are they navigating this moment where the two countries may appear at odds economically? Yeah, let me take both of these slightly separately, right? So your first point about the benefits of international trade you're a good student of international trade, and so you know there are benefits to mutual exchange and so on. And I think that’s obvious, that’s visible. By and large, I would think that public sentiment in the United States as well as political sentiment over many decades has been broadly in support of free trade. And that’s reflected in the fact that the U.S. is a relatively open economy I’d say a very significantly open economy and has been for many decades. That being said, I think this kind of increasing concern in the U.S. is not completely unjustified when it applies to specific issues. So, if you reach a point where you're over-reliant on a particular country for crucial imports imports that may have national security implications then it’s very natural to recalibrate and rethink: how reliant are we on, say, China? We’re not talking about the import of Barbies and Kendalls here. If it’s rare earths, semiconductors, communications devices, and so on, I think it’s reasonable for a country to ask itself: what can we do to ensure our national security interests aren't threatened? Now, whether the response that’s actually come out of the White House is the right one to that concern I think it’s been too broad in its sweep. Alongside chips and sensitive technologies, the policy also targets everything else plastic toys, razor blades, every other goddamn thing in the world. So, it seems poorly targeted, if you will. So that’s the question about international trade the benefits of trade versus concerns about over-concentration which, again, I’d summarize as legitimate, but perhaps not adequately or efficiently addressed by the current policy. On the Indian diaspora I’m sure there’s a wide range of views and reactions to recent developments. Some are hoping this is temporary and will get resolved. Others are more pensive, not just about what this means for international trade relations, but also for broader relations between India and the U.S., and even the U.S. and the rest of the world. There are immigration concerns; people are worried about the way the U.S. is engaging the world and the shift that appears to be taking place. So yes, there are many different concerns. But I think one important thing to recognize in the midst of all this and it’s important for your readership as well is that it’s not as if India has been specifically singled out by this administration. India has not been uniquely targeted. Very close allies of the U.S. like the European Union, Japan, NATO countries, South Korea, Mexico, Canada have all been in similar positions. These are strong military and economic allies, many of whom are part of long-standing trade agreements like NAFTA, and even they have been targeted by high tariffs and have gone through tough negotiations with the U.S., many of which remain unresolved. So from the standpoint of proud Indians and proud Indian Americans, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not something specific to India it reflects a broader policy shift. Of course, we can remain disappointed with the policy that’s valid but this should not be viewed as an action aimed solely at India. I’m sure everyone wishes for a smooth resolution that addresses the core interests of both countries to mutual benefit. And I remain optimistic about that as well. Pakistan has proven conventional crude oil reserves estimated at around 200 to 300 million barrels and is ranked as the 50th largest oil importer in the world. Given this, what are your thoughts on the new oil pact between the USA and Pakistan? Frankly, I was surprised to see that announcement as I think many others were. I didn’t know that Pakistan had major oil reserves. Maybe someone unearthed reserves that we were previously unaware of, and we’ll just have to wait for future announcements on that. And I’ll just leave it at that, right? Of course, if there are oil reserves and there’s interest in developing them, the U.S. is free to engage in those businesses as it sees fit and so is Pakistan. So I don’t know much more about the Pakistan issue, especially with respect to oil reserves. Yeah. In closing, how do you foresee this evolving in the future? Is there potential for additional tariffs to be implemented, and could we see a further increase in figures for the United States and India? The current 25% rate may well rise. What is your perspective on this trajectory? Look, my thoughts on this operate at two or three different levels. One, purely from the perspective of just going into the U.S. or India or any other country lowering tariffs would be a good thing, right? There’s a very long economic history of the world that shows the benefits of international trade, the benefits of freer international trade, and that really can’t be ignored. And right now, we seem to be going against that experience. So I hope, at some point, that what we’re seeing is just the positioning and posturing that comes with negotiations and that once those are complete, we’ll return to more reasonable levels of tariffs that support global commerce in the way it has done so effectively in the past. Trade has helped generate prosperity and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the past few decades. All of that has been supported by a relatively open international trading system, and I hope we can return to that. On the other hand, I’m actually concerned and I say this as someone who works in international economics and trade, and who has spent time thinking about the global trade system, the WTO, and so on. This kind of unilateral action by the United States, as I see it, violates many of the rules and norms of the WTO. And that has left the WTO in a very weak position. It clearly cannot enforce its own rules when one of its most powerful members chooses to act outside them. That weakens the overall structure of international trade law the rules that countries have broadly followed since the GATT and the WTO came into existence. It wasn’t a perfect system far from it but there was a framework. And now we have to ask: What is the future of that system, if countries can just decide, with little notice, to pull back from it or violate its principles, and do so without consequence? If the U.S. can do it, so can others. And if arbitrariness becomes the norm, then a lot of countries facing economic or political difficulties may start to do the same. That’s a real concern, one of the potentially lasting consequences of these recent developments. This is an old point but one that economists and students of international trade know well: It is to remind your readers that when a country imposes tariffs, the cost is largely borne by that country itself. Sure, some of that cost may be passed on to the exporting country, because they might lower their prices to stay competitive. But for the most part, and there are many quantitative studies to support this the cost falls on the importing country. Even with the tariffs the U.S. imposed on China in recent years, studies have shown that 90% of the cost was borne by the U.S. by U.S. consumers.

Pravin Krishna, Intl Economics Prof, Johns Hopkins SAIS, spoke to WION's Dhruv Goyal and shared insights on the evolving US-India trade relationship. He emphasised the importance of strategic partnership, mutual respect, and optimism for a balanced resolution despite tariff war.

US–India trade at a crossroads: An expert’s take on tariffs and diplomacy in Trump's world

Donald Trump is bashing India daily with tariff threats over energy and defence trade with Russia and the inconclusive trade talks, but did you know that the US president's real estate empire, the Trump Organization, has the largest investments outside his country in India? Even as Trump called India a ‘dead economy’, those projects are minting millions of dollars, that too with practically no direct cash investment from him. Wonder how? read on:

<h2>India is Trump Organization's top global playground</h2>With 13 projects across six cities, India is where Trump’s real estate brand is shining the brightest outside America, with more projects than any other nation. Yet, Trump doesn’t actually invest big bucks in India. His firm is mostly licensing out his name and cashing in on the brand hype: no huge capital risk, just fat royalty checks.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-team-highlights-indias-high-tariffs-8916254/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-team-highlights-indias-high-tariffs-8916254/embed</a><h2>Snapshot of Trump Organization’s India projects, its biggest overseas market</h2>There are 13 Trump-branded projects in India in different stages of completion, way more than any other foreign country. Here is how it works: Indian developers build the towers, offices, and golf courses named after Trump. Trump Organization slaps his name on them and gets paid a cut in the form of licensing fees and sales royalties.&nbsp;<h2>Trump Towers and more: Size, value and bling in India</h2>There are four Trump Towers in India: in Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon and Kolkata, covering about 3 million sqare feet. Some 8 million sq ft are under development in Noida, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, among others, bringing the total to a staggering 11 million sq ft.&nbsp;And the price tag? Existing towers are estimated to be worth around ₹7,500 crore ($900 million). Upcoming projects are valued at around ₹15,000 crore ($1.8 billion). The total, thus, adds up to a whopping ₹22,500 crore ($2.7 billion).<h2>Brand Trump sells at a premium in India&nbsp;</h2>According to reports in Indian and American media, Trump-branded projects in India come with premium price tags, selling at an eye-popping 35 per cent above local rivals.They include a 75-storey luxury tower in Mumbai that boasts of Trump Card exclusives. The Trump commercial project in Pune has office towers and retail space, with investments (by the local partners of course) estimated at ₹1,700 crore. In the northern Gurgaon city, the twin luxury towers and an office tower called Trump Residences sold out on day one, raking in ₹3,250 crore. In Kolkata, which saw Trump’s eastern India debut, a luxury residential project is underway. And coming soon are golf courses, villas, and mega-projects in Noida, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Pune.<h2>How Trump real estate makes money in India</h2>If reports in Indian media are to go by, there's zero direct investment from Trump Organization. He just licenses his brand. The licensing and development fees alone was $12 million in 2024, claimed the reports. But it's not all rosy for Trump real estate biz in India. Trump’s deals with politically connected Indian developers have in the past raised conflict-of-interest alarms in the US. The Pune project was hit with a land acquisition probe.<h2>So, who's Trump fooling with ‘dead economy jibe’ at India?</h2>Trump’s attack on India, calling it a “dead economy” rings hollow given the aggressive Indian expansion spree of the real estate firm that bears his name.India’s Trump-branded properties are being lapped up, and growing fast, making the nation Trump’s biggest global playground. Trump Organization’s brand power is selling luxury homes and offices at a premium, raking in billions, without him shelling out any serious dole. So, next time Trump bashes the Indian economy, take it with a pinch of salt.&nbsp;

India’s Trump-branded properties are being lapped up, and growing fast, making the nation Trump’s biggest global playground outside the US. Trump Organization’s brand power is selling luxury homes and offices at a premium, raking in billions

Donald Trump is bashing India daily with tariff threats over energy and defence trade with Russia and the inconclusive trade talks, but did you know that the US president's real estate empire, the Trump Organization, has the largest investments outside his country in India? Even as Trump called India a ‘dead economy’, those projects are minting millions of dollars, that too with practically no direct cash investment from him. Wonder how? read on:

India’s Trump-branded properties are being lapped up, and growing fast, making the nation Trump’s biggest global playground outside the US. Trump Organization’s brand power is selling luxury homes and offices at a premium, raking in billions

Who is he fooling? 13 projects, zero cash investment, Trump’s biggest real estate empire outside US is in India, the country he bashes daily

The discovery of the next Dalai Lama will be carried out by the Chinese government, and not under the current Dalai Lama's directions, a Chinese Communist Party committee official for Tibet said on Tuesday. China considers the Nobel laureate Dalai Lama a separatist and wants to bring Tibetan Buddhism under its control, open new tab, but the Dalai Lama and his huge following have been obstacles to that ambition.&nbsp;At his 90th birthday celebration last month, he assured followers that he would be reincarnated, and a non-profit institution he has set up will have the sole authority to identify his reincarnation. But Gama Cedain, the deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party committee in Tibet, said the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation would be found using a domestic search and approval by the central government.&nbsp;“The central government has the indisputable final say in the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama,” he told reporters at a press conference about the socioeconomic development in Tibet. He said that was the creed devotees adhered to, and the government’s process follows the strict religious rituals and historical customs of the reincarnation of living Buddhas.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-czech-republic-of-negative-impacts-after-president-meets-dalai-lama-in-india-1753702910995">China warns Czech Republic of 'negative impacts' after President meets Dalai Lama in India</a>&nbsp;“The reincarnation has never been decided by the Dalai Lama himself,” he said. The current Dalai Lama, 14th in the line of spiritual leaders for Tibetan Buddhism, has said his reincarnation will be born outside China and ruled out Beijing’s role in choosing his successor.&nbsp;China installed a Tibetan Buddhist monk picked by Beijing as the faith’s No. 2 leader, the Panchen Lama, &nbsp;three decades ago after a six-year-old chosen by the Dalai Lama for the position disappeared in 1995.

On Tuesday (August 6), a Chinese Communist Party committee official for Tibet said the discovery of the next Dalai Lama will be carried out by the Chinese government.

The discovery of the next Dalai Lama will be carried out by the Chinese government, and not under the current Dalai Lama's directions, a Chinese Communist Party committee official for Tibet said on Tuesday. China considers the Nobel laureate Dalai Lama a separatist and wants to bring Tibetan Buddhism under its control, open new tab, but the Dalai Lama and his huge following have been obstacles to that ambition. At his 90th birthday celebration last month, he assured followers that he would be reincarnated, and a non-profit institution he has set up will have the sole authority to identify his reincarnation. But Gama Cedain, the deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party committee in Tibet, said the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation would be found using a domestic search and approval by the central government. “The central government has the indisputable final say in the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama,” he told reporters at a press conference about the socioeconomic development in Tibet. He said that was the creed devotees adhered to, and the government’s process follows the strict religious rituals and historical customs of the reincarnation of living Buddhas. Also read: China warns Czech Republic of 'negative impacts' after President meets Dalai Lama in India “The reincarnation has never been decided by the Dalai Lama himself,” he said. The current Dalai Lama, 14th in the line of spiritual leaders for Tibetan Buddhism, has said his reincarnation will be born outside China and ruled out Beijing’s role in choosing his successor. China installed a Tibetan Buddhist monk picked by Beijing as the faith’s No. 2 leader, the Panchen Lama, three decades ago after a six-year-old chosen by the Dalai Lama for the position disappeared in 1995.

On Tuesday (August 6), a Chinese Communist Party committee official for Tibet said the discovery of the next Dalai Lama will be carried out by the Chinese government.

Chinese government has ‘final say’ in Dalai Lama reincarnation: Tibetan official

A 20-year-old London-based model, Chloe Ayling, was kidnapped from France under the pretence of a photo shoot. She was drugged and shoved into a suitcase before her kidnappers revealed their true intentions. A Docudrama on the kidnapping story was released in August 2017. She became well known in London, and her story is being adopted in a documentary on the BBC, Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping, which has been airing since August 4, 2025.In April 2017, Chloe, who was thought to be 19 at the time, went to Paris, France, for a photoshoot booked by her former agent, Phil Green. However, she soon found out that the job was a setup, as she arrived at the studio, two masked men drugged her with Ketamine.&nbsp;Luckasz Herba, her kidnapper who had posed as a photographer, and his brother Michael Herba had said that they had been recruited by an international crime gang, ‘Black Death’, to kidnap her. If she does not pay the ransom of €300,000, she will be auctioned off as a Sex Slave on the Dark Web.Chloe Ayling said she had ‘accepted that she was going to die’ following spending six days against her will. She then noticed that Luckasz had started to take a liking to her. Chloe convinced Luckasz that she would date him if he let her go. Chloe said that this softened her captors towards her, and Luckasz allowed her to sleep in his bed. Earlier, she had to sleep on the floor of a farmhouse. Luckasz then gave her a pizza, took her shopping to replace her missing shoes, before driving Chloe to the British consulate in Milan six days after her abduction.&nbsp;"Even though I was out, I didn’t feel safe," said Chloe. As she had to put a stop to any investigation into her disappearance and stump up the hefty amount of cash for the ransom herself.However, people did not believe her story and accused her of staging her kidnapping. This was fuelled by the CCTV footage, which captured her holding Lukasz's hand while they shopped for shoes. Authorities had insisted that she was merely playing along for her safety. Later, her kidnappers, Lukas and his brother Michael, were arrested and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison.&nbsp;

Chloe Ayling, a 20-year-old woman who was kidnapped to be sold on the dark web as a sex slave, reveals the details of her escape. A docuseries on her kidnapping is streaming on BBC,' Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping', 

A 20-year-old London-based model, Chloe Ayling, was kidnapped from France under the pretence of a photo shoot. She was drugged and shoved into a suitcase before her kidnappers revealed their true intentions. A Docudrama on the kidnapping story was released in August 2017. She became well known in London, and her story is being adopted in a documentary on the BBC, Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping, which has been airing since August 4, 2025. In April 2017, Chloe, who was thought to be 19 at the time, went to Paris, France, for a photoshoot booked by her former agent, Phil Green. However, she soon found out that the job was a setup, as she arrived at the studio, two masked men drugged her with Ketamine. Luckasz Herba, her kidnapper who had posed as a photographer, and his brother Michael Herba had said that they had been recruited by an international crime gang, ‘Black Death’, to kidnap her. If she does not pay the ransom of €300,000, she will be auctioned off as a Sex Slave on the Dark Web. Chloe Ayling said she had ‘accepted that she was going to die’ following spending six days against her will. She then noticed that Luckasz had started to take a liking to her. Chloe convinced Luckasz that she would date him if he let her go. Chloe said that this softened her captors towards her, and Luckasz allowed her to sleep in his bed. Earlier, she had to sleep on the floor of a farmhouse. Luckasz then gave her a pizza, took her shopping to replace her missing shoes, before driving Chloe to the British consulate in Milan six days after her abduction. "Even though I was out, I didn’t feel safe," said Chloe. As she had to put a stop to any investigation into her disappearance and stump up the hefty amount of cash for the ransom herself. However, people did not believe her story and accused her of staging her kidnapping. This was fuelled by the CCTV footage, which captured her holding Lukasz's hand while they shopped for shoes. Authorities had insisted that she was merely playing along for her safety. Later, her kidnappers, Lukas and his brother Michael, were arrested and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison.

Chloe Ayling, a 20-year-old woman who was kidnapped to be sold on the dark web as a sex slave, reveals the details of her escape. A docuseries on her kidnapping is streaming on BBC, 'Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping',&nbsp;

Kidnapped to be sold as 'sex slave': Chloe Ayling narrates how she escaped her captors

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Kidnapped to be sold as 'sex slave': Chloe Ayling narrates her shocking escape