News Analysis India

Tag: US

  • US President Biden Increases Tariffs On Imports Of Electric Vehicles, Other Goods From China | world news

    New Delhi: US President Joe Biden has directed his Trade Representative to increase tariffs on USD 18 billion of imports from China, including semiconductors, solar cells, batteries, and critical minerals to ‘protect’ American workers and businesses, the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.

    The White House said that the decision has come in response to China’s ‘unfair trade practices’ and to counteract the resulting harms.

    “China’s unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are threatening American businesses and workers. China is also flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports. In response to China’s unfair trade practices and to counteract the resulting harms, today, President Biden is directing his Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on USD 18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses,” the White House statement read.

    The statement on hiked tariffs on imports from China also noted that the Chinese government has used unfair and non-market practices for too long now.

    “China’s forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft have contributed to its control of 70, 80, and even 90 percent of global production for the critical inputs necessary for our technologies, infrastructure, energy, and health care–creating unacceptable risks to America’s supply. chains and economic security,” the White House said.

    “Furthermore, these same non-market policies and practices contribute to China’s growing overcapacity and export surges that threaten to significantly harm American workers, businesses, and communities,” it added.

    The US and the European Union have often expressed their concern over “industrial overcapacity” in China that is impacting their domestic companies.

    US Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen met with the Economic Working Group (EWG) and Financial Working Group (FWG) between the US and China in April this year following her trip to Beijing and Guangzhou. “The US delegation continued to express concerns about China’s non-market practices and industrial overcapacity,” the US Treasury Department had said after the meeting.

    “Both sides agreed to further discuss these issues,” according to a readout on the meeting.

    In a meeting between Xi Jinping and President Emmanuel Macron of France, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, urged the visiting Chinese President to address “the wave of subsidized exports flowing from his nation’s factories into Western countries,” NYT reported.

    “These subsidized products — such as the electric vehicles or, for example, steel — are flooding the European market,” von der Leyen said. “The world cannot absorb China’s surplus production,” von der Leyen was cited in the US daily.

  • US Accuses Russia Of Violating International Chemical Weapons Ban In Ukraine | world news

    The United States on Wednesday claimed that Russia is violating the international chemical weapons ban. The US accused Russia of using, chloropicrin, a choking agent on Ukrainian military and using riot control agents “as a method of warfare” in Ukraine.

    “The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident and is probably driven by Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield,” reported Reuters quoting the US State Department statement. Russia has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention’s (CWC) ban on employing riot control agents as a means of warfare, according to the statement.

    As per Reuters, the Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment, regarding these allegations.

    What is Chloropicrin?

    Last used during World War I, Chloropicrin has been designated as a prohibited choking agent by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), headquartered in The Hague. This organization was established to enforce and oversee adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 1993. During World War I, German forces deployed this gas against Allied troops, marking one of the earliest instances of chemical warfare.

    While civilians typically can evade riot control gases during protests, soldiers confined to trenches without protective masks must either retreat amid enemy gunfire or face the possibility of suffocation.

    Use Of Chemical Weapons

    As per a report by Reuters published earlier this month, The Ukrainian military claimed that Russia has intensified its offensive by increasing its illegal use of riot control agents while advancing in eastern Ukraine.

    Besides chloropicrin, Russian troops are reported to have employed grenades containing CS and CN gases. The Ukrainian military claims that over 500 of its soldiers have required treatment due to exposure to these toxic substances, with one casualty reportedly resulting from suffocation due to tear gas.

    Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

    The CWC prohibits making and using chemical weapons. It also tells all 193 countries that signed it, including Russia and the US, to get rid of any banned chemicals they have.

    The State Department was supposed to tell the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), its determination that Russia broke the CWC.

    Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for breaking the rules in meetings at the OPCW. But the OPCW says it hasn’t been asked to start looking into the use of banned stuff in Ukraine.

  • US Universities Rocked By Protests Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict; 282 Arrested

    The NYPD arrested a total of 282 individuals at Columbia University and the City College of New York, from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning.

  • Iran-Backed Militia Coalition Alleges US Airstrike Targets Base In Iraq

    Popular Mobilization Forces’ Kalsu base suffered an airstrike on Saturday injuring three members of the PMF.

  • Twitter Ban: Pakistan Imposes Curb On Elon Musk’s X |

    New Delhi: The Pakistan Interior Ministry informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the disruption of social media platform ‘X’ in the country aims to address concerns regarding its misuse, as reported by Dawn.

    Ministry’s Submission To The Court

    Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, representing the ministry, submitted a report to the IHC in response to journalist Ehtisham Abbasi’s petition challenging the ban. (Also Read: Viral Video: Zomato Boy Delivering Food On Harley-Davidson Surfaces Online — Watch)

    Background Of Ban

    Access to ‘X’ has been disrupted in Pakistan since February 17, following allegations made by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha against the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan regarding rigging in the February 8 general elections. (Also Read: ‘Open To Anything,’ Says Microsoft Worker Who Was Laid Off After 3 Decades Of Service)

    Reasons For Ban

    The interior ministry’s report cited the failure of Twitter/’X’ to comply with lawful directives and address concerns about misuse, leading to the imposition of the ban.

    The decision was made in the interest of national security, public order, and the country’s integrity, considering reports from intelligence and security agencies.

    Government’s Objective Of Ban

    The ban on ‘X’ aims to counter hostile elements seeking to create chaos and instability, with the ultimate goal of destabilizing Pakistan.

    The platform’s lack of registration and cooperation with Pakistani authorities necessitates regulatory measures to ensure accountability and adherence to national laws.

    Response From Rights Bodies And US

    Rights bodies, journalists’ organizations, and internet service providers have condemned the social media disruption. The United States called on Pakistan to lift restrictions on social media platforms.

    Court Proceedings

    The IHC has been overseeing the matter, with Chief Justice Aamer Farooq warning of further action if satisfactory reasons for the disruption are not provided. Additional hearings are scheduled, with the next hearing set for May 2.

    (With ANI Inputs)

  • Biden Announces Plans To Convene G7 Countries Amid Escalating Tensions In The Middle East | world news

    US President Joe Biden announced plans to gather G7 leaders on Monday to synchronize a joint diplomatic action. He also denounced Iran’s attack on Israeli territory while reaffirming his backing for Israel. He Over 200 projectiles, including numerous ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, were launched at Israel on Saturday night by Iran and its allies based in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.

    “Earlier today, Iran–and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq–launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” ​​Biden was quoted citing the White House statement. by ANI.

    Over the past week, the United States had deployed its aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to Israel, aiding in the interception of nearly all incoming drones and missiles, significantly bolstering Israel’s defense capabilities.

    He stated that, under his guidance, the US military had relocated aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the area throughout the previous week to aid in Israel’s defense. He credited these deployments and the exceptional abilities of US servicemembers with assisting Israel in intercepting almost all incoming drones and missiles.

    Biden confirmed that he had discussions with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security, describing it as “ironclad.”

    Biden mentioned that he had conveyed to others that Israel had showcased an impressive ability to defend against and overcome even unprecedented assaults. He emphasized that this sends a clear message to Israel’s adversaries that they are unable to genuinely threaten Israel’s security. He also stated that the following day, he would gather his fellow G7 leaders to organize a cohesive diplomatic response to Iran’s audacious attack.

    The Group of Seven (G7) comprises the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Biden reiterated that the US will maintain close communication with Israeli leaders.

  • What Is ‘The Havana Syndrome’ And Its Link To Russia? , world news

    The Pentagon recently confirmed that a high-ranking Defense Department official who participated in last year’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, exhibited symptoms resembling the “Havana syndrome.”

    The investigation into the Havana syndrome continues, encompassing a series of health issues dating back to 2016. During this time, personnel at the US Embassy in Havana began reporting instances of sudden, unexplained sensations of pressure in the head or ears, and episodes of dizziness. .

    The harm inflicted on American government personnel, or their relatives was highlighted in a “60 Minutes” broadcast on CBS, which implied Russian involvement in these incidents. However, the Kremlin dismissed the allegations that Russian military intelligence may be behind this mysterious illness.

    What Is The Havana Syndrome?

    The term “Havana Syndrome” describes a set of puzzling symptoms encountered by American diplomats, notably those stationed at the US Embassy in Havana. The phenomenon emerged in the winter of 2017 when diplomats began reporting illnesses and strange sensations, including intense sounds and pressure in their heads.

    Recently, a senior Department of Defense official experienced symptoms like those anomalous incidents, reported AP. The reports do not suggest whether the affected defense official had to seek further medical care or retire citing medical privacy.

    In another case, Audrey Lee, a Foreign Service officer recounted an abrupt sensation of pressure in her head while washing dishes in her kitchen, according to the New Yorker. Comparable incidents were reported by fellow diplomats, sparking speculation about potential sonic assaults by a foreign party utilizing unspecified sonic weaponry.

    Symptoms And Causes of the Havana Syndrome

    According to reports by AP, the symptoms encompass a wide range, including issues with balance, sleep disturbances, dizziness, concentration difficulties, and many medical conditions could be responsible for their onset.

    As per a recent investigation by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), MRI scans did not uncover any signs of brain injuries in several American personnel reporting AHI (acute and highly unusual illnesses). Suspicions have persisted that individuals affected might have been targeted by directed energy or microwaves emitted from covert devices—a notion recognized in a previous intelligence report from the United States, as reported by the BBC.

    Which Foreign Agency Is Behind These Acoustic Attack?

    In February, the 2024 threat assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of US concluded that it was improbable for a foreign adversary to be accountable for the enigmatic ailments. The report acknowledged that US intelligence agencies held differing degrees of confidence in this evaluation.

    Nevertheless, State Department representative Matthew Miller assured the Associated Press following renewed allegations against Russian Secret Intelligence that the department maintains confidence in that evaluation. “It has been the broad conclusion of the intelligence community since March 2023 that is unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible for these anomalous health incidents,” Miller said.

  • Watch: Fresh Day Time Video Of Baltimore Bridge After Collapse; All Crew Members Are Indian, Says Ship Firm

    Five-decade-old bridge collapsed after a container ship hit it. The collision occurred when a Singapore-flagged container ship named the Dali struck the Francis Scott Key bridge, causing a catastrophic collapse.

  • Inside The US Plan To Counter Russia's Nuclear Warfare In Ukraine | world news

    On February 24, 2022, the world witnessed the commencement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Fast forward two years, and there is still no resolution in sight for the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Since the beginning of the war there was a widespread anticipation that Russia would swiftly overcome Ukrainian defenses and seize control of the capital, Kyiv.

    The ongoing warfare has uprooted millions of Ukrainians, reshaped the geopolitical dynamics of Europe, and inflicted substantial global economic repercussions. Supply chains have been disrupted, contributing to inflation.

    The war has entered its third year, and the momentum today rests with Russia. There is no indication of emergence of peace talks anytime soon, both the country's peace plans are currently in contradictory stage. Amid the sustained unrest, CNN reported that as per two senior administration officials, the US began 'preparing rigorously' for the possibility of Russia launching a nuclear strike on Ukraine.

    As per reports the Biden administration harbored specific concerns regarding the potential deployment of a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon by Russia amid the ongoing conflict. They were ready to deploy every tactic in the book to avoid the possibility of a nuclear conflict.

    US's Cue For Fear Of Nuclear Attack

    1. Russian forces faced a devastating period in late summer 2022 as Ukrainian forces advanced on Russian-occupied Kherson. The potential for a catastrophic loss and the surrounding of Russian units were perceived as triggers for the use of nuclear weapons by Russia.

    2. Between late summer and fall of 2022, the National Security Council held a sequence of meetings to develop contingency plans in case of a clear sign or an actual occurrence of a nuclear attack by Russia. The unforeseen necessity for these preparations took numerous officials by surprise.

    3. Simultaneously, Russia's propaganda machine circulated a false flag story about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, raising fears that it could serve as a cover for a Russian nuclear attack. US officials dismissed the warnings but remained concerned about Russia's motivations.

    4. Intelligence agencies received information about communications among Russian officials explicitly discussing a nuclear strike. The risk level was deemed to be escalating, prompting urgent outreach and high-level discussions between US and Russian officials.

    Plan To Avoid The Contingency

    The United States actively reached out to its allies and sought assistance from non-allied nations, such as China and India, to dissuade Russia from initiating a nuclear attack. The participation of influential global entities was deemed crucial in preventing a crisis.

    Despite a reduction in the immediate threat as the conflict reached a relative stalemate, officials from the US and its allies maintain a state of heightened vigilance. Ongoing refinement of plans acknowledges the potential escalation of nuclear threats in the coming months.

  • ‘By Next Monday We’ll Have A Ceasefire’: US President Biden On Israel-Hamas conflict | world news

    US President Joe Biden highlighted that he hopes there will be a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict by “next Monday,” as reported by CNN.

    He further said that we are close to it but it’s not done yet. “Well, I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend,” Biden said after being asked when a ceasefire might start. “My national security adviser tells me that we’re close. We’re close, it’s not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire,” Biden added. Earlier on Monday, according to CNN, Hamas backed off some key demands in the negotiations for a hostage deal and paused the fighting in Gaza following Israeli accusations that its position was “delusional”.

    It brought the negotiating parties closer to an initial agreement that could halt the fighting and see a group of Israeli hostages released, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

    Following the meeting held in Paris between the US, Egyptian, and Israeli intelligence chiefs and the Qatari prime minister, a senior Biden administration official said, “The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end the war.”

    “Hamas’ requirements for the number of Palestinians (prisoners that) would have to be freed have declined,” the official added. Meanwhile, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said that Hamas softened its position ahead of an agreement on the first phase of a deal, according to CNN.

    However, it is expected that more challenging hurdles will emerge later when complex issues like Hamas releasing male IDF hostages and an end to the war are discussed. Furthermore, those involved in the discussions said that an agreement would likely be implemented in multiple phases and once an initial deal is made, it could lead to a truce lasting for as long as six weeks with a group of Israeli hostages released, including women, children, the elderly and the sick, in exchange for a smaller number of Palestinian prisoners than Hamas had initially demanded.

    According to CNN, the second phase is where discussions are expected to get even more complicated. Reportedly, Israeli leaders have made it clear that they intend to launch a military offensive into Rafah, while in an earlier proposal, Hamas said they want to use a second phase to discuss “the requirements necessary for the continuation of the mutual cessation of military operations.” .”

    Earlier on Sunday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the Paris meeting resulted in “an understanding among the four of them about what the basic contours of a hostage deal for a temporary ceasefire would look like.”

    “There will have to be indirect discussions by Qatar and Egypt with Hamas because ultimately they will have to agree to release the hostages. That work is underway. And we hope that in the coming days, we can drive to a point where there is actually a firm and final agreement on this issue. But we will have to wait and see,” he added.