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Showing posts from January, 2025

Ukraine Says North Korean troops "Withdrawn" From Kursk Front Line

Ukraine believes North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia's army on the Kursk front line have been "withdrawn" after suffering heavy losses, a military spokesman told AFP on Friday. Western, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies say Pyongyang deployed more than 10,000 troops to support Russia's forces fighting in its western Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a shock cross-border offensive in August. Kyiv captured dozens of border settlements in the operation -- the first time a foreign army had crossed into Russian territory since the Second World War -- in an embarrassing setback for the Kremlin. The North Korean deployment -- never officially confirmed by Moscow or Pyongyang -- was supposed to reinforce Russia's army and help them expel Ukraine's troops. But nearly six months on, Ukraine still holds on to swathes of Russian territory, something President Volodymyr Zelensky sees as a key bargaining chip in any future negotiations with...

Trump Says Will "Absolutely" Impose Tariffs On EU

US President Donald Trump said Friday he was "absolutely" going to impose tariffs on the European Union in the future, as he prepared to slap levies on China, Mexico and Canada. "Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? You want the truthful answer or shall I give you a political answer? Absolutely. The European Union has treated us so terribly," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/kBGbmv2

Israel To Free 183 Palestinian Prisoners Today

Israel is set to release 183 prisoners on Saturday in the fourth hostage-prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal, a Palestinian advocacy group said, more than doubling the previous reported figure. "The updated number of prisoners to be released tomorrow is 183," said Palestinian Prisoners' Club spokeswoman Amani Sarahneh on Friday, after previously announcing that 90 prisoners would be released from Israeli jails. The advocacy group published two separate lists of names due for release on Saturday. The first comprised 72 prisoners arrested before Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. A second list of inmates to be freed contained 111 names of Gazans detained after the attack that sparked the war in the Palestinian territory. Since the truce took effect on January 19, Gaza militants have released 15 hostages after holding them in captivity for over 15 months. The three hostages to be freed Saturday are Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, who also holds US citi...

Canada PM Trudeau Says Tariff Response Will Be "Forceful But Reasonable"

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada's response will be "forceful but reasonable" if US decide to impose 25 per cent tariffs as threatened by President Donald Trump, The Globe and Mail reported. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on its neighbour Canada and Mexico as early as Saturday. "If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we're ready with a response -- a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response," Trudeau told reporters before a meeting with his advisory council on Canada-US relations on Friday, The Globe and Mail reported. Meanwhile, Trump on Thursday reiterated his threats saying that the tarrifs are coming and that he had yet to decide whether Canadian oil would be covered in those tariffs. Trudeau mentioned that along with Canada, the tariffs would also damage US economy and undermine the collective security of two nations. Trudeau added that Canada would keep making its...

Indian Astronaut To Pilot Private Spacecraft Axiom-4, Do Yoga In Space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, set to become the second Indian to go to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's journey on board the Soyuz T-11 in April 1984, will take on the role of pilot on the Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4. The Ax-4 will go to the International Space Station (ISS) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than spring 2025, Axiom told reporters on Thursday. Group Captain Shukla, who is serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has also been chosen as an astronaut for India's Gaganyaan Mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was ISRO that sent him to NASA for the Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the private Ax-4 mission, while Group Captain Shukla will serve as pilot, the American space agency told reporters. "I am really excited to go into microgravity and experience space ...

Trump Blames "Diversity Policies" Under Obama, Biden After Chopper-Plane Crash

US President Donald Trump blamed diversity policies implemented during the Obama and Biden administrations for compromising air safety standards. This statement came after a devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in no survivors. Trump's remarks have ignited a heated debate about the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The President claimed that these initiatives prioritised policy over safety, stating, "I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first." He further emphasised, "They actually came out with a directive: 'too white.' And we want the people that are competent". The FAA's hiring practices have been under scrutiny, with some critics arguing that DEI programs can be discriminatory. However, supporters of these initiatives contend that they address historical and ongoing disc...

Harvey Weinstein Seeks Early Retrial Over "Hellhole" Prison Conditions

Disgraced Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein asked a court Wednesday to bring forward his retrial for sex offenses arguing that his "hellhole" prison conditions were unbearable, US media reported. Weinstein, 72, looked frail as he appeared in a Manhattan courtroom for a hearing ahead of his retrial for rape and sexual assault that follows last year's overturn of his 2020 convictions on legal grounds. The judge has set the date of his retrial for April 15 and declined to move proceedings. The former movie mogul, who is in poor health and underwent emergency heart surgery last year, told the court he was unsure "how much longer I can hold on," People magazine reported. Weinstein is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted on separate rape charges in California. His New York conviction in 2020 was for the rape and sexual assault of an actress and of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant. He was sentenced to 23 years in p...

White House Cancels Trumps Federal Funding Freeze Amid Chaos: Reports

The White House has withdrawn President Donald Trump's freeze on funding for federal aid programs, which caused chaos and was temporarily blocked by a judge, US media reported Wednesday. The head of the Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to the chiefs of US government departments and agencies saying the earlier order "is rescinded," NBC News and other outlets reported. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/m9HYDUP

Trump Refuses To Pay $360,000 Legal Bill Over Failed Lawsuit, UK Court Told

US President Donald Trump has refused to pay 290,000 pounds ($360,000) in legal fees after his English lawsuit against a private investigations firm was dismissed, a London court heard on Wednesday. Trump brought a data protection lawsuit against Orbis Business Intelligence over allegations in a dossier written by its co-founder, former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, but his claim was thrown out in February last year.  The so-called Steele dossier alleged ties between Trump's 2016 election campaign and Russia as well as other salacious allegations, all of which Trump denied. Lawyers representing Orbis said on Wednesday that Trump had been ordered to make a payment of 290,000 pounds towards Orbis' legal fees, with further sums also likely to be due. "No real reason has been given for the non-payment," said Orbis' lawyer Mark Friston.  He said Trump was now also claiming he had "sovereign immunity" from any enforcement action as a he...

Denmark To Boost Security As Trump Ramps Up Threat To Take Over Greenland

Denmark is bolstering its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, allocating an additional 14.6 billion Danish crowns ($2.05 billion) to enhance security. This move comes as Denmark resists US President Donald Trump's demands to hand over control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory with significant mineral resources. The notion of the United States purchasing Greenland has been a topic of discussion for months, but recent developments suggest that President Trump's administration is more serious about the proposition than initially thought. At the heart of Trump's interest in Greenland lies its strategic importance for national security. The island is rich in minerals crucial for technology and defense, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, and weapons. With China dominating the global rare earth market, Greenland's reserves have become increasingly vital to the US. According to Denmark's Defence Ministe...

"Trump Will Not Have Greenland," Says Denmark's Foreign Minister

Denmark's foreign minister on Tuesday said that Donald Trump "will not have Greenland", following the US president's expressed desire to control the Danish autonomous territory. "Trump will not have Greenland. Greenland is Greenland. And the Greenlandic people are a people, also in the sense of international law," Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters, adding that "this is also why we have said time and again that it is ultimately Greenland that decides Greenland's situation." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/SQEdq9u

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu To Meet Donald Trump Next Week In US: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is planning for his to travel to Washington DC next week to meet with US President Donald Trump, The Times of Israel reported. The trip has not been finalised and will be dependent on Netanyahu's health, as he recovers from prostate surgery, but the plan is for him to depart on Sunday and return on Thursday, as per The Times of Israel. If he travels, Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term. Netanyahu on January 26 thanked Trump for giving them 'tools' for self-defence. Thank you President Trump for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to confront our common enemies and to secure a future of peace and prosperity"@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/O8Bgzk8j1V     — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 26, 2025 "Thank you President Trump for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to con...

From Secretary Of State To FBI Director: Trump's Top Picks For His Cabinet

More of President Donald Trump's picks for his cabinet are expected to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate in the coming days after the Republican-controlled chamber began approving them last week. Hearings for other nominees are scheduled for this week as well, including Trump's nominees for FBI director, director of national intelligence and secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Here are Trump's choices for some of the key posts, including defense, intelligence, health, diplomacy, trade, justice, immigration and economic policymaking. PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY Hegseth, 44, is a military veteran who has expressed disdain for the "woke" policies of Pentagon leaders, including its top military officer. He was narrowly confirmed on Friday when Vice President JD Vance cast the deciding vote. As secretary of defense, Hegseth could make good on Trump's campaign promise to rid the U.S. military of generals whom he accuses of pursuing prog...

Big Tech Faces Heat As China's DeepSeek Questions Billion-Dollar Spending

Chinese startup DeepSeek's cheaper AI is sharpening investor scrutiny of the billions U.S. tech giants are pouring to develop the technology and analysts say it will dominate this week's much-awaited results from industry bellwethers. DeepSeek has claimed it took just two months and cost under $6 million to build an AI model using Nvidia's less-advanced H800 chips. An app powered by the V3 model became the top iPhone download in the U.S. on Monday. The startup founded in 2023 has said its AI models either match or outperform top U.S. rivals at a fraction of the cost, challenging the view that scaling AI requires vast computing power and investment. Such a business need has powered an increase of around $10 trillion in the market value of "Magnificent Seven" companies since ChatGPT kicked off the AI boom in November 2022. "Did DeepSeek really build OpenAI for $5 million? Of course not," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon said. "It seems like a stretc...

China's AI Startup DeepSeek Hit By "Cyberattack", Limits New Registration

Chinese AI sensation DeepSeek on Monday said it was limiting the registration of new users due to large-scale cyberattacks on its services. The company, whose chatbot took over OpenAI's ChatGPT as Apple's top downloaded app on Monday, cited "large-scale malicious attacks" for outages and its inability to take on new users. DeepSeek, which was developed by a start-up based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has shown the ability to match the capacity of AI pace-setters such as Nvidia. Its success on the US app store sent shares in AI-linked tech giants plummeting on Monday. The low-cost Chinese generative AI venture is thought to have matched US companies in its abilities but at a fraction of the cost. Analysts had long thought that the United States' critical advantage over China when it comes to producing high-powered chips -- and its ability to prevent the Asian power from accessing the technology -- would give it the edge in the AI race. Available a...

Tariff War Begins Under Trump. US Acts After Colombia Refuses Migrant Flights

US President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered sweeping tariffs and sanctions against Colombia in retaliation for its refusal to accept deportation flights, as Bogota responded in kind with a 25 percent levy on US goods. Trump, back in office for less than a week and peeved after President Gustavo Petro turned away the US planes, launched the tit-for-tat by promising to impose 25 percent on Colombian products, which would rise to 50 percent in a week. His authority to do so was unclear as Colombia, historically one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America, enjoys a free-trade agreement with the United States. Trump also said he would immediately revoke visas for Colombian government officials and Petro's "supporters" -- and subject Colombians to greater scrutiny at airports. "These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they force...

Padma Vibhushan Osamu Suzuki: The Man Who Gave India Maruti 800 Car

Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corp's patriarch and long-time chairman who has been conferred Padma Vibhushan posthumously, headed the company for more than 40 years and revolutionised India's car market with the introduction of the popular Maruti 800 car. Osamu Suzuki is among seven personalities who were conferred Padma Vibhushans, one of the highest civilian honours in the country, on Saturday. Osamu Suzuki, who died in late December last year at the age of 94, shared a good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to PM Modi, Osamu Suzuki was a legendary figure in the global automotive industry. “His visionary work reshaped global perceptions of mobility. Under his leadership, Suzuki Motor Corporation became a global powerhouse, successfully navigating challenges, driving innovation and expansion. He had a profound affection for India and his collaboration with Maruti revolutionised the Indian automobile market,” the Prime Minister had posted on X social media p...

Foreign Minister Engages US, Foreign Secretary, China: India's Balancing Act

India's diplomacy stands out globally for its ability to balance ties between adversaries. The latest example of this is happening this week. As foreign minister S Jaishankar touches down in New Delhi after a five-day visit to the US for Donald Trump's inauguration, foreign secretary Vikram Misri heads to China to foster ties with Beijing. Just ten days ago, during a visit to Spain, foreign minister S Jaishankar had said India is one of the very few countries in the world that can engage both Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israel and Iran. "This is something very, very unique. And it is unique because if you look at the world today, it is a very polarised world," he said. Donald Trump has threatened to impose hefty tariffs on China and even the BRICS+ countries, which India is a member of as well. China, the world's second-largest economy, has warned that it will retaliate, should Washington actually follow through. President Trump has also targeted China over i...

Trump Says He Wants To Meet Putin Soon To Ensure End Of Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he wanted to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to secure an end to the almost three-year-old war with Ukraine, lamenting what he called the huge loss of life. In the run-up to his Nov 5 election victory, Trump declared dozens of times that he would have a deal in place between Ukraine and Russia on his first day in office, if not before. His advisers now concede the war will take months to resolve. "I really would like to be able to meet with President Putin soon to get that war ended," Trump, who returned to the White House on Monday, told the World Economic Forum in Davos by video link. "And that's not from the standpoint of economy or anything else. It's from the standpoint of millions of lives are being wasted ... It's a carnage. And we really have to stop that war." Trump also said US efforts to secure a peace settlement were now hopefully underway, but gave no details. (This story has not bee...

'Make Your Products In America Or Pay Tariffs': Trump Tells Davos

US President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to global elites in a video message to the World Economic Forum on Thursday: Make your product in the United States or pay tariffs. Beamed on a giant screen in the Swiss Alpine village of Davos, Trump received a loud round of applause from political and business A-listers who had eagerly awaited his appearance all week. Speaking from the White House, Trump touted his plans to cut taxes, deregulate industries and crack down on illegal immigration. But he also had a tough message. "Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on earth," Trump said. "But if you don't make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply you will have to pay a tariff." In his wide-ranging speech, Trump made a link between the war in Ukraine and oil prices. Trump said he would ask Saudi Arabia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to bring dow...

Trump To Send 1,500 Extra Troops To US-MexicoBborder

US President Donald Trump will send 1,500 more soldiers to the border with Mexico as part of a flurry of steps to tackle immigration, his spokeswoman said on Wednesday. "President Trump signed an executive order for 1,500 additional troops for the United States' southern border," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/trbVH0m

What Would Trump Tariffs Mean For Key Trade Partner Mexico?

US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 25-percent tariff on Mexican goods on February 1, a move that analysts say would deal a heavy blow to Latin America's second-largest economy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for "a cool head" in response to Trump's trade and other policy announcements. What would be the implications for Mexico if its biggest trading partner imposes tariffs? - Would tariffs tip Mexico into recession? - Mexico's economy is "arguably the most vulnerable" to US trade protectionism, according to London-based consultancy firm Capital Economics. Mexico replaced China in 2023 as the largest trading partner with the United States, which buys 83 percent of its exports. The electronics and vehicle sectors would be particularly exposed to tariffs because half of their demand comes from the United States, Capital Economics said. The vehicle sector alone generates five percent of Mexico's national economic output...

Trump Justice Department Targets State Officials Over Immigration Policies

The US Justice Department has threatened local and state authorities with prosecution if they fail to cooperate with President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which include a pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Citing a constitutional clause concerning division of power, acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove said in a memorandum that "federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands." "The Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution," Bove added in the memo issued late Tuesday and published by US media on Wednesday. Trump announced severe new restrictions on immigration and asylum in the United States hours after taking office on Monday, including a plan to send troops to the US-Mexico border and end birthright citizenship. The Republican president vowed during his White Hous...

Green Hydrogen, Drone City: At Davos, Chandrababu Naidu's To-Do List For Andhra

Andhra Pradesh is working hard to become a green hydrogen hub and to take the lead in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) development, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told NDTV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos. Green hydrogen is a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air. Mr Naidu, who comes to Davos as part of the 'India Story', said he is keeping a keen eye on the latest global trends on investments. "Green energy, green hydrogen, and AI are hot subjects globally. We want to promote and be leaders in them," Mr Naidu said. He said there are two sides to the speed of doing business. "Speed of doing business is one aspect. The other aspect is how departments can work to deliver services to citizens effectively and efficiently. We are in an inspiring time. We have access to historical data at a time when AI is becoming mature," the Chief Minister said, adding the combination of real-time d...

First Woman To Head US Military Service Fired By Trump

President Donald Trump's administration has removed Admiral Linda Fagan -- the first woman to lead a US military service -- as the head of the Coast Guard. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, did not immediately respond to a request on Tuesday for comment on Fagan's dismissal. Fox News cited a senior official saying reasons included her failure to address border security threats, excessive focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and an "erosion of trust" over the Coast Guard's investigation into sexual assault cases. Trump and other Republicans have long railed against government programs aimed at fostering diversity, and border security is a key priority for the president, who declared a national emergency at the US frontier with Mexico on Monday, the first day of his new term. "She served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation," acting DHS secretary Benjamine Huffman sai...

Capital One Arena Takes Centre Stage At Trump's Inauguration

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday at an inauguration ceremony that has been scaled back due to a forecast of severe cold weather in the nation's capital. WHAT EVENTS ARE EXPECTED? Trump will take the oath of office and deliver his inaugural address inside the US  Capitol, instead of outdoors in front of the building, as initially planned. The traditional inaugural parade, which was set to include marching bands and other groups proceeding down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, has been moved to the Capital One Arena, a professional basketball and hockey venue in downtown Washington. Trump also held a campaign-style "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" at the arena on Sunday, putting the sometimes-maligned stadium at the center of events for two nights. WHAT IS THE CAPITAL ONE ARENA? The arena is home to the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals team. ...

What's Next For Fusion Power And AI? 3 Business Leaders Explain At Davos

The five-day meeting at Davos beginning Monday will explore how to re-launch growth, harness new technologies and strengthen social and economic resilience, according to the World Economic Forum. The global meeting will see participation by nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 350 governmental leaders. NDTV spoke to Commonwealth Fusion Systems CEO Bob Mumgaard, Abhishek Awadhiya of SimpliAI, and Avanti Fellows founder Akshay Saxena - people who have a real say about where it's all going. It's been a year of real crisis around the world, whether it's conflict, concerns over sustainable development, and concerns over so many issues, not least of all the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate. Nuclear Fusion Energy Mr Mumgaard began by giving an overview of the future of nuclear plants in terms of fusion energy and safe operations. "It's completely different from existing nuclear power. It's the opposite. In fusion, you're c...

'Mass Arrests Of Illegal Migrants Day After Trump's Oath': US 'Border Czar'

US immigration authorities will carry out mass arrests of undocumented immigrants across the country on Tuesday, a top border official in the incoming administration of Donald Trump has said. The move would be among the first by Republican Trump, who returns to the White House on Monday, to uphold a campaign pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States. The remarks on Friday by Trump's incoming "border czar" Tom Homan to Fox News came in response to reports in the Wall Street Journal and other US outlets that Trump's new administration planned to carry out an "immigration raid" in Chicago beginning Tuesday. "There's going to be a big raid across the country. Chicago is just one of many places," said Homan, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who oversaw a policy that separated migrant parents and children at the border under the first Trump administration. "On Tuesday, IC...

From Oath To Parade: Everything You Need To Know About Trump's Inauguration

Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Monday, ushering in his second term in office and capping one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history. Inauguration Day is, by tradition, largely dedicated to pomp and circumstance. One president leaves the White House, and another moves in. But Trump, a Republican, also has pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders on subjects ranging from border security to oil and gas production on his first day in office. Here is what we know about Inauguration Day so far: WHEN IS THE INAUGURATION? Trump will take the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT). It was originally due to take place in front of the U.S. Capitol but will now take place inside the congressional complex because of bitter cold. Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. In interviews, he has said he intends it to be uplifting and unifying. That would mark a d...