World News Archives - Page 78 of 79

15 Feb

US Army Bans Transgender Recruits Following Trump’s Executive Order

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsUS Army

Washington DC (National Times): The United States Army has officially prohibited transgender individuals from enlisting and has halted all gender-affirming medical procedures for service members. The announcement follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on January 27, which reinstates a ban on transgender recruits in the military. Policy Update and Implementation The Army stated in an official release that it “will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members.” The executive order directs the Pentagon to finalize a policy on transgender service…

15 Feb

US Reduces H-1B Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility from 48 to 12 Months for Indians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsH1b visa, US

Washington DC (National Times): The United States has revised its eligibility criteria for the Visa Interview Waiver, commonly known as the Dropbox program, for Indian applicants. The eligibility window has been reduced from 48 months to just 12 months, meaning only those whose visas expired within the past year will now qualify for Dropbox processing. What is the Dropbox Program? The Dropbox program allows eligible visa applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This streamlined process has been particularly beneficial for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders, reducing processing…

14 Feb

Two More Deportation Flights Carrying Indians to Arrive in Amritsar This Week

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Illegal immigrant, United States, US

Washington DC (National Times): Two additional flights carrying deported Indian immigrants from the United States are set to land in India this week, following the recent deportation of 104 individuals under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While the exact number of Indians on these upcoming flights remains unclear, sources indicate that the first of the two flights will arrive in Amritsar on February 15, with another expected in the following days. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has criticized the decision to land these deportation flights in Amritsar, alleging that the NDA-led central government is deliberately attempting to defame Punjab. "Why…

14 Feb

PM Modi Addresses Deportation of Illegal Indian Immigrants from US, Calls for Crackdown on Human Trafficking

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNarendra Modi, US

Washington DC (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Feb 13) addressed the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States, emphasizing that individuals residing unlawfully in foreign countries "do not have any legal right to be there." His remarks came during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump amid growing concerns in India over visuals of shackled Indian citizens being deported. During his US visit, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking back its citizens who are verified and found to be residing in the US illegally. "As far as India and the US are concerned,…

14 Feb

Adani Green Energy Pulls Out of Sri Lanka Wind Power Projects

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, World NewsAdani Green, Gautam Adani, Sri Lanka, Wind Power Projects

Colombo, February 14, 2025 – Adani Green Energy, the renewable arm of billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, has withdrawn from two proposed wind power projects in Sri Lanka. The decision follows the new government's move to renegotiate tariffs. Withdrawal Cites Policy Changes In a statement, the company confirmed its exit, stating, “Adani Green Energy has conveyed its Board’s decision to respectfully withdraw from further engagement in the renewable energy wind project and two transmission projects in Sri Lanka.”The company had planned to invest $1 billion in wind power generation and transmission infrastructure. However, the newly elected administration under President Anura Kumara…

11 Feb

PM Modi and US VP JD Vance Share Spotlight at AI Action Summit in Paris, Strengthening Global Tech Diplomacy

nishuthapar10 CommentsIndia, World NewsAI Action Summit 2025, India-France relations, JD Vance Paris Summit, PM Modi AI Summit

Paris [France], February 11, 2025 (ANI):Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance were seen seated side-by-side at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, attentively listening to French President Emmanuel Macron as he outlined the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This high-profile appearance followed a brief informal interaction between the leaders during a dinner hosted for global dignitaries at the Élysée Palace the previous day.PM Modi received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from President Macron and members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Paris. The French President expressed his excitement for the summit through…

11 Feb

Elon Musk Leads $97.4 Billion Bid to Acquire OpenAI, Sam Altman Mocks the Offer

nishuthapar10 CommentsWorld NewsAI investment, Elon Musk, OpenAI acquisition, Sam Altman, xAI

Washington DC, February 11, 2025: A consortium led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has made a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s assets, according to The New York Times. The offer, backed by investors including Vy Capital, Musk’s AI company xAI, and Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel, is seen as Musk’s latest attempt to gain control over the artificial intelligence giant.However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded with a mocking rejection. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Altman wrote:"No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."The exchange underscores the deep rivalry between Musk and…

10 Feb

Australia Seeks Exemption from Trump’s Steel and Aluminium Tariffs

nishuthapar10 CommentsWorld NewsAnthony Albanese, Australia-U.S. trade, Don Farrell, steel and aluminium tariffs, Trump trade policy

Canberra, February 10, 2025: The Australian government is pushing for an exemption from the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that Australian exports play a crucial role in supporting American jobs and defence ties.Trade Minister Don Farrell emphasized that Australian steel and aluminium contribute to "thousands of good-paying American jobs" and are integral to the U.S.-Australia defence relationship. Australian officials have been engaged in diplomatic efforts for months, seeking a waiver similar to the one granted during Trump’s first term in 2018.Trump’s latest trade move, announced on Sunday, imposed a blanket 25%…

10 Feb

Bangladesh Court Acquits Journalist Mahmudur Rahman in 2015 Plot Case to Abduct and Kill Sheikh Hasina’s Son

nishuthapar10 CommentsWorld NewsBangladesh, Bangladesh Court Verdict, Mahmudur Rahman Acquitted, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka, February 10, 2025: A Bangladesh court on Monday acquitted prominent journalist Mahmudur Rahman in a high-profile case related to an alleged plot to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the United States back in 2015. The verdict, delivered by Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tarique Aziz, stated that the charges against Rahman were "false and fabricated." The court scrapped his previous conviction and sentence, citing a lack of credible evidence.After the verdict, Mahmudur Rahman expressed relief, stating, "I finally got justice from the court. I will continue my fight…

10 Feb

PM Modi’s France Visit & Co-Chairing of AI Action Summit Mark a Major Milestone for India-France Ties

nishuthapar10 CommentsIndia, World NewsAI Action Summit 2025, India-France relations, PM Modi France visit

Paris, February 10, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to France and India’s role as co-chair of the AI Action Summit are being celebrated as significant steps forward in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and France. The summit, scheduled to take place in Paris from February 10–12, will not only focus on advancing technological cooperation but also highlight the growing geopolitical significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global stage.Coumar Ananda, President of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry France-India, underscored the event's importance, noting that AI has evolved beyond being just a technological tool to becoming a…