NEW YORK: In a historical and landmark statement, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has announced a new road map to reform and modernize the United Nations to better reflect today’s geopolitical realities. Besides reiterating Washington's long-standing support for a permanent seat for India, Japan and Germany, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced U.S. support for expanding the Security Council to include two permanent seats for African nations....more
No clear winner in VP debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance
WASHINGTON, Oct 2: Registered voters who watched Tuesday’s debate between vice presidential nominees Tim Walz and JD Vance were closely divided over which candidate did the better job, according to a CNN instant poll of debate watchers conducted by SSRS, and the event left viewers with more positive views of both candidates than they held pre-debate.
Among debate watchers, Walz remains the candidate who’s seen more positively and as more in touch with their needs and vision for the country. Vance, who suffers from more of an image deficit among both viewers and the public at large, boosted his standing among the debate audience, outperforming expectations and gaining ground on the share who perceive him as qualified.
He was also narrowly seen as doing a better job than Walz of defending his running mate. Both men, the poll finds, are viewed by a majority of debate watchers as qualified to assume the presidency if needed. And practically none of the voters who tuned in saw the debate as a reason to change their votes.
Following the debate, 51% of viewers said that Vance did the better job, with 49% picking Walz. In a survey conducted of the same voters prior to the debate, Walz held the advantage as the candidate they expected to perform more strongly, 54% to 45%.
Kamala Harris widens lead over Donald Trump: Poll
NEW YORK, Sept 25: Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 47% to 40% in the race to win the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, as she appeared to blunt Trump's edge on the economy and jobs, a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday found.
Harris had a six percentage point lead based on unrounded figures - which showed her with support from 46.61% of registered voters while Trump was backed by 40.48%, according to the three-day poll that closed on Monday. The Democrat's lead was slightly higher than her five-point advantage over Trump in a Sept 11-12 Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The latest poll had a margin of error of about four percentage points.
Asked which candidate had the better approach on the "economy, unemployment and jobs," some 43% of voters in the poll picked Trump and 41% selected Harris. Trump's two-point advantage on the topic compares to his three-point lead in an August Reuters/Ipsos poll and an 11 point lead over Harris in late July shortly after she launched her campaign.
Biden designates UAE as a second major defense partner after India
WASHINGTON, Sept 23: President Joe Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday after talks with its president on topics that included the war in Gaza and growing Middle East instability.
The U.S. designation - India is the only other country to have been designated as such - allows for close military cooperation through joint training, exercises and other collaborative efforts.
Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for "urgent, unhindered" humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and shared their commitment to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in a statement after their meeting.
At the start of the meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on the latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, where Lebanese officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 people on Monday.
"My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return to their home safely," he said.
Their joint statement touched on the Gulf state's involvement in the Sudan conflict, with both stressing that there was no military solution to the war, which has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.
Early In-Person Voting Begins In 3 Key US States For November Election
ARLINGTON, Sept 21: With more than a month to go before the November 5 presidential election, early in-person voting kicked off Friday in the US states of Virginia, South Dakota and Minnesota as voters pick between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.
Some Americans are already lining up to cast their ballots in this tightly contested race.
Each of the country's 50 states has its own voting procedures: early voting by mail or in person, election day voting or a combination of the three.
For some Americans casting their ballot as soon as it becomes possible is a family tradition.
In Arlington, just across the Potomac River from the US capital, the city center was dotted with Harris and Trump signs and posters. Activists set up information booths, while voters, mostly Democrats, chatted with one another.
Besides electing their next president, voters are also casting ballots in local and state-wide elections.
Following a rollercoaster election campaign -- which saw President Joe Biden drop out of the race to pass the torch to Harris, two apparent attempts on Trump's life, and explosive televised debates -- the stakes could not be higher.
Indian PM Modi's US visit from Sept 21, to attend Quad meet
By Deepak Arora
NEW DELHI, Sept 17: India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the United States from September 21 to 23. The ministry shared an itinerary of the PM's US trip.
On Saturday (Sept 21) Modi would participate in the Quad leaders' summit in Wilmington in Delaware. The meet is hosted by US president Joe Biden at his hometown. The summit holds significance as Biden is not running for a second term in office. When India hosts the next Quad summit next year, the US will have a new president.
“This will be President Biden's first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president -- a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries,” said the president's spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
The Quad summit will also be attended by Japan's Fumio Kishida and Australian premier Anthony Albanese.
The MEA informed that the leaders of Quad would review the progress achieved by the alliance in the last one year. They will set the agenda for the year to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations.
‘Modi & US’ Progress Together' event in New York (September 22)
On September 22, Modi would address the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. Over 24,000 persons have signed up for the event titled ‘Modi & US’ Progress Together'.
The MEA said the Prime Minister will also interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology.
Modi is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape.
On September 23, Modi will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This year, the theme of the Summit is ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’.
A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest, according to the the statement.
Trump survives 2nd assassination attempt at Florida golf course
WEST PALM BEACH, Sept 16: Two months after being shot at an election rally, former US president Donald Trump survived a second assassination attempt while he was playing golf in Florida on Sunday. Following the shooting incident, the Republican US presidential candidate said that he is absolutely “safe and well.”
In a fundraising email, Trump wrote, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”
Following the suspected attack on the Republican US presidential nominee, the FBI confirmed that Donald Trump was the target of what “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
US Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Donald Trump was playing, noticed the muzzle of an AK 47-styled rifle and fired at the gunman.
Within seconds, the suspected shooter fleed the crime spot in a black SUV, leaving behind his AK-47 rifle, a GoPro camera, and two bag packs, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told AP.
Later, the man was stopped by law enforcement in a neighbouring county. He had a calm and flat demeanor and showed no emotion when he was stopped and didn't question why he was pulled over, according Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
“He never asked, ‘what is this about?’ Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it,” Snyder said.
After Donald Trump second assassination bid, US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her relief that Trump was safe after the incident and maintained that there is no place for violence in America.
"I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America," the Democratic presidential wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account.
The White House released a statement after Donald Trump second assassination bid saying that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed on the situation and were both “relieved to know that he is safe.”
Kamala Harris Beats Donald Trump 63%-37%, Post-Debate Survey Suggests
WASHINGTON, Sept 11: American voters broadly agree that Vice President Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump during Tuesday's presidential debate, according to a CNN poll of debate watchers conducted by SSRS, an independent research firm.
Viewers of the debate voted in favour of Harris, 63% to 37%, saying she performed better. Prior to the debate, a poll by The New York Times and Siena College had shown both candidates were neck-and-neck in the race. Afterward, 96% of Harris supporters who watched the debate said that their candidate had done a better job, while only 69% of Trump supporters said he did better.
The Democrat candidate is said to have baited her opponent into angry responses on issues ranging from abortion to foreign policy. Trump said afterwards that this was his "best debate", contrary to what the flash polls have shown. Ms Harris' campaign has challenged him for a second debate in October.
This marks a major shift from June's debate when President Joe Biden was in the running. Back then, polls indicated, 67% to 33%, that Trump outperformed his rival.
However, these polls only represent the views of the debate watching public and not the overall views of the full voting public.
Post the debate, the 59-year-old vice president also earned the endorsement of pop star Taylor Swift.
Viewers of the debate were closely divided over which candidate understands their problems better, with 44% saying Ms Harris does and 40% voting for Trump. On the other hand, debate watchers also gave Trump a 23-point advantage over who they think will handle immigration and the role of commander-in-chief better. They gave Ms Harris a 9-point edge on protecting democracy and abortion rights, the flash poll showed.
Trump-Harris Debate Ignites Two Visions For Future of USA
By Deepak Arora
NEW YORK, Sept 11: The first television debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was not just a meeting of two political figures but a reflection of two fundamentally different visions for America’s future. For international audiences, it underscored the polarized nature of U.S. politics and the sharp contrasts in domestic and foreign policy approaches.
Trump, with his aggressive nationalism and anti-establishment rhetoric, aims to return to the White House as a disruptor once again, while Harris, representing the Biden administration, promotes a progressive agenda focused on unity and global cooperation.
The event, marked by interruptions, pointed rebuttals, and fierce exchanges, reflected the deep ideological divide between the Republican and Democratic parties as they gear up for the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election. For international observers, the debate provided a stark contrast between two visions for the future of the United States, with implications for global politics.
Heading into the debate, there was a question as to how Harris and Trump, who have never met, would greet each other. Harris settled the issue, definitively. She walked over to Trump at his podium, extended her hand and introduced herself as “Kamala Harris.”
It was a disarming way for Harris to approach a man who has spent weeks insulting her race and gender. After that, the debate quickly settled into an expected groove. Harris swiftly painted herself as a forward-looking candidate. She predicted Trump at the debate would pull from the “same tired playbook.”
The debate came at a pivotal moment in American politics. Donald Trump, the 45th president, is seeking a return to the White House amid a series of legal battles and ongoing controversies surrounding his handling of the presidency from 2017 to 2021. His campaign is built on themes familiar to his base—law and order, economic populism, and a strong nationalist agenda that prioritizes “America First.”
Kamala Harris, on the other hand, is the first woman of South Asian and African American descent to serve as Vice President. She represents the progressive wing of the Biden administration, advocating for issues like climate change, immigration reform, and social justice. The debate gave her a platform to defend President Joe Biden’s policies and challenge Trump’s previous record.
Donald Trump began his opening remarks by framing the U.S. under Biden-Harris leadership as a country in decline. He cited rising inflation, crime, and border insecurity as evidence of the administration’s failure to protect the interests of the American people. In typical Trump fashion, he asserted that only he could restore American strength and prosperity, pointing to his track record of tax cuts, economic growth, and deregulation during his time in office.
Kamala Harris, in contrast, focused her opening on the achievements of the Biden administration, highlighting the successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the passage of landmark infrastructure legislation, and efforts to combat climate change. Harris criticized Trump’s leadership style, referring to his divisive rhetoric and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, which remains a significant talking point in American politics.
The candidates also exchanged barbs over the Israel-Gaza war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, though neither offered specifics on how they would seek to end each conflict.
Harris accused Trump of being willing to abandon U.S. support for Ukraine to curry favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling Trump a "disgrace," while Trump claimed Harris "hates" Israel - an assertion she rejected.
On China, Harris slammed Trump for not protecting American interests against China, and criticized his public praise for Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the global pandemic.
“Policy about China should be making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century,” the Vice President added, claiming that Trump “sold us out” during his time in office.
The Republican indicated again that he’d further hike tariffs on China if elected in November, a policy Harris criticized as bad for American consumers.
When the debate turned to the economy, Trump attacked Harris and the Biden administration for what he described as a “disastrous” economic policy. He blamed inflation on excessive government spending and energy policies that have reduced American energy independence. Trump reiterated his commitment to bringing back jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and slashing regulations that he claims are stifling business growth.
Harris countered by emphasizing the administration’s focus on rebuilding the economy “from the bottom up.” She defended Biden’s efforts to raise the minimum wage and provide more support to working families. Harris also noted the global challenges affecting the economy, such as supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, arguing that the administration is working hard to mitigate these issues while supporting sustainable growth and green energy initiatives.
Healthcare quickly became another contentious topic. Trump reiterated his pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, criticizing it for being too costly and inefficient. He promised to replace it with a plan that would offer lower premiums and better coverage, though specifics on this alternative were not provided during the debate.
Harris took the opportunity to defend the ACA, pointing out that millions of Americans gained healthcare access through the program. She criticized Trump’s healthcare proposals as being vague and lacking substance. Additionally, Harris drew attention to Trump’s administration’s efforts to roll back reproductive rights, an issue that continues to animate voters across the political spectrum.
Climate change emerged as one of the sharpest divides between the two candidates. Harris passionately spoke about the need to address climate change, describing it as an existential crisis that requires immediate action. She championed the Biden administration's investments in renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, positioning the U.S. as a leader in the fight against global warming.
Trump dismissed Harris’s climate agenda as harmful to the American economy, particularly to energy jobs in the fossil fuel sector. He expressed skepticism about the extent of human impact on climate change and pushed for an “all of the above” energy policy that includes fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy sources. Trump criticized environmental regulations as being burdensome to businesses and farmers.
Immigration and national security issues provided further areas of dispute. Trump touted his administration’s construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall as a major success in reducing illegal immigration and improving national security. He argued that under Biden and Harris, the southern border had become "wide open" to undocumented migrants, leading to increased crime and drug trafficking.
Harris hit back by emphasizing the need for comprehensive immigration reform and humane treatment of migrants. She pointed to the administration’s efforts to process asylum seekers more efficiently and argued that the Trump-era policies were inhumane and ineffective. Harris also highlighted the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties with Latin American countries to address the root causes of migration.
As the U.S. presidential election looms, the debate between these two leaders highlights the stark choices facing American voters, with significant implications not only for the U.S. but for the world at large.
New York judge delays Trump sentencing until Nov 5 election
NEW YORK, Sept 6: The New York judge who presided over Donald Trump’s hush money trial on Friday delayed sentencing until after November’s US presidential election.
The Republican White House candidate had been scheduled to be sentenced on September 18 for falsifying business records during a scheme to silence a porn star.
Instead, Judge Juan Merchan postponed it to November 26 — well past the November 5 election in which Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump’s lawyers had sought the delay.
Trump was convicted in May of 34 counts of doctoring business records to cover up hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels to stop her from publishing her account of an alleged sexual encounter on the eve of the 2016 election.
He was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 but that was delayed after the Supreme Court ruled that a former US president has broad immunity from criminal prosecution.
Trump’s lawyers had asked that his New York conviction be dismissed following the Supreme Court immunity ruling. Merchan said he would rule on the dismissal motion on November 12 and delayed sentencing until after the election.
“This is not a decision this Court makes lightly but it is the decision which in this Court’s view, best advances the interests of justice,” he said.
Trump in theory faces up to four years in prison on each count. However, he is considered more likely to receive probation.
US finalising 'take it or leave it' deal for Israel-Hamas war
WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 2: The United States may soon put forward a "take it or leave it" deal in front of Hamas and Israel. This comes after Israel on Sunday discovered the bodies of six, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin taken hostage by Hamas on Oct 7.
As per a Washington Post report citing a senior US administration official, the US, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been discussing a deal, the failure of which could see America exit the negotiations.
The "take it or leave it" deal is set to be presented in the next few weeks.
"You can't keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point," said the official.
According to the official, the discovery of the hostage remains adds "urgency" to the deal.
"Does it derail the deal? No. If anything, it should add additional urgency in this closing phase, which we were already in," said the US official.
Last week's negotiations, as per reports, were primarily focused on which hostages would be freed in exchange for specific Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Three of the six hostages — Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat and Eden Yerushalmi — whose remains were found on Sunday were part of the list of people set to be released.
With this, as per the Washington Post, the negotiations have now taken on added complexity and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners would now need to be renegotiated.
The Israel Defense Forces and the US alleged that the six hostages were killed "execution style" by their Hamas captors "shortly before" they were discovered. This execution, as per a senior US administration official, "calls into question" the militant group's seriousness in the talks. According to the official, Hamas has remained stubborn during various parts of the negotiations, despite Israeli officials making concessions.
On Hersh Goldberg-Polin's death, Biden says ‘Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes’
WASHINGTON, Sept 1: President Joe Biden has broken his silence after the family of Israeli-American man Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, announced his death. Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped while he was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel.
“Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas. We have now confirmed that one of the hostages killed by these vicious Hamas terrorists was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
“I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world,” Biden added.
Biden wrote that he has gotten to know Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Jon and Rachel, and described them as “courageous, wise, and steadfast.” “They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express,” Biden wrote.
He added, “I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Calls For Engaging In Text-based Negotiations On Council Reforms