From 1776 to 2025: US Prepares for 250th Independence anniversary
Washington, D.C. hosts the annual National Independence Day Parade, while local events across all 50 states bring communities together.LEGACY OF JULY 4, 1776On July 4, 1776, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence — primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson — was formally adopted, though the decision to declare independence had been approved two days earlier, on July 2.The document's assertion that 'all men are created equal' laid the foundation for a republic built on freedom, self-determination, and individual rights.As the nation approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, the America250 initiative is planning a historic semi-quincentennial celebration. Preparations are underway for national events, historical exhibitions, and educational programs to mark this once-in-a-generation moment.- Ends
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The Print
20 minutes ago
- The Print
With PM Modi in Argentina, Cong recalls India's deep connect with country, Indira's 1968 visit
He said that Global South, a term now used by Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, was propagated by UNCTAD, although it was first used by British banker Oliver Franks way back in 1960. Ramesh also recalled that Raul Prebisch, an Argentine economist who was very influential in the 1950s and 1960s, helped establish the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) With Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Argentina, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday recalled India's deep connection with that country and then PM Indira Gandhi's visit to Buenos Aires in 1968. 'The Super Premium Frequent Flier is in Argentina today. 3 down, 2 more to go. To Indians, Argentina instantly means Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi. But there are three deeper connects as well,' Ramesh said in his post on X. Rabindranath Tagore spent time in Argentina in November 1924 at the invitation of Victoria Ocampo, a prominent literary figure, he said. 'Tagore's works were already very well known. He and Ocampo developed a warm friendship which has been written about extensively by Tagore's biographers, with Ketaki Kushari Dyson having devoted an entire book to it,' he said. Tagore's collection of 52 lyrical poems called 'Purabi' — published exactly a hundred years ago — was dedicated to 'Vijaya', his name for Ocampo, Ramesh pointed out. 'In September 1968, Indira Gandhi met Ocampo in Buenos Aires and conferred on her the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature of Tagore's Visva-Bharati University, in which she had herself spent nine months beginning July 1934,' Ramesh said. He further said that Jose Luis Borges, who got some of his initial breaks through Ocampo, was a titan of the 20th century Argentinian and Spanish literature. 'When he was seven years old in 1906, Borges had read Sir Edwin Arnold's The Light of Asia and that led him to read and explore the life of the Buddha even more. The impact of the Buddha is reflected in Borges's short stories, essays, poems, and lectures,' he said. Ten years before his death in 1986, Borges's book 'Que es el budismo' (What is Buddhism), reflecting a lifetime of fascination with the Buddha, was published, Ramesh noted. On July 6, 1977, Borges gave his famous lecture on Buddhism in Buenos Aires which survives on YouTube, he said. The Congress leader also recalled Prebisch as a very influential economist in the 1950s and especially in the 1960s. 'He helped establish the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organisation that earned its place in world economic history as UNCTAD. Dr. Manmohan Singh had worked in UNCTAD in New York during Jan 1966-May 1969 and there is a lovely picture of him with his two daughters during this time. 'UNCTAD's second session had been held in New Delhi during Jan-March 1968 — the first time a developing country was hosting a major UN event,' Ramesh noted. It was UNCTAD that propagated the idea of G77, a collective of developing countries that has become influential in global forums, Ramesh said. 'The collective now has 133 developing countries. China does not consider itself as a formal member and so the collective is called G77 plus China,' he said. 'Global South is another term now very much in use by Mr. Modi and the External Affairs Minister — this term too was propagated by UNCTAD, although it was first used by a British banker Oliver Franks way back in 1960,' Ramesh said. Ramesh also shared two photographs – one of Singh from his time at UNCTAD and another of Gandhi with Ocampo at Buenos Aires. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on a two-day visit and was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Ezeiza International Airport. This is the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Argentina in 57 years. It is Modi's second visit to the country as Prime Minister. He last visited the country in 2018 for the G20 Summit. In the fourth leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit, followed by a state visit. In the final leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Namibia. PTI ASK DIV DIV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Trump says Iran has not agreed to inspections, give up enrichment
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (July 4, 2025) that Iran had not agreed to inspections of its nuclear programme or to give up enriching uranium. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believed Tehran's nuclear programme had been set back permanently although Iran could restart it at a different location. Mr. Trump said he would discuss Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the White House on Monday. "I would say it's set back permanently," Mr. Trump said as he travelled to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration at the White House. "I would think they'd have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem." Mr. Trump said he would not allow Tehran to resume its nuclear programme, adding that Iran did want to meet with him. The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday it had pulled its last remaining inspectors from Iran as a standoff deepens over their return to the country's nuclear facilities bombed by the United States and Israel. The U.S. and Israel say Iran was enriching uranium to build nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Israel launched its first military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic three weeks ago. The International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors have not been able to inspect Iran's facilities since then, even though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said that is his top priority. Iran's parliament has passed a law suspending cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of its nuclear facilities can be guaranteed. While the IAEA says Iran has not yet formally informed it of any suspension, it is unclear when the agency's inspectors will be able to return to Iran. Iran has accused the agency of effectively paving the way for the bombings by issuing a damning report on May 31 that led to a resolution by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. The U.S. and Israeli military strikes either destroyed or badly damaged Iran's three uranium enrichment sites. But it was less clear what has happened to much of Iran's nine tons of enriched uranium, especially the more than 400 kg (880 pounds) enriched to up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons grade.
NDTV
38 minutes ago
- NDTV
Rahul Gandhi's "Meekly Bow" Dig At PM Modi As Trump Deadline Draws Closer
New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will "meekly bow" to a deadline set by US President Donald Trump regarding reciprocal tariffs. The Congress leader's dig at the PM comes amid ongoing talks over a trade deal with the US, as President Trump's July 9 deadline looms large. The comments were made via a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Mr Gandhi shared an NDTV news report on Union Minister Piyush Goyal's statement that India was in no hurry to finalise any trade deal unless it was fair and in national interest. "Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants," Mr Gandhi wrote, "mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline." Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 5, 2025 The Tariff Deadline Negotiations between Indian and American officials over a proposed interim trade agreement are in the final stages, with both sides having been working on it for months. The deadline in question is the expiration of a 90-day suspension on reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. That suspension period is set to end on July 9. If no deal is reached by then, the earlier US tariffs, imposed by President Trump in retaliation for Indian duties on American goods, could be reinstated. The Trump administration had introduced a 26 per cent tariff on a range of Indian exports. While it was temporarily lifted in order to enable fresh negotiations, that window is now rapidly closing. India's Position Speaking at an event in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Goyal reiterated that India will only sign a trade agreement that is mutually beneficial and protects national interests. "It should be a win-win agreement, and only when India's interests are safeguarded - national interest will always be supreme - and keeping that in mind, if a good deal is formed, India is always ready to engage with developed countries," he said. Mr Goyal stated that while discussions with the US were ongoing, similar talks were also in progress with other partners, including the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Chile, and Peru. He said that a free-trade agreement is only possible when both sides benefit equally. "A free-trade agreement is only possible when there is mutual benefit. India never enters into trade deals based on deadlines or time pressure. A deal is accepted only when it is fully matured, well-negotiated, and in the national interest," Mr Goyal added.
