Autopsy reveals 44 injuries, brain damage to Tamil Nadu custodial death victim
In the second leg of his five-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an extraordinary welcome in Trinidad and Tobago. The entire cabinet, clad in traditional Indian attire, greeted him at the airport, with Prime Minister Kamala Prasad calling him a 'transformation leader' and a global icon.
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Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
From India to Vietnam: Where trade talks with the US stand ahead of Trump's deadline
US President Donald Trump has said he will send letters to select trade partners facing tariff hikes as early as Monday, piling pressure on countries to strike a deal with Washington before a new August 1 deadline. Trump announced on Friday the levies' imposition would be pushed to August 1 to allow time for talks to wrap up, but said he signed 12 letters to inform some countries of rate hikes, which will likely be sent on Monday.(AFP) The White House announced sharp levies on dozens of economies in April, citing a lack of "reciprocity" in trade relations, which were set to kick in on Wednesday, July 9. Also Read: 'It's all fake': In bombshell claim, White House insider says Trump's tariff threats a 'theatrical show' Trump announced on Friday the levies' imposition would be pushed to August 1 to allow time for talks to wrap up, but said he signed 12 letters to inform some countries of rate hikes, which will likely be sent on Monday. With Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the administration was "close to several deals," where do things stand for economies from Taiwan to the European Union? EU: 'Ready' for deal The European Union said it is "ready for a deal" with Washington, with the bloc's trade chief meeting his US counterparts Thursday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was targeting an "agreement in principle" when it came to the initial July 9 cutoff. Bessent said the European Union is "making very good progress" after a slow start. With no deal, the US tariff on EU goods doubles from the "baseline" of 10 percent to 20 percent -- with Trump previously threatening a 50 percent level. Vietnam: A pact with uncertainties Washington and Hanoi unveiled a trade pact Wednesday with much fanfare and few details, but it allowed Vietnam to avoid Trump's initial 46 percent tariff. Under the agreement, Vietnamese goods face a minimum 20 percent tariff while products made elsewhere face a 40 percent levy -- a clause to restrict "transshipping" by Chinese groups. But there remain questions on how the higher levy would apply to products using foreign parts. There is also a risk that Beijing will adopt retaliatory measures, analysts warned. Japan: Rice, autos at stake Despite being a close US ally and major source of foreign investment, Japan might not escape Trump's tariff hike. Tokyo's trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa has made numerous trips to Washington through the end of June. But Trump recently criticized what he described as Japan's reluctance to open up further to US rice and auto exports. "I'm not sure we're going to make a deal," Trump said, adding that the country could pay a tariff of "30 percent, 35 percent, or whatever the number is that we determine." India: A good position Indian manufacturers and exporters want to believe they can avoid a 26 percent tariff. Negotiations between both countries have been going well for weeks, and Trump himself suggested at the end of June that a "very big" agreement was imminent. Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, said the feedback he received "suggests positive developments." But he maintained that the situation was fluid. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed that agriculture and dairy products remain "very big red lines." South Korea: Muted optimism Seoul, which is already reeling from US tariffs on steel and autos, wants to avert a sweeping 25 percent levy on its other exports. Cooperation in shipbuilding could be a bargaining chip, but "at this stage, both sides still haven't clearly defined what exactly they want," said new President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday. "I can't say with confidence that we'll be able to wrap everything up by July 8," he added. Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan in the wings Other Asian economies including Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, which faces a 49 percent tariff, wait with bated breath. Indonesia has indicated willingness to boost energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the United States. Bangladesh is proposing to buy Boeing planes and step up imports of US agriculture products. Taiwan, for whom Washington is a vital security partner, faces a 32 percent duty without a pact. Although both sides have faced bumps along the way, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said "negotiators from both sides are working diligently" to find a path forward. Switzerland: Hope for delay Switzerland's government said Washington has acknowledged it was acting in good faith, and assumes its tariff level will remain at 10 percent on July 9 while negotiations continue. But without a decision by the president as of the end of June, Switzerland did not rule out that levies could still rise to a promised 31 percent.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump says 'take it or leave it' tariff letters to 'various countries' will go out Monday; reveals a key detail
Donald Trump has sent tariff letters to many countries. These letters contain final trade deal proposals. The letters were sent on July 7. Some countries have already made deals with the US. The UK and Vietnam are among them. India and the EU are yet to finalise any deal. The new tariffs will be effective from August 1. US President Donald Trump has signed tariff letters on exports from 12 countries, which are expected to be sent out on July 7 (Monday). Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Deadline looms as U.S. abandons traditional negotiations Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India, EU yet to strike deal as U.S. hardens stance US President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that a series of new tariff letters and trade deal proposals are being dispatched to several countries starting noon Eastern Time, calling them final, non-negotiable offers.'I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th,' Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. 'Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Trump wrote in a post on Truth announcement confirms a sharp shift in the U.S. trade strategy — away from drawn-out negotiations toward unilateral terms dictated directly by Washington. Trump had earlier referred to these as 'take it or leave it' proposals, meant to expedite stalled talks and enforce the tariff plan announced in letters are being sent just two days before the July 9 expiration of a 90-day tariff suspension announced in April, when Trump proposed a base 10% tariff on most imports, with provisions to raise rates as high as 70% for certain Friday, speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the letters would be addressed to about a dozen countries, each receiving different terms based on their trade relationship with the U.S. He declined to name them, saying only that the recipients would be revealed once the letters go far, only two countries—the United Kingdom and Vietnam—have secured finalized trade deals with the U.S. The UK negotiated to retain the base tariff rate along with sectoral exemptions, while Vietnam agreed to a reduced 20% tariff, down from a proposed 46%, in exchange for broader market access for U.S. new tariffs, for countries that do not reach agreement, are expected to take effect from August with India and the European Union remain underway. Diplomatic sources in Brussels said last week that talks with Washington had stalled, with no progress toward avoiding the higher tariff brackets. Indian officials have not commented publicly but are believed to be holding out for more flexible the White House making it clear that the incoming letters are final and 'not open for revision', both India and the EU now face a difficult choice: accept the U.S.-proposed terms or risk facing steep tariffs within experts warn that the lack of bilateral flexibility could trigger retaliatory measures and inflame global trade tensions , especially if the U.S. implements the higher-end tariffs on sensitive the potential fallout, Trump defended the move as a necessary correction to what he described as years of imbalanced trade. 'The letters are better... much easier to send a letter,' he said last week, underscoring his frustration with slow-moving the tariff letters now on their way, attention shifts to how U.S. partners—especially those without finalized deals—will respond to Washington's ultimatum.
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
PM Modi Bats For Multilateral Reform, Global South Empowerment At BRICS, In Brazil
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the BRICS Summit plenary session in Brazil, laying out a bold roadmap to reform multilateral systems, build resilient economies, and responsibly harness the power of Artificial Intelligence. The session, themed 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence', brought together leaders from the BRICS bloc amid growing global instability and rising expectations from the Global South. The address comes as part of PM Modi's ambitious five-nation diplomatic outreach, which began in Ghana, continued through Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina, and now brings him to Brazil for the BRICS Summit. His final stop will be in Namibia. The tour reflects India's deepening engagement with the Global South and its strategic role in multilateral forums. Addressed the BRICS Summit Plenary session on 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence.' Focused on how to make the BRICS platform even more effective in this increasingly multipolar world. Also gave a few suggestions which are… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2025 'I focused on how to make the BRICS platform even more effective in this increasingly multipolar world. Also gave a few suggestions which are explained in the thread below,' the Prime Minister said, outlining four core proposals for BRICS cooperation. PM Modi first underscored the need for internal reforms within BRICS nations to enhance their global credibility. 'First, I emphasized improving our systems so that our credibility is boosted when we call for reformed multilateralism,' he said. Highlighting the progress made through the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), Modi stressed the need for smarter financing: 'While sanctioning projects through the BRICS NDB, there must be a focus on demand-driven decision-making, long-term financial sustainability, and maintaining a healthy credit rating.' The Prime Minister stressed that BRICS must rise to meet the expectations of developing nations that see the bloc as a voice for fairness and opportunity. 'Second, we can work together to fulfill specific expectations and aspirations that nations of the Global South can have from BRICS.' Modi urged the bloc to directly address the needs of the Global South, with India leading by example. 'We can work together to fulfill specific expectations and aspirations nations of the Global South can have from BRICS,' he said. He cited India's leadership in launching the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform, which facilitates knowledge sharing in agri-biotech, climate adaptation, and precision farming. 'I also proposed creating a BRICS Science and Research Repository that can also benefit the countries of the Global South,' he added. Turning to economic resilience, Modi called for a united front to safeguard key global supply chains. 'We must focus on securing and making their supply chains resilient. It must also be ensured that no country uses these resources solely for its interests or as a weapon,' he cautioned. Reinforcing India's tech diplomacy, PM Modi championed the idea of AI as a force for collective human advancement. 'We in India believe in AI as a tool to enhance human values and capabilities. Guided by the mantra of 'AI for All', India is actively using AI in many sectors,' he said, adding, 'In AI governance, addressing concerns and encouraging innovation should both receive equal priority.' Concluding his remarks, Modi reminded fellow leaders of the weight of their responsibility. 'The Global South has many expectations from us. To fulfill them, we must follow the principle of 'Lead by Example.' India is fully committed to working shoulder to shoulder with all partners to achieve our shared goals,' he declared.
