Benin Appoints Spike Lee & Wife As Ambassadors For African Americans In US Firstpost Africa
Benin has appointed American director Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, as its ambassadors in the US for African Americans. They are tasked with bringing people of African descent closer to their roots. The duo is expected to raise awareness among people of African origin and support initiatives that promote their ties with Benin. The agreement was reportedly finalised during the couple's visit to the country's capital, Cotonou, last week. President Patrice Talon's government said that the move will help African descendants to reconnect with their historical, cultural, and spiritual roots. Watch our video for more on the story.
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Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
From stress to serenity: How India's yoga diplomacy can benefit H-1B holders
As someone who has been advocating for knowledge-worker rights since 2004, I've witnessed the H-1B visa issue evolve from online debates to kitchen table discussions and eventually, to the halls of Congress. The uncertainty and anxiety faced by Indian H-1B holders and their families have only intensified with the growing US visa backlog, now a staggering 11.3 million under the Trump administration. The US visa backlog has real-life implications for millions of Indians who have invested in their American dreams. Delays and uncertainty have become a constant source of stress, affecting not just their careers but also their personal lives. As a nation with a significant soft power asset in spiritual diplomacy, India must navigate this complex issue while balancing its strategic autonomy. A Powerful Tool for Cultural Understanding India's spiritual diplomacy, including Yoga diplomacy, can be a potent tool in promoting cultural understanding and cooperation. With International Yoga Day recognised by over 180 countries worldwide, Yoga has become a global phenomenon, promoting Indian heritage and global harmony. Yoga, with its emphasis on mindfulness, breath control, and physical well-being, can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting mental health and resilience. By showcasing its rich spiritual heritage and promoting Yoga, India can foster people-to-people connections and build bridges between nations. Creating a Collective Collaborative Ecosystem To harness the benefits of Yoga diplomacy, India can invite Yoga centres across the country to participate in a unified initiative. This ecosystem can be built by partnering with renowned Yoga centres and ashrams to develop and promote Yoga programs tailored to the needs of Indian citizens abroad. Digital platforms like YogaYukt can disseminate Yoga resources, including videos, apps, and online classes, to enhance accessibility and reach a wider audience of over 650,000 volunteers trained through the Yoga Certification Board. Collaborating with research institutions can also help study the benefits of Yoga and meditation for mental health and well-being. Economic Potential The significance of Yoga and Ayurveda extends beyond culture and diplomacy — they also carry major economic potential. As part of the $4 trillion global wellness industry, India has positioned itself as a leading supplier of Ayurvedic products, herbal remedies, and wellness services. Yoga-related tourism, teacher training programs, and international workshops generate revenue and open up employment opportunities. With global trends shifting toward preventive health and natural living, India is increasingly seen as a hub for integrative healthcare — a fusion of tradition and innovation. A Game-Changer for Global Understanding India's collective collaborative effort to promote Yoga diplomacy can be a game-changer in fostering global understanding, cooperation, and peace. By harnessing the power of Yoga and meditation, India can promote its rich spiritual heritage, build bridges between nations, and demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of individuals worldwide. This initiative can not only aid in addressing the challenges faced by Indian citizens abroad but also showcase India's unique cultural identity and promote a positive image of the nation globally. With a 25-million-strong Indian diaspora representing a powerful network of influence across the world, Yoga diplomacy provides a cultural link that strengthens ties between these communities and their homeland. As India continues to navigate complex global issues, its Yoga diplomacy effort can serve as a beacon of hope and cooperation, promoting a more harmonious and peaceful world order. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
US Consumers Will Be Paying A Large Sales Tax On All The Imported Goods : Steve Hanke #brasstacks
US Consumers Will Be Paying A Large Sales Tax On All The Imported Goods : Steve Hanke #brasstacks Last Updated: July 31, 2025, 22:49 IST Videos World | Trump reserves the right to change the terms of the deal since nothing is in writing. American consumers will be paying a large sales tax on all the imported goods. It is a disaster for US consumer: Steve Hanke American Economist n18oc_worldWatch News18 Mobile App - homevideos US Consumers Will Be Paying A Large Sales Tax On All The Imported Goods : Steve Hanke #brasstacks CNN name, logo and all associated elements ® and © 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. © Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved.
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Healthcare costs in US to shoot up following Trump tariff on Indian goods: Industry experts
Agencies Representative Image New Delhi: Healthcare costs in the US will increase following the imposition of sweeping 25 per cent tariff plus an unspecified penalty on Indian goods, experts from pharmaceuticals and medical devices industry said on Thursday. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming from India starting August 1, plus an unspecified penalty for buying Russian crude oil and military equipment. Profits for Indian pharmaceutical firms may decline and research and development may stagnate. However, for the medical devices sector as long as the gap between duty on China and India is over 15- 20 per cent, there are positive prospects for exports to the US, according to experts. "India isn't just a key supplier of generics to the US. We are a part of the backbone of affordable global healthcare. These duties may interrupt the smooth trade flow, inflate US drug costs, stall treatments, and put even greater pressure on American healthcare budgets," OmniActive Health Technologies Executive Chairman and MD Sanjaya Mariwala said. On the other hand, he said, "Back home, the profits for Indian pharmaceutical firms may decline, and R&D may stagnate, slowing down innovation and stalling new drug clearances." AiMeD (Association of Indian Medical Device Industry) Forum Coordinator Rajiv Nath said, "Duties impact for Indian medical devices sector has to be seen from relative competitiveness - as long as duty gap between Chinese versus Indian is over 15- 20 per cent, we have positive prospects to export to USA and even put production lines in USA." Currently Indonesia and Vietnam have lower duties by 6 per cent. So for products made there they will possibly enjoy a price competitive advantage over India, he added. Stating that clarity will come after August 12 as then duties on Chinese goods will be clear, Nath said, "They were increased to over 50 per cent but temporarily reduced to 30 per cent. If post-August duties on Chinese medical devices revert to over 50 per cent and on Indian at 25 per cent, the export prospects versus China are in our favour..." He further said, "Suffice to say that whatever is the final duty that is finally announced on medical devices, if it's at least 15-20 per cent lower than applicable duty rates by US onto China then there is a strong opportunity for Indian medical devices to increase their exports to US market, if they are able to absorb the excessive high cost of regulatory approval of USFDA for market entry and find that these costs to export are sustainable over the years." However, he said, the government of India and manufacturers will need to work to improve India's competitiveness "so that we can offset the 6 per cent disadvantage over Indonesian and Vietnam competitors". Grant Thornton Bharat Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader Manoj Mishra pointed out that the strong language used by President Trump and ongoing investigations into drug imports mean that the risk is not over yet. "Indian pharma companies should stay prepared for possible changes, especially if sector-specific duties are introduced later. That said, these tariffs are likely to be in place only for a short period, as both countries are expected to fast-track discussions for a Bilateral Trade Agreement. A balanced and stable trade deal will be key to protecting long-term interests of the sector," he noted. Similarly, Choice Broking Equity Research Analyst- Pharma Sector, Maitri Sheth said the US remains heavily reliant on India for its pharmaceutical needs, with about 50 per cent of generic drugs sourced from India. "Given the critical nature of healthcare and already elevated healthcare costs in the US, we view the likelihood of material near-term tariffs on pharma as low," Sheth added. While the headline risk persists, the structural dependence on Indian pharma and the cost sensitivity of the US healthcare system provide a strong case against aggressive tariff action on the sector, Sheth added. Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) Chairman Pavan Choudary said President Trump's is "troubling and seems economically shortsighted and strategically misguided".
