Did Mark Zuckerberg gatecrash Oval Office meeting? White House explains incident
It is not clear exactly when the alleged incident happened. Meta has not clarified the incident for now.Mark Zuckerberg's relationship with politics has been anything but straightforward. Once a vocal supporter of pro-immigration measures and Democratic Party leaders, the Meta chief shifted gears to back the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement during Donald Trump's re-election bid last year.In January, Zuckerberg was even spotted at Trump's inauguration ceremony, joining other billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk — the latter once a trusted Trump ally before their recent public rift.advertisementMark Zuckerberg, who has made several trips to the White House in the recent past, has also steered Meta in ways that conservatives view positively, from shutting down its fact-checking operations to appointing UFC President and Trump confidant Dana White to the company's board.Once known for banning Trump from Facebook and Instagram after the January 6 Capitol riots, Zuckerberg has since worked to rebuild ties with the President and his conservative base.In a move that surprised many, Meta donated USD 1 million to Trump's 2025 inaugural fund, the first such donation from the tech giant, signalling a clear political overture. Zuckerberg has also praised Trump publicly, notably calling his reaction to an assassination attempt "one of the most badass things I have ever seen".- EndsTrending Reel
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Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump's visa curbs vs America's need for immigrant tech brains: Decoded
Meta's latest artificial intelligence venture, the Superintelligence Lab, is being led entirely by immigrant researchers, even as US visa policies remain unpredictable for foreign professionals. The team of 11 researchers, hired from top firms like OpenAI, DeepMind, Google and Anthropic, hails from India, China, South Africa, the UK and Australia. Each holds advanced degrees from US universities and has worked on some of the most sophisticated AI systems in use today. This comes at a time when the US government has toughened its stance on immigration. The Trump administration has introduced measures like prolonged visa processing times, heightened scrutiny of social media activity, and targeted ICE enforcement across cities with large immigrant populations. Immigrant expertise behind major AI breakthroughs From developing core algorithms to building multimodal and generative AI systems, the researchers joining Meta have worked at the heart of global AI innovation. 'Meta's Superintelligence Lab, led entirely by immigrant researchers, is the practical reality we needed to see. AI innovation is truly going borderless and India continues to serve as a strong hub of ready talent,' Praneet Singh, AVP – University Partnership at upGrad's study abroad division told Business Standard. 'It's quite paradoxical, though — while our talent is ready, mobility remains constrained. Despite policy shifts like STEM OPT extensions and improved green card processing, visa constraints and bureaucratic uncertainties continue to slow down global movement,' he added. AI talent is ready—but mobility is not Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, said immigrant talent has long powered US tech leadership. 'It is not just about filling job vacancies—it's about bringing in diverse skill sets, expertise and perspectives that collaboratively bring out the best for any organisation,' she told Business Standard. But she pointed out that barriers to movement are growing. 'Delayed visa processing remains the biggest hurdle: long waits, restrictive caps, and policy uncertainty disrupt both career plans and hiring strategies,' she said. She added that talent also struggles with issues like cultural integration, credential recognition gaps, and stiff competition, which can slow down or discourage Indian AI professionals—even though they remain central to innovation hubs like Silicon Valley. India's AI education still catching up While India produces a large number of engineering graduates every year, experts say the country still lacks a consistent model for preparing them for top AI roles abroad. 'On the supply side, Indian universities have made commendable strides in STEM education, but AI roles today demand more than academic depth—they require hands-on, real-time problem-solving,' said Singh. Sharma agreed. 'While our institutions are making progress, we are still far away from creating a systemic model of AI learning and upskilling our new and existing workforce,' she said. 'To truly prepare students for global AI roles, universities need stronger industry ties, updated curricula, and more emphasis on applied research. Some institutes are innovating impressively—but scaling these nationally still remains a challenge,' Sharma added. Why the US risks losing AI talent While the US still leads in AI research demand, Sharma warned that current visa and policy delays could push talent elsewhere. 'US continues to top the table on requirements for AI talent. However, their policies, especially lately, haven't kept pace with the increase in demand. In fact, longer visa timelines and uncertainty around renewals have kept many tech companies on the edge,' she said. 'Countries like Canada and the UK have moved faster to build systems that actively attract tech workers. The US still has a strong pull, but there's room to make the path more predictable and welcoming for long-term contributors, especially from countries like India,' added Mayank Kumar, co-founder and CEO of BorderPlus. Meet Meta's AI dream team Meta's new hires include some of the most cited researchers and engineers in the AI field. They have contributed to systems like GPT-4o, Gemini, and foundational models used across text, voice, image and robotics. A few notable members of the lab: Trapit Bansal (India) – PhD from University of Massachusetts Amherst, known for work in reinforcement learning and chain-of-thought reasoning. Shuchao Bi (China) – PhD from UC Berkeley, co-developed the voice mode for GPT-4o. Huiwen Chang (China) – PhD from Princeton, led image generation for GPT-4o and developed Muse architecture. Ji Lin (China) – PhD from MIT, helped scale GPT-4o and o-series models with a focus on efficiency. Joel Pobar (Australia) – former infrastructure specialist at Meta and Anthropic, contributed to systems like HHVM and PyTorch. Jack Rae (UK) – PhD from UCL, developed Google's Gopher and Chinchilla models, worked on Gemini 2.5. Hongyu Ren (China) – PhD from Stanford, worked on robustness and post-training of o-series models. Johan Schalkwyk (South Africa) – Google Fellow, early developer of voice tech in Google's Sesame project. Pei Sun (China) – developed AI perception systems at Waymo, contributed to Gemini post-training. Jiahuai Yu (China) – PhD from UIUC, focused on multimodal learning across GPT-4 and o-series. Shengjia Zhao (China) – PhD from Stanford, co-created ChatGPT and GPT-4, known for work in AI safety and data synthesis. Each of them joins Meta at a time when tech companies are racing to build next-generation AI platforms, but also when immigration pathways remain anything but certain.
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- First Post
Can India and the US strike a trade deal without clashing over agriculture?
As India and the US push to finalise a trade pact before Trump's July 9 deadline, agriculture has emerged as the biggest roadblock. With disagreements over GM crops, dairy and ethanol, and concerns over rural livelihoods, both sides are locked in a tense standoff. Can they reach a deal without upsetting India's farmers? read more A farm worker holds rice sapling as he prepares to plant them in a field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, July 22, 2024. File Image/Reuters India and the United States are racing to conclude an interim trade pact ahead of President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline but a long-standing hurdle threatens to block progress — agriculture. Despite nearing consensus on various industrial sectors, disputes around farm goods, including genetically modified crops, dairy imports and ethanol remain reportedly unresolved. The issue is not merely economic for India; it touches upon food security, rural livelihoods, and political sensitivities, all of which have major implications for the country's domestic stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why India's agriculture sector is non-negotiable Though farming and allied activities contribute a relatively modest portion — around 16 per cent — to India's GDP, the sector supports nearly half of the country's population of 1.4 billion. The farming community represents a dominant political constituency and has historically influenced policy decisions through sustained mobilisations. In 2021, the Indian government was compelled to withdraw major agricultural reforms following year-long nationwide protests. This past resistance still casts a shadow over current trade negotiations, as New Delhi remains wary of sparking fresh unrest by opening up its agricultural sector to foreign competition. India's farming structure is notably small-scale. The average size of a farm is just over a hectare, contrasting sharply with American agricultural operations, where the mean farm size exceeds 180 hectares. In India, most farms are manually operated or use outdated techniques passed down over generations, while US agriculture is highly mechanised and supported by advanced technology, including AI-based monitoring systems and large-scale machinery. US agricultural demands vs India's red lines A central point of contention is Washington's push for increased access to the Indian market for a range of American agricultural products. The US seeks to expand exports of various farm commodities — among them genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans, wheat, poultry, dairy, rice, ethanol, and a variety of processed foods including canned peaches, frozen French fries, chocolates, cookies and citrus fruits. While India has indicated some openness to easing tariffs on selected imports such as dry fruits and apples, it has remained firm on rejecting access to GM grains, US dairy products, and ethanol. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Genetically modified crops form a significant part of US agricultural output. However, India does not currently allow the commercial cultivation of GM food crops due to concerns over ecological balance, food safety and the impact on smallholder farmers. Even as India imports edible oils made from genetically modified crops — such as soy and canola — it restricts GM crop cultivation. The commercial release of GM mustard, for example, remains on hold due to pending legal proceedings, and a previous attempt to introduce GM brinjal was blocked in 2010. Nonetheless, some flexibility is being explored. According to Bloomberg, Indian regulators may consider permitting select GM-derived by-products used in animal feed, such as soybean meal or distillers dried grains from corn-based ethanol production. These items would not directly affect human food chains but would still mark a departure from India's long-standing GM restrictions. Why dairy and ethanol are particularly sensitive India's dairy sector employs more than 80 million individuals, a figure that includes small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and vendors. The industry is largely unorganised and depends on herds that typically contain two to three animals per household. In contrast, US dairy farms operate on a vastly different scale, often managing hundreds of cattle with heavy reliance on mechanisation and feed practices that include animal by-products. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This latter point is a major concern in India, where dietary norms and religious sensitivities significantly influence food preferences. The potential entry of dairy sourced from cows fed with animal remnants has been met with strong resistance from Indian consumers and cooperatives like Amul, which have played a key role in shaping the country's self-reliant dairy ecosystem. Similarly, ethanol is another highly sensitive area. India has made substantial progress under its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels by blending petrol with domestically produced ethanol. Most of the ethanol used in India is derived from surplus sugarcane, rice and corn. Allowing the import of US ethanol would not only compromise this strategic energy programme but could also undermine the investments made by Indian distillers and agribusinesses. What each side is willing to concede With the deadline for reciprocal tariffs fast approaching, negotiators from both countries are working to close the deal. Sources indicated that the Indian delegation, led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, has had to extend its stay in Washington due to ongoing disagreements, particularly over agricultural tariffs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has shown willingness to discuss reductions on industrial tariffs and provide access to the US in sectors where the political cost is lower — such as in automobiles, a long-standing American request. It has also pushed for broader access to US markets for Indian exports from labour-intensive sectors including textiles, leather, jewellery, plastics, and chemicals. The interim agreement is seen as a stepping-stone towards increasing bilateral trade volumes, with a shared ambition to double total trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 — a goal reiterated by Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's February visit to the United States. Trump, speaking about the potential deal earlier this week, said: 'I think we are going to have a deal with India. And that is going to be a different kind of a deal. It is going to be a deal where we are able to go in and compete. Right now, India does not accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we are going to have a deal for much less tariffs.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why India is not backing down India's resistance to opening its agricultural market is deeply rooted in structural and strategic realities. The rural economy is vulnerable to global market shocks. Even modest tariff relaxations could disrupt domestic pricing and erode the safety net provided by public procurement and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system — pillars that protect farmers from price crashes. Many experts argue that liberalising agricultural trade too quickly could expose India's fragmented farming community to the volatility of global commodity markets dominated by large multinational agribusinesses. These companies often benefit from generous subsidies and economies of scale unavailable to Indian farmers. Further complicating the negotiations is the demand from US exporters for greater parity. However, India's current agricultural tariff regime — ranging from zero to 150 per cent — is not exceptional. The US, too, maintains steep tariffs on specific imports, such as tobacco at over 350 per cent. Thus, criticisms of asymmetry in trade practices may not be entirely justified. India's position finds some backing under WTO norms, which allow member nations to protect sensitive sectors for reasons such as food security, rural development, and employment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nonetheless, the final decision may come down to political calculus more than legal boundaries. Farmers and labour unions mount pressure Opposition to agricultural liberalisation is growing beyond policy circles. On July 3, leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) held a press conference in Hyderabad, reaffirming their call for an all-India strike on July 9. The SKM, in collaboration with trade unions, is staging protests to oppose what it describes as 'anti-farmer, anti-labour, and anti-people' policies. Former Member of Parliament Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao voiced strong opposition to including agriculture in any trade agreement with the U.S. He and other SKM leaders also criticised the government's delay in enacting legislation to guarantee MSP as a legal right. The farmers' coalition has called for a full withdrawal of the National Policy Framework for Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM) and warned of further mobilisations if agriculture is compromised in trade talks. A way out? In light of these challenges, a compromise may be possible through selective market access rather than full liberalisation. One such mechanism could involve tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) — a system that allows a limited volume of imports at reduced tariffs, while maintaining higher duties on imports exceeding the quota. This model was recently adopted in the US-UK mini trade pact announced in May, where agriculture was kept out of contentious discussions. India may be open to marginally lowering tariffs on select low-risk items such as almonds, walnuts, apples, raisins, olive oil, spirits and wine — products that pose minimal threat to domestic producers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such a calibrated approach could allow both sides to claim victory without triggering adverse political fallout in India. However, the extent of these concessions remains uncertain. A NITI Aayog policy paper has suggested tariff cuts on certain US agricultural products, but it is unclear whether this reflects the official stance of the Indian government or is merely a preliminary recommendation. Agriculture remains the thorniest issue in the India-US trade negotiations. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Taiwan retires final batch of F-5 fighter jets after nearly 60 years in service
Taiwan is retiring its Vietnam-era F-5 fighter jets after decades of service, transitioning to more advanced aircraft to counter increasing threats from China. The air force showcased a final flyby of the F-5, which played a crucial role in guarding the Taiwan Strait. These jets are being replaced by modern F-16Vs and other upgraded assets. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads After decades in service, Taiwan's Vietnam-era F-5 fighter jets are being retired as part of the island democracy's transition to more advanced keep pace with increased threats from mainland China, Taiwan has been upgrading both its manned and unmanned aerial assets, including purchasing 66 of the latest generation F-16V fighters and upgrading existing aircraft to modern claims the island as its own territory and has never dropped its threat to invade since the sides split amid civil war in air force invited journalists on Friday to witness one last flyby by the F-5, which first entered service with Taiwan in 1965 and most of which have now been converted to trainers, reconnaissance planes or planes began moving into a backing role 30 years ago when Taiwan began acquiring more modern American F-16s, French Mirage 2000s and domestically developed Ching F-5 is one of the world's most widely produced jets, with Taiwan the largest operator at one point with 336, producing some 100 domestically. Dozens of countries still use them, including the US, which uses them as pretend opponents in training planes gained favour for their high speed and maneuverability, alongside their low cost and ease of maintenance. For Taiwan, they guarded the skies above the Taiwan Strait against mainland China's Soviet and domestically built F-5s were based along the eastern coast, separated from China by both the 160 kilometre (100 mile)-wide Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's formidable Central Mountain Range.
