Saudi defence minister met with Trump to discuss Iran de-escalation: Report
'I know they want to meet, and if it is necessary, I will do it,' Trump said, stressing the US does not seek harm for Iran.The meeting came just days ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday.The visit marks Netanyahu's third White House meeting since Trump returned to office in January. It follows US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a ceasefire that Trump brokered between Iran and Israel.- EndsMust Watch
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Business Standard
38 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India-US trade deal awaits Trump's nod ahead of July 9 tariff deadline
The first stage of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is now ready and awaiting final approval from US President Donald Trump, according to a LiveMint report quoting sources. The interim deal has been cleared by US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and could be signed as early as July 8 -- a day before Trump's reciprocal tariff deadline. The development comes after Indian negotiators, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal, extended their stay in Washington beyond their initial schedule to bridge gaps over sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture. A key government official told LiveMint, 'Indian negotiators did their best to convince their US counterparts about the domestic sensitivities involved in these sectors. To some extent, the USTR has agreed to India's position on not fully opening up the agriculture sector. Now, it's up to the US President to take the final call.' Agriculture, dairy, genetically modified (GM) seeds, and medical services remain points of contention, with the US seeking greater market access while India looks to protect its vulnerable sectors, as per the report. India-US trade deal: Options on tariffs The US, as per the report, has offered two alternatives on tariff reductions. If India agrees to the US's demands in agriculture and related sectors, its exports could face an additional 10 per cent tariff. 'If India agrees to US demands for greater market access in agricultural goods, dairy and seeds, then Indian goods may face only a 10 per cent additional tariff -- which, while not ideal, is still much lower than what other countries in the Asian region are facing,' a person aware of the talks told LiveMint. If India refuses, tariffs could go up to 20 per cent, which includes the existing 10 per cent baseline and an extra 10 per cent under earlier US measures. Still, this would represent a 6 per cent relief from the earlier proposed 26 per cent duty. Trump's deadline nears The US President, speaking to reporters on July 4, confirmed he had signed multiple letters informing countries of upcoming reciprocal tariffs. 'I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12. Different amounts of money, different rates of tariff,' Trump said, without naming the countries. Although the reciprocal tariffs are scheduled to take effect from August 1, the letters are expected to be sent out on July 8, giving India a narrow window to seal the deal before being hit by new duties. India firm on agriculture, open on other fronts India is pushing for better access for its leather, textiles, and footwear sectors, while resisting demands to lift restrictions on GM seeds and crops. Only Bt cotton is currently approved for cultivation in India, and no GM food crops are commercially grown. US-India trade data Commerce ministry figures highlight the growing trade with the US. In FY25, India's exports to the US rose by 11.6 per cent to $86.51 billion, while imports increased by 7.42 per cent to $45.33 billion. However, US imports fell in May year-on-year, from $3.85 billion to $3.63 billion, while exports grew by 17.3 per cent, led by electronics and smartphones. In contrast, India's imports from China rose by 11.5 per cent in FY25 to $113.46 billion, while exports to China fell by 14.5 per cent, underscoring the trade imbalance. The deal, if finalised, is likely to mirror elements from recent US trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam. While the US retained its 10 per cent baseline tariff in both those cases, it offered some reductions in additional duties. Trade watchers see the India-US agreement as a limited deal focused solely on goods, with services and labour excluded for now. Despite the challenges, negotiators on both sides remain hopeful of concluding an agreement in time to avoid penalties. The ball now lies in Trump's court.
News18
40 minutes ago
- News18
Is Gaza Ceasefire Within Reach? Trump ‘Optimistic' But Here's Where Things Stand
Last Updated: Hamas agrees to a 60-day truce with Israel, raising hopes for a Gaza ceasefire. Trump is optimistic about a deal next week amid international and internal pressure in Israel. After Hamas announced that it had 'submitted a positive response" to a proposal for a 60-day truce with Israel, US President Donald Trump said he's 'optimistic" that a ceasefire deal in Gaza could be agreed next week. 'We have to get it over with," Trump said Friday. 'We have to do something about Gaza." After months of deadlock, an agreement between Israel and Hamas now appears possible, as both sides have agreed to a revised proposal, bridging their long-standing conflicting demands. A truce between Iran and Israel, US pressure, and a change in Israel's war objectives have all contributed to renewed momentum Following the Israel-Iran ceasefire on June 24, mediators Qatar and Egypt, as well as the United States, have redoubled their calls for a new Gaza truce. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told CNN the Israel-Iran agreement had created 'momentum" for the latest talks between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu's government faces growing global criticism for the Palestinian suffering in Gaza amid the ongoing war. Israel imposed a full blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza in March, easing it slightly in May after international warnings of potential starvation for hundreds of thousands of people. In recent days, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli strikes. And aid distribution has been marred by violence, with hundreds killed on their way to try to obtain food from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US-backed aid initiative that began operating at the end of May. Netanyahu's government, supported by far-right allies pushing for more aggression in Gaza, faces opposition from leader Yair Lapid, who has offered to join a coalition to facilitate a hostage deal. Notably, polls indicate that a majority of the country wants a deal to bring the hostages home, even if it means an end to the war. Israel's Demands Netanyahu remains committed to his broader objectives, including disarming Gaza and destruction of Hamas' military capabilities and governance abilities, alongside securing the release of hostages. His stance on these maximalist aims hasn't wavered, despite the ongoing conflict. The Prime Minister, last week, shifted his stance, prioritising the safe return of hostages over defeating Hamas, a goal he previously called the 'supreme objective" 'Many opportunities have opened up", Netanyahu said following Israel's military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing home everyone still held captive by Hamas. 'Firstly, to rescue the hostages," he said. 'Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions." What About Hamas? Hamas on Friday announced that it 'submitted a positive response to the mediators, and the movement is fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework." Hamas has outlined three core demands for a ceasefire agreement. Firstly, they insist on a permanent end to the fighting, ensuring a lasting halt to military operations. Secondly, they want humanitarian assistance to be facilitated without restrictions, potentially involving the United Nations in the process. Lastly, Hamas demands that Israel withdraw its forces to the positions held before March 2, 2025. Proposed Deal Although the fine detail of the proposal is yet to be released, it is clear that the revised plan is an attempt to bridge some of the differences between Israel and Hamas. According to a CNN source, familiar with the negotiations, the timeline of the latest proposal calls for the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages spread out over the full 60-day period. The Israeli Government said that out of the 50 hostages still in Gaza, at least 20 of them are believed to be alive. Under the proposed ceasefire deal, Hamas would release eight living hostages on the first day of the 60-day truce. In exchange, Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and withdraw its forces from pre-agreed locations in northern Gaza. The sources said that Israel and Hamas would also immediately enter into negotiations for a permanent ceasefire once the initial truce goes into effect. According to the proposed deal, Hamas will release hostages discreetly, without public ceremonies or fanfare, as requested by Israel. This approach differs from the previous truce, where Hamas staged public propaganda events around hostage transfers, sparking outrage in Israel. Similar to the previous ceasefire, which began on January 19, humanitarian aid will immediately begin to flow into Gaza at the start of the ceasefire, including from the United Nations and from other aid organisations. This leaves the fate of the US-backed GHF and its role in Gaza unclear. An Israeli official told CNN that the US and the mediators have provided stronger assurances about reaching a settlement to end the war in Gaza as part of the updated proposal, something that, in principle, should address one of Hamas' key concerns. The official did not provide the specific language in the document, but said the wording is stronger than previous assurances. Previous Ceasefires During the 21-month Israel-Hamas conflict, brief ceasefires have cumulatively lasted only about nine weeks. According to the Palestinian health ministry, more than 57,000 people, of whom more than 17,000 are children, have been killed in Gaza during the fighting. The first ceasefire came into effect in November 2023, but lasted only a week. A temporary ceasefire was reached in January 2025, just before Trump's return to the White House, which lasted over 8 weeks. During this period, Hamas released 33 hostages, while Israel freed approximately 50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage released. The ceasefire was supposed to transition into a permanent agreement, but Israel broke the truce on March 18, restarting its military campaign to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump gaza hamas israel Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: July 05, 2025, 20:15 IST News world Is Gaza Ceasefire Within Reach? Trump 'Optimistic' But Here's Where Things Stand
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Alligator Alcatraz sparks backlash, nearly half of Americans disapprove of controversial facility
A new migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, called " Alligator Alcatraz ," is making people all over the country very angry. Some conservatives like how it protects wildlife by keeping people away from it, but critics say it is cruel and dystopian. The ICE detention center in Florida, which some call "Alligator Alcatraz," is getting a lot of negative press. Almost half of Americans are against it because of the harsh conditions and the fact that it is in a remote area protected by wildlife. Recently, US President Donald Trump executed one of his most outrageous immigration tactics. He has established an alligator-guarded migrant detention facility in Florida's Everglades that is unlike any other, as per a report by The Independent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Why is 'Alligator Alcatraz' controversial? "Alligator Alcatraz," a controversial migrant detention center in Florida's Everglades that is protected by native swamp predators, was unveiled by President Trump. Live Events The project, which Trump defends as a powerful border deterrent, has angered human rights and environmental organizations. The new Everglades detention facility was endorsed by only one-third of survey participants. ALSO READ: Trump underwater in every key swing state, and now he's slipping in Texas too What do Americans really think about the facility? A new poll shows that people aren't as excited. The YouGov survey, which was completed by 2,983 people on Thursday, found that 48 percent of respondents were against the facility, while only 33 percent were in favor of it and another 18 percent were not sure. Despite the fact that Republicans and Democrats were mainly divided along party lines, only 26% of respondents who considered themselves independent voters supported the plan, compared to 53% who opposed it, as per a report by The Independent. Another significant conclusion from the YouGov survey was that, according to 47 percent of Americans, ICE is treating detainees too brutally, while 23 percent indicated that they are receiving acceptable treatment, 10 percent stated that they are not receiving harsh enough treatment, and the remaining respondents are undecided, as per a report by The Independent. The facility was announced last month by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said that because of its remote location, which is home to dangerous wildlife like pythons and alligators, it would require little extra security. In a social media post on Monday, far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized the facility, writing: "Alligator lives matter." The good news is that if we start now, at least 65 million meals for alligators are assured. Commentators on X were incensed by the figure, which seemed to be a reference to the total number of Latinos in the US and matched data from the U.S. Census for the group. Donald Trump himself expressed that he wouldn't want to run through the Everglades for an extended period of time, seemingly impressed by the danger the local wildlife posed. During the trip, he also suggested deporting criminals in the United States, implied that the "Alligator Alcatraz" might be the first of many more detention facilities, and threatened to arrest a few people. Who has supported "Alligator Alcatraz"? Conservatives on Fox News have also embraced the detention center; in a recent interview, Laura Ingraham told DeSantis that she "loved" the idea, and panelists on the network's Gutfeld! chat show who discussed it said they also enjoyed the idea. Particularly excited was comedian Joe Devito, who proposed that the government go one step further and equip it with grizzly bears and an "evil squid" to use its tentacles to frisk prisoners. FAQs Why are they calling it "Alligator Alcatraz"? The facility is situated in the Everglades, surrounded by dangerous wildlife such as gators and pythons. Officials claim it requires minimal security because no one can escape. Do people support or reject the plan? A YouGov poll found that 48% of Americans oppose the facility, 33% support it, and the majority of independents reject the idea entirely.
