United States

December 2, 2024 10:04 AM

U.S. President Biden pardons his son Hunter

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, a reversal after pledging to stay out of legal proceedings against the younger Biden who pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges. "Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," the pre...

November 27, 2024 11:24 PM

Israel-Hezbollah truce holds, Israel sets south Lebanon curfew

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah held on Wednesday after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the U.S. and France, but Israel warned local residents not to return to the border area yet or approach its troops. The agreement, a rare diplomatic feat in a region racked by conflict for months, ended the deadliest confrontation betweenIsrael and the Iran-backed militant group in years, but Israel is still fighting its other arch foe, the Palestinian militant group Ham...

November 17, 2024 1:37 PM

Australia, Japan, US reaffirm commitment to support India’s maritime surveillance in Indo-Pacific

Australia, Japan, and the United States on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to support India’s maritime surveillance efforts in the Indo-Pacific region while recognising the importance of closer collaboration in the field. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani Gen, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III convened the fourteenth Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting (TDMM) on Sunday in Darwin, Australia. “We commit ...

November 12, 2024 9:07 AM

US President-elect Trump selects Florida rep Waltz as national security adviser: Sources

US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Florida representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, Reuters reported, citing sources on Monday. Waltz, a former Army Green Beret and a prominent critic of China, has criticized their activity in the Asia-Pacific. He also voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. He will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies, Reuters repo...

November 8, 2024 8:34 PM

US wants Dhaka to respect freedom of religion: Matthew Miller

The United States has said they want to see freedom of religion is respected in Bangladesh, and people are held accountable for any attacks. "We have, in our discussions with Bangladeshi officials, made clear that we want to see freedom of religion respected," US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in a regular media briefing in Washington on Thursday. Miller said they want to see people are held accountable in any attack as is appropriate under Bangladeshi law. An...

November 6, 2024 8:26 PM

US stock futures, dollar and bitcoin surge as Trump wins race to White House

Major stock markets around the world rallied on Wednesday, while bitcoin hit a record high and the dollar was set for its biggest one-day jump in four years as Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. Small cap U.S. stocks in particular were boosted by expectations that a Trump presidency would offer tax cuts and support domestic companies. Though bond investors dumped long-dated Treasuries, betting that accompanying tariff hikes would increase the deficit and inflation, causing the Federal Re...

November 5, 2024 11:10 PM

“Most important day in American history….deliver your vote no matter how long it takes”: Trump urges supporters

Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday rallied his supporters to persevere in casting their votes, calling Election Day "the most important day in American history." In a post on X, Trump emphasized high voter enthusiasm, stating, “It is now officially ELECTION DAY! This will be the most important day in American History. Voter enthusiasm is THROUGH THE ROOF because people want to Make America Great Again. That means lines are going to be long!” Encouraging pe...

November 5, 2024 8:21 PM

Don’t be fooled by early US vote counts: they might be misleading

Early vote returns in U.S. battleground states may not be a good indicator of whether Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican rival Donald Trump will win, experts say, thanks to vote counting rules and quirks in several key states. In the 2020 election, some states showed a "red mirage," in which Trump was leading on election night, before a "blue shift" saw Democrat Joe Biden overtake him as mail-in ballots favored by more Democratic voters were counted. Experts had accurately predic...

November 4, 2024 11:15 AM

U.S. Elections: The Battle for the Ballot and Swing State Surprises

The United States, celebrated as one of the oldest democracies in the world, is gearing up for a pivotal election on November 5, 2024. This election is brimming with key narratives that promise to make it one of the most anticipated in recent history. Among some noteworthy events leading up to this election are an assassination attempt on former President Trump, President Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the race, and candidates offering cash prizes to entice registered voters. With polls indi...

October 21, 2024 9:06 AM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lands in US after concluding Mexico visit

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived in the United States and received a warm welcome at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday (local time). India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, welcomed Sitharaman, following her arrival from Mexico City. Notably, Sitharaman was in Mexico from October 17 to October 20, where she interacted with political and business leader...