Us Government

Why Adani Group opted out of $553 mn US funding for Colombo port project

The Adani group has said it would finance the Colombo West International Terminal redevelopment project through its internal resources and capital management plan

US commerce dept finalises $6.1 billion Micron chipmaking subsidy

The funding will support Micron's long-term plan to invest around $100 billion in manufacturing in New York and $25 billion in Idaho

With vows to shake up Washington, Donald Trump is in class of his own

In the history of American politics, there's no shortage of presidents who promised to shake up Washington once they got to the White House. But Donald Trump may prove to be in a class of his own, and he appears more interested in beating the federal government into submission than recalibrating it. In staffing his administration, Trump has shown an inclination to select people who distrust or even disdain the agencies that they've been chosen to lead, setting up a potential war of attrition between the incoming Republican president and American institutions. There's been nothing like what Trump is suggesting to do," said Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian. "We're talking about dismantling the federal government. Trump's approach will become even clearer this week as Kash Patel, his choice for FBI director, heads to Capitol Hill for an initial round of meetings with senators who will decide whether to confirm him to the post. A former national security official who has branded

US State Dept denies BJP's allegations of backing anti-India agenda

The US on Saturday rejected the BJP's allegations that organisations funded by the US State Department and elements in the American "deep state" were behind attempts to destabilise India through targeted attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani. A spokesperson at the US embassy described the allegations as "disappointing" and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world. The BJP alleged on Saturday that the US deep state colluded with the media portal OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to "damage" India's image. The BJP had cited Gandhi's use of reports by OCCRP to attack the Adani Group and to accuse it of having closeness with the government. "It's disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations," the US embassy spokesperson said. "The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports ...

Trump talks of transition, election win as he receives Fox Nation award

Not yet even in office, Donald Trump said Thursday he's already accomplished more than President Joe Biden did in his entire term, an outsized claim by the president-elect just a month out from the election. Trump, who has been largely ensconced at his Mar-a-Lago club in recent weeks as he's worked to staff his new administration, made the comment as he ventured to New York's Long Island to be honoured as part of Fox Nation's annual Patriot Awards on Fox's streaming platform. I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you have in the last four years, Trump told the crowd at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. It was a tremendous day, a tremendous night, he said, recalling his election victory in a 10-minute acceptance speech that sounded like a highlight reel of his campaign rally speeches. It came complete with a live performance of God Bless the USA by the singer Lee Greenwood, calls to get the criminals out of our country and an embrace of all-paper ...

California governor promotes trade with Mexico after Trump's tariff threats

Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have emerged as prominent Democratic opponents of Trump's agenda, pledging to defend the state's liberal policies

Trump's easing of regulations to trigger Japan outbound M&A: Citi executive

Trump presidency will also spark business reorganisations, which would swell the number of acquisition targets for Japanese firms, Citi Japan Vice Chairman Masuo Fukuda said

India better placed to engage with Trump 2.0, says EAM Jaishankar

US President-elect Donald Trump has had a positive political view of India and it is in a much more advantageous position than many other countries to build "deeper" relations with his administration and take forward the bilateral ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. In an interactive session at industry chamber ASSOCHAM, Jaishankar at the same time noted that like many other countries, India may also have some issues and it will deal with them. The external affairs minister said there are countries which are looking at Trump 2.0 as a political challenge but for India, it is not the case. "We'll have to work out a political equation with America and that is one area where we score because we've always had a positive political relationship with Trump. I would say Trump has always had a positive political view of India," he said. "Like everybody else, we may also have some issues. We will deal with those issues, but I would say when I look around the world .

Trump names Adam Boehler for negotiating release of hostages abroad

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named a health care executive to serve as his administration's lead hostage negotiator at a time when the US is trying to secure the release of prisoners in Gaza and other regions around the world. Adam Boehler will serve as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. That role has been held since 2020 by Roger Carstens, who was appointed by Trump and remained in the job for the duration of the Biden administration. During that period, the US has brought home several dozen Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained in countries including Russia among them, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich Iran, China, Venezuela and Afghanistan. Boehler is the founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm, and also served as the first CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation. In a statement announcing the appointment, Trump described Boehler as the lead negotiator on

Biden govt not to finalise guidelines on new clean fuel tax credit

Ethanol producers in particular are hoping sustainable aviation fuels will provide market growth

California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers returned to the state Capitol on Monday to begin a special session to protect the state's progressive policies ahead of another Trump presidency. The Democratic governor, a fierce critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is positioning California to once again be the center of a resistance effort against the conservative agenda. He is asking his Democratic allies in the Legislature, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, to approve additional funding to the attorney general's office to prepare for a robust legal fight against anticipated federal challenges. Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel on Monday introduced legislation to set aside USD25 million for legal fees to respond to potential attacks by the Trump administration on state policies regarding civil rights, climate change, immigration and abortion access. While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend ou

Trump names investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain

President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies, Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trum

Stars aligning in favour for Indian bonds to extend rally into 2025

RBI's rate cuts anticipated from early next year on slowing economic growth, continued index-inclusion-related foreign inflows and strong demand from local pension and insurance companies

Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead FBI: All you need to know

Kash Patel has called for radical changes at the FBI and was a fierce and vocal critic of the bureau's work as it investigated ties between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Now the steadfast Trump ally has been tapped to lead the federal law enforcement agency he's pushed to overhaul. A look Patel, Trump's pick to replace Christopher Wray atop the FBI. Side-by-side with Trump Patel has for years been a loyal ally to Trump, finding common cause over their shared skepticism of government surveillance and the deep state a pejorative catchall used by Trump to refer to government bureaucracy. He was part of a small group of supporters during Trump's recent criminal trial in New York who accompanied him to the courthouse, where he told reporters that Trump was the victim of an unconstitutional circus. That close bond would break from the modern-day precedent of FBI directors looking to keep presidents at arm's length. Former FBI Director James Comey, who was fire

Trump threatens 100% tariff on Brics nations if they act to weaken dollar

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the US dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the US dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America's dominance of the global financial system. The dollar represents roughly 58 per cent of the world's foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMF and major commodities like oil are still primarily bought and sold using dollars. The dollar's dominance is threatened, however, with BRICS' growing share of GDP and the alliance's

Trump picks real estate developer Charles Kushner as his envoy to France

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated New York real estate developer Charles Kushner as his envoy to France. Kushner is the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Jared played a key role in the first term of the Trump Administration including the Israel-Palestine peace plan. He is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of President-elect Donald Trump. I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the US Ambassador to France. He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests, Trump announced. Charlie is the Founder & Chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation. He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a Commissioner, & Chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New

Ottawa must ensure Trump understands importance of Canadian oil to US: Min

Trump, who takes office on Jan 20, said on Monday he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico until they clamped down on drugs and migrants crossing the border

Trump's tariffs had little impact in 1st term, this time may be different

Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different. The president-elect is talking about going much bigger on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he'll do what he says and what the consequences could be. There's going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he's pretty clear, said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop ill

Biden admin readies China's chip curbs that stop short of earlier proposals

The restrictions could be unveiled as soon as next week, said the people, who emphasised that the timing and contours of the rules have changed several times

Trump's Cabinet picks, appointees targeted by bomb threats, swatting attack

Several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and swatting attacks," Trump's transition said Wednesday. Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action. Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The FBI said in a statement that it is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement .