Tulsi Gabbard’s Nomination as Director of National Intelligence approved by Senate

Washington: The U.S. Senate has advanced Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) following a vote along party lines, paving the way for a final confirmation. According to Politico, the procedural vote, known as cloture, was passed on Monday, setting the stage for her appointment to the country’s top intelligence post. Gabbard, a former Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, Democratic congresswoman, and 2020 presidential candidate, was nominated for the role by U.S. President Donald Trump after shifting to the Republican Party last year. Her confirmation is anticipated to be…

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India Considers Lowering Tariffs on US Goods to Avert Reciprocal Duties

New Delhi – In an effort to avoid potential retaliatory tariffs from the United States, India is considering reducing import duties on more than 30 commodities and increasing its purchases of American energy and defense products, according to a report by Nomura. The study highlights India’s ongoing efforts to prevent trade conflicts with the US. In its latest Union Budget, the Indian government had already lowered import taxes on various goods, including luxury motorcycles, textiles, and electronics. Now, the country is contemplating further tariff reductions on chemicals, solar cells, and high-end…

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Elon Musk Leads $97.4 Billion Bid to Acquire OpenAI; Sam Altman Responds

Washington: In a significant development in the artificial intelligence industry, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is leading a consortium of investors in a staggering $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI. This move, first reported by The New York Times, marks Musk’s latest effort to regain influence over the AI company he co-founded in 2015 but later departed from. Musk’s Strategic Bid The offer, backed by Musk’s AI venture xAI and major investors such as Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Atreides Management, Vy Capital, and Hollywood power broker…

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JD Vance Criticizes AI Regulation at Paris Summit

PARIS: U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a stern warning  against “excessive regulation” in the artificial intelligence sector, cautioning world leaders and tech executives that overregulation could stifle innovation just as AI is gaining momentum. Speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit at the Grand Palais, Vance underscored the Trump administration’s commitment to ensuring that AI systems developed in the U.S. remain free from ideological bias and are not hindered by restrictive policies. He stated that the U.S. would “never restrict our citizens’ right to free speech.” Transatlantic Divide on…

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WHO Launches Free Cancer Drug Initiative for Children in Low-Income Nations

GENEVA: In a significant effort to improve childhood cancer survival rates, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday launched a new platform aimed at providing free cancer medications to children in low- and middle-income countries. As part of the project’s pilot phase, the first shipments of these medications have already been dispatched to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with additional deliveries planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia. The initiative is expected to benefit around 5,000 children battling cancer across 30 institutions in these six countries this year. “Countries in the pilot…

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How Tesla Can Profit from Elon Musk’s Anti-Government Campaign

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of U.S. government oversight, arguing that Tesla’s progress in autonomous driving and electric vehicle technology has been hampered by regulatory scrutiny. However, with Musk’s close alignment with President Donald Trump, many of these regulatory hurdles may soon be relaxed, potentially paving the way for Tesla to capitalize on a more favorable business environment. Regulatory Challenges Easing Under Trump Trump’s administration has been swift in targeting government regulations, dismissing watchdogs and scaling back programs that oversee corporate compliance. For Tesla,…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US Visit: Strengthening Ties

prime minister narendra modi’s us visit

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to the United States from February 12, during which he will meet with US President Donald Trump. The visit, confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs, is expected to provide new direction and momentum to India-US bilateral relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US Visit:  Strategic Importance of the Visit This high-profile visit is significant for strengthening Indo-US strategic ties, particularly in the areas of defense, trade, technology, and geopolitics. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that the…

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Mpox fatalities cross 100 across Africa since start of 2025

Mpox

Johannesburg: The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported that 107 people have lost their lives to the ongoing Mpox epidemic across the continent since the beginning of 2025. The outbreak continues to pose a significant health challenge, with 3,683 of the 13,500 reported cases across 12 African nations confirmed positive for the virus. During an online media briefing, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya provided an update on the alarming spread of mpox. The latest statistics indicate that in just the past week, eight African countries…

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Fiery Response to Trump

Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered a bold and scathing response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on border security, sending shockwaves through political circles. In a sharp rebuttal, Sheinbaum challenged Trump’s vision of a border wall, warning of the global economic consequences if America isolates itself. “You thought of building a wall, but remember, beyond that wall stand 7 billion people. These people can switch from iPhones to Samsung or Huawei, from Ford and Chevrolet to Toyota, Kia, and Honda. Instead of Disney, they will watch Latin…

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India Raises Concerns Over China’s Mega Dam on Brahmaputra

NEW DELHI: The Union government has “taken note” of China’s announcement of a mega dam project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) river in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Centre informed Parliament. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, stated that various issues related to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the framework of an “institutionalised Expert Level Mechanism,” established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. The…

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