All stories by Lalit K Jha
Stunning Caitlin Sandra Neil Is Miss India USA 2024
Rediff.com3 days agoChennai-born Indian American teenager Caitlin Sandra Neil has been crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey.
'If they tax us, we tax them': Trump's tough message to India over high tariffs
Rediff.com4 days agoUS President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to impose reciprocal tariffs in retaliation for the high tariff imposed by New Delhi on import of certain American products. Trump said India and Brazil were among countries that impose high tariffs on certain US products. He also said that reciprocity is something that is going to be a key topic for the Trump administration.
Make Canada a state of US: Trump mocks Trudeau
Rediff.com11 Dec 2024United States President-elect Donald Trump took a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the social media platform Truth Social, describing him as the 'Governor of Canada'.
Why Trump suggested Canada join the US as a state
Rediff.com9 Dec 2024Claiming that the United States is subsidising its two neighbours Canada and Mexico to the tune of $100 billion and $300 billion, respectively, incoming US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that if that is the case then these two countries better be a part of America.
Biden hails fall of Assad regime, outlines what 'the US will do'
Rediff.com9 Dec 2024The fall of the Assad regime that brutalised, tortured and killed thousands of innocent Syrians over the past half a century is a historic opportunity for the people of the country, outgoing United States President Joe Biden said on Sunday.
'Enough is enough': Biden pardons son Hunter in criminal cases
Rediff.com2 Dec 2024Hunter Biden was convicted early this year on federal gun and tax charges and was set to appear soon in Delon, California, where he faced the potential of lengthy prison sentences.
Go find another 'sucker': Trump's warning to India, China, Russia
Rediff.com1 Dec 2024United States President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday warned BRICS countries against any move to replace the US dollar and has sought a commitment from the nine-member group that includes India, Russia, China, and Brazil.
Trump names Indian-American close aide Kash Patel as FBI chief
Rediff.com1 Dec 2024President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a close confidante, as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This appointment would make Patel the highest-ranking Indian American in Trump's incoming administration. Patel has previously served in various roles in the Trump administration, including Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Trump praised Patel's work in uncovering the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" and his commitment to "bringing back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI." Patel, who has extensive experience in law enforcement and national security, is known for his work on the Russia investigation and his criticism of the "deep state."
Several Trump 2.0 appointees receive bomb, swatting threats
Rediff.com28 Nov 2024Law enforcement agencies have taken action against those threats.
Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya to be Trump's health agency head
Rediff.com27 Nov 2024US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Indian-American scientist Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the country's top health research and funding institutions. Bhattacharya, a professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, is known for his research on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Trump also nominated Jim O'Neill as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services to work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Israel, Hezbollah agree for ceasefire after months of all-out war
Rediff.com27 Nov 2024Describing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah as the deadliest in decades, Biden said lasting security for the people of the two countries cannot be achieved only on the battlefield.
Adani Issue Won't Affect India-US Ties
Rediff.com22 Nov 2024'What I will say is on the US and India relationship, we believe that it stands on an extremely strong foundation anchored in ties between our people and cooperation across a full range of global issues.'
Will US extradite Lawrence Bishnoi's brother to India?
Rediff.com21 Nov 2024Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested by US law enforcement authorities in Iowa. He is wanted in connection with several criminal cases in India, including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and the firing outside actor Salman Khan's Mumbai home.
Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secretary
Rediff.com15 Nov 2024President-elect Donald Trump announced a slate of key Cabinet nominations, including tapping former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia as Secretary for Veterans Affairs. Trump also named Jay Clayton as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General, and Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General of the United States.
Diwali celebrated on US Capitol Hill on grand scale
Rediff.com15 Nov 2024More than two dozen lawmakers and prominent Indian Americans gathered at the US Capitol for the annual Diwali celebration, highlighting the contributions of the Indian American community and the strong US-India relationship. The event, organized by the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also featured addresses from several Congressmen and Senators who expressed support for Indian Americans and emphasized the importance of the US-India partnership.
1st Hindu Congresswoman named US intelligence head
Rediff.com14 Nov 2024A four-term Congresswoman, 2020 presidential candidate and NYT bestselling author, Gabbard is a veteran with three deployments to war zones in the Middle East and Africa. She recently moved from being a Democrat to a Republican member.
Welcome back: Biden meets Trump, both pledge smooth transition
Rediff.com14 Nov 2024In the meeting, the two leaders assured the nation of a peaceful transition of power on January 20 next year.
Trump picks Fox News host as defence secretary
Rediff.com13 Nov 2024United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the nomination of popular Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth, 44, as his defence secretary.
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump's new department
Rediff.com13 Nov 2024US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The department will be tasked with dismantling government bureaucracy, slashing excess regulations, cutting wasteful expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies. Trump has called this initiative "The Manhattan Project of the current time."
'NSA Mike Waltz would be good for India-US relationship'
Rediff.com12 Nov 2024Waltz after being elected as the Co-Chair of India Caucus in January last year had said that India is the world's largest democracy and an important strategic partner for the United States.