Putin Rebukes Netanyahu In First Response To Israel's Gaza Takeover
/ Aug 09, 2025, 12:47AM IST
Russia has slammed Israel's decision to completely take over Gaza amid civilians' starving due to offensive. A top Russian diplomat termed Benjamin Netanyahu's move a 'bad step' and in an absolutely wrong direction. Watch out for more.
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Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Basmati growers in Punjab, Haryana fear deep setback for grain exports to US
The 50% tariff imposed by the Trump administration has left Punjab and Haryana basmati growers and exporters deeply worried, fearing a severe impact on aromatic grain exports to the US as neighbouring Pakistan gains a significant competitive advantage. The punitive tariff rate — among the highest imposed on any US trading partner — stems from Trump's August 7 executive order adding a 25% penalty for India's Russian oil purchases on top of an existing 25% reciprocal tariff, with the combined levy taking effect August 28. 'It's a double whammy,' said Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president of the basmati exporters association, explaining that India exports nearly 300,000 tonnes (worth $350 million) to the US annually and the steep tariffs will hit exporters hard while giving Pakistan—another major producer, with a 19% levy on its goods —a crucial edge. Unlike sectors such as smartphones and pharmaceuticals that remain exempt from Trump's tariff offensive, basmati rice faces the full burden of America's punishment for India's energy relationship with Russia. While Trump raised the rate on Indian imports from an initially planned 26% to 50%, it lowered tariffs on Pakistani from 29% to 19%, making Indian grain 31% costlier. 'India's loss is Pakistan's gain,' Jossan said. 'Traders from the neighbouring country have already started taking orders from the US, but Indian traders are unable to negotiate because of the cost disparity.' A tonne of basmati purchased in the US at $1,200 will cost an additional $600 if imported from India, compared to just $228 extra from Pakistan. 'At this moment, we do not stand a chance to sell our produce in the US,' Jossan added. The new tariff comes at a particularly vulnerable time for the sector, as basmati prices are already sliding. Popular varieties such as 1121 and 1509 have dropped from ₹4,500 per quintal in 2022-23 to ₹3,500-3,600 in 2023-24, and could fall further to ₹3,000, industry sources fear. The decline threatens to push farmers away from basmati cultivation altogether. 'The trend of falling prices may push farmers to abandon basmati in favour of regular paddy, which now has a Minimum Support Price of over ₹2,400 per quintal,' said Gurbakshish Singh, a farmer from Tarn Taran, a border district of Punjab. Singh's family has cultivated basmati for many years, but he remains apprehensive about the lack of price stability. The uncertainty is already reflected in cultivation patterns. Punjab's basmati area has shrunk from 7.63 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 6.39 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Popular varieties like 1509, 1121, and 1718 cover over 80% of the area but fetch declining prices. Haryana's cultivation area has fluctuated between 6.5-7.1 lakh hectares in recent years, standing at 6.8 lakh hectares in 2025. Punjab and Haryana produce premium quality grain with varieties such as 1121 and 1509 famous globally, accounting for 40% of India's total basmati exports. Punjab alone produces nearly 40% of the country's basmati rice. 'The quantity of basmati exports to the US is just a small portion of total exports from India, but it disturbs the overall trade and cropping pattern,' said Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, a farmer from Badshahpur village in Karnal district, Haryana. Jossan said smaller exporters with annual turnovers of about ₹100 crore are bearing the brunt. They have slashed procurement prices from ₹7,100 to ₹6,200 per quintal, pushing down wholesale domestic prices from ₹71 to ₹62 per kg, with retail prices likely to follow. Millers face huge losses due to unsold basmati stocks piling up. 'Exporters won't buy unless the situation improves,' Jossan said. Anil Mittal chairman-cum-managing director of KRBL Limited, which sells premium grain under Indian Gate basmati rice, said that he is hopeful that the situation will not last for a long time. 'The Indian government is actively negotiating with the US. We have good brands, which have no match elsewhere in the world,' he added.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump-Putin summit: Meeting set for next Friday in Alaska; to discuss ending Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to discuss an end to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. " "Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added. Putin's trip to Alaska will be his first to the US in a decade. The last time Russia's leader was in the country was for a meeting with President Barack Obama at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2015. The announcement came just hours after Trump told reporters he planned to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine with Putin. The President expressed cautious optimism, saying he believes 'we have a shot' at brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, the Kremlin announced the expected meeting between both leaders after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow. Witkoff, during his visit to Moscow, had proposed a trilateral meeting with Zelensky, but Russia did not respond to that proposal. "The Russian side left this option completely without comment," Ushkov added. On Wednesday, Trump said he is likely to meet Putin face-to-face "very soon." Trump has been attempting to broker an end to Russia's military assault on Ukraine; however, three rounds of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to yield any progress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like With temperatures hitting 95°F, this is the mini air conditioner everyone's buying in the U.S News of the Discovery Undo Both sides remain adamant and appear far from ending the more than three-year-long war. Since February 2022, tens of thousands have been killed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and Russian assaults have forced millions to flee their homes. Despite repeated calls from the US, Europe, and Ukraine, Russia has resisted a ceasefire.
News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Armenia, Azerbaijan Sign Historic Peace Deal At White House In Trump's Presence
Last Updated: As part of the deal, the nations will establish a major transit corridor, to be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. The long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia reached a historic conclusion on Friday as the leaders of both nations signed a landmark peace agreement at the White House. The event was hosted by US President Donald Trump, who joined the leaders as they shook hands following the signing of the deal, aimed at ending decades of violence and hostility, according to the Associated Press. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a series of agreements formalising peace between their nations and establishing new cooperative ties with the United States. As part of the deal, the two countries have pledged to reopen key transportation and trade routes, including those that had been closed since the early 1990s due to territorial disputes and war. 'We are today establishing peace in the South Caucasus," President Aliyev declared during the ceremony. 'Today we writing a great new history." The agreement is expected to transform the regional dynamic, fostering economic growth and stability across the South Caucasus. Prime Minister Pashinyan called the peace agreement a turning point. 'Opening a chapter of peace," he said, adding, '(We are) laying foundations to a better story that the one we had in the past." President Trump, celebrating the diplomatic achievement, positioned himself as a global peacemaker. 'Now they're friends, and they're going to be friends for a long time," Trump said after the agreement was signed. 'You two are going to have a great relationship and if you don't, call me and I'll straighten it out." As part of the deal, the nations will establish a major transit corridor, to be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, according to a statement from the White House. An American infrastructure company will assist in the development of the corridor, which aims to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, further enhancing regional trade and connectivity. The peace agreement comes just days before Trump's upcoming August 15 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the leaders will discuss a possible ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. President Trump, reportedly being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by multiple leaders, including President Aliyev, has increasingly focused on brokering global peace as part of his second-term foreign policy agenda. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
