
News Wrap This Week: COVID-19 cases in India touch 3,700, Elon Musk exits DOGE, Bangladesh election, more
In the News Wrap This Week, we have US billionaire Elon Musk stepping down as the head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); new developments related to Trump tariffs; mock drills conducted in parts of India under 'Operation Shield', India urging Bangladesh to hold 'inclusive, free, fair' polls; and rising COVID-19 cases.
The Ministry of Health's data showed on Sunday that 363 more COVID-19 cases were reported across India in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's active cases tally to 3,758.
Civil defence exercises or mock drills were conducted across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir under 'Operation Shield' on May 31. These exercises were last conducted across the nation on 7 May amid India-Pakistan tensions along the borders.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced his departure from the Trump administration early Thursday. In a post on X, the head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said, '...my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end.'
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government completed its first 100 days of governance in the national capital on Saturday, May 31. On the occasion, the Delhi government released a 'workbook', highlighting important public welfare initiatives launched so far under Rekha Gupta's chief ministership.
Bangladesh's chief advisor Muhammad Yunus has assured that the nationwide polls will take place between December 2025 and June 2026, even as political parties continue to pressure him to set a poll date.
Amid the calls for Bangladesh elections, India urged the neighbouring country to hold an inclusive, free, and fair election at an early date to ascertain the people's will and mandate.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US Court of International Trade's order to block import tariffs was "so wrong" and "so political."
The US President's statement came as a US trade court had this week blocked his "Liberation Day" import tariffs from going into effect. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington said it was pausing the lower court's ruling, and ordered the plaintiffs in the cases to respond by June 5 and the administration by June 9..
US President Donald Trump announced that he would double steel tariffs from 25% to 50%, from next week onwards, while promoting the partnership between Japan's Nippon Steel and US Steel.
Taking to his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, 'It is my great honour to raise the Tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday, June 4th. Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'
Am video showing Brigitte Macron apparently shoving the French President Emmanuel Macron's face as they landed in Vietnam for their tour.
In the video, French President Emmanuel Macron was seen standing in the vestibule adjoining the boarding gate, communicating with his wife Brigitte Macron, who was inside the cabin.
As security officials open the gate, the President's wife's hand suddenly appeared from the doorway, which shoved his face away in a gesture that appeared to be an aggressive display.
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Indian Express
40 minutes ago
- Indian Express
US probing Adani Group link to Iran LPG trade, says report; firm calls it ‘baseless, mischievous'
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
US demands final trade offers by Wednesday as tariff deadline nears
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Non-Starter: Iran set to reject US nuclear deal over enrichment, sanctions
Iran is expected to reject a fresh US nuclear proposal delivered over the weekend, calling the offer one-sided and lacking any concessions on key issues such as uranium enrichment and sanctions relief, a senior Iranian diplomat told Reuters on Monday."Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer," said the diplomat, who is closely aligned with Iran's nuclear negotiating team. "This proposal is a non-starter that fails to address Tehran's interests."advertisementThe latest US offer was relayed to Tehran on Saturday by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who has been shuttling between the two sides in an effort to mediate a breakthrough. Despite five rounds of indirect discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, key sticking points remain unresolved. One of the main obstacles is Washington's continued demand that Iran fully halt uranium enrichment and ship out its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran has consistently rebuffed these terms.'In this proposal, the US stance on enrichment on Iranian soil remains unchanged, and there is no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions,' the diplomat said, adding that the Iranian side views the American position as 'completely one-sided.'Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons. It has demanded the immediate removal of US sanctions that have throttled its oil-dependent economy. However, Washington has insisted that any sanctions relief must occur in phases, conditional on Tehran's Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media."But Iranian officials say they are unconvinced. According to the diplomat, the proposal 'attempts to impose a bad deal on Iran through excessive demands.'The talks come amid renewed tensions since Trump's return to the White House in January. His administration has resumed the 'maximum pressure' campaign, blacklisting dozens of Iranian institutions and threatening military action should diplomacy withdrew from the original 2015 nuclear accord during his first term, reimposing sanctions that Tehran responded to by ramping up its uranium enrichment well beyond the deal's said Iran would issue a formal response to the US proposal soon, but the mood in Tehran suggests rejection is all but Iranian nuclear negotiations committee, overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly concluded that the current US offer "could not serve Tehran's interests."Must Watch