
Netanyahu orders full occupation of Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas over hostages
This came hours after harrowing videos released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad showed two Israeli hostages, Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, in visibly distressed conditions. Braslavski said he could no longer stand due to injuries, while David, shown digging what he said was his own grave, spoke of going days without food.'When I see these, I understand exactly what Hamas wants,' Netanyahu said in a televised address on Sunday. 'They do not want a deal. They want to break us using these videos of horror.'Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday night, demanding an immediate ceasefire deal. The crowd was one of the largest to join the weekly protests in recent months, spurred by the emotionally wrenching hostage footage.Netanyahu, who met with officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross, said he had urged the organisation to deliver food and medicine to hostages — access Hamas has refused throughout the war.Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll inside Gaza continues to mount. The United Nations estimates that nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid since May, mostly near distribution sites run by an American contractor working with Israeli backing. Israeli forces deny targeting civilians directly and claim they have only fired warning shots to control crowds.From March to May, Israel imposed a total blockade on the enclave, barring all food, medicine and humanitarian supplies. That policy was partially relaxed after international outcry, but conditions remain dire for the roughly two million Palestinians still trapped inside the war-ravaged territory.- EndsWith inputs from Agencies Tune InMust Watch
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Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump tariffs : Will stick to our red lines on US trade deal, says official
NEW DELHI: The govt is likely to hold firm on its stand with the US, drawing a red line in sensitive areas such as dairy and agricultural products, including genetically modified food, while keeping the interests of Indian consumers paramount when it comes to oil purchases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We will stick to our red lines," said a senior government functionary immediately after Trump announced his latest trade fatwa. While negotiators are looking to engage in further talks with their US counterparts, a breakthrough looks tough given that both sides have dug in their heels. A team of American trade negotiators is scheduled to be in the capital later this month for the sixth round of talks for a bilateral trade agreement. For the govt, lowering tariffs on farm products, such as corn and soybean, is not just politically sensitive given that it will expose small Indian farmers, many of whom are subsistence farmers, to competition from large growers in the US, who have farms spread across hundreds of acres and are subsidised by their govt. The same is true for dairy too and Indian negotiators have consistently conveyed the govt's sensitivities. GM food is another no-go area with some discussion with US earlier focusing on certification and export of processed maize as ethanol and soya oil. But Trump administration, at the political level, has been insisting on an across the board opening up. While the US is demanding zero duty access for all its products into India, there is no reciprocity in the proposed agreements, with Trump levying additional tariffs - 10%-20% - on all other countries which he has clinched deals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Govt had suggested some duty cuts to allow market access for American products into the rapidly growing market, the largest in world, and also increase purchase of oil, fertilizer and defence equipment to reduce the trade surplus that India enjoys. But the Trump administration dismissed them as inadequate. In any case, US has been unwilling to offer any concessions on sectoral tariffs such as 50% in the case of steel, aluminium and copper and 25% for automobiles & auto parts. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays.


The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, August 7, 1975: Hitch delays flight of plane with Gunmen
Kuala Lumpur, August 6: Five terrorists who held 52 hostages in the U.S. Consulate for two days boarded a plane at Kuala Lumpur airport to-day and officials said they would leave for Libya at 8 a.m. local time (6 a.m. IST) to-morrow. The five still held 15 of their hostages aboard the plane, including the U.S. Consul, Mr. R. Stebbins and the Swedish Charge d' Affaires Mr. Bergenstrahle. Officials said they were to be released in exchange for two Malaysian and two Japanese Government officials who would accompany the terrorists to Libya as substitute hostages. The two Malaysians were named as Mr. Ramli Omar, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Communications and Mr. Osman Cassim, Secretary-General of the Home Ministry. According to American officials here, the Libyan Government had agreed to accept the guerillas. Meanwhile, the five Japanese radicals who were released from Japanese prisons and flown to Kuala Lumpur as demanded by the terrorists, were waiting in an airport building to board the plane for the flight. After exhausting negotiations, the gunmen agreed this morning to leave the American International Assurance building which houses the U.S. and other embassies in downtown Kuala Lumpur and join their five comrades at the airport. Masked, wearing gloves and carrying automatic revolvers and hand grenades, they marched their 15 hostages along with them and made the 22 km drive to the airport in a large bus.


Economic Times
35 minutes ago
- Economic Times
100% tariff on chips and semiconductors? Trump plans big tech crackdown as firms race to build in U.S.
100% tariff on chips and semiconductors — that's the bold step Trump just proposed, targeting imported semiconductors to push companies to build in the U.S. This isn't just a policy shift—it's a potential shake-up for the entire tech world. The plan would slap a massive tariff on chips unless companies are already manufacturing or committing to build facilities in America. While some giants like Apple are moving fast with U.S. investments, others might face huge costs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is the U.S. targeting chip imports with a 100% tariff? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Which companies could be impacted the most? Popular in International How will the tariff affect electronics and consumer prices? Is this a game changer for the U.S. chip industry? What does this mean for the global tech economy? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs: President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all imported chips and semiconductors. This dramatic move is aimed at pressuring tech companies to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. With global tensions high and supply chains under strain, this policy marks a turning point not just for the U.S. economy—but for the entire global tech to trade data, the U.S. imported approximately $46.3 billion worth of semiconductors in 2024, making up nearly 1% of the country's total $3.35 trillion in goods imports. These numbers highlight just how critical imported chips are to the American economy—and how bold this new policy really new 100% semiconductor tariff is more than just a trade policy—it's a clear message. Trump wants to reduce America's dependency on foreign-made chips, especially those coming from Asia. Over 70% of the world's chips are currently produced in Taiwan, South Korea, and China, leaving the U.S. exposed to global disruptions and geopolitical tariff is designed to flip the script. Instead of relying on global factories, Trump wants companies to build chip facilities on American soil. It's a direct attempt to bring tech manufacturing back home—and it's happening giants like, andrely heavily on imported chips to power everything from iPhones to electric cars. But Trump has made one thing clear: companies that are already building or committing to build semiconductor plants in the U.S. will be exempt from the 100% for example, has already pledged a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chip and component manufacturing—a strategic move to sidestep the penalty and strengthen its domestic supply chain. Others are expected to follow suit, fast-tracking plans to expand U.S. operations and avoid the steep immediate concern for consumers is price. Since most electronics—phones, laptops, TVs, cars—depend on chips, this tariff could quickly translate intoIf companies fail to localize chip production, they'll likely pass theonto customers. That means we could see price hikes in smartphones, EVs, gaming devices, and even home appliances. Industry analysts warn this couldin consumer tech fast. Unlike earlier policies like the CHIPS Act under Biden, which focused on incentives and subsidies, Trump's approach is based on pressure. It forces companies to act—not just say the 100% chip import tariff could accelerate billions in U.S. tech infrastructure, boost job creation in semiconductor hubs, and shift global supply chain priorities. However, some fear retaliation from trade partners or a rise in global tech isn't just a U.S. story—it's a global one. Countries that dominate chip exports—like Taiwan, South Korea, and China—may respond with their own measures. The tariff could intensify trade tensions, impact global production timelines, and force tech companies to diversify sourcing at a massive the U.S. market being one of the most lucrative for tech, no brand can afford to ignore this shift. We're already seeing a surge in factory announcements, investment deals, and reshoring plans, and it's just the has proposed a 100% tariff on all imported semiconductors unless companies are building or operating facilities in the companies manufacturing or committing to manufacture chips in the U.S. will be exempt from the new tariff.