Trump Says Beyonce, Oprah, Kamala Harris Took Illegal Money from Democrats Firstpost America
US President Donald Trump has accused Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton of receiving illegal payments from the Democratic Party to endorse Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. In a Truth Social post made from Scotland, Trump alleged that Beyoncé was paid $11 million despite not performing, while Oprah and Sharpton received millions for "doing nothing." However, campaign finance records contradict these claims, listing payments as event production costs. Critics say Trump's accusations are a diversion from ongoing scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The explosive post adds to Trump's ongoing battles with the media and political rivals. Watch the video to know more.
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Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
India hardens stance in US trade talks; refuses tariff cuts on farm, dairy, GM foods as Trump escalates tariff war
India has hardened its stance on tariff concessions for US agricultural products, dairy, and GM foods in their bilateral trade agreement. This comes as President Trump announced a 25% import duty on Indian goods starting August 7. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA)? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is the aim of the BTA? What are the major demands of the two countries from each other in the BTA? How much tariff is imposed by the US on Indian goods at present? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From when the 25 per cent duty will come into force? Why India is not ready to provide duty concessions on dairy, agri and GM foods? India has toughened its stance on extending duty concessions on agri products, dairy and GM foods in the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the the US not able to finalise a deal with India so far, US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced imposition of an additional 25 per cent import duty on Indian goods entering American markets from August this duty was to be imposed from August 1. The President has also not specified the penalty which he has announced on India for buying crude oil and military equipment from is a list of Q&A (questions and answers) to explain reasons behind India's stand and impact of US tariffs on labour-intensive sectors:India and the US entered into negotiations for a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial BTA in March 2025 with a target to complete the first tranche/phase of the pact by fall (October-November) of far, five rounds of talks have been completed. For the next round, the US team, headed by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, is visiting India from August in a trade agreement, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they ease norms to promote trade in services and increase two-way India-US BTA is aimed at more than doubling the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the present USD 191 US wants duty concessions on certain industrial goods, automobiles, especially electric vehicles, wines, petrochemical products, agri goods, dairy items, apples, tree nuts, and genetically-modified is seeking the removal of this additional tariff (25 per cent now) and cut in tariffs on steel and aluminium (50 per cent), auto sector (25 per cent), labour-intensive sectors, such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and average import duty is about 17 per cent, while the US' is 3.3 per cent. On April 2, the US announced to impose 26 per cent duty (16 per cent reciprocal tariff and 10 per cent baseline tariff). At present, only the baseline tariff is in force. It is over and above the existing import duty on Indian example, before April 2, the Indian textiles were attracting a 6-9 per cent tariff in America. With the baseline tariff, it rose to 16-19 per cent. But from August 7, the sector will attract a 31-34 per cent duty. The baseline tariff will be replaced by 25 per cent duty notified on July 31 by the White certain products are exempted from these tariffs such as pharmaceutical, electronics and energy duty, announced this week, will come into force from August 7 (9.30 am IST). The executive order has also clarified that goods in transit until October 5, 12:01 am eastern daylight time (EDT), or 09:30 am IST, will be subject to a 10 per cent tariff, provided that such goods have entered into transit before August 7 12:01 am Farm livelihoods are at stake. This is a politically and economically sensitive area as over 700 million people in India's rural economy are dependent on the sector. If India removes tariffs, cheap, subsidised US grains could flood Indian markets during global price the US, where agriculture is corporatised, Indian farming is a livelihood issue. Tariffs are essential to protect small farmers, manage price volatility, and ensure food India wants to safeguard its small farmers. GTRI stated that the US argues that India's GM-free feed certification and facility registration protocols effectively bar American dairy imports."Indian rules prohibit imports from animals fed with animal-derived feed' for example, butter from a cow fed meat' due to religious sensitivities. India considers this policy non-negotiable," GTRI has Food: These are created by inserting specific genes, often from bacteria, viruses, other plants, or occasionally animals, into a plant's DNA to introduce new traits, such as pest resistance or herbicide the import of GM products such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for animal feed would affect India's agricultural exports to the EU, a key destination for Indian exporters.
Scroll.in
17 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
Trump says he has ‘heard' India may stop buying Russian oil
United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he has heard that India 'is no longer going to be buying oil' from Russia, ANI reported. 'I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step,' the news agency quoted Trump as saying. 'We will see what happens.' The comment came a day after Reuters reported on Thursday that Indian state-owned refiners had halted oil purchases from Russia over the past week. However, on Saturday, ANI quoted unidentified Indian officials as saying that the state-owned refiners are continuing to source oil from Russian suppliers. #WATCH | "I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard, I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens..." says, US President Donald Trump on a question by ANI, if he had a number in mind for the… — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2025 Trump's remarks on Friday also came just hours after India's Ministry of External Affairs responded to the Reuters report, stating that decisions on sourcing fuel are guided by market dynamics. 'We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time,' ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing. 'As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I don't have details of these specifics.' India and Russia share a 'steady, time-tested partnership ', he added. 'Our ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country,' Jaiswal said. India's clarification on Friday came two days after Trump threatened to impose a ' penalty ' on New Delhi for buying a large portion of its military equipment and fuel from Russia amid the war on Ukraine. The penalty would be in addition to the 25% levy Washington announced on goods imported from India, as part of the so-called reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries that have not negotiated separate trade agreements with it. While the tariffs will take effect on August 7, the executive order signed by Trump on Thursday made no mention of the 'penalty'. On Thursday, Trump said that he does not care about 'what India does with Russia' and that 'they can take their dead economies down together, for all I care'. 'We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world,' Trump said on social media. 'Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together.' On Wednesday evening, India's commerce ministry said that New Delhi was studying the implications of the US' decision, and that it would take all steps necessary to secure national interests.
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
US Vs Russia Submarine Power: As Trump Deploys Nuclear Subs, Who Really Rules The Depths?
As Trump orders US nuclear submarines into position, a closer look at the US vs Russia submarine power race, from fleet size to nuclear deterrence and strategic deployment A Cold War-era chill returned this week when former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev responded to Donald Trump's economic taunts with a nuclear-laced warning referencing the Soviet 'Dead Hand" system—a semi-automated protocol that could launch retaliatory strikes even if Russian leadership were wiped out. Within hours, Trump ordered the movement of two US nuclear submarines to undisclosed 'appropriate regions," triggering sharp warnings from Russian lawmakers. One MP, Viktor Vodolatsky, claimed Russia already had more nuclear submarines deployed in the world's oceans than the United States and asserted that the US submarines had long been 'under their control." With submarine fleets once again at the heart of geopolitical theatre, here's how the United States and Russia compare in underwater firepower and capability. While precise numbers vary slightly across sources, most recent assessments suggest that the United States has a slight lead. According to GlobalFirePower data from 2025 (cited by 1945), the US operates around 70 submarines, while Russia has approximately 63–64. Newsweek, citing the Nuclear Threat Initiative, reported a total of 64 subs for the US and 58 for Russia in 2023. The gap may seem minor, but it's how these submarines are used, where they're positioned, and what they carry that reveals the real power dynamic. The US Navy's subs are spread across the globe, patrolling the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They're also frequently involved in surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and strategic partnerships such as AUKUS. Russia, meanwhile, concentrates its deployments in the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Pacific theatres. In recent years, Russian submarines have also been spotted near NATO coastlines and even off the US coast, a move Western analysts say resembles Soviet-era tactics. Nuclear Deterrent: Who Has The Stronger Hand? Both the US and Russia rely heavily on ballistic missile submarines to maintain their nuclear deterrent. These submarines are often called 'boomers" and are built not for speed or confrontation, but for one purpose: staying hidden long enough to retaliate in case of nuclear war. United States The US Navy currently operates 14 Ohio-class SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines), each capable of launching up to 20 Trident D5 missiles, which can carry multiple thermonuclear warheads. These vessels are designed for stealth and endurance, capable of remaining submerged for months and operating without overhaul for up to 15 years. In addition, four Ohio-class submarines have been modified into SSGNs, equipped not with nuclear warheads, but with Tomahawk cruise missiles carrying conventional payloads. Russia Russia's nuclear deterrent at sea is anchored by its Borei-class and Delta IV-class submarines. As per NDTV, Russia currently has eight Borei-class SSBNs in service, with three more expected to join soon. Each can carry 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles and is equipped with torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket capabilities. The older Delta IV-class submarines, once the workhorses of Russia's deterrent fleet, remain operational, with at least six still in service. They carry Sineva SLBMs and continue to supplement Russia's evolving sea-based nuclear shield. Fast-Attack Submarines: Who's More Advanced? Beyond nuclear deterrence, fast-attack submarines do the heavy lifting: tracking enemy vessels, gathering intelligence, and supporting military operations. US Fast-Attack Submarines America operates three classes of nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines: The Virginia-class: The most modern and versatile, with enhanced surveillance systems, special operations support, and Tomahawk missile capability. The Los Angeles-class: First introduced in the 1970s, these still form a large part of the US fleet and have been upgraded over time. The Seawolf-class: Limited to just three boats due to high cost, but known for stealth and heavy firepower. Together, these submarines give the US Navy unmatched global reach, capable of responding quickly to conflicts across multiple oceans. Russian Fast-Attack Submarines Russia has made rapid strides in modernising its own attack fleet, especially with the Yasen-M class. These newer submarines are smaller than their predecessors, quieter, and more advanced. They're believed to carry Kalibr cruise missiles, Oniks anti-ship missiles, and may soon be capable of firing hypersonic Tsirkon missiles, a potential game-changer if confirmed. Russia also continues to operate Akula-class submarines, introduced in the 1980s. Though older, these have been significantly upgraded and remain part of Russia's active attack fleet. What Sets The US Apart? America's advantage isn't just in numbers; it lies in deployment, endurance, and integration. US submarines are built for long-range missions and global operations. Many are powered by life-of-core nuclear reactors, which allow them to operate for decades without needing refuelling. They're also equipped with advanced sonar systems, such as the Large Aperture Bow array, giving them superior tracking and detection ability in deep waters. In terms of strategic posture, US submarines are built to support global stability, often deployed alongside or in support of NATO and Indo-Pacific allies. Where Russia Is Catching Up Fast Russia is catching up fast, both technologically and industrially. Its submarine programme is not what it was in the chaotic 1990s. In recent years, it's bounced back. The Yasen-M class submarines are widely seen as a credible response to the Virginia class. These vessels also feature life-of-core reactors, and Russia has adopted conformal sonar arrays similar to those found on newer US submarines. According to Newsweek, Russia's Sevmash shipyard is delivering 1–2 nuclear submarines per year, despite sanctions and the economic toll of the Ukraine war. President Putin personally attended the launch of the Alexander III Borei-A submarine in late 2023, and more are on the way. If current trends continue, Russia's undersea modernisation may significantly narrow the capability gap in the coming years. The Trump–Medvedev Flashpoint: Why Submarines Are Suddenly In The Spotlight While these undersea comparisons have been playing out over years, it was a single exchange this week that brought them back to the front pages. Former Russian President Medvedev warned of the Soviet-era 'Dead Hand", a nuclear retaliation system designed to fire even if Russia's leadership were destroyed. Trump hit back by ordering American nuclear submarines to be repositioned, a move both symbolically and strategically bold. It remains unclear whether these are Ohio-class subs capable of nuclear strikes, or Virginia or Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines. But either way, the order breaks tradition. The US rarely, if ever, announces submarine movements publicly. That makes Trump's declaration stand out, and raises questions about how seriously each side is now taking its underwater advantage. So, Who Wins? In pure numbers and global reach, America currently leads. It operates more submarines, has broader deployment capabilities, and retains a technological edge in sonar, endurance, and integration with global allies. top videos View all But Russia isn't far behind, and in some areas, like hypersonic missile development and next-gen reactor design, it may soon pull ahead. Its newer Yasen-M and Borei submarines reflect how quickly Moscow is modernising, and their increasing presence near NATO waters, as noted by Western analysts, suggests a shift in posture. The difference lies in strategic focus. The US Navy is built for global operations and sustained presence, while Russia's submarine force is increasingly focused on strategic signalling. In a world where conflict can escalate rapidly, both fleets are powerful, but designed to project strength in different ways. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump nuclear submarines Russia submarine US vs Russia view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 02, 2025, 13:52 IST News explainers US Vs Russia Submarine Power: As Trump Deploys Nuclear Subs, Who Really Rules The Depths? 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.
