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All smoke and mirrors

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US President Trump addresses the joint session of Congress on February 28, Reuters/UNI

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A look at the key points of President Donald Trump’s first speech to the United States Congress and some meditations as to their merit

By Sujit Bhar

US President Donald Trump, in his first address to the Congress on the last day of February, made some specific points. Most still reflected his somewhat strange political beliefs, while some need reflection in a plane mirror. 

Here are our retorts to the highlights of the speech.

– “Recent threats targeting Jewish cemeteries as well as last week’s shooting at Kansas remind us that we are a nation that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms.”
Good, but Mr Trump quietly forgot to add that this should include even race-hate related crimes committed by White Supremacists as happened in the Kansas shooting of two Indians (as well as an American). The problem, Mr Trump, is that these hate criminals have risen through their belief in your exhortations. Would you have the courage to tackle the source?

“We’ve defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross.”
Agreed. There are too many armies of people walking into the US and attacking locals, taking away their jobs and creating mayhem in the US. But wait a second… anybody and everybody crossing into the US? It used to happen in places like the Republic of Congo and Angola when white armies were marching in. It happens in the US now? And, for the record, exactly which country’s borders does the US defend?

“America must put its own citizens first. Because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Again, agreed that Americans were so great they put the citizens of all other countries first. Remember the delay in joining the war against one Adolf Hitler? And, then, remember how Americans were putting the citizens of Vietnam and Cuba and Guatemala first? They were ignoring poor Americans every time. This is payback time.

“Dying industries will come roaring back to life. Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need.”
Let me see if I’m getting this right. American industries—steel mills, and sugar mills and cotton yarn mills and motor car factories and computer hardware factories will all be back, hire only Americans, at American wage rates, sell to Americans only (at those prices nobody else will be able to afford them) and it will be La La Land, all over again. Right?

“Our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity.”
Agreed, again. This town in Kansas, Olathe, means “beautiful” in Shawnee. Neglected? Hear this: In 2008 the US Census Bureau ranked the city as the 24th fastest-growing in all of US. And CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked it No. 11 on its list of the “100 Best Cities to Live in the United States.” None talked about predatory White Supremacist ex-military personnel living there, ready to shoot down “foreigners” especially if they looked like “Iranians”. So what if they are highly educated Indians instead? Has this anything to do with your aversion to H1B visa holders?

“The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record.”
This is great. Way to go, Mr Trump. Your new economic and social policies… wait a second. What economic and social policies? You have some? And I thought all the industries that make the tech-heavy indices move have all voted against you. Haven’t they? So which industries have moved? Well, okay, you have appointed Rex Tillerson as your Secretary of State. Yes, that’s the reason. Yeah.

“We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.”
Great, weren’t you supposed to generate more employment? Wasn’t that your campaign speech rhetoric? We thought job creation was going at a pretty fast clip in the late Barack Obama administration.

– “We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5-year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials.”
Great. There will be no lobbying any more. In India we, too, have no lobbying. It is bad karma. Some say your top appointees were the greatest lobbyists and political influencers in the US. We understand there aren’t any more left. Good for you.

“We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines.”
Of course. America needs the oil it deserves, and to hell with the environment. And remember, there are billions of gallons more in Alaska.

“We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
That’s good. But job-killing? The partnership had not even laid out formal plans, nothing had started, nobody had been hired, and already jobs were being lost? That was bad.

– “To protect our citizens, I have directed the Justice Department to form a Task Force on Reducing Violent Crime.”
That task force is expected to comprise Whites only? Homogeneity is a good thing.

“We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth.”
Yes, that’s why you are building that wall. The simple, hardworking, family-minded White youths of America were being poisoned by all those “foreigners”. No wonder Adam Purinton shot down Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Olathe. If you aren’t White, you are either a terrorist or a drug dealer.

– “We will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border.”
Finally, the wall. Let’s give you a tip. In India we have this project called MNREGA, where people dig trenches for nothing and get paid for it. Make your people rig the walls, then pay them good salaries and benefits. You will suddenly find a great number of walks to build, a great many years of huge employment.

“We are also taking strong measures to protect our nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism… It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur… Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values… We cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.”
Well, you have already tried the Travel Ban. We hear you are dropping Iraq in the new, improved Ban coming up. In India our Honourable Prime Minister Naredra Modi is saying the same things. Within the walls of the country, however, hate crimes are growing. We need to love our country more. We love Hindus in India, you love Whites in the US. So what’s the problem?

“As promised, I directed the Department of Defence to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS.”
Err… Mr Trump, we thought you had said you already HAD a secret plan? Why not share that with the Department of Defence?

“In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt than nearly all other Presidents combined.”
Finally, you are right. Even when the government had no funds – it stopped, remember? – Obama had to spend. This is one point you really got right.

“Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion.”
Yes, yes, the Chinese, remember? Dump your inexpensive products in China now. Let them suffer. Oh, sorry, you cannot produce in bulk, inexpensively.

– “Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.”
That’s why they have offices in places like Ireland, where they hardly tax you. The US has been okay with this for a long time.

– “Harley Davidson told me it’s hard to do business with others because other nations tax their motorcycles at 100 per cent. They didn’t ask for a change but I AM!
The world deserves Harleys at cheap prices. I agree. These are necessities. Like you export high-priced cancer drugs.

The rest were repetitions of the same, in different words – as per reality TV lingo, they then become different subjects. But we should stop somewhere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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S Jaishankar defends Russian oil imports, says it won’t end Ukraine war

S Jaishankar defended India’s Russian oil purchases, saying the Ukraine war can only be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has defended India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, saying that stopping the trade would not bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to the media during his official visit to Kyiv, Jaishankar said the conflict, now in its fifth year, can only be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations. He was responding to questions about Western pressure on India to reduce its purchases of Russian energy.

“This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertiliser,” Jaishankar said. He added that dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation were the way to resolve the conflict.

Jaishankar stresses India’s energy security

Jaishankar also highlighted the challenge of ensuring energy security for India’s 1.4 billion people amid difficult global energy conditions.

He said India respects Ukraine’s perspective on the issue but expects other countries to respect New Delhi’s position as well.

India imports around 88 per cent of its crude oil requirement from overseas. According to the report, about one-third of those imports currently come from Russia.

Western pressure over Russian oil

Jaishankar’s comments came amid continued pressure from Western countries over India’s purchases of Russian crude.

The United States and the United Kingdom have backed the argument that restricting Russia’s energy revenues could reduce the funds available to support its military operations in Ukraine.

Last month, the US Senate passed a bipartisan bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries, including India and China, that continue importing Russian oil and gas.

India remains a major buyer of Russian crude

Russia has remained India’s largest source of crude oil despite pressure from Washington. However, Indian imports of Russian crude declined in August after reaching record levels in June and July.

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian crude accounted for only around 0.2 per cent of India’s crude imports. After Western countries moved away from Russian oil following the invasion, India emerged as the largest buyer of discounted Russian crude.

India imported around 2.1 million barrels of Russian crude per day in August, according to data cited in the report. That represented more than 40 per cent of India’s crude imports, down from around 2.6 million barrels per day in June and July.

Russian exporters increasingly rely on Asian buyers

Russia has also become more dependent on Asian markets after European sanctions disrupted its traditional energy trade.

Countries such as India and China have emerged as important buyers of Russian crude. Continued demand from Indian refiners has helped Russian exporters maintain significant volumes despite restrictions affecting Western shipping, insurance and financial services.

Jaishankar, meanwhile, maintained that the Ukraine conflict requires a diplomatic solution rather than an attempt to resolve it through decisions by individual countries over oil purchases.

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Nepal seeks climate compensation from India, China and US for deadly floods

Nepal has sought climate compensation from India, China and the US after a devastating flash flood killed more than 1,100 people and left nearly 4,500 missing.

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Nepal has sought climate-related compensation from India, China and the United States following the devastating flash floods that struck the country last week.

Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said the country wants its diplomatic approach to move beyond conventional disaster aid towards what he described as justice and compensation. He argued that major greenhouse gas emitters have a responsibility towards vulnerable countries facing severe climate-related losses.

The flash flood struck the Bhotekoshi River basin on August 26 after a high-altitude glacial collapse along the Tibet-Nepal border. The disaster sent water, rocks and debris downstream, affecting villages across at least three districts.

More than 1,100 bodies have been recovered, while nearly 4,500 people remain missing, according to the report.

Nepal seeks accountability from major emitters

Khanal said Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is “virtually negligible”, yet the country is facing severe consequences associated with global warming, including glacier melt and extreme mountain disasters.

He said Nepal considers the response to such climate-related losses a matter of “legal and moral liability” rather than charity.

According to Khanal, Nepal intends to raise the issue at international forums and seek compensation for climate-related losses suffered by vulnerable countries.

He also highlighted the importance of Himalayan glaciers for South Asia’s water security, saying their disappearance could have consequences for billions of people dependent on rivers including the Ganges and Trishuli.

Nepal’s finance ministry has also sent a formal climate compensation claim letter to its international partners, Khanal said.

India has backed climate equity

India has consistently highlighted the principle of climate equity and pointed to its relatively low per capita greenhouse gas emissions.

New Delhi has argued that climate responsibilities should consider countries’ historical emissions, development requirements and respective capacities. India has also supported efforts to address loss and damage suffered by vulnerable developing countries.

India maintains that developed nations should provide financial resources to countries dealing with the effects of climate change.

Nepal approaches loss and damage fund

Nepal has formally approached the board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage for urgent financial assistance following the August 26 flash flood.

The fund was established at COP27 in 2022 and operationalised at COP28.

A letter jointly signed by Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Forests and Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary sought an urgent response to the disaster, citing extensive loss of life, displacement and destruction of homes and critical infrastructure.

The letter said the full extent of the economic and non-economic losses was yet to be determined, but preliminary information indicated that the impact had exceeded Nepal’s immediate response capacity.

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Bank of America VP Erin Piacenti killed in New York stabbing

Bank of America vice-president Erin Piacenti, 32, was fatally stabbed in an apparently random attack in New York’s Times Square.

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Bank of America vice-president Erin Piacenti was fatally stabbed in New York City’s Times Square in what authorities described as a random and unprovoked attack.

Piacenti, 32, was among two people stabbed in the incident near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue on August 31. She was taken to a hospital but later died from her injuries. The other victim, a 68-year-old man, survived and was reported to be in stable condition.

Who was Erin Piacenti?

Piacenti worked as a vice-president at Bank of America in its business selection and conflicts unit. She was also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham Law School.

According to reports, Piacenti was a new mother and had recently returned to work following maternity leave. She had also recently marked her second wedding anniversary with her husband.

Bank of America expressed shock and sadness over her death, describing Piacenti as a valued colleague and extending condolences to her family and loved ones.

What happened in Times Square?

The stabbing took place at around 4:24 pm local time, according to the New York Police Department.

Police identified the alleged attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros. Authorities said she was carrying two large knives and attacked two people before confronting responding officers.

Police attempted to stop Cisneros, including using Tasers, but she continued advancing towards officers with the knives. Officers then opened fire, and Cisneros was later pronounced dead.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked. Police also said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health issues. The motive remains under investigation.

Bank of America reacts to employee’s death

Bank of America said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Piacenti’s death and said she would be greatly missed.

The bank’s security teams are also supporting the police investigation and addressing security concerns involving its offices and employees.

Piacenti’s death has left her family, colleagues and friends mourning the loss of a young professional who had recently returned to work after becoming a mother.

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