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US Congress approves ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ backed by Trump

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The Republicans house narrowly approved the “One Big Beautiful Bill  in a 218 – 214 vote on July 4 , sending in to President Trump’s desk for approval on US Independence Day . 

Trump said the party is united like never before, and the nation “HOT”. Celebrating at a rally in Iowa, he described it as the perfect Independence Day gift and the beginning of a “new Golden Age “. 

This approval highlights Trumps control over the Republican Party, despite internal unease about its potential to significantly increase the national debt, and slash funding for healthcare and welfare programs.

Few members of the opposition party holdouts ultimately relented after Speaker Mike Johnson spent the night rallying and support for the “One Big Beautiful Bill “in the House of Representative.

The bill cements the $4.5 trillion in tax cuts in 2017, adding new benefits like the elimination of tax on tips. On the other end, it proposes $ 1.2 trillion cuts in Medicaid and food stamps programs, through stricter eligibility, new work requirements for some parents and adults, reduced federal funding for states. The legislation also remove billions in tax credits for wind and solar energy, a move expected to trigger major losses in the renewable sector. 

$350 billion have been allotted to border security and immigration enforcement, to expand deportation efforts, partly funded by the new immigrant fees. To make room for these changes, the bill will raise the national debt slab by $5 trillion a point of contention by some Republicans.

SALT deduction hike and Permanent Tax Cuts

The bill cements the tax cuts originally introduced by Trump in 2017, making them permanent. It also introduces deductions in tax for overtime pay and income from tipped work. Additionally, the limit on state and local tax (SALT) deductions is increased to $40,000 from $10,000. These tax cuts are projected to add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the coming decade.

Big deductions in Medicaid funding

Medicaid, the government health program will have major cuts, potentially stripping 12 million low income and disabled Americans people of healthcare. This is largely due to new work requirements and stricter eligibility checks. 

The bill prohibits Medicaid from funding gender-affirming treatment and restricts coverage for undocumented immigrants in few states. The bill also lowers amounts state can raise through “provider tax”, reducing state spending on Medicaid. To resolve the concerns of GOP senators, the bill sets aside a $50 billion fund to supports rural healthcare, impacted by these changes.

New restrictions on food stamp program

The bill introduces tighter restriction on The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). States with high error rates will now be responsible to share the cost, and the minimum work requirement for able bodied adults has been raised from 54 to 64. 

Stricter border security and immigration meetings

On the immigration front, the bill allocates billions for border enforcement – over $46 billion for wall construction, $45 billion for expanding detention centers, and $30 billion to increase ICE staffing and training. It also reduces the asylum application fees to $100.

Rollback on green program funds

The bill rolls back major green energy initiatives from Biden Inflation Reduction Act, ending tax credits for EV’s and shutting down Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. It also raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion to prevent a government default. The child tax credit rises slightly $2,200 instead of dropping.

Tax relief for tipped workers

Tipped workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in tip income, this benefit phases out for higher income workers.

Trump praised the bill ahead of July 4 rally, while democrats criticize it as favoring the wealthy and plan to campaign against it in 2026 elections.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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