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Trump plans defence spending boost, but why?

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Trump plans defence spending boost, but why?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More military expenditure was part of his campaign policy, but does the US need it? Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers feel such a big increase could take money out of critical domestic areas such as environmental protection and education

By Sujit Bhar

It is immaterial whether US President Donald Trump gets his billions to boost the US military. It has to pass through Congress and this is one case where a Presidential Executive Order may not be able to cut the funds ice. The issue is of Trump’s intent.

More military spending was part of his campaign policy. Trump is trying to make good this promise, as he tried with the Muslim ban.

However, the question being asked is who is Trump preparing to go to war with? ISIS doesn’t have a single fighter jet, the Russians are too risky to mishandle (and anyway Trump thinks Putin is cool), and a war with China will be mostly fought in economic corridors. Why does the US need such a huge boost?

Trump wanted a massive $ 54 billion boost on the $584 billion-plus that the US spent last fiscal. Trump wants to scrap the hugely mismanaged, and useless F-35 fighter jet project that has reportedly spent almost half a trillion dollars already. To this end, he is right.

While this Lockheed Martin mega-misadventure has bled the military establishment hugely, governors of a multitude of states have been steadfastly rooting for it, because the company provides huge employment in those states, through its several ancillary units. That is why Trump has said that he would like to see the end of the F35 focus and concentrate on the Raptor project instead.

At this point, as it stands, the US defence spending could go up to just $603 billion in total, a growth of just 3 percent, skipping slightly over the inflation rate of 2.5 percent. That is a big comedown from the proposed ten percent increase ($54 billion).

Democratic lawmakers feel such a big increase could take money out of critical domestic spending in environmental protection and education. 
To find the reason behind Trump’s unusual request for a huge boost one would not have to look beyond US boundaries. Trump’s call for new aircraft, new aircraft carriers and new fleets for the Navy makes little sense around the world where raging conflicts are of low intensity and not even involving heavy artillery or missiles.

The US, at this point, should not be scared of any hidden enemy. The Cold War is over and China is still far away in the future, if at all. But there are jobs to be created at home, there are Governors who have become too powerful, to be taught lessons. There are industrial friends to be pacified. Many of them funded his campaign and now they want their pound of flesh.

A defence spending boost could answer a big chunk of such questions. It will also boost the already huge arms export of the US. The US will not benefit in a peaceful world, and Trump, like all presidents before him, knows this well.  When oil is cheap, there is little option to war.

The Democrats are putting a spanner in the works, but the just concluded eight Democratic years had seen huge spending in war preparations. Against whom?

Nobody needs to get answers to such questions. The way it is going the US will be prepared for a full-fledged alien invasion. Maybe Americans need to get employed soon enough for that.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid affair scandal, Colette Kress takes over

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned amid an affair-related controversy. The company’s CFO, Colette Kress, will serve as interim CEO while the board looks for a permanent successor.

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colette kress

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned from his position, marking a major leadership change at the world’s leading artificial intelligence chipmaker. The company’s board has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it begins the process of finding a permanent successor.

The development comes amid controversy surrounding reports of Huang’s alleged extramarital relationships, including one involving a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US authorities of having links to espionage activities.

Huang’s departure comes after more than three decades at the helm of Nvidia, the company he co-founded in 1993. His leadership helped transform the business from a graphics chip manufacturer into a dominant supplier of processors powering the global artificial intelligence industry.

Colette Kress appointed interim Nvidia CEO

Following Huang’s resignation, Nvidia’s board appointed Colette Kress as interim chief executive officer.

Kress, who has served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and CFO since September 2013, will continue to hold the finance portfolio alongside her interim leadership responsibilities until a permanent successor is appointed.

Before joining Nvidia, she spent nearly 25 years working in finance roles at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.

The board has said it will consider both internal and external candidates as part of its search for a permanent CEO.

Nvidia has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as the company’s first-ever chairman of the board.

Affair controversy surrounding Jensen Huang

Huang’s resignation follows a series of reports about alleged extramarital relationships that have raised questions about his position at the company.

One of the controversies involves Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspect of involvement in facilitating shipments of Nvidia chips to Chinese companies.

Another report alleged that Huang had a relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, who reportedly worked under him.

Huang had earlier acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a message to Nvidia employees, taking responsibility for his actions and apologising to his family and colleagues.

The company’s board had also initiated an independent investigation into whether Huang had been targeted as part of a foreign intelligence operation.

Jensen Huang’s departure marks a major change for Nvidia

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a graphics processing unit manufacturer primarily associated with gaming into a central player in the global AI industry.

Nvidia’s processors have become critical to companies developing and operating artificial intelligence systems, making the company one of the most influential businesses in the technology sector.

His departure also comes at a crucial time for Nvidia, with investors closely watching the company’s leadership transition and its ability to maintain its position in the rapidly expanding AI market.

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India, Canada discuss trade pact to boost bilateral commerce

India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at expanding trade, investment and market access between the two countries.

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India canada trade pacts

India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed trade agreement as the two countries seek to strengthen their economic and commercial ties.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, who is leading a Canadian delegation to India. The discussions focused on advancing negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The proposed pact is aimed at creating greater market access and opening up new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

India-Canada CEPA talks

Both sides discussed the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that can make use of the complementary strengths of the two economies.

The discussions also focused on deepening commercial engagement and creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Goyal said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to taking the India-Canada economic partnership to a higher level, with CEPA serving as a catalyst for deeper commercial engagement.

India and Canada are working towards concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.

India-Canada trade

The proposed CEPA is aimed at improving market access and creating opportunities across sectors while strengthening the broader economic relationship between India and Canada.

The agreement is expected to provide greater opportunities for businesses in both countries and support deeper trade and investment ties.

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White House put on temporary lockdown after car crashes into signpost

The White House was temporarily placed under lockdown after a car crashed into a signpost near Lafayette Square in Washington, DC. The driver was detained after a confrontation with security personnel.

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The White House was placed under a temporary lockdown on Monday after a car crashed into a signpost at Lafayette Square near the presidential residence in Washington, DC.

The incident triggered a security response in the area, with the US Secret Service directing members of the White House press corps to move indoors and remain there temporarily.

Driver detained after confrontation with security personnel

The driver was detained following a confrontation with Secret Service officers and National Guard personnel, according to reports.

Video footage showed a silver sedan on the paved area at the northern end of Lafayette Square after striking a signpost. Smoke was also seen coming from the vehicle.

Authorities had not immediately disclosed the driver’s identity or established what led to the crash.

White House security restrictions imposed

The security response prompted temporary restrictions around the White House. The incident occurred at Lafayette Square, which is directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the presidential complex.

At around 10 am local time, Secret Service personnel instructed White House journalists to move indoors while security personnel dealt with the incident.

The White House was under the security restriction while President Donald Trump was at the premises, according to reports.

Motive behind crash remains unclear

It was not immediately known whether the crash was accidental or deliberate. Authorities had also not immediately confirmed whether anyone was injured.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the driver’s identity and possible motive, remained under investigation.

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