News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know “PM Modi Knew I Was Not Happy”: Trump Warns Of More Tariffs If India Continues Russian Oil Import U S President Donald Trump has held out a fresh warning to India over raising tariffs if continued imports of Russian oil, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Trump said it was important for India to keep him happy on the issue of Russian oil imports. “PMModi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said. US Senator Lindsey Graham who was traveling with President Trump, claimed that Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra spoke to him last month about India buying less Russian oil and asked him to tell US President Donald Trump to relieve the 25 per cent tariff. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One alongside Trump, Graham said, “I was at the Indian Ambassador’s house a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about was how India is buying less Russian oil. And he asked me to tell the President to relieve the 25% tariff.” The US strike on Venezuela has brought the issue of oil to the forefront of geopolitics once again. Venezuela has massive oil reserves, which total over 303 billion barrels, making them the world’s largest proven reserves. Howev- er, production has dwindled to 1 million barrels per day due to US sanctions and underinvestment. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves (estimated at over 300 billion barrels), which represent roughly 17% of the total global oil supply, OPEC data shows. Trump’s new warning to India comes amid growing scrutiny inWashington over India’s energy trade with Russia, even as New Delhi has defended its oil purchases as essential for domestic energy security. The comments also come just weeks after Trump and Prime Minister Modi held a telephonic conversation, dur- ing which both leaders stressed the importance of main- taining momentum in bilateral trade ties despite ongoing tariff-related tensions. The call coincided with the launch of a fresh round of negotiations between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving the long-standing trade impasse. Only days before the conversation with Modi, Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on Indian rice imports. The warning followed complaints raised by a US farmer representative at aWhite House roundtable, who alleged dumping by India, China and Thailand. -ANI This Is Not About Drugs Or Democracy, But Oil: Kamala Harris Slams Trump Over Maduro’s Capture NYC Mayor Mamdani Appoints Civil Rights Lawyer As Chair Of Mayor’s Advisory Committee On The Judiciary F ormer US Vice President Kamala Harris on Satur- day, Jan. 4, 2026, slammed US President Donald Trump over the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, say- ing the operation was driven by oil interests and not by concerns over drugs. In a post on X, Harris said Trump’s actions in Venezuela would not make the United States safer and warned that forced regime change could destabilise the region, put- ting American lives at risk. “Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable. That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price,” she wrote. Harris said the American public did not support such military actions and accused Trump of misleading people. “The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to. This is not about drugs or democ- racy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies,” she added. Harris, who contested the recent presidential election against Trump, also warned that the operation could put US troops at risk and lacked any legal basis or exit plan. “The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilising a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home. America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and, most importantly, putting the American people first,” she wrote. -ANI N ewYork City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Jan. 2, 2026, the appointment of civil rights and election attorney Ali ajmi as the Chair of the newly revital- ized Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. The Mayor also signed an execu- tive order to ensure that the Committee makes the judicial selection process more transparent and accessible to NewYorkers, a press release from his office said. Najmi is the founder and former President of the South Asian and Indo- Caribbean Bar Association of Queens (SAICBAQ), and presently serves on their advisory board. Najmi is a member of the NewYork City Bar Association, the Queens County Bar Association, the Muslim Bar Association of NewYork, and the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens. “While the judicial branch plays a crucial role in our democracy, it is often inaccessible and shrouded in secrecy. My Administration will promote transparency in how we select NewYork City’s judges and ensure our city’s judicial system reflects the city it serves, applies the rule of law universally, and does so without favor,” Mamdani is quoted saying in the press release. “There is no one better to lead this effort than Ali Najmi, who will bring the same determination and commitment he’s brought to the courtroom for decades to his new role chairing the Advisory Com- mittee on the Judiciary.” By a StaffWriter Kamala Harris speaking at a Democratic National Committee meeting. Ali Najmi U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Joint Base Andrews. PHOTO:X.COM/KAMALAHARRIS PHOTO:X.COM @ALI_NAJMI PHOTO:US NETWORK POOLVIA REUTERS News India Times (January 10, 2025 - January 16, 2025) January 16, 2025 8 US Affairs