India signs a trade accord with 4 European nations for $100 billion investment over 15 years
New Delhi, INDIA (AP) — India signed a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on Sunday that includes a commitment of $100 billion investment and creating 1 million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years, officials said.
India on its part committed to reducing import tariffs on industrial products from the four European countries that comprise the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA.
“The landmark agreement between India and EFTA is set to bring significant economic benefits, such as better integrated and more resilient supply chains, new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides leading to increased trade and investment flows, job creation, and economic growth,” an EFTA communique said.
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India for the first time had signed an agreement with an important economic bloc in Europe. India is also working on trade pacts with Britain and the European Union.
In the image, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar are seen alongside EFTA delegates including Switzerland’s Guy Parmelin, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein’s Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler, and Norway’s Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre on Sunday, March 10, 2024.Photo credit: @PiyushGoyal
The agreement includes trade in goods and services, investment promotion and cooperation, intellectual property, government procurement, trade and sustainable development, and dispute settlement. It will provide a window for Indian exporters to access European and global markets, Goyal said in a statement.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Mr. Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Govt. of India with Switzerland’s Guy Parmelin, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein’s Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler, and Norway’s Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre.
Parmelin, representing the EFTA member states, highlighted that “EFTA countries gain access to a significant growth market. Our companies aim to diversify and strengthen their supply chains. In return, India stands to attract more foreign investment from EFTA, leading to the creation of additional quality jobs.”
Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic has been crowned Miss World 2024
Mumbai, INDIA (DT) – Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic emerged victorious among 111 contestants from around the world to claim the title of Miss World 2024. The prestigious international pageant took place in Mumbai, India, this year.
During the preliminary competition, which featured various events such as fitness, beauty, talent, and public speaking, several contestants secured “fast track” spots in the top 40, which was announced at the beginning of the show.
The 71st Miss World 2024 held in India has sparked tremendous enthusiasm and anticipation, owing to the country’s rich tradition of producing exceptional beauty queens. The event was eagerly awaited by both participants and spectators alike, as it transcended being merely a beauty pageant—it was a celebration of womanhood and diversity.
Miss World 2024 winner Krystyna Pyszková receives her crown from Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska. Photo : Instagram/krystyna_pyszko/
Renowned Indian designer Archana Kochhar played a pivotal role by styling and designing all the outfits for the Miss World 2024 contestants, utilizing special silk fabric to showcase the cultural richness and elegance of India.
Who is Krystyna Pyszková new Miss World
Krystyna Pyszkova, the winner of Miss World 2024, is a Czech model and beauty queen known for her advocacy of sustainable development through education. Standing at 5’11” tall, she is based in Prague, Czech Republic, and represented her country in the Miss World pageant.
Krystyna Pyszkova’s journey to Miss World began when she won the Miss Czech Republic 2022 title on May 7, 2022. Following this achievement, she joined Elite Model Management in London, England, United Kingdom, on May 31, 2022. In her pursuits, Krystyna is studying law at Charles University in Prague and business administration at MCI Management Center Innsbruck in Innsbruck, Austria.
Additionally, Krystyna is actively involved in volunteer work, particularly at the Sonta Foundation in Tanzania, where she teaches English to underprivileged children. Her commitment to philanthropy extends beyond borders.
During her journey, Krystyna visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 20, 2023, and Planters Elementary School in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, on December 13, 2023. She celebrated her 25th birthday on January 19, 2024.
Heavy Rain & thunderstorms, yellow alert issued in the UAE, diverts 13 Dubai-bound flights to nearby airports
Dubai, UAE (DT) – Amidst heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, the UAE issued a yellow alert, resulting in the diversion of 13 Dubai-bound flights to nearby airports.
The inclement weather disrupted air travel schedules, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.
The UAE experienced heavy rains accompanied by lightning and thunder throughout the night, as reported by the National Centre of Meteorology. Rainfall of varying intensities was recorded across several emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman.
Passengers have been advised to arrive at the airports earlier than usual to prevent missing their flights due to the weather conditions and potential delays caused by the heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The Dubai Airport authority posted on their Twitter/X handle that despite the prevailing weather conditions, all flights are currently operating as scheduled, albeit with some departure delays. Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status for the latest updates.
Additionally, due to water accumulation on roads near Terminals 1 and 2, passengers are advised to allocate extra time for their journey to the airport or consider utilizing the Dubai Metro as an alternative mode of transportation.
Despite weather conditions, all flights are operating normally with some departure delays. Check your flight status for the latest updates.
Due to water accumulation on roads near Terminals 1 and 2, we urge you to allow extra time to get to the airport or use the Dubai Metro.
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, has issued a statement regarding forecasted adverse weather conditions across the UAE from March 8-10. Passengers are urged to regularly check etihad.com for the latest updates on their flight departures. Additionally, travelers are advised to allocate ample time for their journey to the airport.
Hungary’s PM Orban openly supports Trump after Florida meeting
Florida, USA (REUTERS/AP) – Hungary’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban lent his support to long-time ally Donald Trump’s bid to return to White House after meeting the former U.S. president in Florida late on Friday.
The two discussed “a wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation,” according to a statement from Trump’s campaign.
Orbán has garnered admiration from certain conservative populists by advocating for what he terms “illiberal democracy,” characterized by stringent controls on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. However, he has also implemented measures to tighten control over the press and judiciary in his nation, restructuring the political system to ensure his party’s dominance while fostering exceptionally close ties with Russia compared to other European Union member states.
Orban has long been at odds with his fellow European Union members over a range of issues, including refusing to send weapons to Kyiv and keeping up economic ties with Moscow since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. Orban has said only the return of Republican candidate Trump to the White House could bring peace in Ukraine.
“We need leaders in the world who are respected and can bring peace. He is one of them! Come back and bring us peace, Mr. President!,” Orban said in a post on X after the meeting.
PM Orban shared his Photo with former US President Donald Trump post on x and write, We need leaders in the world who are respected and can bring peace. He is one of them! Come back and bring us peace, Mr. President!. Photo : PM Orban X
Orban, admired by many conservatives in the United States for his tough policies on immigration, his family support schemes and vocal stance on national sovereignty, said in a video on his Facebook page that under Trump’s 2017-2021 presidency there was peace in the Middle East and also Ukraine.
“Viktor is a Great Leader, respected all over the World,” Trump said on Saturday in a post on his Truth Social messaging platform, saying it had been an honor to host Orban.
“Hungary is a Safe Country because of his Strong Immigration Policies, and as long as he is in charge, it always will be!” Trump added. Orban has regularly been at loggerheads with the EU over his anti-immigration campaigns and moves to put the judiciary, NGOs, and media under more state control, which critics say have eroded democracy in Hungary.
Orban has also criticised EU sanctions against Russia, although never vetoed them in the end, and held up an EU decision on granting new aide for Ukraine last December until finally agreeing to it early this year.
Biden’s reaction after donald trump’s meeting with Hungary PM
The Trump campaign said late Friday that the two men discussed “a wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation.”
Campaigning Friday in Pennsylvania, Biden said of Trump: ’You know who he’s meeting with today down in Mar-a-Lago? Orbán of Hungary, who’s stated flatly that he doesn’t thinks democracy works, he’s looking for dictatorship.”
“I see a future where we defend democracy, not diminish it,” Biden added.
On Friday, Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, posted from Palm Beach, hailing Trump’s “strength” and implying that the world would be more peaceful were he still president.
“If Donald Trump had been elected President of the United States in 2020, the war in Ukraine, now in its third year, would not have broken out and the conflict in the Middle East would have been resolved much faster,” he wrote.
Orbán has served as Hungary’s prime minister since 2010. The next year, his party, Fidesz, used its two-thirds majority in the legislature to rewrite the nation’s constitution. It changed the retirement age for judges, forcing hundreds into early retirement, and vested responsibility for appointing new judges with a single political appointee who was widely accused of acting on behalf of Fidesz.
Fidesz later authored a new media law and set up a nine-member council to serve as the country’s media regulator. All nine members are Fidesz appointees, which media watchdogs say has facilitated a major decline in press freedom and plurality.
Radek Sikorski, Poland’s FM says the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine is ‘not unthinkable’
BY VANESSA GERA | AP
Warsaw, POLAND (AP) — Poland’s foreign minister says the presence of NATO forces “is not unthinkable” and that he appreciates the French president for not ruling out that idea.
Radek Sikorski made the observation during a discussion marking the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to NATO in the Polish parliament Friday, and the Foreign Ministry tweeted the comments later in English.
They reflect a larger European debate over how to help Ukraine as Russia has gained some momentum on the battlefield and Kyiv is running low on ammunition. The U.S. Congress is withholding aid that Ukraine says it critically needs to hold off the Russians, putting more pressure on Europe to respond to the war that has shattered peace on the continent.
Last month French President Emmanuel Macron said the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out, a comment that broke a taboo among allies and prompted an outcry from other leaders. French officials later sought to clarify Macron’s remarks and tamp down the backlash, while insisting on the need to send a clear signal to Russia that it cannot win its war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has warned that if NATO sends combat troops, a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia would be inevitable. Russian President Vladimir Putin said such a move would risk a global nuclear conflict.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among those European leaders who initially ruled out sending troops to Ukraine after Macron’s remarks, saying: “Poland does not plan to send its troops to the territory of Ukraine.”
But less than two weeks later Sikorski struck a different tone.
“The presence of #NATO forces in Ukraine is not unthinkable,” he said, according to the Foreign Ministry’s tweet. He said he appreciated Macron’s initiative “because it is about Putin being afraid, not us being afraid of Putin.”
Sikorski’s remark is part of a broader shift to align with Macron’s position, wrote Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
“The issue of sending European forces to help Ukraine was never one to be dismissed — it was always a possibility,” O’Brien wrote in an email analysis sent to subscribers Saturday. “In fact it has become more of one as the USA has stepped back and withdrawn aid. Europe is now faced with a terrible dilemma — watching Ukraine potentially run out of ammunition, or stepping in and helping Ukraine more directly.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Tusk will travel to Washington for a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, a visit the Poles hope they can use to spur the United States to do more to help Ukraine.
Poland is a member of NATO along the alliance’s eastern flank, with Ukraine across its eastern border. The country has been under Russian control in the past, and fears run high that if Russia wins in Ukraine, it could next target other countries in a region that Moscow views as its sphere of interest.
Thousands worldwide assembled to commemorate International Women’s Day with Protest
New Delhi, INDIA (REUTERS/DT) – Tens of thousands of women marched in demonstrations across Spain on Friday to protest against gender inequality and to mark International Women’s Day.
To mark the occasion, Spain’s Equality Minister Ana Redondo announced on Friday the government would revive a human trafficking law which was proposed last year but was not passed because of July’s general election.
The new legislation will mean that, among other things, victims will not be obliged to make an official report which can sometimes deter them from making claims about alleged traffickers.
In Madrid, the Plaza Cibeles fountain was turned purple with lights to mark the colour of the feminist movement while protesters wearing white masks and disguises took to the streets.
“We women, we haven’t been heard for a long time and we are so tired of not having the same benefits and having to struggle to the basic needs,” Natalia Hofmann, 34, a psychologist, said in an interview in Barcelona. Protests were held by thousands of feminist groups in 40 Spanish cities.
On the other hand, in India, women participating in the farmer protests gathered at the Shambhu border on Women’s Day. These women are actively involved in the ongoing farmer demonstrations along the interstate borders of Punjab and Haryana, as well as within Punjab itself. Their aim on International Women’s Day was to advocate for various demands, including debt relief and the legal assurance of minimum support prices for all crops based on the C2+50% formula.
Women farmers during their ongoing protest at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, in Patiala district | Photo: PTI.
In significant numbers, they assembled at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders in response to the call from the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (a non-political farmer forum) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Additionally, they gathered at Barnala’s grain market following the invitation from BKU (Ekta Ugrahan).
The day’s events were coordinated at all three locations. Despite facing multiple barricades erected by the Haryana Police since February 13 to impede the farmers’ progress towards Delhi, women from various villages in Haryana also joined the protests at the Shambhu border.
Sukhwinder Kaur and Samita Kaur, who led the Women’s Day demonstrations, reminded the BJP of its decade-old pledge made during the 2014 elections to provide farmers with MSP based on the Swaminathan formula.
They urged the government to clear the passage to Delhi. Harinder Kaur Bindu, representing the women’s wing of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), accused both the central and Haryana governments of suppressing the farmers to thwart the Delhi march.
Indian agency CBI busts human trafficking network sending Indians to Russia-Ukraine war zone
New Delhi, INDIA (EFE/DT) – India’s main probe agency carried out raids in several cities on Friday after dismantling a major network involved in the trafficking of Indian citizens to fight for Russia against Ukraine.
“The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)is conducting simultaneous searches at around 13 locations” in seven cities, including New Delhi and Mumbai, the agency said in a statement.
The raids came after the agency said it dismantled “a major human trafficking network running across the country targeting gullible youths on the promise of offering lucrative jobs abroad.”
The Indian Authorities have disclosed that the CBI has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against several visa consultancy firms and agents implicated in the trafficking scheme. Following the raids, numerous individuals have been apprehended, and a sum of Rs 50 lakh has been confiscated.
The CBI explained that the traffickers attracted Indian citizens through social media channels and local contacts for highly paid jobs in Russia.
Hemil Mangukiya, middle, poses for a photograph with two other men in military uniform, in this undated picture. Mangukiya, who was hired as a security helper by the Russian Army, was killed in a Ukrainian air strike on February 21, 2024 in the Donetsk region on the Russia-Ukraine border. Photo: Hemil Mangukiya Family via Reuters
Once recruited, “they were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia-Ukraine war zone against their wishes, thus putting their lives in grave danger,” the CBI said.
The agency has so far identified 35 cases of victims sent abroad through these networks.
The FIR filed by the CBI lists 17 agents and companies. However, investigations conducted by NDTV have uncovered the involvement of Dubai-based Faizan Khan, also known as Baba, who operated a popular YouTube channel named ‘Baba Vlogs’. Khan, implicated in the case, was identified as a key figure by families of trafficked individuals.
In one of his videos filmed in St. Petersburg, Russia, Khan highlights the proximity of the city to Finland and Estonia, both less than 150 km away. Speaking in Hindi, he suggests the opportunities available in the region, subtly implying the ease of undertaking certain activities given the proximity to conflict zones.
Watch the video where Baba entices Indian job seekers with promises related to Finland and Estonia
Throughout the video, Khan showcases the beauty of St. Petersburg while discussing job prospects, including positions as delivery personnel and aides to the Russian military.
“In the video, he emphasized the main advantage of obtaining a government official card. He highlighted that individuals would reside in comfortable accommodations, receive decent food, and enjoy priority treatment. With this card, they could obtain Schengen visas, travel to other countries, or secure a PR visa.
He suggested that by supporting the government, individuals could potentially receive long-term benefits like a PR visa,” he stated in the video.
“You will not be stationed on the border; your role will primarily involve assisting the Army,” Baba Khan assured his viewers.
India reported last Wednesday the death of a citizen allegedly tricked into fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In recent weeks, about a dozen Indian citizens have insisted that they traveled to Moscow to support the Russian army in secondary tasks but were forced to fight on the front.
Since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, India has called on its citizens to stay out of the conflict.
New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, avoiding condemning the Russian invasion.
Indian law prohibits its citizens from participating in armed conflicts in other territories or countries with which New Delhi is at peace.
According to the Indian Penal Code, those who violate this rule shall be punished with imprisonment of any kind for a period that may extend to seven years.
PM Modi visits Kashmir for the first time since revoking region’s semi-autonomy
New Delhi, INDIA (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made his first official visit to Kashmir since New Delhi stripped the disputed region of its semi-autonomy and took direct control of it in 2019.
Addressing a crowd in a soccer stadium in Srinagar, Modi announced development projects and said previous governments had misled people over the region’s now-scrapped special status.
“The success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the center of attraction for the world,” he told the crowd, saying that the region has prospered since the 2019 move. “I have always said that the hard work I am doing is to win your hearts. I will work towards winning your hearts further.”
Modi and his party have accused Kashmir’s pro-India parties of being corrupt, misleading Kashmiris and promoting separatism in the region. Kashmiri politicians, who say their special status was a constitutional guarantee, have called Modi divisive and anti-minority.
Thousands of armed paramilitary troops and police in flak jackets maintained extra vigilance across the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of the ongoing rebellion against Indian rule in the majority-Muslim territory, where many residents strongly favor independence or a merger with Pakistan. Modi’s two previous visits to Kashmir after its status was changed were to the Hindu-dominated city of Jammu.
Modi did not mention plans to hold elections in the region or to restore its statehood, both demanded by Kashmir’s pro-India political parties. The last election for the regional legislature were held in 2014, but the government elected then was dismissed in 2018.
In 2019, Modi’s Hindu-nationalist-led government revoked the region’s semi-autonomous status, annulled its separate constitution, split the area into two federal territories — Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir — and removed inherited protections on land and jobs. The Muslim-majority region is now run by unelected government officials and bureaucrats.
ASEAN, Australia call for peace after tensions in the South China Sea
Sydney, AUSTRALIA (DT) – Leaders of the ASEAN bloc and Australia made a joint statement calling for peace and stability in the region. China claims the entire South China sea and has been aggressive towards ships from other nations.
Leaders from the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia issued a joint statement on Wednesday, expressing concerns over actions that could threaten peace in the South China Sea. This statement follows recent tensions between Beijing and the Philippines in disputed waters.
“We affirm the importance of maintaining the South China Sea as a region of peace, stability, and prosperity. We urge all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the area,” the nations emphasized in their collective statement, advocating for a “rules-based” order in the Indo-Pacific region.
In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry stated, “We are committed to properly managing differences with relevant countries and fully implementing agreements with ASEAN nations.”
ASEAN member states participated in special discussions in Melbourne commemorating 50 years of ties with Australia. In a joint declaration issued at the end of the summit, leaders underscored the importance of “avoiding actions that could escalate the risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscalculations.”
Escalating tensions in the South China Sea
This declaration follows a recent clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters. According to Philippine authorities, two China Coast Guard vessels sprayed water cannons at a Philippine Navy-chartered boat, causing damage and minor injuries to four personnel on board.
According to authorities, one of the two Chinese coast guard vessels also collided with a Philippine Coast Guard ship, as reported on Tuesday.
The coordinated patrols occur amidst increasing confrontations between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. Photo: Joeal Calupitan/AP
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the media in Melbourne following the summit, expressing Canberra’s concern over the “unsafe and destabilizing behavior.” He characterized the actions as “dangerous,” highlighting the risk of “miscalculation, which can then lead to escalations.”
Among ASEAN members, there are varying opinions regarding China’s assertive behavior and expanding presence in the broader region. This diversity arises due to Beijing’s significant economic influence there.
During a joint press conference with Albanese on Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that “if other nations have issues with China, they should not impose them on us.” This remark alluded to claims of “China-phobia” in the West.
Australia maintains longstanding ties with ASEAN, whose member states collectively represent Canberra’s second-largest two-way trading partner.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Myanmar, which has been under military rule since a coup in February 2021, was notably absent from the summit’s primary meeting. East Timor participated as an observer, engaging in discussions focused on trade, clean energy, and maritime security.
During the summit, Australia unveiled plans for a AU$64 million ($41 million) investment to enhance maritime cooperation with ASEAN nations. Additionally, Australia committed AU$2 billion to a fund aimed at supporting regional projects, particularly in infrastructure and transitioning to clean energy.
In response to the summit’s declaration, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated in Beijing that China will “continue to properly handle differences with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation.” China reiterated its commitment to collaborating with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The disputes over the contested waters involve not only China and the Philippines but also Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
Nikki Haley ends White House bid, clearing path for a Trump-Biden rematch
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) – Nikki Haley ended her long-shot challenge to Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Wednesday, ensuring the former president will be the party’s candidate in a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in November’s election. Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, bowed out a day after Super Tuesday, opens new tab, when Trump beat her soundly in 14 of 15 Republican nominating contests.
“The time has now come to suspend my campaign,” Haley told supporters during a speech in Charleston. “I have no regrets.” She said it was likely Trump – who repeatedly belittled her candidacy – would be the Republican nominee but did not endorse him. “It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him,” she said. “And I hope he does that.” Drawing on her foreign policy experience at the U.N., Haley said it was important to continue U.S. global leadership.
Throughout her campaign, Haley said the United States must help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, a position at odds with Trump.
“If we retreat further, there will be more war, not less,” she said. Trump did capture the endorsement on Wednesday of Mitch McConnell, the longtime Senate Republican leader who some party hardliners considered insufficiently allied with the former president.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley hosts a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Shelby Tauber/File Photo
“It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support,” said McConnell, who is stepping down as leader. There was no indication Trump would moderate his message.
Just as Haley was conceding the race, he criticized her before inviting her supporters to join him. “Nikki Haley got TROUNCED last night, in record setting fashion,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social media platform. In contrast, Biden praised Haley for daring to “speak the truth” about Trump and extended his own invitation to her supporters. “Donald Trump made it clear he doesn’t want Nikki Haley’s supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign,” Biden said in a statement. Haley lasted longer than any other Republican challenger to Trump but never posed a serious threat to the former president, whose iron grip on the party’s base remains firm despite multiple criminal indictments.
The rematch between Trump, 77, and Biden, 81 – the first repeat U.S. presidential contest since 1956 – is one that few Americans want. Opinion polls show both Biden and Trump have low approval ratings among voters. The election promises to be deeply divisive in a country already riven by political polarization. Biden has cast Trump as an existential danger to democratic principles, while Trump has sought to re-litigate his false claims that he won in 2020.
Haley, 52, drew support from deep-pocketed donors intent on stopping Trump from winning a third consecutive Republican presidential nomination, particularly after she notched a series of strong performances at debates that Trump opted to skip. She ultimately failed to pry loose enough conservative voters. But her stronger showing among moderate Republicans and independents highlighted how Trump’s scorched-earth style of politics could make him vulnerable in the Nov. 5 election against Biden.
KEY ISSUES
As in 2020, the race is likely to come down to a handful of swing states, thanks to the winner-take-all, state-by-state Electoral College system that determines the presidential election. Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are all expected to be closely contested in November. The central issues of the campaign have already come into focus. Despite low unemployment, a red-hot stock market and easing inflation, voters experiencing post-pandemic inflation have voiced dissatisfaction with Biden on the economy. Biden’s other major weakness is the state of the U.S.-Mexico border, where a surge of migrants overwhelmed the system after Biden eased some Trump-era policies. Trump’s hawkish stance on immigration – including a promise to initiate the largest deportation effort in history – is at the core of his campaign, just as it was in 2016.
Voters expect Trump would do a better job on both the economy and immigration, according to opinion polls. Trump may be dogged by criminal charges throughout the year. The federal case charging him with trying to overturn the 2020 election, perhaps the weightiest he faces, has been paused while Trump pursues a long-shot argument that he is immune from prosecution. Biden has said Trump poses a threat to democracy, citing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters seeking to reverse Biden’s 2020 victory. Abortion, too, will play a role after the nine-member U.S. Supreme Court, buoyed by three Trump appointees, eliminated a nationwide right to terminate pregnancies in 2022. The subject has become a political liability for Republicans, helping Democrats exceed expectations in the 2022 midterm elections.
HALEY THWARTED
Haley had been among the first Republican contenders to enter the race in February 2023, but she only garnered attention after her standout debate performances later in the year. Through it all, she was reluctant to completely disavow her former boss. Trump showed no such reticence, frequently insulting her intelligence and Indian heritage.
Only in the last months of her campaign did Haley begin to forcefully hit back at Trump, questioning his mental acuity, calling him a liar and saying he was too afraid to debate her. Still, she said that as president she would pardon Trump if he were convicted in any of the criminal cases he faces, a position she never abandoned. Reporting by Gram Slattery in Charleston and Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Nathan Layne in Palm Beach, Florida, Jyoti Narayan and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru, and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller and Lisa Shumaker.
