Timing of Biden's first Middle East visit as president is hardly ideal

US Reveals Stricter EV Tax Credit Rules

US Reveals Stricter , EV Tax Credit Rules. Reuters reports that the new electric vehicle tax rules were announced by the U.S. Treasury Department on March 31. They will result in reduced or eliminated tax credits on some electric vehicles. The new rules, which are intended to wean America off of depending on China's battery supply chains, are set to take effect on April 18. A revised list of models that qualify for tax credits will also be published at that time. Reuters reports that Tesla said a $7,500 tax credit for its Model 3 rear-wheel drive will be reduced as a result. New conditions were imposed on EV credits within the Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden signed in August. Such requirements include North American assembly, caps on price and buyer income eligibility, and now, batteries and critical minerals sourcing. John Bozzella, Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO, issued a statement. Some EVs will certainly qualify for a partial credit. Given the constraints of the legislation, Treasury's done as well as it could to produce rules that meet the statute and reflect the current market, John Bozzella, Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO, via statement. President Joe Biden has a goal of making 50% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2030

UN calls for calm in Middle East as Ramadan celebrations begin

Against the backdrop of Israeli-Palestinian tensions, Ramadan has often been a period of heightened conflict.

UN Report Warns Growing Number of People Face Water Scarcity

UN Report Warns , Growing Number of People , Face Water Scarcity. On March 21, the United Nations released a report warning that 26% of the world's population, approximately 2 billion people, lack access to safe drinking water. . According to NPR, the report comes on the eve of the U.N.'s first conference on the topic of water in over 45 years. . The U.N.'s World Water Development Report 2023 revealed that 46% of people lack access to basic sanitation globally, equal to about 3.6 billion people. . NPR reports that the U.N. has laid out a goal to ensure that all people in the world have access to clean water by 2030. According to Richard Connor, editor-in-chief of the report, meeting the goal will require somewhere between $600 billion and $1 trillion per year. . Connor said that with 70% of the world's water use going to agriculture, it becomes critical for irrigation to be more efficient. . According to the U.N.'s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, as climate change continues, water scarcity is expected to increase. . Seasonal water scarcity will increase in regions where it is currently abundant — such as Central Africa, East Asia and parts of South America — and worsen in regions where water is already in short supply, such as the Middle East and the Sahara in Africa, World Water Development Report 2023, via NPR. An increase in intensity or frequency of droughts and 'heat extremes' can be expected in most regions as a direct result of climate change. The UNESCO report states that an average of 10% of the world's population already lives in an area with high or critical water stress.

Women Across Iran Defy Regime by Refusing to Wear Hijabs

Women Across Iran , Defy Regime by Refusing , to Wear Hijabs. NPR reports that while the hijab remains the official law in Iran, many women around the country are removing them in protest. The movement comes in the wake of anti-government protests following the killing of Mahsa Amini while in police custody. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman had been arrested for improperly wearing her hijab. NPR reports that the government responded to the protests with a brutal crackdown. According to rights groups, hundreds of people were killed, while thousands of others were arrested. Previously, Iran's hijab law was enforced by the government's morality police. NPR reports that there appears to be a pause in the government's typical enforcement approach since last fall. I think the government really is putting itself at risk if it chooses to reinforce the hijab law in a very draconian way, Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, via NPR. According to Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, the Iranian political establishment is weighing how to enforce hijab laws. There are conservatives that have tried to suggest that reform or outreach and bridge building to protesters is important, Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, via NPR. But you also have hardline conservatives who see compromise as an avenue that will invite further protests and challenge, Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, via NPR

Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore relations after China brokered peace | Oneindia News

As per Iranian state media reports, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after talks in Beijing between officials from the two rival Middle East powers. china saudi arabia relations,china brokers truce between iran & saudi arabia,saudi arabia,iran & saudi arabia relations,iran & saudi arabia peace deal,iran & saudi arabia peace,china iran & saudi arabia,china iran relations,iran saudi arabia relations,iran saudi arabia truce,iran & saudi arabia ties,truce between iran & saudi arabia,saudi arabia news,iran saudi arabia ties,Oneindia News,Oneindia english #SaudiArabia #Iran #China

Middle East violence: “We are on an escalation course”

Donald Trump becomes the first ex-US President to be indicted by a grand jury | Explainer | Oneindia

Donald Trump has become the first former president who will soon be indicted in a criminal case . This has happened after a grand jury decided to go forward into investigation of hush money payments made on his behalf during the 2016 presidential campaign. Unlike juries that hear trials, grand juries don’t decide whether someone is guilty or innocent. They only decide whether there is sufficient evidence for someone to be charged. The unprecedented indictment comes as Trump faces other legal investigations and has launched a bid to return to the White House in 2024. While the precise charges are secret for now, prosecutors have concluded they can prove a criminal case against Trump. In this video, we explain to you all about this case, how this could affect him…and what this could foretell for Trump’s future. But before that, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to Oneindia. #Donaldtrump#Stormydaniels#Alvinbragg ~HT.97~PR.153~ED.102~

Rand Paul Blocks Josh Hawley’s Attempt to Ban TikTok in the US

Rand Paul Blocks , Josh Hawley’s Attempt , to Ban TikTok in the US. Rand Paul Blocks , Josh Hawley’s Attempt , to Ban TikTok in the US. NBC reports that divisions have emerged on Capitol Hill in the ongoing debate over banning TikTok. NBC reports that divisions have emerged on Capitol Hill in the ongoing debate over banning TikTok. The opposition has reportedly created new challenges for lawmakers looking to ban the popular Chinese-owned app in the United States. The opposition has reportedly created new challenges for lawmakers looking to ban the popular Chinese-owned app in the United States. On March 30, Republican Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri) sought to pass his bill to ban TikTok by unanimous consent. On March 30, Republican Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri) sought to pass his bill to ban TikTok by unanimous consent. However, fellow Republican Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky) objected to the bill. If Republicans want to continuously lose elections for generations, they should pass this bill to ban TikTok, a social media app used by 150 million people, primarily young Americans. , Rand Paul, Republican Senator, via NBC. If Republicans want to continuously lose elections for generations, they should pass this bill to ban TikTok, a social media app used by 150 million people, primarily young Americans. , Rand Paul, Republican Senator, via NBC. Have faith that our desire for freedom is strong enough to survive a few dance videos, Rand Paul, Republican Senator, via NBC. NBC reports that Hawley expressed disbelief at Paul's argument to defend his objection. I have never before heard on this floor a defense of the right to spy, Josh Hawley, Republican Senator, via NBC. I didn’t realize that the First Amendment contained a right to espionage, Josh Hawley, Republican Senator, via NBC. NBC reports that the intraparty clash comes as several other bipartisan bills also look to prohibit TikTok in the U.S. NBC reports that the intraparty clash comes as several other bipartisan bills also look to prohibit TikTok in the U.S. The White House has backed one of those bills, which would give the commerce secretary the power to ban any foreign apps that pose a threat to national security. The White House has backed one of those bills, which would give the commerce secretary the power to ban any foreign apps that pose a threat to national security

This Day in History: President Reagan Is Shot

This Day in History: , President Reagan Is Shot. March 30, 1981. Outside of a Washington D.C. hotel, 25-year-old John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at the president, hitting him once in the chest. Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and D.C. policeman Thomas Delahaney were also hit. As Hinckley was overpowered, Reagan was rushed to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital. As he was prepared for surgery, Reagan quipped to First Lady Nancy, "Honey, I forgot to duck.". The president returned to the White House less than two weeks later. Found "not guilty by reason of insanity," Hinkley was institutionalized until 2016 and now lives in Colonial Williamsburg, PA

Northern Ireland raises threat level to 'Severe' ahead of Joe Biden's visit|Oneindia News*

The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised from “substantial” to “severe” just days before a potential visit to the country by US President Joe Biden. But the White House has said that the change won’t alter the President’s plans. The move, based on an MI5 intelligence assessment, follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including a recent gun attack on a top police officer. This reverses a downgrade in Northern Ireland's terror threat level last March - its first change for 12 years. #Ireland#Irelandtheatlevel#Goodfridayagreement