Long, long ago, there was a country called India and for some time it was fortunate to have a wise ruler named Dr Manmohan Singh. For 10 years he ran the affairs of the country with prudence, humility and grace. And, the world marvelled how could a country of one billion people be governed by such a soft-spoken man, a Prime Minister who defied all the traits associated with a strong leadership model. How could an educated, learned and erudite man like him cope with the demands of a cantankerous democracy, yet would not allow his soul to be darkened by the dark players all around him? When he became Prime Minister a second time in 2009, the western world saw his elevation as the triumph of meritocracy. Very true. 

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to adopt a tit-for-tat approach against India’s high tariffs that have stymied US exports to one of the world’s largest consuming economies. Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida that his administration would hit back with high tariffs if India continued to slap high levies on American goods and services.

CHICAGO - The Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA) celebrated its 20^th annual Christmas Celebration at St. Hubert’s Church Hall at Hoffman Estates, Illinois. In Konkani language, it is popularly called Natal Fest, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is celebrated by all the Christians worldwide on December 25^th. There was a general Holy Eucharist, where the MKCA members and guests attended. The first and second readings at the Mass were read by the members of MKCA, Dominick Carrabotta and Savio Pais.

SAN FRANSISCO - Renowned tabla maestro and composer Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 73 in San Francisco. Son of the iconic tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha, the 73-year-old legendary musician was admitted in ICU due to heart and lung-related ailments for the last two weeks.

NEW DELHI - Switzerland has announced that it will suspend the most favoured nation (MFN) clause in its double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with India, starting from January 1, 2025. This will have far reaching consequences on the trade and commerce relations between India and Switzerland. This move will double the withholding tax rate on dividends paid to Indian tax comapnies to 10 per cent from 5 per cent. 

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic and is pardoning 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes. It’s the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The commutations announced Thursday are for people who have served out home confinement sentences for at least one year after they were released.