North America

Washington, Oct 2; PTI:  Former chief justice of Bangladesh Surendra Kumar Sinha, who has sought political asylum in the US, has urged India to support the rule of law and democracy in his country, saying the Indian government should not ignore the will of people by backing the "autocratic" Awami League-led government.

Sinha, 67, the first Hindu Chief Justice of Bangladesh, alleged that he was forced to resign because he opposed the "undemocratic" and "authoritarian" regime.

Washington, Oct 2; PTI: US President Donald Trump has slammed "tariff king" India for imposing "tremendously high" tariffs on American products like Harley Davidson motorcycles and said he has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is going to reduce the duties "substantially".

Trump's charges against the alleged high Indian tariffs, for the second time in a few days came during his White House news conference where he announced a new trade deal with neighbouring Mexico and Canada.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — It has been a year since the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, and a woman set to talk at a sunrise ceremony commemorating the lives lost says that although hearts are still healing, she hopes people can move forward from the enormous tragedy with “love and light.”

Among survivors, victims’ family members, first-responders and elected officials offering prayers, songs and speeches on Monday, Mynda Smith will remember her sister.

OTTAWA/WASHINGTON, Sep. 30 (Xinhua) -- Canada and the United States announced Sunday night that they and Mexico have reached a "new, modernized" North American free trade agreement.

"Today, Canada and the United States reached an agreement, alongside Mexico, on a new, modernized trade agreement for the 21st Century: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)," said a joint statement from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

OTTAWA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Canada and the United States have reached an new trade agreement based on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but it is still awaiting final approval, Canadian media reported on Sunday night.

A joint statement from Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is expected soon.

According to the CTV Television Network, a senior Canadian official said the deal is not 100 percent finalized, but as things stand, the Chapter 19 dispute resolution mechanism remains intact.

NEW YORK, September 30. /TASS/. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reached a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, under which he will pay a fine of $20 million and resign as Tesla board chairman, the CNBC TV channel reported on Saturday.

According to the report, Musk will retain his post as Tesla CEO, but will have to step down as Tesla board chairman within 45 days, for a period of no less than three years. Besides, Tesla and Musk will have to pay the fine of $20 million each, and two independent directors will be appointed to the company’s board.

NEW YORK, September 30. /TASS/. US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said a naval blockade of Russia was an option for limiting Russia’s role on the global energy market, Washington Examiner quoted him as saying.

"The United States has that ability, with our Navy, to make sure the sea lanes are open, and, if necessary, to blockade ... to make sure that their energy does not go to market," Zinke was quoted as saying during an industry event in Pittsburgh hosted by the Consumer Energy Alliance.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Canadian negotiators are close to reaching a deal to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) this weekend, according to media reports.

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister and chief NAFTA negotiator, has postponed a planned speech at the United Nations, as the United States and Canada are making the final push to finish the NAFTA talks, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday.

New York, Sep 29; PTI:  Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has alleged that India's "domestic political and electoral compulsions" were behind New Delhi's reluctance to talk to the new government in Islamabad.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Qureshi were slated to meet on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York.

New York, Sep 29; PTI:  With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

Earlier this year, the US had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran.