Senator Kamala D Harris recently said she would decide about a potential 2020 presidential bid in the next few weeks.
“Over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family,” Harris said in an interview with MSNBC.
The Senator from California also added that she was ready for things to get "ugly" if she decides to run against president Donald Trump. “When you break things, it is painful,” she said. “And you get cut. And you bleed.”
If Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, decides to run, then she will be the first Indian-American woman and the first African-American woman to mount a bid for the White House.
Interestingly, Harris is not the only Indian origin candidate considering running for president.
Tulsi Gabbard, the Democratic member of the House of Representatives from Hawaii, is reportedly testing the waters before announcing her decision.
According to Hawaii Pacific University political analyst Dr John Hart, Gabbard is taking all the steps that a candidate would take before announcing her decision to run for president. Gabbard is writing a book, hired a consultant from Iowa, and took a trip to New Hampshire, pointed out Hart.
"She's not afraid to run for president. She's always thought big," Dr Hart told KHON2.
One challenge Gabbard will face is being from Hawaii. "We don't have a lot of electoral votes. Traditionally as a presidential candidate, you need to be able to pull huge blocks of votes which is why we often see a candidate from Texas, California, New York, Ohio, or a state like that," he said.
Gabbard is likely to appeal to a different set of voters.
"She's female. She's a minority. She's served in the armed forces. She has stood with progressives who are the expanding part of the Democratic party. She has a lot of positives and so certainly she could be looked at as a vice presidential candidate just as I believe Bernie Sanders would have been the Democratic nominee, she would've been looked at as a vice presidential candidate," he said.
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has said Britain is and always will be a 'multicultural, diverse country', as concerns grow over a rising tide of racism and simmering communal tensions.
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, the only print media granted access to the Chequers summit last Thursday (24), the prime minister struck a reassuring tone aimed at ethnic minorities and wealthy entrepreneurs leaving the UK.
Speaking shortly after the historic signing of the India–UK free trade agreement, Starmer told Eastern Eye, “Britain is, and always will be, a multicultural, diverse country. That’s not just a slogan - it’s our history and our strength. We’ve always benefitted from the talent, resilience, and enterprise of people who came here and built their futures, and our country, alongside us.”
His comments come in the wake of growing tensions across the UK, with local communities and rights groups warning of increased hostility towards migrants and ethnic minorities. Protests outside temporary housing for asylum seekers in places like Southport and Epping have drawn national attention and prompted concerns of a broader societal shift.
During the interview with Eastern Eye, the Prime Minister acknowledged these anxieties. “We need to call this out, especially those of us in public life,” Starmer said. “When people start to question the place of communities who’ve been part of this country for generations, we all have a responsibility to speak up - because it’s not just about protecting people, it’s about protecting what Britain is.”
Starmer also acknowledged that while trade diplomacy is vital, social cohesion cannot be taken for granted.
Sir Keir Starmer (R) speaks to Eastern Eye executive editor Shailesh R Solanki and Amit Roy, editor-at-large, during the interview.
He said, “We can’t just focus on economic levers and ignore what’s happening in our streets. When people are being abused because of their background, or businesses feel they’re better off elsewhere, we must ask ourselves - what kind of Britain are we building?”
He said his government would not shy away from difficult conversations on immigration, integration, and identity. “We must always welcome talent and contribution from around the world. That’s not at odds with saying we need fair and proper immigration controls. The two go hand in hand.”
Starmer also hinted at further engagement with ethnic minority business leaders, saying he plans to host a roundtable at Downing Street later this year. “We want to hear directly from those at the coalface — from start-ups to large family-run firms — and make sure we’re building an economy that works for everyone.”
He added: “Britain’s success story is deeply tied to its diversity. If we ever forget that we risk losing not just talent, but our moral compass. We must remain a country where people from every background feel they belong — not despite their identity, but because of it.”
There is also growing disquiet over the departure of prominent British Asian entrepreneurs from the UK. Several high-net-worth individuals who once featured in the Asian Rich List, published annually by Eastern Eye, are reported to have shifted their operations — and in some cases, their residences - to jurisdictions like Dubai and Singapore.
Reasons cited include increasingly complex visa regimes for business families, concerns over taxation, and uncertainty surrounding post-Brexit economic stability.
Starmer did not deny the trend, but said he was determined to reverse it.
“I want Britain to be a magnet for global talent and innovation. That includes those who create jobs, invest in communities, and give back through philanthropy. If people are leaving, we need to listen - and act where needed. My message to entrepreneurs is simple: Britain values you, and we want you to stay,” he told business leaders who have expressed unease about the changing social and economic climate in Britain.
Starmer confirmed that a review of the inheritance tax regime and non-dom tax status is underway. “Any modern tax system must be fair, transparent and globally competitive,” the British leader said. “But fairness doesn’t mean we penalise success - it means we make sure the rewards of that success are felt across society.”
Keir Starmer during the interview
When asked about his seemingly strong rapport with India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, Starmer said the success of their relationship reflected his approach to diplomacy — one that is “serious, pragmatic, respectful, and focused on our national interest as the United Kingdom.”
He stressed that this method avoids performative politics and the habit of “rushing to the media every five minutes to complain about our allies,” opting instead for calm engagement with global leaders. “That is a far better way of doing diplomacy than the rather noisy way in which some of my predecessors – frankly – failed in diplomacy,” he said.
Citing the conclusion of the UK-India trade deal as an example, Starmer pointed out that successive governments and prime ministers had spent years trying to secure the agreement. “By approaching it in a calm, serious, respectful way, we've managed to get that deal,” he said. He added that the deal came about because both countries could see the mutual advantage at this moment, and that the groundwork was laid through careful diplomacy.
He stressed that the India deal was not an isolated success. “The same with the US,” he noted, adding that previous attempts to secure a trade deal with America had also failed under his predecessors. “And of course, in the best part of ten years, we haven't got as close in the relationship with the EU as we did in the recent EU–UK Summit.”
When asked directly about his personal relationship with Modi, Starmer replied, “Yes, very good. We get along very well. We've met each other several times, we've spoken a few times, and I think - and hope - you can see there is a mutual respect and warmth between us.”
He shared that the two leaders had initially scheduled a short one-to-one meeting during the official visit but ended up doubling the time spent talking privately.
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Police and SDRF personnel at the site after a stampede broke out at Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (PTI Photo)
AT LEAST six people died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday (27) morning. The tragedy occurred around 9am (local time) when panic spread among devotees after a rumour of an electric current near the temple stairs caused chaos.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post on social media platform X, he said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
Located over 500 feet above sea level on the Shivalik Hills, the Mansa Devi temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every day, especially on weekends and during festive periods.
According to Haridwar senior superintendent of police Pramendra Singh Dobal, the panic was caused by a false rumour that electric current had spread through the area near the temple entrance.
"Around 35 people were taken to hospital and six of them died. More than 10 are still under treatment,” he said.
Visuals from the site showed anxious family members waiting outside the hospital, seeking information about their loved ones. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and fire services were quickly deployed to assist with rescue efforts.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered. "A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi temple in the morning because of a rumour. We have ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and those responsible for spreading the rumour will face strict action," he said.
Uttarakhand Minister Ganesh Joshi, in red shirt, meets an injured lady undergoing treatment at a hospital after a stampede broke out at Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (PTI Photo)
In a post on Facebook, Dhami also shared his condolences and assured that relief operations were ongoing. “SDRF, local police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am constantly in touch with the local administration and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all the devotees,” he said.
Stampedes at religious gatherings are, unfortunately, not uncommon in India. In recent months, similar incidents have claimed lives in Odisha, Goa, and Prayagraj. Experts have often pointed to poor crowd management and lack of infrastructure at pilgrimage sites as major factors behind such accidents.
As investigations begin, officials have urged pilgrims to stay calm and cooperate with the administration. Security and crowd control measures around the temple have since been stepped up to prevent further incidents.
(Agencies)
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US president Donald Trump plays golf at Trump Turnberry golf course on July 26, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland on Saturday (26), as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities.
Trump played at his Turnberry resort on the southwest coast of Scotland with son Eric and the US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, waving to photographers. He arrived in his mother's birth country on Friday (25) evening.
His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place.
Police officers -- some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs -- patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it.
Secret service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel.
The 79-year-old Trump touched down on FridayFriday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger.
The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts.
Demonstrators gather at Union Terrace protesting against the visit of President Trump to Scotland on July 26, 2025 in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
"You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore," he said, adding that migration was "killing" the continent.
"Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries," he added.
Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community.
Over on the east coast, several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and further north in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort.
The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, which has called on Scotland's First Minister not to attend a scheduled meeting with Trump.
Participants held placards with slogans like "Scotland hates Trump" and waved Palestinian flags.
"I am here because of fascism in America under Trump's rule. I am here because of genocide in Gaza that is being funded and enabled by British and American governments," said 44-year-old Amy Hanlon in Aberdeen.
No demonstrations could be seen near Turnberry.
Not everyone was against his visit.
At Prestwick Airport on Friday evening a boy held a sign that read "Welcome Trump" while a man waved a flag emblazoned with Trump's most famous slogan -- "Make America Great Again".
"I think the best thing about Trump is he's not actually a politician yet he's the most powerful man in the world and I think he's looking at the best interests of his own country," said 46-year-old Lee McLean, who had travelled from nearby Kilmarnock.
"Most politicians should really be looking at the best interests of their own country first before looking overseas," he said.
Trump had no public events scheduled for Saturday, but he posted on his Truth Social network to say he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at least 33 people dead.
Trump is due to discuss trade with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry on Sunday (27).
He is also due to meet prime minister Keir Starmer, before heading to Balmedie in Aberdeenshire where he is expected to open a new golf course at his resort there.
Trump is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday (29) but will be back in the UK for a state visit between 17-19 September, when he will be hosted by King Charles III.
(AFP)
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Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at the India-Bangladesh border in Fulbari BOP (Border outpost) on the outskirts of Siliguri, India on May 9, 2025.
INDIA has expelled hundreds of ethnic Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh without following due process, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday, accusing the government of violating rules and targeting Muslims.
The government of prime minister Narendra Modi has maintained a strict stance on immigration, particularly from neighbouring Bangladesh. Top authorities have previously referred to migrants as "termites" and "infiltrators".
Critics say these policies have increased fear among India's estimated 200 million Muslims, especially Bengali speakers, a language spoken widely in eastern India and Bangladesh.
According to HRW, over 1,500 Muslim men, women and children were forcibly expelled to Bangladesh between May 7 and June 15, citing data from Bangladeshi authorities.
"India's ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is fuelling discrimination by arbitrarily expelling Bengali Muslims from the country, including Indian citizens," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW.
"The Indian government is putting thousands of vulnerable people at risk in apparent pursuit of unauthorised immigrants, but their actions reflect broader discriminatory policies against Muslims," Pearson added.
New Delhi has said those deported are undocumented migrants.
However, Pearson said claims by authorities that the expulsions were aimed at tackling illegal immigration were "unconvincing" due to "their disregard for due process rights, domestic guarantees, and international human rights standards".
‘They were holding guns’
HRW said it had sent its findings and questions to India’s home ministry but had not received a response.
The report documented the experiences of 18 people.
A 51-year-old daily wage worker told HRW that he "walked into Bangladesh like a dead body" after India's Border Security Force (BSF) took him to the border after midnight.
"I thought they (the BSF) would kill me because they were holding guns and no one from my family would know," the worker said in the report.
Bangladesh, mostly surrounded by India, has seen ties with New Delhi deteriorate since a mass uprising in 2024 overthrew Dhaka's pro-India government.
India intensified its operations against migrants after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people, mainly Hindu tourists. New Delhi accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a claim Islamabad denied.
In a nationwide security drive, authorities detained thousands, with many eventually sent across the border to Bangladesh.
"The government is undercutting India's long history of providing refuge to the persecuted as it tries to generate political support," Pearson said.
India has also been accused of deporting Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar, with navy ships leaving them off the coast of the conflict-hit country.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Prime minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
INDIA's trade agreement with the UK marks a shift towards opening its markets while protecting key sectors, and could serve as a model for future deals, government officials and analysts said on Friday.
The deal, signed on Thursday and described by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as "a blueprint for our shared prosperity", is India’s largest strategic partnership with an advanced economy.
It comes amid rising global trade tensions and signals a change in India's traditionally protectionist approach, as the country seeks agreements with the EU, US, and New Zealand.
Under the pact, India agreed to cut tariffs on imported British vehicles, increasing competition for the domestic auto industry, which accounts for nearly 7 per cent of the economy.
"This is a policy shift, especially as India has long used high tariffs to protect domestic manufacturers," Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative and a former trade negotiator, told Reuters.
The shift also covers government procurement and pharmaceuticals and is expected to be reflected in future deals with Brussels and Washington, Srivastava said.
However, the move remains cautious.
Under the UK deal, auto imports will be limited by a quota to protect local manufacturers, and tariff reductions will be gradual. India will reduce auto tariffs from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent over 15 years, with annual quotas starting at 10,000 units and increasing to 19,000 in the fifth year.
Tariff cuts on whisky and other products will also be phased in over several years to allow domestic industries time to adjust.
Red lines
India has maintained its stance on sensitive areas, making no concessions on agricultural products such as apples and walnuts or dairy products including cheese and whey.
"There is no question of opening up the agriculture or dairy sector in any trade negotiation — be it with the EU, Australia, or even the US," a senior Indian official said.
The strategy is designed to use trade to boost economic growth while continuing to protect millions of Indians dependent on farming and low-margin work, the official added.
Indian farmers expect expanded access to the UK’s $37.5 billion agriculture market. Indian exporters will gain from zero tariffs on goods such as textiles, footwear, gems, furniture, auto parts, machinery, and chemicals.
"With zero tariffs, India's garment exports to the UK could double in three years," said N Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. "This also paves the way for the EU agreement, which could bring even bigger gains," he added.
Negotiations with the US may prove more challenging. The US administration has used threats of high tariffs to secure concessions from partners.
Trade minister Piyush Goyal told Reuters on Thursday that India hopes to reach a trade deal with Washington that includes "special and preferred treatment". However, the US is pressing for more access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets.