Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Senator lifts "hold" on confirmation of Eric Garcetti as Indian ambassador

Senator lifts "hold" on confirmation of Eric Garcetti as Indian ambassador

A Republican Senator has lifted the "hold" on the Senate confirmation of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who has been nominated by US president Joe Biden as the country's next ambassador to India.

In a notice to the Senate on March 10, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley had said that he intended to object to Garcetti's nomination to be the Ambassador to India.


"I will object because I have received numerous credible allegations from multiple whistleblowers alleging that Garcetti, while mayor of Los Angeles, had knowledge of sexual harassment and assaults allegedly committed against multiple city employees and their associates by his close adviser and that he ignored the misconduct," according to Senator Grassley.

"The allegations involving the mayor's office have been the subject of public reporting and a purportedly independent investigation. However, serious questions remain regarding the alleged misconduct, as well as the mayor's knowledge of that misconduct," the Senator had said.

Garcetti, 51, has been the mayor of Los Angeles, California's largest and America's second-largest city, since 2013.

"Following the completion of the investigation, Grassley is lifting his hold on the nomination. However, based on what he has learned, Grassley intends to vote 'no' if the nomination is considered by the full Senate," a statement issued by the Senator's Office said on Tuesday (10).

Last year, US president Biden nominated Garcetti, his close political associate, as envoy to India.

Following the nomination, the US media reported that Garcetti was aware of allegations of misconduct by a former senior advisor.

Grassley made the findings public, and his office said: "Throughout the investigation, Grassley's staff made multiple offers to speak with Garcetti. However, Garcetti's staff did not schedule a discussion".

On Tuesday, Grassley's office said the review comprises interviews with 15 witnesses as well as examinations of 26 depositions and other documentary evidence, including e-mails and text messages.

"Grassley's investigative staff concluded that Garcetti likely knew, or should have known, that his former senior advisor was sexually harassing and making racist remarks toward multiple individuals.

"These findings contradict Garcetti's testimony at a nomination hearing before the Senate foreign relations committee," it said.

If confirmed by the Senate, Garcetti would replace Kenneth Juster, who served as India's Ambassador to the US during the Trump administration.

After being nominated, the mayor said that he was honoured to accept the nomination and will bring the same energy, commitment and love with which he served the sprawling city to his new role in the world's largest democracy.

He has travelled several times to India, most recently as a councilman. In college, he spent a year studying Hindi and Urdu.

(PTI)

More For You

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

A COURT in India has found Vikat Bhagat guilty of the rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alderman Alastair King

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed.'

Lord Mayor of London to visit India for trade talks

THE LORD MAYOR of London, Alderman Alastair King, is set to visit India for a week starting Saturday, aiming to promote free trade and capital flows between the two countries.

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, “Growth Unleashed.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Pablo-Escobar-merchandise-Getty

Escobar, killed by security forces in 1993, remains a figure of global interest, with his image appearing on souvenirs like T-shirts, mugs, and keychains. (Photo: Getty Images)

Colombia considers ban on Pablo Escobar merchandise

COLOMBIA’s Congress is considering a bill that would ban the sale of merchandise featuring drug lord Pablo Escobar and other convicted criminals.

The proposed law aims to curb the glorification of Escobar, who was responsible for thousands of deaths during his time leading the Medellín cartel, reported BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Eastern Eye

THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).

Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Malkinson

Malkinson, 59, has been struggling financially since his release and has been on universal credit for 19 months. (Photo: X/@NotThatBigIan)

Wrongful rape conviction: Andrew Malkinson to get 'significant' compensation

ANDREW MALKINSON, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, will receive a six-figure interim compensation payment from the Ministry of Justice.

The payment comes more than a year after his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in July 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less