US will receive USD 600 bn in tariffs: Trump
New York (PTI): President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US will be receiving more than USD 600 billion in tariffs, asserting that America is “far stronger” in national security and financially because of the levies it has imposed on countries around the world.
“We have taken in, and will soon be receiving, more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs, but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country, and want to interfere with the upcoming Tariff decision, one of the most important ever, of the United States Supreme Court,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
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He said that the US is financially and from a national security standpoint “far stronger” and more respected than ever before because of tariffs.
Within months of his second term in the White House, Trump had last year announced a slew of tariffs on imports from countries around the world, saying the US had been unfairly treated and other nations were charging far higher tariffs on American products.
Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil.
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‘Nirdiganta’ expands to coastal Karnataka; theatre initiative to be launched in Udupi on January 18
Udupi: After making a mark in Mysuru through continuous theatre activity over the past two-and-a-half years, theatre collective ‘Nirdiganta’ is set to expand its presence to coastal Karnataka, with the launch of ‘Karavaliya Nirdiganta’ in Udupi on January 18.
Addressing a press conference at the Udupi Press Club on Wednesday, theatre practitioner and actor Prakash Raj, one of the founders of Nirdiganta, said the initiative aims to take theatre closer to people through regular performances, workshops and interaction with audiences.
He said the coastal edition of Nirdiganta will feature a three-day programme comprising children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and stage productions by different theatre groups. All events will be held from January 18 to 21 at the IYC auditorium of Yakshagana Kalaaranga.
“Nirdiganta began in Srirangapatna and has now come to the coast seeking a new bond with theatre lovers here. Let us watch plays together, talk, and share experiences,” Prakash Raj said.
Children’s plays and workshop on opening day
On the first day, January 18, three children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and the inaugural ceremony will be held.
From 10.30 am to 11.45 am, students of Aruru Morarji Desai Residential School will stage the play Mruga Mattu Sundari, directed by Bindu Rakshidi. This will be followed by the science-based children’s play Curious by students of Karnataka Public School, Kokkarne, from 12.30 pm to 1 pm. The play, which has won a state-level award recently, is written by Varadaraj BirtI and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
An educational theatre workshop will be held from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, where teachers from the coastal region who have long been associated with both education and theatre will share their experiences. Participants include education expert Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao, DIET Udupi lecturer Dr K Kishore Kumar Shetty, Manipal ENGJC vice-principal Nagendra Pai, teacher Varadaraj BirtI, Surabhi institution’s Sudhakar P Baindoor, and theatre director Arunlal.
Inauguration and evening performances
The inauguration of Karavaliya Nirdiganta will take place at 6 pm on January 18. Writer and thinker Fakir Mohammed Katapadi will inaugurate the event in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the children’s play Kuni Kuni Navile, written by H S Venkatesh Murthy and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
On January 19 at 6.30 pm, the play Devara Aatmahathye, based on writings by Beechi and Srinivasa Vaidya, will be staged by the Sangama Kalavidera team from Manipal. The play is adapted and directed by Ramesh K Benakal.
On January 20 at 6.30 pm, Nirdiganta will present the play Rama, Krishna, Shiva, based on the writings of Lohia, with adaptation, music and direction by Ganesh Mandarthi.
On the concluding day, January 21, the programme Samateya Haadu will be presented at 6 pm in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the play Kodalla Andre Kodalla, adapted from Dario Fo’s Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay?, from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm. The concept, design and direction of the play are by Shakeel Ahmed.
Raju Manipal, Ganesh Mandarthi, Shakeel Ahmed and others were present at the press conference.
Views on governance and cinema
Responding to a question on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completing a long tenure in office, Prakash Raj said records are made by many leaders, but Devraj Urs and Siddaramaiah belong to different times and contexts and cannot be directly compared. He said it would be good for the Chief Minister to maintain stronger control over administration and address allegations of corruption in his close circles to ensure transparent governance.
He said he congratulated Siddaramaiah and described him as a strong backward-class leader, but added that he is not someone who only praises and will also raise questions when required. “We are not a political party. We are a continuous opposition,” he said.
On his career, Prakash Raj said he does not believe in looking back and prefers to keep moving forward, adding that the journey of life matters the most.
Speaking about upcoming films, he said he is acting in Rajamouli-directed Varanasi, Purushavatara, Jananayagan starring actor Vijay, and the Hindi film Drishyam 3.
