India and Oman aim to seal mega trade deal soon
Muscat, Jan 15: India and Oman are looking at sealing a broad trade and investment pact this year that will cut tariffs on each other’s goods and boost the overall trade basket in line with renewed vigour in the relations, especially in the economic sphere. The negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) gained new momentum after Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik travelled to India over a year back. Omani Commerce Minister Qais bin Mohammad Al-Yousef told PTI that Muscat is hopeful of concluding the ambitious trade pact with India this year that is expected to significantly expand the two-way trade and investment ties between the two countries. There has been a major upswing in economic ties between the two countries in the last few years, with India emerging as one of the top trading partners of Oman. (PTI)
Fire warning for LA area pushed back as winds ease
Los Angeles, Jan 15: Easing winds delivered a brief but much-needed reprieve to firefighters Tuesday as they battled two massive blazes burning in the Los Angeles area, and the National Weather Service pushed back its unusually dire warning of critical fire weather until early the following day. Forecasters said the winds were below danger levels in the evening, but they were expected to strengthen overnight with potentially fire-fuelling gusts. Red flag warnings remained in effect from Central California to the Mexican border until late afternoon Wednesday. Winds increased Tuesday but not to the near-hurricane-force levels that were predicted to happen earlier in the day. Still the danger was not over, officials said. “Key message: We are not out of the woods yet,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said in a post on social media. “The winds underperformed today, but one more enhancement could happen tonight-tomorrow.” (AP)
US: Resolution to designate Jan as Tamil Language, Heritage Month
Washington, Jan 15: Fifteen lawmakers, led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives to designate January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month. The resolution coincided with the beginning of Pongal, a major Tamil festival. “As a Tamil-American, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution honouring the Tamil language, heritage and culture in the US and around the world,” Krishnamoorhi said after introducing the bipartisan resolution. He was joined by five other Indian-American lawmakers — Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal and Suhas Subramanyam as co-sponsors. The resolution was also co-sponsored by Nicole Malliotakis, Ilhan Omar, Yevette Clark, Sara Jacobs, Debroah Ross, Danny Davis, Dina Titus, Don Davis and Summer Lee. “America is a mosaic of different languages, cultures, ideas and traditions, and it is my sincere hope that this resolution will shine a light on the rich and distinct culture, as well as the incredible achievements, of the more than 3,50,000 (3.5 lakh) Tamil-Americans today,” Krishnamoorthi said. (AP)