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Bangladesh's interim chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, has sparked controversy in India following remarks about the landlocked status of the Northeastern states, emphasizing their reliance on Bangladesh as a "guardian of the ocean." This has reignited concerns over the strategic Chicken's Neck corridor, a crucial land link that connects the Northeast to the rest of India, particularly in light of India's fraught relations with China and the recent political shift in Bangladesh. The Chicken's Neck, at its narrowest just 20 km wide, has historically been a vulnerability, highlighted during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and more recently during the Doklam standoff in 2017. Indian leaders, including Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, have responded sharply, calling for enhanced infrastructure to strengthen connectivity and warning that Yunus's comments could invite Chinese influence, jeopardizing India's security in the region. 
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Apr 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi presented a brass statue of the Sarnath Buddha in Dhyan Mudra to Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and a brocade silk shawl to Queen Suthida during a meeting at Dusit Palace in Bangkok on Friday. The statue, a symbol of Buddhist spirituality and Indian craftsmanship, showcases intricate detailing inspired by the Gupta and Pala art traditions. The shawl, crafted from fine silk, features vibrant motifs representing village life and nature, reflecting India's rich weaving heritage. Modi and the Thai royal couple discussed their nations' shared cultural heritage and the positive impact of last year's exchange of Lord Buddha relics on people-to-people ties. Earlier, Modi participated in the BIMSTEC Summit, where he welcomed the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 and the Maritime Transport Agreement, reaffirming India's commitment to enhancing cooperation among member states.
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Apr 04 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, focusing on energy, trade, connectivity, digitalisation, and defence. His arrival follows participation in the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. Modi is scheduled to engage in extensive discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday, with expectations of announcing around ten collaborative outcomes, particularly in defence and energy security. This visit comes as Sri Lanka is recovering from a significant economic crisis, during which India provided financial assistance of $4.5 billion. Modi emphasized the importance of reviewing progress on the joint vision of "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future," established during the Sri Lankan president's recent visit to New Delhi.
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Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump has urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to "quickly" reduce interest rates, suggesting it is an opportune moment for such a move. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Powell for being "always late" in his decisions but indicated that this could be a chance for the chairman to improve his reputation. The call for a rate cut came just minutes before Powell was scheduled to deliver a speech, underscoring the ongoing tension between the White House and the central bank regarding monetary policy. Trump's comments reflect his ongoing concern about economic conditions and the potential impact of interest rates on growth. The Fed has faced scrutiny over its rate-setting decisions, and Trump's remarks may add pressure on Powell as he navigates the complexities of the current economic landscape.
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Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned on Friday that recent tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump could lead to increased unemployment, rising inflation, and slower economic growth. Speaking at an event in Virginia, Powell noted that the impact of the tariffs is likely to be more significant than initially anticipated, emphasizing that it is "too soon" to adjust US monetary policy. His remarks suggest that the Fed is not in a hurry to lower its benchmark lending rate, currently between 4.25 and 4.50 percent, as it aims to achieve its long-term inflation target of two percent. Meanwhile, Trump, who announced heavy tariffs on major trading partners earlier this week, urged Powell via social media to cut interest rates, claiming it would be an opportune moment for the Fed Chair to act decisively. Trump's call for action reflects ongoing tensions between the administration and the central bank.
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Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inTwo earthquakes struck western Nepal on Friday evening, just three minutes apart, according to local officials. The first tremor, measuring 5.2 in magnitude, hit Jajarkot district at 8:07 PM local time, followed by a stronger quake of 5.5 magnitude at 8:10 PM, both centered in the Panik area, approximately 525 km west of Kathmandu. The tremors were felt in surrounding districts, including Surkhet, Dailekh, and Kalikot. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. Nepal, located in a seismically active region, frequently experiences earthquakes, and authorities are remaining vigilant for aftershocks and potential structural issues in the affected areas.
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Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inExperts are advising American consumers to buy certain everyday items soon, as prices are set to rise following President Donald Trump's newly announced tariffs, which include a base rate of 10% on imports and can reach up to 200% on products such as European Union alcohol. Economists warn that grocery prices, particularly for perishable goods like avocados—80% of which are imported—will spike almost immediately. Other staples like coffee, tea, and bananas, along with electronics, furniture, and clothing, are also expected to see significant price increases. Additionally, a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts will take effect soon, although existing inventories may delay immediate price hikes. Countries like Vietnam and South Africa will face tariffs of 46% and 30%, respectively. These measures, part of Trump's "Make America Wealthy Again" initiative, aim to reduce reliance on imports but could burden consumers with higher costs.
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Apr 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inChina has retaliated against US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs, imposing a hefty 34 percent levy on all American imports, escalating the ongoing trade war between the two economic giants. In 2023, China exported over $500 billion worth of goods to the US, while importing $143.5 billion, resulting in a significant trade surplus of $295.4 billion for China. The new tariffs, which compound previous rates, threaten to impact China's fragile economic recovery amid a debt crisis and low consumption. Analysts predict these tariffs could reduce China's GDP growth by up to one percent and adversely affect US manufacturers reliant on Chinese goods. Beijing's response also includes export controls on rare earth elements, vital for technology. While calls for dialogue persist, experts warn that resolving the dispute will be a slow process, as tariffs tend to escalate quickly but decrease slowly.
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Apr 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a provocative statement on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump criticized China for its recent decision to impose counter-tariffs amid escalating trade tensions. He accused the country of "panicking" and asserted that this reaction was a significant misstep. "China played it wrong, they panicked -- the one thing they cannot afford to do!" Trump declared, emphasizing his trademark style of using all capital letters. This exchange highlights the ongoing friction between the United States and China as the global trade war intensifies, with both nations engaging in retaliatory measures that could have far-reaching economic implications. Trump's comments reflect a broader narrative of competitive nationalism, as both countries navigate complex trade dynamics in an increasingly polarized global landscape.
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Apr 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inWall Street experienced a tumultuous start to trading on Friday, with all three major indices plummeting over two percent. This decline follows a significant drop in the S&P 500 on Thursday, marking its largest decrease since 2020, triggered by President Donald Trump's controversial "Liberation Day" tariff announcement. Despite strong US hiring data, investor sentiment remained fragile as China retaliated with substantial tariffs in response to Trump's levies. The market's downward trajectory reflects growing concerns over escalating trade tensions and their potential impact on the economy. As traders brace for a challenging session, the implications of these developments continue to reverberate through financial markets.
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Apr 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inMicrosoft celebrated its 50th anniversary by reuniting co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella, who engaged in a humorous interview with the company's AI bot, Copilot. Nadella initiated the lighthearted exchange, prompting Copilot to roast each CEO. The AI teased Ballmer about his energetic pep talks, while Gates's intense gaze was humorously described as potentially intimidating to AI. Gates quipped that his critical thinking remains his distinguishing feature amid advancing AI. Nadella shared a cricket analogy to address concerns about AI taking over, suggesting that it must first excel in the sport. The playful banter concluded with Copilot wishing for another 50 years of innovation. Meanwhile, Microsoft launched new web pages to commemorate its history and outline its vision for the future, detailing milestones since its founding in 1975 by Gates and Paul Allen.
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Apr 04 2025, 8 pm
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