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Centre Evaluates Effects of Trump Tariffs: Mixed Results

The Indian commerce ministry is currently assessing the implications of a new 26% reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States on Indian imports, with the tariffs set to take effect on April 5 and April 10. A senior government official indicated that while the situation is complex, it is not deemed a setback for India, especially as negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the US are underway, aiming for completion by the fall of this year. President Trump announced these tariffs, highlighting India's high 52% tariffs on American goods, and expressed hope that addressing US concerns could lead to a reduction in duties. During the announcement, Trump framed the tariffs as a pivotal moment for American industry, declaring April 2, 2025, as "Liberation Day" for the nation. The US tariffs are part of a broader strategy to counter perceived unfair trade practices from countries like India and China. sources

Published:
Apr 03 2025, 10 am

Trump Claims "Deal Near" for TikTok Negotiations

President Donald Trump announced that his administration is "very close" to finalizing a deal for the sale of TikTok, which is under threat of a U.S. ban unless its Chinese parent company divests by the weekend. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that the potential deal involves "multiple" investors but refrained from providing additional specifics. The urgency stems from ongoing concerns regarding national security and data privacy associated with the app, which has faced scrutiny from U.S. authorities. As the deadline approaches, the administration is under pressure to secure a resolution that satisfies both regulatory requirements and the interests of potential buyers. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 5 am

Trump: China Might Get Tariff Relief for TikTok Approval

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a deal regarding TikTok is imminent, with several investors engaged in negotiations. The popular short video app is facing a critical deadline of April 5 to secure a sale to a non-Chinese buyer, or it risks being banned in the United States. Trump indicated that he would contemplate a deal that could involve China approving the sale in exchange for relief from U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. The ongoing discussions highlight the complex interplay between national security concerns and economic relations, as the administration seeks to navigate the app's controversial status amidst broader U.S.-China trade tensions. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 3 am

Pentagon Investigates Trump Aide's Signal App Yemen Leak

The Acting Inspector General of the US Department of Defence, Steven Stebbins, is set to investigate Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's use of the messaging app Signal for discussions regarding military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. This inquiry follows a request from the Senate Armed Services Committee amid concerns over Hegseth's use of an "unclassified commercial messaging application" for official communications. A leaked Signal chat revealed that Hegseth, along with other senior officials, discussed sensitive details about a planned military strike, including timing and logistics, which inadvertently reached The Atlantic’s editor. While officials, including President Trump, downplayed the incident, asserting that no classified information was shared, the chat’s contents have raised significant operational security concerns. The evaluation will assess compliance with Department of Defence policies regarding the use of commercial messaging for official purposes and adherence to classification and records retention requirements. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 3 am

US Stocks Drop Sharply After Tariff Announcement, S&P 500 Falls

US stocks experienced a significant downturn on Thursday, following former President Donald Trump's recent tariff announcement, which sent shockwaves through the market. The S&P 500 index plummeted 4.8 per cent, closing at 5,396.52, marking its steepest single-day drop since June 2020. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell even more sharply, declining 6.0 per cent to finish at 16,550.6. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also suffered, closing down 4 per cent at 40,545.93. Traders expressed growing concerns over the potential economic impact of the tariffs, prompting widespread sell-offs across major indices. This dramatic market reaction underscores the fragility of investor sentiment amid ongoing trade tensions and uncertainty. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 2 am

Trump's Tariffs Hit US Markets, S&P 500 Falls 4%

In a significant market downturn, Wall Street stocks plunged on Thursday, with the S&P 500 dropping over four percent following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcement, dubbed "Liberation Day." The new levies, impacting all US trading partners, particularly affected key sectors such as banking, technology, and apparel, with only consumer staples showing resilience. By 1510 GMT, the S&P 500 was at 5,420.15, down 4.4 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite Index plummeted 5.7 percent. Analysts expressed concerns over the tariffs' potential to reduce corporate earnings and reignite inflation, with some predicting a looming recession and bear market. Notably, major companies like Nike, Macy's, and Apple experienced significant losses, underscoring the uncertainty in the market. Experts suggest that the administration may reconsider the tariffs as negotiations evolve, highlighting the precarious economic landscape ahead. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 am

Trump Dismisses NSC Officials After Meeting Laura Loomer

President Donald Trump's recent decision to dismiss several senior officials from the National Security Council (NSC) has drawn attention, particularly following a meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who advocated for the firings based on her research. Loomer, known for her controversial views, including 9/11 conspiracy theories, has been active in Trump's 2024 campaign and has publicly questioned the loyalty of certain NSC members. The Oval Office meeting included key figures such as Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Despite the significance of the discussions, NSC spokesman Brian Hughes refrained from commenting on personnel changes. The firings coincide with scrutiny over Waltz's use of the encrypted Signal app for sensitive military planning, which raises concerns about communication security after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to the conversation. This incident underscores ongoing issues regarding national security protocols within the White House. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 am

Pentagon Investigates Defense Secretary Hegseth Over Signal Controversy

The Pentagon's inspector general is set to investigate Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the commercial messaging app Signal for discussions about air strikes in Yemen, according to a memo released on Thursday. This inquiry follows a scandal involving an accidental leak of a group chat among senior security officials, which included details about military actions targeting Yemen's Huthi rebels aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The investigation will assess compliance with Department of Defence policies regarding the use of commercial messaging for official business, as well as adherence to classification and records retention requirements. The probe was initiated following a request from the leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, comprising both a Republican and a Democrat. The leak was highlighted by The Atlantic, revealing that a prominent journalist was unintentionally included in the chat. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 am

Trump Predicts Stock Surge Amid Tariff Turmoil

President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the resilience of the US economy amid turmoil in global markets, attributing the chaos to his administration's worldwide tariffs. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for Florida, Trump declared, "The markets are going to boom," and reassured that "the country is going to boom" despite the recent stock market rout. His comments come as investors grapple with the implications of his trade policies, which have sparked widespread volatility. The president's optimistic outlook stands in stark contrast to the concerns voiced by market analysts and economists regarding the potential long-term impacts of the tariffs on economic stability. As the situation develops, many will be watching closely to see if Trump's predictions hold true in the face of ongoing market uncertainties. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 am

WTO Warns Trump Tariffs May Cut Global Trade by 1%

US President Donald Trump's recent announcement of widespread tariffs could result in a 1 percent contraction in global merchandise trade volumes this year, according to World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Following Trump's implementation of 10 percent import duties on all nations and higher tariffs on specific countries, including China and the European Union, Okonjo-Iweala expressed concerns about the significant implications for global trade and economic growth. The WTO's latest estimates indicate a nearly four percentage point decline from previous projections, with 74 percent of global trade still operating under the WTO's Most-favoured-nation status, down from 80 percent earlier this year. Okonjo-Iweala urged WTO members to manage tensions arising from these US measures responsibly, warning of a potential tariff war and emphasizing the organization's role in fostering dialogue to prevent escalating trade conflicts. sources

Published:
Apr 03 2025, 11 pm

India Sends Buddha Relics from Gujarat to Thailand Exhibition

India is set to send relics of the Buddha, unearthed in Devni Mori, Gujarat, to Thailand for an exposition, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following discussions with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtran Shinawatra in Bangkok. Modi expressed his delight in sharing these Holy Relics, discovered during excavations in 1960 at the site believed to be a Mahastupa, which was 37 feet high and surrounded by monasteries. The relics, contained within a casket of green schist and a copper box, were previously sent to Thailand last year, allowing over four million devotees to pay their respects. Modi received a copy of the revered 108 volumes of the Tipitaka, Buddhist scriptures in Pali, from his Thai counterpart, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations. sources

Published:
Apr 03 2025, 11 pm

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