Month: April 2025

Pakistan plans to expel 3 million Afghans from the country this year, as a deadline for them to voluntarily leave the capital and surrounding areas expired on Monday (March 31, 2025).

It’s the latest phase of a nationwide crackdown launched in October 2023 to expel foreigners living in Pakistan illegally, mostly Afghans. The campaign has drawn fire from rights groups, the Taliban government, and the U.N.

Arrests and deportations were due to begin April 1 but were pushed back to April 10 because of the Eid al-Fitr holidays marking the end of Ramadan, according to government documents seen by The Associated Press.

About 8,45,000 Afghans have left Pakistan over the past 18 months, figures from the International Organization for Migration show.

Pakistan says three million Afghans remain. Of these, 13,44,584 hold Proof of Registration cards, while 8,07,402 have Afghan Citizen Cards. There are a further one million Afghans who are in the country illegally because they have no paperwork.

Pakistan said it will make sure that Afghans do not return once deported.

Authorities wanted Afghan Citizen cardholders to leave the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi city by March 31 and return to Afghanistan voluntarily or be deported.

Those with Proof of Registration can stay in Pakistan until June 30, while Afghans bound for third-country resettlement must also leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31.

Authorities have said they will work with foreign diplomatic missions to resettle Afghans, failing which they will also be deported from Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of Afghans fled after the Taliban takeover in 2021. They were approved for resettlement in the U.S. through a program that helps people at risk because of their work with the American government, media, aid agencies, and rights groups.

However, President Donald Trump paused U.S. refugee programs in January and 20,000 Afghans are now in limbo.

“No Afghan officials to be made part of any committee or formal decision-making process,” one of the documents said about the expulsion plans.

A spokesman for Afghanistan’s Refugee Ministry, Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, told The Associated Press that Pakistan was taking decisions arbitrarily, without involving the U.N. refugee agency or the Taliban government.

“We have shared our problems with them, stating that unilaterally expelling refugees is neither in their interest nor ours,” said Mr. Haqqani. “It is not in their interest because expelling them in this way raises hatred against Pakistan.

“For us, it is natural that managing so many Afghans coming back is a challenge. We have requested they should be deported through a mechanism and mutual understanding so they can return with dignity.”

Two transit stations will be set up in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to help with deportations. One will be in Nasir Bagh, an area in the Peshawar suburbs. The second will be in the border town of Landi Kotal, some 7 km from the Torkham crossing.

It is not clear what will happen to children born in Pakistan to Afghan parents, Afghan couples with different document types, and families where one parent is a Pakistani citizen and the other is Afghan. But officials indicated to the AP that social welfare staff will be on hand to help with such cases.

Omaid Khan, 30, has an Afghan Citizen Card while his wife has Proof of Registration. According to Pakistani government policy, he has to leave but his wife can stay until June 30. Their two children have no documents, including passports or identity cards from either country.

“I am from Paktia province but I have never been there and I am not sure about my future,” he said.

Nazir Ahmed was born in the southwest Pakistani city of Quetta and has never been to Afghanistan. His only connection to the country was through his father, who died in Quetta four years ago.

“How can we go there?” said Mr. Ahmed, who is 21. “Few people know us. All our relatives live in Quetta. What will we do if we go there? We appeal to the Pakistani government to give us some time so we can go and find out, at least get some employment.”

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Myanmar Earthquake Today | Hospitals Overwhelmed As Death Toll Crosses 2000 | Thailand | Rescue OPs

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay on Saturday, adding to a series of aftershocks rattling central Myanmar. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage from the aftershock. The death toll of the earthquake that earlier left central Myanmar in ruins has gone up to 2,000 people, the country’s military leaders said on Saturday, as desperate rescue workers raced to find survivors.

Meanwhile, amid the tragedy, the military junta has continued to bomb parts of the war-torn country, according to BBC. The UN has described the attacks as “completely outrageous and unacceptable”. BBC Burmese confirmed that seven people were killed in an air strike in Naungcho in northern Shan state. This strike took place around 15:30 local time, less than three hours after the quake struck.

#myanmar #earthquake #thailand #myanmarearthquake

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday (local time) the imposition of visa restrictions on Chinese officials responsible for limiting the access of US officials to Tibetan areas.

This move is in response to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) long-standing refusal to allow US diplomats, journalists, and international observers into Tibet while Chinese officials enjoy unrestricted access to the United States.

“Today, I am taking steps to impose additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas, pursuant to the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018,” Mr Rubio said in a statement.

“For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to afford US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China, while China’s diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States. US diplomats are also unable to provide services to US citizens traveling in Tibet,” he added.

Further, the US urged the CCP to immediately address this issue and allow diplomats and others unrestricted access to TAR.

“This lack of reciprocity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I urge the CCP to immediately address the lack of reciprocity and allow diplomats, among others, unrestricted access to the TAR and other Tibetan areas of China,” he said.

Earlier in the day, a spokesperson from the US Department of State slammed China’s call for informants on Taiwan independence as ‘irresponsible and reprehensible’

According to a report by the Taipei Times, he described the Chinese government’s request that citizens report individuals advocating for “Taiwan independence” as “irresponsible and reprehensible.”

In an email referenced by the Taipei Times, the spokesperson stated, “China’s urging for private individuals to inform on alleged ‘persecution or suppression’ by so-called ‘Taiwan independence henchmen and accomplices’ is both irresponsible and reprehensible.”

The spokesperson indicated that this action is part of Beijing’s “intimidation campaign” against Taiwan and its allies, which they claim is “threatening free speech globally, destabilising the Indo-Pacific region, and intentionally undermining the cross-strait status quo.”

An 84-year-old man in the UK has died of his injuries over a month after being attacked by an XL bully dog. According to the BBC, the incident happened on February 24 while he was walking home in Warrington. Cheshire Police reported that the victim suffered serious injuries and died at the hospital on Sunday. The authorities are providing support to his family through specialist officers. 

In connection with the incident, 30-year-old Sean Garner from Liverpool has been charged with owning a dangerously out-of-control dog, causing serious injury, and possessing a fighting dog. The XL bully dog was shot and killed by armed officers after the attack.

Detective Inspector Simon Mills said, “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The victim has fought so hard since the attack, but sadly his injuries were too much, and despite the best efforts of the specialist medical teams who have supported him since the attack, he has now passed away.

To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable, and I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such a horrific incident. Nobody should have to go through what they have experienced, and our specialist officers are providing them with the support they need at this truly awful time.”

“This was an innocent man who was simply walking in the street when he was horrifically attacked by a suspected unregistered XL Bully. These dogs are like weapons; their physical attributes can make it like owning a loaded firearm with a questionable safety catch,” Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts said.

The XL Bully, also known as the Extra Large Bully, is a domestic dog breed that originated in the 1990s in the United States. It is a crossbreed between the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and other bulldog breeds.

Following a series of fatal dog attacks involving XL Bullies, which resulted in 23 deaths over three years in the UK, the breed was banned in 2023. As a result, strict regulations were put in place, mandating that XL Bullies be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times in public. Additionally, it is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL bully dogs stray. 

How does India look from space? Four decades after Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma invoked poet Muhammad Iqbal’s “Saare Jahaan Se Accha” to answer this question, Indian-origin space explorer Sunita Williams reminisced about passing over the “incredible” Himalayas on board the International Space Station, a space lab that hosts astronauts from across the globe.

“Amazing, just amazing,” she replied when asked how India looked from space, back from a 286-day stay in space. “India is amazing. Every time we went over the Himalayas, Butch (Wilmore, fellow astronaut) got incredible pictures, it is just amazing,” said Ms Williams.

The US astronaut, who often talks about her Indian roots, was mesmerised by the view of the Indian landscape from above. From fishing fleets in the west to the grand Himalayas in the north, it was a home away from home for her.

Read: Did Boeing “Screw Up”? Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore Say…

“I have described it before like this ripple that happened obviously when the plates collided and then, as it flows down into India, it is many-many colours. I think when you come from the East going into Gujarat and Mumbai, and (you see) the fishing fleet that is off the coast there, it gives you a little bit of a beacon, here we come. All throughout India, I think the impression that I had was this network of lights and from the bigger cities going to the smaller cities, and just incredible to look at night as well as during the day highlighted of course by the Himalayas which is just incredible as the forefront going down into India,” she said.

The 59-year-old astronaut is also excited about NASA’s upcoming Axiom mission that will take four astronauts to space. Among them is Subhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO astronaut.

“It’s pretty awesome. They will have a hometown hero, their own who will be able to talk about how wonderful the International Space Station is from his perspective,” she said.

Read: ‘Will You Return To Space On Boeing Starliner?’ What NASA Astronauts Said

Ms Williams was also asked if she would help the Indian space flight programme. “I hope we can meet up at some point and share our experiences with as many people in India – why as possible because it is a great country and another wonderful democracy. That is trying to put its foot in the space countries and would love to be a part of that and help them along,” she replied.

Ms Williams, whose parents were born in India, also hopes to take a trip to her “father’s country”. Butch Wilmore, who was her co-traveller to the space station, does not want to be left out. “Do you plan to take your crew members on that trip with you?” he asked. “Absolutely,” she replied.

“You might stick out a little bit. That is okay. We will get you all primed to some spicy food,” she said.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had left for the space station for an eight-day mission in June on board the Boeing Starliner. Due to propulsion issues, the spacecraft returned uncrewed, stranding the two astronauts in space.

They finally returned to earth on March 19 on board SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s conviction and resulting prohibition from running in the 2027 presidential election was a “very big deal.”

A French court on Monday barred Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election after she was convicted of embezzlement.

“That’s a very big deal,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday evening when asked about that conviction.

Rights advocates have drawn comparisons over the years between Le Pen and Trump over their anti-immigration views and charged rhetoric against minorities.

The French court’s ruling was a setback for Le Pen, 56. The National Rally (RN) party chief is one of the most prominent figures of the European far right, and a front-runner in polls for France’s 2027 contest.

“I know all about it, and a lot of people thought she wasn’t going to be convicted of anything,” Trump said.

“But she was banned for running for five years, and she’s the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country,” Trump said, in an apparent reference to legal cases that Trump himself faced before he took office.

Trump was indicted over covering up a hush money payment to a porn star, over attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election that he lost and over retention of classified documents after his first term ended. He was convicted in the hush money case. He denied wrongdoing in all cases that he called politically motivated.

Federal charges against him were dropped following his 2024 election win.

France’s High Council of the Judiciary in a statement on Monday, expressed its concern over what it called “virulent reactions” provoked by the ruling after Le Pen’s allies in France and far-right leaders from European countries condemned it.

“Threats personally targeting the magistrates in charge of the case, just like statements by political leaders on the merits of the prosecution or the conviction, particularly during the deliberations, cannot be accepted in a democratic society,” it said, calling for moderation.

Others applauded the ruling against Le Pen, saying the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law must be respected after the judge convicted her of misappropriating European Union funds to benefit her party

Le Pen’s five-year public office ban cannot be suspended by appeal, although she will retain her parliamentary seat until her term ends. She also received a four-year prison sentence – two years of which are suspended and two years to be served under home detention – and a 100,000-euro ($108,200) fine, but they will not apply until her appeals are exhausted.

SpaceX launched the first human spaceflight directly over Earth’s polar regions on Monday — a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts.

Named “Fram2” after the famed Norwegian ship built in the 19th century for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, the mission will feature a range of experiments including taking the first X-ray in space and growing mushrooms in microgravity.

It’s hoped that the research will support future long-duration space travel to Mars.

Liftoff of Fram2 and the @framonauts! pic.twitter.com/XBL5juCnHQ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 1, 2025

The crew launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket at 9:46 pm Monday (0146 GMT Tuesday) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Cheers rang out in the control room as the powerful rocket roared upward, lighting up the night sky with a long, orange plume of flame as the craft began its journey toward Earth’s North and South Poles.

“With the same pioneering spirit as early polar explorers, we aim to bring back new data and knowledge to advance the long-term goals of space exploration,” mission commander Chun Wang said before the launch. 

Wang, a Chinese-born Maltese adventurer and co-founder of crypto companies f2pool and skatefish, selected the rest of the crew: vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian film director; mission pilot Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Germany; and mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philips, an Australian polar explorer. 

The team trained for eight months in preparation for the approximately four-day trip, including a wilderness expedition in Alaska to simulate living in close quarters under harsh conditions.

Upon returning to Earth, the crew will attempt to exit the spacecraft without additional medical support — part of a study to help researchers understand how well astronauts can perform basic tasks after spaceflight.

Except for the Apollo lunar missions, Earth’s polar regions have remained out of view for astronauts, including those aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Even on Apollo, they did not fly directly over the Earth’s poles.

SpaceX has carried out five private astronaut missions to date — three in collaboration with Axiom Space to the ISS, and two free-flying in Earth orbit.

The first of these was Inspiration4 in 2021, followed by Polaris Dawn, which featured the first spacewalk conducted by private astronauts.

Both free-flying missions were chartered by e-payments billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has also been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next NASA administrator.

Isaacman is also a close associate of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The GRID Controller of India has released a notification for the recruitment of Executive Trainees. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 47 vacancies. According to the official notice, the registration process will start on April 1, 2025. Interested and eligible candidates can apply by visiting the official website, posoco.in.

The official notification reads: “All the interested candidates are hereby advised to submit their online application on or before the stipulated date and time. However, it is advised that the online application may be submitted well before the closing date and time i.e. 23:45 hours on April 30, 2025 (Wednesday) and not to wait till the last date so as to avoid heavy traffic on the servers.”

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Hold a full-time regular degree in B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc (Engg.)/IDD from a recognised university/institute
• Have qualified in the Electrical Engineering (EE) paper of GATE 2025
•  Be 28 years or younger as of July 31, 2025 (i.e., born on or after August 1, 1997)

Selection Process

The selection process involves marks obtained in the Electrical Engineering (EE) paper of GATE-2025, followed by Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). Eligible candidates must appear for the GATE-2025 EE paper, and those who qualify will be shortlisted for GD and PI based on their normalized marks. Shortlisted candidates will be informed through their candidate login and can download their call letters and relevant documents. Additionally, candidates may undergo Behavioral Assessment, which will be used as an input during the interview.

Pay Scale and Benefits

Selected candidates will be placed at E2 level with a pay scale of Rs 50000-160000 IDA. During the one-year On-The-Job Training (OJT) period, they will receive applicable allowances and benefits. Upon successful completion of training, Executive Trainees will be regularized at the same E2 level pay scale. Note that the training period may be extended based on performance evaluation or at management’s discretion.

President Trump LIVE | ‘I’d Love To Take on Obama in 2028’: Donald Trump on Third Term | US News

Trump Says He’d ‘Love’ to Face Obama in Election, Hints at Third Term
President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would "love" to run against Barack Obama in a hypothetical election matchup. Although the U.S. Constitution prohibits a third presidential term, Trump did not completely rule out the idea when questioned by NBC on Sunday.

"A lot of people want me to do it," Trump told NBC. Later, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he added, “I don’t want to talk about a third term right now … No matter how you look at it, we got a long time to go.”

Meanwhile, tariffs on imported automobiles are set to take effect on Wednesday. While economists warn that the move could drive up prices in the U.S., Trump insisted on Sunday that automakers "are going to make a lot of money," arguing that the policy would push companies to manufacture vehicles in the United States.

#DonaldTrump #BarackObama #USPolitics #ElectionTalk #ThirdTermDebate #AutoTariffs #Economy #MadeInUSA

Iran would have to acquire a nuclear weapon if attacked by the United States or its allies, an adviser to the country’s supreme leader warned on Monday, following a threat by US President Donald Trump.

The comments came after Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promised to hit back if Trump carried out a threat to bomb the Islamic republic if it did not make a deal to curb its nuclear programme.

“We are not moving towards (nuclear) weapons, but if you do something wrong in the Iranian nuclear issue, you will force Iran to move towards that because it has to defend itself,” Khamenei’s adviser Ali Larijani told state TV.

“Iran does not want to do this, but … (it) will have no choice,” he added.

“If at some point you (the US) move towards bombing by yourself or through Israel, you will force Iran to make a different decision.”

Trump said on Saturday “there will be bombing” if Iran did not agree a nuclear deal, according to NBC News, which said he also threatened to punish Tehran with what he called “secondary tariffs”.

Despite the sharpening of Trump’s comments, it was not clear if he was threatening a US bombing or an operation coordinated with another country, possibly Iran’s nemesis Israel.

“They threaten to do mischief,” Khamenei said of the remarks during a speech for the holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

“If it is carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack.”

The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani which condemned what he called “warmongering provocations”. 

Iran “will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime,” the envoy added.

‘Glass room’

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the charge d’affaires of the Swiss embassy, which represents US interests in Iran, “following the threats by the US president”, a ministry statement said.

“The Americans have at least 10 bases in the region around Iran, and they have 50,000 troops,” warned General Amirali Hajizadeh, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“Someone who is in a glass room shouldn’t throw stones at anyone,” the man in charge of Iran’s ballistic missile programme threatened on state television Monday.

Since taking office in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy, which in his first term saw the United States withdraw from a landmark agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied, insisting its enrichment activities were solely for peaceful purposes.

The 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers required Iran to limit its nuclear processing in exchange for sanctions relief.

‘Indirect’ channel

On March 7, Trump said he had written to Khamenei to call for nuclear negotiations and warn of possible military action if Tehran refused.

The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by a United Arab Emirates envoy, Iran’s Fars news agency reported at the time.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a response had been sent through Oman, without detailing its content.

Araghchi said Iran would not engage in direct talks “under maximum pressure and the threat of military action”.

In his remarks, however, the minister left open the door for “indirect negotiations”.

According to NBC, Trump said US and Iranian officials were “talking,” but he did not give details.

President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said Khamenei, who as supreme leader has the final say in major state policies, had permitted indirect talks.

Oman has served as an intermediary in the past, in the absence of US-Iranian diplomatic relations severed after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

On Monday, Araghchi said the United States had received Iran’s letter.

“We have been informed by our friends in Oman that the letter has reached its destination and has been read.”

Beyond its nuclear programme, the West also accuses Iran of using proxy forces to expand its influence in the region, a charge Tehran rejects.

“There is only one proxy force in this region, and that is the corrupt usurper Zionist regime,” Khamenei said, calling for Israel to be “eradicated”.

Donald Trump said Monday he hopes Tiger Woods and his former daughter-in-law will be happy together in their relationship, describing the golf superstar as “a fantastic guy.”

Woods — renowned for guarding his private life over the years — last week confirmed tabloid rumors that he was dating Vanessa Trump, who split from Donald Trump Jr. during his father’s first term in the Oval Office.

The US president told reporters in Washington on Monday he was delighted that she had found love again.

“Tiger actually called me a few months ago, and we have a very special, very good relationship with Tiger,” he said.

“I played golf with him a couple of times over the last month, and he’s a fantastic guy and a fantastic athlete, and he told me about it, and I said ‘Tiger, that’s good,’” Trump continued.

“I’m very happy for both, I just, let them both be happy. Let them both be happy. They’re both great.”

The presidential seal of approval comes after Woods took to social media to post photos of him and his new beau.

“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side,” he wrote in a caption above two pictures of the couple relaxing together.

Vanessa Trump, who divorced Donald Trump Jr. in 2018 after a 13-year marriage, also posted a picture of her and Woods together on her Instagram account in what appeared to be a coordinated announcement.

Woods’ private life was laid bare during the 2009 sex scandal that upended his career and led to the implosion of his six-year marriage to Elin Nordegren, the mother of his two children.

Nordegren and Woods separated amid revelations of the golf star’s serial infidelity, with reports suggesting he had slept with as many as 120 women during their marriage.

Amid suspense over US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day tariff” plans, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that there won’t be any exemptions on reciprocal tariffs. Listing tariffs imposed on American products by foreign nations, Ms Leavitt said that the “unfair trade practices” need to stop.

This comes as President Trump prepares to announce a round of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a day he has labeled “Liberation Day” of America.

“The goal of Wednesday is a country-based tariff, but certainly sectoral tariffs. The President has said he’s committed to implementing them, and I would leave it to him when he makes that announcement,” Leavitt said, adding that “It’s time for reciprocity.”

HOLY SH*T ? Karoline Leavitt brings a chart and shuts down Fake News Media with Tariff Facts:

– 700% tariff from Japan on rice
– 50% tariff from the EU on American dairy
– 100% tariff from India on agricultural products

WE COME WITH RECEIPTS pic.twitter.com/z1Tmd8rOd9

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) March 31, 2025

Holding a piece of paper listing massive tariffs from the European Union, India, Japan, and Canada, the White House Press spokesperson said, “If you look at the unfair trade practices that we have– 50 per cent from the European Union on American dairy. You have a 700 per cent tariff from Japan on American rice. You have a 100 per cent tariff from India on American agricultural products. You have nearly a 300 per cent tariff from Canada on American butter and American cheese.”

“This makes it virtually impossible for American products to be imported into these markets, and it puts a lot of Americans out of business and out of work over the past several decades,” she added.

Countries often heavily tariff foreign imports to protect industries or sectors vital to their own economies. President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs aim to match other countries’ higher tariff rates for specific goods and compensate for non-tariff barriers that put US exports at a disadvantage.

The Trump administration has argued that the tariff discrepancy is unfair for Americans and hurts their homegrown companies and workers. 

Ms Leavitt pledged that Trump’s new tariffs will bring “historic change” to America’s trade relationships, adding, “Unfortunately, these countries have been ripping off our country for far too long…And they’ve made their disdain, I think, for the American worker quite clear.”

Trade Barriers Report 

Meanwhile, the Trump administration on Monday also released an encyclopedic list of foreign countries’ policies and regulations it regards as trade barriers, two days before the proposed hitting global trading partners with reciprocal tariffs.

The Office of the US Trade Representative’s annual National Trade Estimate Report on foreign trade barriers lists average applied tariff rates for trading partner countries and non-tariff barriers ranging from onerous food safety regulations to renewable energy requirements and public procurement rules.

“No American President in modern history has recognized the wide-ranging and harmful foreign trade barriers American exporters face more than President Trump,” US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

“Under his leadership, this administration is working diligently to address these unfair and non-reciprocal practices, helping restore fairness and put hardworking American businesses and workers first in the global market,” Greer added.

It is unclear how the 397-page report will impact Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans.

What Did The Report Say?

Many of the listed trade barriers are technical in nature or the result of government regulation that blocks some U.S. exports, such as delays in EU approvals for genetically modified crops or bans on agricultural imports containing residues of certain types of pesticides.

The report flagged a new EU requirement for a minimum amount of post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging as potentially creating “unjustified barriers to US exports,” saying the U.S. would work with the EU on the rule’s implementation.

The report also highlighted longstanding sources of trade disputes, such as Canada’s “supply management” system for its dairy, poultry and egg industries, which use production limits on import quotas and high tariffs, with out-of-quota tariffs on cheese at 245 per cent and butter at 298 per cent.

It listed VATs and their implementation as burdensome to US imports in some other countries, including Argentina, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. The report said China’s use of VAT rebates to encourage exports of certain products acted as a kind of subsidy.
 

 The Madhya Pradesh government outlined the liquor ban in 19 religious cities and gram panchayats of the state would be implemented from April 1.

This announcement of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was approved by the Cabinet at a meeting held in Maheshwar, the city of Lokmata Ahilyabai, on 24 January 2025.

Following the recent decision, all establishments that sell alcoholic beverages, including liquor shops and bars, will be mandated to close their operations within the entire urban boundaries of several cities.

This includes Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur, and Amarkantak. Additionally, the closure will extend to the gram panchayat regions of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd, and Linga.

From April 1, 2025, liquor is completely prohibited in 19 declared sacred urban and rural areas of the state.

Chief Minister Yadav said that the state government has taken a historic step towards de-addiction. This step will be effective in 19 urban areas and gram panchayats of public faith and religious reverence.

The religious places where the decision to ban liquor has been taken include one Municipal Corporation, six Municipal Councils, six City Councils, and six Gram Panchayats.

The major holy cities where liquor ban is being implemented include Ujjain, the city of Baba Mahakal, Amarkantak, the origin of the Narmada river, which is considered the lifeline of the state, Maheshwar, Orchha Ramraja temple area, Omkareshwar, Satdhara area in Mandla, Tapti origin area in Multai, Pitambara Devipeeth Datia, Jabalpur Bhedaghat area, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Salkanpur, Sanchi, Mandleshwar, Vrindavan, Khajuraho, Nalkheda, Pashupatinath temple area Mandsaur, Barman Ghat and Panna.

From April 1, 2025, there will be a complete liquor ban in all these areas.

SpaceX LIVE | SpaceX Launches Historic Fram2 Mission | First Human Flight Over Earth’s Polar Regions

SpaceX is preparing for a historic launch of the Fram2 mission, scheduled for Monday, March 31, at 9:46 p.m. ET from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission has additional launch opportunities within a 4.5-hour window and backup dates available on Tuesday, April 1. WATCH THE LIVE BROADCAST FOR MORE

#spacex #nasa #falcon9 #kennedycenter #earth #humanmission

US President Donald Trump said Monday he would be “very kind” to trading partners when he unveils further tariffs this week, risking global turmoil to address what he says are unfair trade imbalances.

Trump — who has been making unprecedented use of presidential powers since taking office in January — said he could announce as early as Tuesday night exactly what “reciprocal tariffs” will be imposed.

The Republican billionaire insists that reciprocal action is needed because the world’s biggest economy has been “ripped off by every country in the world,” promising “Liberation Day” for the United States.

He could also unveil more sector-specific levies.

Asked for details, he told reporters Monday: “You’re going to see in two days, which is maybe tomorrow night or probably Wednesday.”

But he added: “We’re going to be very nice, relatively speaking, we’re going to be very kind.”

Critics warn that the strategy risks a global trade war, provoking a chain reaction of retaliation by major trading partners like China, Canada and the European Union.

Already, China, South Korea and Japan agreed Sunday to strengthen free trade between themselves, ahead of Trump’s expected tariff announcement.

But Trump said Monday he was not worried that his action would push allies toward Beijing, adding that a deal on TikTok could also be tied to China tariffs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the goal on Wednesday would be to announce “country-based tariffs,” although Trump remains committed to imposing separate sector-specific charges.

The uncertainty has jolted markets with key European and Asian indexes closing lower, although the Dow and broad-based S&P 500 eked out gains.

Market nervousness intensified after Trump said Sunday his tariffs would include “all countries.”

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that advisers have considered imposing global tariffs of up to 20 percent, to hit almost all US trading partners. Trump has remained vague, saying his tariffs would be “far more generous” than ones already levied against US products.

– ‘Economic pain’ –

Trump’s fixation on tariffs is fanning US recession fears. Goldman Sachs analysts raised their 12-month recession probability from 20 percent to 35 percent.

This reflects a “lower growth forecast, falling confidence, and statements from White House officials indicating willingness to tolerate economic pain.” Goldman Sachs also lifted its forecast for underlying inflation at the end of 2025.

China and Canada have imposed counter-tariffs on US goods, while the EU unveiled its own measures to start mid-April. Other countermeasures could come after Wednesday.

For now, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said at a Reuters event Monday that Trump’s tariffs are causing anxiety, although their global economic impact should not be dramatic.

Ryan Sweet of Oxford Economics said to “expect the unexpected,” anticipating that Trump would “take aim at some of the largest offenders.”

Besides reciprocal country tariffs, Trump could unveil additional sector-specific levies on the likes of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. He earlier announced auto tariffs to take effect Thursday.

Economists have expected the upcoming salvo could target the 15 percent of partners that have persistent trade imbalances with the United States, a group that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dubbed a “Dirty 15.”

The United States has some of its biggest goods deficits with China, the EU, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Canada and India.

– ‘Existential moment’ –

US trade partners are rushing to minimize their exposure, with reports suggesting India might lower some duties.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Monday that Europe should move towards economic independence, telling France Inter radio that Europe faces an “existential moment.”

Separately, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on “productive negotiations” towards a UK-US trade deal, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the EU would respond firmly to Trump but is open to compromise.

It is “entirely possible” for fresh tariffs to be swiftly reduced or put on hold, said Greta Peisch, partner at law firm Wiley Rein.

In February, Washington paused steep levies on Mexican and Canadian imports for a month as the North American neighbors pursued negotiations.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images of the widespread damages caused by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and rattled neighbouring countries on Friday. 

Using its most sophisticated Earth imaging satellite, the Cartosat-3, which can help with images at a resolution of less than 50 centimetres, the ISRO has managed to capture photos from a 500 kilometre altitude above the earth. The images show how a huge bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed. The damages to the Mandalay University and collapse of the Ananda Pagoda are also highlighted.

According to the space agency, Cartosat-3, which was launched in 2019, is a third generation agile advanced earth imaging satellite. ISRO rarely releases images from this highly sophisticated satellite.

The National Remote Sensing Centre, a part of ISRO, said the post-disaster Cartosat-3 imagery was acquired on Saturday, over the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing in Myanmar. Additionally, Cartosat-3 data acquired on March 18, covering the same area, was referred for change analysis and assessment of damage. Significant damage to infrastructure in Mandalay city was observed. 

The damaged caused to Mandalay city and Ava bridge.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck Myanmar on Friday, followed by a strong aftershock of magnitude 6.4. The epicentre was located at a depth of 10km near Sagaing-Mandalay border. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, registered severe damage. 

The earthquake also rattled the Myanmar capital Naypyidaw and other regions, resulting in the collapse of infrastructure, roads and residential buildings. The tremors were felt not only in Myanmar but also in neighbouring countries and as far as Chiang Mai and northern parts of Thailand, where some places reported damages. 

The images showed significant damage to infrastructure in Mandalay city, with major landmarks such as Sky Villa, Phayani Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda and Ananda Pagoda, University of Mandalay and several others suffering either complete or partial damage. 

In Sagaing city, the Ma Shi Khana Pagoda and several monasteries and other buildings were damaged. 

The damage caused to Mandalay city.

As seen from the imagery, the earthquake led to the collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge on the Irrawaddy River, near Inn Wa City. Cracks in flood plains of the Irrawaddy river with associated liquefaction were also observed. 

In its damage assessment summary, ISRO said Myanmar is located near the convergent boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates, where the Indian Plate is moving northward toward the Eurasian Plate at a rate of about 5 cm per year. 

Besides, Myanmar also sits near several smaller fault zones, such as the Sagaing Fault, which runs through central Myanmar. The Sagaing fault is a significant active strike-slip fault that accommodates lateral motion between the blocks of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Friday’s earthquake was likely associated with the release of accumulated stress along the Sagaing fault or its accessory faults in the region.

India was one of the first countries to fly in rescue teams and provide assistance to Myanmar. 

A 20-year-old man was murdered after a heated argument with another person over distribution of fruits for ‘iftari’ at Oshiwara in western Mumbai, a police official said on Monday.

The incident occurred in Jogeshwari West on Sunday evening and the victim has been identified as Mohammed Kaif Rahim Shaikh, he said.

“He was attacked by Zafar Firoze Khan (22) and his aides. During the argument, Shaikh had slapped Khan. Both work in a shop making dresses for children. Khan returned with friends and stabbed Shaikh, who died later. One person has been held in the case,” he said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a major immigration crime summit on Monday that countries must join forces to "once and for all" destroy people smuggling gangs. "The truth is we can only smash these gangs once and for all if we work together," said Starmer, opening a two-day summit of delegates from more than 40 countries.

#starmer #uk #illegalimmigration #london #trump

U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order aimed at protecting fans from "exploitative ticket scalping" and reforming the U.S. live entertainment ticketing industry.
Trump signed the directive in the Oval Office, with singer Kid Rock standing next to him in a patriotic American flag-themed outfit. Kid Rock said ticket scalpers’ use of bots to buy large numbers of tickets at face value and then selling them for a profit is a big problem in the industry.

#live #donaldtrump #trump #ovaloffice #executiveorder #trumpnews

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 A man faked his son’s death in a staged accident to claim a Rs 2 crore insurance payout in Delhi’s Najafgarh area, an official said on Monday.

On March 5, a PCR call regarding an accident was received at the Najafgarh Police Station, he said.

According to police, the complainant, Satish Kumar, claimed that his son, Gagan, sustained head injuries in a bike accident and was taken to a local hospital where he received first aid.

“However, the complainant and his son left the police station without filing a written complaint or getting a medico-legal case (MLC) report done,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said.

The officer said that on March 11, when the police contacted Kumar, he informed them that Gagan had died on March 6 and had been cremated at Garhganga in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, without a post-mortem or police intimation.

He then filed a complaint on March 12, seeking action against the Investigating Officer (IO) for alleged negligence in registering a fatal accident case.

Police, however, found discrepancies in the case.

“We analysed CCTV footage from the accident site. The footage showed Gagan and another person staging the accident,” said the DCP.

On questioning, Kumar and an advocate, Manmohan, admitted to faking the death with Gagan’s involvement, he said.

Police discovered that a doctor had inflicted a minor head injury on Gagan before the staged accident to make the claim appear genuine.

The plan was to claim a Rs 2 crore insurance payout in Gagan’s name, issued on February 13. The investigation also revealed that the alleged cremation of Gagan in Hapur did not take place.

Police have arrested Kumar, lawyer Manmohan, and the doctor, he said.

Subsequently, an FIR was registered on March 25 under BNS sections related to fraud and conspiracy. Further investigation is underway, and police are obtaining call detail records (CDR) of the accused, he added.

 China’s military on Tuesday announced it was conducting joint army, naval and rocket force exercises around Taiwan in a statement on the Eastern Theater Command’s official WeChat social media account.

“These drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols … assaults on maritime and ground targets, and blockades on key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operations capabilities of its troops,” the statement added.