Global Business / The Economic Times
Canadian PM Mark Carney announced a 25% tariff on US vehicle imports that do not comply with the free trade agreement, with revenue supporting the auto industry. Also, a 25% tariff will apply to non-Canadian or Mexican content in compliant vehicles, following US tariffs imposed on Canadian goods.
Rajya Sabha has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following heated debates and opposition. The Bill, aimed at increasing transparency in Waqf Boards, was passed with 128 votes in favor and 95 against. The government emphasized no interference in religious practices and assured that the Bill would not impact protected monuments or tribal lands.
The sci-fi film Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho, is set for digital release on April 8, followed by a physical release on May 13. The movie, starring Robert Pattinson, follows a space explorer who is repeatedly cloned. The film has earned $118 million globally and includes bonus features in its home release.
The Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aiming to enhance Waqf property management. Renamed as the UMEED Bill, it focuses on administrative improvements, technological integration, and increased representation, including non-Muslims and women. Opposition voices raised concerns about unilateral decision-making and potential religious targeting, leading to heated debates in the Rajya Sabha.
Netflix will release the Witch Watch anime series worldwide on April 6, 2025. The show is based on the manga by Kenta Shinohara and is directed by Hiroshi Ikehata. The Japanese version will be available first, with multiple language dubs arriving three weeks later.
One of the crucial details revealed by Marvel Rivals is that the theme for the first new event of Season 2 will be the Hellfire Gala. Other details revealed are the new playable characters that will join the game in Season 2. The upcoming season will go live on April 11.
Tulane quarterback TJ Finley has been taken into custody in New Orleans on suspicion of unlawfully possessing a vehicle that had been reported stolen, valued at over $25,000. The 23-year-old was arrested and then released. Tulane has announced his indefinite suspension from the team, pending the unfolding of the matter through court. Finley, who recently joined Tulane from Auburn, stated he bought the vehicle in Atlanta.
National Burrito Day 2025 falls on April 3, celebrating the beloved burritos rich history and cultural significance. From its Mexican origins to its transformation into an American favorite, this day honors the delicious wrap with exciting deals from major restaurant chains. Whether you prefer classic or modern burritos, theres a tasty way for everyone to join the celebration.
A massive asteroid, 2024 YR4, initially estimated at 40 meters in diameter, is actually 60 meters wide, posing a more significant threat. While NASA confirms it won't hit Earth, there's a 2% chance it could impact the Moon in 2032. The James Webb Space Telescope's accurate measurements are crucial for understanding potential hazards.
The World Trade Organization stated that new measures by the US could shrink global merchandise trade volumes by 1% this year. Despite these measures, 74% of global trade flows under the Most-Favored-Nation terms. The WTO is monitoring and analyzing the impact of these measures, which could affect global trade and economic growth prospects.
Kim Kardashian will executive produce and star in an upcoming satirical comedy Group alongside her long-time friend La La Anthony. The show will be loosely based on Anthony's book The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness. The announcement comes amid reports of Bianca Censori parting ways with Kardashian's former husband and rapper Kanye West.
Sonia Gandhi criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as a deliberate move by the BJP to polarize society and an attack on the Constitution. She also condemned the government's refusal to discuss China's border challenges and its impact on Indian MSMEs, revealing growing tensions with the Opposition.
The TDP's stance on the waqf bill strategically aims to attract Muslim voters in Rayalaseema, a stronghold of YSRCP. By suggesting state governments decide on non-Muslims' appointments to waqf boards, TDP looks to gain favor in constituencies with significant Muslim populations ahead of upcoming political events.
Joe Rogan slammed Disneys Snow White remake on his podcast after the weekend box office disaster and even went on to joke that Elon Musks proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should look into the films $250,000,000 budget. On the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, while talking with comedian Kurt Metzger, Rogan discussed the backlash against lead actress Rachel Zegler, issues with the CGI in the film, and much broader production problems with the film overall.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the government's efforts to revive BSNL, countering past criticisms of poor connectivity. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar humorously remarked on BSNL's image change. Additionally, Kerala's political circles debated the implications of the film L2: Empuraan after it featured the Gujarat riots and faced censorship cuts.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed respect for the judiciary but disagreed with the Supreme Court's judgement on humanitarian grounds. She implicated BJP and CPI-M in attempting to destabilize the education system. The state will comply with the SC's directive while addressing the impact on thousands of affected teachers.
India is set to expedite Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) talks with the US after facing a 27% tariff hike. Officials aim to resolve lingering issues and reciprocal tariffs through the BTA. Sectoral meetings with US counterparts are planned, with the first tranche of the pact targeted for completion by Fall. Non-tariff barriers will also be addressed.
Experts state that the US' reciprocal tariffs contravene global trade norms, though 80% of global trade remains under WTO terms. India is advised to align with other countries to defend the multilateral trading system, as the US invokes stringent tariffs citing security reasons. Brazil and the EU plan to challenge the US in the WTO.
Highlighting the role of startups in making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Piyush Goyal said the country will only get there if Indian startups innovate in robotics, machine learning and automation, and explore technologies like 3D printing to make manufacturing efficient.
In the last 15 years, India's exports to the US surged by 266%, while imports rose by 127%, with FY23 marking a peak in imports. Key export commodities for FY24 include drug formulations, pearls, and precious stones, highlighting significant trade trends between the two nations.
Kesha's Tits Out tour will kick off from West Valley City, Utah on July 1. This will be the first tour by the Scissor Sisters in North America in over a decade. The run will conclude on August 10 with a show in Tampa, Florida.
Egg prices surged by 10.4% in February compared to January and have skyrocketed by 58.8% over the past year, according to the Consumer Price Index.
The arrest of US national Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov for entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island comes years after American missionary John Allen Chau visited the region twice in 2018 and attempted to contact the Sentinelese. Chau's body remains buried on the prohibited island to this day.
The Trump administration's reciprocal tariff policy may drive affected nations towards bilateral trade deals and exploring global supply chain realignment. While negotiations with the US are likely in the short term, medium-to-long term trade talks would become necessary if the US does not adjust its course, potentially fostering closer trade coordination between the EU, China, and others.
New US tariffs could reduce global merchandise trade volumes by around 1% this year, says the World Trade Organization. WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warns of potential tariff war and economic fallout. The share of global trade under most-favoured-nation terms has decreased from 80% to 74% since the beginning of the year.
India's export insurance sector may gain from increased shipment values despite facing challenges from a proposed 27% US tariff on Indian imports. Higher cargo values are expected to boost premium income, though fears linger that higher prices could reduce export volumes. The Marine Cargo Excluded Territories Pool helped mitigate geopolitical impacts, collecting 41.53 crore in premiums in FY24.
Indian officials, after assessing the 27% US reciprocal duty, remain optimistic given that competitors face higher levies and key sectors like pharmaceuticals are unaffected. Ongoing US-India trade talks may ease these tariffs. Officials are conducting a thorough tariff analysis, hopeful that diplomatic efforts will limit the impact. A dedicated team ensures moderation in response.
Toll rates are revised on an average by 3-5% every year with effect from April 1 and are linked to changes in the wholesale price index-based inflation. Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, senior director and global head, consulting, Crisil market intelligence and analytics said the uptick is attributable to the continuous addition of national highways and wider adoption of FASTAG based tolling.
Rahul Gandhi, during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, warned that US President Trumps proposed 26-27% reciprocal tariffs will severely impact India's economy, encompassing the auto, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sectors. Gandhi also demanded clarity on the governments position regarding China's reported occupation of 4,000 square kilometers of Indian territory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reasserted our support for NATO, notwithstanding prior worries about Donald Trump's views regarding the international alliance, on which Rubio is a self-proclaimed expert. Rubio spoke to allies in Brussels, stating that they should raise defence spending to 5 per cent of their GDP. European leaders also expressed fears that the United States would withdraw its troops from Europe, while NATO members were engaged in discussions of new defence spending targets
A new poll shows the Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, leading over Labour and the Conservatives, suggesting no party will win a majority. A potential Reform-Conservative coalition with Farage as Prime Minister is increasingly likely. However, voter trust in major leaders remains low, with 33% unsure who to trust to represent the UK internationally.
India has a unique advantage in negotiating a favorable trade deal with the US amidst Trump's new tariff policies. With early talks already underway and strategic convergence in several sectors, India can avoid harsh tariffs. However, it must reassess non-tariff barriers and guard against Chinese goods dumping to maximize benefits and maintain competitiveness.
US stocks fell sharply after President Trump announced retaliatory tariffs, impacting global markets. Major indexes like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones experienced significant declines. This market downturn affects retirement funds such as 401(k)s. Retail prices are expected to rise as businesses pass increased costs to consumers. Major companies like Apple and Nike saw notable stock price drops.
The spy thriller Black Bag is now available for streaming on multiple platforms. It can be rented for $19.99 or purchased for $24.99. A collectors edition DVD and Blu-ray will be released on May 13, with pre-orders available on Amazon starting at $17.95.
An Israeli airstrike killed at least 27 Palestinians at a school in northern Gaza. The strike also wounded 70 more people. The school was in the Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military said it was targeting a Hamas command and control centre. The attack on a United Nations building used as a shelter killed at least 17 people.
A Social Security overpayment happens when the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues you more benefits than you were eligible to receive. This can result from factors such as changes in income, employment status, or other eligibility adjustments.
Bitcoin, the biggest cryptocurrency, dropped 2.3 per cent even as Crypto exchange Coinbase Global fell about 4 per cent.
US President Trump's announcement of 10% tariffs on all imports led to a drop in mortgage rates due to a decrease in the 10-year Treasury yield. Zillow reported 30-year mortgage rates around 6.40% and 15-year rates at 5.80% in April 2025. Experts predict rates may ease but won't return to historic lows of 2020-2021.
Justin Bieber's health has deteriorated, leaving his wife Hailey Bieber deeply concerned. His erratic behavior, insomnia, and lack of appetite have prompted Hailey to seek divine intervention through prayer. Close friends and family are being urged to pray for Justin, as his alarming actions continue to worry those around him.
The judge's home address was leaked online after the verdict was delivered. Threats against the judge appeared on social media. Her photo was reportedly shared across X and far-right platforms.
Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has led to significant losses, with Russia losing over 4,000 tanks, nearly matching the US tank inventory. US General Cavoli emphasized the scale of the conflict and noted the detrimental effect of withholding US military and intelligence assistance on Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said that the recent US tariffs could accelerate the emergence of a multi-polar world. This prediction follows an agreement between South Korea, China, and Japan to cooperate on free trade talks amid these new tariffs. The US also announced reciprocal tariffs on India to address trade imbalances.
Indian companies are consulting legal and trade experts in response to the US government's new 27% tariff on Indian imports. Businesses are examining options such as contract renegotiations, alternative sourcing, and lobbying for relief, while also considering potential legal actions through trade dispute mechanisms.