Read World News
Israeli strikes kill 9 in southwestern Syria
Israeli strikes in Syria reportedly killed at least nine people in the southwest of the country on Thursday, as Israel accused Turkey of trying to build a 'protectorate' in Syria. Syrian state news agency SANA said that those who died in the strikes were civilians, without giving details. Britain-based war monitor The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that they were armed residents from the Daraa province. Israel had also struck five cities in Syria late Wednesday, including more than a dozen strikes near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Turkey, a key ally of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, reportedly has interests in having a military presence. Syria's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the strikes had resulted in the 'near-total destruction of the Hama military airport and the injury of dozens of civilians and military personnel.' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Turkey of playing a 'negative role' in Syria. 'They are doing their utmost to have Syria as a Turkish protectorate, it's clear that this is their intention," he told a news conference in Paris on Thursday. 'We don't think that it was good when Syria was an Iranian proxy .... And we don't think that Syria should be' a Turkish protectorate." Turkey's Foreign Ministry responded with a statement accusing Israel of 'undermining efforts to establish stability in Syria.' 'Israel has become the greatest threat to the security of our region with its attacks targeting the territorial integrity and national unity of the countries in the region,' it said. Israel has seized parts of southwestern Syria and created a buffer zone there since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying it's to secure Israel's safety from armed groups. But critics say the military operations have created tensions in Syria and aim to prevent any long-term stability and reconstruction for the war-torn country. In the city of Nawa in western Daraa province, thousands took part in a procession through the streets to bury the dead. Imad al Basri, an activist from the city, said that Israeli forces had advanced on Nawa for the first time on Thursday and arrived to the surrounding rural area when 'people started to come out with light arms to the area of the incursion and there was an exchange of fire from both sides.' Israeli soldiers withdrew and the Israeli military began to target the area with artillery shelling and airstrikes, he said, adding that ambulances were prevented from reaching the wounded and dead until the morning. He called on Syria's new rulers to take a stronger stance. 'Why is the government silent about these incursions?' Last month, residents in the village of Koawaya in the province had clashed with Israeli troops trying to cross through agricultural land. On Thursday, the Israeli military dropped flyers in the area of Koawaya warning residents not to carry weapons and not to cross a road on the southwestern edge of the village. Syria's interim leadership has struggled to appeal to non Sunni Muslim communities. Tensions are still simmering with the Druze community in the south, and the Alawites on the coast are still fearful after clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists led to revenge killings. Amnesty International said that the killings should be investigated as war crimes and accused government-affiliated militias of deliberately killing civilians. 'Our evidence indicates that government affiliated militias deliberately targeted civilians from the Alawite minority in gruesome reprisal attacks ' shooting individuals at close range in cold blood,' Agnès Callamard, secretary-general of the international human rights group, said in a statement. 'For two days, authorities failed to intervene to stop the killings.' The new authorities have, however, made progress in relations with Kurdish-led forces, which control much of the country's northeast. Turkish-backed former insurgent groups allied with the new authorities in Damascus had been fighting with Kurdish forces, but the clashes subsided after a landmark deal was reached between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the government in Damascus last month. On Thursday, SANA reported that a prisoner exchange had taken place in Aleppo between the SDF and forces affiliated with the new government in Damascus, with 250 prisoners slated to be released by both sides. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2025 10:14 AM IST | Syria | AP
Indian-American lawmakers not happy
Indian-American members of the US Congress and the diaspora community criticised the reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, calling them “reckless and self-destructive”, urging leaders in both countries to engage in dialogue to address these challenges. The lawmakers also said that Trump’s tariffs will likely make Indian goods less competitive. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said Trump’s blanket tariffs are a tax on working families so that he can cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans. “These latest so-called ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs are reckless and self-destructive, inflicting financial pain on Illinois at a time when people are already struggling to keep their small businesses afloat and put food on the table.” Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic lawmaker from Illinois, said the tariffs isolate the US on the global stage, alienate America’s allies, and empower its adversaries “all while forcing America’s seniors and working families to bear the brunt of higher prices”. He urged Americans to call on Trump to end his “disastrous” tariff policies before he sends the country into a recession. Congressman Ro Khanna said that the tariffs announcement “isn’t an April Fool’s joke”. “Trump is literally trying to destroy our economy with his Liberation Day tariffs slapped overnight, no strategy, no consultation, no congressional input.” Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera said in a post on X “These tariffs will not make America wealthy again. These costs will be passed onto you, the American consumer. This is not a tax cut. This is a tax hike”. Former advisor to President Joe Biden and Co-Chair for Economic Subcommittee for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Commission, Ajay Bhutoria said, “This policy will make Indian goods such as textiles, and pharmaceuticals less competitive, while tariffs on other major trading partners will drive up the cost of automobiles, groceries, medical supplies, and countless other products, hitting American consumers hard. India’s trade with the US in 2024 Exports: Biologicals ($8.1 bn), telecom ($6.5 bn), precious/semi-precious stones ($5.3 bn), petrol products ($4.1 bn), gold/jewellery ($3.2 bn), garments ($2.8 bn), iron/steel products ($2.7 bn). Imports: Crude oil ($4.5 bn), petroleum products ($3.6 bn), coal/coke ($3.4 bn), cut/polished diamonds ($2.6 bn), machinery ($1.4 bn), aircraft/spacecraft/parts ($1.3 bn), gold ($1.3 bn). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2025 08:25 AM IST | New York | Agencies
Donald Trump announces 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on India
The US has announced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India saying New Delhi imposes high import duties on American goods, as the Donald Trump administration aims to reduce the country’s trade deficit and boost manufacturing. The move is expected to impact India’s exports to the US. However, experts say that India is better-placed than its competitors who also face more levies. 60 countries targeted President Trump, in a historic measure to counter higher duties on American products imposed globally, announced reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries. “This is Liberation Day, a long-awaited moment. April 2, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again. We are going to make it wealthy, good, and wealthy,” Trump said in his remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday. 'US always pays more tariffs' He said that the US charges other countries only a 2.4 per cent tariff on motorcycles, but Thailand and others are charging much higher rates, like 60 per cent, India 70 per cent, Vietnam 75 per cent, and others charge even higher rates. As he announced the tariffs, he held up a chart that showed tariffs that countries such as India, China, the UK, and the European Union charge, along with the reciprocal tariffs now levied on these countries. 'Friend not treating us right' The chart indicated that India charged 52 per cent tariffs, including currency manipulation and trade barriers, and the US would now charge India a discounted reciprocal tariff of 26 per cent. But according to White House documents, there will be a 27 per cent duty on India. “India, very, very tough. The prime minister is a great friend of mine, but I said, you’re a friend of mine, but you’re not treating us right. They charge us 52 per cent. We charge them almost nothing for years and years and decades, and it was only seven years ago, when I came in, that we started with China,” Trump said. World markets take a hit Shares in Europe and Asia and US futures tumbled on Thursday The future for the S&P 500 dropped 3.1 per cent while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.6 per cent. Germany’s DAX fell 1.7 per cent to 21,998.48, while the CAC 40 in Paris lost 1.8 per cent to 7716.66. Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 1.2 per cent to 8506.44. In Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index dipped 4 per cent briefly, with automakers and banks taking big hits. It closed down 2.8 per cent at 34,735.93. China vows countermeasures China said it would adopt countermeasures after Trump imposed 34 per cent tariffs on its over $438 billion imports to America, the country’s third largest export market, and urged Washington to immediately cancel these duties. “There is no winner in a trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce. 'Major blow to world' Trump’s announcement of a new 20 per cent tariff on the EU drew a sharp rebuke from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She said it was a major blow to the world economy and the consequences “will be dire for millions of people”. Groceries, transport and medicines will cost more, she said, “and this is hurting, in particular, the most vulnerable citizens”. Von der Leyen acknowledged that the world trading system has “serious deficiencies” and said the EU was ready to negotiate with the US but also was prepared to respond with counter measures. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2025 08:24 AM IST | New York | Agencies
Donald Trump's full reciprocal tariffs list: Impacted countries and tariff rates
US President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday a 10 per cent baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States, threatening to upend much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger broader trade wars. Following his announcement of sweeping tariffs worldwide, US President Donald Trump said that a 10 per cent tariff will be imposed on all countries, effective April 5. Additionally, starting April 9, countries with the largest trade deficits with the US will face higher, individualised tariffs. The US has announced 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India saying New Delhi imposes high import duties on American goods, as the Donald Trump administration aims to reduce the country's trade deficit and boost manufacturing. The move is expected to impact India's exports to the US. Here is the full list of reciprocal tariffs that Donald Trump announced: 1. China: 34 per cent2. European Union: 20 per cent3. South Korea: 25 per cent4. India: 26 per cent5. Vietnam: 46 per cent6. Taiwan: 32 per cent7. Japan: 24 per cent8. Thailand: 36 per cent9. Switzerland: 31 per cent10. Indonesia: 32 per cent11. Malaysia: 24 per cent12. Cambodia: 49 per cent13. United Kingdom: 10 per cent14. South Africa: 30 per cent15. Brazil: 10 per cent16. Bangladesh: 37 per cent17. Singapore: 10 per cent18. Israel: 17 per cent19. Philippines: 17 per cent20. Chile: 10 per cent21. Australia: 10 per cent22. Pakistan: 29 per cent23. Turkey: 10 per cent24. Sri Lanka: 44 per cent25. Colombia: 10 per cent Donald Trump announces tariffs on all countries President Trump, in a historic measure to counter higher duties on American products imposed globally, announced reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries. "This is Liberation Day, a long-awaited moment. April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again. We are going to make it wealthy, good, and wealthy," Trump said in his remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday. He said that the United States charges other countries only a 2.4 per cent tariff on motorcycles, but Thailand and others are charging much higher rates, like 60 per cent, India 70 per cent, Vietnam 75 per cent, and others charge even higher rates. As he announced the tariffs, he held up a chart that showed the tariffs that countries such as India, China, the UK, and the European Union charge, along with the reciprocal tariffs that these countries will now have to pay. The chart indicated that India charged 52 per cent tariffs, including currency manipulation and trade barriers, and America would now charge India a discounted reciprocal tariff of 26 per cent. However, according to the White House documents, there will be a 27 per cent duty on India. "India, very, very tough. Very, very tough. The prime minister just left. He's a great friend of mine, but I said, you're a friend of mine, but you're not treating us right. They charge us 52 per cent. You have to understand, we charge them almost nothing for years and years and decades, and it was only seven years ago, when I came in, that we started with China," Trump said. Describing the tariffs as a "mixed bag and not a setback", an official in India said the commerce ministry is analysing the impact of 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on India. (With inputs from Agencies)
03 April,2025 11:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Donald Trump announces 10 per cent tariff on all countries, effective April 5
Following his announcement of sweeping tariffs worldwide, US President Donald Trump said that a 10 per cent tariff will be imposed on all countries, effective April 5. Additionally, starting April 9, countries with the largest trade deficits with the US will face higher, individualised tariffs. The White House in a fact sheet titled 'President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security' said, "President Trump is invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to address the national emergency posed by the large and persistent trade deficit that is driven by the absence of reciprocity in our trade relationships and other harmful policies like currency manipulation and exorbitant value-added taxes (VAT) perpetuated by other countries." It added, "Using his IEEPA authority, President Trump will impose a 10% tariff on all countries. This will take effect April 5, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT." The fact sheet further stated, "President Trump will impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. All other countries will continue to be subject to the original 10% tariff baseline. This will take effect April 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT." Tariffs will remain in effect until such a time as President Trump determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated. The fact sheet further stated, "Today's IEEPA Order also contains modification authority, allowing President Trump to increase the tariff if trading partners retaliate or decrease the tariffs if trading partners take significant steps to remedy non-reciprocal trade arrangements and align with the United States on economic and national security matters." Notably, Trump announced new import tariffs on Wednesday (local time), outlining the rates to be imposed on countries around the world, with India facing a 26 percent tariff. At the Make America Wealthy Again Event, Trump said, "The United States charges other countries only a 2.4 tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others are charging much higher prices like 60%, India charges 70%, Vietnam charges 75% and others are even higher than that." The US President further said that a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed on all foreign-made automobiles."Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk. I don't blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren't doing their job...Effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles," Trump said. The import tariffs on other major countries are China (34 per cent), European Union (20 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Taiwan (32 per cent), Japan (24 per cent), India (26 per cent), United Kingdom (10 per cent), Bangladesh (37 per cent), Pakistan (29 per cent), Sri Lanka (44 per cent), Israel (17 per cent). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:31 AM IST | Washington | ANI
"You are not treating us right": Donald Trump announces 26 pc tariffs on India
US President Donald Trump announced new import tariffs on Wednesday (local time), outlining the rates to be imposed on countries around the world, with India facing a 26 per cent tariff. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "great friend," Trump said that India charges the US 52 per cent, and "we charge them almost nothing." Trump's announcement came while he addressed the Make America Wealthy Again Event. At the event, Trump said, "India very, very tough. The Prime Minister just left and is a great friend of mine, but you are not treating us right. They charge us 52 per cent and we charge them almost nothing..." Trump further said, "The United States charges other countries only a 2.4 tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others are charging much higher prices like 60%, India charges 70%, Vietnam charges 75% and others are even higher than that." The US President further said that a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed on all foreign-made automobiles. "Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk. I don't blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren't doing their job...Effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles," Trump said. The import tariffs on other major countries are China (34 per cent), European Union (20 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Taiwan (32 per cent), Japan (24 per cent), India (26 per cent), United Kingdom (10 per cent), Bangladesh (37 per cent), Pakistan (29 per cent), Sri Lanka (44 per cent), Israel (17 per cent). Trump at the event the US President also emphasised that after decades of exploitation, the era of American taxpayers being "ripped off" was over. Trump said, "Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it is not going to happen anymore." Trump further said, "In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal: That means they do it to us and we do it to them. This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history. It is our Declaration of Economic Independence. For years, hardworking American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense. With today's action, we are finally going to be able to make America great again, greater than ever before." Earlier on Tuesday, the White House had said that the tariffs would go into effect immediately. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:28 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Chinese military veterans to teach at Tibetan schools
China is assigning military veterans as “on-campus instructors” in schools throughout Tibet, aiming to provide military and political training to children as young as six, according to sources within Tibet who are confirming state media reports about this new initiative, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA). This action intends to cultivate loyalty toward the Chinese government from an early age, a strategy that experts suggest indicates a heightened effort by Beijing to assimilate and diminish Tibetan identity, as noted by RFA. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:19 AM IST | China | Agencies
110-year-old lemon part of MI5 exhibition
A 110-year-old lemon that played a key role in espionage history is one of the star attractions of a London exhibition drawn from the files of MI5, Britain’s intel agency. Compact spy cameras, microdots in a talcum powder tin and a briefcase abandoned by fleeing Soviet spy Guy Burgess are also part of the show at Britain’s National Archives, charting the history of a secretive agency. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:19 AM IST | London | Agencies
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari hospitalised in Karachi
President Asif Ali Zardari was admitted to a private hospital here after his health deteriorated, according to a media report. Zardari, 69, was brought to the hospital from Nawabshah, about 300-odd kilometres from Karachi, following complaints of fever and an infection. President Zardari underwent several medical tests, and doctors are closely monitoring his condition, it said. The Associated Press of Pakistan said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inquired Zardari’s health on telephone and prayed for an early recovery for him. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:17 AM IST | Karachi | Agencies
US: Record set for longest Senate speech
In a remarkable display of determination, US Senator Cory Booker has shattered the record for the longest floor speech in modern Senate history. Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, surpassed the late Senator Strom Thurmond’s 1957 record of 24 hours and 18 minutes, CNN reported. Booker began his speech at 7 pm on Monday (local time) and continued through the night, vowing to keep speaking as long as he was physically able. His marathon speech is a protest against actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration. The speech delayed legislative business in the Senate. It was largely symbolic, as Booker is not attempting to block any specific legislation. Booker’s speech follows voter pressure to take a tougher stance against Trump. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:16 AM IST | Washington | Agencies
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen heads for Greenland visit
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is travelling to Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day trip aimed at building the trust of Greenlandic officials at a time that the Trump administration is seeking control of the vast Arctic territory. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans for her visit after US Vice President JD Vance visited a US air base in Greenland last week and accused Denmark of underinvesting in the territory. Greenland is a mineral-rich, strategically critical island that is becoming more accessible due to climate change. Trump has said that the landmass is critical to US security. It is part of North America but is a semiautonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 April,2025 08:15 AM IST | Nuuk | Agencies