Times of India

On April 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" on over 60 countries, triggering a wave of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace memes that turned satire into prophecy. Internet users invoked Trade Federation blockades, Queen Amidala’s warnings, and Palpatine’s power grabs to make sense of Trump’s tariff regime, which bypasses Congress via executive authority. The film, once mocked for its political themes, now feels eerily prescient. As global trade convulses and Walmart prices rise, memes have become both coping mechanism and analysis. In a world of penguin tariffs and populist economics, maybe George Lucas was right all along.

Baba Vanga, the Bulgarian mystic, predicted significant changes for specific zodiac signs. Aries will rethink their goals, Taurus will see financial shifts, Gemini will focus on self-improvement, Leo will achieve emotional breakthroughs, and Aquarius will experience changes in family life. Her insights suggest important transformations and opportunities for growth in the near future.

Ajinkya Rahane disciplined Yashasvi Jaiswal during the 2022 Duleep Trophy final, sending him off the field for aggressive sledging. The resurfaced video coincides with Jaiswal’s switch from Mumbai to Goa for the 2025–26 season. Jaiswal’s move is seen as a major boost for Goa, highlighting his fiery ambition and Rahane’s influence on his discipline.

Microsoft AI VP Nando de Freitas acknowledged Google's DeepMind for its new AI models while addressing restrictive employment contracts at DeepMind. He received multiple requests for help from distressed DeepMind employees regarding notice periods and noncompete agreements but directed them to internal leadership instead.

Not one or two but at least five leaders submitted their resignations as the bill was passed, first in Lok Sabha and then the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Friday, respectively. ​The latest to resign from the party was Nadeem Akhtar, his resignation follows that of four other leaders, including JD(U) leader Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, and Mohammed Kasim Ansari.

Soma Das, a cancer survivor, is the sole teacher exempted from job termination among 25,753 affected by the Supreme Court's decision to scrap appointments. Although personally relieved, Das expresses distress over the loss of jobs for other deserving teachers due to alleged failures by the government and SSC.

Jos Buttler, former England captain, shared his experiences with the Gujarat Titans and his career evolution. He discussed batting order roles, the use of data in cricket, and influence of other sports. Buttler hopes to continue playing international cricket despite stepping down as captain after England's recent disappointing ICC event results.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, officially removing him from office for declaring martial law. The court found Yoon's actions violated the constitution. His removal ignited strong reactions and sets the stage for fresh elections amid ongoing political tensions.

Indian stock market indices, BSE Sensex and Nifty50, suffered significant declines on Friday, triggered by US recession fears and new tariffs announced by American President Donald Trump.

Apple faces a tough decision as new tariffs by President Trump could increase iPhone prices by up to 43%. Without exemptions, Apple may absorb or pass on these costs, potentially raising the iPhone 16 Pro Max to $2,300. Analysts suggest Apple may only transfer a fraction of the costs to consumers, impacting their bottom line.

White House has revised downward to 26% the reciprocal tariff on India from an initially published 27%. Several countries experienced their rates varying slightly before final rates were confirmed.

The Enforcement Directorate searched locations linked to Kerala-based businessman Gokulam Gopalan for alleged foreign exchange violations. The investigation, under FEMA, includes Chennai and Kochi premises. Gopalan is involved in producing the film "L2: Empuraan", which has faced criticism and received an apology from actor Mohanlal for controversial content.

Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing faces protests at a regional summit in Bangkok, as his country reels from a deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake. Despite international aid efforts, the military's response remains lacking, with survivors struggling for basic necessities amid ongoing military offensives.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced the party's intent to challenge the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court following its passage in both houses of Parliament. The bill faced opposition from several parties, while Prime Minister Modi lauded it as a move towards transparency and socio-economic justice, especially benefiting marginalized Muslim communities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the sixth Bimstec Summit in Bangkok, where he discussed key areas of cooperation with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Modi also attended cultural events, highlighting the shared cultural ties between India and Thailand, including a performance of the Thai Ramayana.