President Trump announced new tariffs on major trading partners, including India and China, during a speech at the White House on April 2. These "reciprocal tariffs" match the duties these countries have imposed on US goods, with India set to face a 26% tariff and China set at 34%. The tariffs will go into effect on April 9 at 12:01 am local time, sparking concerns for industries such as automobiles, with companies like Volkswagen already taking action to mitigate the impact.
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by hinting at ways to stay in power beyond his second term. While the 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms to two, Trump believes there are "methods" to get around it. This raises concerns about the sanctity of democracy and the potential for abuse of power. The idea of a third term for any president has been largely rejected in American history, making this a crucial issue to watch.
In a stunning revelation, the British Monarch is reportedly planning to offer the United States an "associate membership" status in the Commonwealth during President Trump's state visit to the UK. Trump has already shown support for the idea, expressing his approval through a tweet on his Truth Social account. This move is seen as a way for the King to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and symbolize their close ties.
Amidst speculations about King Charles' interest in having the United States join the British Commonwealth, the monarch recently made a 'secret offer' to US President Donald Trump. While the news caused a stir, with many questioning the possibility and implications of such a move, Trump himself responded positively to the offer on his newly created Truth Social platform. The move has sparked discussions about the potential implications on the political ties between the US and UK, given the latter's independence from the former in 1776.
Boeing's selection to design and build the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet for the US Air Force marks a significant shift in the future of American military aviation. The decision deals a major blow to rival Lockheed Martin, as Boeing will now play a leading role in shaping US air superiority. The NGAD program, expected to cost billions of dollars, aims to produce a cutting-edge fighter jet capable of operating in highly contested environments and countering threats from China and Russia. The contract also includes development of collaborative combat drones to work alongside the F-47.
In a grand display of patriotism and praise, President Trump was honored with a massive drone show in Florida upon his return to the White House for his second term. The display featured images of Trump himself and promoted themes of unity and hope, while praising him as a historic president and a champion of freedom. This celebration was one of the many events that have marked Trump's highly-anticipated return to the presidency, where he has already signed a record number of executive orders aimed at shaping the country's future.
After nearly nine months in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth in the early hours of Wednesday, landing on the Florida coast. Their successful return was captured in a historic video showing dolphins swimming around their capsule, as they were welcomed by the NASA team and transported to safety by Coast Guard personnel. This marks another successful mission for SpaceX, with CEO Elon Musk congratulating the team and thanking President Trump for prioritizing these endeavors.
The Israeli government confirmed that they consulted with the Trump administration before launching a wave of airstrikes on Gaza, killing over 400 people. Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, has accused the U.S. of bearing full responsibility for the attacks. The strikes came after Trump's ultimatum to release all remaining hostages or face the consequences, raising questions about what more can be done to pressure Hamas. The White House has not explicitly stated that the strikes were in response to Trump's threat, but warned that "all hell" will break loose on Iran and its allied militias, including Hamas.
During a three-hour podcast with AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised US President Donald Trump for his unwavering commitment to his nation, resilience in the face of attempted assassinations, and humility in sitting among the audience during the iconic "Howdy Modi" event in Houston. Modi also noted their shared commitment to prioritizing their nations' interests and expressed faith in Trump's preparedness and vision for his second term. He also called for greater personal interactions between global leaders, instead of relying on media perceptions.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top US official Tulsi Gabbard held wide-ranging talks on enhancing ties between the two countries, with a focus on defence and information sharing. This high-level visit marks the first by a top Trump administration official since he took office. Gabbard also met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and attended a conclave of global intelligence czars in New Delhi, discussing ways to strengthen intelligence sharing and security cooperation.