Author: Supriya Jena

  • Trump Increases China Tariffs to 125%: What’s Next

    Trump Increases China Tariffs to 125%: What’s Next

    US President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on Chinese products to 125%, up from 104%. He announced this on social media, explaining that he is pausing extra tariffs on other countries because they are willing to talk instead of fighting back. Trump criticized China for a “lack of respect.”

    In response, China has placed tariffs of 84% on US goods. Since he took office in January, Trump has raised tariffs on China five times.

    China has made it clear it won’t back down in this trade war, promising to fight hard. They have also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing Trump of being a bully.

    What might China do next? They could limit exports of rare earth minerals used in computers and electric car batteries, as they control a lot of the world’s supply. China might increase tariffs on US agricultural products and high-profile companies like Apple and Tesla, but they want to keep attracting investments.

    Beijing could even ban American movies or products to retaliate. A recent editorial in China’s People’s Daily newspaper suggested turning this pressure into a chance to grow their own economy, focusing more on local sales.

  • IIT Grad Warns About Gift Card Scam: Stay Safe Online

    IIT Grad Warns About Gift Card Scam: Stay Safe Online

    An IIT graduate, Aaditya Aanand, recently shared an important warning on LinkedIn about a “new scam” trying to trick people. Someone pretended to be him and nearly scammed his colleague, Anupam, out of money by asking him to buy gift cards worth ₹10,000 each.

    The scam started when Anupam received an email that looked like it was from Aaditya. It said, “Why haven’t you responded to my last email?” However, Anupam noticed something strange and decided to ask Aaditya directly through WhatsApp.

    They soon figured out that it was a scam. The imposter claimed that Aaditya wanted to surprise their team with gift cards and asked Anupam to quickly buy 5-6 cards, promising he would pay him back. Aaditya found it scary that the scammer seemed very convincing and created a sense of urgency.

    To help others, Aaditya shared screenshots of the conversation between Anupam and the scammer. He urged everyone to be careful and to spread the word about these types of scams. He wrote, “Please don’t fall for these things. Scammers are everywhere, especially in today’s digital world where privacy feels non-existent.”

    If you ever get fake messages, emails, or calls, or if you think you’ve been scammed, you can report it online at the National Cyber Crime Reporting portal: [https://cybercrime.gov.in/](https://cybercrime.gov.in/). You can create an account there using your phone number and email.

  • Maryland Man, 23, Found Dead on Bahamas Trip – Family Seeks Justice

    Maryland Man, 23, Found Dead on Bahamas Trip – Family Seeks Justice

    A young man from Maryland died while he was on vacation in the Bahamas with his family. Dinari McAlmont, 23, was found dead at a private beach resort just hours after arriving on the island. His mother, Michelle McAlmont, believes he was “beaten to death.”

    Dinari was from Bowie, Maryland, and traveled to the Bahamas with his parents on April 4. They were staying at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort. Dinari was last seen having dinner with his family. He went out to get a jacket and explore the resort just before 9 pm, according to reports.

    Officials at the resort claimed that Dinari spat on some staff members in a restaurant. After they couldn’t find him, Michelle filed a missing person report since Dinari’s phone wasn’t working. She disagreed with the resort’s story about Dinari.

    Search teams found Dinari’s body on the beach on Paradise Island around 5:30 am on April 5. The police are investigating what happened. Michelle saw a photo of her son and said, “He was beaten; he was traumatized.” She described his face as damaged with foam on his teeth and sand in his hair. She believes he was attacked and is asking for justice for her son.

    Dinari’s parents are now looking for a lawyer who specializes in international cases. “I expect a complete investigation,” Michelle said. The resort expressed sadness over the event and said they are cooperating with the police investigation.

    The US Department of State had warned travelers about safety risks in the Bahamas as more crimes against tourists have been reported recently.

  • Unique Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: Ancient Populations Found in Odisha

    Unique Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: Ancient Populations Found in Odisha

    A long study of Olive Ridley sea turtles, lasting 16 years, has discovered something amazing: the turtles nesting in Odisha, India, are very unique compared to others around the world and are older than those found in South America. These Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest of the sea turtles and usually lay their eggs at Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches in Odisha. Rushikulya is one of the biggest places in the world for turtle nesting, alongside beaches in Mexico and Costa Rica.

    Just last month, a record-breaking 1.3 million Olive Ridley turtles laid their eggs at these beaches in Odisha, beating the old record of 1.15 million from 2023. Between March 20 and March 27, around 200,000 turtles returned to Rushikulya to nest.

    The study, called “Monitoring Sea Turtles in India 2008-2024,” was done by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), based in Dehradun, and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). It was published by the Indian Institute of Science and Dakhin Foundation in Bengaluru. Scientists looked at the genetics of sea turtles along India’s coast and nearby islands. They found that the turtles in the Indian Ocean, especially on India’s eastern coast, are the oldest populations of Olive Ridleys. In contrast, the turtles in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans separated from the Indian Ocean turtles only about 300,000 to 400,000 years ago.

    Earlier, people thought that about 3 million years ago, when the Panama Isthmus appeared, it separated the Olive Ridley turtles into two groups: one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific. They believed that the oldest Olive Ridley turtles should be found in Central America. However, this new study shows that the first Olive Ridley turtles actually survived in the Indian Ocean and were only found in the Atlantic and Pacific later on.

    The study also mentioned that as global temperatures rise, sea turtle populations could become more female. For example, over the past 15 years, researchers monitored the temperatures of turtle nests and the ratio of baby turtles by gender at Rushikulya, India’s largest nesting site. They found that around 71% of the hatchlings in Rushikulya were female on average. Some years had even more female hatchlings because of higher temperatures.

    Shanker, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Science and Dakhin Foundation, said they are still trying to understand why mass nesting, called arribada, doesn’t happen every year. “We need more data over 15 to 20 years to find a pattern,” he explained. It’s still a mystery why these turtles all come together to nest and what stops them in certain years.

  • Sanju Samson Fined Rs 24 Lakh for Slow Over-Rate in IPL 2025

    Sanju Samson Fined Rs 24 Lakh for Slow Over-Rate in IPL 2025

    Rajasthan Royals captain, Sanju Samson, has been fined a big amount of Rs 24 lakh because his team played too slowly during their IPL 2025 match against the Gujarat Titans at the Narenda Modi Stadium on Wednesday. The Royals were trying to chase a tough target of 218 runs but ended up getting all out for just 159 runs in only 19.2 overs, losing by 58 runs.

    This fine was for a slow over-rate, which means they took too long to complete their bowling. The IPL made an announcement on Thursday saying this was the Royals’ second time this season for the same issue. According to the IPL rules, when this happens the captain gets fined a bigger amount, while other players, including those who played as substitutes, will be fined Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever is smaller.

    After the game, Samson said his team lost control at important moments, and they gave away about 15 to 20 extra runs while bowling. Although the Royals have done well when they bat first, they have struggled when chasing high scores, and Samson acknowledges they need to improve.

    Currently, the Gujarat Titans are on top of the table with four wins and one loss. In contrast, the Rajasthan Royals are in seventh place with just two wins and three losses in their first five matches.

  • Is a $3,200 Deposit Coming for Social Security in April 2025

    Is a $3,200 Deposit Coming for Social Security in April 2025

    Have you heard about a possible $3,200 direct deposit for Social Security recipients in April 2025? You’re not the only one! Many people who rely on Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or Veterans Affairs benefits are hoping this money will land in their bank accounts soon.

    But here’s the important truth: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has not confirmed this payment yet. The rumor is spreading fast on social media and in some news stories, but until we hear from the SSA, we shouldn’t rely on it.

    Currently, the SSA is still sending out regular monthly payments to people based on their qualifications. This includes retirees, disabled individuals, and veterans who qualify for programs like SSI and SSDI. Even if you wait until age 70 to start your Social Security, you might get back $3,200 or more, although most people will receive a smaller amount. The 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 is a helpful increase to deal with rising living costs.

    So who might qualify for the rumored $3,200 deposit? Reports say the eligibility criteria could include being a U.S. citizen, at least 65 years old, a low-income earner, and having work history with SSA contributions (especially for younger people).

    To check if you qualify for any payments, the best way is to visit the official SSA website: www.ssa.gov.

    Here’s the typical payment schedule for April 2025:
    – April 1, 2025 (Tuesday): SSI recipients who started getting payments in 1997 or earlier
    – April 3, 2025 (Thursday): SSDI recipients who started before 1997
    – April 9, 2025 (2nd Wednesday): Birthdays between 1st–10th
    – April 16, 2025 (3rd Wednesday): Birthdays between 11th–20th
    – April 23, 2025 (4th Wednesday): Birthdays between 21st–31st

    Quick Fact Check: It’s currently unclear if the $3,200 payment will actually happen because the SSA hasn’t verified this information. Always be cautious about misinformation and check the official SSA website to find the truth.

  • UK Court Ruling Threatens India’s Extradition Efforts for Fugitives

    UK Court Ruling Threatens India’s Extradition Efforts for Fugitives

    Top Indian government and law enforcement officials are worried. A recent decision by the UK high court stopped India from appealing to extradite Sanjay Bhandari, an arms dealer. This ruling could set a worrying precedent, making it very hard for India to bring back other wanted criminals like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi from the UK.

    The court mentioned that Bhandari might face serious risks, like extortion or violence, if he were sent to Tihar jail in India. This statement could make it tougher for India to request the extradition of other criminals because fugitives in other countries might use similar claims to avoid being sent back.

    There are currently 178 extradition requests from India to various countries, with more than 20 specifically pending in the UK. High-profile fugitives include:

    – Vijay Mallya: The former liquor baron who owes money.
    – Nirav Modi: The jeweler involved in a big fraud case.
    – Mehul Choksi: Another fugitive in Belgium.
    – Zakir Naik: An Islamic preacher in Malaysia.
    – Other criminals in countries like Nigeria, the US, and Canada.

    India has extradition treaties with 48 countries and arrangements with 12 others. Due to the recent ruling, many fugitives could use the argument of poor prison conditions in India to their advantage.

    A senior official said, “The Sanjay Bhandari ruling could affect all these other extradition requests. It will be challenging to get anyone from some of these countries.”

    As for Bhandari, he is not coming back to India through extradition. His passport was taken away in March 2018, which means he is living in the UK illegally.

    Indian officials are now trying to declare him a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO), which means they can take his assets worldwide. There’s a decision coming soon from a court in Delhi.

    The FEO law was made in 2018 to stop economic offenders from hiding outside India. The law helps authorities confiscate illegally gained money and properties, provided the case involves more than ₹100 crore ($12 million).

    Bhandari is under investigation for having undeclared income of about £64.85 million (around ₹606 crore) and evading taxes. He is accused of being involved in large defense contracts and other corruption cases involving high-profile individuals.

    In 2016, he fled India and an Interpol notice was issued against him. His extradition requests were certified by the former UK home secretary Priti Patel in 2020. British authorities arrested him in July 2020, but he was later released on bail. His request to challenge extradition was accepted by a higher court.

  • Zelensky Accuses Russia of Involving China in Ukraine Conflict

    Zelensky Accuses Russia of Involving China in Ukraine Conflict

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of involving China in the Ukraine war, calling it “the second biggest mistake” made by President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky stated, “This is the second mistake for Russia. The first was North Korea,” referring to how Russia brings other countries into conflict.

    Zelensky also claimed that he has proof that Russian forces are recruiting Chinese citizens to fight. He mentioned having details on more than 150 Chinese nationals deployed at the front lines. Recently, Ukraine’s army captured two Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region.

    To support his claims, Zelensky shared a video showing one of the captured Chinese soldiers in military clothes, making combat sounds, and speaking a few words in Mandarin. Ukrainian officials found Chinese ID cards and contracts for military service with them.

    China quickly rejected Zelensky’s claims, saying they do not have many citizens involved in the war. A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry warned Chinese nationals to stay away from conflict zones, calling Zelensky’s accusations “absolutely groundless.” He reminded everyone that the Chinese government advises its citizens to avoid any involvement in armed conflicts.

    Zelensky also accused North Korea of sending over 10,000 soldiers to help Russia last year after Ukraine launched an attack on the western Kursk region.

  • Supreme Court Challenges Controversial Ruling on Sexual Assault Case

    Supreme Court Challenges Controversial Ruling on Sexual Assault Case

    A decision by the Allahabad High Court said that just grabbing someone’s breast and tugging at their pajama strings is not considered rape. This decision caused a lot of anger and has been challenged by the mother of the victim. On March 26, the Supreme Court took notice of this decision and paused it, which means it’s not in effect right now.

    Recently, a group including the victim’s mother and an organization called ‘Just Rights For Children Alliance’ asked the Supreme Court to look at this important issue again. The Supreme Court connected this case to the earlier decision they paused. The judges also ordered the court records to hide the victim’s name, so she can stay safe and private.

    During a previous hearing, the judges shared their concern about the original ruling, saying it shows a complete lack of understanding. They noted that the decision was made four months after the judges had a serious discussion about it, meaning they had plenty of time to think it through.

  • Devastating Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic: Celebrities Speak Out

    Devastating Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic: Celebrities Speak Out

    Recently, a serious accident happened at a famous nightclub called Jet Set in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The roof suddenly fell down, causing a terrible disaster. Sadly, at least 124 people lost their lives, and many others are still trapped under the debris.

    After hearing the sad news, several well-known celebrities shared their sympathies on social media. Cardi B, whose dad is from the Dominican Republic, posted a picture of the country with a black ribbon to show her sadness. Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña also expressed her feelings by sharing a message from a production company, saying, “Today, our hearts break over the tragic roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub. We are sending love and strength to the victims and their families. In tough times like this, let’s stick together and show kindness.”

    Singer Prince Royce, who is also Dominican-American, took to Instagram to say, “My prayers are with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. Wishing you peace and strength.” Emilio Estefan, a popular musician, also wrote, “We stand united with the Dominican Republic in this sad moment. We are thinking of the families affected. Our prayers are with you.”