In a closely watched speech in Chicago, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade policies and escalating tariff measures have pushed the US economy into “uncharted waters,” with inflation expected to rise and long-term uncertainty looming large.

Powell highlighted that the scale of tariff hikes introduced by the Trump administration is “significantly larger than anticipated,” and the ongoing ambiguity surrounding trade relations could cause lasting harm to economic stability.

“These are very fundamental policy changes,” Powell remarked. “There isn’t a modern experience of how to think about this.”

While recent data shows the US economy remains relatively stable, Powell acknowledged a slowdown and emphasized that inflation could rise as tariffs trickle down to consumers. The Fed, responsible for maintaining full employment and price stability, now faces challenges on both fronts due to the tariffs.

Markets responded with sharp volatility—Wall Street saw the Nasdaq drop over 4%, the S&P 500 by more than 3%, and the Dow Jones by over 2%. Tech firm Nvidia led losses, plunging over 10% amid rising costs linked to new US export restrictions on semiconductors—a byproduct of tensions with China.

Despite the turmoil, President Trump expressed optimism on social media, citing “Big Progress!” in trade negotiations with Japan. His administration is pursuing individual trade deals, arguing they will reduce barriers and bring manufacturing back to the US.

However, this strategy coincides with deepening conflict with China, which faces tariffs of up to 145% on various exports. In response, Beijing imposed duties of up to 125% on US goods.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged Washington to negotiate “on the basis of equality,” warning, “There is no winner in a tariff war. China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight.”

In a forceful stance on immigration and national security, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that visas are not entitlements but privileges that can be revoked if misused. Writing in an opinion piece for Fox News, Rubio said the U.S. government reserves the right to revoke or deny visas to those engaged in activities deemed hostile to American values or in violation of U.S. law.

His remarks follow a wave of pro-Palestine protests on American college campuses and tech workplaces, which he characterized as “antisemitic” and disruptive, allegedly fueled by “foreign agitators.” Rubio stated that the government will act against any visa holders found supporting terrorist organizations or intimidating U.S. citizens under the guise of free speech.

“The First Amendment doesn’t protect foreign nationals who engage in activities supporting designated terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hizballah, or the Houthis,” he wrote.

Backing this warning, the Biden administration—under Trump’s executive order, Protecting the American People Against Invasion—has rolled out sweeping new visa regulations effective April 11, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security mandates that all non-citizens aged 18 or older must carry identification, including visas or green cards, at all times.

Moreover, foreign nationals must register with the federal government within 30 days of arrival or turning 14, and submit biometric data regardless of their status. Legal permanent residents are also subject to these provisions.

Rubio underscored that visa holders must “prove themselves worthy” daily, declaring that those who violate the terms of their stay or U.S. law will face deportation or visa revocation.

“America welcomes those who contribute to our nation—not those who seek to destroy it from within,” he concluded.

At least 21 people were killed and 83 injured in a devastating Russian ballistic missile strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, according to Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. The attack, one of the deadliest of the year, has drawn sharp condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who urged the international community to respond forcefully to what he labeled as terrorism.

“Only scoundrels act like this—taking the lives of ordinary people,” Zelenskiy wrote on social media, posting video footage that showed burned vehicles, charred bodies, and widespread destruction in a bustling city street. He emphasized the symbolic weight of the attack occurring on Palm Sunday, a sacred Christian holiday, calling it a deliberate assault on civilians during a religious feast.

Interior Minister Klymenko said victims included people on the street, inside vehicles and public transport, and within residential and commercial buildings. “This is deliberate destruction of civilians on a holy day,” he stated.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss a potential peace deal, an effort shadowed by Sunday’s bloodshed. Ukrainian official Andriy Kovalenko implied that Russia is using such diplomacy as a smokescreen for continued attacks on civilians.

In response, Zelenskiy renewed his appeal to Western allies, insisting that pressure—not dialogue—is needed to stop the violence. “Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles or bombs,” he said.

Russia has yet to comment on the strike. Meanwhile, Moscow has accused Kyiv of breaching a U.S.-brokered pause on targeting energy infrastructure—an agreement both nations now appear to be disregarding as strikes continue.

Russia’s invasion, now in its third year, has left Ukraine battered and increasingly reliant on foreign support amid growing war fatigue in the West.

China on Friday announced it will raise tariffs on US goods to 125% from the current 84%, intensifying its trade standoff with the United States. The move comes just hours after President Xi Jinping urged the European Union to stand with Beijing against “unilateral bullying”—a pointed reference to the aggressive tariff hikes imposed by US President Donald Trump.

This latest round of Chinese tariffs, effective Saturday, follows the US decision earlier this week to hike duties on Chinese imports to a staggering 145%. The Chinese finance ministry dismissed further US moves, saying, “At the current tariff level, there is no possibility of market acceptance for US goods exported to China.”

China condemned the repeated US tariff hikes, calling them a “numbers game” devoid of economic rationale. “If the US continues to play this game, China will ignore it,” a finance ministry spokesperson said. Beijing also blamed Washington for triggering global economic instability, saying, “The US should bear full responsibility for the turbulence in global markets.”

Interestingly, China claimed that Trump’s decision to pause tariffs on all other countries for 90 days came under Chinese pressure. However, the White House framed its increased tariffs on Beijing as a response to a “lack of respect” from the Chinese side.

Earlier, when the US hiked duties on Chinese goods to 104%, China retaliated by raising its tariffs from 34% to 84%. The current escalation marks a dramatic turn in the world’s largest trade conflict.

In a meeting with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xi warned there are “no winners” in a trade war and urged the EU to partner with China to defend global economic fairness. “Joint resistance to unilateral bullying is essential,” Xi stressed.

In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, President Donald Trump has enforced an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods, raising the total tariff to a staggering 104%. The move follows Trump's 24-hour ultimatum for Beijing to withdraw its retaliatory 34% tariff on U.S. products—an order that China openly defied.

The White House announced the tariff hike on Wednesday, declaring it a necessary response to China’s “unfair and abusive” trade practices. "China has robbed and ripped off the U.S. economy for far too long," Trump said, referencing Beijing’s historically higher tariffs on American goods.

Until last month, U.S. tariffs on China stood at 10%. That changed rapidly after Trump unveiled his "reciprocal tariff" policy—pledging to charge nations half of what they impose on the U.S. For China, that added 34%, pushing the total to 44%. Just last week, a "baseline" 10% tariff on all countries was introduced under a declared "national emergency" tied to trade deficits and security threats, bumping China’s total tariff load to 54%.

With today’s additional 50%, China now faces a punitive 104% levy—effectively doubling within a week. Despite the aggressive stance, Trump hinted at potential talks, posting on Truth Social, "China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don't know how to get it started. We are waiting for their call."

China, however, remains defiant. In a scathing response, its commerce ministry labeled the U.S. move “blackmail,” warning that Beijing “will fight to the end” if pushed further.

The unprecedented tariff hike has shaken global markets, which saw their steepest drop since the COVID-19 crisis. With both economic giants refusing to back down, the world braces for the fallout of a full-scale trade war

In a political thunderclap reverberating across France and beyond, Marine Le Pen was convicted Monday for embezzling EU funds via a fake jobs scheme. The Paris court sentenced her to four years in prison — two suspended and two to be served under electronic surveillance — alongside a hefty fine and a five-year ban from standing for public office.

The ban strikes a major blow to Le Pen’s long-nurtured ambition of capturing the Élysée Palace in 2027, a race where she was considered the frontrunner. Addressing party lawmakers defiantly, the 56-year-old firebrand framed the ruling as "the system unleashing its nuclear option" to block her path. “They wouldn’t do this unless they knew we were about to win,” she declared.

While Le Pen prepares to appeal the verdict, her party — the National Rally (RN) — is rallying around its “Plan B”: 29-year-old party president Jordan Bardella, who enjoys rising popularity with younger voters and a slick digital presence. Bardella has accused the judiciary of delivering a verdict “with brutality,” claiming it could actually energize the RN’s base ahead of 2027.

The ruling drew sharp reactions worldwide. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Kremlin all expressed outrage, with Trump comparing Le Pen’s situation to the “lawfare” he says he faced. Meanwhile, France’s justice ministry has slammed attacks on judicial independence, insisting the verdict was purely legal.

Political analysts warn this could deepen France’s constitutional crisis. With the RN being the largest party in parliament, Prime Minister François Bayrou could face intensified legislative gridlock.

Still, Bardella remains resolute: “We are wounded, but far from dead. The fight for the presidency is not over — it may have just begun.”

Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza to seize “large areas,” Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday. The ongoing offensive aims to dismantle Hamas infrastructure while establishing new security zones for Israel.

Katz did not specify which areas would be seized but emphasized that operations include extensive evacuations. He urged Gaza residents to “expel Hamas and return all hostages,” calling this the only way to end the war. Hamas still holds 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive.

The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has intensified, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting over 50,000 Palestinian deaths. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel claims it has killed approximately 20,000 militants but has not provided supporting evidence.

Israel's security perimeter along Gaza's northern and eastern borders has long been a defensive measure, shielding Israeli communities from attacks. The expanded operation signals a shift in Israel’s strategy, potentially reshaping Gaza’s territorial control.

Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have escalated since a temporary ceasefire ended two weeks ago. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with widespread displacement and destruction. International calls for de-escalation have grown, but Israel insists its operations will persist until Hamas is dismantled and hostages are freed.

The situation remains volatile, with no immediate resolution in sight. As Israel presses forward, the war’s toll continues to rise, fueling debates over security, territorial control, and the humanitarian impact on Gaza’s population.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is expected to step back from his government role under U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a Politico report citing three sources close to Trump. Musk, who had been tasked with leading efforts to cut government spending and restructure federal agencies, will soon return to focusing on his business ventures.

The decision was reportedly made in recent days after discussions between Trump and Musk. While the exact timeline of his departure remains unclear, sources suggest that Musk’s role as a special government employee was always meant to be temporary.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been an influential figure in Trump’s administration, advising on regulatory rollbacks and economic policies. His involvement in government affairs had sparked both support and criticism, with some praising his efficiency-driven approach while others raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

Neither the White House nor Musk’s team has officially confirmed the report. Representatives from the Musk-led task force, which was created to streamline federal agencies and reduce wasteful spending, have also not commented on the matter.

This development comes as Musk continues to expand his business empire, with major projects underway at Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. His departure could signal a shift in Trump’s approach to governance and economic policy, particularly in the tech and energy sectors.

While Musk’s influence in Washington has been significant, his expected return to private industry suggests that his government role was a strategic but short-term collaboration. Whether Trump will appoint a replacement to continue Musk’s work remains uncertain.

Days after hinting at a third presidential term, Donald Trump issued an executive order introducing sweeping changes to the U.S. electoral system, triggering a lawsuit from the Democratic Party. The order, titled Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, mandates stricter voter registration requirements, including citizenship proof, and limits mail-in ballot counting.

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, challenged the order in court, calling it unconstitutional. "The President does not get to dictate election rules," their lawsuit stated, warning of potential voter disenfranchisement. Advocacy groups also condemned the move, labeling it an abuse of executive power.

Trump defended the order as the "most far-reaching" action to prevent election fraud, a claim he has repeatedly made since losing in 2020. He cited India’s voter ID system as a model, arguing that proof of citizenship is essential for electoral integrity.

Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks about a third term have fueled speculation. In a recent interview, he declared, "No, I'm not joking" when asked about seeking re-election beyond 2028. Though the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms, amending it would require overwhelming support in Congress and from state legislatures—a challenging feat.

Historically, Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only president to have served more than two terms, winning four elections before his death in 1945. The two-term rule was formally established in 1951. While some Trump allies advocate for extending his presidency, legal and political hurdles make such a move highly improbable.

For now, Trump’s immediate battle remains in the courts, where his executive order faces fierce opposition from Democrats and civil rights groups.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Sunday that Tehran has rejected direct negotiations with the United States in response to a letter from President Donald Trump regarding Iran’s nuclear program. This marks the first official acknowledgment of Tehran’s response, signaling a potential rise in tensions between the two nations.

Pezeshkian stated that while direct talks were ruled out, the door for indirect negotiations remains open. However, it is unclear whether Trump, who has taken a hardline stance against Iran, would be willing to engage in indirect discussions. Previous attempts at such negotiations since Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal have failed.

The rejection comes amid increasing warnings from both the U.S. and Israel, which have vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Tehran continues to enrich uranium at near weapons-grade levels, raising fears of potential military confrontation. While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, its officials have hinted at the possibility of weaponization in response to U.S. sanctions and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has reiterated his administration’s stance that Iran must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons. A February report from the UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran has accelerated its production of highly enriched uranium, intensifying global concerns.

Trump’s first term saw particularly hostile relations with Tehran, including his withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the reimposition of crippling sanctions, and Iran’s retaliatory maritime attacks. The conflict escalated further in January 2020 when Trump ordered a drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s top general, Qasem Soleimani. As tensions mount once again, the future of U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has left widespread devastation, with the death toll rising to 1,644 by Sunday. Over 3,400 people have been injured, while 139 remain missing. In neighboring Thailand, the quake’s impact was felt strongest in the greater Bangkok area, where officials reported 18 fatalities, 33 injuries, and 78 people unaccounted for.

Myanmar, which sits on the volatile Sagaing Fault, bore the brunt of the disaster. The hardest-hit regions include Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Magway, Bago, and Shan State, where entire buildings have collapsed, and critical infrastructure has been severely damaged. The historic Ava Bridge, an essential link between Sagaing and Mandalay, was among the structures destroyed. Mandalay University and several cultural heritage sites also suffered extensive damage.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that airports in Mandalay and Naypyidaw remain closed, limiting relief efforts. Telecommunications disruptions continue to hamper emergency coordination, leaving many rural areas cut off from rescue teams.

Authorities and aid organizations are working to assess the full scale of destruction, but access to many affected areas remains restricted. The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs (USD 113.3 million) to assist 100,000 people across 20,000 households over the next two years.

With infrastructure in ruins and thousands left homeless, urgent humanitarian aid is needed. Rescue operations are ongoing, but responders fear the death toll could rise further as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. As Myanmar grapples with this catastrophe, the focus remains on saving lives, restoring essential services, and rebuilding communities in the weeks and months ahead.