Pop star Katy Perry will fly 65 miles above Earth aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, says the White House, hailing the all-female crew as “inspirational.” Organized by Lauren Sanchez, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the mission includes Perry, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, researcher Amanda Nguyen, TV host Gayle King, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Though not entering deep space, they’ll cross the Kármán line in an 11-minute flight. Perry, excited to show her daughter “science can be glam,” says she’s dreamed of space travel for 20 years. Ticket prices reportedly range from £157,000 to £235,000. (PC: Getty Images)

China emphasized the significance of its economic and trade relationship with India amid the backdrop of Donald Trump's 104% tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing's remarks reflect its ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with India despite challenges posed by the US-China trade tensions. The statement highlights China's strategic interest in maintaining robust trade with India, which remains a key player in Asia's economic landscape. This comes as China navigates the complexities of its global trade relations, particularly with the United States' tariff policies affecting its manufacturing sector. ( PC : mint )

Pop star Katy Perry will fly 65 miles above Earth aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, says the White House, hailing the all-female crew as “inspirational.” Organized by Lauren Sanchez, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the mission includes Perry, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, researcher Amanda Nguyen, TV host Gayle King, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Though not entering deep space, they’ll cross the Kármán line in an 11-minute flight. Perry, excited to show her daughter “science can be glam,” says she’s dreamed of space travel for 20 years. Ticket prices reportedly range from £157,000 to £235,000. (PC: Getty Images)

The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump’s new 104% tariff on Chinese goods is effective from today, intensifying the US-China trade war. The move follows China’s refusal to withdraw a 34% retaliatory tariff on American products. Citing a national emergency caused by trade deficits, the US sharply raised tariffs from 10% to 104% in under a week. China responded, calling the action “blackmail” and vowed to “fight to the end.” Trump stated China “wants to make a deal” but hasn’t acted. Global markets have plummeted, marking the biggest drop since the COVID-19 pandemic due to this escalation. (PC: Reuters)

India has approved a Rs 63,000-crore deal to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France, aimed at strengthening its naval aviation capabilities. The aircraft will be deployed on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, replacing the ageing fleet of MiG-29K jets by 2031. The deal includes 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater variants, along with weapons, simulators, spares, and training. Sources say this strategic move will significantly enhance India's maritime strike power. The agreement is expected to be signed during the visit of French officials later this year, marking a major step in Indo-French defence cooperation. (PC: India Today)

Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is likely to be extradited to India from the U.S. “shortly,” sources confirmed. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final plea seeking a stay on extradition, clearing the way for the process. A multi-agency Indian team is in the U.S. coordinating paperwork. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin and linked to David Headley, cited medical and torture concerns in his petition. President Donald Trump earlier approved Rana’s extradition, calling him “very evil.” Rana is currently lodged at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, facing extradition for his alleged role in the attacks. (PC: ANI)

Facing Donald Trump's 104% tariff on China, Beijing has urged India to unite against "unilateralism." The Chinese Embassy in Delhi said both nations should "stand together to overcome difficulties," calling the US move a threat to developing countries' rights. President Xi Jinping echoed this sentiment earlier to Indian President Droupadi Murmu. While India's exports to the US could drop by $5.76 billion due to new tariffs, Delhi has chosen not to retaliate. Instead, India is exploring adjustments to existing trade duties. The China-India rapprochement follows a 2024 patrol agreement in Ladakh, signaling a potential thaw since the 2020 Galwan clash.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%, Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced on Wednesday. “The direction of the policy repo rates is downwards,” he said, signaling potential future cuts. Addressing the impact of rising US tariffs, Malhotra noted, “The impact is much less on India than others; we have a comparative advantage.” He emphasized that the central bank will intervene in forex markets only during excessive volatility, adding that India has “sufficient reserves.” The move is expected to lower loan EMIs, offering relief to borrowers in FY26. (PC: ANI)

Two UK teens, aged 13 and 15, have been convicted of manslaughter for killing 80-year-old Indian-origin man Bhim Kohli in Franklin Park, Leicester. Kohli was shoved, slapped with a shoe, and mocked in a racially charged attack while walking his dog. “They humiliated him, an 80-year-old man,” said his daughter Susan Kohli, adding, “Dad did not deserve this.” Videos showed the teens laughing as Kohli was assaulted. He died the next day from spinal injuries. The boy was remanded; the girl granted bail. Sentencing will follow next month. Kohli's family said they were “angry and disgusted” by the cruelty shown. (PC: Sky News)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured Muslims that her government would protect Waqf properties amid ongoing protests. Speaking at a Jain community event in Kolkata, she said, “Even if you shoot me, I will still participate in every religion, every festival.” Taking a veiled dig at BJP, Mamata asserted that her government won't allow religious division in Bengal. “Jiyo aur jeene do,” she declared, asking minorities to trust her leadership. Protests have erupted over the new Waqf law, but Mamata emphasized unity, secularism, and resistance to communal politics. “I will not let anyone divide Bengal,” she affirmed. (PC: India Today)