WASHINGTON: Fierce storms stretching up and down the central-eastern United States killed at least two people overnight, officials said, spawning tornadoes and violent thunderstorms that are expected to persist into Thursday.

The Tennessee Department of Health reported two fatalities in the state’s west as residents sheltered from the raging weather.

The storm damaged buildings, toppled trees, downed powerlines, overturned cars and lifted roofs off homes across a vast swath of the United States, photos on social and local media revealed.

The system, which stretched from Arkansas northeastward into Ohio, produced heavy rains and flash flooding that forecasters say could last for days.

“A multi-day, potentially historic heavy rainfall event may produce catastrophic and life-threatening flooding through Saturday,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Before the storm’s arrival in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear warned residents that the state was “facing one of the most serious weather events we’ve had forecast.”

Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes were possible into Thursday night, the NWS in Louisville, the state´s largest city, warned.

As of Thursday, electricity was out for nearly 400,000 customers across the central-eastern United States, according to the PowerOutage.us website.

A variety of damaging weather is expected in the coming days.

“All modes of severe weather will be possible” the NWS office in Little Rock, Arkansas reported Thursday, including “very large hail, strong gusty winds and even a few tornadoes.”

Warning of “unsettled weather” the NWS in Lincoln, Illinois, posted on X that severe storms, including hail and damaging wind gusts, were possible into Friday.

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday of a new baseline 10% tariff on goods from all nations and retaliatory tariffs on those his administration claims have significant barriers to US imports, governments from all around the world promised to retaliate against the US.

EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is finalising a package of measures in response to US tariffs on steel and is “now preparing for further countermeasures to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail”. Trump targeted the EU with a 20% reciprocal tariff.

China

China’s commerce ministry said Beijing “firmly opposes” the reciprocal tariffs and “will take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests,” after Trump imposed a 34% reciprocal tariff on the country.

Japan

Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto called the reciprocal tariffs “extremely regrettable” and said Tokyo would urge the US to exempt Japan from tariff measures.

Japan would consider its response, he said, in a “bold and speedy manner”. Tokyo faces a 24% reciprocal tariff.

Germany

“Donald Trump buckles under pressure, corrects his announcements under pressure, but the logical consequence is that he must also feel the pressure, and this pressure must now be exerted from Germany, from Europe.”

South Korea

Acting President Han Duck-soo ordered emergency support measures for affected businesses, including automobiles, the industry ministry said, after Trump’s tariff announcement included a 25% rate on South Korea.

Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was “going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures” and would “act with purpose and with force.”

Goods from Canada and Mexico are not currently subject to reciprocal tariffs because Trump’s prior 25% fentanyl-related duties remain in place on their goods, along with 10% for Canadian energy and potash. A tariff exemption for goods compliant with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade will continue indefinitely.

Mexico

President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that Mexico would not pursue a “tit-for-tat on tariffs” but would rather announce a “comprehensive programme” on Thursday.

UK

Prime minister Keir Starmer said Britain would continue to work on a trade deal with the US and that a trade war was “not in our national interest”.

He added, however, that he would only strike a deal if it was the right one and that “nothing is off the table” for Britain’s response.

Britain faces the lowest levy rate on imports of 10%.

Australia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would seek to negotiate with the US to remove the tariffs without resorting to a dispute resolution mechanism in the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement.

He said his government would not impose reciprocal tariffs as this would increase prices for Australian households.

“We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth,” Albanese said.

Brazil

The government of Latin America’s largest economy Brazil, which Trump slapped with a 10% tariff, said it was “evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization”.

Earlier in the day, Brazil’s Congress approved a bill that establishes a legal framework for Brazil to respond to potential unilateral trade measures targeting its goods and services, including countermeasures such as tariffs.

Israel

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he was convening ministry officials to formulate a course of action to protect Israel’s economy from impending 17% tariffs.

As aid groups called for restrictions to be eased to reach survivors of a devastating earthquake, Myanmar’s ostracised leader Min Aung Hlaing will leave his disaster-stricken country on Thursday for a rare trip to a regional summit, state TV said.

One of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century, the 7.7 magnitude quake jolted a region that is home to 28 million people, toppling buildings, flattening communities and leaving many without food, water and shelter. China’s state television said the death toll had passed 3,000, citing official figures.

The military has struggled to run Myanmar since its return to power in a 2021 coup that unseated the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The generals have been internationally isolated since the takeover and Myanmar’s economy and basic services including healthcare have been reduced to tatters amid an outbreak of civil war.

The government on state-run MRTV late on Wednesday announced a 20-day unilateral ceasefire effective immediately to support post-quake rehabilitation, but warned it would “respond accordingly” if rebels launched attacks.

MRTV confirmed Min Aung Hlaing would leave Myanmar to join a summit of mostly South Asian countries in Bangkok – an uncommon foreign trip for a general regarded as a pariah by many countries and the subject of Western sanctions and an International Criminal Court investigation.

The junta boss is also barred from attending summits of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN.

Still, some analysts say the earthquake and this week’s meeting, which will include leaders of neighbours Thailand, India and Bangladesh, could boost Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy as he forges ahead with a much-criticised December election widely expected to perpetuate military rule.

Aid agencies on Wednesday described massive destruction and a medical crisis in central Myanmar, with hospitals overwhelmed, medicine in short supply and risks of water-borne diseases growing.

Mohamed Riyas, Myanmar Director of the International Rescue Committee, said humanitarian needs were “staggering”.

“It may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake as communication network lines are down and transport is disrupted,” he told Reuters.

“People require urgent medical care, clean drinking water, tents, food and other basic necessities. Providing life-saving health services is critical.”

Mikhael De Souza, a field coordinator in Myanmar for medical aid agency MSF said in the second-largest city Mandalay, about 500 buildings had collapsed completely and a further 800 were partially destroyed.

“Many people are still living outside in poor conditions,” he said. “The lack of water is creating an issue in terms of immediate survival.”

On a war footing

The junta has been accused by human rights groups of slowing humanitarian efforts by maintaining tight security measures in some hard-hit quake areas.

In an incident underlining the challenge of delivering relief at a time of civil war, the junta said its troops fired warning shots after a Chinese Red Cross convoy failed to pull over as it travelled in a conflict zone.

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the group had not informed authorities of its travel.

China was one of the first countries to come to Myanmar’s aid, deploying rescue teams the day after the disaster and pledging 100 million yuan ($13.76 million) worth of supplies.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the aid team and supplies were safe and called on all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of rescuers and keep relief routes “open and unobstructed”.

The military has remained on war footing despite Myanmar’s worst disaster in decades and has conducted airstrikes and other attacks near the affected areas, according to a rebel group and Amnesty International.

Min Aung Hlaing said on Tuesday the military had halted offensives but rebels were planning to exploit the disaster and preparing to attack. On Tuesday, a major rebel alliance declared a unilateral ceasefire to support the humanitarian effort.

Prior to the military’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire, Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on Myanmar in an X post on Wednesday said attacks by the junta following the quake were “outrageous” and “should be condemned in the strongest possible terms by world leaders.”

‘Soldiers are everywhere’

Information has long been hard to obtain from areas like Sagaing in central Myanmar because of a junta internet and cellphone blackout imposed as part of the conflict, which activists have demanded be lifted following the quake.

The military has rejected requests from international journalists to cover the quake devastation, citing the lack of water, electricity and hotels.

“Soldiers are everywhere in the town,” a man who travelled to Sagaing, near the quake epicentre, told Reuters. “They are there for security, not for rescue. They check every vehicle.”

New York-based Human Rights Watch urged the junta to allow unfettered access for humanitarian aid and lift curbs impeding aid agencies, saying donors should channel aid through independent groups rather than only junta authorities.

“Myanmar’s junta cannot be trusted to respond to a disaster of this scale,” Bryony Lau, HRW’s deputy Asia director, said in a report, calling on agencies to press the junta to “allow full and immediate access to survivors, wherever they are”.

A woman in Mandalay told Reuters authorities were building a stage for this month’s Thingyan water festival, though many people were homeless, with bodies left under collapsed buildings.

In neighbouring Thailand, the death toll from the quake rose to 22 on Wednesday as a search effort in the rubble of a skyscraper under construction in the capital, Bangkok, entered its fifth day.

Heavy equipment was deployed to break up 100 tonnes of concrete in the hope of finding a first survivor under a mountain of debris where 15 people died and 72 were missing.

“The search for survivors continues but we are changing tactics,” Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said. “We’re hollowing out a path for the rescue team to go inside.”

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the United States, with even higher duties targeting some of the country’s key trading partners — a move that has prompted strong pushback from leaders and governments worldwide.

According to a White House fact sheet, the new 10% global tariff will not apply to goods from Canada and Mexico. However, existing tariffs of up to 25% on a range of products from both countries will remain in effect, linked to ongoing concerns over border security and fentanyl trafficking.

Here are some reactions from top officials and governments around the world:

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen

“President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU, is a major blow to the world economy.”

“Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.”

“We are already finalising a first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel. And we are now preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail.”

China Commerce Ministry

“China firmly opposes this and will take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests.”

“There are no winners in trade wars, and there is no way out for protectionism. China urges the US to immediately lift unilateral tariffs and properly resolve differences with its trading partners through dialogue on an equal footing.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

“Japan is a country that is making the largest amount of investment to the United States, so we wonder if it makes sense for (Washington) to apply uniform tariffs to all countries.”

“We need to consider what’s best for Japan’s national interest. We’re putting all options on the table in considering the most effective response.”

Canadian PM Mark Carney

“(Trump) has preserved a number of important elements of our relationship, the commercial relationship between Canada and the United States. But the fentanyl tariffs still remain in place, as do the tariffs for steel and aluminum.”

“We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures, we are going to protect our workers, and we are going to build the strongest economy in the G7.”

Brazilian Foreign Ministry

“The Brazilian government regrets the decision made by the North American government today, April 2, to impose additional tariffs of no more than 10% on all Brazilian exports to that country.”

“The Brazilian government is evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization, in defense of legitimate national interests.”

Australian Premier Anthony Albanese

“The (Trump) administration’s tariffs have no basis in logic and they go against the basis of our two nations’ partnership. This is not the act of a friend. Today’s decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy and it will push up costs for American households.”

South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo

“As the global trade war has become a reality, the government must pour all its capabilities to overcome the trade crisis.”

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay

“New Zealand’s interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely … New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with the US remains strong. We will be talking with the administration to get more information, and our exporters to better understand the impact this announcement will have.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

“Spain will protect its companies and workers and will continue to be committed to an open world.”

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson

“We don’t want growing trade barriers. We don’t want a trade war … We want to find our way back to a path of trade and cooperation together with the US, so that people in our countries can enjoy a better life.”

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter

“(The Federal Council) will quickly determine the next steps. The country’s long-term economic interests are paramount. Adherence to international law and free trade remain core values.”

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

“The decision by the US tonight to impose 20% tariffs on imports from across the European Union is deeply regrettable. I strongly believe that tariffs benefit no one. My priority, and that of the government, is to protect Irish jobs and the Irish economy.”

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni

“We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favour of other global players.”

Manfred Weber, President of the EPP, Largest Party in European Parliament

“To our American friends, today isn’t liberation day – it’s resentment day. Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t defend fair trade; they attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic. Europe stands united, ready to defend its interests, and open to fair, firm talks.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro

“We will only make US imports more expensive if they take away our jobs. But we won’t raise tariffs if their goods help create higher-value jobs.”

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has introduced a bill in parliament proposing major reforms in the administration of extensive land designated exclusively for Muslim use, a move that could heighten tensions with the country’s Muslim minority.

The land and properties fall under the “waqf” category, which means “to stay” in Arabic, and are endowed by a Muslim for religious, educational or charitable purposes. Such land cannot be transferred or sold.

Government and Muslim organisations estimate that over 25 waqf boards hold nearly 85,1535 properties and 900,000 acres of land, putting them among the top three landowners in India.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, proposes inclusion of non-Muslim members in the central Waqf Council and waqf boards and will enable the government to determine ownership of disputed waqf properties.

The legislation comes amid tensions between the Muslim community and Modi government. Opposition lawmakers and Islamic groups see the bill as a plan to secure assets owned by Muslims and to weaken their property rights under the Indian constitution.

Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who tabled the bill, said it would end corruption, mismanagement and examine ownership rules largely controlled by some Muslim families and elite groups.

The bill should “be viewed as a “pro-Muslim reform,” he said.

Vote to decide bill’s fate

A vote by ruling alliance and opposition lawmakers in the lower house will decide the fate of the bill later on Wednesday.

“It is okay to reserve two posts in the Waqf board for non-Muslims, but does it mean that Muslims will get similar reservation in the boards of Hindu temples?” asked Kamal Farooqui, an official of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

“Modi government wants to control the Islamic land bank, and they have no right to undermine our institutions,” he said.

A 2006 report by the government-appointed Sachar Committee urged an overhaul of waqf boards and monitoring of properties to generate higher returns for the Muslim community.

India is set to have the world’s largest Muslim population by 2050, the Pew Research Center has forecast. Yet the community, which makes up about 13% of India’s population, lags the national average on indicators such as education, employment and political representation.

Muslim groups allege Modi’s ruling party and hardline Hindu affiliates since 2014 have promoted anti-Islamic policies, violent vigilantism and demolished Muslim-owned properties.

Modi and his party officials deny religious discrimination allegations.

WASHINGTON: US business groups have voiced alarm over President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, warning that the measures could raise costs, disrupt supply chains, and hurt companies across key industries.

Standing on the White House lawn, Trump unveiled a baseline 10 per cent tariff against almost all US trading partners in the world from 5 April, and an additional top-up rate from 9 April for other countries currently imposing tariff and non-tariff barriers against US companies.

Trade groups reacted with dismay to the measures, which would see most goods imported from China, for example, facing an additional tariff totalling 34 per cent on top of existing levies.

“Applying new tariffs at this scale will create change and disruption that restaurant operators will have to navigate to keep their restaurants open,” the National Restaurant Association said in a statement.

“The stakes for manufacturers could not be higher,” said Jay Timmons, the president of the National Association of Manufacturers. “Many manufacturers in the United States already operate with thin margins.”

“The high costs of new tariffs threaten investment, jobs, supply chains and, in turn, America’s ability to outcompete other nations and lead as the preeminent manufacturing superpower,” he added.

Alongside China, the European Union, India, and several other top US trading partners will also face new tariffs of at least 20 per cent from 9 April.

“These broad tariffs are a tax increase that will raise prices for American consumers and hurt the economy,” US Chamber of Commerce chief policy officer Neil Bradley said in a statement before the tariffs were unveiled.

“We urge policymakers to instead focus efforts on accelerating the pro-growth agenda of extending our current tax policy, rebalancing regulations, and unleashing the full potential of American energy,” he added.

In a recent analysis, Yale University’s Budget Lab estimated that a 20 per cent across-the-board tariff on imports could cost the average US household at least $3,400 — a painful cost-of-living adjustment for most Americans.

“President Trump’s sweeping global and reciprocal tariffs are massive tax hikes on Americans that will drive inflation, kill jobs on Main Street, and may cause a recession for the US economy,” Consumer Technology Association chief executive Gary Shapiro said in a statement.

“These tariffs will raise consumer prices and will force our trade partners to retaliate,” he said.

Despite the widespread condemnation, some lobbying groups were more positive about the announcement.

“Today’s trade action prioritises domestic manufacturers and America’s workers,” said Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

“These hardworking men and women have seen unfair trade cut the ground from beneath their feet for decades,” he continued.

“They deserve a fighting chance,” he said, calling Trump’s announcement “a necessary step in the right direction.”

An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet has crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar however, one of the pilots ejected safely and the search for the other is underway.

“While one pilot safely ejected before the crash, another one is still missing. The aircraft caught fire after the crash. Police and firefighters have rushed to the spot and started searching for the missing pilot,” a local news agency quoted Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu as saying.

Videos from the scene in Suvarda village, 12km from Jamnagar city, show a field on fire, with the cockpit and tail of the crashed aircraft burning in separate areas.

Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said the twin-seat Jaguar was on a routine training mission.

The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter bomber, available in single and twin-seat variants, and is widely used by the IAF. First inducted in the late 1970s, it has undergone significant upgrades over the years.

On 7 March, another IAF Jaguar crashed in Ambala following a system malfunction. The pilot steered the aircraft away from residential areas before ejecting safely.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has intensified the ongoing trade war by announcing a 10% tariff on all imports and higher duties on key trading partners, a move likely to trigger retaliatory measures and drive up consumer prices.

The sweeping duties would create new barriers around the world’s largest consumer economy, reversing decades of trade liberalisation that have shaped the global order. Trading partners are expected to respond with countermeasures of their own, which could lead to significantly higher prices for everything from bicycles to wine.

“It’s our declaration of independence,” Trump said at an event in the White House Rose Garden.

Trump displayed a poster listing reciprocal tariffs, including 34% on China and 20% on the European Union, as a response to duties imposed on US goods.

Other details were not immediately clear as Trump continued making remarks that echoed his longstanding complaints that US workers and companies are harmed by global trade.

The uncertainty has unsettled financial markets and businesses that have relied on trade arrangements in place since 1947.

The administration has stated that the new tariffs will take effect immediately after Trump announces them, though the official notice required for enforcement has not yet been published.

However, the administration has released an official notice confirming that a separate set of tariffs on auto imports, announced by Trump last week, will take effect from 3 April.

Trump has already imposed 20% duties on all imports from China and 25% duties on steel and aluminium, extending them to nearly $150 billion worth of downstream products.

His advisers argue that the tariffs will restore strategically vital manufacturing capabilities to the United States.

External economists have warned that tariffs could slow the global economy, heighten the risk of recession, and increase the cost of living for the average US family by thousands of dollars. Businesses have voiced concerns that Trump’s continuous tariff threats have made it difficult to plan their operations.

Tariff concerns have already slowed manufacturing activity across the globe while also driving a surge in auto and other imported product sales, as consumers rush to buy before prices rise.