Morning Digest: Donald Trump announces 26% ‘discounted reciprocal tariff’ on India; Lok Sabha passes Waqf Bill after 12-hour debate, and more

Here is a select list of stories to start your day.

Donald Trump announces 26% ‘discounted reciprocal tariff’ on India

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) listed the high tariffs charged by India on American products as he announced reciprocal tariffs on countries across the board, declaring a 26% “discounted reciprocal tariff” on India.

Trump tariff announcement LIVE

Lok Sabha passes Waqf Bill after 12-hour debate 

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (amendment) Bill well past midnight on Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour-long debate, with Home Minister Amit Shah categorically assuring the Muslim community that the new Bill does not interfere with their religious practices.

Muslim MPs object to non-Muslims in Waqf Board

A majority of Muslim MPs on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) objected to the clause allowing non-Muslims to be part of Waqf Boards in the Waqf (amendment) Bill. Participating in the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared a war on his community.

No violence reported in Manipur in past four months, Ministry to convene a meeting of both communities soon, says Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) that no violence has been reported in Manipur in the past four months and the Ministry will soon convene a meeting of both the communities to find a lasting solution in the Northeastern State.

IAF’s Jaguar jet crashes in Jamnagar, pilot killed

One pilot was killed when a Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which was on a routine sortie, crashed near Jamnagar late on Wednesday (April 2, 2025), official sources confirmed. The Jaguar was a trainer jet, and the other pilot has safely ejected, officials in the know said. IAF operates six squadrons of the Jaguar deep penetration fighter jet.

Gujarat firecracker blast: Kin of Banaskantha victims say bodies taken away without consent

Family members of more than half-a-dozen victims of Tuesday’s firecracker factory explosion in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district sat in protest outside the Deesa Civil Hospital on Wednesday (April 2, 2025), alleging that the bodies of their loved ones had been handed over to the authorities of the Madhya Pradesh government without their consent.

U.S. national arrested for entering restricted island in Andamans

A U.S. national was arrested in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of North Sentinel Island, police said on Wednesday (April 2, 2025). Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov (24) was arrested by the CID on March 31. He allegedly entered North Sentinel Island without authorisation, they said.

Disquiet in J&K govt. as L-G establishes complete control over bureaucracy

There is a deep sense of disquiet in the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha established his complete control over bureaucracy with his latest transfer orders in the Union Territory (UT).

Telangana HC issues direction to stop levelling land and cutting trees in Kancha Gachibowli

Telangana High Court on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) directed the State government not to continue levelling of land and cut trees till tomorrow (April 3, 2025) in the 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, abutting University of Hyderabad, which was allotted to Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

Published - April 03, 2025 08:19 am IST