A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck near Julian, California, on April 14, 2025, shaking areas around San Diego. The US Geological Survey reported the quake occurred just after 10 a.m. local time, with the epicenter in Julian, a mountain town about 35 miles northeast of San Diego. Despite the tremor, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to local authorities. The region's structures are generally resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerabilities like landslides and liquefaction exist. Governor Gavin Newsom stated he was briefed and is coordinating with local responders. The event also tested California's “Shake Alert” system, which aims to provide early warnings to residents.

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launched an all-female crew into space, marking a historic milestone. The 11-minute suborbital flight from West Texas reached over 60 miles above Earth, crossing the Kármán line. The crew included singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Perry brought a daisy to honor her daughter and sang "What a Wonderful World" during the flight. Upon landing, she expressed feeling "super-connected to love." King, overcoming her fear of flying, described the experience as stepping out of her comfort zone. Sanchez called the trip "profound," highlighting the view of Earth as a "jewel" against the darkness of space. The mission was attended by notable figures, including Oprah Winfrey, who was visibly emotional. This event signifies a significant step in promoting inclusivity and inspiring future generations in space exploration. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasized the public's right to protest peacefully but condemned the recent violent demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act. She urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands and warned that vandalism of public and private property would be met with strict legal action. Banerjee accused the BJP of orchestrating the unrest by bringing in outsiders to incite violence. She reiterated that the amended Citizenship Act and the proposed nationwide NRC would not be implemented in the state. The Chief Minister's appeal for calm was met with criticism from opposition parties, who accused her government of failing to control the situation. (PC: India Today)

Veeraswamy, London's oldest Indian restaurant, faces closure just shy of its 100th anniversary due to a lease dispute with the Crown Estate. Established in 1926 by Edward Palmer, the restaurant has hosted notable figures like Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando. The Crown Estate plans to repurpose the building for office space, refusing to renew Veeraswamy's lease expiring in June. Co-owner Ranjit Mathrani is seeking a two-year extension to relocate without interruption. Since 1997, MW Eats has operated Veeraswamy, which earned a Michelin star in 2016. Mathrani criticizes the decision, stating the Crown Estate disregards the restaurant's historical significance. The case is currently under legal review. (PC: Foodaholic & Veeraswamy)

On April 14, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceutical products, citing national security concerns. Simultaneously, he proposed a temporary relief on auto industry tariffs to aid companies adjusting supply chains. The administration initiated investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, focusing on imports of chip-making equipment and pharmaceutical ingredients. This move follows recent exemptions of certain high-tech goods from "reciprocal" tariffs. Notably, Nvidia committed up to $500 billion to build AI supercomputers in the U.S., aligning with Trump's push for domestic manufacturing. These developments occur amid escalating trade tensions, with China imposing 125% tariffs on U.S. imports in retaliation. (PC: Biography)

During a White House photo op celebrating Ohio State's national championship win, Vice President JD Vance dropped the team's trophy, creating an unexpected viral moment. As Vance lifted the trophy alongside President Donald Trump and the Buckeyes, the base slipped and hit the ground, prompting gasps and laughter. A surprised Vance quickly helped reassemble it with the aid of two players. Later, he joked on X, "I didn't want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy, so I decided to break it." The video spread rapidly, with some dubbing the incident, “Made in China...”

Comedian Vir Das criticized Air India for poor service on a recent flight. He reported a broken tray table, a seat stuck in an upright position, and the absence of a wheelchair for his mother, despite prior booking. Das expressed his frustration on social media, highlighting the lack of basic amenities and assistance. This incident adds to Air India's ongoing challenges with customer service, following similar complaints from other passengers. The airline has yet to respond to Das's grievances. Such recurring issues raise concerns about Air India's commitment to passenger comfort and accessibility, especially for those requiring special assistance. (PC: Wikipedia)

A brief gunfight erupted between terrorists and security forces in Lasana village, Surankote, Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday night. Acting on intelligence about terrorist presence, a joint operation by the Army and Police established contact with the militants. During the encounter, one Army personnel sustained injuries and was promptly hospitalized. The Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps confirmed the incident on X, noting that additional troops have been deployed, and search operations are ongoing to prevent the terrorists from escaping. The situation remains tense as security forces continue their efforts to neutralize the threat and ensure the safety of the region. (PC: PTI)

In a major twist in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, Mumbai Police’s chargesheet reveals that 19 out of 20 fingerprint samples collected from the actor’s Bandra home did not match the accused, Shariful Islam. Only one print from the building’s eighth floor matched. The chargesheet, over 1,000 pages long, includes forensic evidence, facial recognition data, and reports from an identification parade. Police also confirmed that the knife found at the scene matched fragments found in Khan’s body. The actor was stabbed while intervening during an early morning intrusion on January 16. Bail for the accused has been opposed. (PC: News18)

South Korea has increased its semiconductor industry support to 33 trillion won ($23.25 billion), up from 26 trillion won, addressing U.S. policy uncertainties and Chinese competition. Financial assistance for chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix will rise to 20 trillion won. In 2024, semiconductors comprised 21% of South Korea's exports, totaling $141.9 billion, with China and the U.S. as key markets. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of potential new tariffs on imported semiconductors. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok plans to consult with the U.S. to minimize impacts from Section 232 investigations. This aligns with South Korea's broader strategy to support key industries amid global trade tensions. (PC: Reuters)