Chinese EV maker BYD has overtaken Tesla in global sales, challenging both Tesla and Detroit's Big Three automakers. Its success stems from cost-effective, vertically integrated production and innovations like fast charging and advanced driving tech. Though barred from the U.S. by tariffs, BYD’s low-cost EVs, some under $10,000, threaten U.S. automakers abroad. Trade tensions may further aid BYD's global rise, with expansion into Mexico, Brazil, and Southeast Asia and plans for a Mexican plant. While some doubt its fast-charging claims, BYD’s affordability and efficiency give it a strong competitive edge in the global EV market. (PC: Manufacturing Today, Forbes & The New York Times)

Top executives from Bank of America, Barclays, HSBC, Citi, and JP Morgan held emergency talks after Donald Trump's new tariffs caused sharp global market declines. The call, organized by the Bank Policy Institute, aimed to address escalating financial volatility. UK’s FTSE 100 fell 5%, Germany’s DAX dropped 6.5%, and France’s CAC 40 lost 5.3%. Asian stocks also plunged. Trump defended his policies, saying, “Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.” UK PM Sir Keir Starmer urged “cool heads” and called for trade unity, as the UK auto sector faces a 25% US tariff under Trump’s new rules. (PC: Daily Mail)

Lord Ram will be ceremonially crowned as King at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir in May, according to The Indian Express. The coronation will follow the installation of Ram Durbar on the temple’s first floor. Unlike the grand January 22, 2024 pran pratishtha event, this ceremony will be more subdued. Sculpted in Jaipur from Makrana marble, the Ram Durbar features work by 20 artisans. Construction, led by Nripendra Misra, is nearly complete. A statue of Saint Tulsidas is also being added, and the International Ramkatha Museum nearby will showcase Ramayana-themed exhibits, including a holographic Lord Ram and artefacts from archaeological digs. (PC: ANI)

Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered three pups resembling dire wolves, extinct for over 10,000 years. Using ancient DNA from fossilised remains and CRISPR technology, scientists modified grey wolf cells and implanted them into domestic dog surrogates. Though the pups mimic dire wolves physically, experts say their behaviour won't match the real thing due to lack of wild upbringing. The pups are currently housed in a secure U.S. facility. Colossal previously announced similar projects to recreate woolly mammoths and dodos. Independent scientists caution that these creatures are not true revivals, only visual replicas of extinct species. (PC: AP)

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has granted visas to 1,942 Sikh pilgrims from India for the Khalsa Sajna Diwas celebrations in Pakistan. This event, marking the foundation of the Khalsa, is scheduled from April 12 to 21. Pilgrims will visit sacred sites including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib. This initiative aligns with the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, emphasizing Pakistan's dedication to facilitating religious tourism and fostering people-to-people connections. Charge d'Affaires Salman Sharif extended heartfelt felicitations, wishing the pilgrims a fulfilling journey. (PC: Wikimedia & Dawn)

On April 7, 2025, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the swift finalization of a bilateral trade agreement, emphasizing its importance amid impending U.S. tariffs on Indian imports. The U.S. had announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with a specific 26% tariff on Indian goods effective April 9. Despite these measures, India does not plan to retaliate, focusing instead on ongoing negotiations to enhance trade relations. Both nations aim to conclude the trade deal promptly, reflecting a mutual commitment to a fair and balanced economic partnership. (PC: Z2Data & X)

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has expressed concern that President Trump's recent tariff measures could exacerbate inflation and potentially lead to a recession in the U.S. economy. In his annual letter to shareholders, Dimon emphasized that these tariffs might slow economic growth and increase input costs, affecting both imported and domestic goods. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening trade relations with non-aligned nations like India and Brazil, suggesting that the U.S. could bring these countries closer by extending a friendly hand through trade and investment, rather than pressuring them to align politically. (PC: Mint & NDTV)

Global financial markets plunged into turmoil following U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff announcements, eroding over ₹13 lakh crore from Indian investors' wealth. The BSE Sensex dropped 2.95%, while the NSE Nifty fell 3.24%, marking significant declines. Asian markets also suffered, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index plummeting 13%, its worst since 1997, and Japan's Nikkei down 7.83%. European shares hit a 16-month low amid fears of a global recession. Analysts warn of continued volatility, though India's macroeconomic fundamentals remain stable. The U.S. administration remains steadfast on tariffs, with President Trump stating, "Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something." (PC: Money Control & YouTube)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged with over 100 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), reflecting on the scheme's decade-long impact. Since its inception in 2015, PMMY has disbursed loans totaling ₹32 lakh crore to support non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises. Notably, 74% of these loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs, and 55% to individuals from SC/ST and OBC categories. Beneficiaries shared transformative stories, such as Kiran Kumari from Jharkhand, who expanded her toy business, and Munirabanu Malek from Gujarat, who now earns ₹25,000 monthly driving an auto-rickshaw. PM Modi emphasized that PMMY has liberated entrepreneurs from exploitative moneylenders, fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment across marginalized communities. (PC: UxDT & Mint)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai sold approximately $5.15 million worth of Alphabet's Class C stock on April 2, 2025, under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan adopted on December 2, 2024. The shares were sold at prices between $157.23 and $159.97 each. Following this transaction, Pichai retains direct ownership of 2,717,696 Class C shares, along with 227,560 shares of Class A Common Stock and 224,169 Class C Google Stock Units set to vest over time. Despite a roughly 20% decline in Alphabet's stock value year-to-date amid broader tech sector pressures, analysts remain optimistic about the company's future, citing its strong financial health and strategic investments in AI. (PC: BBC)