FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 302 | INDORE | THURSDAY | APRIL 10, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE WORLD Sports UJJAIN BHOPAL NASHIK Mercurial Trump says ‘Be Cool’ after blinking first in tariff war Ketan Narottam Tanna Markets soared, China reeled, and U.S. allies scrambled after President Donald Trump abruptly paused tariffs on most nations for 90 days— while slamming China with a punishing 125% hike, reigniting fears of a full-blown trade war. In classic Trumpian fashion— bombastic, erratic, and unapologetically brash—the U.S. president triggered another global tremor on Wednesday. His two-pronged announcement offered a sudden tariff reprieve to over 75 nations, including India, alongside a dramatic escalation of duties on Chinese imports. Global markets responded with immediate relief. Stocks rallied as investors read the move as a partial retreat from Trump’s earlier hardline stance. But the reprieve came with a catch: China was excluded from any mercy. “Based on China’s utter disregard for global markets,” Trump declared on TruthSocial, “I’m raising tariffs to 125%. The era of ripping off America is over.” The announcement marked a sharp pivot. Just a day earlier, Trump’s sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" had come into effect, sending markets into a tailspin and triggering warnings of a global economic backlash. Now, most trading partners get a 90day window during which the U.S. will impose a uniform 10% tariff—a carrot for cooperation. But for China, it’s all stick. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the rollback for compliant nations, calling it a step toward “fairer trade.” Treasury Secretary Bessent defended the about-face, framing it as proof that Trump sought “bespoke trade deals” with friendly nations and was “goading bad actors into exposing themselves.” That bad actor, unmistakably, was China. Hours before his announcement, Trump, at a Republican fundraiser, flaunted his trademark bravado. “Other nations are calling, kissing my ass… They’re begging to cut deals,” he told donors, mimicking foreign leaders and mocking Republican dissenters. “You don’t negotiate like I negotiate.” 4Continued on | P8 PAYBACK TIME N ot all countries are taking the economic assault lying down. China’s response was immediate and severe. Beijing announced additional tariffs on imports from the United States, for a total levy of 84 per cent, to go into effect within hours. The European Union, often more diplomatic, adopted its first measures hitting back at President Donald FROM PLOTTER TO PRISONER 26/11 mastermind Rana to land in Delhi today WHO IS TAHAWWUR? Ashish Singh MUMBAI Seventeen years after Mumbai’s darkest days, a key figure accused of helping orchestrate the 26/11 terror attacks is finally being brought to Indian soil. Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is expected to land in New Delhi early Thursday morning, escorted by a multiagency Indian team aboard a special aircraft that departed the United States earlier this week. Sources say the plane will make a discreet halt at an undisclosed location en route—a reflection of the high-security fp Briefs MOSCOW Russia invites Modi for Victory Day Parade Russia has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the May 9 celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Germany in World War II, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has said. Moscow is expecting the Indian Prime Minister at the May 9 parade. Trump's tariff onslaught, targeting more than 20 billion Euros of US products including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products, the European Commission said. "These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome," a commission statement said. The levies are retaliation for previous US 4Continued on | P8 duties on steel and aluminium. And yet, Trump’s calculus is clear: escalate first, negotiate later — if at all. In India, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, speaking hours after Trump’s comments, said the tariff war would have “negative implications for net exports and macroeconomic stability globally.” But such warnings barely register with a White House intent on disruption. 4Continued on | P8 India halts key transshipment for B’desh FP News Service MUMBAI Indian exporters, particularly from the apparel sector, had long urged the government to withdraw the transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh, citing increased freight costs and congestion at key cargo terminals. The facility, introduced in June 2020, had enabled Bangladesh to export goods to third countries—such as Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar—via Indian ports and airports, using Indian Land Customs Stations (LCSs). It ensured seamless movement of cargo through Indian territory, notably benefitting Bangladesh’s textile and apparel exports. However, in a circular dated April 8, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) announced the immediate withdrawal of this arrangement. "It has been decided to rescind... circular...dated June 29, 2020, as amended, with immediate effect. Cargo already entered into India may be allowed to exit the Indian territory as per the procedure given in that circular," the CBIC noted. The decision comes at a time when global trade tensions are high, with the United States having imposed sweeping tariffs on several countries, including both India and Bangladesh. FP News Service The government is understood to have cleared the procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets from France at an estimated cost of ₹64,000 crore, according to defence establishment sources. The high-value defence acquisition was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In July 2023, the Ministry of CHEAPER: Home, auto & personal loans Banks may cut fixed deposit (FD) rates Pensioners may earn less on FDs n EMIs may reduce for new borrowers n Bad news for savers— returns on savings may shrink n Existing fixed-rate loans won’t benefit n Floating-rate loan holders may benefit—slowly n Good for those planning bigticket purchases n Spending power may increase if inflation stays low n Banks may take time to pass on rate cuts Over 4,000 girls are reported missing from MP. Police records say more than 5,000 children have gone missing, and among them, 1,099 are boys and 4,002 are girls. But last year, the police did a lot of work to search for the missing children. They found 11,760 girls and 2, 771 boys last year, but 12, 017 girls and 2,740 boys are reported missing this year. Although the government has launched Operation Muskan to search for the missing children, a large number of children go missing every year. There are certain cases of missing children in which the parents and relatives keep away from lodging any complaints. According to reports, girls Online Report NEW DELHI The Supreme Court has set a three-month deadline for the Centre to implement food safety norms that make it mandatory to display key information about packaged food items on containers. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, the bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said the Centre must decide amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 within three months. Hearing the matter, Justice JB Pardiwala said, "You all have grandchildren? Let the order on petition come. You will know what Kurkure and Maggi are and how their wrappers should be. The packets have no information." During the hearing, the Centre drew the court's attention to the affidavit filed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It said the authorities have received 14,000 comments on the new rules and have decided to amend the regulations. The court disposed of the PIL after setting a threemonth deadline for the Centre. The PIL had sought directions to the Centre and states to make the Front of Package Warning Label mandatory. 4Continued on | P8 Today in IPL offgrid MATCH NO. 24 Pee-senger blues in Air-India at 30,000 feet RCB Vs DC BENGALURU; 7.30 PM (Detail on Sports Page) Ketan Narottam Tanna MUMBAI Air India just can’t seem to catch a break—or keep things dry. In yet another boggling mid-air episode, a male passenger allegedly let loose— literally—on a fellow traveller while aboard a flight from Delhi to Bangkok on Wednesday. Yes, you read that right. Not turbulence, not delayed meals—but a full-blown urination incident, airborne and unsolicited. Sources say the unfortunate victim was minding their own business when their neighbour, Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated in its chargesheet that accused Saurabh Sharma owns a luxury villa worth Rs 150 crore in Dubai. The chargesheet, filed in connection with a money laundering case, states that both Saurabh Sharma and Chetan Singh failed to justify the source of funds used to acquire assets worth several crores in India and abroad. Sources said while co-accused Sharad Jaiswal disclosed the source of his share in jointly acquired properties, Saurabh and Chetan were unable to provide any credible documentation supporting their financial contributions. The trio had reportedly floated multiple companies involving large-scale investments. The ED chargesheet stated that both accused routed funds through accounts of their family members. However, during investigation, neither Saurabh nor Chetan could establish the original source of those funds. After chargesheet filing, families of the accused have Our Staff Reporter 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Assets trail unanswered BHOPAL ahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and a childhood friend of David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Born in Chichawatni, Punjab (Pakistan), Rana studied medicine, served in the Pakistan Army’s medical corps, and later migrated to Canada. He became a citizen, moved to the US, and set up first World Immigration Services in Chicago. Defence had already granted initial approval for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) jets, intended primarily for deployment on the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. At the time, the ministry had also approved the procurement of three additional Scorpeneclass submarines from France. However, final clearance for both deals had been pending before the CCS until now. Saurabh owns Rs 150-cr villa in Dubai: ED begun reviewing land records and financial documents cited by the ED. Defence lawyers said preliminary preparations are underway to present supporting evidence ahead of the next bail hearing. The court is scheduled to hear the matter on April 11, and sources suggest a bail application is likely to be moved next week. The ED has sought confiscation of proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 108.25 crore. So far, the agency has provisionally attached assets worth Rs92.07 crore and seized Rs 16.18 crore in cash. Web of wealth Investigations have revealed that Saurabh Sharma and Chetan Singh amassed substantial assets in the names of family members. A warehouse in Sukhi Sewania, Bhopal, along with fisheries contracts in Govind Sagar and Rajghat dams, are registered in the name of a relative, Diviya. 4Continued on | P8 from MP, say police records CCS clears `64K cr Top court orders clear labelling on Rafale deal for Navy packaged food within 3 months MUMBAI P.12 REPO RATE CUT 4,000 girls reported missing T and political sensitivity surrounding Rana’s extradition, which comes after more than a decade of legal wrangling, diplomatic manoeuvres, and backchannel negotiations. E-paper Cinema Who really is lulia Vantur? P.16 MARKETS SOAR | Dow up 2500 points, Nasdaq jumps 10.30% after Don announces a 90-day tariff pause for 90 countries, including India; China reels at 125% hike and allies scramble as the US President targets Beijing MUMBAI MUMBAI Edit SC upholds Constitution ‘US to take back Panama Canal’ ‘After Sachin, he’s a miracle’ P.14 PUNE clearly thinking he was in a personal lavatory and not a pressurised public cabin, relieved himself with reckless abandon. One can only assume this wasn’t the in-flight entertainment they had in mind. Air India has filed a report with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which, by now, probably has a separate folder marked "Pee Incidents – Ongoing." Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, while attending a presumably more fragrant event in the capital, issued a measured response: “If there is any wrongdoing, we will take necessary action.” Now, Minister, forgive us for the impertinence, but how much more “wrong” does it get than golden showers at 30,000 feet? This unfortunate episode comes not too long after another infamous Air India incident in 2022, when a similarly spirited passenger urinated on a woman during a New York-Delhi flight. It had sparked national outrage and much-needed scrutiny over airline protocols and inebriated flyers. Apparently, that lesson either didn’t stick or the pee pressure was just too much. 4Continued on | P8 leave their houses for different reasons. There are several reasons behind the missing girls. Some of them leave home because of family disputes, and a few others run away from home due to love affairs. Another reason behind the children running away from home is poverty. There are certain cases in which children ran away from their homes with their friends. According to the police, after the girls run away from homes, their parents complain about it, but they never inform the police when they return. According to AIG (women safety wing) Kiran Kerkatta, every police station has been instructed to act swiftly if there are any complaints about missing girls. The police make efforts to find missing girls as quickly as possible, she said. The family members have been told to inform the police when their missing children return, but they keep away from doing so, she said. Social workers said in many cases, the police had initially shown interest and acted fast in finding the missing girls, but with the passage of time, they swept the case under the carper, so the girls remained untraced in many cases. Similarly, some people, involved in human trafficking, take away children, they said. Bihar min distributes blankets in 40°C heat Online Report PATNA On a hot summer day when temperatures ranged between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, Bihar Sports minister Surendra Mehta distributed over 500 blankets among poor residents of Ahiyapur village under his Bachhwara Assembly constituency. The occasion was the 46th Foundation Day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sharing photos from the distribution drive on his official Facebook page, Mehta wrote, "On the occasion of the 46th Foundation Day of BJP, the largest party in the world working with the spirit of Antyodaya and nation building, celebrated today at Ahiyapur village of Govindpur-2 Panchayat of Bachhwara Assembly constituency and honoured people with clothes." Videos from the event show a large crowd at the venue. Hundreds of men and women were seen receiving blankets as minister Mehta and several local BJP leaders sat on stage. Despite the turnout, the timing of the initiative - during summer - has drawn criticism. Videos are also going viral on social media mocking the move. Former CPI MLA from Bachhwara, Awadhesh Rai, slammed the move, saying, "If the Sports Minister had distributed these blankets on Vajpayee ji's birthday (December 25), people might've found use for them. But I am shocked he chose to hand out blankets in this scorching sun. There are no efforts to develop playgrounds or sports facilities for children." 4Continued on | P8