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Trump has vowed his historic tariff blitz would revive domestic manufacturing, but industry worries about his approach are raising fresh doubts about whether he can deliver on his promise of an economic boom. In the Rose Garden on Wednesday, Trump declared “jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country” and predicted new “golden age” in America. Since then, he has stood by his decision to hike US tariffs to their highest levels in more than a century, even as the move sparked a global market meltdown. Some manufacturing advocates and economists questioned Trump’s underlying logic, saying supply chain issues, high costs, workforce needs and the laborious process of moving production to the US stand in the way. Continued uncertainty about Trump’s long-term policy could also have a chilling effect, they said. If the tariffs aren’t enough to convince companies to move operations to the US, it could mean Americans bear the heavy burden of the economic havoc Trump’s announcement unleashed without the promise of future benefits. That could heighten political risks for Trump and his fellow Republicans. “While we certainly agree we should aggressively pursue any policy that helps us make things in America, the idea that you can move every part of the manufacturing process back to the US does not align with reality,” said Kip Eideberg, senior vice president for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India's most popular long-term investment options. It offers tax benefits, safety due to sovereign backing, and guaranteed returns. PPF comes with a 15-year lock-in period and EEE tax status (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt). Many investors invest in PPF due to the tax-free interest and maturity amount.

Senate Republicans plugged away overnight and into early Saturday morning to approve their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts framework, hurling past a hard line of Democratic opposition toward what President Donald Trump calls the «big, beautiful bill» that's central to his agenda. The vote, 51-48, fell along mostly party lines. It could not have come at a more difficult political moment. The U.S. economy is churning after Trump's vast tariff scheme sent stocks plummeting, and experts are warning of soaring costs for consumers at home and threats of a potential recession. Even some Republicans have expressed concerns. But with a nod from Trump GOP leaders held determined to march ahead. Approval paves the way for Republicans, in the months ahead, to try to power a tax cut bill through both chambers of Congress over the objections of Democrats, just as they did in Trump's first term with unified party control in Washington. «Let the voting begin,» Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Friday night. The evening kicked off what's called vote-a-rama as Democrats were intent on making the effort as politically painful as possible, with votes on some two dozen amendments to the package that GOP senators will have to defend before next year's midterm elections.

The SBI Amrit Kalash was a limited-period FD scheme that offered an attractive interest rate of 7.10% per annum for regular investors and a higher 7.60% for senior citizens on a 400-day deposit. Income Tax GuideIncome Tax Slabs FY 2025-26

The notices were issued by City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap on the police report, asking them to furnish bonds of Rs two lakh each after appearing before the court on April 16. These people were found protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and wearing black badges on their arms during last Friday prayers of Ramzan in different mosques here on March 28. The people who got notices issued against them said they wore black badges only to show protest in a democratic way. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that the legislation is not against Muslims or intended to hurt their religious feelings, but seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill by a 288-232 vote in the early hours of Thursday, after nearly 12 hours of debate, and the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the legislation following an over 13-hour debate.

Indian Union Muslim League has expressed dissatisfaction over Wayanad MP and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's absence during the discussion of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. Suprabhatham, the mouthpiece of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, criticised Priyanka Gandhi for not attending the session while the bill was being debated in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The editorial, published on April 4, called her absence a «Black Mark» and also raised questions about where Priyanka Gandhi was when the BJP was advancing the bill, which they believe undermines the fundamental rights of Muslims. Additionally, it questioned why the opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, did not speak on the bill, which they claim affects the nation's unity. The editorial further acknowledged the opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and Left, for their collective stand against the bill in Parliament under the INDIA alliance.

Waqf Bill in both the Houses of Parliament has given a boost to the BJP ahead of Biar elections. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party got 240 seats and it is dependent on its NDA allies for their support, not only to run the government but also to sail through key legislations. In August last year, the Waqf Bill was presented in Parliament and was sent to a JPC.

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die on Friday amid government-Opposition sparring, with Speaker Om Birla criticising Sonia Gandhi's statement that the Waqf Bill was «bulldozed through» even as the Congress leadership said it would petition the Supreme Court, questioning the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress floor leaders didn't attend the customary tea at the Speaker's chamber after the adjournment of the House. When the House commenced, the BJP benches protested against the statement Sonia Gandhi had made on Wednesday in her address to party MPs.

Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Union budget and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. A total of 16 Bills were passed in this session. Though the Opposition registered its protests over issues, it refrained from forcing adjournments and chose to stage walkouts or attack the government through debates on most occasions. Rajya Sabha ex-officio Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the House in his concluding address on Friday that productivity of the session was 119% (PRS Legislative Research data puts it at 112%).

Public Provident Fund (PPF), especially those who have opted for the new tax regime in FY 2025-26. The new tax regime has become more attractive than the old tax regime for a large number of taxpayers, as the new regime allows for zero tax payable on income of up to Rs 12 lakh. However, you must not forget that the interest income from PPF investments, as well as the maturity amount, are exempt from taxes. Your PPF investments should, therefore, continue at the maximum level permitted (Rs 1.5 lakh per FY), even if you opt for the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. This will help you earn tax-free interest while also keeping the PPF account active.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, recently passed by Parliament, sparked debates, with several groups opposing it on legal and religious grounds. Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate. Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, «Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed.» Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate. The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.

Nadeem Akhtar, another JD(U) leader resigned from the party making him the fifth member to leave over the party's support for the Waqf Amendment Bill. His resignation follows that of four other leaders, including JD(U) leader Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Mohammed Kasim Ansari. Earlier, JD(U) leader Raju Nayyar wrote in his resignation, «I resign from JD(U) after Waqf Amendment Bill is passed and supported in the Lok Sabha.» He went on to express his deep disappointment with the party, stating, «I am deeply hurt by the JD(U) voting in favour of this black law, which oppresses Muslims.» «I resign from the post of former state secretary of JD(U) youth and primary membership of the party. I request to send a letter to the Honorable CM Nitish Kumar and relieve me from all responsibilities,» he added.

Pappu Yadav, on Friday claimed that the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) chief was not in a good mental state and that he was no longer in control of his party. «Nitish Kumar ji's mental state is not very good in the present time. In his party, 90 of leaders are against SC/ST but aligned to BJP...The day voting takes place in Bihar, on that day after 5pm, BJP will not need Nitish Kumar..JD(U) is not in the hands of Nitish ji now,» Yadav said. Yadav also criticised the ruling party at the Centre, «Just because they have the numbers, they are bypassing the constitution...Do they even have a single Muslim MP? Do they give tickets to even a single Muslim?.. They want to divert attention from real issues...The nation will not accept it and will give a befitting reply to them.» JD(U) leader Raju Nayyar today submitted his resignation from JD(U) after Waqf Amendment Bill is passed and supported in the Lok Sabha. He went on to express his deep disappointment with the party, stating, «I am deeply hurt by the JD(U) voting in favour of this black law, which oppresses Muslims.»

Aadhaar number by December 31, 2025.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, which aims to reserve seats for Scheduled Tribes in Goa and rescind seats in the Legislative Assembly. «The Bill for enabling reservation of seats in accordance with article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes and to provide for the readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration,» the legislative business reads. Additionally, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy will introduce a Bill to amend the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the Mental Healthcare (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Other key presentations include the Committee on Estimates' Sixth Report on promoting climate-resilient agriculture and the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs' Fifth Report on regional rapid transit systems.

Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Friday with 128 members voting in favour and 95 against it. With the Lok Sabha having already passed the Bill on Wednesday, it is set to become law after the approval of the President of India. The debate on the Bill was marred by frequent heated exchanges between the Treasury and the Opposition benches. In a House with total strength of 236, members present were 223 during voting. After all amendments moved by Opposition members were negatived, the Bill was passed at 2:33 am. In his introductory remarks during the debate on the Bill, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill aims to bring transparency and accountability in the Waqf Boards. “Some people have said this Bill is aimed at harming Muslims and is unconstitutional. I want to dismiss these charges…We do not want to hurt anybody’s sentiments,” he said. The minister emphasized that there is no attempt to interfere in the religious practices of Muslims. Appealing to the Opposition to not engage in politics and rhetoric during the debate, Rijiju said the Narendra Modi government has shown the courage to carry out what Congress and other parties could not in the past. He reiterated his words that Waqf properties worth thousands of crores were not bringing any substantial benefits to the Muslims. If these properties are used well, they would benefit the poor Muslims and women, he added.

Rajya Sabha gave its approval, following 12 hours-long debate over the proposed legislation. The bill, which seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India, was passed with 128 votes in favour of the bill, as against 95. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill with a 288-232 vote in the wee hours of Thursday after nearly 12 hours of debate. Tabling the Bill in the Upper House, which was examined and redrafted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Rijiju said the proposed legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties. The Bill aims to include all the Muslims sects in the Waqf board, Rijiju said. The government proposes to rename the Waqf Bill as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year and a Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, examined it.

TDP's nuanced stand on the waqf bill is a well-crafted strategy to woo Muslim voters and make inroads in Rayalaseema — YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy's stronghold. While TDP voted in favour of the bill, it proposed that the appointment of non-Muslims in state waqf boards be left to state governments. The decision to take this stance and propose this change through rules was taken after Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu held consultations with legal experts and Muslim groups. The party has its eye firmly on the Muslim electorate that comprises about 9.5% of the state's population.

Sonia Gandhi termed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as an assault on the Constitution and as part of BJP's polarisation plank. «Yesterday, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha and today (Thursday), it is scheduled to come up in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was in effect bulldozed through.

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It empowers aircraft leasing companies to repossess planes if airlines fail to pay lease rentals. Once enacted, the bill is expected to align Indian law with international aviation standards and provide stronger protections for lessors, improving the investment climate for aircraft leasing in India.