In a sharp escalation of the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, China on Friday announced a 34% retaliatory tariff on all goods imported from the United States, effective April 10. The move follows the US decision to impose similar steep tariffs on Chinese products earlier this week.

Beijing’s finance ministry confirmed that this additional tariff will be levied on top of the current applicable tariff rates already in place. The announcement marks another chapter in the worsening trade tensions between the two nations, with global economic ramifications.

Rare earth export curbs signal broader pushback

Alongside the tariffs, China’s Commerce Ministry unveiled export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which are critical in medical imaging and consumer electronics. The restriction on these materials could impact industries heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains.

The move is widely seen as a strategic countermeasure, given China’s dominance in the global supply of rare earth minerals, which are vital to several high-tech sectors.

Legal battle looms at WTO

Further intensifying the standoff, China announced plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the US-imposed tariffs. The complaint is aimed at defending China’s trade interests and international rights under WTO regulations.

Triggered by US tariff hike under Trump

This rapid escalation was sparked after US President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on a wide range of imports and introduced additional duties of 34% specifically on Chinese goods. The new tariffs are part of a broader protectionist strategy, but they risk triggering a global trade disruption.

In response, Beijing has vowed to implement “countermeasures” to safeguard its economic interests. The tit-for-tat measures highlight the deteriorating trade relationship and could have lasting impacts on global markets and supply chains.

Large-scale demonstrations broke out across major Indian cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, on Friday following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament earlier this week. The protests, organised largely after Friday prayers, drew thousands to the streets voicing strong opposition to the changes introduced in the Waqf laws.

Among the key points of contention is the provision mandating the nomination of two non-Muslim members to the state Waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council, a move that has triggered widespread backlash from the Muslim community and opposition parties.

Protests intensify in multiple cities

In Kolkata, visuals showed large gatherings waving the national flag and carrying placards reading “We reject Waqf amendment” and “Reject Waqf Bill”. The demonstrations were reportedly organised by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection.

Ahmedabad witnessed more tense scenes, with police seen attempting to disperse elderly protestors seated on the roads. In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) held coordinated protests across cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli. TVK termed the bill “anti-democratic” and questioned its impact on the country’s secular fabric.

Political leaders raise alarms over implications

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also spoke out strongly, vowing to protect the rights of the Muslim community and saying that the bill would be repealed if a non-BJP government comes to power at the Centre. “I will not let the Muslims of Bengal lose their land,” she said, accusing the Centre of trying to divide the nation.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi described the bill as a “brazen assault” on the Constitution and accused the BJP of promoting “permanent polarisation” in society. She also criticised the way the bill was passed, calling it “bulldozed through” the Rajya Sabha.

Government defends bill amid controversy

The Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, backed by Home Minister Amit Shah, clarified in Parliament that the bill is prospective in nature, and not retrospective—dismissing concerns that it could affect existing Waqf properties. Rijiju also emphasised that while non-Muslim members would be part of the Waqf boards, the management and beneficiaries would continue to be exclusively from the Muslim community.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, which still awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent, cleared the Lok Sabha with a vote count of 288–232 and later passed the Rajya Sabha 128–95 after prolonged debates totaling nearly 30 hours across both Houses.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened doors to countless innovations, but it also brings along serious concerns—especially when it comes to identity security. A recent LinkedIn post revealed that ChatGPT was able to generate what appeared to be an Aadhaar card, triggering fears over the ease with which fake government IDs can now be created using AI.

Amid rising dependency on Aadhaar for everything from banking to phone verification, the emergence of fake, AI-generated Aadhaar cards has raised red flags.

How AI is being used to mimic Aadhaar

A LinkedIn user recently experimented with ChatGPT to test whether an Aadhaar card could be generated—and the outcome was alarming. Despite AI’s inability to access UIDAI’s official databases or create authentic records, its capability to produce convincing visual fakes has sparked major security concerns. Fraudsters could exploit such tools to mislead individuals or institutions by generating Aadhaar-like cards with altered details and design.

Why this matters: Aadhaar’s significance in India

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued to every Indian citizen, including children and infants. Managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), it serves as a crucial document for identity and address verification and is often mandatory for bank accounts, mobile numbers, PAN cards, and financial transactions.

Spotting fake Aadhaar: Key differences to look for

To help citizens differentiate between real and AI-generated Aadhaar cards, here are five critical checks:

Photograph mismatch: AI-generated Aadhaar cards often show discrepancies between the uploaded photo and the one that appears on the final card.

Font inconsistencies: Compare the fonts used in English and Hindi on the card—AI models may struggle to replicate official typography accurately.

Syntax and formatting errors: Look out for misplaced colons, slashes, or commas in personal details and layout.

Incorrect logos: Closely examine the Aadhaar and Government of India logos. Fake versions may appear blurry or improperly scaled.

QR code check: A genuine Aadhaar card contains a scannable QR code. If it’s present, scan it to verify its authenticity

How to verify Aadhaar online: UIDAI step-by-step guide

To confirm whether an Aadhaar number is valid:

Step 1: Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/verifyAadhaar

Step 2: Click on “Check Aadhaar Validity”

Step 3: Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and captcha code

If the number is invalid, the system will not proceed. If it’s valid, you’ll receive a confirmation message stating:

“Aadhaar Verification Completed” and “[Entered Aadhaar number] Exists”

Virtual ID (VID): A secure alternative

To enhance privacy, users can generate a Virtual ID (VID)—a temporary 16-digit number linked to their Aadhaar. This can be used for authentication and e-KYC without revealing the actual Aadhaar number. Importantly, only the Aadhaar holder can generate this VID, and it is sent via SMS to the registered mobile number.