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While some level of stress is inherent in any job, a toxic work environment and an unsupportive boss can exponentially increase stress levels, creating a fertile ground for negativity, depression, and conflict to flourish. Recently, an Indian employee shared a shocking account of her experience with a boss whose behavior was not only toxic but downright bizarre. In a lengthy Reddit post titled “My boss is a lunatic – where do I even start?”, she began by listing the typical grievances, including dismissive responses to concerns about heavy workloads and strict rules governing time off. 

The employee then revealed the more disturbing and controlling aspects of her boss’s behavior. She claimed that her boss obsessively monitors the office CCTV feed on her phone, often messaging the group chat to inquire about employees’ activities the moment they engage in conversations with colleagues. ” Once, a colleague sat beside me to talk for two minutes, and she immediately messaged asking if it was necessary and threatened to change our seating arrangements to keep us apart. Her latest rule? We are not allowed to talk to each other at all,” the Reddit user wrote.

The employee also alleged that while staff were forbidden from wearing shoes in the office due to supposed hygiene concerns, stray dogs were permitted to roam freely, defecate, urinate, and vomit on the premises. The employee recalled a particularly unpleasant incident in which she inadvertently stepped in dog urine. She further alleged that her boss berated staff members for seemingly trivial reasons, such as high electricity bills. Moreover, she claimed that employees were subjected to arbitrary salary cuts and legal notices.

See the post here:

My boss is a lunatic – where do I even start?
byu/Icy_Diet8893 inIndianWorkplace

Many users are expressing shock, outrage, and empathy, unanimously advising her to quit her job and escape the toxic work environment as soon as possible.

One user wrote, “Leave soon????.. If I were you, I would leave right now; in fact, I would run or abscond. I don’t know if you have some sort of financial burden or necessities, but I am pretty sure this job’s not even worth it.”

Another commented, “Lol, this is classic small company dictator type thing. Common model, have seen in many places. Founder runs it like a fiefdom, and with little professionalism. If she is the “owner” don’t bother trying to fix things, and don’t expect accountability. Run (and I am the kind of old guy who rarely says “run” on this sub).”

After weeks of anticipation, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled his reciprocal tariffs plan by declaring a 10 per cent baseline tax on practically all goods imported to the United States, with steeper rates tailored to those that Washington deemed the “worst offenders”, kicking into high gear a global trade war that threatens to drive up inflation and stall economic growth in US and worldwide.

During his speech at the White House Rose Garden, the 78-year-old Republican waved a chart with exact details on the sweeping additional duties impacting major US trading partners, including China, India, Japan and the European Union. However, missing from the list that virtually contained the entire world was Russia.

Later, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Axios that Russia was not on Trump’s tariff list because US sanctions already “preclude any meaningful trade.” 

However, the United States still trades more with Russia than with countries like Mauritius or Brunei, which were part of the tariff list. In fact, even war-torn Ukraine was on the list and is set to face a 10 per cent retaliatory tariff in addition to many other former Soviet satellites.

Trump-Putin Rift

The exemption of Russia from the list came as a surprise to many, especially after Trump threatened additional sanctions on Russian oil if Moscow failed to end the war in Ukraine soon. Last week, the US President said he was “very angry” and “pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin when he criticised the credibility of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“There will be a 25 per cent tariff on oil and other products sold in the United States, secondary tariffs,” Trump said, adding the tariffs on Russia would come within a month without a ceasefire deal. 

Since returning to the Oval Office, Trump has been trying to negotiate with Russia, hoping to quickly bring an end to the war in Ukraine. 

Who Else Was Exempted From Putin’s List

Belarus, Cuba and North Korea, which also faced US sanctions, weren’t hit with reciprocal tariffs. However, Iran and Syria, also facing heavy embargoes and sanctions, were hit with additional tariffs of 10 and 40 per cent, respectively.

Major US partners Canada and Mexico, which were targeted by Trump’s taxes earlier, were also not subject to the new tariffs. Trump earlier imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imports from both countries, with a lower rate on Canadian energy, and they will continue to face these duties.

However, China, which already faced a 20 per cent levy over its alleged role in the supply chain of illicit fentanyl, was slapped with an additional 34 per cent figure, taking the new additional figure to 54 per cent.

In the fast-paced world of today, work is often given priority over health. But one Bengaluru-based entrepreneur recently had a near-death health emergency that is a grim reminder that no job is worth a hospital bed. Amit Mishra, CEO, wrote about his terrifying experience in a now-viral LinkedIn post, explaining how his blood pressure shot up to 230 overnight, getting him admitted to the ICU with a nosebleed that would not stop.

An unexpected health emergency

Mishra described how he was typing away on his laptop on what appeared to be a routine Saturday when he suddenly had a massive nosebleed. By the time he arrived at Apollo Hospital, he had lost a lot of blood, and the emergency team fought for 20 minutes before they managed to stop the bleeding temporarily. But the biggest shock came when doctors took his blood pressure at a critically high 230.
“I was shifted to the ICU straight away, where the doctors struggled to get my BP down. Everything looked okay by late night, but next morning while trying to walk within the ICU, I fainted suddenly,” Mishra said in his post. Even after running several tests like ECG, LFT, ECHO, cholesterol testing, and even an angiography, no obvious reason for his spike in BP could be ascertained.

Work-life balance and modern lifestyle

Mishra’s experience highlights the unseen dangers of contemporary work culture. Long working hours, excessive stress, and the ‘always-on’ mentality can result in silent health problems that go unnoticed until they become emergencies. His experience is a wake-up call to professionals who put work above well-being.
In the post, Mishra listed important lessons from his experience:
– Your body doesn’t always give clear warnings. Health risks like high BP and stress can be silent killers. Regular checkups are essential.
– Work is important, but health is non-negotiable. Ignoring small signs can have severe consequences.
– Emergency preparedness matters. Knowing the nearest hospital and how to handle a crisis can save lives.
– Medical science has its secrets. Even with thorough testing, the reason behind his BP spike is still unknown, reiterating the need for proactive healthcare.

Reactions from LinkedIn

Mishra’s post was overwhelming for many professionals, and the discussion turned towards work-life balance. There were people on LinkedIn who were concerned about his recovery, and there were others who shared their own such experiences.
Prashant Kamble, a professional, said: “The fact that you are writing this post while still ill indicates that you are still not serious about your health. My friend, keep that phone aside for a while and rest completely!”
Ram Manohar Tripathi, who was also in a similar health crisis, penned: “Hearing your account is like gazing in a mirror. This had occurred to me on August 30, 2021. No signs, then out of the blue, a nosebleed and ICU admission with BP 210/110. Doctor told me that I was extremely lucky.”
Mishra’s experience reinforces the imperative to shift the way professionals think about work and health. Stress reduction, routine checkups, and establishing clear boundaries between work and life are not indulgences—they are essential. His account is a wake-up call reminding us that success is fueled by ambition, yet ignoring health comes with catastrophic risks.
As Mishra himself concluded, “If you’re reading this, let this be your reminder: listen to your body. Don’t wait for a wake-up call like mine.”
Read the post here

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday acted on his campaign promises to “build that wall” and announced a raft of tariffs targeting countries around the world, including some of America’s closest trading partners, in a move that risks sparking a ruinous trade war.

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, the American commander-in-chief set out plans for most stinging import taxes, ranging from 10 per cent to more than 49 per cent on what he called “Liberation Day.”

“For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump said.

The President reserved some of the heaviest blows for what he called the “nations that treat us badly,” including 34 percent on goods from superpower rival China, 26 per cent on India, 24 percent on Japan and 20 percent on key ally the European Union.

But the 78-year-old Republican — who held up a chart with a list of levies — said that he was “very kind” and so was only imposing half the amount that those countries taxed US exports.

For the rest, Trump said he would impose a “baseline” tariff of 10 percent, including Britain.

“This is Liberation Day,” Trump said, adding that it would “forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed.”

Sweeping auto tariffs of 25 percent that Trump announced last week are also due to take effect at 12:01 am Thursday. 

LIBERATION DAY RECIPROCAL TARIFFS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ODckbUWKvO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025

Here Is The List Of New Tariff Rates Trump Displayed

Algeria 30%

Oman 10%

Uruguay 10%

Bahamas 10%

Lesotho 50%

Ukraine 10%

Bahrain 10%

Qatar 10%

Mauritius 40%

Fiji 32%

Iceland 10%

Kenya 10%

Liechtenstein 37%

Guyana 38%

Haiti 10%

Bosnia and Herzegovina 35%

Nigeria 14%

Namibia 21%

Brunei 24%

Bolivia 10%

Panama 10%

Venezuela 15%

North Macedonia 33%

Ethiopia 10%

Chana 10%

Country U.S. reciprocal tariffs

China 34%

European Union 20%

Vietnam 46%

Taiwan 32%

Japan 24%

India 26%

South Korea 25%

Thailand 36%

Switzerland 31%

Indonesia 32%

Malaysia 24%

Cambodia 49%

United Kingdom 10%

South Africa 30%

Brazil 10%

Bangladesh 37%

Singapore 10%

Israel 17%

Philippines 17%

Chile 10%

Australia 10%

Pakistan 29%

Turkey 10%

Sri Lanka 44%

Colombia 10%

Peru 10%

Nicaragua 18%

Norway 15%

Costa Rica 10%

Jordan 20%

Dominican Republic 10%

United Arab Emirates 10%

New Zealand 10%

Argentina 10%

Ecuador 10%

Guatemala 10%

Honduras 10%

Madagascar 47%

Myanmar (Burma) 44%

Tunisia 28%

Kazakhstan 27%

Serbia 37%

Egypt 10%

Saudi Arabia 10%

El Salvador 10%

Côte d’Ivoire 21%

Laos 48%

Botswana 37%

Trinidad and Tobago 10%

Morocco 10%

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Stocks slumped, bonds surged, and gold hit a new high as markets braced for the impact of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs on Thursday. Trump announced a baseline 10 per cent tariff on all imports with far higher levies on some trading partners, particularly in Asia.

US stock futures were under pressure late on Wednesday following Trump’s announcement. Australian blue-chip stocks opened in the red on Thursday, as one of the first global markets reacted to the development. Asia’s markets were also set to slide as the bigger-than-expected wall of taxes was imposed around the world’s largest economy, upending trade and supply chains. 

Stocks Take A Dive

Nasdaq futures slipped 4 per cent, with tech on the front line after China, a significant manufacturing hub, was hit with a 34 per cent levy on top of a previous 20 per cent tariff. Apple shares were down nearly 7 per cent in after-hours trade.

S&P 500 futures tumbled 3.3 per cent and Nikkei futures dropped more than 4 per cent. The US dollar was, meanwhile, higher in rollercoaster currency trade, except against the safe-haven yen, which surged to 148.15 per dollar.

Australian blue-chip stocks dipped nearly two percent. A benchmark index of the country’s largest 200 listed companies dropped 1.96 percent 20 minutes after opening, as traders came to grips with 10 percent US tariffs on Australian exports.

The energy and financial services sectors were among the hardest hit on the ASX200 index, shedding more than two percent.

In a press conference announcing the global tariffs, Trump singled out Australia’s beef industry. 

Tokyo’s key Nikkei index fell more than three percent at the open on Thursday after Trump imposed 24 per cent tariffs on Japan. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 3.42 percent, or 1,222.77 points, at 34,503.10 in early trade, while the broader Topix index was down 3.32 percent, or 87.93 points, at 2,562.36.

Van Eck’s Vietnam ETF also fell more than 8 per cent in after-hours trade.

Gold Hits New Record

Oil prices dropped $2 on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, stoking concerns that a global trade war may dampen demand for crude.

Brent futures fell $1.97, or 2.63%, to $72.98 a barrel by 0033 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $1.98, or 2.76%, to $69.73.

Oil Prices Fall

Oil prices fell to negative territory after rising by a dollar in post-settlement trade on Wednesday as Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, stoking concerns that a global trade war may dampen demand for crude. Brent futures settled 46 cents higher, or 0.6 per cent, at $74.95 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 51 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to settle at $71.71. 

Currencies Struggle

The Indian rupee declined in the non-deliverable forward market on Thursday after Trump slapped a 26% tariff on imports from the Asian nation. 

The 1-month dollar/rupee non-deliverable forward was quoting at 85.86-85.90, implying that the Indian currency is likely to open 10-15 paisa weaker when the onshore spot market opens at 9:00 a.m. IST.

The offshore Chinese yuan dropped to a one-month low of 7.3482 versus the U.S. dollar, before recovering marginally to a current rate of 7.32. The U.S. equity futures experienced a sizeable drop, and Japan led the broader Asian equity market lower. The dollar also slid broadly on Thursday, while the euro was steady.

Trump’s Tariffs

US President Trump on Wednesday unveiled a raft of punishing tariffs targeting countries around the world, including some of its closest trading partners, in a move that risks sparking a ruinous trade war. He announced a baseline 10 per cent tariff on imports and reserved some of the heaviest blows for what he called the “nations that treat us badly,” including 34 percent on goods from superpower rival China, 20 percent on key ally the European Union and 24 percent on Japan.

Besides China’s 34 per cent tax, India got a 26 per cent, Vietnam 46  per cent and South Korea 25  per cent. The European Union was hit with a 20  per cent levy.

Trump also shut a loophole used to ship low-value packages from China, which is likely to hurt China’s giant online retailers.

But the 78-year-old Republican — who held up a chart with a list of levies — said that he was “very kind” and so was only imposing half the amount that those countries taxed US exports.

Trading partners are expected to respond with countermeasures of their own that could lead to dramatically higher prices.

“We would characterise this slate of tariffs as ‘worse than the worst case scenario’ the Street was fearing,” said analysts at Wedbush, with the technology supply chain in Taiwan and China hit hard.

U.S. interest rate futures leapt as investors priced in slowing US growth and a higher chance of rate cuts.

“The tariff rates unveiled this morning far exceed baseline expectations, and if they aren’t negotiated down promptly, expectations for a recession in the US will rise dramatically,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
 

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that thousands of refugees settled in the state since 1960s with the knowledge of the authorities and those people were provided assistance for rehabilitation.

Mr Singh, who resigned as the chief minister in February leading to imposition of President’s Rule in the restive state, also wondered what happened to those families and whether those people were added to the electoral roll.

His comments, made in a lengthy post on X, came a day after BJP MLAs of Manipur sought a “review” of the 2001 Census and implementation of the NRC before carrying out delimitation exercise in the state.

Biren Singh, when he was the CM, and the Centre accused illegal immigrants from Myanmar of largely being responsible for the ethnic violence in the state which left more than 250 people dead since May 2023.

“Official records show that even before we became a full-fledged state, thousands of refugees were settled here with the knowledge of the authorities at the time. As early as the late 1960s and early 70s, documents reveal the presence of over 1,500 families who had crossed over and were provided assistance for rehabilitation,” Mr Singh said in the post.

Manipur became a Union Territory on November 1, 1956, and was granted full statehood on January 21, 1972.

Mr Singh asked, “What happened to those families? How were they integrated? How many generations have grown since then?… Were they eventually granted full rights? Were they added to electoral rolls?” These questions have never been fully addressed in the public domain and the issue has remained largely unspoken, even as the demographic structure of the state changed over the years, the BJP leader claimed.

Paokai Haokip, then Member of Parliament from Manipur, wrote a letter to KC Pant, Minister of State for Home Affairs, informing him about the presence of over 1,500 refugee families who settled in Manipur by 1967, Mr Singh said in the post, sharing a copy of the letter.

“His correspondence is just one among several that confirm how deeply rooted and long-standing this issue is,” the former chief minister said.

Is Manipur a Dumping Ground for Refugees from the Very Beginning?

Amid all the political noise and distractions that often cloud our public discourse, we must not lose sight of the core issue, one that has been quietly shaping Manipur’s reality for decades. It’s hard not to feel… pic.twitter.com/egcKGEw4zo

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) April 2, 2025

Wondering whether Manipur was “a dumping ground for refugees from the very beginning”, Singh said it is important to ask whether there were legal mechanisms in place to ensure these individuals remained in refugee status.

“Were they extended benefits meant for indigenous communities? These are not small matters; they touch the core of our identity, our social balance, and the direction we’re heading in as a society,” he said.

Mr Singh said it is time to revisit this chapter and not to assign blame, but to understand what happened, reflect on its implications, and chart a fair and balanced path forward, as the issue has far-reaching consequences and will shape the state’s present and future.

“From my experience in active politics and high office, I understand the weight it carries to a representative of the people. It’s easy to go with the tide, but true responsibility lies in standing firm on facts. We owe it to our people to be truthful, defend their dignity, and be forward-looking. That’s what it means to be a statesman, not just a politician,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NEW DELHI: The US national arrested for entering the prohibited areas in Andaman and Nicobar islands has been remanded in three-days police custody for investigation. The police have seized a ‘GoPro’ camera from the suspect and its video footage has confirmed his visit to the restricted North Sentinel Island. The suspect has been identified as Mykhailo Viktorvych Polyakov (24).
The purpose of his unauthorised movement is not clear. During interrogation, he is learnt to have told police he was a “thrill seeker” and had visited Afghanistan to meet Taliban members in the past.
Police have obtained details of his many visits to the islands. On his first visit, Polyakov arrived in India on Oct 18, 2024 and attempted reconnaissance for North Sentinel Island using an inflatable kayak but was stopped by hotel staff.
During his second visit on Jan 18, Polyakov attempted to procure an outboard motor for his boat. “He visited Baratang islands, illegally videographed the Jarawa tribe, and explored various locations in Port Blair before leaving on Jan 27,” a senior officer said.
On his third visit on March 26, Polyakov arrived in Port Blair with an inflatable boat and Suzuki outboard motor. “He assembled the motor at a local workshop, purchased fuel, and checked into a resort on March 27. He conducted research on sea conditions, tides, and accessibility from Kurma Dera Beach, planning his journey meticulously,” an FIR states.
On March 29, Polyakov launched his boat from Kurma Dera Beach around 1am, carrying a coconut and Diet Coke cans as offerings for the Sentinelese. “By 10am, he reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island. Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat,” the FIR adds.
Polyakov remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle in an attempt to attract attention but received no response. At 1pm, he started his return journey and reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7pm. Police have alerted the US embassy and MEA about the arrest.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has taken strict measures to protect the Sentinelese, who have a history of defending their isolation by force. In 2018, an American missionary, John Allen Chau, was killed by the tribe after attempting to make contact with the reclusive tribes there.

The High Court of Karnataka has issued a strict directive to the state government to take necessary steps to suspend bike taxis within six weeks.

Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola) and others have applied for directions to the state government to consider the applications filed in 2022 for converting two-wheelers into transport vehicles.

All these applications have been filed by High Court Justice BM Shyam Prasad, who has dismissed them and issued a strict notice to Ola, Uber, and Rapido to halt the operations of their bike taxis.

The High Court ruled that the state government could not issue permission in this regard.

During the hearing of the petitions, the court noted that Ola, Uber, and Rapido were managing bike taxis based on an interim order issued by the court. It was allowed to work for six weeks and was supposed to be banned six weeks later.

The court also said that the state government should ensure this. Applicants cannot act as collectors of bike taxi services unless the state government provides the relevant guidelines under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 and the rules governing it, and a two-wheeler is registered with white number plates by the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules.

The state government has argued that bike taxis are illegal because they cannot operate as commercial vehicles. Considering this, the court has ordered that it is not possible.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)