Tensions Rise, Trade Moves, and Mom Holds It Down

Editor’s Note: In heavy times, The Weekly Chai stands with our community, holding space for hope, unity, and care. Whether it’s a shared story, a quiet kindness, a chai chat, every small act reminds us, we’re not alone. Together, we keep showing up and that’s how we move forward. #PrayingForPeaceTogether

WHAT’S BREWING 🫖

South Asia:

• India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Sharply: India and Pakistan are in their most serious standoff in decades after an April 22 attack in Kashmir. Strikes, drone attacks, evacuations, and shut airports mark a tense escalation with no signs of de-escalation yet. Read more

  • Reliable sources for staying informed 

• India & Iran Deepen Ties with Strategic Partnership: On May 8, India and Iran marked 75 years of diplomatic friendship by signing new bilateral deals on customs cooperation and healthcare regulation. Read more

U.S.:

• U.S. Frames U.K. Trade Deal as Boost for Exports and Farmers: The White House is promoting the May 8 deal with the U.K. as a win for U.S. exports and economic security, cutting tariffs on British cars while opening U.K. markets to American beef and ethanol, touted as a $5 billion boost for U.S. agriculture. Read more

  • 🇮🇳 For the diaspora: Boosts job security in key industries and opens doors for U.K.-based South Asian entrepreneurs trading with the U.S.

• Diljit’s Met Gala Debut Was a Win for Culture & Couture: A landmark moment for Indian representation, Diljit blended Sikh tradition with high fashion and made global style history. Read more

Global:

• 80 Years Later, Moscow’s Victory Day Parade Sends a Message: Amid war and global tension, Russia marked Victory Day with a grand military display and a symbolic ceasefire. Chinese President Xi Jinping joined Putin and other Global South leaders, underscoring the event’s mix of commemoration and geopolitical signaling. Read more

• Habemus Papam! America’s First Pope, Leo XIV, Elected: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as Pope Leo XIV, the first American ever to lead the Catholic Church. Read more

• U.K.-India FTA Signed May 6: this is India’s most favorable deal ever and the U.K.’s biggest since Brexit. It slashes tariffs on whisky, cars, textiles, and more, with £25.5B in projected trade growth. Read more

  • 🇮🇳 For the diaspora: Expect cheaper Indian goods in U.K. stores, smoother business links, and fewer visa hurdles for short-term workers.

MONEY MOVES 💰

Markets Hold Steady as U.S.-China Talks Loom: After Thursday’s rally, markets cooled on Friday as investors awaited key U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland this weekend. Hopes are high, but uncertainty kept gains in check.

PLAY BY PLAY 🏏 

Cricket: This week Rohit Sharma bid farewell to Test cricket after 67 matches, 4,301 runs, and a legacy built on elegance, grit, and unforgettable centuries; the Hitman signs off, but the white-ball story continues.

IPL: BCCI has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week. Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders. Read more

Tennis: Casper Ruud clinched the 2025 Madrid Open men’s title in a gritty three-set battle against Jack Draper (7-5, 3-6, 6-4), notching one of the biggest wins of his career. On the women’s side, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka powered past Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 to lift the trophy and remind everyone why she’s still the one to beat.

F1: Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, locking in his third straight victory this season. McLaren fans, rejoice, it was a 1-2 finish with teammate Lando Norris right behind him, making it clear the papaya squad is not here to play.

NBA: Conference Semifinals: Who’s Hot So Far

• Knicks 2-0 Celtics: Knicks erased 20-point deficits in both games; Brunson clutch, Bridges’ defense sealed Game 2.

• Pacers 2-0 Cavs: Haliburton’s game-winning 3 in Game 2; Mitchell’s 48 not enough for depleted Cavs.

• Nuggets 1-1 Thunder: Jokić’s 42 & 22 in Game 1; Thunder blow out Denver by 43 in Game 2.

• Warriors 1-1 Timberwolves: The Warriors took Game 1 without Steph Curry, but the Timberwolves roared back in Game 2 with a 117-93 win.

RAISING ROOTS 🌱 

🫶🏼 From Tiffin to Tough Love: It’s Mom’s Match-Winning Moment

From late-night paratha runs to side-eye that says everything, South Asian moms don’t just support, they carry the team. This Mother’s Day, we’re passing the mic (and the mithai) to the real MVP.

Happy Mother’s Day to the OG multitaskers who do it all (and still find time to WhatsApp us astrology memes). We love you. 💖🌷

Our ‘Lo-Fi tribute’ to the MVPs of every South Asian home “Love Given, Love Multiplied” 

LIVING WELL 🍵

🏡 TikTok Home Trends That Feel... Suspiciously Familiar

If your For You Page is looking more like your dadi’s living room meets a Brooklyn loft, you’re not imagining it. From brass accents to bookshelf clutter that screams “gifted kid burnout,” 2025’s hottest decor trends are basically what South Asian households have been doing for decades, just with better lighting and a new name. Let’s break down what’s trending, what’s timeless, and how to remix your space without starting a family group chat fight.

Read on… to see why your parents’ “clutter” is suddenly considered chic?  

💉Face Taping vs. Botox: South Asian Skin, Real Talk

Face Taping vs. Botox: South Asian Skin, Real Talk

Zoom fatigue is real and so are those forehead lines staring back at you. Should you tape it? Freeze it? Or just sip your chai and scroll past? We’re breaking down both beauty fixes with your melanin, budget, and skin health in mind.

Because your nani aged like fine haldi, and now it’s your turn to choose what works for you. Read the full breakdown, no pressure, just information that actually helps.

COSMIC CHAI 🔮

Your Weekly Horoscope (May 9 - May 16)

Retrograde who? Venus is back, and so are your wins.

🌿 Earth signs: Finally… traction. Quiet confidence, louder wins.
🌊 Water signs: Emotional clarity. No more walking on eggshells.
🔥 Fire signs: Fired up but focused.
🌬 Air signs: Brain = buzzing. Heart = syncing. Vibe = immaculate.

Cosmic Dates to Know:

• May 14: Mercury sextile Saturn = great for decision-making and boundaries.

• May 16: Venus fully direct. Time to move forward with clarity and confidence.

• Coming Soon (May 26): The Gemini New Moon hits and it’s giving main character reboot.

Read full horoscope here

EDITOR'S PICK 🔖

Cleaning Up What’s on Your Plate with Food Babe

This week’s pick is one of those gems you’ll want to bookmark, text to your sibling, and maybe rework your grocery list over. Vani Hari’s Food Babe is part blog, part food industry exposé, calling out shady ingredients, championing real change, and making label-reading feel like a superpower. 👉🏽 Read more here

UPCOMING WEEK (MAY 9 - MAY 16) 🗓️

This Week: For the Mind, the Spirit, and the Mom Who Does It All

• May 8: Tagore Jayanti: Celebrate the voice that gave us poetry and the Indian national anthem.

• May 11: Mother’s Day: Call her. Thank her. Do the dishes.

• May 12: Budhpurnima: Pause for peace & reflection. Light a diya, breathe deep.

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