Author: Emily Harper

Saturday Night Football Confronts Youth Crime Every Saturday night in Uppsala, Sweden, a soccer program is tackling one of the country’s most pressing social challenges. Robert Wirehag, a pastor and former youth soccer player for IK Sirius, organizes “night football” sessions in the Gottsunda area, a suburb with high crime rates and limited opportunities for young people. Wirehag sees these youth—mainly boys between 12 and 17 years old—as vulnerable. “Some of the boys we are working with are already in gangs. Some of them are on their way to being recruited, and some of them are not yet there,” he…

The Trump administration’s recent announcement regarding tariffs on electronics has left many confused, sparking debates about the implications for consumers and international trade. While the decision to exempt certain electronics, such as smartphones and laptops, from new tariffs seemed to offer a temporary relief, the situation remains unclear. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far and the potential impact on consumers. A Temporary Exemption That Raises More Questions On Friday, the Trump administration announced that it would pause its new taxes on electronics imported into the United States. This move was seen as an attempt to ease the…

Skytrax Crowns the Singaporean Hub for the 13th Time Singapore Changi Airport has once again secured the title of World’s Best Airport, according to Skytrax’s global survey of travelers. This marks the 13th time the airport has earned the top honor at the World Airport Awards, held this year in Madrid. More than just a place to catch flights, Changi has become a destination in itself. The airport allows passengers to check in up to 48 hours before departure, encouraging them to enjoy the facilities, which include a 10-story shopping center, indoor gardens, and an immersive art experience. The centerpiece…

The long-awaited World Expo 2025 is officially underway in Osaka, where the world is gathering to celebrate innovation, culture, and collaboration. The Expo, featuring participants from 150 countries and 25 international organizations, will explore significant themes like the natural and physical world, the value of diversity, and the transformative possibilities of new science and technologies. Amidst this global convergence, the European Union’s participation stands out, demonstrating the strength of its partnership with Japan. A Shared Vision for the Future At the heart of the EU’s presence at the Expo is the pavilion, which embraces the central theme of “Nurturing Tomorrow.”…

Electronics Face Renewed Pressure Under Semiconductor Tariff Strategy The U.S. administration has announced a major change in its trade strategy by signaling that Chinese-made smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices will no longer benefit from previous tariff exemptions. Despite earlier customs notices suggesting these items would escape the 125% levy, they are now being redirected into a separate category under the so-called semiconductor tariffs. This adjustment signals a more focused push on controlling the electronics supply chain, which includes essential components like semiconductors. These chips are central to everyday technologies ranging from smartphones to laptops, and shifting them under a…

Significant Team Expansion Driven by Tech Sector Boom Wells Fargo has announced a notable 20% expansion of its technology banking unit over the past year, fueled by sustained growth in the U.S. tech industry. The bank confirmed additional hires are planned throughout 2025 to support increased demand from technology-focused clients. The growth aligns with broader market trends, as the Nasdaq 100 technology sector index gained nearly 7% in 2024 following a remarkable 66.7% jump in 2023. The sector’s upward trajectory continues to attract institutional focus, especially with the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence across industries. Dzung Nguyen, one of the…

A Historic Flight to the Edge of Space An all-women crew made a successful suborbital flight to the edge of outer space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The group included pop star Katy Perry, morning show host Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. The mission launched from a private site in Texas and carried the passengers beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located 100 kilometers above Earth. The flight gave the passengers a brief period of weightlessness, lasting about three minutes, before the capsule descended and landed safely…

White House Projects Calm While Markets React to Shifting Tariff Plans Amid financial market turbulence and growing uncertainty over U.S. trade policy, top Trump administration officials appeared across major television networks on Sunday to defend President Donald Trump’s evolving tariff agenda. The effort comes after a volatile week that saw a partial rollback of tariff hikes and conflicting messages about exemptions on key imports. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, insisted that no products had been granted real exemptions. Instead, he explained, certain electronics like smartphones and laptops were simply reclassified under the existing 20% “Fentanyl Tariffs.”…

A Second Term with Bigger Ambitions Daniel Noboa, the 37-year-old businessman-turned-president, has secured a full four-year term in Ecuador’s highest office after defeating leftist opponent Luisa González for the second time. Noboa first stunned the country by winning a snap election in 2023, securing a short 16-month presidency with limited political experience and virtually no party infrastructure. His reelection in 2025 now solidifies his transition from political outsider to a central figure in Ecuador’s evolving leadership. The recent victory gives Noboa a broader mandate to pursue his agenda—particularly his uncompromising strategies to combat crime. These policies, while popular among some…

Tensions Escalate Over Water Rights The United States and Mexico are currently engaged in a heated dispute regarding compliance with a long-standing water treaty. At the center of the controversy lies a 1944 agreement which stipulates that Mexico must deliver water from the Rio Grande to Texas, while the U.S. reciprocates by providing water from the Colorado River. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to meet its obligations, escalating tensions with threats of trade penalties. Trump has publicly blamed Mexico for allegedly depriving Texan farmers of water essential to their agricultural activities. According to Trump, water…