Author: Emily Harper

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the White House said the United States will impose a 25% tariff on all goods from India beginning Friday, Aug. 1, and will add an extra import “penalty” tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil and military equipment. The administration has not yet specified the size of that additional levy; officials said those Russia‑related rates would be announced separately. The move comes as Washington rolls out a revised tariff regime across multiple countries. President Donald Trump framed the step as both a response to India’s “far too high” tariffs on U.S. products and a bid…

A Bold Beginning in the Jet Age Commercial jet travel began just 73 years ago with the launch of the de Havilland DH106 1A Comet. On May 2, 1952, the world’s first fare-paying jet flight departed London Airport — now Heathrow — en route to Johannesburg, marking a breakthrough in speed and comfort. The British-built Comet, powered by four de Havilland Ghost turbojets, offered a smoother, quieter ride than propeller-driven aircraft. But the success was short-lived. Despite being the first passenger jet to reach commercial skies, the Comet suffered from critical design flaws. A series of mid-air breakups, stemming from…

A Historic Victory for England The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final delivered a dramatic and symbolic moment for women’s soccer as England triumphed over Spain in a tense penalty shootout. Chloe Kelly, already a national hero for her winning goal in the 2022 final, once again rose to the occasion. With more than 1,200 fans gathered at Boxpark Wembley and millions watching around the world, Kelly struck the decisive penalty with power and precision, sealing England’s second consecutive European championship. The celebrations were euphoric. Songs blared, fans hugged strangers, and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” filled the air. An open-top bus parade…

In a groundbreaking ruling on July 28–29, 2025, former President Álvaro Uribe was convicted of witness tampering and bribery of a public official, becoming the first former Colombian head of state to be found guilty in criminal court. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia presided over a lengthy, 10-hour session to read the verdict, concluding that there was clear evidence Uribe conspired with his attorney to pressure jailed paramilitary figures into recanting testimony given to Senator Iván Cepeda, who had been investigating Uribe’s alleged links to paramilitary groups. The case marks a dramatic moment for Colombian politics and a decisive step for…

Initial Success Gives Way to Rising International Tension President Donald Trump’s trade policies, once dismissed as reckless, have delivered surprising short-term gains. Customs revenues have surged, inflation remains relatively stable, and many global trading partners have accepted steep new U.S. tariffs with limited retaliation. Several framework deals struck by the Trump administration have opened foreign markets to American goods while maintaining or eliminating levies on U.S. exports. However, these early wins may be short-lived. Opposition is intensifying abroad, and key agreements are already under threat. The European Union, Canada, and China have all shown signs of discontent, casting doubt on…

A Growing Threat Beyond Hospital Walls Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp), one of the most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, is spreading across U.S. healthcare facilities in ways that defy traditional surveillance. While hospitals have long been the focus of infection control, new evidence shows that CRKp transmission spans a complex web of institutions—including skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers. This silent spread is often invisible to standard detection methods, posing a serious public health risk that requires broader action. A recent network analysis combined patient admission data with bacterial genome sequencing to examine how CRKp circulates. The study tracked over 500…

JPMorgan Chase is nearing an agreement to take over Apple’s credit card program, known as Apple Card, from Goldman Sachs, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. The talks, which began in late 2024, represent a pivotal move for Apple as it seeks a new banking partner after Goldman’s decision to exit most of its consumer finance ventures. The program, launched in 2019, has become a significant part of Apple’s broader push into financial services, with millions of users integrated through Apple Pay. Goldman’s retreat comes after years of mounting losses in its consumer division, including costs associated with…

North Carolina Win Signals Stronger Democratic Momentum The Democratic Party achieved a major victory in its 2026 Senate recruitment efforts by confirming former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper as its candidate. Cooper’s decision to run for the seat left open by retiring Republican Thom Tillis immediately bolstered Democratic hopes in a traditionally red-leaning state. His candidacy is viewed as one of the most promising opportunities to flip a Republican-held seat, a critical step toward regaining a Senate majority. Party leaders are now turning their focus to replicating this success in other competitive states. North Carolina is just the beginning of…

Budget Reductions Shake Up EU Health Research Agenda The European Commission has significantly reduced the budget allocated to health-related research within Horizon Europe, its flagship funding programme for innovation. According to the latest draft of the 2026 and 2027 work programmes, the adjustments represent a 25% cut for 2026 and a 14% reduction for 2027 compared to figures circulated in earlier internal documents. In real terms, the 2026 budget has dropped from €787.39 million to €594.24 million. For 2027, the allocation falls from €968.88 million to €829.44 million. These reductions affect key areas of research aimed at improving public health…

Global markets responded favorably after the United States and European Union announced a trade agreement imposing a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the U.S. The deal, negotiated at President Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, significantly reduced the risk of a broader trade war that had unsettled investors for weeks. Following the announcement, U.S. futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced roughly 0.5%, while European futures including the EuroStoxx 50, DAX, and FTSE 100 gained nearly 1%. Oil prices rose by about 2%, the U.S. dollar strengthened by 0.8%, and gold prices dipped…