Author: Emily Harper

Despite a generally healthy U.S. job market, the Class of 2025 is confronting the most difficult hiring landscape for college graduates since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the national unemployment rate holds at 4.2% and job growth has continued for over four straight years, new graduates are struggling to find their first jobs. Economists say this group is disproportionately affected by today’s “no-hire, no-fire” employment climate, where companies are hesitant to add or cut staff amid economic uncertainty. For the first time since 1980, recent college graduates (ages 22–27 with a bachelor’s degree or higher) face a consistently…

A Global View on Technology Assessment At a major international event centered on technology assessment, experts from across continents are reflecting on how societies and governments can manage the fast pace of innovation. The conference brings together over 80 sessions with contributions from regions including North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The shared goal: to understand how new technologies—from artificial intelligence to medical diagnostics—can be integrated responsibly across borders. Among the key representatives is the United States, whose approach combines institutional analysis, academic collaboration, and targeted public engagement. With emerging technologies evolving faster than ever before, the…

Klarna, the Swedish fintech giant best known for its “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services, has launched a new debit card in the United States as part of a strategy to broaden its product portfolio and appeal to a wider consumer base. This major move marks Klarna’s ambition to evolve from a pure BNPL provider into a more comprehensive financial services company, directly challenging traditional banks and digital-first competitors alike. The debit card, designed in partnership with Visa, allows users to choose between paying for purchases upfront or spreading costs over several interest-free installments—Klarna’s signature offering. Available for both online…

Global Growth Slows Amid Rising Trade Tensions Global economic momentum is projected to slow down significantly, according to a major international policy group. Growth worldwide is now expected to reach only modest levels, as a surge in trade barriers—largely tied to the renewed tariff strategy of U.S. President Donald Trump—casts a shadow over the economic outlook for nearly all regions. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) now expects global growth to fall short of previous forecasts. The main factor driving this decline is the escalation of tariffs, particularly from the United States, which has impacted international trade flows…

Government Releases Stockpiled Rice to Public Retailers In response to rising rice prices that have been putting pressure on household budgets, the Japanese government has begun releasing a large portion of its stockpiled rice directly to the market. These reserves, which consist of rice harvested in recent years, are now available for purchase by consumers through retail outlets across the country. The initiative involves a total of 300,000 tons of government-held rice, part of a strategic reserve maintained to ensure food stability in times of crisis or supply disruption. This rice is being sold through no-bid contracts, allowing retail firms…

The Biden administration’s recent decision to impose higher tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum has reignited discussions across the U.S. about the potential effects on consumer prices and manufacturing. As the White House aims to support American producers and counter what it calls unfair Chinese trade practices, questions remain about how these tariffs will play out for everyday shoppers and businesses. The new measures, announced this week, will significantly raise duties on steel and aluminum imports from China. The administration argues that these steps are necessary to protect U.S. manufacturing jobs and maintain the health of critical industries. However, economists…

Cultural habits and safety concerns explain Japan’s cleanliness without bins. Japan’s pristine streets and spotless public transportation system often leave tourists amazed—especially considering the puzzling scarcity of public trash cans. For many first-time visitors, the absence of receptacles stands in stark contrast to the country’s near-immaculate cleanliness. So how does Japan stay so clean without public places to toss garbage? The answer lies in a unique combination of cultural etiquette, public safety, and social responsibility. A Culture of Personal Responsibility According to Professor Chris McMorran of the National University of Singapore, the secret is in the social norms that govern…

A Historic Win Beyond Football Saturday night in Munich, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass performance, routing Inter Milan 5-0 to secure the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title. The final was rich in footballing brilliance—none more so than the coming-of-age performance of 19-year-old Désiré Doué, who scored twice and assisted once. But even amid the euphoria of a long-awaited triumph, it was a deeply emotional gesture from the fans, not the football, that defined the night. As players lifted the trophy and celebrated before their traveling supporters, a massive banner emerged in the stands behind the goal. It bore the…

In August 2023, Japan initiated the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The plan, developed over years and approved by Japanese regulators, aimed to address the vast quantity of water stored at the site since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) both assured the international community that the release would be carried out safely. The treated water had most radioactive elements removed, except for tritium, which was diluted to levels that meet global safety standards. Despite these reassurances, the move…

Dario Amodei Urges Urgent Action as AI Accelerates Job Disruption Dario Amodei, CEO of leading artificial intelligence company Anthropic, has issued a stark warning: AI advancements are outpacing human adaptability and could soon lead to mass job losses. In a recent interview, Amodei stated that AI may push unemployment in the United States to 20% within the next one to five years, a fivefold increase from current levels. “AI is starting to get better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks,” Amodei said, emphasizing that not even CEOs are immune to being replaced or augmented by AI tools. He also…