Author: Emily Harper

Trump’s tariff threat reignites long-standing manufacturing debate President Donald Trump’s renewed push to bring iPhone manufacturing to the United States has reignited a long-standing debate over Apple’s global production strategy. As Trump threatens a 25% tariff on Apple and other smartphone makers unless they build phones domestically, the company faces increasing political and economic pressure — but experts say relocating iPhone production to the US is highly improbable in the near future. Despite Apple’s growing investment in its American footprint, the company’s reliance on global supply chains, labor specialization abroad, and cost efficiencies in countries like China and India continue…

A Celestial Show Across the Night Sky Every year, the night sky offers a fleeting but breathtaking view of our home galaxy — the Milky Way. This luminous arc, made up of billions of stars, stretches across the darkness in a way that feels almost otherworldly. While technically visible year-round, there are specific moments when this galactic band becomes especially vibrant and easier to spot. One of those moments happens in spring, when the sky aligns just right for stargazers across the continental United States to witness this cosmic wonder in all its brilliance. Thanks to a combination of the…

Visa Appointments Paused Amid Increased Scrutiny The U.S. government has taken a controversial step by halting the scheduling of new student visa appointments at its embassies worldwide. This decision is tied to a broader strategy that includes expanding the social media vetting process for all applicants pursuing academic or cultural exchange in the United States. Only those with existing appointments will proceed, while others must wait for further instructions. This measure introduces uncertainty for thousands of international students who were planning to start or continue their education in the U.S. Traditionally, these applicants are required to schedule interviews at American…

A Silent Threat Behind Digital Curtains A previously unknown Russian hacking group has emerged as a serious cyber threat after launching stealth operations against high-level institutions across Europe. Identified as Laundry Bear by Dutch intelligence agencies, the group operated without detection until it infiltrated confidential systems used by Dutch police authorities. This marked the beginning of an international investigation that would unveil a broader pattern of strategic cyber-espionage linked to key Western organizations. According to findings by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), Laundry Bear conducted targeted cyberattacks not only on…

After months of steady decline, consumer confidence in the United States made a significant rebound in May, offering a rare bright spot amid ongoing economic challenges. According to the latest report from The Conference Board, the consumer confidence index rose to 102 in May, up from 97.5 in April. This 4.5-point jump breaks a five-month streak of falling confidence, which had been driven largely by concerns over inflation and the threat of new tariffs. Economists say this improvement reflects renewed optimism among consumers about both present economic conditions and the outlook for the next six months. However, even with this…

Travel industry urges calm amid political tensions and boycotts. As summer approaches, a surge of anxiety has emerged among some American tourists questioning whether they’re still welcome in Canada, amid rising political tensions and a growing Canadian boycott of the United States. While diplomatic rhetoric intensifies, Canadian tourism agencies are mobilizing with a unified message: American visitors are still warmly invited. Tourism Industry Pushes Back Against Fears The Eastern Townships in Quebec, known for its vineyards and French-Canadian charm, recently launched a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign to reassure Americans. In the video, a bashful English-speaking tourist receives a hug from…

Police confirm no terrorism link as community reels from shocking incident. A moment of celebration turned to horror on Monday evening when a car plowed into a crowd gathered in Liverpool to celebrate the football club’s latest Premier League victory. The collision, which occurred as an open-top bus parade wound through the city center, left at least 27 people hospitalized, including four children, and many more shaken. Chaos at the Heart of Celebration The incident took place on Water Street near the iconic Liver Building just after 6 p.m. local time, as thousands of Liverpool supporters filled the streets with…

The recent approval by France’s Senate of a law banning the use of “ostensible religious symbols,” such as Islamic headscarves, in all sporting events has triggered an intense national and international debate. The proposed legislation, if enacted, would apply to all athletes participating in competitions and has been widely interpreted as targeting Muslim women who wear the hijab. Supporters of the law argue that it is a necessary measure to uphold France’s strict interpretation of secularism, or laïcité. They believe that banning religious symbols in public arenas such as sports ensures the neutrality of these spaces. Senator Dominique de Legge,…

Major Brands Warn That Import Duties Will Soon Impact Shoppers As President Donald Trump’s latest tariff measures take effect, a growing list of major companies is signaling upcoming price increases, citing the financial pressure of import taxes. Retailers, manufacturers, and automakers are among those most affected by the sweeping trade policies, with consumers expected to bear the brunt of the cost in coming months. The new tariff rules include a 10% baseline duty on most imports and a 30% rate on goods imported from China. Some specific items, such as steel and aluminum, are taxed at even higher rates. While…

The Deep Ocean: Earth’s Hidden Giant The deep ocean, defined as areas deeper than 200 meters, makes up a staggering 66% of the Earth’s surface. Despite its massive size and vital importance to the planet’s health, this enormous underwater world remains mostly unseen. Recent findings have revealed that humans have visually explored less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor — an area roughly the size of Rhode Island or just one-tenth the size of Belgium. This tiny fraction is alarming when we consider what the deep ocean offers: it supports a wide range of ecosystems, plays a major role in…