Author: Emily Harper

As President Donald Trump escalates tariffs on Chinese imports, China is responding not only with retaliatory measures but by seeking international support to isolate Washington’s approach. However, Beijing’s attempt to form a coalition has met mixed results, as global markets sway under the pressure of the intensifying economic standoff. Tariff War Reaches New Heights On Wednesday, President Trump announced a steep hike in tariffs on Chinese imports, pushing the rate to 145%, up from the previously stated 125%. The increase includes a separate 20% levy tied to China’s alleged role in fentanyl production. In response, China imposed tariffs of 84%…

As economic pressures mount and risks of market shocks grow, the European Central Bank (ECB) is warning that Europe’s fragmented banking system is a vulnerability. ECB Supervisory Board Chair Claudia Buch stressed the urgent need for cross-border bank mergers, citing legal and structural barriers that continue to hinder financial integration across the European Union. Fragmentation Weakens the Banking Sector Speaking during a university lecture in Warsaw on Thursday, Buch emphasized that Europe’s current banking structure lacks the cohesion necessary to withstand economic disruptions. “This fragmentation not only restricts efficiency gains but also leaves financial systems more vulnerable to asymmetric shocks…

The trade confrontation between the United States and China escalated to unprecedented levels on Wednesday as President Donald Trump announced a 125% tariff on Chinese goods, while simultaneously suspending or reducing tariffs to 10% for dozens of other countries for a 90-day period. The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social account, came just hours after China imposed an 84% tariff on all U.S. imports, deepening what is now the most severe phase of the bilateral trade war. The president framed the move as a response to what he called China’s “disrespect for global markets,” and warned that further measures may…

Strategic Shift Raises Concerns in Eastern Europe The recent announcement by the United States to reposition its troops from the key military base in Jasionka, located in southeastern Poland near the Ukrainian border, has generated widespread concern within the country. While officially described by the U.S. Army Europe and Africa as part of a broader strategy to optimize military operations, the move has led to speculation and anxiety about a potential weakening of American military support in Eastern Europe. American forces stationed at Jasionka have played a critical role since early 2022, with the nearby Rzeszow military airport functioning as…

The process of conducting a literature review—once time-consuming and often complex—has entered a new era with the introduction of an advanced AI-powered tool in the Web of Science Research Assistant. This innovation, known as Literature Review 2.0, leverages agentic AI, a new generation of artificial intelligence capable of reasoning, interacting, and adapting to user needs in real time. With this tool, researchers now have access to a highly personalized and efficient approach to identifying knowledge gaps, refining research questions, and synthesizing relevant findings. Unlike traditional generative AI models that focus on providing fast but often broad responses, agentic AI is…

Tucked into the southern tip of British Columbia’s Tsawwassen Peninsula lies Point Roberts, a U.S. town geographically detached from its own country. Accessible by land only through Canada, this 4.9-square-mile community of around 1,200 residents is both a scenic retreat and a logistical puzzle. Surrounded on three sides by water and bordered to the north by Canada, Point Roberts is a “pene-exclave” — an American territory reachable from the U.S. mainland only by crossing an international border twice. This geographic anomaly, a byproduct of the 1846 Oregon Treaty, left the town under American jurisdiction despite its physical detachment. For those…

Customers Fear Increased Costs at Favorite Stores Shoppers at popular Asian supermarkets like 99 Ranch Market and H Mart are facing the reality of steep price increases after former President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imported goods took effect Wednesday. Customers, particularly within immigrant and Asian American communities, expressed concern as imported staples from China, Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries become significantly more expensive. Social media buzzed with posts from worried consumers sharing their final “pre-tariff” shopping hauls, while others openly wondered if they could continue to afford their preferred imported goods. “We’re all going to be crying…

Norway is undertaking one of Europe’s most impressive engineering projects—the Rogaland Fixed Link, commonly known as Rogfast. This groundbreaking infrastructure project is poised to become the longest and deepest underwater tunnel in the world, significantly improving transport and connectivity across western Norway. The Rogfast tunnel, spanning an impressive length of 26.7 kilometers, will run deep beneath the country’s picturesque fjords. At its lowest point, the tunnel will be situated approximately 390 meters beneath the sea surface, marking an extraordinary feat in modern tunnel engineering. Once operational, the Rogfast tunnel promises to cut travel times between two major Norwegian cities, Stavanger…

Inter Milan delivered a statement performance in the UEFA Champions League, defeating Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena and ending the German side’s 22-match unbeaten home run in European competition. According to UEFA Technical Observer Gareth Southgate, Inter’s win was a product of both precise attacking execution and disciplined defensive structure. The victory in this quarter-final first leg underscores Inter’s status as serious contenders for the title. Led by Simone Inzaghi, the Serie A leaders showcased their trademark 3-5-2 formation with cohesion, patience, and clinical finishing—qualities that overwhelmed a Bayern team struggling to contain the visitors’ fluid combinations and…

The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China escalated as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a new 50% tariff on Chinese goods. The threat comes in response to China’s 34% counter-tariff, which was introduced shortly after the U.S. launched its own wave of import taxes under a broader global trade initiative. Tariff Tensions Reach a Boiling Point Trump’s recent move builds upon a series of tariff actions taken earlier, including a 20% rate introduced in a previous round and a 34% hike as part of what he called “Liberation Day,” which aimed to place a minimum…