Author: Emily Harper

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…

Traditional Game Enters Digital Arena at Esports World Cup The centuries-old game of chess is experiencing a dramatic evolution, stepping into the fast-paced world of digital competition through a new partnership with esports. This historic shift will be showcased at the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC), where chess will make its debut in a newly created rapid format designed for the modern gaming audience. What was once defined by long hours and silent concentration is now being reimagined as a high-stakes, visually engaging competition. And with major esports organizations like Team Liquid signing top-ranked grandmasters, chess is poised to carve…

Universal’s Boldest Venture Yet Opens With Immersive Worlds Universal Orlando Resort is preparing to open its most ambitious project to date: Epic Universe, a sprawling, state-of-the-art theme park set to welcome guests on May 22. At 750 acres, including both guest and operational spaces, the park is believed to be the largest of its kind and showcases an unprecedented level of immersive technology and design. Epic Universe introduces four distinct “worlds” beyond its central hub, each sealed off from the next by themed portals that transport visitors into fully realized fantasy environments. It is the first major theme park to…

Tariffs and Emission Reductions President Donald Trump’s extensive global tariffs have created significant concerns about a potential economic downturn. Amid economic uncertainties, experts are assessing whether this scenario might unintentionally benefit climate change efforts by reducing global emissions, albeit temporarily. Analysts suggest that reduced global trade due to tariffs could minimally lower greenhouse gas emissions. Such emissions largely result from burning fossil fuels like oil and gas, powering ships, aircraft, and vehicles transporting goods worldwide. Historical precedents, such as emission reductions during the 2020 pandemic and the 2009 global financial crisis, reinforce the notion that slowed economic activity can slightly…

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…