July 2025 - Page 23 of 33 - New york time press

China growth beats expectations as Trump tariffs loom

11 Jul

China posts better-than-expected growth despite Trump tariff threats

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

The latest economic report from China revealed better-than-expected growth, indicating persistent strength despite increasing worries about possible new tariffs from the United States. Government representatives released the new statistics, which demonstrate strong performance in multiple critical sectors, implying that local demand and industrial production have helped buffer against growing external challenges.Analysts had expected a modest expansion, factoring in a complex backdrop that includes global trade tensions, evolving supply chains, and internal reforms. However, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) outpaced those forecasts, offering a degree of reassurance to investors and policymakers who have been closely monitoring the country’s trajectory amid renewed…

US inflation rises as tariffs drive up prices

11 Jul

US inflation spikes with tariffs driving prices higher

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

Recent data shows that inflation in the United States has seen a rise, partly due to the impact of tariffs on various products and materials. As this situation unfolds, both policymakers and consumers are dealing with the consequences, which are starting to affect numerous industries, influencing aspects ranging from family finances to strategic financial planning for the future.The latest consumer price data highlights a steady climb in the cost of living, with essential items such as food, energy, and manufactured goods reflecting the brunt of higher import costs. Analysts point to recent adjustments in trade policies—particularly tariffs on a variety…

'We're not just gonna roll over': The US Civil War battlefield at the centre of a new conflict

11 Jul

‘We’re not just gonna roll over’: How a Civil War site became a battleground once again

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

A historic battlefield from the American Civil War has become the focal point of a contemporary conflict that underscores ongoing debates over heritage, memory, and identity. This site, once the stage for a pivotal struggle between Union and Confederate forces, now finds itself at the center of disputes that reflect broader tensions within American society.The battlefield, maintained as a national historic landmark, draws thousands of tourists annually who wish to explore the events that influenced the nation’s history. Nevertheless, it has recently developed beyond being a site of commemoration; it has turned into an emblem where diverse opinions about the…

'Wobbly-tooth puberty': How children's brains change at six-years-old

11 Jul

‘Wobbly-tooth puberty’: What happens to children’s brains at age six

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

When children are around six years old, they experience significant developmental transformations impacting their physical development as well as their mental and emotional abilities. This phase, occasionally referred to as "wobbly-tooth puberty," signifies a crucial stage in brain development, setting the groundwork for advanced thought processes, interpersonal abilities, and emotional control.The phrase "wobbly-tooth puberty" humorously alludes to a distinct physical event that occurs for children at this age—the shedding of primary teeth—coinciding with crucial neurological transformations. Although tooth loss is the most apparent indicator of transition, internally, the restructuring of children's brains significantly impacts their conduct, education, and engagement with…

Post Office could be owned by its postmasters, government says

11 Jul

Government considers letting postmasters own Post Office

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

The UK government has initiated talks on a prospective future where the Post Office network of the nation might be owned and managed by those who operate its branches—the postmasters. The idea, which is still being considered in its preliminary phases, indicates a significant potential change in the organization and administration of the Post Office, affecting local economies, the availability of services, and the enduring viability of one of Britain's oldest institutions.The idea was raised in a recent statement by government officials, who suggested that transferring ownership or a controlling stake of the Post Office to postmasters themselves might offer…

Electric cars will be cheaper to buy, pledges minister

11 Jul

Minister pledges reduced costs for new electric cars

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to making electric vehicles (EVs) more financially accessible, announcing plans aimed at reducing upfront costs for consumers. This initiative, part of a broader strategy to encourage the transition to low-emission transport, comes amid mounting pressure to meet environmental targets and support drivers in shifting away from petrol and diesel vehicles.A government minister recently stated that a range of policy measures is under consideration to ensure EVs become more affordable for a wider segment of the population. The announcement reflects growing recognition that, while electric vehicles offer lower running costs and environmental benefits, their…

Trump's tariffs are looming large over the UK’s last surviving steel towns

11 Jul

Steel towns in the UK face uncertainty with Trump’s tariffs looming

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

As the United States prepares for a potential shift in trade policy under former President Donald Trump’s renewed influence, the implications for the UK’s steel sector—particularly its remaining industrial towns—are drawing increasing attention. The prospect of new or reinstated tariffs on steel imports, a central component of Trump’s broader economic agenda, has sparked fresh uncertainty across Britain’s steel-producing regions, many of which are still recovering from previous economic shocks.The worries arise from Trump's consistent focus on "America First" trade strategies, which in his term led to significant import duties on steel and aluminum in 2018. Described as a national security…

The deepening water shortage row between the US and Mexico

11 Jul

Water crisis fuels dispute between the US and Mexico

Roger W. WatsonInternational

A long-standing dispute between the United States and Mexico over water-sharing obligations is intensifying, as prolonged drought conditions, rising temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns place unprecedented pressure on key river systems along the border. At the heart of the issue is a complex binational agreement that governs the allocation of water from the Rio Grande and the Colorado River—lifelines for agricultural production, municipal supply, and ecological balance in both nations.The 1944 Water Treaty, a historic agreement finalized over 80 years prior, stipulates the allocation of water from these rivers. According to its provisions, the United States supplies Mexico with water…

https://media.newyorker.com/photos/687028376f3849be00a034af/master/w_2560c_limit/Glasser-250710.jpg

11 Jul

Trump threatens tariffs on Russia while launching Ukraine weapons strategy

Roger W. WatsonInternational

In a recent policy announcement that has drawn widespread attention, former President Donald Trump laid out a revised approach to addressing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As part of this emerging strategy, Trump proposed the introduction of new tariffs on Russian products while simultaneously outlining a plan to expand the supply of military equipment to Ukraine—marking a dual effort aimed at pressuring Moscow economically while reinforcing Ukraine’s defense capabilities.Speaking during a campaign appearance, Trump suggested that economic pressure in the form of targeted import tariffs could serve as a more sustainable and effective method of countering Russia’s geopolitical…

Lab-grown cheese is coming. But would you eat it?

11 Jul

Lab-grown cheese is coming. Experts weigh in

Roger W. WatsonHealth

Cheese, with its deep cultural roots and sensory appeal, has long held a cherished place in diets around the world. Whether melted over pizza, paired with wine, or sliced onto a sandwich, it is one of the most beloved food items globally. But a quiet revolution in food science is introducing a new way to produce this familiar product—without the cow. Lab-grown, or more precisely, precision-fermented cheese is poised to enter the marketplace. Yet the key question remains: will consumers accept it?Unlike cheeses made from plants that utilize nuts, oils, and starches to imitate the taste and feel, lab-cultivated cheese…