July 2025 - Page 20 of 55 - Usa Time Press

There’s a sweet spot for tariffs. Markets could revolt if Trump is way off

20 Jul

Tariff sweet spot: How markets might revolt if Trump goes too far

As talks regarding possible economic policy under a second Trump administration intensify, an issue once again emerges as highly relevant: tariffs. Although a degree of trade protectionism might attract certain groups of voters and complement wider political objectives, financial markets generally react sensitively to these actions. There seems to be a balance — an ideal level — for tariffs, past which investor confidence might decline and economic stability could be at risk.Donald Trump has consistently championed tariffs as a tool to rebalance international trade and bolster American manufacturing. During his first term, his administration imposed levies on hundreds of billions…

Taiwan is paralyzed by political gridlock. A mass recall of ‘pro-China’ lawmakers could break that

20 Jul

Can Taiwan Overcome Political Gridlock Through Mass Recall of ‘Pro-China’ Lawmakers?

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

Taiwan is experiencing a period of intense political stagnation, with key legislative initiatives stalled due to deep divisions among lawmakers. At the heart of the gridlock is growing dissatisfaction with certain members of the Legislative Yuan, accused by critics of aligning too closely with Beijing. In response, a growing grassroots campaign is mobilizing to recall several legislators perceived as pro-China, hoping the move will reset the political landscape and restore momentum to a system that many view as paralyzed.Following Taiwan’s January elections, the country found itself with a divided government. While the presidency remained in the hands of the Democratic…

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20 Jul

Deportation flights from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ begin as Florida vows a ‘surge’ of immigration arrests

Roger W. WatsonInternational

Florida has initiated deportation flights from a newly activated detention facility located deep within the state's interior, as part of a broader strategy to intensify immigration enforcement. The facility, situated on a remote property once used as a youth prison and colloquially dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” for its isolation and surrounding swampland, has become central to the state’s latest efforts to crack down on undocumented immigration.The launch of these flights signals a significant shift in Florida’s handling of immigration operations. State officials have pledged to escalate arrest and removal efforts in the coming months, citing concerns over border security and federal…

Breakthrough discovery shows that moths listen to plants — and avoid the noisy ones

20 Jul

Moths proven to listen to plants, avoiding those that are too loud

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

In an extraordinary development in our knowledge of insect behavior, recent scientific studies have shown that moths can recognize sound signals from plants — and they seem to favor those that are less noisy when deciding on egg-laying locations. This finding changes long-standing beliefs about how insects relate with their surroundings and introduces new pathways for research in ecological communication.The study's findings suggest that moths, far from being passive navigators of the natural world, are acutely attuned to the subtle sounds emitted by the plants around them. More significantly, their ability to “listen” seems to influence crucial decisions, such as…

Macron says France to recognize a Palestinian state

20 Jul

France to officially recognize Palestinian state, Macron declares

Roger W. WatsonInternational

French President Emmanuel Macron has declared his country’s intent to recognize the State of Palestine, aligning France with a growing international movement that supports Palestinian sovereignty. The announcement reflects a broader shift in global diplomacy, as pressure builds on world leaders to address the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict with renewed urgency.Macron’s comments represent one of the clearest indications yet that France may soon join several European and Global South nations in officially acknowledging Palestine as a sovereign state. Although no specific timeline was given, Macron’s statement suggests that recognition is no longer a matter of “if,” but “when.”For many years, France…

What if your house changed color with the seasons? This ‘climate-responsive’ paint could make it happen

20 Jul

Discover the paint that makes your home change color as seasons shift

Roger W. WatsonFashion and Trends

Imagine a residence that gently alters its exterior colors with the changing of the seasons—embracing warmer tones during the colder months and transitioning to lighter shades when it's hot. This forward-thinking idea could soon be realized due to progress in materials that respond to weather fluctuations, especially a novel type of paint designed to respond to temperature variations.Este concepto innovador de pintura trasciende los pigmentos que cambian de color de manera tradicional. A diferencia de las pinturas novedosas que reaccionan momentáneamente al calor o la luz solar con fines decorativos, los recubrimientos adaptativos al clima se están desarrollando pensando en…

King meets Modi after India-UK trade deal signed

20 Jul

India-UK trade deal signed: King meets Modi

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

Following the recent completion of a significant trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom, a diplomatic meeting took place between the King and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This interaction, seen as a gesture of mutual respect and strategic alignment, highlights the evolving nature of economic and political ties between the two nations, especially in the context of the newly formalized trade framework.The meeting occurred against a setting of increasing collaboration between the two nations, as they aim to strengthen their alliance in multiple areas, such as business, tech, environmental actions, and protection. With the trade agreement now officially…

U.S.-funded contraceptives for poor nations to be burned in France, sources say

20 Jul

Sources: U.S.-funded birth control for poor nations set for destruction in France

Roger W. WatsonHealth

A sizable consignment of contraceptives funded by the U.S., worth almost $10 million and originally designated to aid family planning initiatives in nations with lower incomes, is presently set to be disposed of in a medical waste plant located in France. This resolution follows several months of political and logistical stalemate that resulted in the stockpile—which includes birth control pills and long-term reversible contraceptives such as implants and intrauterine devices—being stuck in a storage facility in Europe.The birth control supplies, acquired via an American foreign aid initiative aimed at enhancing worldwide access to reproductive health, became entangled in the aftermath…

Trump bickers with Powell over Fed renovation costs

20 Jul

Trump challenges Powell about Fed renovation budget

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

Tensions have once again surfaced between former President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—this time, over the projected expenses associated with modernizing the Federal Reserve’s infrastructure. As discussions about potential reforms to the central banking system intensify, Trump has voiced sharp criticism over what he views as excessive costs tied to proposed upgrades, setting the stage for yet another round of friction between the two prominent figures.The controversy revolves around a proposal focused on modernizing and enhancing multiple aspects of the Federal Reserve system. This encompasses technological frameworks, supervisory protocols, and occasionally, the refurbishment of structures or sites…

The U.S. fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data shows

20 Jul

New CDC data: U.S. fertility rate plummets to 2024 low

Roger W. WatsonHealth

The United States continues to see a steady decline in its fertility rate, reaching its lowest point in decades by 2024. This ongoing trend, reflective of broader societal shifts, highlights how economic pressures, cultural transformations, and changing personal priorities are reshaping the landscape of family planning across the country.Recent demographic data shows that the average number of children born per woman has dropped to levels well below what is considered necessary to sustain the population. This metric, often referred to as the total fertility rate, is a key indicator used to understand population dynamics and long-term societal trends. The latest…