Trump Imposes 104% Tariffs on Chinese Imports

President Donald Trump is dramatically escalating trade tensions with China by imposing a 104% average tariff on all Chinese imports, a significant increase from the existing rates. Announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the move includes an additional 50% tariff hike in response to China’s planned retaliatory tariffs. The White House insists this approach is a show of strength against China's alleged economic misconduct and failure to compromise. The announcement rattled global markets, sending major U.S. indices into decline and triggering similar drops across Asian markets. Alongside the broader tariff hikes, Trump also signed an executive order tripling tariffs on small-value imports under the $800 “de minimis” threshold, impacting popular online retailers such as Shein and AliExpress. In response, China has promised aggressive retaliatory measures, targeting U.S. agriculture, tech services, and cultural exports. The intensifying standoff poses risks to global supply chains, American consumers, and industries on both sides of the Pacific.

Ukraine Claims Capture of Chinese Soldiers Fighting for Russia

Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian troops in the Donetsk region, marking the first official accusation that China is supplying Russia with personnel. According to Zelensky, evidence including identification documents and personal items confirms their identities, and intelligence suggests more Chinese nationals may be involved. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned China’s envoy in Kyiv, demanding an explanation and accusing Beijing of undermining its proclaimed neutral stance on the war. A video of one captured individual speaking Mandarin has been released by Ukraine. U.S. officials called the news "disturbing" and reiterated concerns over China’s indirect support of Russia via dual-use exports. Beijing and Moscow have yet to respond to the allegations. If verified, the development could have major diplomatic consequences and strain China's global image as a peace broker in the conflict.

U.S. and Iran Prepare for High-Stakes Talks, But Dispute Nature of Engagement

As the U.S. and Iran prepare for discussions scheduled for this Saturday, the State Department insists the meeting will not be a formal negotiation over Iran’s nuclear program. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce described the upcoming encounter as “touching base,” rejecting Iranian claims that the talks constitute indirect negotiations. Despite this, both Bruce and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged President Trump’s interest in reaching a deal, reiterating his hardline stance that Iran must either cooperate or face severe consequences. The meeting, reportedly set to take place in Oman, marks the first instance of direct U.S.-Iran diplomacy since Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Judge Rules in Favor of AP, Rebukes White House Over Press Access Ban

A federal judge has ruled that the White House violated the First Amendment by excluding The Associated Press (AP) from covering presidential events due to disagreement over the agency’s editorial choices. The dispute began after AP refused to adopt President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” In response, the White House blocked AP journalists from covering key events, including Oval Office briefings and Air Force One travel. McFadden emphasized that while the government isn't obligated to give the AP special treatment, it cannot selectively exclude media organizations based on disagreement with their language or reporting. The ruling marks a significant win for press freedom and could shape how administrations manage access for media outlets.

Google Reveals AI-Powered Smart Glasses and Mixed Reality Headset Prototype

At the TED Conference in Vancouver, Google unveiled prototype smart glasses that integrate its Gemini AI assistant, demonstrating their potential to perform real-time tasks like language translation and book scanning. The glasses operate via a connection to a smartphone, keeping them lightweight while leveraging the phone’s computing power and app ecosystem. Alongside the glasses, Google also previewed a mixed reality headset developed in partnership with Samsung, bearing similarities to Apple’s Vision Pro. This marks Google's latest step into the growing competition around augmented and mixed reality, joining companies like Meta and Apple in pushing for advanced, wearable tech that blends the physical and digital worlds.