Business, Finance & Economics

Tijuana’s factories are caught between uncertainty and opportunity amid Trump tariffs

Economics

New tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are significantly impacting cross-border manufacturing operations in US and Mexican states along their shared border. Businesses historically dependent on frictionless trade are now pausing investments due to the shifting policies.

South Korea says it sent babies abroad for adoption ‘like luggage’

Lifestyle & Belief

A tiny Himalayan nation’s big crypto gamble

Earth homes make a comeback in a Colombian town

The Big Fix

This dying Spanish town is turning to books to put it on the literary map

Arts, Culture & Media

As Japan’s economy adapts to a tourism boom, so does daily life 

Japan in Focus

Tourism numbers are sky-high in Japan. The country saw record numbers of travelers throughout 2024, and government officials are hoping to see the numbers double by 2030. But workers are in short supply. So, to adapt to the tourism boom, Japan is turning to everything from robot hotel receptionists to contactless restaurants.

Global maritime shipping is aiming to reach zero emissions by 2050

Environment

The International Maritime Organization has vowed to eliminate global shipping emissions to net-zero by 2050. Now, an international effort is underway to reach that goal.

Traders in Ghana face uncertain future after world’s largest secondhand clothing hub razed in fire

A devastating blaze has wiped out the world’s largest secondhand clothing hub located in Ghana. Having no insurance, thousands of traders now face an uncertain future.

In Japan, an automotive light bulb manufacturer pivots to growing mushrooms 

Japan in Focus

The global shift toward new automotive technologies can be difficult for companies producing parts that may become obsolete. It’s straining local economies in areas with a lot of manufacturing, like Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture. To adapt, one company specializing in automotive light bulbs has expanded into mushroom cultivation. 

Bougainville: The world’s next new country?

A South Pacific island is offering America the deal of the century. Is Washington listening?