In a sweeping executive order, US President Donald Trump has expanded tariffs on imports from multiple trading partners, citing persistent trade deficits and national security concerns. The move follows Executive Order 14257, signed in April 2025, and is framed as part of a broader strategy to restore fair trade and strengthen the US economy.

The new order, grounded in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and other federal statutes, imposes additional ad valorem duties on imports from countries that Trump’s administration says have failed to provide reciprocal trade access or align with U.S. economic and security priorities.

“I have received additional information… on the impact of foreign trading partners’ disparate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers on US exports, the domestic manufacturing base, critical supply chains, and the defense industrial base,” Trump said in the executive order.

Read: Trump hits more countries with steep tariffs, markets tumble

Some countries have signaled willingness to cooperate and are in the process of finalising trade and security agreements with the United States. In these cases, their goods will remain subject to additional tariffs until formal agreements are concluded. Others, however, have either failed to reach a deal or not engaged in meaningful negotiations—making them subject to new duties.

For example, European Union goods with current tariff rates below 15 per cent will now face a combined duty of at least 15 per cent, while those with existing rates above 15% will not face additional charges. All countries not specifically listed in the annex will face a flat 10 per cent duty increase. Additional penalties—including a 40 per cent tariff—will apply to goods found to have been transshipped to evade these duties.

The order also outlines enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, directing US agencies to update and revise the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and track potential circumvention schemes.

The White House described the action as essential to maintaining the United States’ economic and national security, particularly in light of ongoing global supply chain disruptions and shifting geopolitical alliances.

Here’s the full list of countries impacted under the new tariff order:

[1] For purposes of this Executive Order and its Annexes, “Column 1 Duty Rate” means the ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1-General of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

Source: White House

While dry, degraded soil may appear lifeless on the surface, beneath it lies a complex and dynamic system of interaction between plant roots and microbial communities. These biological exchanges, though often invisible, play a critical role in determining soil health and crop productivity. Now, new research published in Science—one of the world’s leading scientific journals—by American University of Sharjah (AUS) and international collaborators, is challenging conventional approaches to agriculture and highlighting the need to manage these relationships with ecological precision.

The paper, titled “Steering Plant–Soil Feedback for Sustainable Agriculture,” is the result of a year-long collaboration between five scientists: Dr. John Klironomos, Professor of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the AUS College of Arts and Sciences; Professors Guangzhou Wang, Fusuo Zhang and Junling Zhang from China Agricultural University; and Professor Wim van der Putten from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology and Wageningen University.

At the heart of the research is the concept of plant–soil feedback—the idea that plants shape the microbial environment in the soil via their root systems and biochemical signals. These microbial communities, in turn, influence how plants access nutrients, water, and protection from pathogens. The paper emphasizes that depending on how these feedback loops are managed, they can either support or undermine the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Arid regions

For the UAE and other arid regions grappling with saline soils, limited organic matter and water scarcity, this research offers practical pathways forward. At AUS, Dr. Klironomos and his team are conducting field trials using microbial inoculants—beneficial fungi and bacteria introduced into the soil—and biostimulants to support the growth of desert crops like wheat and date palms. These trials are designed to test how microbial partners can enhance resilience under harsh conditions.

“Plants and microbes have always influenced each other,” said Dr. Klironomos. “The key is managing those interactions with purpose, especially in environments where every biological advantage matters. This work helps shift the focus from short-term yield to long-term soil function.”

The study also repositions several traditional agricultural practices—such as crop rotation, intercropping, and reduced tillage—as valuable ecological tools. When applied with knowledge of microbial dynamics, these practices can improve soil health, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and contribute to more stable growing environments over time.

“Microbial life is one of agriculture’s most overlooked tools,” said co-author Professor Junling Zhang. “When we support the living processes in soil, we create systems that are more sustainable, more adaptive and better aligned with how ecosystems naturally function.”

Read: Insights: Greening the desert through regenerative farming

In addition to ecological insights, the paper also draws from advances in molecular biology. Researchers are now identifying the genetic and molecular signals that facilitate plant–microbe communication, opening up new breeding strategies to develop crop varieties that naturally enhance soil microbial interactions.

Building on this foundation, AUS has joined hands with regional experts to form the Sharjah Sustainable Agriculture Research Group. The team includes Dr. Klironomos; Dr. Mohamed Abouleish, Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Tarig Ali, Professor in Civil Engineering; and Dr. Ali El-Keblawy from the University of Sharjah. Together, they are combining expertise in soil ecology, native plant conservation, biotechnology, and spatial analysis to restore the biological function of arid soils.

At the core of the research is a shift in perception: soil is not inert—it is a living ecosystem. It changes, it breathes, and it responds to how we care for it. The authors argue that viewing soil through this lens can pave the way for agricultural solutions that simultaneously address food security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.

The full paper appears in the July 2025 edition of Science. You can read it here.

Grammy-winning singer and actor Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been living with Lyme disease, a debilitating illness that he says impacted his recent global tour but also gave him a deeper appreciation for his career and fans. Timberlake joins a growing list of celebrities who have publicly battled the disease, including Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid, Yolanda Hadid, Ben Stiller, Shania Twain, Alec Baldwin, Amy Schumer, and Debbie Gibson.

The 44-year-old pop icon shared his diagnosis in a heartfelt post on Instagram on Thursday, just after concluding his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which spanned more than 70 cities and ended earlier this month.

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A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake)

Timberlake said the diagnosis helped explain the persistent fatigue, nerve pain, and unexplained illness he had been experiencing while performing.

“Shocked” by diagnosis

“When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure,” Timberlake wrote. “But at least I could understand why I would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

In the lengthy Instagram post, Timberlake reflected on his decades-long music career and the emotional toll the tour had taken on him, physically and mentally.

“This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience,” he said. “I have been doing this for 30+ years — which feels crazy to say — and I’ve given all that I have to this.”

Despite his private nature, Timberlake said he chose to speak publicly to raise awareness about Lyme disease and to connect with others going through similar challenges.

“I’m not sharing this so you feel bad for me — but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he added. “Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

A choice: Quit or keep going

Timberlake revealed he faced a difficult choice: stop touring or push through the illness.

“I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote. “Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself, but I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget.”

The SexyBack singer said he hopes his story helps others and encourages more open conversations about invisible illnesses.

“I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. But I’m trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted,” Timberlake said.

Legal trouble in 2024

The revelation follows another headline-grabbing moment in Timberlake’s life. In September 2024, he pleaded guilty in a New York State court to a lesser traffic charge after being arrested during the summer.

Police had pulled Timberlake over for allegedly failing to obey a stop sign and veering out of his lane. Initially suspected of driving under the influence, Timberlake ultimately pleaded guilty to “driving while ability impaired,” a lesser violation than drunk driving.

According to Variety, Timberlake was fined $500 and ordered to complete community service. His attorney, Edward Burke, stated the singer was pleased with the reduced charge and pushed back on claims that Timberlake had been intoxicated at the time.

Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (commonly known as deer ticks). The illness does not spread via other types of ticks, such as wood ticks or dog ticks.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headaches, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans — often shaped like a bull’s-eye. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Each year, about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, experts estimate the actual number is significantly higher due to underreporting.

Stages and symptoms

Early-Stage Lyme Disease

Symptoms typically appear within 3–30 days after a tick bite and include:

• Rash (erythema migrans) that expands over time
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Early disseminated stage

If untreated, the infection can spread within weeks to months, causing:

• Multiple rashes
• Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
• Irregular heartbeat (heart block)
• Numbness or nerve pain

Late-stage Lyme disease

Months or even years later, symptoms may include:

• Severe arthritis, especially in the knees
• Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”)
• Widespread nerve damage (polyneuropathy)

Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics. However, in some cases, symptoms persist or recur even after treatment — a condition known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Raising awareness and moving forward

Timberlake said he plans to use his platform to advocate for others battling Lyme disease and invisible illnesses, stressing the importance of empathy and openness.

“Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected,” he concluded. “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”

As he looks ahead to new projects and recovery, fans continue to rally behind the singer, praising his honesty and resilience.

The twists and turns in US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have not only roiled global financial markets but also taken investors on a roller-coaster ride.

Adding to the uncertainty are tariff-related legal challenges and Trump’s assertion that he will hammer out bilateral deals with trade partners.

Read-Trump hits more countries with steep tariffs, markets tumble

Last week, the US struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, halving the earlier threatened rate to a 15 per cent import tariff on most EU goods and averting a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade.

Trump also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain copper imports and suspended the “de minimis” exemption on low-value commercial shipments, the White House said.

On Friday, he sent letters to 17 pharmaceutical firms – including giants such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, J&J and Merck – asking them to cut drug prices for patients in the United States, following up on the earlier executive order aimed at aligning pharma prices with other countries.

With a blitz of tariff announcements on dozens of trading partners including changes to previously threatened levies on imports from Canada, Brazil, India, Taiwan and Switzerland, Trump is pressing on in his bid to reshape global trade as the 12:01 am EDT (0401 GMT), August 1 deadline for finalising deals passes.

Here is a timeline for key upcoming events and dates that could have a bearing on US tariff policy:

August 8: Trump’s order on “reciprocal” tariffs for exports from 69 trading partners lists higher import duty rates of 10 per cent to 41 per cent starting in seven days.

He said the United States would start imposing tariffs and other measures on Russia if Moscow showed no progress toward ending tensions in Ukraine.

August 12: Trump will decide whether to extend a trade truce with China that expires on August 12, or potentially let tariffs shoot back up to triple-digit figures, escalating a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies that threatens global growth.

August 29: Under an executive order suspending the “de minimis” exemption, packages valued at or under $800 sent to the U.S. outside of the international postal network will face “all applicable duties” from this date.

September 29: Drugmakers have until September 29 to respond with binding commitments on lowering prices of their medicines in the US.

US President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, India and Taiwan, sent global markets tumbling on Friday as countries pushed for talks to clinch better deals.

Trump’s new tariff rates include a 35 per cent duty on many goods from Canada, 50 per cent for Brazil, 25 per cent for India, 20 per cent for Taiwan and 39 per cent for Switzerland.

Read-Trump jets into Saudi, UAE and Qatar with trillion-dollar investment ambitions

The presidential order listed higher import duty rates of 10 per cent to 41 per cent starting in seven days for 69 trading partners, effectively taking the US effective tariff rate to about 18 per cent, from 2.3 per cent last year, according to Capital Economics.

Global shares stumbled, with the Stoxx 600 down around 1 per cent in the first hour of trading, and 1.7 per cent lower on the week and set for its biggest weekly drop since early April.

Both Nasdaq futures and S&P 500 futures were down around 1 per cent.

The market response was not as volatile as April’s global asset declines, said Wei Yao, research head and chief economist in Asia at Societe Generale, referring to the market slide after Trump’s initial tariffs announced on April 2.

“We are all getting much more used to the idea of 15-20 per cent tariffs being manageable and acceptable, thanks to the worse threats earlier,” she said.

But Trump’s tariff rollout comes amid evidence they have begun driving up prices.

US Commerce Department data released Thursday showed prices for home furnishings and durable household equipment jumped 1.3 per cent in June, the biggest gain since March 2022.

No winners?

Countries hit with hefty tariffs said they will seek to negotiate with the US in hopes of getting a lower rate.

Switzerland said it would push for a “negotiated solution” with the US.

“I am stunned. These tariffs are based on no rational basis and are arbitrary,” said Stefan Brupbacher, director of manufacturers’ association Swissmem.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the new 20 per cent tariff rate for the island was “temporary ” and that he expected to reach a lower figure.

South Africa’s Trade Minister Parks Tau said he was seeking “real, practical interventions” to defend jobs and the economy against the 30% U.S. tariff it faces.

Southeast Asian countries breathed a sigh of relief after the US tariffs on their exports that were lower than threatened and levelled the playing field with a rate of about 19 per cent across the region’s biggest economies.

Thailand’s finance minister said a reduction from 36 per cent to 19 per cent would help his country’s economy.

“It helps maintain Thailand’s competitiveness on the global stage, boosts investor confidence and opens the door to economic growth, increased income and new opportunities,” Pichai Chunhavajira said.

Australian products could become more competitive in the US market, helping businesses boost exports, Trade Minister Don Farrell said, after Trump kept the minimum tariff rate of 10 per cent for Australia.

But businesses and analysts said the impact of Trump’s new trade regime would not be positive for economic growth.

“No real winners in trade conflicts,” said Thomas Rupf, co-head Singapore and CIO Asia at VP Bank. “Despite some countries securing better terms, the overall impact is negative.”

“The tariffs hurt the Americans and they hurt us,” winemaker Johannes Selbach said in Germany’s Moselle Valley.

“Thousands of families who produce wine in Europe and thousands of families in the importing, wholesaling, retailing, restaurant business in the US are dependent on the flow from both sides,” he said, adding jobs and profits would be hit.

Goods from all other countries not listed in Trump’s executive orders will face a 10 per cent US import tax.

Trump had previously said that rate might be higher. The administration also teased that more trade deals were in the pipeline.

Canada, Indian and China

The Republican president has tapped emergency powers, pressured foreign leaders, and pressed ahead with trade policies that sparked a market sell-off when they were first announced in April.

Trump’s order said some trading partners, “despite having engaged in negotiations, have offered terms that, in my judgment, do not sufficiently address imbalances in our trading relationship or have failed to align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national-security matters.”

Trump issued a separate order for Canada that raises the rate on Canadian goods subject to fentanyl-related tariffs to 35 per cent, from 25 per cent previously, saying Canada had “failed to cooperate” in curbing illicit narcotics flows into the US.

The higher tariffs on Canadian goods contrasted sharply with Trump’s decision to grant Mexico a 90-day reprieve from higher tariffs of 30 per cent on many goods to allow time to negotiate a broader trade pact.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was disappointed by Trump’s decision, and vowed to take action to protect Canadian jobs and diversify exports.

India is in trade talks with the US after Washington imposed a 25 per cent tariff on New Delhi, a move that could impact about $40bn worth of its exports, an Indian government source with knowledge of the talks told Reuters on Friday.

China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with Trump’s administration. A US official told reporters that they are making progress toward a deal.

The European Union struck an agreement on a blanket 15 per cent tariff with the US at the end of July.

The bloc’s trade chief Maros Sefcovic said the framework deal the EU signed with the US gave EU exporters a “more competitive position.”