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President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50% could have significant repercussions for American consumers, potentially leading to price increases for a variety of textiles and even certain seafoods. This levy against India, which became effective on Wednesday, is among the highest Trump has imposed on a foreign nation. The charge was notably doubled due to India’s purchasing of Russian oil, a practice Trump—who is threatening further economic sanctions on Russia as he attempts to broker a peace deal in the Ukraine war—has criticized. The European Union also has a ban on Russian oil. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on Sunday that these tariffs against India would make it more difficult “for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy.”  Amidst these geopolitical developments, numerous businesses—and, consequently, consumers—are poised to feel the impact. More than $85 billion in goods were sent to the U.S. from India in 2024, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Furthermore, reports indicate that two-thirds of the largest U.S. companies have operations in India. As the impact of the U.S. tariffs on Indian imports begins to take hold, here’s a look at how American consumers could feel the effects. Shrimp and certain high-value food items A Tuesday report by the Global Trade Research Initiative, an Indian research group, predicts that Indian exports to the U.S. will fall to just under $50 billion in the fiscal year 2026, due to the new tariff rates. By comparison, has been imported from India to the U.S. from January through June this year.  The heightened tariffs are set to particularly impact the shrimp industry, as India is one of the largest suppliers of seafood to the U.S. Shrimp farmers in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have already been squeezed by the initial 25% tariff levied against India in early August, according to the report, and they now stand to be further impacted by the doubled rate. Researchers added that the U.S. initially responded to the tariffs by turning to alternative markets in Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam to source the product.  A number of regional-specific food items are facing similar challenges. Spice industry workers in the Indian areas of Unjha, Guntur, and Erode have reported difficulties in selling products following the initial tariffs, researchers say, in contrast with the 17% increase in volume of spice exports recorded from 2024 to 2025. American companies are now turning to businesses in Pakistan for basmati rice, Vietnam for spices, and Kenya and Sri Lanka for tea. These changes in location could well result in altered price markers presented to American consumers. Textiles and apparel Textiles, jewelry, and apparel stand to be heavily affected by the change, as these sectors rely on the U.S. for 35% or more of their global export share, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative. “This is an absolute shock,” Puran Dawar, an Indian leather footwear exporter, is quoted as telling NPR. According to Dawar, the short-term impacts of the tariffs will reduce Indian domestic labor opportunities as companies scramble to find other markets to sell their goods to.  Prior to the new tariff rate, India was heralded for its contributions. Now, the U.S. will likely turn to other countries to source these products, including Israel or Belgium for their diamond or gold needs, and Vietnam or Bangladesh for clothing. Many of these countries are still facing their own elevated tariffs, though Bangladesh lowered theirs from 37 to 20% earlier this month. (The rate levied against Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment supplier, is now the same as the import tax for Vietnam.) For American consumers, who are already paying a higher price tag on their clothing goods, the new higher tariffs in India could have a knock-on effect. Furniture, bedding, and carpets could face similar pains, especially if the tariffs lead to the potential shutdown of carpet factories in Bhadohi, Mirzapur, and Srinagar. Traditional Kashmiri carpet makers are worried about such challenges. Researchers are also concerned that in light of the heightened levies, other countries could “potentially lock India out of key markets” even if the tariffs are one day rolled back. “The entire industry is in trauma,” Kirit Bhansali, chairman of India’s Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council, told CBC News, explaining that the gem industry relies on a small profit margin. Bhansali estimated that around 175,000 gem industry workers could be affected by the tariffs. Notable exemptions Although many Indian goods are facing steep import taxes, the U.S. did outline exceptions for the Indian pharmaceutical industry, which similarly relies on the U.S. market. Trump has signaled an intention to place a “small tariff” on pharmaceutical exports to the U.S., with the intention to increase the charge in a few years, but no official action has been taken. Similar exceptions are in place for semiconductors and other electronics, as well as steel and aluminium, which face their own set of tariffs. Trump’s decision to make these exceptions is a strong asset for India’s economy and American consumers alike, especially as reports show that India has made significant strides when it comes to smartphone exports to the U.S.

A gunman's rampage at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Wednesday led to the deaths of two children and left 17 others wounded, an event the city's police chief described as an "absolutely incomprehensible" act of aggression. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, speaking at a later press briefing, the attack took place just before 8:30 a.m. local time as the victims participated in a morning Mass, marking the commencement of the academic year at Annunciation Catholic School. The two deceased children, aged eight and 10, were seated in the church pews, O'Hara confirmed. Their parents have since been informed. Among the 17 injured, 14 are children, with two reported to be in critical condition. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated at the briefing, “No words can adequately convey the horror and malevolence of this unspeakable event.” He added, “Do not simply offer thoughts and prayers at this moment; these children were literally in the act of praying.” O’Hara reported that the assailant, discovered deceased later from what officials suspect was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, approached the church from the exterior side and discharged firearms through the windows, targeting children in the pews during Mass. Investigators recovered a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, estimating that the suspect fired "dozens" of rounds from these three firearms. “This constitutes a deliberate act of aggression aimed at innocent children and other congregants,” O’Hara declared. “The sheer brutality and cravenness of shooting into a church filled with children is utterly beyond comprehension.” O’Hara mentioned that on the church side where the shooter initiated the assault, a minimum of two building entrances appeared to have been externally blocked with two-by-fours. Upon reaching the site, officers administered first aid and helped individuals concealed within the premises. Subsequent arrivals of other first responders facilitated the transportation of victims to local medical facilities. The inquiry remains active. O’Hara withheld the gunman’s identity but indicated that authorities suspect a single shooter, described as being in his early 20s with no prior criminal record. O’Hara stated that investigators are currently sifting through details to ascertain a potential motive. At present, any connection between the suspect and the school is unconfirmed, O’Hara noted. Per O’Hara, scores of children were present in the church during the shooting. These children were subsequently relocated to the school and reunited with their relatives. Officials from the city extended their sympathies to the victims' families, assuring them of community support. “To the grieving families, to those who have endured loss: My deepest apologies,” Frey conveyed. “We pledge to stand by you throughout this ordeal. We cherish you. This form of malevolent act should never occur, yet it happens with alarming frequency.” As of Wednesday, 286 mass shootings have been reported this year. Comparatively, there were 503 in 2024, 659 in 2023, and 644 in 2022, according to the . On Truth Social, President Donald Trump stated he had received a “full briefing” regarding the Minneapolis shooting, further adding, “The White House will maintain surveillance of this dreadful situation. I urge you to join me in prayer for all affected!” Trump ordered that the American flag at the White House be lowered to half-staff until sunset on August 31st, as a mark of respect for those killed in the shooting. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed on social media that the state “is devastated” by the unfortunate event.Walz further added, “My thoughts are with our children and educators whose initial week of school was overshadowed by this dreadful act of aggression.”

Denmark’s foreign minister has called in the highest-ranking U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen after the nation’s public broadcaster reported that three individuals associated with President Donald Trump were conducting a clandestine influence operation. Citing government and security sources, the broadcaster, DR, stated that three Americans close to the president had been compiling names of Greenlandic citizens who supported Trump’s proposals to acquire the island, and who might be . The report indicated that the sources believed the operation's objective was to "infiltrate Greenlandic society to weaken relations with Denmark from within and make the Greenlanders align with the United States." Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen confirmed in a statement to the Associated Press that he had summoned Mark Stroh, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Copenhagen, adding that “any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom [of Denmark] will of course be unacceptable.” “We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position within the Kingdom of Denmark. It is therefore not surprising if we encounter outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead,” he remarked. The broadcaster did not release the names of the three Americans alleged to have been carrying out the operation, but characterized one of them as having been “seen publicly with the U.S. president many times” and “recently appointed to a role that could afford him influence over U.S. security policy.” The other two have “regularly traveled back and forth between Greenland and the United States in recent years,” and have previously been employed under Trump. The report further noted that the Danish government closely monitored the activities of all three men. The U.S. currently has no ambassador in Denmark. A charge d’affaires is a diplomat who serves as the chief of mission in the absence of an ambassador.

During a recent Sunday afternoon, I observed my son participating in the long-standing tradition of medicine at the University of Chicago's white coat ceremony. I saw him stand tall, uttering words that doctors have recited for hundreds of years: “First, do no harm.” As a physician, this principle has guided me through every diagnosis, surgical procedure, and challenging discussion. However, upon leaving the auditorium, a thought persistently occupied my mind: By 2025, another professional cohort will influence human health, intellect, and destiny with a similar — or potentially greater — impact than myself or my son. This group consists of AI engineers, currently developing systems that will affect every aspect of human existence – our well-being, security, how we nurture each other, and the fundamental factors determining our longevity – for many decades ahead. The immense responsibility inherent in their work cannot be emphasized enough. AI engineers possess the capacity to achieve remarkable positive outcomes—such as bridging educational disparities, facilitating medical advancements, and speeding up climate solutions—or, should they neglect the human element their creations are meant to benefit, to inflict significant damage. AI represents more than just a novel gadget or a digital diversion. It is the initial technology engineered to imitate and substitute the core language and interactions that have profoundly influenced human evolution over thousands of years. Moreover, AI is progressing at an astonishing rate, with its capacities roughly doubling every seven months since 2019. Should this progression persist, by 2030, AI might be able to finish in days tasks that presently demand months of human intellectual effort. Numerous AI authorities have posited that the technology could attain human-equivalent general intelligence within several years. However, unlike students of medicine, AI engineers complete their studies without ever making a commitment to the principle of “first, do no harm.” Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, a foundational figure in AI, has warned that the systems we develop now might evolve beyond our capacity to manage. This is why I contend—in agreement with numerous AI researchers and ethicists—that a "Hinton Oath" is necessary: not to impede engineers, but to steer them with the identical ethical precision that has underpinned medicine for countless centuries. A Hippocratic Oath for AI engineers In the Hippocratic Oath, graduating medical students vow the following: I will apply my knowledge and expertise to assist the ill to the utmost of my capability and discretion; I will refrain from causing injury or injustice to any individual through my actions. I will uphold the self-governance and inherent worth of those under my care. I will not hesitate to admit ignorance, nor will I neglect to seek the assistance of fellow professionals when their particular skills are required. I will endeavor to prevent illness whenever possible, recognizing that prevention is superior to treatment. In the Hinton Oath, AI engineers could recite similar promises such as: I will utilize my abilities to enhance human existence, rather than detract from it. I will prioritize human autonomy and interpersonal bonds when facing uncertainty regarding potential harm. I will bear in mind that each collection of data embodies an individual's narrative, and afford it due respect. I will openly acknowledge the origins of my training data and maintain transparency regarding the information employed by my systems. I will engineer systems that reinforce, rather than undermine, human capacities and discernment. I will refrain from developing instruments that are beyond supervision, regulation, or reversal. I will avoid constructing systems intended to mislead, influence unfairly, or distort actuality, such as deepfakes and fabricated identities. I will pursue collaborative efforts, openness, and the enduring well-being of humanity and the Earth over immediate profits. Prior to deployment, I will inquire: Who stands to gain, and who faces potential hazards? Have we evaluated the long-term repercussions extending beyond our present application? As a surgeon, I have endeavored to formulate this oath, presenting it as a foundational concept for those with a more profound grasp of the field's intricacies than my own. While it is true that AI and human health disciplines are separate, technologies like AI undeniably influence our well-being. Each algorithmic suggestion modifies synaptic pathways. Every interaction with AI alters dopamine secretion. Every tailored feed reconfigures attention mechanisms. In medicine, substances that traverse the blood–brain barrier are meticulously examined due to their known capacity to alter brain function. Nevertheless, AI systems, possessing equally significant neurological impacts, integrate into our daily routines, mostly unexamined. Furthermore, AI's impact will reach well beyond our cognitive processes. It will contribute to defining our work methods and which individuals prosper economically. It will exert sway over legislation, legal frameworks, and geopolitical stability. It will propel environmental strategies, scientific innovations, and cultural progression. These are not incidental consequences; they are primary outcomes. This underscores the increasingly critical need for a guiding ethical framework. The pertinent question is not if AI will transform human society, but rather whether its creators will exercise this power with careful consideration. Many aspiring engineers are drawn to this field for the same motivation that led my son to medicine—to transform the world for the better. When AI is developed with a commitment to the collective welfare, its potential is immense: achieving positive outcomes earlier than any doctor could, addressing global challenges, accelerating progress in various fields, and equipping people with enhanced capabilities. Conversely, if we disregard this responsibility, AI could readily turn into a source of detriment, eroding confidence, exacerbating inequities, or diminishing the fundamental traits that define humanity. For this very reason, AI warrants a solemn promise, structured similarly to the Hippocratic Oath, centered on a core tenet: Unfettered authority devoid of ethical consideration poses a threat. At my son’s white coat ceremony, physician parents were asked to join their children in reciting the oath. As my son and I uttered those enduring words in unison, I experienced the profound impact of becoming part of something grander than our individual selves—a legacy that unites every physician throughout history in dedication to human welfare. AI engineers ought to share that identical sense of mission, that same bond to something more significant than any singular undertaking or corporation. My aspiration is that, in the near future, observing a nascent AI engineer pledge the Hinton Oath will evoke the same sense of emotion and reassurance as witnessing my son don his white coat.

Today, the global media enterprise TIME unveiled TIME Africa, a new regional editorial expansion developed in partnership with Global Venture Partners (GVP). TIME Africa is set to debut as both a digital and live events platform, extending TIME’s renowned journalism and convening capabilities to audiences across the continent. The digital launch for TIME Africa is anticipated for Q3 2025, accessible at africa.time.com. “For over a century, TIME has delivered trustworthy journalism and insightful perspectives to readers worldwide. Through the launch of TIME Africa, we are upholding our dedication to engage new audiences, bolster our presence and coverage of the continent’s leaders, innovators, and changemakers, and illuminate the most crucial narratives. We are delighted to collaborate with Global Venture Partners to introduce this platform to the continent,” stated Jessica Sibley, Chief Executive Officer of TIME. “TIME is one of the globe’s most esteemed and recognized brands, and GVP is proud to have been chosen as the trusted partner for the brand's expansion into Africa,” commented Josh Wilson, Managing Director of Global Venture Partners. “Africa is undergoing substantial transformation across its economy, culture, and society, making it more vital than ever for the continent to have a dedicated platform within TIME to highlight its growth and worldwide influence.” TIME Africa will be offered in English and French and will be distributed across the following territories: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The announcement of TIME Africa occurs during a period of dynamic advancement and innovation for TIME. Presently, the brand reaches over 120 million individuals globally across all platforms, signifying its largest, most international, and most diverse audience in its history. TIME’s comprehensive reporting has consistently influenced global discussions and brought prominence to stories from across the African continent—including the , hosted in Rwanda and honoring visionaries such as Danai Gurira, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Fred Swaniker; annual recognitions in the TIME100, TIME100 Next, TIME100 Philanthropy, TIME100 Climate lists; interviews with leaders including , who was included on the 2025 TIME100 Health; , which regularly spotlights remarkable destinations across the continent. TIME’s coverage has also addressed pressing issues such as climate justice, with covers like “The Climate Issue” featuring activist , who was also named as a recipient of the .  ###

Personal details belonging to hundreds of millions of U.S. citizens are in jeopardy, a whistleblower report from the Social Security Administration's chief data officer reveals, after the Department of Government Efficiency transferred a large Social Security database to a cloud server this past June. This susceptible DOGE server holds data for every American who has sought a Social Security card, encompassing applicants’ names, birthdates, nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, contact numbers, residential addresses, and other private particulars, thus potentially jeopardizing the safety of more than 300 million Americans, as outlined in the complaint filed by Charles Borges to the Office of Special Counsel and Congressional representatives. “If malicious parties acquire entry to this cloud setting, Americans could become vulnerable to extensive identity theft, might forfeit crucial healthcare and food aid, and the government could face the responsibility of reissuing a new Social Security Number to every American at significant expense,” the filing states. Which database did DOGE purportedly duplicate? DOGE moved Social Security data from the Numerical Identification System (NUMIDENT) database to an internal server exclusively accessible by DOGE, the complaint asserts. NUMIDENT contains all required information on applications for a United States Social Security card. Nearly Social Security numbers had been issued as of earlier this month. What are the potential dangers for Americans? Responding to inquiries concerning Borges’ claim that DOGE duplicated sensitive NUMIDENT data onto an insecure server, the Social Security Administration informed TIME in a declaration that “Commissioner Bisignano and the Social Security Administration thoroughly review all whistleblower allegations.”  The statement continued, asserting that “SSA keeps all personal data within protected environments featuring strong safeguards to secure crucial information. The data mentioned in the complaint resides in an established SSA-utilized environment, isolated from the internet. Senior career SSA personnel possess administrative access to this system, supervised by SSA’s Information Security team. We have no knowledge of any breach to this environment and stay committed to safeguarding sensitive personal data.” However, the whistleblower’s submission, submitted by attorneys from the Government Accountability Project, an organization dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, points out worries regarding the server’s absence of “independent security controls,” which encompasses “separate monitoring of who is accessing the data and its usage.” Borges’ assertion further specified that “no authenticated audit or supervisory procedures were in place” for the DOGE server. “I haven't witnessed this type of mismanagement from the federal government before,” stated Susan Landau, a cybersecurity and policy professor at Tufts University, describing the purported action of endangering such sensitive data as a “reckless maneuver.” Should this information become accessible, con artists could more plausibly coerce or mislead people, Landau explained. She detailed that if malicious individuals obtained an individual’s NUMIDENT data, they could readily discover other personal information sources and construct a comprehensive profile of the person, which might then be exploited to impersonate official bodies like banks, or entice individuals into pyramid schemes.  Landau additionally cautioned about the potential for damage if countries like China or Russia managed to access DOGE’s Social Security cloud.  “I am aghast,” Landau further remarked. “For the past two decades, the federal government has genuinely strived to safeguard this data. Currently… what seems to be occurring is the centralization of increasingly more data in a single location. This is an unsound security approach. And placing it on an unprotected server is utterly preposterous.” Herbert Lin, a cyber policy and security fellow at Stanford University, voiced apprehension regarding the expansion of access to Social Security data to DOGE employees, noting it's no longer exclusively available via federal channels. “The situation has deteriorated because more individuals now have potential access to it,” Lin stated. “I am unaware of their hiring practices, and if anyone knows, please inform me. But that is the core problem.” Lin also identifies the legality of DOGE’s capacity to intervene with federal agencies as a crucial point in the transfer of data previously safeguarded exclusively by the Social Security Administration.  “To clarify, the fact that its authority is not derived from a Congressional act is significant to me,” Lin commented. “I believe it ought to be significant to everyone.” What is the government’s reaction? Borges’ filing details his internal whistleblowing efforts, noting he informed his superiors that reissuing Social Security Numbers to U.S. citizens whose data had been compromised represented a “worst-case scenario.” Despite his numerous internal objections, Borges has not acquired data to “demonstrate that the cloud environment housing the American public’s NUMIDENT information is secured by independent security controls adhering to best practices and industry standards,” the report indicates. The Office of General Counsel has, furthermore, instructed staff not to answer Borges’ repeated questions concerning the security and hazards of the DOGE Social Security server, the complaint asserts.  Borges is slated to convene with an oversight committee and Congressional representatives to deliberate his discoveries.  TIME has contacted DOGE seeking a statement.