US small businesses wither under Trump's tariffs: 'It's hard to breathe'

President Donald Trump's tariffs are straining the backbone of the U.S. economy. While many larger companies have integrated soaring levies that kicked in last month into their businesses without raising prices for customers, a growing number of...

US may buy Argentinian beef; Limp Bizkit bassist dies | Hot off the Wire podcast

On today's episode: Trump suggests US will buy Argentinian beef to bring down prices for American consumers. Thieves steal crown jewels in 4 minutes from Louvre Museum. Rodrigo Paz wins presidential runoff, becoming Bolivia's first conservative...

EIA: Iraq’s oil exports to US dip over the week

2025-10-19T06:33:55+00:00 font Enable Reading Mode A- A A+ Shafaq News – Baghdad / Washington Iraq’s crude oil exports to the United States fell sharply last week, according to data released on Sunday by the US Energy Information Administration...

One dead and nearly 100 arrested amid heavy repression of protests in Ecuador

Last Updated on October 1, 2025 It’s been a week since protests began in Ecuador against the decision by Daniel Noboa’s right-wing government to eliminate the diesel subsidy and so far, nearly 100 people have been detained and one person was...

Ecuador-based cyber specialist GMS joins network of Andersen Consulting

GMS, a cybersecurity integrator headquartered in Ecuador with further offices in Colombia and Peru, has become a member of Andersen Consulting. Founded in 1978 and led by Executive President Esteban Lubensky, GMS is a company specialized in...

Indonesia-Canada CEPA is not the rules-based trade we need

As the Trumpocalypse lays waste to what was left of the rules-based international trading order, countries are under pressure to diversify their trade relationships. In that sense alone, the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership...

International Olympiad on Financial Security opens in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk

The final stage of the International Olympiad on Financial Security has opened in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, bringing together about 600 schoolchildren and students from 40 countries, including CIS, BRICS, and SCO states, according to a local media...

Gaza ceasefire deal violated. And, shutdown enters day 20 with no end in sight

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories The ceasefire in Gaza was tested this...

One month of Trump’s 50% tariffs: Slower exports, disrupted supply chains, mounting financial strain

It has been a little over a month since the US imposed 50% tariffs—among the highest in the world—on Indian goods. The tariffs include a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil and weapons. The impact across sectors has been unprecedented, with...

USMNT Player Tracker: Balogun's timely reminder, Robinson concerns and Reyna pines for progress

With international duty over for another month, European soccer’s American stars were back on club duty over the weekend and experienced fluctuating fortunes. It went well for Folarin Balogun in Ligue 1, but Gio Reyna and Weston McKennie have more...

One Dead, Nearly 100 Arrested: Heavy Repression Of Protests In Ecuador

Above photo: The 8th day of mass protests in Ecuador. In Ambato, the Salasaka community mobilizes. CONAIE. A week since protests began in Ecuador against the decision by Daniel Noboa’s right-wing government to eliminate the diesel subsidy, nearly...

Oil Boom in the Ecuadorian Jungle

Law of the Jungle(Random House, 2014), by Paul M. Barrett, reveals the story of a lawyer’s obsession with righting the wrongs perpetrated by a major U.S. oil company accused of polluting the Amazonian rainforest over a 30-year period, destroying...

Argentina’s Economic Troubles Are Bad News For Our National Security

Riot police clash with demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Emiliano Lasalvia / AFP) (Photo by EMILIANO LASALVIA/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images...

Ecuador’s CNE sends Noboa’s Constituent proposal to the Constitutional Court

(FILE) Ecuadorian CNE President Diana Atamaint. Photo: EFE. September 21, 2025 Hour: 12:48 am Ecuador’s National Electoral Council (CNE) decided this Saturday to forward President Daniel Noboa’s new call for a referendum on creating a Constituent...

Canadian Miner Faces Licence Suspension in Ecuador

Toronto-based Dundee Precious Metals is facing suspension of its environmental licence in Ecuador after mass protests targeting foreign mining operations swept the South American country. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced the suspension...

Pro-Trump President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa Attacked in Humanitarian Aid Convoy

Violent rioters in Ecuador on Sunday assaulted a convoy loaded with humanitarian aid led by President Daniel Noboa in the province of Imbabura amid fierce anti-government protests over the end of fuel subsidies, according to the Ecuadorian...

Colombia to cancel free trade deal with Israel, “reform” treaty with US

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said Monday that his government will end its free trade agreement with Israel and seeks to revise the one with the United States. Petro made the announcement during a cabinet meeting amid rapidly deteriorating...

Colombia’s leader accuses US of murder and violating sovereignty - prompting Trump to halt aid

Legal specialists have called such killings illegal, because militaries cannot lawfully target civilians who do not pose a threat in the moment and are not directly participating in hostilities. “US government officials have committed a murder and...

President invites Japanese business community to explore Sri Lanka’s emerging economic opportunities

– DFCC Bank has launched Sri Lanka’s first-ever Blue Bond, a landmark LKR 3 billion issuance dedicated to financing projects that protect and sustain the country’s most vital resource – the ocean. This pioneering bond, carrying an expected rating...

Lower supply of Ecuadorian mango expected

Mangoes from Ecuador are about to start shipping to the U.S. "We are seeing less quantity compared to last year but it's not affecting our quality so we are optimistic about that," says Cristina Jacome of dVida, adding that the country's tropical...