PACT

May 03 2025BUSINESS

US Shoppers Face Higher Costs as China Packages Get Taxed

The United States has made a big change in how it handles small packages coming from China. Starting May 2, there is no longer a special rule that let these packages enter the country without extra taxes. This rule, called the de minimis exemption, used to let companies like Temu, Shein, and AliExpr

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May 03 2025POLITICS

Australian Voters Choose Stability Over Change

In a surprising turn of events, Australia's center-left Labor Party has managed to keep its hold on power. This victory comes as a big blow to the conservative Liberal Party, which saw its leader, Peter Dutton, lose his seat in the outer suburbs of Brisbane. Dutton had been in this position for over

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May 03 2025ENVIRONMENT

Understanding Zinc's Journey in Mining Lands

Zinc is a common metal found in many places. It is often used in mining. Mining can lead to zinc pollution in the environment. This pollution can spread through soil, plants, and water. Scientists wanted to track how zinc moves around in these environments. They focused on a mining area in sout

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May 03 2025HEALTH

How Did COVID-19 Affect the Mental Health of Asian Healthcare Workers?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tough time for everyone. But for healthcare workers in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, it was especially hard. A recent study looked into how these workers were feeling. It turns out, many were dealing with anxiety and depression. This isn't too surprising. After all

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May 03 2025SCIENCE

Science in Crisis: The National Science Foundation's Sudden Shifts

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is facing a storm. The government agency, which is a big supporter of basic science, math, and engineering, especially in colleges and universities, is under fire. The latest blow came from the White House, which proposed a budget cut of $4. 7 billion. This is m

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May 03 2025ENTERTAINMENT

A Life of Music and Activism: The Legacy of Jill Sobule

Jill Sobule, a singer-songwriter, left a lasting mark on the music industry. She was known for her hit song "I Kissed a Girl, " which became an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. Sobule passed away at the age of 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. The fire broke out early in the morning, and f

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May 03 2025POLITICS

The New American Dream: Poverty as Progress?

The recent economic downturn in the U. S. has sparked a peculiar response from the current administration. As the economy shrank for the first time in years, the stock market plummeted, and business owners warned of potential shortages. Instead of addressing these concerns, some officials have start

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May 02 2025FINANCE

The Trade War's Ripple Effects on Jobs and Economy

The U. S. economy is feeling the strain of the ongoing trade war. The job market has shown signs of slowing down. This is happening as the president's trade policies start to impact the broader economy. In April, the number of new jobs created was 177, 000. This is a slight decrease from the previou

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May 02 2025FINANCE

Economic Shifts: Jobs, Tariffs, and Uncertainty

The economic landscape in April 2025 was a mix of stability and uncertainty. Despite a significant announcement about tariffs, the job market showed resilience. The U. S. added 177, 000 jobs, which was a slowdown from the previous month's 228, 000 but still strong. The unemployment rate stayed stead

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May 02 2025TECHNOLOGY

Gaming Gets Costlier: Xbox Prices Jump Amid Trade Turmoil

The gaming world is seeing a shift in prices. Microsoft has increased the suggested prices for its Xbox consoles and accessories worldwide. The Xbox Series S now starts at $379. 99 in the U. S. , a significant jump from its original $299. 99. The Xbox Series X will now be priced at $599. 99, up from

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