Why Asian firms are not cheering Trump tariff ruling
Business

Asian firms struggle amid Trump tariff uncertainty

Supreme Court Ruling Adds Confusion Asian companies did not rejoice when the US Supreme Court last week struck down an important part of Donald Trump's Tariff Program. The US market was…

Family-Owned Soda Company Keeps Returnable Glass Bottle Tradition Alive In the US, about 127 billion plastic bottles are bought every year. Yet one Midwestern soft drink company is holding on to the old-school way of selling soda in returnable glass bottles. A Tradition Almost Lost Until the 1960s, most soda bottles in the US were designed to be returned. Customers paid a deposit for sturdy glass bottles, which they returned to stores for a refund. The bottles were then washed and refilled repeatedly. The rise of plastic bottles phased out this system, but Twig's Beverage, a family-owned company in Shawano County, Wisconsin, has kept it alive. Customers pay a $20 deposit for a case of 24 bottles. They can even visit Twig's factory in Shawano to refill bottles, some of which are over 60 years old. Nostalgia and Community Ben Hartwig, Twig's vice-president, says families have been bringing back the same bottles for generations. "Cases get passed down, and the next family member brings them in," he says. "Long-time customers love the nostalgic feel and treat these cases like gold." Some 16oz bottles still date back to the 1960s and 70s, and they continue to go through Twig's washing process today. Sun Drop and Real Sugar Established in 1951 by Floyd Hartwig, Twig's signature soda is Sun Drop, a citrus-flavored drink first developed in Missouri in the 1940s. Although US drinks giant Keurig Dr Pepper owns the brand, Twig's makes Sun Drop under license for sale in its Wisconsin territory. It is the last Sun Drop producer to use returnable glass bottles instead of plastic and one of the few still using real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Twig's also produces its own line of fruit sodas, including root beer, black cherry, orange, and lime. While Sun Drop can only be sold in Wisconsin, Twig's is expanding its own soda brand across the Midwest. These new bottles will not be returnable due to distance, so customers outside the state are encouraged to recycle them. Family Business and Local Culture Twig's story began when Floyd Hartwig, recovering from wounds in the Korean War, conceived the soda business idea. Post-World War Two economic growth and a rise in take-home drinks helped the business flourish. In 1986, Floyd’s son Dan took over to keep the company in the family. Today, Ben Hartwig runs Twig's with his wife Annelies and brothers Jake and Luke. The company employs 20 people and earns around $6.5 million annually. Sun Drop Dayz, a local fundraiser with live music and activities, has been celebrated every June since 2017. Visitors can also tour Twig's museum to see the soda-making process firsthand. Looking Ahead Twig's continues to honor its tradition of returnable glass bottles while expanding its own soda brand in the Midwest. With a focus on nostalgia, real sugar, and community, the company blends heritage with growth.
Sports

Family-Owned Soda Company Keeps Returnable Glass Bottle Tradition Alive

In the US, about 127 billion plastic bottles are bought every year. Yet one Midwestern soft drink company is holding on to the old-school way of selling soda in returnable…

Canada's finance minister says US is unlikely to lift tariffs
BusinessUnited States

Canada Faces Ongoing US Tariffs

Francois-Philippe champagne, Canada's Finance Minister, said that Canada may have to pay a "baseline tariff" to export goods to the United States. He made these remarks after US President Donald Trump…

South Africa is still unbeaten at the T20 World Cup after a convincing win against West Indies in 2026 Aiden Markram leads Proteas To Victory South Africa maintained its unbeaten record at the T20 World Cup in 2026 with a nine-wicket win over West Indies. Aiden Markram was the star of the show with 82 runs unbeaten from just 46 deliveries. Markram hit seven fours, and sixes. South Africa comfortably won by 23 balls. Markram's fifty-seven came in just 27 deliveries and he formed a 95 run partnership with Quinton de Kock. Quinton scored 47 runs from 24 balls before being dismissed by Roston Chase in the eighth over. Ryan Rickelton at number three contributed 45 runs to Quinton's partnership. South Africa has now moved two points in front of Super 8s Group 1 leader and is one step closer towards the semi-finals. Should India beat Zimbabwe on Thursday the Proteas will be assured a spot in the semis. West Indies Struggle Back, but Fail South Africa reduced West Indies to 83-7 from 83-7 following a strong start. Kagiso Naidi, Rovman and Matthew Forde were unable to stabilize the innings. Holder, Romario Shepherd and the West Indies resurrected their innings with an 89-run partnership. Holder scored 49 runs from only 31 deliveries. Shepherd scored 52 off 37 balls, finishing unbeaten. They added 58 runs in the final five overs but it wasn't enough to meet their target. South Africa's bowling dominates South Africa's bowlers made the match impossible to win by taking 4 wickets in the first 4 balls. Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen from India both delivered tight bowling that limited the West Indies’ late rally. Proteas nearing semi-finals South Africa is now one step closer towards the semifinals. West Indies' consistency in the Super 8 phase shows its strength. West Indies needs to win to stay competitive.
Sports

South Africa is still unbeaten at the T20 World Cup after a convincing win against West Indies in 2026

Aiden Markram leads Proteas To Victory South Africa maintained its unbeaten record at the T20 World Cup in 2026 with a nine-wicket win over West Indies. Aiden Markram was the…

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a 25% stake in Spanish club UD Almeria, expanding his football and business ventures while supporting the club’s growth.
Sports

Cristiano Cristiano, co-owner of Almeria in Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become a co-owner of Spanish football club UD Almeria, acquiring a 25% stake through his company, CR7 Sports Investments. This move adds a new chapter to…

Ilhan Omar speaking after claiming her State of the Union guest was arrested during Trump’s address
NewsUnited States

Ilhan Omar Says Her State of the Union Guest Was Arrested After Removal from Chamber

Rep. Ilhan Omar said her invited guest was removed and arrested during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night. According to Omar, her guest, software engineer…

The US Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Victory is Overshadowed by a Trump Joke Donald Trump's comment has caused controversy after it diverted attention from Team USA’s historical success in the Winter Olympics. The United States took home gold medals in men's hockey and women's hockey at the Winter Games of Milan-Cortina. This was the first time that the United States won both gold medals at the same Games. The public instead of celebrating the rare win turned their attention to an impromptu comment made by the team's coach during a call congratulating them. Donald Trump's Comments Trump invited the team to Washington for his State of the Union Address. He congratulated the hockey players and wished them well. He said that the men's team would need to be invited, or else he could "probably" face impeachment. The comment was laughed at by several players. Online, critics quickly responded to the joke by claiming that it reduced women's achievements to an amusing punchline. Social media exploded with the joke, which became a hot political and sporting topic. Women's team declines invitation The women's team declined the invitation to the speech. Hilary Knight, the USA captain, addressed this controversy later in an ESPN interview. Knight called the comments "disgusting" and claimed that they distracted attention from the hard work of the athletes. She said that women should have been the focus of attention, as they were responsible for Team USA's Olympic success. She defended both the women's and men's teams. Knight said that the players were in a difficult position when the decision was made. Knight believes that there's genuine respect between the two teams. She believes that the online reaction exaggerated and diverted attention from the unity and support among US hockey. Hilary Knight’s Historic Record Knight ended her Olympic career by scoring 15 goals. This makes Knight the most prolific goal-scorer in US Olympic Hockey history. She leaves the Games at 36 as one of sport's leading voices and a five-time Olympic medalist. She wants this moment to serve as an example of how institutions and leaders speak about women in all industries, including sports. Knight stated that women are not less than men. Knight said that women's achievements must stand alone.
Sports

Trump Olympic joke sparks debate after women’s ice hockey gold

The Trump Olympic joke has sparked controversy after Team USA achieved historic gold medals in both men’s and women’s ice hockey at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Critics say the remark…

US and Iran hold talks seen as crucial to prevent conflict
PoliticsUnited States

US and Iran hold high stakes nuclear talks in Geneva

US and Iranian officials held a third indirect round of talks in Geneva to ease tensions and avoid military conflict. These negotiations are taking place at a crucial time, since Donald Trump warned that he…

Sen. Ruben Gallego speaking about tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA
NewsUnited States

Sen. Ruben Gallego Demands Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s IEEPA Duties

A Democratic senator is pressing President Donald Trump to return billions of dollars collected under tariffs that the Supreme Court recently ruled unlawful. Gallego Calls for Immediate Refund Plan Ruben…

US justice department accused of withholding Trump-related Epstein files
Crime and JusticePoliticsUnited States

US Justice Department Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Related Epstein Files

A senior Democrat has accused the US Justice Department of obstructing files relating to convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. This claim is based on documents which allegedly refer to former president…

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# French Woman Rescued in Pakistan After Alleged 12 Years of Captivity A French woman and her five children have been rescued in Pakistan after she accused her husband of keeping the family confined and abusing them for more than a decade. Police arrested the suspect after one of the couple's sons secretly left the house and reported the situation to authorities. The report prompted officers to raid the family's home in Bara, a remote town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ## Son's Courage Leads to Rescue According to police officials, the family's son managed to escape from the house and seek help. His actions led authorities directly to the property. When officers entered the home, they found the woman and her children living in a small and severely neglected room. Police said all family members showed visible signs of physical abuse, including bruises. The rescued family was immediately moved to a women's shelter in Peshawar, where they are now receiving protection and support. ## Woman Claims Family Lost Freedom for Years The woman, identified as 54 year old Sylvie Yasmina, said her husband had controlled the family's lives since they moved from Australia to Pakistan in 2014. She alleged that he prevented them from interacting with other people and cut them off from the outside world. According to her statement, the family lived in isolation for years. Yasmina also claimed that her husband physically and mentally abused family members on a daily basis. She said the family lived under constant fear and pressure. ## Children's Education Severely Affected Authorities stated that the couple's two older children were unable to continue their education after the family relocated to Pakistan. The three younger children were born in Pakistan. However, they never attended school because of the family's isolation. Officials believe the children missed important educational opportunities during the years they remained confined. ## Family Plans Return to France Police said Yasmina and her children intend to return to France once legal and administrative procedures are completed. Investigators also revealed that the suspect is a Pakistani national. Authorities claim he was living illegally in Australia when he first met Yasmina. The couple married in 2003 and spent several years living in Australia before moving to Pakistan with their children. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to gather evidence regarding the family's allegations. ## Investigation Continues Law enforcement officials are examining the case and interviewing family members. Authorities are expected to determine whether additional charges will be filed against the suspect. The case has drawn significant attention because of the serious allegations of long term confinement, abuse, and the impact on the children's lives and education.
French Woman Rescued in Pakistan After Alleged 12 Years of Captivity
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# Karl Stefanovic Faces Exit From Nine Network After Tommy Robinson Podcast Controversy Australian television presenter Karl Stefanovic is reportedly preparing to leave Nine Network following widespread criticism over a recent podcast interview with British activist Tommy Robinson. Stefanovic has been one of Australia's most recognized television personalities for nearly two decades. He built a strong reputation as the host of the popular breakfast program *Today*. However, his latest independent media project has placed him at the center of a growing controversy. ## Backlash Over Tommy Robinson Interview The controversy began after Stefanovic interviewed Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, on his independently produced podcast. The episode quickly attracted criticism from viewers and advertisers across Australia. As public pressure increased, the podcast episode was removed from online platforms within hours of its release. During the interview, Stefanovic praised Robinson's determination and willingness to stand by his beliefs. Promotional clips from the episode also drew criticism after Stefanovic made remarks about British political leaders and appeared friendly with the controversial activist. ## Nine Network Distances Itself Nine Network clarified that it had no involvement in the production of Stefanovic's podcast. The company stated that the project operates independently and that it does not influence guest selection or editorial decisions. Despite that clarification, the broadcaster acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and confirmed it was reviewing the matter carefully. Several reports suggest that journalists within the organization expressed concerns about how the podcast could affect the network's reputation. Advertisers reportedly shared similar concerns. ## Reports Suggest Contract Negotiations Underway According to multiple Australian media reports, Nine Entertainment and Stefanovic are discussing the terms of his departure from the network. His current contract is expected to expire later this year. Neither Stefanovic nor his representatives have publicly commented on the reports. At the time of the controversy, Stefanovic was reportedly on leave and staying in London. ## Previous Controversies During His Career This is not the first time Stefanovic has faced public scrutiny. Throughout his television career, he has been involved in several high profile controversies. In one incident, he admitted appearing on air before fully recovering from a night of celebrations. In another case, he publicly apologized after private comments about a colleague became public. In 2018, Stefanovic stepped away from the *Today* show following declining ratings and intense media attention surrounding his personal life. He returned to the program a year later. ## A Major Figure in Australian Television Despite the recent controversy, Stefanovic remains one of Australia's most recognizable television presenters. His relaxed personality helped him connect with audiences nationwide. Over the years, he earned several industry honors, including Australia's prestigious Gold Logie award for Most Popular Presenter in 2011. As discussions about his future continue, many industry observers are watching closely to see whether his long association with Nine Network will officially come to an end.
Karl Stefanovic Faces Exit From Nine Network After Tommy Robinson Podcast Controversy
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