I am a business economist with interests in international trade worldwide through politics, money, banking and VOIP Communications. The author of RG Richardson City Guides has over 300 guides, including restaurants and finance.
Economic Interactive Dictionary-Multi-language Chinese, English and German. With the power of the internet, this guide provides over 9900 links through 8 search engines to definitions, terms, charts, videos and graphs. Never out of date! Increase your financial literacy! Interactive City Guides searching in multiple languages. Job search, interactive notes, dictionaries, shopping and real estate guides. Using the power of the internet this guide is all about 9900 preset searches keeping you up to date about your city.
Today we show the world that in America we are not scared of Trump and his pathetic, vile regime.
Today we show the world that America does not want a tyrant and does not want a king.
Today, let’s make history with the largest peaceful protest ever.
Tens of millions of Americans will be protesting alongside so many others around the world.
This is the day Trump feared.
When future generations ask what you did when authoritarianism took hold in America, tell them you weren’t on the sidelines. Today, you will make your mark on history, marching side by side at the No Kings Protest.
But as historic and great as today will be, I know it will only be the beginning.
The peaceful protests will continue to grow and grow like nothing the world has ever seen.
The powerful statement we will make today will be an overwhelming repudiation of the Trump regime. It will remind everyone who holds the power — the people hold the power, not the right-wing oligarchs.
One of the greatest privileges I’ve had at the MeidasTouch Network has been flipping the script on news coverage with our platform. Whereas corporate news refused to cover the protests and intentionally suppressed them, we went all in — amplifying the work of grassroots groups and activists fighting for democracy and going all in on our coverage of the protests.
We showed the world that people want to see coverage of what matters to them, and these mass protests deserve significant coverage. We’ve never followed corporate news framing. We’ve always led our coverage by listening to you.
As in the past, the MeidasTouch Network will be the main streaming platform for the No Kings Protests on our YouTube channel. Make sure to check it out. We’ve been working closely with the lead organizers of No Kings to make sure we can assist in amplifying the coverage of their efforts in any way possible. This is why we built this platform — it’s for days like today.
So go out there and have fun. Make sure to always remain peaceful. Never let the regime take away your love, your joy, or your empathy. Always remember we are in this together — and there are more of us than there are of them. I am so proud of you and everything you’ve done to help make this country and this world a better place.
If you are able to subscribe today to this Substack, or gift subscriptions to people you know, that would be great. We’ve stayed the top digital news network in the country thanks to you. We consistently beat Fox in video views, and we beat Joe Rogan in audio downloads — thanks to you. We hope you enjoy our members-only content as subscribers. Please subscribe today if you can.
Regardless, I can’t wait to hear about your experience at the No Kings Protest today and see all the pictures and videos. Have a wonderful No Kings Day, everyone.
While global renewable electricity installations will grow at a slightly slower pace than modellers previously expected between 2025 and 2030, total capacity is still on track to double by decade’s end, with solar leading the way, the International Energy Agency says.
Countries will add 4,600 gigawatts (that’s 4,600 billion watts) of new renewable generation capacity over the next five years, “roughly the equivalent of adding China, the European Union, and Japan’s power generation capacity combined to the global energy mix,” the IEA concludes in its Renewables 2025 forecast released this morning. Solar photovoltaics account for nearly 80% of the increase, and renewable power is expected to grow faster than it did over the last five years in more than 80% of the world’s countries.
Global wind capacity will nearly double to more than 2,000 GW, with China and the European Union leading new deployments, and the IEA expects hydropower to account for 3% of new renewable power through 2030.
All told, renewable energy capacity worldwide will grow 2.6- to 2.8-fold from 2022 levels by 2030, falling short of the tripling that countries promised at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. “This target can still be brought within reach if countries adopt enhanced policies to bridge gaps in both ambition and implementation,” the report states.
In an analysis published just hours ahead of the IEA release, researchers at the Ember energy think tank said solar and wind outpaced the growth in global electricity demand in the first half of this year, overtaking coal as a source of power supply for the first time.
“We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point,” Ember Senior Electricity Analyst Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka said in a release. “Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity. This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.”
The IEA expects renewables deployment to be 5% slower this year than it projected in October 2024, a shift it attributes to policy changes in the United States and China. “The forecast for the United States is revised down by almost 50%,” the report states, after the Trump administration phased out federal renewable energy tax credits ahead of schedule, imposed severe import restrictions on renewables industries, suspended new offshore wind leasing, and curtailed wind and solar leasing on federal lands.
“China’s shift from fixed tariffs to [renewable energy procurement] auctions is impacting project economics and lowering growth expectations,” the IEA adds. “Nonetheless, China continues to account for nearly 60% of global renewable capacity growth and is on track to reach its recently-announced 2035 wind and solar target five years ahead of schedule, extending its track record of early delivery.”
India, the EU, and most emerging and developing economies have all accelerated their renewable adoption since the IEA’s last data release a year ago. India is in good shape to meet its 2030 target and become the world’s second-biggest renewable energy market, achieving a 2.5-fold increase in capacity in just five years. Deployment is accelerating in Southeast Asia and Europe, while the forecast for the Middle East and North Africa is up 25%, led mainly by solar development Saudi Arabia.
The IEA points to some storm clouds for the renewable energy sector. Growth in wind power development is hampered by supply chain issues, rising costs, and permitting delays, and major solar and wind manufacturers are still losing money despite “surging” installations world-wide. An excess of solar modules has driven prices down by more than 60% in China since 2023, while wind manufacturers outside China reported cumulative losses of US$1.2 billion last year.
But despite those headwinds, the IEA said one-fifth of the large renewable developers it surveyed had increased their deployment targets over the last year, while three-quarters kept to their previously-stated goals. At a time of uncertain government policies, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) have been an important point of stability, delivering 30% of the expansion the IEA anticipates through 2030.
The poop deck was overflowing on a Royal Caribbean cruise from San Diego to Miami last month, as 94 guests and four crew members (about 5% of the ship’s manifest) came down with norovirus during the two-week voyage.
The flare-up was one of 19 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year—already one more than last year and five more than in 2023, per the New York Times.
Norovirus is highly contagious, making cruise ships—where thousands of passengers in tight quarters can get to know their fellow travelers intimately on the conga line—particularly vulnerable to its spread.—AE
Thinking about switching to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) but want to keep your current phone number? Good news: you can! Porting your phone number to VoIP.ms is a smart way to retain your current number while upgrading to a modern VoIP system.
Whether you’re switching from a landline or another VoIP provider, understanding number portability helps ensure a smooth, hassle-free transition.
While this guide focuses on VoIP, it’s worth noting that number portability as a whole is gaining traction, especially in the mobile sector.
According to The Business Research Company, the global mobile number portability market is projected to grow from $2.14 billion in 2024 to $2.27 billion in 2025. This trend reflects growing consumer demand for flexible telecom options across all platforms.
JPMorgan Chase says it will invest $10 billion into industries critical for national security Published Mon, Oct 13 20256:00 AM EDTUpdated 33 Min Ago Hugh Son@hugh_son ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email Key Points JPMorgan Chase on Monday said it is launching a decade-long plan to help finance and take direct stakes in companies it considers crucial to U.S. interests. The bank said in a statement it would invest up to $10 billion into companies in four areas: defense and aerospace, “frontier” technologies including AI and quantum computing, energy technology including batteries, and supply chain and advanced manufacturing. That is part of its broader effort, dubbed the Security and Resiliency Initiative, in which JPMorgan said it will finance or facilitate $1.5 trillion in funding for companies it identifies as crucial, an amount is said was 50% more than a previous plan.
In this articleJPM+7.38 (+2.45%) Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch now VIDEO05:14 JPMorgan Chase says it will invest $10 billion into industries critical for national security
JPMorgan Chase on Monday said it is launching a decade-long plan to help finance and take direct stakes in companies it considers crucial to U.S. interests.
The bank said in a statement it would invest up to $10 billion into companies in four areas: defense and aerospace, “frontier” technologies including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, energy technology including batteries, and supply chain and advanced manufacturing.
The money is part of a broader effort, dubbed the Security and Resiliency Initiative, in which JPMorgan said it will finance or facilitate $1.5 trillion in funding for companies it identifies as crucial. It said the total amount is 50% more than a previous plan.
“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in the release.
As the biggest American bank by assets and a Wall Street juggernaut, JPMorgan was already raising funds and lending money to companies in those industries. But the move helps organize the company’s activities around national interests at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.
On Friday, markets tumbled as President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports after the major U.S. trading partner tightened export controls on rare earths.
In the release, Dimon said the U.S. needs to “remove obstacles” including excessive regulations, “bureaucratic delay” and “partisan gridlock.”
JPMorgan said that within the four major areas, there were 27 specific industries it would look to support with advice, financing and investments. That includes areas as diverse as nanomaterials, autonomous robots, spacecraft and space launches, and nuclear and solar power.
“Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America’s economy,” Dimon said. “This new initiative includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centers.”
The bank said it would hire an unspecified numbers of bankers and create an external advisory council to support its initiative.
The number of international students arriving in the U.S. in August fell by 19 percent this year compared with last year — the largest decline on record outside of the pandemic.
International student arrivals to the U.S. in August
The data, based on arrival records of international student visitors, includes both new international students entering the U.S. and existing international students returning to the country. That means we don’t know the number of new students alone.
But in the past, August arrivals have been a reasonably good indicator of fall enrollment. Most international students arrive in August, in time for the fall semester, as they can’t enter the country more than 30 days before their programs begin.
And a separate federal database tracking international students tells a similar story. It shows that the increase in the total number of international students was 23 percent smaller this fall, compared with the same period last year. Because this number accounts for both new students and recent graduates, it also points to a decline in the numbers of new students.
Though the actual enrollment numbers aren’t known yet, the travel data offers an early sign of international student trends, and how they vary among countries and regions.
A large drop in students arriving from Asia
The United States hosts the most international students of any country: about 1.3 million doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s and associate students, according to recent government data.
Over 70 percent are from Asia, and Asian students also make up the largest share of travelers in the data. This year, the number of Asian students arriving in the U.S. in August fell by 24 percent — the lowest August numbers on record outside of the pandemic.
Nearly one in three U.S. international students are Indian. The number of international students arriving from India already started to decline last year. But this August, it dropped by an additional 44 percent, following prolonged delays in processing student visas.
About one in five U.S. international students are from China. Since the pandemic’s end, fewer Chinese students have enrolled in U.S. universities, following heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. This August, the numbers of arriving Chinese students continued to decline.
The number of students arriving from Europe stayed mostly the same
Students from Europe make up about 7 percent of U.S. international students. But they made up about 16 percent of international student arrivals in August. Their arrival numbers stayed roughly similar to those of the past year.
There were more students arriving from Britain, and slight declines in the numbers of students from Spain and Germany. The largest drop in European student visitors was from Russia, which has had strained relations with the U.S.
Declines from Africa, the Middle East and South America
Students from Africa also make up about 7 percent of international students in the U.S. Their arrival numbers fell in August by nearly a third.
The shares of students arriving from Ghana and Nigeria fell by nearly half in August.
In July, the U.S. placed tighter rules on many categories of visas for citizens of Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Cameroon. These visas now allow a single entry to the U.S. and are valid for three months (student visas typically allow multiple entries and are valid for many years). In September, the U.S. reversed these restrictions for Ghana, after the country agreed to accept people deported from the U.S.
The data also shows a decade-long decline in students arriving from the Middle East, who made up roughly 5 percent of all international students in 2024, driven largely by a drop in students from Saudi Arabia.
The number of students arriving from South America (about 6 percent of international students) also showed a decline this year, despite student travel having been relatively steady aside from the pandemic.
The data captures travel from many countries, but not all. The number of students arriving from Canada and over land from Mexico, for example, are released on a two-month lag. And for many countries, the number of international students who come to the U.S. is small. But overall, fewer students arrived in August from most countries in the data. You can explore more below:
Change in international student arrivals
Between August 2024 and August 2025. Click on a circle or search for more details.
Note: Circle sizes reflect the numbers of international students who arrived from each country in August 2025, and the vertical positions reflect the shift from August 2024 to August 2025. The average change is weighted by the number of international students who arrived in August 2024.
Note: The data for August 2025 is preliminary and excludes visitors who arrived from Mexico on land, and visitors from Canada. The data set aggregates visitors from some countries.
Reasons for the decline
Why did fewer international students arrive in the U.S. this August? Here are a few possibilities:
1. Visa delays
Many international students have had difficulty obtaining student visas this year. In late May, the State Department paused student visa interviews for three weeks during the peak period that these visas are issued.
It’s not clear yet how many student visas were issued over the summer — the State Department reports this data on a lag. But the data from May shows a 22 percent drop in F-1 student visa issuances (the most common type of student visa), compared with the previous May.
2. Travel bans
In June, the State Department also instituted a travel ban or visa restrictions for citizens of 19 countries, which further limited student travel.
Iran is one of the countries with a travel ban. The travel data shows that the number of arriving Iranian students dropped by 86 percent this August — the largest decline for any country in the data this year.
Data from SEVIS showed that the fall spike in international student enrollment from countries with a travel ban was nearly 70 percent smaller this year.
3. Increased uncertainty
With the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, some foreign students may view the U.S. as a less welcoming or reliable option for study.
Consider these events: In March, the government began detaining and attempting to deport international students, in a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. (In a recent ruling, a federal court said the Trump administration acted unconstitutionally in trying to deport foreign students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy.)
All this may have led some students to opt to study in countries with fewer restrictions. A survey by the Institute of International Education found visa delays, difficulties entering the U.S. and the possibility of visa revocations among the top reasons that colleges expect a decline in their international student enrollment.
“The problem isn’t that the students have lost confidence in the quality of U.S. education. They have lost confidence in our administration’s commitment to international students,” said Fanta Aw, the C.E.O. of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a nonprofit dedicated to international education.
4. Less travel overall
Some colleges have advised their currently enrolled international students to avoid international travel, such as going home for the summer, warning they may not be able to re-enter the U.S.
The data available so far combines new and existing student arrivals. So a decline may in part reflect a reluctance of existing international students to travel internationally over the summer. For now, these factors can’t be separated until more data arrives.
But the mix of problems for international students has led to what Professor Aw calls “a perfect storm.” Her organization has projected a 30 to 40 percent drop in new international student enrollment this fall, with a cost of nearly $7 billion to the economy.
“The impact of this is going to be felt long term,” she said.
What colleges may be affected?
The colleges that might be most affected by a decline in international students are generally not the most selective colleges, but ones that are the most dependent on these students, said Dick Startz, a professor of economics who analyzes trends in higher education.
Here are three kinds of colleges that could be the most affected:
1. STEM graduate programs
The majority of all international students in the U.S. are enrolled in graduate school, over 80 percent of whom are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
A Times analysis of recently released data from the Department of Education found at least 229 midsize or large in-person master’s programs where the majority of graduates were international. In 55 of those programs, all in STEM or legal fields, over 95 percent were international.
Master’s programs have had the largest growth in international students over the past five years, and these programs have also shown the largest decline in their growth this year, according to SEVIS data. At the University of Central Missouri, which graduated over 1,500 international master’s degree students in 2024, The Associated Press reported that new international student enrollment dropped by half.
Many teaching assistants and researchers in undergraduate laboratories and STEM programs are also international students, and a sustained drop in international students could make it harder to operate some of these programs.
2. Smaller arts schools, and Christian colleges
The undergraduate colleges with the highest shares of international students are disproportionately small art and design schools, music conservancies and Christian colleges.
An analysis by the credit rating agency Moody’s pointed out that some of these smaller specialty programs are at higher risk of insolvency if international students decline significantly. Inside Higher Ed has reported signs of decreased international enrollment at some of these colleges.
Niagara, a private Catholic university in western New York, reported a 45 percent drop in the number of students from outside of the United States and Canada this fall. In September, the university confirmed it had laid off staff members, according to reporting from The Niagara Gazette.
And DePaul, a private Catholic university in Chicago, reported a 62 percent decline in new international graduate student enrollment, because of visa difficulties and a “declining desire for international students to study in the U.S.” In a letter to faculty and staff, the university president said to expect pay cuts, layoffs and a hiring freeze, as first reported by Reuters.
3. Flagship state schools
At many state schools, international students pay considerably higher tuition than in-state residents. A drop in international enrollment could be a financial burden to these colleges, as well as to the local economies that benefit from the students’ presence.
For example, Ohio State reported in September that its enrollment of new international students dropped by 314 students, or nearly 38 percent. And at Indiana University, new international student enrollment fell by 443 students, or 30 percent, across all of its campuses.
What’s next?
Experts say a sustained drop in the numbers of international students could diminish American competitiveness in science and engineering.
Nearly three-quarters of international students who receive a doctorate in science and engineering stay and work in the country after they graduate, and over 40 percent of all doctorate-level scientists and engineers in the U.S. are born outside the country. The newly instituted $100,000 fee for H-1B work visas is likely to further reduce the flow of STEM workers.
The data so far offers an early indicator of trends in international student enrollment, but it isn’t the complete picture. Over the coming months, enrollment data from colleges and the number of visas issued over the summer should allow better understanding of these trends.
Mitchell Beer
