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How are tariffs affecting inflation and consumer prices worldwide?
How tariffs can raise consumer prices (the mechanics) Direct pass-through to final goods. A tariff is a tax on imported goods. If importers and retailers simply raise the sticker price, consumers pay more. The fraction of the tariff that shows up at the checkout is called the pass-through rate. HighRead more
How tariffs can raise consumer prices (the mechanics)
Direct pass-through to final goods. A tariff is a tax on imported goods. If importers and retailers simply raise the sticker price, consumers pay more. The fraction of the tariff that shows up at the checkout is called the pass-through rate.
Higher input costs and cascading effects. Many tariffs target intermediate goods (parts, components, machinery). That raises production costs for domestic manufacturers and raises prices across supply chains, not just the tariffed final products.
Substitution and product mix effects. Consumers and firms may switch to more expensive domestic suppliers (trade diversion), which can keep prices elevated even if the tariffed product’s price falls later.
Uncertainty and administrative costs. Frequent changes in tariff policy add uncertainty; firms pay to retool supply chains, hold extra inventory, or hire compliance staff — those costs can be passed on to consumers.
Macro feedback and second-round effects. If tariffs push inflation higher and expectations become unanchored, wages and service prices can reprice, producing a more persistent inflationary effect rather than a one-time rise.
How tariffs can raise consumer prices (the mechanics)
Direct pass-through to final goods. A tariff is a tax on imported goods. If importers and retailers simply raise the sticker price, consumers pay more. The fraction of the tariff that shows up at the checkout is called the pass-through rate.
Higher input costs and cascading effects. Many tariffs target intermediate goods (parts, components, machinery). That raises production costs for domestic manufacturers and raises prices across supply chains, not just the tariffed final products.
Substitution and product mix effects. Consumers and firms may switch to more expensive domestic suppliers (trade diversion), which can keep prices elevated even if the tariffed product’s price falls later.
Uncertainty and administrative costs. Frequent changes in tariff policy add uncertainty; firms pay to retool supply chains, hold extra inventory, or hire compliance staff — those costs can be passed on to consumers.
Macro feedback and second-round effects. If tariffs push inflation higher and expectations become unanchored, wages and service prices can reprice, producing a more persistent inflationary effect rather than a one-time rise.
What the evidence and recent studies show (how big are the effects?)
Pass-through varies by product, but is often substantial. Micro-level studies of recent U.S. tariffs find nontrivial pass-through: some estimates put retail pass-through for affected goods in the range of tens of percent up to near full pass-through in the short run for certain categories. One well-known microstudy finds a 20% tariff linked with roughly a 0.7% retail price rise for affected products in its sample—pass-through is heterogeneous.
Recent policy episodes (2025 U.S. tariff episodes) provide real-time estimates. Multiple papers and central-bank notes looking at the 2025 tariff measures conclude the first-round effect is measurable but not massive overall — estimates range from a few tenths of a percentage point up to low single digits in headline/core inflation depending on which scenario is assumed (full pass-through vs partial, scope of tariffs, and whether monetary policy offsets). For example, recent Federal Reserve analysis and Boston Fed back-of-the-envelope work put short-run contributions to core inflation on the order of ~0.1–0.8 percentage points (varies by method and which tariffs are counted). Yale and other research groups that look at sectoral pass-through find higher short-run impacts in heavily affected categories. Federal Reserve+2Federal Reserve Bank of Boston+2
Tariffs on investment goods can have outsized effects. Studies highlight that tariffs on capital goods (machinery, semiconductors, tools) raise costs of producing other goods and can therefore have larger effects on investment and longer-term productivity; projected price effects for investment goods are often larger than for consumption goods.
One-time level shift vs persistent inflation — which is more likely?
There are two useful ways to think about the impact:
One-time price level effect: If tariffs are a discrete shock and firms simply add the tax to prices, the general price level jumps but inflation (the rate of increase) reverts to trend — a one-off effect.
Persistent inflation effect: If tariffs raise firms’ costs, shift bargaining, or alter expectations such that wages and services reprice, the effect can persist. Which occurs depends on how long tariffs remain, whether central banks respond, and whether input costs feed into broad service wages. Recent policy debates (and Fed/central-bank analyses) focus on this distinction because it matters for monetary policy decisions.
Short run: A large share of the tariff burden often falls on consumers through higher retail prices, especially for final goods with little cheap domestic supply or close substitutes. Microstudies of past tariff episodes show retailers do not fully absorb tariffs. Medium run: Firms that cannot pass through full costs may absorb some through lower margins, investment cuts, or shifting production. But if tariffs are prolonged, businesses may restructure supply chains (friend-shoring, reshoring), which involves costs that eventually show up in prices or wages.
Distributional note: Tariffs are regressive in practice: low-income households spend a higher share of income on traded goods (electronics, clothing, groceries), so price rises hit them proportionally harder.
Recent real-world examples and context
U.S.–China tariffs (2018–2020): Research showed sectoral price increases and some consumer price impacts, but the overall macro inflationary effect was modest; distributional and sectoral effects were important.
2025 tariff escalations (selective large tariffs): Multiple U.S. measures in 2025 (and reactions by trading partners) have been estimated to add a measurable number of basis points to core inflation in the short run; some think-tank and Fed estimates put first-round impacts between ~0.1% and up to ~1.8% on consumer prices depending on scope and pass-through assumptions. Those numbers illustrate the concept: targeted tariffs can move aggregate prices when they hit big-ticket or widely used inputs.
Other consequences that amplify (or mute) the inflationary effect
Policy uncertainty raises costs. Firms’ inability to plan (frequent rate changes, threats of additional tariffs) increases inventories and compliance spending, which can raise prices even beyond the tariff itself. Recent business surveys report that tariff uncertainty is already increasing costs for many firms.
Trade diversion and higher-cost sourcing. If imports are redirected to higher-cost suppliers to avoid tariffs, consumers pay more even if the tariffed good itself isn’t sold at home.
Monetary policy reaction. If central banks tighten to offset tariff-driven inflation, the resulting slower demand can blunt price rises; if central banks look through one-off tariff effects, inflation may persist. That interaction is the crucial policy lever.
Practical implications for consumers, businesses and policy
For consumers: Expect higher prices in targeted categories (appliances, furniture, specific branded goods, pharmaceuticals where applicable). Substitution (cheaper alternatives, used goods) will dampen some of the pain but not all. Low-income households are likely to feel the pinch more.
For firms: Short run — margin pressure or higher retail prices; medium run — supply-chain reconfiguration, higher capital costs if tariffs hit investment goods. Tariff uncertainty is itself costly.
For policymakers: Design matters. Narrow, temporary tariffs with clear objectives and sunset clauses reduce the risk of persistent inflation and political capture. Communication with central banks and trading partners helps reduce uncertainty. If tariffs are broad and long lasting, monetary authorities face harder choices to maintain price stability.
Bottom line
Tariffs do raise consumer prices — sometimes only slightly and once, sometimes more significantly and persistently. Empirical work and recent episodes show the effect is heterogeneous: it depends on the tariffs’ size, coverage (final vs intermediate goods), pass-through rates in particular markets, supply-chain links, and how monetary and fiscal authorities respond. In short: tariffs are an inflationary tool when applied at scale, but the real economic pain depends on the details — and on whether those tariffs are temporary, targeted, and paired with policies that limit rent-seeking and supply-chain disruption.
If you want, I can:
prepare a table of recent studies (estimate, scope, implied CPI effect) so you can compare numbers side-by-side, or
run a short sectoral deep-dive (e.g., electronics, autos, pharmaceuticals) to show which consumer categories are most likely to see price rises where you live, or
draft a two-page brief for a policymaker summarizing the tradeoffs and suggested guardrails.
What the evidence and recent studies show (how big are the effects?)
Pass-through varies by product, but is often substantial. Micro-level studies of recent U.S. tariffs find nontrivial pass-through: some estimates put retail pass-through for affected goods in the range of tens of percent up to near full pass-through in the short run for certain categories. One well-known microstudy finds a 20% tariff linked with roughly a 0.7% retail price rise for affected products in its sample—pass-through is heterogeneous.
Recent policy episodes (2025 U.S. tariff episodes) provide real-time estimates. Multiple papers and central-bank notes looking at the 2025 tariff measures conclude the first-round effect is measurable but not massive overall — estimates range from a few tenths of a percentage point up to low single digits in headline/core inflation depending on which scenario is assumed (full pass-through vs partial, scope of tariffs, and whether monetary policy offsets). For example, recent Federal Reserve analysis and Boston Fed back-of-the-envelope work put short-run contributions to core inflation on the order of ~0.1–0.8 percentage points (varies by method and which tariffs are counted). Yale and other research groups that look at sectoral pass-through find higher short-run impacts in heavily affected categories.
Tariffs on investment goods can have outsized effects. Studies highlight that tariffs on capital goods (machinery, semiconductors, tools) raise costs of producing other goods and can therefore have larger effects on investment and longer-term productivity; projected price effects for investment goods are often larger than for consumption goods.
One-time level shift vs persistent inflation — which is more likely?
There are two useful ways to think about the impact:
One-time price level effect: If tariffs are a discrete shock and firms simply add the tax to prices, the general price level jumps but inflation (the rate of increase) reverts to trend — a one-off effect.
Persistent inflation effect: If tariffs raise firms’ costs, shift bargaining, or alter expectations such that wages and services reprice, the effect can persist. Which occurs depends on how long tariffs remain, whether central banks respond, and whether input costs feed into broad service wages. Recent policy debates (and Fed/central-bank analyses) focus on this distinction because it matters for monetary policy decisions.
Who really pays — consumers or firms?
Short run: A large share of the tariff burden often falls on consumers through higher retail prices, especially for final goods with little cheap domestic supply or close substitutes. Microstudies of past tariff episodes show retailers do not fully absorb tariffs.
Medium run: Firms that cannot pass through full costs may absorb some through lower margins, investment cuts, or shifting production. But if tariffs are prolonged, businesses may restructure supply chains (friend-shoring, reshoring), which involves costs that eventually show up in prices or wages.
Distributional note: Tariffs are regressive in practice: low-income households spend a higher share of income on traded goods (electronics, clothing, groceries), so price rises hit them proportionally harder.
Recent real-world examples and context
U.S.–China tariffs (2018–2020): Research showed sectoral price increases and some consumer price impacts, but the overall macro inflationary effect was modest; distributional and sectoral effects were important.
2025 tariff escalations (selective large tariffs): Multiple U.S. measures in 2025 (and reactions by trading partners) have been estimated to add a measurable number of basis points to core inflation in the short run; some think-tank and Fed estimates put first-round impacts between ~0.1% and up to ~1.8% on consumer prices depending on scope and pass-through assumptions. Those numbers illustrate the concept: targeted tariffs can move aggregate prices when they hit big-ticket or widely used inputs.
Other consequences that amplify (or mute) the inflationary effect
Policy uncertainty raises costs. Firms’ inability to plan (frequent rate changes, threats of additional tariffs) increases inventories and compliance spending, which can raise prices even beyond the tariff itself. Recent business surveys report that tariff uncertainty is already increasing costs for many firms.
Trade diversion and higher-cost sourcing. If imports are redirected to higher-cost suppliers to avoid tariffs, consumers pay more even if the tariffed good itself isn’t sold at home.
Monetary policy reaction. If central banks tighten to offset tariff-driven inflation, the resulting slower demand can blunt price rises; if central banks look through one-off tariff effects, inflation may persist. That interaction is the crucial policy lever.
Practical implications for consumers, businesses and policy
For consumers: Expect higher prices in targeted categories (appliances, furniture, specific branded goods, pharmaceuticals where applicable). Substitution (cheaper alternatives, used goods) will dampen some of the pain but not all. Low-income households are likely to feel the pinch more.
For firms: Short run — margin pressure or higher retail prices; medium run — supply-chain reconfiguration, higher capital costs if tariffs hit investment goods. Tariff uncertainty is itself costly.
For policymakers: Design matters. Narrow, temporary tariffs with clear objectives and sunset clauses reduce the risk of persistent inflation and political capture. Communication with central banks and trading partners helps reduce uncertainty. If tariffs are broad and long lasting, monetary authorities face harder choices to maintain price stability.
Bottom line
Tariffs do raise consumer prices — sometimes only slightly and once, sometimes more significantly and persistently. Empirical work and recent episodes show the effect is heterogeneous: it depends on the tariffs’ size, coverage (final vs intermediate goods), pass-through rates in particular markets, supply-chain links, and how monetary and fiscal authorities respond. In short: tariffs are an inflationary tool when applied at scale, but the real economic pain depends on the details — and on whether those tariffs are temporary, targeted, and paired with policies that limit rent-seeking and supply-chain disruption.
If you want, I can:
-
-
-
See lessprepare a table of recent studies (estimate, scope, implied CPI effect) so you can compare numbers side-by-side, or
run a short sectoral deep-dive (e.g., electronics, autos, pharmaceuticals) to show which consumer categories are most likely to see price rises where you live, or
draft a two-page brief for a policymaker summarizing the tradeoffs and suggested guardrails.
Can developing countries use tariffs as a tool for industrial growth, or will it backfire?
Why people think tariffs can help The infant-industry argument is simple and intuitive: new industries may need temporary shelter from world competition while they learn, reach scale, adopt technology, and get more productive. If you expose them immediately to global rivals with mature factories andRead more
Why people think tariffs can help
The infant-industry argument is simple and intuitive: new industries may need temporary shelter from world competition while they learn, reach scale, adopt technology, and get more productive. If you expose them immediately to global rivals with mature factories and deeper pockets, they may never get off the ground. Tariffs can:
Give domestic firms breathing room to reach minimum efficient scale.
Create incentives for local suppliers and upstream industries to develop.
Raise government revenue that can be ploughed into infrastructure, skills, or R&D that support industrialization.
Allow governments to pursue strategic goals (e.g., build an electronics base, heavy industry, or green manufacturing) rather than relying only on market signals.
Historical narratives about late-industrializers like the U.S., Germany, Japan and — in the 20th century — the East Asian tigers emphasize selective protection plus active industrial policy as part of their success stories. But note: these countries rarely relied on blanket tariffs forever; they combined protection with export push, state coordination, and learning targets.
Why tariffs often backfire
Empirical work and recent policy analysis show clear pitfalls. Tariffs can easily produce:
Inefficiency and higher prices. Protected firms face less competition and therefore have weaker incentives to innovate or cut costs; consumers pay more. Cross-country studies link long spells of protection to lower productivity growth.
Rent-seeking and capture. Firms lobby to keep protection, political coalitions form, and temporary measures become permanent. That’s how import-substitution regimes in some Latin American countries became stagnation traps.
Retaliation and trade diversion. Higher tariffs invite counter-measures or shift trade toward higher-cost suppliers, hurting export competitiveness. Recent episodes show developing countries suffer heavily when big powers raise tariffs.
Macroeconomic harm. Tariffs can be inflationary and reduce the efficiency of labor allocation, sometimes contributing to slower overall growth.
What the evidence actually says
The modern empirical literature is nuanced. Broad cross-country evidence warns that long-term, undisciplined protection tends to reduce growth and welfare. But careful industry-level and case-study research shows that time-bound, targeted industrial policy — sometimes including tariffs — plausibly helped South Korea and other East Asian economies build advanced manufacturing capabilities. The difference lies in design, complementary policies, and institutions. Recent IMF and academic work emphasize the conditional success of industrial policy rather than a blanket endorsement of protectionism.
Key conditions that make tariff-led industrial policy more likely to succeed
If a developing country is thinking of using tariffs as one tool toward industrial growth, the following elements matter a lot:
Clear, time-bound objective. Tariffs must be temporary with explicit sunset clauses and measurable performance benchmarks (productivity gains, export competitiveness, R&D targets).
Selective and targeted application. Target sectors where learning-by-doing and scale economies are plausible, not broad protection of low-value activities.
Complementary policies. Tariffs alone rarely build competitiveness. Pair them with subsidies for R&D, workforce training, infrastructure, export promotion, and access to finance.
Strong governance and anti-capture mechanisms. Transparent rules, regular reviews, and independent evaluation reduce the risk of permanent rent extraction.
Export orientation or credible exit strategy. Successful cases combined protection with an eventual push into exports; domestic protection that never leads to export competitiveness is a red flag.
Macro and trade diplomacy awareness. Policymakers must manage exchange-rate, fiscal, and diplomatic implications to avoid harmful retaliation or loss of market access.
Practical checklist for policymakers (a short playbook)
Define which industries and why (technology challenge, scale, spillovers).
Set performance metrics (cost reductions, productivity, export share, R&D intensity) and a strict sunset (3–7 years, extendable only on clear evidence).
Offer graduated, conditional support (tariffs + matching R&D grants + export incentives), not unconditional lifelong tariffs.
Create an independent evaluation body to audit progress and publish results.
Keep trade partners informed and seek carve-outs or temporary arrangements in regional agreements where possible.
Combine with education, infrastructure, and competition policy so protection does not create permanent monopolies.
Realistic expectations
Even when well designed, tariffs are only one piece of an industrial strategy. They can buy time and help create space to learn, but they do not automatically create globally competitive industries. Many successful modern industrializers combined a mix of: selective protection, state support for technology adoption, heavy investment in skills and infrastructure, and policies that pushed firms to export or otherwise face competition eventually.
Bottom line
Tariffs are a blunt tool: useful in carefully circumscribed, temporary, and well-governed cases where market failures block infant industries from developing. But used as a default policy, or without credible performance rules and complementary interventions, tariffs are much more likely to backfire — producing higher prices, stagnation, and political rents. History and recent research both warn: the how matters far more than the whether.
If you want, I can:
-
-
-
See lesswrite a policy brief (2–3 pages) that applies this checklist to a specific country (pick one), or
prepare short case studies comparing South Korea, Argentina, and India to show contrasts, or
pull a readable list of the best academic/agency resources (WTO, UNCTAD, IMF, World Bank papers) so you can dig deeper.
How do multimodal AI systems (text, image, video, voice) change the way we interact with technology?
Single-Channel to Multi-Sensory Communication Old school engagement: One channel, just once. You typed (text), spoke (voice), or sent a picture. Every interaction was siloed. Multimodal engagement: Multiple channels blended together in beautiful harmony. You might show the AI a picture of your kitchRead more
Single-Channel to Multi-Sensory Communication
No longer “speaking to a machine” but about engaging with it in the same way that human beings instinctively make use of all their senses.
Examples of Change in the Real World
Healthcare
Education
Accessibility
Daily Life
The Human Touch: Less Mechanical, More Natural
Multimodal AI is a case of working with a friend rather than a machine. Instead of making your needs fit into a tool (e.g., typing into a search bar), the tool shapes itself into your needs. It mimics the manner in which humans interact with the world—vision, hearing, language, and context—and makes it easier, especially for those who are not so techie.
Take grandparents who are not good with smartphones. Instead of navigating menus, they might simply show the AI a medical bill and say: “Explain this to me.” That adjustment makes technology accessible.
The Challenges We Must Monitor
So, though, this promise does introduce new challenges:
We need strong ethics and openness so that this more natural communication style doesn’t secretly turn into manipulation.
Multimodal AI is revolutionizing human-machine interactions. It transposes us from tool users to co-creators, with technology holding conversations rather than simply responding to commands.
Imagine a world where:
Bottom Line: Multimodal AI changes technology from something we “operate” into something we can converse with naturally—using words, pictures, sounds, and gestures together. It’s making digital interaction more human, but it also demands that we handle privacy, ethics, and trust with care.
See lessCould AI’s ability to switch modes make it more persuasive than humans—and what ethical boundaries should exist?
Why Artificial Intelligence Can Be More Convincing Than Human Beings Limitless Versatility One of the things that individuals like about one is a strong communication style—some analytical, some emotional, some motivational. AI can respond in real-time, however. It can give a dry recitation of factRead more
Why Artificial Intelligence Can Be More Convincing Than Human Beings
Limitless Versatility
One of the things that individuals like about one is a strong communication style—some analytical, some emotional, some motivational. AI can respond in real-time, however. It can give a dry recitation of facts to an engineer, a rosy spin to a policymaker, and then switch to soothing tone for a nervous individual—all in the same conversation.
Data-Driven Personalization
Unlike humans, AI can draw upon vast reserves of information about what works on people. It can detect patterns of tone, body language (through video), or even usage of words, and adapt in real-time. Imagine a digital assistant that detects your rage building and adjusts its tone, and also rehashes its argument to appeal to your beliefs. That’s influence at scale.
Tireless Precision
Humans get tired, get distracted, or get emotional when arguing. AI does not. It can repeat itself ad infinitum without patience, wearing down adversaries in the long run—particularly with susceptible communities.
The Ethical Conundrum
This coercive ability is not inherently bad—it could be used for good, such as for promoting healthier lives, promoting further education, or driving climate action. But the same influence could be used for:
The distinction between helpful advice and manipulative bullying is paper-thin.
What Ethical Bounds Should There Be?
To avoid exploitation, developers and societies should have robust ethical norms:
Transparency Regarding Mode Switching
AI needs to make explicit when it’s switching tone or reasoning style—so users are aware if it’s being sympathetic, convincing, or analytically ruthless. Concealed switches make dishonesty.
Limits on Persuasion in Sensitive Areas
AI should never be permitted to override humans in matters relating to politics, religion, or love. They are inextricably tied up with autonomy and identity.
Informed Consent
Persuasive modes need to be available for an “opt out” by the users. Think of a switch so that you can respond: “Give me facts, but not persuasion.”
Safeguards for Vulnerable Groups
The mentally disordered, elderly, or children need not be the target of adaptive persuasion. Guardrails should safeguard us from exploitation.
Accountability & Oversight
If an AI convinces someone to do something dangerous, then who is at fault—the developer, the company, or the AI? We require accountability features, because we have regulations governing advertising or drugs.
The Human Angle
Essentially, this is less about machines and more about trust. When the human convinces us, we can feel intent, bias, or honesty. We cannot feel those with AI behind the machines. Unrestrained AI would take away human free will by subtly pushing us down paths we ourselves do not know.
But in its proper use, persuasive AI can be an empowerment force—reminding us to get back on track, helping us make healthier choices, or getting smarter. It’s about ensuring we’re driving, and not the computer.
Bottom Line: AI may change modes and be even more convincing than human, but ethics-free persuasion is manipulation. The challenge of the future is creating systems that leverage this capability to augment human decision-making, not supplant it.
See lessWhat is “multimodal AI,” and how is it different from traditional AI models?
What is "Multimodal AI," and How Does it Differ from Classic AI Models? Artificial Intelligence has been moving at lightening speed, but one of the greatest advancements has been the emergence of multimodal AI. Simply put, multimodal AI is akin to endowing a machine with sight, hearing, reading, andRead more
What is “Multimodal AI,” and How Does it Differ from Classic AI Models?
Artificial Intelligence has been moving at lightening speed, but one of the greatest advancements has been the emergence of multimodal AI. Simply put, multimodal AI is akin to endowing a machine with sight, hearing, reading, and even responding in a manner that weaves together all of those senses in a single coherent response—just like humans.
Classic AI: One Track Mind
Classic AI models were typically constructed to deal with only one kind of data at a time:
This made them very strong in a single lane, but could not merge various forms of input by themselves. Like, an old-fashioned AI would say you what is in a photo (e.g., “this is a cat”), but it wouldn’t be able to hear you ask about the cat and then respond back with a description—all in one shot.
Welcome Multimodal AI: The Human-Like Merge
Multimodal AI topples those walls. It can process multiple information modes simultaneously—text, images, audio, video, and sometimes even sensory input such as gestures or environmental signals.
For instance:
You can display a picture of your refrigerator and type in: “What recipe can I prepare using these ingredients?” The AI can “look” at the ingredients and respond in text afterwards.
Key Differences at a Glance
Input Diversity
Contextual Comprehension
Functional Applications
Why This Matters for the Future
Multimodal AI isn’t just about making cooler apps. It’s about making AI more natural and useful in daily Consider:
The Human Angle
The most dramatic change is this: multimodal AI doesn’t feel so much like a “tool” anymore, but rather more like a collaborator. Rather than switching between multiple apps (one for speech-to-text, one for image edit, one for writing), you might have one AI partner who gets you across all formats.
Of course, this power raises important questions about ethics, privacy, and misuse. If an AI can watch, listen, and talk all at once, who controls what it does with that information? That’s the conversation society is only just beginning to have.
Briefly: Classic AI was similar to a specialist. Multimodal AI is similar to a balanced generalist—capable of seeing, hearing, talking, and reasoning between various kinds of input, getting us one step closer to human-level intelligence.
See lesswhat is Donald Trump’s 20-point plan with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at ending the war in Gaza?
1. Immediate Ceasefire and Release of Hostages Central to the plan is a call for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas would be required to release all the hostages it still holds within 72 hours. To Israel, this was an absolute condition, and to Trump, it provided him with an argument that the plan is notRead more
1. Immediate Ceasefire and Release of Hostages
Central to the plan is a call for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas would be required to release all the hostages it still holds within 72 hours. To Israel, this was an absolute condition, and to Trump, it provided him with an argument that the plan is not merely about humanitarian relief, but also about Israeli security.
2. Gradual Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza
The proposal has Israel slowly withdrawing its military presence, but with assurances. It is linked to Hamas disarming and security being reorganized under an international umbrella. This is how Trump attempts to reassure Israel that Gaza will never again become a launching pad for attacks.
3. Demilitarization of Hamas
Hamas would be required to surrender heavy weapons, destroy its tunnel system, and agree to stop using armed resistance. Critics see this as the main flaw: it requires one side to effectively disarm without any evident path toward long-term political integration.
4. A New Governance Model: The “Board of Peace”
Among the most provocative aspects is Trump’s call to establish a “Board of Peace,” led by himself. According to this vision, Gaza would temporarily be ruled by Palestinian technocrats—above-party officials with managerial backgrounds—under international monitoring. Trump proposes being the mediator-in-chief, but critics contend it could end up treating Palestinians as foreigners in their own territory.
5. Humanitarian and Reconstruction Push
The package features billions of pledged investment to rebuild Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure—roads, hospitals, schools, homes, and electricity supply. Trump outlined his vision as making Gaza the “Riviera of the Middle East,” a repeat of his previous contentious vision to redevelop the strip as a tourist and economic center. Fans refer to this as bold; critics refer to it as unrealistic unless the underlying political grievances are addressed.
6. Security Assurances for Israel
Israel would still have the right to defend itself and control Gaza’s borders under international covenants. The plan basically gives priority to Israel’s security framework first, before Palestinian statehood.
7. Pathway to Palestinian Self-Determination (Conditional)
For Palestinians, Trump’s plan leaves a very narrow window open: if Hamas agrees, if technocratic rule succeeds, and security holds firm, then talks about Palestinian autonomy might come. But many Palestinians regard this as pulling sovereignty many years into the future, with no actual promises.
Why It Matters
Trump’s 20-point plan matters because it reveals the ways in which he is attempting to redefine U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. Unlike his predecessors, who relied on international coalitions or two-state negotiations, Trump wishes to take personal charge of the process, nearly as if peace could be “brokered like a business deal.”
Humanized View
Fundamentally, the plan is a manifestation of Trump’s transactional style. He’s proposing a deal—peace and investment—for bowing to Israel’s security conditions. To families in Gaza suffering under bombardment, any ceasefire sounds like promise. To Israeli families concerned about rockets and hostages, the plan sounds like security.
But Middle East peace has never been so easy as writing a contract. Palestinians seek dignity, sovereignty, and liberation from occupation. Israelis seek security, acknowledgment, and a halt to terror. Trump’s initiative attempts to thread these needles—but whether it actually tackles the human suffering on both sides, or merely covers over more profound wounds, is the true test.
See lessHow do I lower my blood pressure / cholesterol / reduce risk of heart disease?
Step 1: Knowing the Numbers You can't make it different if you don't know what you have. Blood pressure: Ideally below 120/80 mmHg. Uncontrolled high blood pressure quietly crushes your heart and arteries over time. Cholesterol: LDL ("bad" cholesterol) chokes arteries; HDL ("good" cholesterol) washeRead more
Step 1: Knowing the Numbers
You can’t make it different if you don’t know what you have.
Knowing where you are starting makes progress easier—measurable—and real.
Step 2: Redefine Food as Medicine
Food doesn’t just fuel you; it actually determines the fate of your heart. Some self-evident modifications:
You don’t have to totally revolutionize your diet overnight. Even substituting one sweetened beverage with water or introducing an extra serving of vegetables daily builds momentum.
Step 3: Move Your Body, Protect Your Heart
Exercise is not just a calorie burner—it stretches blood vessels, conditions the heart muscle, and lowers blood pressure without drugs.
Target: 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week (brisk walking, cycling, dancing).
Step 4: Respect Rest and Sleep
Restless sleep raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Sleep 7–9 hours well. Experiment:
Sleeping is not lazy—it’s how your body repairs itself, including your heart.
Step 5: Cut Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking destroys blood vessels and accelerates plaque accumulation. Stopping even in middle age cuts risk substantially.
Step 6: Master Stress Before It Masters You
Stress not only lives in your head but also raises blood pressure and powers unhealthy coping habits (such as too much eating or too much drinking). Methods that succeed are:
Step 7: Regular Check-Ups and Monitoring
Even when you feel wonderful, high cholesterol and high blood pressure generally won’t have symptoms until after they’ve caused harm. Regular check-ups find them early. Your doctor might recommend:
And if drugs are called for, view them not as defeat but another safety net while you continue developing good habits.
Final Thought
Lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart disease risk isn’t about one heroic, fabulous move—it’s about tiny, achievable steps that add up year by year. It’s the difference between grilling fish instead of frying chicken on one night, walking for 10 minutes instead of scrolling aimlessly, saying no to one more stressful commitment, or going to bed a few minutes sooner.
Every little decision is a contribution to your heart’s “health savings account.” And they accumulate over time to an ever-stronger, more resilient heart—and an ever-longer, fuller life.
See lessAre wearable health devices / health-tech tools worth it?
The Seduction of Wearables: Why We Purchase Them Few purchase a wearable because they're data nerds—they buy it because they desire change. We want to be cajoled into more walking, improved sleep, or managing stress. A vibrating alarm to rise or a line graph of last night's deep sleep can be a softRead more
The Seduction of Wearables: Why We Purchase Them
Few purchase a wearable because they’re data nerds—they buy it because they desire change. We want to be cajoled into more walking, improved sleep, or managing stress. A vibrating alarm to rise or a line graph of last night’s deep sleep can be a soft nudge toward improvement.
There’s also a psychological aspect: having something on your body is a promise to yourself each day—I’m going to take care of my health.
The Benefits: When Wearables Really Deliver
Most people, wearables definitely deliver benefits:
For certain patients (such as those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea), wearables even enable physicians to track improvements more deeply and refine treatments.
The Caveats: When They Don’t Deliver
Wearables are not magic, however. People get bored after the honeymoon phase wears off. Here’s why:
The Human Side: It’s Not About the Device, It’s About You
A wearable is a tool, not a solution. It will remind you to move, but it won’t walk for you. It will tell you about poor sleeping habits, but it won’t tuck you into bed this evening. The benefit comes from how you act on the feedback.
For instance:
Without those tiny behavioral adjustments, the newest wearable is simply a fashion watch.
Looking to the Future: Health-Tech Tomorrow
Health-tech is coming rapidly. Devices tomorrow will be able to detect diseases sooner, customize doses of medicine, or even customize exercise regimens in real time. For those who find it hard to change their lifestyles, a tiny “coach” on the wrist might make healthier living more accessible.
However, however intelligent they become, these devices will never substitute for human intuition, the doctor’s word of wisdom, or the plain old horse sense of paying attention to your own body.
Last Thought
Think of them like a mirror: they reflect what’s happening, but you’re the one who decides what to do with that reflection. At the end of the day, the true “wearable” is your body itself—it’s always giving signals. Technology just makes those signals easier to see.
See lessHow can I improve my mental health / manage stress & anxiety?
Step 1: Start with Awareness Stress sneaks up on you. You'll start getting headaches, irritability, or a nagging fatigue before you even notice you're stressed out. Just naming what's going on for you—"I'm stressed," "I'm anxious"—is the first step out of it. Awareness is like turning the lights onRead more
Step 1: Start with Awareness
Stress sneaks up on you. You’ll start getting headaches, irritability, or a nagging fatigue before you even notice you’re stressed out. Just naming what’s going on for you—”I’m stressed,” “I’m anxious”—is the first step out of it. Awareness is like turning the lights on in a messy room: now you can see what you’re working with.
Step 2: Make Mini “Pause Moments” in Your Day
Our brains are not meant to be “on” all the time. Just as you charge your cell phone, your brain requires micro-breaks. It doesn’t have to always be meditating for 30 minutes (though that is lovely if you can manage it). It might be:
These pauses act like pressure valves, preventing stress from piling up until it explodes.
Step 3: Take Care of Your Body, It Takes Care of Your Mind
It’s nearly impossible to separate mental health from physical health. A few underrated basics:
Food: Too much caffeine and sugar will make the anxiety worse. Good food (fibre, protein, and healthy fat) will stabilize even moods.
Step 4: Share the Weight with Others
Silence is where your fear resides. Conversation—with a friend, family member, or counselor—takes power away from your fear. Someone telling you, “That makes sense, I’d feel the same way” can calm the knot in your stomach. Humans are social and nurturant by nature; giving yourself permission to be truthful with others is strength, not weakness.
Step 5: Reframe the Story You Tell Yourself
Stress isn’t just the result of what happens, but also because we put something on it. For example:
These cognitive-behavioral strategies don’t asphyxiate reality—they spice up the horrific self-blame that leads to anxiety.
Step 6: Find Your Calming Tools
Everyone’s mental health toolboxes are different. Some require journaling, some require painting, music, gardening, or prayer. The point is to find what gives you flow—you’re totally involved, in the moment, and hours have gone by.
Step 7: Set Boundaries with What Dries You Up
We can’t do everything, but we can set boundaries. That could include:
Step 8: Know When to Seek Professional Help
If stress and anxiety are getting in the way of your everyday life—like sleep, work, or relationships—it’s time to summon the pros. Therapy, counseling, or a short-term pill (if you require it) can provide you with techniques you just can’t figure out on your own. Crashing in for help isn’t evidence that you’re “broken”—it’s an investment in you in the long run.
Last Thought
It’s not a matter of eliminating stress or anxiety altogether—those are human. It’s a matter of resiliency, so that when the inescapable pitfalls of life arise for you, you’ll be able to bend without breaking. Even the smallest, most routine activities—a daily brief walk, a phone call to a friend, or even a deep breath—are strong enough to create a ripple effect that reshapes your internal topography over time.
See lessPerplexity AI launches Comet browser in India — a challenge to Google Chrome?
Setting the Stage Google Chrome ruled the Indian browser space for years. On laptops, desktops, and even mobile phones, Chrome was the first choice for millions. It was speedy, seamless integration with Google products, and omnipresent globally. But with the introduction of Comet browser by PerplexRead more
Setting the Stage
Google Chrome ruled the Indian browser space for years. On laptops, desktops, and even mobile phones, Chrome was the first choice for millions. It was speedy, seamless integration with Google products, and omnipresent globally. But with the introduction of Comet browser by Perplexity AI in India, that grip is loosening, so the question now: Can it hold a candle to Chrome?
What is Comet Browser?
Comet isn’t a browser. It’s an AI-powered, productivity-focused tool that blends:
For a country like India, where the pace of digital adoption is soaring in the stratosphere, Comet presents a choice that is as simple as it is intelligent.
Privacy vs. Personalization — The Core Debate
Comet’s greatest feature is that it’s privacy-centric. Indian consumers are increasingly concerned about data security, especially after a string of cyber fraud and leakage cases. Chrome is wonderful, but its image is tarnished for being too intrusive in the information it accumulates in its efforts to provide the material for Google’s ad engine.
Comet promises to flip that model on its side by:
This may have the potential to appeal to an increasing number of individuals who hold digital performance and trust in equal regard.
India’s Digital Landscape — A Tough Ground
India is not a soft market to penetrate. While Chrome reigns supreme on the desktop, mobile phone browser leaders such as Samsung Internet, Safari (on iOS), and small browsers like UC Mini (previously when banned) have also had ginormous fan bases.
Comet to be successful will need:
Could It Possibly Replace Chrome?
Come on, be practical here: Chrome is not going to be replaced overnight. It’s had longer than a decade of well-ingrained dominance, pre-installs on Android, and extensive Google service integration.
But Comet does have some tricks up its sleeve that could make it revolutionary:
Finally, browsers are not about lightening speed or bling—about making the user feel something when they use them. If Comet can make the user feel:
Simpler (by describing their online lives in plain English),then surely, it could quite possibly have a niche in Chrome. It may not immediately replace it, but it could plant seeds of competition in an already long ago won market.
The Road Ahead
Comet’s test of Chrome will be how fast it is able to:
If Perplexity ever manages to get its act together at last, then India might be the proving ground that forces Chrome to face for the first time its first serious challenger.
Comet will not unseat Chrome overnight, but it can do the work of recharging Indians’ view of a browser—from simple surfing device to artificially intelligent personal digital assistant.
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