Wholesale importer Liang Liang is stressed about looming tariffs. His China-made goods, such as toys and T-shirts, come through the largest port complex in the United States, the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. China is the largest trading partner for the twin ports. Shipping costs are expected to rise due to the trade war between the US and China, which means ports will be among the first to feel the effects of the trade war.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On July 16, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln orders Union troops to begin the 25-mile march into Virginia for the first major land battle of the American Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run. Because Union forces are slow to move into position, Confederate reinforcements have time to arrive by rail, resulting in a Confederate victory. (Image: First Battle of Bull Run chromolithograph by Kurz & Allison)

US political figures reacted with shock today after President Trump failed to side with the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given him a ‘very powerful’ denial of Moscow’s involvement.

VIDEO: Hosting the Trump-Putin summit is a point of pride for Finland.Geographically it’s in a tricky spot. The Nordic country shares a long border with Russia but has moved closer to NATO and the West in recent years. Here’s why Finland was a natural choice for the Trump-Putin summit.

VIDEO: Guatemalan Yeni González is one of the lucky mothers who has been able to see the children she was separated from earlier this year after illegally crossing the US border. González recently saw her children at a New York care center, where the children are being housed. VOA visits the Guatemalan village of El Quebracho, where González and her three children used to live, to learn why she decided to risk taking the perilous journey to the US.

VIDEO: Some Pakistani factory workers were excited to watch the World Cupbecause they made the balls used during the tournament. About 40 percent of the the world’s soccer balls are produced in the city of Sialkot. VOA visits the small city in north-eastern Pakistan to discover how it manages to compete on the global stage when it comes to manufacturing high quality soccer balls.

VOA CONNECT: Deondra Jackson is determined to succeed. The Native American teenager, who just graduated from high school, is preparing to head off to college, where she plans to major in social work. It’ll be her first real taste of life outside the reservation.