Peter Bowes

But he also made this point that some of those reciprocal tariffs, at least from the American side, will be lower than those being imposed on the US. And... I think he is aware that there will be retaliation, that this isn't the end of the matter. This, in some respects, is the beginning of the matter for the rest of the world.

And there'll be world leaders right now considering how precisely how to respond to this. And America will have to deal with that. And Donald Trump has used the phrase being nice or being kind to the rest of the world. That said, make no mistake, this is all about America.

And there'll be world leaders right now considering how precisely how to respond to this. And America will have to deal with that. And Donald Trump has used the phrase being nice or being kind to the rest of the world. That said, make no mistake, this is all about America.

This is about, as he's been saying, making America great again, a rebirth, as he said, and setting in place rules that may well stay in place for quite a long time unless, and it's quite possible, unless they are renegotiated with individual countries.

This is about, as he's been saying, making America great again, a rebirth, as he said, and setting in place rules that may well stay in place for quite a long time unless, and it's quite possible, unless they are renegotiated with individual countries.

I think it's a very high-risk strategy, and clearly, unless things change dramatically, this is going to be the final four years in office for President Trump. So he isn't fighting another election himself, but the Republicans will want to do well at the next midterm elections, and they could feel the heat in terms of how Americans react to this if Americans see prices going up in the shops.

I think it's a very high-risk strategy, and clearly, unless things change dramatically, this is going to be the final four years in office for President Trump. So he isn't fighting another election himself, but the Republicans will want to do well at the next midterm elections, and they could feel the heat in terms of how Americans react to this if Americans see prices going up in the shops.

and potentially over the next few days. This could happen very quickly. There could be political implications for the Republicans moving forward.

and potentially over the next few days. This could happen very quickly. There could be political implications for the Republicans moving forward.

The crack of the bat is as timeless a part of baseball as the roar of the crowd and the smell of hot dogs in the bleachers. The shape of the traditional bat seemed, at least, to be optimal for making solid contact with the ball, the type of whack that launches home runs and makes that satisfying snapping sound.

The crack of the bat is as timeless a part of baseball as the roar of the crowd and the smell of hot dogs in the bleachers. The shape of the traditional bat seemed, at least, to be optimal for making solid contact with the ball, the type of whack that launches home runs and makes that satisfying snapping sound.

But to start the 2025 season, five members of the New York Yankees have been swinging a very different piece of lumber, developed by a physics professor turned professional baseball coach. The new torpedo bat is shaped like a bowling pin. Instead of starting narrow at the grip and widening into a straight cylinder like a standard bat, it bulges at the sweet spot.

But to start the 2025 season, five members of the New York Yankees have been swinging a very different piece of lumber, developed by a physics professor turned professional baseball coach. The new torpedo bat is shaped like a bowling pin. Instead of starting narrow at the grip and widening into a straight cylinder like a standard bat, it bulges at the sweet spot.

That's the ideal point on the bat for making contact with the ball. And then it tapers to a narrower top. It seems to work. Those five Yankees have hit a combined nine home runs in their first three games of the year. Staggering numbers. So what's the science behind this potentially potent new piece of equipment?

That's the ideal point on the bat for making contact with the ball. And then it tapers to a narrower top. It seems to work. Those five Yankees have hit a combined nine home runs in their first three games of the year. Staggering numbers. So what's the science behind this potentially potent new piece of equipment?

DJ Pisano is a professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Cape Town, who's written about the mechanics of baseball. He says the key to hitting home runs, on paper at least, is to strike a fine balance between the mass of your bat and the speed of your swing.

DJ Pisano is a professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Cape Town, who's written about the mechanics of baseball. He says the key to hitting home runs, on paper at least, is to strike a fine balance between the mass of your bat and the speed of your swing.

With that bulge near the middle and the narrow top, the torpedo bat maximizes mass where it hits the ball without adding unnecessary weight that could slow down a swing. And it moves the center of mass, where the bat would naturally balance, closer to the contact point, improving the transfer of momentum from bat to ball. Of course, this all comes with a caveat.

With that bulge near the middle and the narrow top, the torpedo bat maximizes mass where it hits the ball without adding unnecessary weight that could slow down a swing. And it moves the center of mass, where the bat would naturally balance, closer to the contact point, improving the transfer of momentum from bat to ball. Of course, this all comes with a caveat.

So the bat doesn't work miracles. But baseball players around the world will be watching the Yankees' home run totals closely this season and maybe picking up torpedo bats of their own. Peter Goffin reporting.