Author: Anna Reynolds

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world’s leading professional services firms, has formally closed its operations in nine Sub-Saharan African nations, marking a significant contraction of its footprint on the continent. The firm made this announcement via a statement published on its website on March 31, noting that the decision followed an extensive internal strategic review. According to the statement, PwC has ended its partnerships in Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Republic of Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea. All nine were previously operating as member firms within PwC’s global network of locally…

A newly leaked federal budget draft reveals that NASA’s science division could face a dramatic reduction in funding, signaling a major pivot in the United States’ space priorities. The White House’s preliminary proposal would slash NASA’s science budget by nearly half—dropping it from approximately $7.5 billion to $3.9 billion—placing at risk a wide array of scientific programs focused on Earth, solar, planetary, and astrophysical research. The proposed cuts come as part of a broader initiative to reallocate funding toward crewed space missions. Projects that aim to send astronauts to the Moon and eventually to Mars are expected to be spared,…

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been sworn in for his seventh term, reaffirming his grip on power despite widespread opposition and international condemnation. The ceremony, held at the Independence Palace in Minsk, was attended by thousands of supporters, while critics denounced his continued rule as illegitimate. Disputed Election and Tightened Control Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, secured nearly 87% of the vote in the tightly controlled election on January 26. The result was widely rejected by opposition groups and human rights organizations, which described the vote as a predetermined outcome rather than a fair…

San Francisco-based genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, raising concerns about the future of its 15 million customers’ genetic data. The company, which has struggled to find a sustainable business model, is now pursuing a sale, potentially placing sensitive genetic information in the hands of new owners. Despite reassurances that data privacy will be considered in any transaction, consumer advocates and state officials are urging users to take action. Many worry that a new owner could alter privacy policies and change how genetic data is handled, opening the door for potential misuse. Why Customers Should Be…

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, widely recognized for his role at Tesla and SpaceX, has increasingly inserted himself into European political affairs, leveraging his social media platform, X, to challenge prominent leaders. His criticisms have extended across multiple nations, with the United Kingdom being a primary focus, particularly in his attacks on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Musk’s statements have heightened political tensions, sparking debates over whether his involvement is aimed at shaping European politics or defending his business interests against stricter regulations. His reach extends beyond the UK, as his attacks have also affected leaders in France, Germany, and the European…

The Nasdaq Composite has entered correction territory, dropping over 10% from its all-time high in March. This downturn has created an opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on two AI-related stocks that have experienced significant declines: Arm Holdings (ARM) and Upstart Holdings (UPST). While both companies have faced recent setbacks, Wall Street analysts see strong potential for recovery, with projected upside of 42% for Arm and 57% for Upstart. Arm Holdings: A Leader in Mobile and AI Computing Arm Holdings has long been at the center of mobile computing, designing CPU architectures and subsystems that power billions of devices. The…

Greenland’s coastline has grown by approximately 1,620 kilometers (~1,000 miles) in just two decades, but this expansion is not a sign of progress—it is a stark consequence of climate change. Unlike countries that typically gain land through territorial treaties or reclamation projects, Greenland’s newly exposed land has emerged due to the rapid retreat of its glaciers. As global temperatures continue to rise, Greenland’s glaciers are shrinking, uncovering thousands of kilometers of previously ice-covered terrain. A team of international scientists analyzed satellite imagery of marine-terminating glaciers, which are ice masses that extend into the ocean, to measure the extent of this…

Russian drones targeted the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in a recent wave of aerial attacks, causing injuries and large-scale fires. The assault resulted in emergency power outages in three districts, raising concerns over potential damage to the city’s energy infrastructure. Firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed to multiple locations to contain the blazes, with over 70 responders and 20 fire engines engaged in the effort. The attack on Odesa took place shortly before Czech Republic President Peter Pavel’s visit, during which he met with regional officials. The assault underscored the persistent nature of the conflict, despite recent talks about…

DoorDash is expanding its payment options by partnering with Klarna, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider, to offer users the ability to pay for meals in installments. This move marks a significant shift in the BNPL landscape, which has traditionally been associated with larger purchases such as furniture and electronics. With this new feature, DoorDash customers will soon have the flexibility to pay for food orders in four interest-free installments or defer payments to better align with their paycheck schedules. The partnership reflects a growing trend of BNPL services becoming integrated into everyday spending, particularly among younger consumers…

In the rural town of Teuchitlan, Jalisco, a gated property adorned with two rearing white horse statues has become a symbol of both tragedy and hope. Once an alleged cartel training ground and execution site, the location has drawn families from across Mexico searching for missing loved ones. Earlier this month, activist groups uncovered what they described as an “extermination camp” within the property, littered with bone fragments, ashes, and makeshift crematoriums. Among the remains were hundreds of shoes, backpacks, and personal belongings, offering painful clues to those still waiting for answers. The discovery sent shockwaves through Mexico, where cartel-related…