Author: Emily Harper

An American Pope with Latin American Roots For the first time in history, an American has been elected as pope. Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, brings a unique blend of cultural and spiritual experience to the role. Although born in Chicago to a Spanish and Franco-Italian family, his deep connection to Latin America — particularly Peru — has shaped much of his mission. With dual nationality, he is considered as much a Latin American figure as he is North American. His journey within the Church began early, serving as an altar boy before being ordained as…

President Donald Trump has proposed reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 80%, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. This proposal comes ahead of critical negotiations in Geneva involving U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The suggested reduction aims to deescalate tensions that have seen both nations impose steep tariffs on each other’s goods, with China’s retaliatory tariffs reaching up to 125%. Despite the proposed cut, the 80% tariff remains significantly higher than pre-trade war levels, raising concerns about continued strain…

A Quiet Gem With Deep Cultural Roots Nestled in southwestern Morocco, the town of Taroudant is often dubbed “Little Marrakech,” yet it offers a more peaceful, authentic alternative to the bustling tourist hub. Just 90 minutes east of Agadir, Taroudant greets visitors with honey-colored sandstone walls, winding medina alleys, and a pace of life shaped more by tradition than tourism. In the early morning, the town awakens to the call of the muezzin. Streets fill with locals on bicycles, on foot, or riding horse-drawn calèches. Vendors arrange vibrant piles of spices and produce, and the scent of fresh khobz floats…

Alonso Confirms Departure After Historic Bundesliga Success Xabi Alonso has officially announced that he will step down as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. The statement, made during a press conference ahead of the club’s final home match against Borussia Dortmund, marks the end of a transformative tenure in which Alonso led Leverkusen to an unprecedented level of success. Alonso, who joined Leverkusen in 2022, achieved the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title in a remarkable unbeaten campaign. Under his leadership, Leverkusen also secured a domestic cup victory, nearly completing a historic treble before a narrow loss…

On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church witnessed a historic moment as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling the election of a new pope—the 267th successor to Saint Peter. This momentous decision came after just two days and four ballots during the papal conclave, marking one of the swiftest elections in recent history. The newly elected pontiff, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has chosen the papal name Leo XIV. A Swift and Decisive Conclave The conclave commenced on May 7, 2025, with 133 cardinal electors gathering in the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy.…

In a move poised to reshape the future of global technology markets, President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to rescind Biden-era restrictions on AI chip exports. The regulations, originally introduced to prevent critical technology from reaching foreign adversaries, faced strong opposition from major technology companies concerned about America’s competitive edge. During a Senate committee hearing on AI regulation held Thursday, US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised Trump’s decision, emphasizing its importance for maintaining innovation. “I vocally opposed this rule for months,” Cruz stated, announcing plans to introduce new legislation creating a “regulatory AI sandbox” modeled after the early internet regulatory…

The United Kingdom is set to purchase approximately $10 billion worth of Boeing aircraft, a deal that underlines the growing strategic partnership between the UK and the United States. The announcement was made by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo during an event highlighting trade cooperation and investment between the two allies. While the full details of the transaction, including the buyer airline, were not immediately disclosed, Raimondo emphasized that this was a private-sector agreement involving a UK-based commercial airline. The aircraft purchase will likely be one of the largest aerospace transactions between the two countries in recent years, reflecting a…

The northwestern coast of the United States faces a hidden but growing threat that could drastically reshape its future. A recent study has revealed how two powerful natural forces—tectonic activity and climate change—are converging in this region, increasing the risk of flooding and permanent land loss. While the scenic coastline of the Pacific Northwest appears stable, experts have modeled the consequences of a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone. Their findings suggest that coastal communities are far more vulnerable than previously thought. The Invisible Threat Beneath the Surface The Cascadia subduction zone is a geological fault where the Juan…

Leadership Crisis in Seoul South Korea is currently navigating one of its most turbulent political periods in recent memory. The country’s domestic scene has been shaken by the aftermath of a martial law declaration, which set off a wave of instability and leadership turnover. Since then, the presidency has changed hands multiple times—each transition further deepening the sense of disarray within the government. The interim administrations that followed have struggled to establish authority, with the presidency swinging between figures who were either quickly impeached or preparing for the next round of elections. This chaotic political environment is not just the…

The European Union has unveiled a comprehensive plan to eliminate its dependency on Russian energy sources, marking a major shift in its energy and security policies. Through a structured and secure process, the EU will gradually phase out Russian gas, oil, and nuclear energy, while ensuring energy stability across all member states. This strategy is part of a broader vision to strengthen the EU’s autonomy and resilience in the face of geopolitical tensions and economic pressure. A New Energy Vision for Europe The European Commission has introduced a strategic roadmap that outlines how the EU will completely cut off its…