Author: Emily Harper

The recent approval by France’s Senate of a law banning the use of “ostensible religious symbols,” such as Islamic headscarves, in all sporting events has triggered an intense national and international debate. The proposed legislation, if enacted, would apply to all athletes participating in competitions and has been widely interpreted as targeting Muslim women who wear the hijab. Supporters of the law argue that it is a necessary measure to uphold France’s strict interpretation of secularism, or laïcité. They believe that banning religious symbols in public arenas such as sports ensures the neutrality of these spaces. Senator Dominique de Legge,…

Major Brands Warn That Import Duties Will Soon Impact Shoppers As President Donald Trump’s latest tariff measures take effect, a growing list of major companies is signaling upcoming price increases, citing the financial pressure of import taxes. Retailers, manufacturers, and automakers are among those most affected by the sweeping trade policies, with consumers expected to bear the brunt of the cost in coming months. The new tariff rules include a 10% baseline duty on most imports and a 30% rate on goods imported from China. Some specific items, such as steel and aluminum, are taxed at even higher rates. While…

The Deep Ocean: Earth’s Hidden Giant The deep ocean, defined as areas deeper than 200 meters, makes up a staggering 66% of the Earth’s surface. Despite its massive size and vital importance to the planet’s health, this enormous underwater world remains mostly unseen. Recent findings have revealed that humans have visually explored less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor — an area roughly the size of Rhode Island or just one-tenth the size of Belgium. This tiny fraction is alarming when we consider what the deep ocean offers: it supports a wide range of ecosystems, plays a major role in…

Amid mounting global trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to delay a planned 50% tariff on European Union imports. The move comes after a renewed effort from both sides to get negotiations back on track, signaling a possible shift from confrontation to cooperation—at least for now. Tariff Threat Temporarily Lifted The initial threat of heavy tariffs was triggered by stalled trade discussions between the U.S. and the European Union. Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the talks and declared that the 50% import levy would be implemented as a consequence of the lack of progress. The…

First monthly rise since November signals cautious economic hope. After months of economic uncertainty and declining public sentiment, consumer confidence in the United States has finally turned a corner. According to the latest data from the Conference Board, consumer confidence rose sharply in May, registering the first monthly increase since November and marking the largest single-month gain since March 2021. This uptick comes as Americans respond to easing tensions in the ongoing trade war initiated by President Donald Trump. While challenges remain, the rebound signals that at least some consumers are regaining faith in the direction of the US economy.…

A fresh wave of COVID-19 is sweeping through parts of Asia, with countries like India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand experiencing a noticeable rise in infections. The latest spike is primarily driven by the emergence of new variants, reigniting concerns about pandemic preparedness and the importance of preventive measures—especially in countries like Nepal that share close geographical and human connections with these hotspots. New Variants Behind the Spike The primary cause of this new wave is a COVID-19 variant known as JN.1, a descendant of the previously identified Omicron BA.2.86 strain. With around 30 mutations—including the sub-lineages LF.7 and NB.1.8—JN.1…

On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump took to social media to announce a new threat of imposing a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones sold in the United States, unless the tech giant moves its production facilities to America. This announcement reflects Trump’s ongoing trade strategy aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing and reducing the U.S. trade deficit. The President criticized Apple’s current plan to source almost all iPhones sold in the U.S. from India, bypassing any American manufacturing altogether. Apple’s decision to produce iPhones overseas, particularly in India and China, has long been a point of contention. The company has…

Hawaii, Florida, and New York dominate this year’s top 10 list. Cooper’s Beach in Southampton, New York, has been crowned the best beach in the United States for 2025 by “Dr. Beach,” the nickname of coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman. Known for its sweeping sand dunes and immaculate shoreline, Cooper’s Beach edged out competition from Hawaii and Florida to claim the top spot. Leatherman, who has been ranking American beaches since 1991, uses a comprehensive 50-factor checklist to evaluate beaches. His criteria include sand softness, water cleanliness, wildlife presence, average temperatures, and even the visual appeal of the surrounding landscape. “It’s…

The Indiana Pacers delivered a shocking comeback Wednesday night, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat the New York Knicks 138–135 in overtime and seize Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. Haliburton and Nesmith Lead Late Surge With 2:50 left on the clock and the Knicks seemingly in control, the Pacers looked all but finished. But a late scoring explosion from Aaron Nesmith and Tyrese Haliburton rewrote the script in stunning fashion. Nesmith, 25, ignited the comeback with five clutch three-pointers in the closing minutes of regulation, shaking the Knicks’ defense…

Bolivia’s political scene was rocked this week as the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced the disqualification of former President Evo Morales from the upcoming 2025 presidential race. Morales, who made history as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president and served from 2006 to 2019, had hoped to run again in the August 17, 2025, election. However, the tribunal cited a series of legal and constitutional barriers to his candidacy, including questions about term limits and technicalities involving party registration. The tribunal’s ruling is widely seen as a watershed moment in Bolivia’s democratic process. Morales’ faction, named “Evo Pueblo,” is not a registered…