Author: Emily Harper

The United States Treasury has officially announced it will phase out the production of the one-cent coin, marking a significant shift in the country’s currency system. The decision, aimed at cutting costs and reducing waste, follows years of debate over the penny’s practicality in modern commerce. Final Order Placed, Mint to Cease Production In a statement released Thursday, the Treasury confirmed that it placed its final order of penny blanks this month. The US Mint will continue producing pennies only while current supplies of blanks last. Once exhausted, no new one-cent coins will enter circulation. Americans can still use existing…

In a landmark moment for India and the state of Odisha, the City University of New York (CUNY), one of the largest public university systems in the United States, has established a prestigious research institute named after renowned Indian educationist and social reformer Dr. Achyuta Samanta. The newly inaugurated center, officially called the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute (ASIICCI), marks the first time in history that a research institute in the United States has been named after an Indian national. This unprecedented move is not only a recognition of Dr. Samanta’s lifelong commitment to social upliftment and education…

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Canada’s second-largest lender by assets, reported a noticeable drop in second-quarter profits. The decline is largely due to a substantial increase in provisions for potential loan losses. Specifically, TD Bank set aside C$1.34 billion this quarter to cover potential defaults, significantly higher than the C$1.07 billion provisioned during the same quarter last year. This increase underscores the cautious stance adopted by TD amid continuing economic uncertainty, driven by inflation, high-interest rates, and volatile market conditions. Despite the higher provisions, TD reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.97, outperforming market analysts’ forecasts, which anticipated an EPS of…

Canada is currently holding high-level discussions with the United States regarding its potential participation in the “Golden Dome,” a massive missile defense initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ambitious plan, valued at an estimated $175 billion, would create a multilayered defense system with both ground- and space-based capabilities, aimed at countering a variety of modern threats. This potential collaboration comes at a time of growing concern over global security challenges and evolving military technologies. As missile capabilities become more sophisticated, Canada is considering a stronger protective alliance with its neighbor to the south—though not without weighing the broader…

A New Global Tech Landscape Paris has officially taken the lead over London as Europe’s most powerful tech ecosystem, according to newly released data from Dealroom. In a significant reshuffling of the global tech hierarchy, Paris emerged as the fourth strongest ecosystem in the world—outperforming London, which landed in sixth place. This shift marks a turning point for Europe’s innovation map and highlights France’s rapidly growing role in the global tech scene. The top five positions were largely dominated by U.S. cities, with the Bay Area taking the top spot, followed by New York, Boston, Paris, and Austin. Among European…

First-Quarter Results Reflect Persistent Challenges Target Corporation revealed a notable decline in its sales for the first quarter of 2025, marking a decrease of 2.8% compared to the same period last year. The retail giant reported total sales of $23.85 billion, falling below analysts’ expectations of $24.23 billion. This downturn was largely driven by a significant 3.8% drop in comparable store sales. Physical store revenues decreased by 5.7%, although there was a partial mitigation through a 4.7% increase in online sales. Further analysis indicated a 2.4% reduction in the number of transactions across both digital and physical platforms, accompanied by…

A combination of political tension, border control concerns, and flight safety issues is pushing many Americans to reconsider or cancel international travel plans this summer. Detentions, Delays, and Political Fears Shape Decisions For Mary S., a marketing professional from Arizona, regular border crossings into Mexico and an upcoming trip to Canada were once routine. But after a wave of new policies enacted by President Donald Trump, including stricter border enforcement and heightened political scrutiny, her travel plans are on hold. “There’s no way I’m going anywhere near an airport or border crossing,” she said, citing fears of retaliation for her…

From record-breaking waves to personal transformation, the big wave surfer reflects on his most defining moment. Big wave surfer Garrett McNamara, known worldwide for riding some of the tallest waves on Earth, says one wipeout nearly a decade ago changed his life forever—physically, mentally, and spiritually. McNamara, now 57, made headlines in 2011 when he rode a 78-foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal, earning him a world record and international fame. The feat, later surpassed, remains a defining moment in surfing history. But it was a devastating crash five years later that truly redefined him. A Brutal Injury and Personal Reckoning…

For the first time in its modern history, Mexico is preparing to elect judges through a popular vote. Scheduled for June 1, 2025, this unprecedented reform will allow citizens to choose candidates for 881 judicial positions, including seats on the Supreme Court, federal circuit tribunals, and district courts. This shift stems from a constitutional amendment spearheaded by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who claimed that opening the judiciary to electoral scrutiny would help combat corruption and restore public trust in the legal system. Over 2,600 candidates have registered for the elections. To qualify, each applicant needed a law degree,…

Moody’s downgrade and rising yields fuel fiscal concerns in Washington. Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts and spending plan cleared a key hurdle in the House this week, but the initiative now faces growing scrutiny as the United States grapples with renewed attention on its rising national debt. Following last Friday’s downgrade of US credit by Moody’s Ratings, lawmakers from both parties are clashing over the country’s fiscal direction. Moody’s cited persistent high debt levels and slow revenue growth as primary reasons for lowering the nation’s rating to one notch below perfect. While the House Budget Committee moved forward with the…