Author: Emily Harper

A Record-Breaking Approach to the Sun NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has completed its closest flyby to the Sun, venturing into the star’s outermost atmosphere, known as the corona. The spacecraft came within just 3.8 million miles of the solar surface, achieving a distance never reached by any other human-made object. In relative terms, if the Earth and Sun were only one foot apart, Parker would be half an inch from the surface. This historic flyby allowed the probe to record high-resolution imagery of solar wind bursts and massive coronal mass ejections (CMEs), marking a significant leap in solar research. The…

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, issued a strong defense of the Federal Reserve’s independence during a conference call on July 15, stating that safeguarding the central bank’s autonomy is “absolutely critical.” His remarks come amid growing concerns that President Donald Trump may interfere with Fed policy or leadership as he pushes for faster interest rate cuts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Dimon emphasized that protecting the Fed from political influence is essential for preserving U.S. economic credibility. He warned that attempts to influence or undermine the institution could backfire. “Playing around with the Fed can often have adverse…

A Shift in Strategy Toward the Ukraine Conflict U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new strategy to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine. The plan includes two key elements: a fresh pipeline of weapons to Kyiv and a strict 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to peace terms. If Moscow fails to respond, the U.S. will impose 100% tariffs and extend secondary sanctions to countries continuing to buy Russian oil. This announcement represents a clear change in Trump’s stance. Previously, he distanced himself from the conflict. Now, visibly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has decided…

Team Europe Backs Ukraine’s Rebuilding With Joint Initiative The European Union, in partnership with Denmark, Germany, France and Lithuania, has launched a major support initiative for Ukraine’s recovery. Named EU4Reconstruction, the program brings together €37 million in coordinated funding to help the country rebuild in a transparent and sustainable way, aligned with European standards and values. The initiative is designed to span several years and aims to reinforce Ukraine’s institutional capacity, provide targeted technical assistance, and deploy digital tools to enhance the efficiency and oversight of reconstruction efforts. It reflects a collective European commitment to helping Ukraine emerge stronger, more…

Despite major policy initiatives, U.S. manufacturing has yet to show a clear resurgence. Under President Joe Biden, federal subsidies and tax credits aimed at chipmakers and electric vehicle producers led to a brief boom. Between April 2021 and October 2024, factory construction surged as incentives encouraged domestic investment, tripling capital spending in some sectors. This wave of optimism, however, has been followed by stagnation. Since Donald Trump returned to the presidency, a shift in priorities has altered the landscape. His administration rolled back some clean-energy subsidies and reinstated tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and vehicles. These changes were intended to…

Heat and Security Don’t Always Mix As global temperatures rise and travelers flood airports during the busy summer season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has flagged an unexpected trigger for additional screening: sweat. While heavy perspiration is a natural response to heat, it can also interfere with airport security scans, potentially resulting in extra scrutiny. According to a TSA spokesperson, moisture from the body can change the way clothing appears under Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). When this happens, the machines may register an anomaly, prompting a security officer to conduct a manual pat-down in the affected area. Travelers unaware of…

Chelsea Clinches Title in Dominant Fashion Chelsea delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium to win the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup under its new format. Goals from Cole Palmer and João Pedro sealed the win in a match that was, from a sporting perspective, a showcase of the Premier League team’s strength. Yet it was former President Donald Trump who drew much of the attention off the field. The presence of Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the final added a political twist to the global sporting event. While their entrance was met with…

In a significant move that escalates the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Brazil, President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods, effective August 1, 2025. This bold step is directly linked to the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces charges related to an alleged coup attempt following his 2022 electoral defeat. This decision opens a new front in Trump’s trade war, targeting Latin America’s largest economy, which had remained largely unaffected by previous U.S. trade measures. Brazil’s economy, highly dependent on trade with the U.S., could face severe consequences. In 2024,…

Broader Deduction Aims to Ease Tax Burden in High-Tax States The new tax-and-spending-cut legislation brings a significant change for federal income tax filers: an increased cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. This adjustment, raising the previous $10,000 limit to $40,000 for the 2025 tax year, represents a notable shift from the rules established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The expanded SALT deduction will be adjusted annually by 1% through 2029, potentially offering substantial relief for some taxpayers. It allows filers to deduct either state and local income taxes or general sales taxes, along with…

A Fossil Hidden Beneath Their Feet In an extraordinary twist of fate, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science unearthed one of its most unexpected discoveries—right beneath its own parking lot. The museum, widely recognized for its dinosaur exhibits, made the surprising find during a routine geothermal study. The project involved drilling over 230 meters into the ground to explore heating alternatives. What they didn’t expect was to stumble upon a genuine piece of prehistory. The object discovered is a fossilized vertebra from a small herbivorous dinosaur. Although it lacks the grandeur of full skeletons often displayed in museums, the…