Author: Emily Harper

A New Political Player: Elon Musk’s Bold Move Elon Musk has stepped further into U.S. politics with the launch of a new party called The American Party. The move follows his recent opposition to a major Republican-backed bill focused on national debt — a disagreement that seemingly pushed him to distance himself from the current political establishment. Musk, once an informal White House adviser, now positions himself as a challenger to both major parties. His new party aims to take on what he refers to as the “Uniparty,” claiming that both Democrats and Republicans contribute equally to the country’s financial…

Emergency in Southern France: Fire at the Gates of Marseille A fast-moving wildfire has reached the outskirts of Marseille, causing major disruptions and triggering a regional emergency response. Originating in the nearby town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, the fire has rapidly spread due to winds reaching up to 70 km/h, consuming over 350 hectares of forest. The situation escalated quickly, with flames advancing toward residential areas and the sky over the city turning grey with smoke and ash. Local authorities urged residents in affected zones to stay indoors, seal doors and windows, and avoid unnecessary movement. The intense heat and shifting…

President Donald Trump has announced that starting August 1, the United States will impose 25% tariffs on a wide range of imports from Japan, South Korea, and 12 other countries. The decision was published through formal letters addressed to each country’s leadership and posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform. According to the documents, the tariffs aim to correct trade imbalances and penalize countries seen as benefiting from unfair access to the American market. The other nations affected include Malaysia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Serbia, among others. Some tariffs will go beyond the 25% rate, reaching as high…

The pontiff returns to the papal summer residence, blending rest with ecological engagement and local community support. A Return to a Peaceful Legacy After months of intense public and private engagements following his election, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to spend two weeks at Castel Gandolfo, reviving a long-standing papal tradition of summer retreats to the hilltop town just 15 miles southeast of Rome. Nestled 1,400 feet above sea level and overlooking the tranquil Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo has served for centuries as a serene escape from Rome’s summer heat. Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, arrived on Sunday and…

New generation of players and biomechanics research push serve speeds to record-breaking heights. Wimbledon’s Historic Moment In a stunning display at Wimbledon 2025, French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard served a 153 mph rocket, setting a new record for the tournament’s fastest serve. At just 21 years old, the world No. 36 has become the face of a rising generation of players who treat their serve not just as a starting shot, but as a decisive weapon. Though Perricard modestly claims his technique “came naturally,” experts say there’s far more behind his record-breaking power. Decoding the Serve: Science Behind the…

President William Ruto, elected in 2022 with the promise to uplift Kenya’s working class, is now facing intense backlash from the very public that once propelled him to power. Campaigning as the representative of the so-called “hustler nation,” Ruto pledged to reshape Kenya’s economy in favor of ordinary citizens, distancing himself from the wealthy elite. However, many Kenyans now feel betrayed. Instead of easing their burdens, his administration has imposed sweeping tax increases, defended as necessary for fiscal reform, but widely perceived as punitive amid surging living costs. Public frustration deepened when Ruto’s government introduced a Finance Bill that many…

Australian airline confirms third-party platform was compromised; investigation underway. Qantas Airways has confirmed that a cyberattack on a third-party customer service platform has exposed the personal data of up to six million customers, in what could be one of the most significant data breaches in the country’s aviation sector. In a statement released Wednesday, the airline said the breach was detected on Monday when “unusual activity” was identified on a platform used by its contact center. The compromised system, operated by an external provider, holds service records for millions of Qantas customers, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of…

Deadly Flash Floods Devastate Texas Hill Country A powerful and sudden surge of floodwaters caught thousands off guard in Texas Hill Country, leading to one of the most tragic weather events in recent years. With over 80 lives lost and dozens still unaccounted for, communities were left in shock as rivers swelled rapidly overnight. Despite alerts issued in advance, many residents found themselves with little time to react, raising urgent concerns about the effectiveness of the emergency alert systems and how well the population was reached—especially during sleeping hours. The affected region, known for its rugged topography and susceptibility to…

During a campaign-style event in Iowa on July 3, former President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism after referring to some bankers as “Shylocks” while promoting his economic agenda. He was highlighting the removal of estate and inheritance taxes in his proposed fiscal policy, describing how families would no longer need to “go to the banks and borrow from, in some cases, a fine banker – and in some cases, Shylocks and bad people.” The comment quickly ignited backlash for invoking a term widely recognized as an antisemitic stereotype. The word “Shylock” originates from the villainous Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s play…

A New Gatekeeper—Your Social Media Feed The U.S. government has introduced a new requirement for visa applicants targeting university studies, technical training, or exchange programs. Those seeking entry must now disclose every social media account used in the past five years and ensure that these profiles remain publicly visible. This change goes beyond background checks—it turns personal online activity into a key component of political vetting. Officials will analyze social media activity for perceived “hostility” toward U.S. citizens, culture, or values. Though the specific criteria remain undisclosed, immigration officers have been instructed to flag content that may reflect extremist ideologies,…