Author: Emily Harper

Ukraine’s Outreach to the Vatican Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Pope Leo XIV in Rome as part of a diplomatic push focused on securing broader support against Russia’s invasion. Kyiv described the encounter as meaningful for morale and international visibility. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s attention to Ukraine and invited the pontiff to visit the country, calling such a trip a powerful gesture of solidarity. The meeting included discussions on humanitarian challenges and protections for civilians affected by ongoing fighting. Vatican officials have emphasized the need for dialogue, although the Holy See has not taken a direct role in…

More people are relying on GoFundMe to pay for rent, groceries and other necessities as living costs squeeze household budgets. The for-profit crowdfunding platform’s 2025 “Year in Help” report says campaigns created to cover “essential” expenses such as housing, utilities and food rose by 20% this year, after already quadrupling in 2024. “Monthly bills” was the platform’s second-fastest-growing category in 2025, trailing only individual fundraisers in support of nonprofits. According to GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan, requests for help with day-to-day costs have been rising across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The report, based on activity on…

The United States is preparing to significantly broaden its travel-ban policy, with officials confirming that the list of restricted countries is expected to grow to more than 30. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem disclosed the development during an interview on Fox News, stating that the administration is evaluating a substantial expansion. While she declined to identify the additional nations under consideration, she indicated that the final list will exceed earlier estimates that suggested an increase from 19 to 32 countries. Her remarks mark the first public confirmation that the administration intends to widen the scope of restrictions instituted earlier this…

Injury Confirmed and Surgery Scheduled Indianapolis has been dealt a major setback. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right Achilles, ending what had already been an injury-challenged campaign. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Jones will undergo surgery this week after an MRI solidified the diagnosis. The quarterback initially went down in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup, adding to concerns as he had been playing through a previously reported hairline fracture in his left fibula. Steichen had expressed caution immediately after the game, saying only that the situation “was not looking…

A New Home for a Global Modernist A striking grey-blue structure now rises on Doha’s horizon, marking the opening of the world’s first museum dedicated to Indian modernist MF Husain. The institution, named Lawh Wa Qalam, is located in Qatar Foundation’s Education City and spans roughly 3,000 square meters. Designed as a place that feels personal and reflective, the museum showcases over 150 works including paintings, sculptures, films, tapestries and photographs, offering an extensive view of Husain’s late-life creativity and international influences. Curator Noof Mohammed said the goal is for visitors to feel immersed in the artist’s world, drawing inspiration…

A powerful 7.6-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off northern Japan on Monday, shaking communities on both sides of the Tsugaru Strait and triggering a tsunami along parts of the Pacific coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the quake occurred just east of Aomori Prefecture, at the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, and just south of Hokkaido, a region known for frequent offshore seismic activity. JMA reported that the tremor generated a tsunami of up to 40 centimeters, with waves of about 40 centimeters recorded at the Hokkaido town of Urakawa and at the port of Mutsu Ogawara…

Paramount has moved to a full-scale hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), confronting the previously announced takeover agreement between Netflix and the Hollywood studio. The company said it is bypassing WBD’s board and appealing directly to shareholders with an all-cash offer valued at about $74.4 billion, or $30 per share. Unlike Netflix, Paramount is also offering to buy WBD’s cable networks, which sit outside the rival deal. According to Paramount, its proposal represents roughly $18 billion more value for WBD investors than the competing Netflix transaction. Executives argue that WBD’s board undervalued the cable assets and that a straightforward…

Multiple Early Hominins in East Africa New fossil evidence from Ethiopia is reshaping what scientists know about human origins. Researchers say they have finally solved the mystery of the Burtele foot, first discovered more than a decade ago. The unusual set of bones — including an opposable big toe — has now been linked to Australopithecus deyiremeda, a long-debated human relative that lived at the same time as the famous Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis). The new analysis appears in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and supports the idea that early human evolution involved several closely related species rather than a single dominant…

Global private equity firm Advent International has ended advanced talks to buy a major stake in Whirlpool of India, after negotiations with Whirlpool Corp broke down over price, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal under discussion was valued at about $1 billion and would have given Advent control of the Indian home-appliance maker. Sources said Advent pushed for a reduced valuation, pointing to near-term challenges in Whirlpool’s Indian operations, while the U.S. parent focused on raising as much cash as possible to pay down debt. With neither side prepared to compromise sufficiently, the process has been halted…

Federal Goal to Avoid Fragmented Oversight President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order that sets one artificial intelligence regulatory standard for the entire country. He argues that companies cannot operate efficiently if they must seek approvals in every state whenever launching a new AI capability. His message signals a desire for more centralized oversight as businesses race to develop advanced machine learning systems and compete globally. Administration officials view the move as essential to protect US leadership in a field that is attracting investment and strategic interest from around the world. Trump said that allowing state legislatures…