Iran’s government cut the country off from the internet and blocked international telephone calls on Thursday night, as protests intensified after a call for mass demonstrations by exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, witnesses said. Residents in multiple neighborhoods of Tehran reported hearing chants from homes and seeing people gather in the streets as the protest stretched into Friday morning. Internet-monitoring and security firms said the disruption appeared to be deliberate state interference. Cloudflare and the advocacy group NetBlocks separately reported the outage. From outside the country, callers also encountered failures: attempts to connect from Dubai to Iranian landlines and mobile…
Author: Emily Harper
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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, reported a sharp rise in quarterly earnings as demand for advanced processors used in artificial intelligence systems continued to accelerate. The company said its October–December net profit climbed 35% year over year to 506 billion New Taiwan dollars (about $16 billion), exceeding market expectations. Revenue for the quarter increased 21% year over year to more than 1.046 trillion New Taiwan dollars (about $33 billion), reflecting continued strength in leading-edge manufacturing as major technology firms expand data center capacity and upgrade AI hardware. TSMC is a critical supplier to companies including…
Frozen Discoveries From the Siberian Permafrost Two remarkably preserved wolf pups discovered in Siberian permafrost have become an extraordinary window into Ice Age life. Found entombed in frozen ground by ivory hunters, the animals remained intact for thousands of years, their bodies effectively sealed in a natural deep freeze. Known as the Tumat puppies, the young wolves were uncovered within a few meters of each other and later identified as female littermates that died at only a few weeks old. The exceptional preservation of their soft tissues allowed scientists to conduct detailed biological and genetic analyses. These studies revealed not…
The United Arab Emirates’ climate investment platform ALTERRA and Spanish lender BBVA said they plan to establish a $1.2 billion co-investment vehicle to finance climate-aligned projects and companies worldwide. The proposed fund, named the ALTERRA Opportunity Fund, is designed to deploy capital across infrastructure, private equity, and private credit, according to a joint statement from the two organisations. As part of the planned structure, BBVA said it intends to commit $250 million as a strategic limited partner. The firms framed the initiative as a way to expand co-investment capacity and attract additional institutional participation, positioning the vehicle as a channel…
Protests After Deadly Ice Shooting Escalate Tensions Protests in Minnesota have intensified following the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent, an incident that triggered nationwide demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Anger grew further after another confrontation in Minneapolis, where ICE agents shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg during an attempted arrest. These events fueled widespread outrage, drawing protesters into the streets and placing Minnesota at the center of a broader national debate over immigration policy, federal authority, and the use of force. Demonstrations have targeted ICE’s continued operations in the state, with protesters accusing federal authorities of…
Deadly Rail Disaster Shocks Northeastern Thailand A catastrophic construction accident in northeastern Thailand left at least 32 people dead and dozens injured after a massive crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, causing several carriages to derail and overturn. The incident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima, a key transport corridor northeast of Bangkok, and has sent shockwaves across the country. According to provincial health authorities, 64 passengers were injured, including several in critical condition, while a small number of people were still unaccounted for as rescue operations continued. The train was traveling from Bangkok toward Ubon Ratchathani when the crane fell…
Lawyers for Nexperia, a Dutch-based semiconductor manufacturer, and representatives for its Chinese owners argued in an Amsterdam courtroom over whether the company should face a court-ordered investigation into alleged corporate mismanagement. The hearing took place at the enterprise chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, where the panel was asked to decide whether the threshold had been met to open a formal probe. No immediate ruling was expected at the close of arguments. The case has drawn attention beyond the Netherlands because Nexperia’s chips are widely used in the automotive sector, making the ownership and governance dispute a potential pressure…
Everyday Trip Planning Can Become an Accessibility Test Air travel can still present structural hurdles for passengers with disabilities, even on routine itineraries. Challenges often begin before boarding, when travelers try to confirm whether an airport, gate area, or specific aircraft can accommodate their needs. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights outlines basic expectations regarding dignity and respect, accessible information, facilities, and assistance at airports and on aircraft. However, it also emphasizes that these rights depend on how consistently airlines and airports apply them in real-world operations. For many travelers who use wheelchairs…
A Historic Transition in Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered unfamiliar territory by opening a search for a new head coach, a move that underscores the rarity of leadership change within the franchise. Known for valuing stability and long-term vision, the organization has made only a handful of head coaching changes across multiple generations. This transition is therefore not just a routine hiring process but a pivotal moment that could define the team’s direction for years to come. The decision immediately reshaped the league’s coaching landscape. One of the most established and respected franchises is now evaluating how to preserve…
A Landmark Series Revisited Four Decades Later In 1979, Richard Avedon left behind the world of fashion and celebrity portraiture and set out on a five year journey across the United States. Armed with a large format Deardorff camera and driving thousands of miles through Texas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado, California and many other states, Avedon sought to document the people of regions he had never previously visited. Rather than photographing movie stars like Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, Avedon stopped at rodeos, county fairs, prisons and slaughterhouses, photographing miners, migrant workers, farmers, truck drivers and factory laborers.…
