Author: Emily Harper

Moldovans delivered a decisive win to the governing, pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), granting it a clear parliamentary majority after Sunday’s vote. With just over 50% of ballots and about 55 of 101 seats, PAS secured the ability to govern without a coalition, a result framed domestically as a choice between deeper European Union alignment and a return to Moscow’s orbit. Strong Mandate For Europe-Focused Leadership Turnout reached about 52%, including a large diaspora vote that favored PAS, according to preliminary figures. European leaders quickly welcomed the outcome as a strong endorsement of Moldova’s westward course. European Commission…

Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to be acquired in an all-cash transaction worth $52.5 billion, marking the largest leveraged buyout in the video game sector to date. Shareholder Terms and Investor Consortium The consortium leading the purchase includes Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners, run by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Under the deal, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share, representing a notable premium compared to its pre-announcement trading price. The agreement has been unanimously approved by EA’s board of directors and is expected to close in the…

Falcon 9 Lights Up Southern California Sky A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday evening, streaking across the skies of southern California as it carried 28 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch took place at 10:04 p.m. EDT (7:04 p.m. local time) and marked another step in the expansion of SpaceX’s growing broadband constellation. Within minutes, the Falcon 9 successfully reached orbit. The upper stage was scheduled to deploy its payload of Starlink satellites—designated Group 11-20—about an hour after liftoff. Booster 1063 Achieves 28th Flight The mission also highlighted the…

Bank lending in Brazil lost additional momentum in August, as restrictive borrowing costs continued to dampen demand in Latin America’s largest economy. Central bank data show that 12-month credit growth eased to 10.1%, down from 10.8% in July, extending a gradual deceleration that has taken hold through 2025. Credit Growth Slows To A Year-Low Pace On a monthly basis, the stock of outstanding credit still inched up 0.5% from July, but the broader trend points to slower expansion as policy tightening filters through to households and companies. The central bank now projects annual loan growth of 8.8% for 2025, a…

Federal Troops Ordered Into Portland The political and legal battle over the use of military forces in U.S. cities escalated this week after President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops under federal control. The order, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, came as Oregon officials filed a lawsuit challenging the president’s move. Trump announced that the troops would be stationed in Portland to guard federal immigration facilities, which he described as under threat from “domestic terrorists.” He also stated that they were authorized to use “full force if necessary.” The announcement caught many Pentagon officials…

NFL Confirms Historic Performance Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny has been announced as the headliner for next year’s Super Bowl halftime show. The news was confirmed Sunday night during halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation. Super Bowl 60 is set for February 8 in Santa Clara, California. Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will become one of the few Latin artists to lead the world’s most-watched music stage. A Celebration of Culture In a statement released by the NFL, Bad Bunny said…

Overnight Disruptions at Key Sites Denmark is investigating a wave of drone incursions that disrupted airport operations and heightened national security concerns. The most serious incidents occurred overnight at Aalborg Airport, a facility that doubles as both a civilian hub and military base. Flights were halted for several hours as drones flew over restricted areas with their lights switched on, creating unease among travelers and staff. The disturbances were not limited to Aalborg. Similar drone activity was reported at Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup — with Skrydstrup housing part of Denmark’s fighter jet fleet. The coordinated nature of the flights, which…

International aid organizations, long reliant on multilateral funding, are now facing intensified pressure. In recent months, several donor states have cut or withheld contributions to key United Nations agencies. As a result, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups are scrambling to adjust their strategies, diversify income streams, and forge new alliances as the traditional funding environment grows more hostile. Rising Strains on Global Assistance The cuts are especially severe in areas hit hard by conflict or climate emergencies. For instance, reductions in support to UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Food Programme are hitting programs for children, refugees, and hunger…

Study Ranks Destinations by “Feel-Good” Metrics A new report from BookRetreats, a wellness-travel company, has designated Lisbon, Portugal as the happiest city for travelers worldwide. The ranking evaluated destinations based on a series of “feel-good factors,” including annual sunshine, walkability, public green space per capita, and local perceptions of light and noise pollution. Lisbon stood out in several areas. The city enjoys more than 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, and its urban fabric is compact and pedestrian-friendly, making strolls both pleasant and practical. The abundance of healthy restaurants throughout the city and a favorable balance of noise and ambient…

Europe’s Victory Overshadowed by Rowdy New York Crowd Rory McIlroy delivered a strong rebuke to fans at Bethpage Black after enduring a torrent of abuse during the Ryder Cup. Despite helping Europe secure a 15-13 victory over the United States, McIlroy said the heckling he faced crossed the line of what should be acceptable in golf. Over five matches, spectators targeted him with insults about his personal life, past defeats, and even his wife, who was struck by a cup of beer. “Golf should be held to a higher standard,” McIlroy told reporters, adding that the sport teaches respect and…