Author: Emily Harper

Board Election and Pay Packages Approved Despite Criticism Bank of America shareholders have voted in favor of the compensation packages for top executives, including CEO Brian Moynihan, and have re-elected all 14 board members. The decision comes amid scrutiny from shareholder advisory groups, some of which advised a vote against the pay approvals. Moynihan’s compensation for the previous year rose to $35 million, reflecting a 21% increase. The board attributed the raise to performance metrics, including a 2.3% increase in net income and a 3.4% rise in total revenue. Despite the strong financials, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) criticized the methods…

Beijing remains defiant as U.S. signals possible easing of trade war. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States could substantially reduce tariffs on Chinese imports was welcomed by global markets but met with deep skepticism, and some mockery inside China. Officials in Beijing rejected the notion that trade negotiations were underway and demanded a full rollback of U.S. tariffs. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said tariffs on Chinese goods would “come down substantially” and promised a softer tone in future negotiations, even pledging not to mention the origins of COVID-19. But Beijing responded with a sharp…

Massive Crowds Gather in Rome The Vatican made the rare decision to keep St. Peter’s Basilica open throughout the night after an unexpectedly high turnout of mourners arrived to pay final respects to Pope Francis. The late pontiff, who died at 88 following a stroke, now lies in state in a modest wooden casket inside the grand basilica, surrounded by the quiet devotion of the faithful. Crowds began forming before dawn and have continued growing since. Visitors waited in long, slow-moving lines that extended down the Via della Conciliazione, through St. Peter’s Square, and into the basilica via the Holy…

CEO Reduces Government Role After Investor Pressure Elon Musk is shifting his focus back to Tesla following a steep decline in the company’s financial performance. The billionaire entrepreneur, who has been heavily involved in a controversial federal program called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced he will reduce his time in Washington and recommit to leading the electric vehicle manufacturer. During a recent earnings call, Musk stated that “the major work of establishing DOGE is done” and he will now “allocate far more of my time to Tesla.” Starting in May, Musk said he will limit his government activities…

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro confirms exit clause for former Madrid midfielder amid growing speculation. The future of Xabi Alonso as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen has become one of the most talked-about topics in German football. With Carlo Ancelotti potentially leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, Alonso—who enjoyed a celebrated playing career at the Spanish club—has emerged as a leading candidate to take over the Santiago Bernabéu dugout. This week, Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, addressed the situation publicly. While expressing the club’s strong desire to retain Alonso, Carro acknowledged that a “gentleman’s agreement” could…

Workarounds and loopholes allow Russian citizens to vacation in Europe, drawing criticism and calls for tighter restrictions. More than three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian tourists continue to travel across Europe, despite visa restrictions, suspended flight routes, and political condemnation. While several countries have moved to block most tourist visas, loopholes in the Schengen system are allowing many Russians to bypass restrictions — frustrating critics who say the sanctions lack cohesion and moral clarity. According to EU data, more than 565,000 Schengen visas were granted to Russian citizens in 2024 — a far cry from the 4 million…

A New Chapter for Africa’s Space Ambitions The African Union has officially inaugurated the African Space Agency (AfSA), marking a turning point in the continent’s technological and scientific advancement. Located in Cairo, AfSA aims to unify and coordinate Africa’s space-related efforts under one central institution. This initiative is the culmination of nearly a decade of groundwork aimed at harnessing space technology for sustainable development across the continent. AfSA will serve as a collaborative platform for space agencies, policymakers, investors, and research institutions to align strategies and share knowledge. Its mission is to enhance Africa’s capacity in Earth observation, satellite connectivity,…

Investors pull out of U.S. assets as stocks tumble, gold surges, and economic uncertainty grows. American financial markets are flashing warning signs as President Donald Trump’s economic policies enter a turbulent phase. With new tariffs rattling global trade and investor sentiment, Wall Street is reacting in ways not seen since the era of the Great Depression, according to recent market data and economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has plummeted 9.1% in the first three weeks of April, marking its worst April performance since 1932. The broader S&P 500 is down 14% since the start of Trump’s new term,…

Strategic Union Creates a New Insurance Powerhouse In a major development for the European insurance industry, Swiss firms Helvetia and Baloise have announced their decision to merge, forming a new entity named Helvetia Baloise Holding. The unified company is set to become Switzerland’s second-largest insurance group, boasting a combined business volume of 20 billion Swiss francs—equivalent to nearly $24.7 billion USD. This strategic move positions the new entity among the top ten insurance companies in Europe, according to a joint statement released by both firms. The merger is described as a “merger of equals” and is structured to ensure a…

Shocking Attack in Popular Tourist Area In a devastating escalation of violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir, at least 20 tourists were killed and over 30 others injured after a group of gunmen opened fire near a popular meadow close to the town of Pahalgam. According to police, four armed men launched the ambush on Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow area, a spot widely frequented by domestic tourists for its scenic mountain views and pine forests. Authorities retrieved at least 20 bodies from the site, while emergency services rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals. Many of the injured remain in critical condition.…