Author: Emily Harper

A rise in absences among Transportation Security Administration officers is adding new strain to air travel across the United States during one of the busiest periods of the spring season. The staffing problem has emerged as a partial federal shutdown continues, leaving tens of thousands of airport security employees working without pay and forcing airports and airlines to manage longer lines and a more fragile operating environment. According to federal officials, about 10% of TSA screening officers did not report for duty on Sunday, a marked increase from the normal level of under 2%. At several major airports, the situation…

Senior U.S. and Chinese officials ended high-level trade talks in Paris with a public display of caution rather than a breakthrough. China’s lead trade representative, Li Chenggang, said Beijing had raised serious concerns about new U.S. tariff moves and related trade investigations, warning that further action could undermine the more stable commercial relationship the two sides have recently tried to restore. The meeting came as both governments worked to manage tensions that had earlier pushed tariffs to triple-digit levels before they agreed to a one-year truce. The discussions were also designed to prepare for a possible visit by President Donald…

Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament were due to decide on Tuesday whether terminally ill adults should be allowed to seek medical assistance to end their lives, in what would mark the first such law in any part of the United Kingdom. Because members of the Edinburgh legislature were granted a free vote, they could decide individually rather than follow party instructions, making the outcome unusually difficult to predict. The proposal, introduced by Liberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur, has been moving through Holyrood since March 27, 2024, and has reached Stage 3, the point at which the bill can either advance…

Exhibition Celebrates Korean Ritual Paper Traditions A new exhibition celebrating Korean artistic heritage has opened at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, highlighting the intricate traditions of ritual paper art that have shaped cultural and spiritual life on the Korean peninsula for centuries. The exhibition, titled Sacred Paper: Korean Ritual Arts, invites visitors to explore the expressive potential of handmade mulberry paper and its enduring role in ceremonial practices. Presented in the Skylight and Jasmine galleries of the Wang Center, the exhibition focuses on two regional traditions of Korean ritual paper craftsmanship. Through elaborate cut-paper forms and delicate folded…

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has said that a prolonged dispute with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) over his eligibility may have cost him a major commercial opportunity: appearing on the cover of the next EA Sports college football video game. According to details outlined in a recent legal filing, Chambliss was involved in negotiations to become the cover athlete for EA Sports College Football 27. However, uncertainty about his ability to compete in the upcoming season reportedly led to the agreement collapsing before it could be finalized. Chambliss’ legal team argues that the NCAA’s handling of his eligibility…

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered a volatile phase, placing mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump as military operations continue and global energy markets react to instability in the Persian Gulf. The war began in late February when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian targets, triggering retaliatory attacks and a widening regional crisis. As the confrontation continues, the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime oil routes, has become a central flashpoint. The narrow waterway normally carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption there a…

Deutsche Bank has reported continued growth in its private credit portfolio, while warning that the fast-expanding sector may pose rising risks to financial markets. According to the bank’s latest annual report, its exposure to private credit rose about 6% in 2025 to nearly €26 billion (approximately $30 billion). Private credit refers to loans issued outside traditional public bond markets, typically provided by non-bank lenders such as private funds and asset managers. The asset class has expanded rapidly in recent years as companies seek financing alternatives and investors pursue higher yields amid elevated interest rates. Industry estimates place the global private…

The United States government has restored the Global Entry trusted traveler program following a suspension that lasted more than two weeks during a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The expedited customs system officially resumed operations nationwide at 5 a.m. Eastern Time on March 11, offering relief to international travelers and airport operators who had faced mounting delays. Global Entry allows pre-approved travelers to pass through U.S. customs using automated kiosks or facial recognition technology, significantly reducing processing times upon arrival. Participants must undergo background checks and interviews before being admitted into the program. The service had…

Cambodia has announced plans to eliminate all online scam centers operating within its borders by the end of April, marking the latest phase of an intensified national campaign against cyber fraud. Authorities say the crackdown is part of a broader effort to dismantle networks responsible for online scams targeting victims worldwide. Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who leads the government’s Commission for Combating Online Scams, stated that officials have been working since July to identify and close sites suspected of conducting fraudulent activities. According to the government’s figures, investigators have targeted roughly 250 locations, shutting down about 80 percent of them…

Iran launched a series of missile and drone strikes targeting commercial vessels across the Persian Gulf and infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai International Airport, in what analysts describe as a significant escalation in the widening regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The attacks occurred amid continuing hostilities following coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities earlier in the conflict. Iranian forces have increasingly turned their focus toward maritime routes and regional economic centers, aiming to disrupt trade and energy flows in the Gulf. According to regional authorities and maritime monitoring…