On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope, making him the first American-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He took the name Pope Leo XIV, honoring the legacy of Pope Leo XIII. As reported by The Guardian, the moment was made official when white smoke rose...
As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers need to present a compliant license or another federally accepted form of ID to board domestic flights or access federal buildings. Many people still don’t realize their standard driver’s license may no longer meet the new rules. This change, long in the making, finally takes effect after years...
A multi-state tomato recall is now underway across the United States, as health officials race to remove potentially contaminated produce from store shelves. Ray & Mascari, Inc., an Indianapolis-based produce distributor, initiated the recall after FDA testing detected Salmonella Javiana in one of its shipments. The company’s 4-count vine ripe tomatoes, sold in clear plastic...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. This chronic disease causes damage to myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers. More than one million individuals are affected by multiple sclerosis globally, with almost a third of those cases occurring in the United States. The symptoms vary from person to...
It was meant to be a peaceful getaway in one of India’s most scenic regions. Tourists had flocked to Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam for fresh air, pony rides, and sweeping views of the Kashmiri hills. Among them was Rishi Bhatt, a visitor from Gujarat, who brought along his wife and young son for a family...
White Sands National Park in New Mexico is rewriting the history of what we know about human conquest in America. The park’s vast, windswept dunes conceal one of the richest archaeological sites in North America. Researchers have uncovered the oldest footprints ever found on American soil, in a prehistoric lakebed called Lake Otero. This discovery...
Powerful wildfires swept through Southern California in January 2025, causing an estimated $250-275 billion in total damage and economic loss. Experts now warn these fires hint at an even more dangerous wildfire season ahead. Recent forecasts predict that flames will consume between 7 and 9 million acres across the United States this year. About 60,000 to 75,000...
Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, announced on the 2nd of April, 2025, have affected a wide range of countries and territories. This includes a universal 10% tariff on imports from all countries, including some unexpected uninhabited and remote locations. This has caused many to wonder what his administration was thinking when writing up these ridiculous...
From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have commonly experienced brain fog after having COVID-19. Years after the pandemic, mounting research reveals that COVID-19 long-term side effects go far beyond just respiratory issues. Abundant evidence suggests COVID-19 affects the brain and impairs neurocognitive ability. Those with “brain fog” say they experience sluggishness, struggling with memory...
When we think of volcanoes, we typically picture the high, mountainous peaks, such as Mount Vesuvius and Krakatoa. However, there are actually more volcanoes below the water than above. In fact, almost 80% of the volcanic activity on Earth occurs underwater! These underwater volcanoes act as pressure valves, releasing heat and molten rock from underneath...
In the world of philanthropy, funding sources often include grants, donations, or investments. But for Catherine Schweitzer, the executive director of the Baird Foundation in Buffalo, New York, a unique and steady income stream sets her organization apart: royalties from the sale of Listerine. Every year, the nonprofit earns approximately $120,000 in passive income from...
The Luxor Obelisks are a pair of ancient Egyptian obelisks created for the portal of the Luxor Temple during Ramesses II’s reign. In 1830, the ruler of Ottoman Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, gifted the Luxor obelisks to France. In return, France gifted the Ottomans with a mechanical clock in the 1840s, known as the Cairo...
