International

On Thursday, Republicans made strides towards securing control of the United States House of Representatives. However, the fate of the upper chamber remains uncertain due to the outcomes of two Senate races in Arizona and Nevada, lingering in limbo two days post the midterm elections. In their pursuit of a 218-vote majority in the 435-member House, Republicans clinched 209 seats, while Democrats secured 192, leaving 34 races deadlocked as vote tabulation continues. Although Republicans express confidence in their odds of House majority victory, concerns linger over their narrower political edge compared to pre-election projections, which anticipated a Republican-dominated House ushering…

Federal health officials announced on Thursday that death rates in the United States decreased across all age brackets last year compared to 2022, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key findings from the CDC’s report revealed that COVID-19 had dropped to the tenth leading cause of death, a stark contrast to its position as the third leading cause during the initial phase of the pandemic in 2020. By 2022, COVID-19 had slipped to fourth place. The primary causes of death in the US remained heart disease, cancer, and a category encompassing injuries such…

A recent national survey conducted by various organizations in the United States highlighted key issues that motivated Latino voters during the midterm elections, including the economy, abortion laws, migration, and climate change. The survey, which gathered opinions from 5,400 Latinos at polling stations, revealed that the top concern for Latino voters is addressing inflation and the increasing cost of living. While generally supportive of the Biden administration’s policies, Latino voters emphasize the need for action on inflation, as stated by Kim Kilps-Asensio, an analyst at BSP Research, a firm specializing in Hispanic voter analysis. In addition to economic worries, the…

Recent research indicates that Mars could potentially be saturated with water beneath its surface, concealing significant water reservoirs within the crevices of subterranean rocks. Released on Monday, the study draws upon seismic data collected by NASA’s Mars InSight rover, which recorded over 1,300 Marsquakes before ceasing operations two years ago. Lead researcher Vashan Wright from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, suggests that this water, presumed to be situated 7 to 12 miles (11.5 to 20 kilometers) below Mars’ crust, likely emanated from the planet’s surface billions of years ago during its era of…

Five individuals, including Matthew Perry’s assistant and two doctors, are facing charges related to the actor’s death from a ketamine overdose last year, as per federal prosecutor Martin Estrada. The charges were announced by Estrada on Thursday, revealing that the doctors administered large doses of ketamine to Perry, even discussing in text messages how much the former “Friends” star would be willing to pay. Estrada stated that these defendants exploited Perry’s addiction issues for their own gain, fully aware that their actions were unethical. Perry passed away in October from a ketamine overdose after receiving multiple injections from his personal…

As of this Saturday, four days post the Nov. 8 midterm elections, the fate of the U.S. Senate remains in limbo. Prior to the elections, Republicans only needed to secure one seat to gain a majority capable of obstructing a significant portion of President Joe Biden’s agenda. The Senate is presently deadlocked at 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats, with Democrats holding the edge due to Vice President Kamala Harris’s tie-breaking vote. Democrats are eager to expand their lead. With Vice President Kamala Harris potentially tipping the scales, Democrats stand a chance to maintain Senate control by clinching the undecided Nevada…

Latin America has encountered one of its most lackluster growth periods since the turbulent “lost decade” of the 1980s, with a mere 0.9% growth rate recorded between 2015 and 2024. José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), warns that the region risks entering a third decade of stagnation unless significant structural reforms are implemented. Within this context, Panama emerges as a notable case study. Despite ECLAC revising its growth projections downward to 1.8% for 2024 due to global uncertainties and the slowdown of major economies like the US and China,…

The head of the European Agency for Disease Prevention and Control stated on Friday that more cases of the monkeypox strain, referred to as Mpoxen, are expected in the upcoming weeks. However, the risk of sustained transmission remains low. Following an assessment on Friday, the agency upgraded the risk level of sporadic cases of Mpox clade I in Europe to “moderate.” The risk was deemed high for travelers who had close contact with affected areas in Africa and moderate for their contacts. Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner emphasized the anticipation of additional cases in the near future but highlighted the current very…

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday, pledging to unify the nation and bring a pragmatic approach to the presidency if elected in November. Addressing a diverse audience with varying political beliefs during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris assured, “I commit to being a president for all Americans.” She emphasized her intent to unite people around their shared ambitions and highlighted her qualities as a leader who listens, is practical, and possesses common sense, always advocating for the American populace. Harris also expressed her dedication to strengthening the middle class,…

Simply sit, stand or lie in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Take in a deep breath, inhaling slowly and all the way into your belly. Hold your breath for a moment, then exhale slowly. Repeat for however long you like. Short or long, meditation has the power to change your mood, your day, and even your life. If you’ve never tried a short meditation, why not do it today? You might be amazed at what happens. Several people on Twitter and other theatre kid-dominated social media platforms have responded to these offensive, misguided reviews of The Lightning Thief by demanding…