Congo is moving forward with a plan to create a large new security force just to guard its mines. The country says it will spend $100 million on this force, which could grow to over 20, 000 soldiers by 2028. Officials claim the U. S. and United Arab Emirates are involved in setting this up, but the
Virginia is caught in a legal tug-of-war over who controls the state’s political map. Last week, voters approved a new congressional district plan drawn by Democrats, which could flip four GOP-held House seats in November. But a county judge quickly blocked the results, calling the referendum illega
This weekend, St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood will host its Cinco de Mayo festival, but with a smaller crowd and more local flavor than in past years. Instead of spreading across long blocks, the event is now concentrated on Cesar Chavez Street between Robert and Ada streets, including Parque Cast
The mayor’s council chief has asked the city to give her a personal car and driver for official trips. She says it would save time and let her focus on meetings instead of traffic. Some council members worry about spending taxpayers’ money on a luxury vehicle for one person. They argue that the c
The state legislature has presented a sharp new budget that slashes money for projects aimed at spurring economic development and environmental progress. A nearly $100 million reduction in funds earmarked for community growth will affect programs such as the Tucson Rio Nuevo project, which relies
The United Arab Emirates has left the oil cartel, a move that could change how global markets work. Before, Qatar and Angola had left OPEC, but their exits didn’t shake the group much because they produce little oil. The UAE is a big producer, second only to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, so its departure i
Poland is planning a new tax on oil companies that will help smooth out the recent cuts to fuel taxes and VAT. The Finance Ministry said this move is part of a larger effort to keep the country on track with the European Union’s budget rules. The goal is to avoid falling into an excessive deficit si
A grand jury in Maryland has brought charges against David Mor — a senior figure at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during the height of the pandemic. The case centers on alleged attempts to hide and alter federal records from April 2020 through December 2022, including dat
The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to probe why health care costs keep climbing. Instead of defending their own practices, the CEOs from big hospital groups stepped up to point out how political decisions by the opposing party push prices higher. Earlier this year, insurance lea
The picture that surfaced before CBS aired President Trump’s 60 Minutes interview has sparked a flurry of online chatter. The image, shared by the White House’s communications team on X, shows Trump in a close‑up that many viewers found intriguing. What drew people’s attention was not just the fr
