ECONOMIC IMPACT

May 24 2025BUSINESS

The CosMc's Experiment Comes to an End

Fast food giant McDonald's has decided to shut down all five of its CosMc's stores. This decision comes just two years after the alien-themed coffee shops opened their doors. This move might seem surprising, but it's not entirely unexpected. The idea behind CosMc's was to tap into the growing

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May 24 2025EDUCATION

The Global Classroom: How International Students Shape U. S. Education

The United States is a top destination for international students seeking higher education. In 2023, over 1. 1 million students from abroad were enrolled in U. S. colleges and universities. This number is a record high, showing a 7% increase from the previous year. The impact of th

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May 24 2025FINANCE

Why Are Coins Costing More to Make Than Their Value?

The U. S. Mint is facing a peculiar challenge: producing coins that cost more to make than their actual value. This issue has sparked conversations about the future of certain coins, especially the penny. The penny, for instance, costs nearly 4 cents to produce and distribute. This is a significant

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May 22 2025POLITICS

A Minister's Rice Joke Sparks a Political Storm

Japan's farm minister, Taku Eto, found himself in hot water after a joke about rice went awry. At a local event, he casually mentioned that he never had to buy rice because his supporters gifted him plenty. This comment sparked outrage, especially in a country grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.

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May 21 2025POLITICS

The Trump Tax Plan: Who Gains and Who Loses?

The Trump administration proposed a massive tax bill. It is 1, 116 pages long and aims to change taxes and federal policies. If passed, it would benefit high earners the most. This is according to various analyses. The bill's journey is not smooth. It faced delays due to demands from the conser

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May 20 2025HEALTH

Nirsevimab: A Smart Way to Fight RSV in Shanghai Babies

In January 2024, Chinese officials gave the green light to nirsevimab. This drug is designed to shield infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In Shanghai, researchers wanted to see if using nirsevimab for babies was a good deal. They looked at two plans: giving the shot all year or just dur

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May 20 2025FINANCE

US Debt Downgrade: What Happened and Why It Matters

The United States faced a significant credit rating downgrade. This is not the first time this has happened. The last two times were in 2011 and 2023. This time, it was Moody's turn to lower the rating. They dropped the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1. This change sent shockwaves through the f

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May 20 2025POLITICS

The Price War: Big Businesses and the Tariff Tussle

The U. S. has been in a trade war for a while now. The current president has been pushing for higher tariffs on goods from other countries. This has led to a interesting situation. Some of the biggest companies in the U. S. are now in a public dispute with the president. They are warning that thes

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May 19 2025EDUCATION

South Carolina's Underwater World Turns 25

The South Carolina Aquarium has been a hit for a quarter of a century, with 11 million people visiting to see its 5, 000 different animals. It is located by the Charleston Harbor and shows off many unique South Carolina environments, from the mountains to the sea. The aquarium gives people a chance

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May 19 2025POLITICS

Walmart's Steady Growth: Why Surprise Billions Are Unlikely

Walmart is a giant in the retail world. It's the biggest retailer on the planet. It has been around for decades and has a reputation for keeping prices low. This is thanks to its massive scale and focus on efficiency. Walmart's business model is all about high volume and low margins. For every doll

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