Author: Amanda Martinez

The Anchorage School Board is set to hear public testimony regarding potential school closures in the district. The board will listen to community concerns about the proposed closure of four elementary schools: Baxter, Fire Lake, Lake Hood, and Nunaka Valley. This is all part of the district’s “Rightsizing ASD” plan. The plan aims to reduce the number of schools in the district, which will save the state money. However, it will also reduce the amount of funding coming to Anchorage from the state. Andy Holleman, school board president, believes this will allow the district to staff and run schools more…

Donald Trump plans to visit Notre Dame’s reopening in Paris this week, his first trip abroad since his re-election. The 12th-century Gothic cathedral masterpiece, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2019, will welcome visitors after a five-year restoration effort. Trump confirmed his attendance, praising French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to restore Notre Dame. “It will be a very special day for all! “Trump posted on social media. The visit emphasizes Trump’s long-held fascination with the cathedral, which he expressed during the 2019 fire by suggesting “flying water tankers” to extinguish the flames. The reopening ceremony will draw over…

Vietnamese real estate magnate Truong My Lan’s appeal against the death penalty for masterminding a massive fraud scandal was unsuccessful. According to local media, the court affirmed the Vietnamese tycoon’s death sentence on Tuesday, finding that her offenses had severe repercussions and there would be no alternatives. $12 billion was stolen from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) by Lan, founder of the real estate Van Thinh Phat. Prosecutors disclosed that 93% of SCB’s credit was obtained through fraudulent loan applications and shell firms over ten years. Judges ruled that the crimes called for the most severe penalty possible under Vietnamese law,…

In a high-profile ruling, a Delaware judge denied reinstatement of Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package despite shareholder approval. Judge Kathaleen McCormick held onto her January ruling, claiming that Musk’s power had an excessive impact on Tesla’s Board members. Tesla strongly disagreed with the decision, calling it wrong and pledging to appeal. “This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners—the shareholders,” the company said on social media. The contested pay package established in 2018 would have marked the largest compensation ever granted to a CEO. Judge McCormick ruled that…

Jaguar’s Electric Future is sparking debate. The luxury car maker unveiled its new electric concept car, the Type 00, and opinions are divided. Consequently, some call it “exciting” and “absolutely stunning,” while others think it’s a misstep. Meanwhile, Jaguar is relaunching as an electric-only brand in 2026. To prepare, the company stopped selling new Jaguar cars in the UK last month. This move aimed to “create some breathing space” before the unveiling. Notably, the transition to electric vehicles was announced in 2021. The Type 00 concept car was unveiled at a Miami art fair. Gerry McGovern, Jaguar’s chief creative officer,…

Raw sewage spills are a major concern in Northern Ireland. An investigation found that raw sewage spills have pushed levels of harmful bacteria in Belfast Lough beyond legal limits. Geologist testing revealed high levels of bacteria at popular swimming spots. The levels were more than three times higher than permitted for bathing waters. Northern Ireland Water admitted to breaching the law hundreds of times each year. The company blamed the historic underfunding of its sewage network as the root cause of the spills. The Department for Infrastructure said the minister acknowledged the financial pressures NI Water faced. Bathing water quality…

In the Philippines, eating an endangered sea turtle stew resulted in three fatalities and 32 hospitalizations. Last week, Indigenous Teduray residents in the province of Maguindanao del Norte experienced severe symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal spasms due to the endangered sea turtle poisoning. The meal, prepared as adobo with vinegar and soy sauce, has raised concerns regarding unlawful hunting practices. While environmental laws prohibit hunting or consuming sea turtles in the Philippines, some communities still eat them as traditional delicacies. The investigation will reveal whether the toxic algae consumed by sea turtles can make them dangerous even if the…

United States President Joe Biden’s grant of a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, sparked a heated political debate. Joe Biden pardoned his son, backtracking on his previous stance of not intervening, claiming it was unfair treatment. In a White House statement, Biden declared that his son faced selective prosecution due to his family name. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me—and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,” he said. Biden added that political interference had compromised the justice system’s integrity. Biden’s decision eliminates the legal consequences Hunter Biden faced,…

A devastating Guinea football tragedy occurred on Sunday in N’zérékoré, where a stampede at a football match resulted in numerous fatalities. Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah acknowledged the tragedy, confirming that the stampede led to a significant loss of life. As the events unfolded, local media reported that police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. The supporters of the visiting team, Labé, hurled stones towards the pitch. A doctor at the local hospital described the chaotic scene, stating that the morgue was full, with several bodies lined up. Witnesses recounted the mayhem outside the stadium, with large crowds attempting…

The Stellantis CEO exit comes as a surprise to many. Carlos Tavares, the boss of car-making giant Stellantis, has quit with immediate effect following a boardroom clash. Consequently, the company is now facing a significant change in leadership. Tavares’ abrupt exit from the company, which owns brands including Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot, and Chrysler, comes two months after Stellantis issued a profit warning. Additionally, the firm announced plans to close its Vauxhall van-making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk. Before his resignation, Tavares was one of the most powerful people in the global motor industry. He had…

The Parloa Park renovation project in Bethel, Connecticut, is finally progressing. Thanks to a recently secured $500,000 state grant, the project is now a reality. Consequently, the town can transform the park into a modern, accessible space for rejection. According to Bethel’s first Selectman Dan Carter, the grant will cover half the cost of the $1 million project. Meanwhile, the remaining funds will come from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. Carter expressed excitement about the project, stating been in the works for over five years. The project involves relocating and expanding the park’s basketball court, creating an expanded…

The United States approved a $385 million weapons deal with Taiwan to strengthen its military capabilities amidst Chinese tensions. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the US arms deal with Taiwan on Friday, which said that equipment delivery will start in 2025. These weapons, which guarantee Taiwan’s air force stays operationally prepared, include replacement parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar equipment. Taiwan’s President, William Lai Ching-te, embarked on a Pacific tour on Saturday, with US stopovers sparking backlash from China. His itinerary includes visits to allies such as the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, with brief stops…