A summary of the most important social, economic and political news of the week.
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As originally planned, Elon Musk's brief but turbulent stint in Washington came to an official close this week. The tech billionaire confirmed his departure from the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in a post on X, thanking the president “for the opportunity to reduce
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Former President Joe Biden announced late last week that he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. The 82-year-old's cancer carries a Gleason score of 9, indicating it is among the most aggressive forms of the disease. While stage 4 prostate cancer
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President Trump has just returned from a Middle East tour that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. * A new approach to foreign policy—During a pivotal foreign policy speech in Saudi Arabia, President Trump outlined an approach less focused on exporting American ideals and democracy,
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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has been elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, the first American pope in history. He has adopted the papal name Leo XIV. Prevost was born in Chicago with Creole heritage but has spent much of his life abroad. He studied in Rome,
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Any time a politician makes a campaign promise, you’ll find varying degrees of deserved skepticism on the part of the media and the public. Over time, as promises are made and never fulfilled, you might even start to tune these promises out, believing they’ll never come to pass.
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The conclave to elect the Catholic Church's 267th pope will begin this Wednesday, May 7. Following centuries of tradition, cardinals who were under 80 years old at the time of the prior pope’s passing will gather in the Sistine Chapel—the same 15th-century venue that hosted its
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Pope Francis passed away on Monday at age 88, just one day after greeting Easter worshipers in St. Peter's Square and meeting briefly with U.S. Vice President Vance. The Vatican announced his death at approximately 7:30 A.M. Rome time at his residence in Casa Santa
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White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than four hours last Friday in St. Petersburg to discuss potential peace settlements in Ukraine. While Witkoff emerged with a clearer understanding of Putin's demands, he did not secure approval for the 30-day ceasefire plan
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The White House’s announcement last week of new tariffs on foreign imports sparked an escalating tariff battle with China that has resulted in reciprocal rates of 125% on both American and Chinese imports, with both sides continuing to hold firm in the trade standoff. More than 75 countries have
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President Trump has introduced what some are calling one of the biggest economic gambles in presidential history - a new tariff structure featuring a 10% global baseline. Chinese imports will face a steep 54% tariff starting next week, while European goods will see 20% tariffs, with European vehicles specifically subject
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This Week’s News: * Israel Expands Ground Operations in Gaza: Israel intensified its military operations in Gaza, reclaiming territories in the north from which it had previously withdrawn under a ceasefire. The expanded ground campaign comes amid stalled negotiations aimed at securing a new ceasefire and the release of hostages.
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Following a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has now met with Russian President Putin, and Presidents Trump and Putin will likely speak this week. As of today, part of the Ukrainian army is surrounded in