Health

Economy

New U.S. Car Prices Hit $50K Record as Loans Stretch to $800 Monthly

The average price for a new car or truck in the U.S. topped $50,000 for the first time last September and stood at a record $49,191 in January, according to Cox Automotive. Monthly payments on new auto loans have climbed to an all-time high just over $800, data from J.D. Power shows.

World Headlines 6 months

Health

Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Bose, Samsung Headphones

A Hungarian research group detected cancer-linked chemicals in every headphone model tested, including brands like Bose, Samsung and Sennheiser. The study warns these substances from plastic parts may migrate to users' skin during prolonged wear.

World Headlines 6 months

Heritage

Dr. Norman C. Francis, Xavier University president for 47 years, dies at 94

Dr. Norman C. Francis, who led Xavier University of Louisiana for 47 years and steered New Orleans through post-Katrina recovery, died Wednesday at age 94. His family announced the death, with memorial service details pending.

World Headlines 6 months

Olympics & More

Xu Mengtao Wins 2nd Straight Gold in Women’s Aerials at 2026 Olympics

China's Xu Mengtao captured gold in women's freestyle skiing aerials at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, scoring 112.90 to repeat as Olympic champion. Australia's Danielle Scott took silver with 102.17, while teammate Shao Qi earned bronze at 101.90.

World Headlines 6 months

Policy & Law

Louisiana Bans SNAP Purchases of Soda, Candy From Ash Wednesday

Louisiana residents on food stamps lost the ability to buy soda, candy and energy drinks with benefits starting Ash Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the state's request to delay the restrictions from a planned Jan. 1, 2026, rollout until the start of Lent.

World Headlines 6 months

TV & Streaming

Richard Curtis and Esther Freud Debut Plays at Suffolk’s INK Festival

Screenwriter Richard Curtis and novelist Esther Freud will premiere new short plays at the 10th annual INK Festival in Halesworth, Suffolk. The event runs April 16-19 and features 70 new works by local writers across unusual venues.

World Headlines 6 months

Policy & Law

Experts Push NRA Creation, VAT Cut to 10%, Travel Tax Abolition

Tax experts at a Manila forum called for abolishing the Philippines' travel tax, slashing VAT to 10 percent and creating a National Revenue Authority by merging the BIR and Bureau of Customs. They also urged raising personal income tax exemptions to P1 million annually and adopting the OECD's 15 percent global minimum tax on multinationals.

World Headlines 6 months

Energy & Commodities

First Gen Supplies Geothermal Power to LPU Batangas, Laguna Campuses

Lyceum of the Philippines University signed a deal this month with First Gen Corp. to power its satellite campuses in Batangas and Laguna using geothermal energy. The agreement aggregates more than 1,150 kilowatts of demand from the sites, sourced from First Gen's plants in Leyte.

World Headlines 6 months

Asia Pacific

Philippines Opens Cancer Center for Soldiers, Families

The Armed Forces of the Philippines inaugurated the Bagong Bayaning Mandirigma Cancer Care Center in December 2025 to deliver specialized cancer treatment for active-duty troops, retirees and their dependents. Partners including the Congressional Spouses Foundation and One Meralco Foundation joined the blessing ceremony at the Makati Medical Center facility.

World Headlines 6 months

Corporate

Investors Urge Starbucks Shareholders to Oust 2 Directors Over Union Fight

A coalition of investors including New York state and city comptrollers called on Starbucks shareholders Wednesday to reject the reelection of two board members over the company's handling of labor unrest. The push targets lead independent director Jorgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford, head of the board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

World Headlines 6 months

AI

Ambient AI Frees Doctors for Empathic Patient Care, Expert Argues

Ambient AI tools in exam rooms can boost clinical efficiency and empathy by reducing electronic medical record burdens, according to Cleveland Clinic professor Leonard H. Calabrese. He argues the technology restores eye contact and presence, key to healing relationships.

World Headlines 6 months

Celebrity

Salley Carson DMs Eagles’ Cooper DeJean Amid Nikki Bella Rumors

Actress Salley Carson revealed she slid into the direct messages of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean after spotting his Instagram posts, even as rumors link him to WWE star Nikki Bella. Carson said on the 'Not Skinny But Not Fat' podcast Tuesday that she asked DeJean outright if he was dating Bella.

World Headlines 6 months

Medicine

FDA Sets August Deadline to Review Moderna’s Flu Vaccine After Reversal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed to review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine after initially rejecting the application last week, with a decision due by August. Moderna announced the reversal on Feb. 18, following discussions that addressed concerns over the study's design.

World Headlines 6 months

Reisen

Nobu Hospitality plant Nobu Beach Inn auf Barbuda

Nobu Hospitality, Mitgründer Robert De Niro, kündigte den Bau eines 36-Zimmer-Resorts Nobu Beach Inn auf Barbuda an. Das Projekt umfasst 25 Strandresidenzen ab 12 Millionen Dollar neben dem bestehenden Nobu-Restaurant.

World Headlines 6 months

Travel

Puzzle Maker Jodi Jill Uses Kids’ Jigsaws to Beat Flight Anxiety

Jodi Jill pulls a 50- to 75-piece children's jigsaw puzzle from her bag when airplane turbulence rattles her nerves. The Los Angeles puzzle maker says the task shifts her focus to matching edges and colors, blocking out worries about the bucking plane.

World Headlines 6 months