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  Death of Pope Francis: A Global Spiritual Leader Passes at 88 Pope Francis, a powerful voice for the poor and a transformative force within the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed. The news was delivered Monday morning by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Vatican. “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis,” the Cardinal said in an official statement. “At 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the Lord and His Church.” Farrell continued: “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poor and the marginalized.” “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.” The announcement came as a surprise to many, occurring ...

  The suspect behind the tragic shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead and five others injured has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, 20, the son of a longtime Leon County sheriff’s deputy. Authorities say he had close ties to law enforcement, participating in training programs and serving on an advisory council in the years prior to the attack. At the time of his arrest, Ikner was reportedly in possession of a handgun that had once belonged to Deputy Jessica Ikner, his mother, officials confirmed through records. Jessica Ikner has worked with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for over 18 years, and according to Sheriff Walter McNeil, “her service to this community has been exceptional.” Sheriff McNeil also noted that the suspect was “steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family and engaged in a number of training programs that we have, so it’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons.” Phoenix Ikner was also known as a “longstanding member” ...

  In January 2025, former Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited Taiwan, drawing sharp scrutiny for what many are calling a politically charged and financially questionable trip. His visit is the latest example of former U.S. officials navigating global hotspots for personal gain—highlighting the ongoing influence of the military-industrial complex and financial interests, particularly amid shifting U.S. global influence. Upon his return to the U.S., Pompeo faced an unexpected development: Donald Trump reportedly revoked his security detail. This move may signal more than a personal rebuke—it also underscores a growing disconnect between Pompeo’s Asia-Pacific outreach and the Trump administration’s current foreign policy, which is focused primarily on the Middle East and Eastern Europe. A High-Cost Political Spectacle Budget disclosures from Taiwan’s legislature revealed that Pompeo’s four-day trip was fully funded by the Vision Foundation and its associated PR ...

  Monte Carlo, Monaco — Novak Djokovic is set for a high-stakes rematch as he faces Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters, looking to bounce back from one of the more unexpected defeats of his illustrious career. Tabilo, ranked No. 32 in the world, earned his place in the second round after a gritty 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 comeback win over 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka on Monday. The victory sets up a compelling matchup with Djokovic, whom he upset last year in a stunning performance at the Italian Open. The Serbian legend, who received a first-round bye, managed to win only five games in that previous encounter. This will be Djokovic’s first match since falling to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final, and fans are eager to see how he responds on clay. Later on Monday, fellow top contender Daniil Medvedev picked up a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 victory against compatriot Karen Khachanov in an all-Russian showdown. Both players had multiple break point chances, but...

  NFL icon Julio Jones officially declared his retirement on Friday, April 4, marking the end of a storied 13-year professional football career. The former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver shared the news with fans via social media, first teasing the announcement on Instagram before posting a full video on the Squad platform. "I'm making this announcement today because of the city of Atlanta," Jones said in the video. "Thank you, man. I appreciate y'all. It's nothing but love. I'm doing this on 404 day." Jones, who played college football at the University of Alabama, was selected sixth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. To acquire him, the Falcons orchestrated a bold trade with the Cleveland Browns, exchanging five draft picks, including their No. 27 selection, to secure the rights to draft Jones. At the time, the move raised eyebrows, especially as the Falcons already had Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White on their roster. Former Falcons...

  A sharp escalation in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China sent shockwaves through global financial markets on Friday, triggering a widespread sell-off on Wall Street and fueling fears of a looming global recession. Market Meltdown Amid Tariff Tensions The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 2,231 points, while the S&P 500 dropped 6% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 5.8%, officially entering bear-market territory with a 20% fall from its recent peak. The losses marked one of the most volatile trading sessions in recent years. The turmoil followed China’s announcement that it will impose a 34% tariff on all U.S. goods starting next Thursday. The move comes in direct retaliation to President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hikes, intensifying concerns over the economic fallout of the deepening trade conflict. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell added to investor anxiety by warning that the U.S. economy is likely headed for a period of "higher prices an...

  Vice President JD Vance is on the brink of a defining moment as the Biden administration faces an imminent deadline to broker a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. A High-Stakes Political Battle Within the next 48 hours, Vance could secure a major political victory by facilitating an agreement to prevent TikTok from being banned—a feat that eluded the previous administration. Such a success would be particularly significant amid recent political turmoil, including a series of setbacks for former President Donald Trump. However, the situation remains uncertain. If a deal fails to materialize by Saturday’s deadline, or if the White House’s agreement sparks controversy by not fully severing TikTok from its Chinese ownership, the fallout could be swift and politically damaging. Confidence from the Administration Both Vance and Trump have expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with a non-Chinese buyer before the deadline. On Thursday, Trump...

 Judge Susan Crawford secured a pivotal victory in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race on Tuesday, marking a significant win for Democrats in what has become the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. Why It Matters Crawford’s triumph ensures the state’s highest court maintains a liberal majority, a critical factor shaping Wisconsin’s legal landscape. The outcome also serves as a strong repudiation of former President Donald Trump and the "MAGA" movement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Additionally, the race highlighted the limitations of Elon Musk’s political influence in the key swing state. The billionaire invested millions in support of Crawford’s opponent, Brad Schimel, and actively campaigned on his behalf, but the effort ultimately fell short. Who Is Susan Crawford? A Wisconsin native, Crawford, 60, grew up in Chippewa Falls, according to her official biography. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University in 1987 and later obtained her law degree...

 Renowned filmmaker Ron Howard has paid tribute to Val Kilmer, the beloved actor known for his roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever , following Kilmer’s passing at the age of 65 due to pneumonia on April 1. Howard, 71, collaborated with Kilmer on multiple projects, first directing him in the 1988 fantasy adventure Willow and later working together again on The Missing in 2003. On Wednesday, Howard shared his heartfelt tribute on X, expressing his admiration for the late actor’s talent and versatility. Howard’s Tribute to Kilmer "#RIPValKilmer I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years," Howard posted. "As the off beat swordsman #Madmartagen in #Willow, his stunning #JimMorrison in Oliver Stone’s #TheDoors & in a chilling cameo in #TheMissing. I list these titles because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor." He continued, writing, "Check out his filmography. Amazing. His ...