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NewsUnited States

House Hearing Probes Foreign Influence in US Nonprofits: ‘Follow the Money’

Republicans Target Foreign-Funded Nonprofits The Republican-led House Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing Tuesday to investigate foreign influence in U.S. nonprofits. Several advocacy organizations and far-left funding…

War

Indonesia Plans to Deploy 8,000 Soldiers to Gaza for Peacekeeping Mission

Indonesia is preparing to send up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza, marking the first country to participate in phase two of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement from late last year. General…

A Historic Performance in Spanish On Sunday, Bad Bunny made history as the first artist to perform a Super Bowl halftime show entirely in Spanish. For Puerto Ricans like me, the performance felt personal. Many of us have heard comments about our Spanish being hard to understand. Bad Bunny’s show reminded us that our language and culture matter on the biggest stages. Shared Beginnings I connect with Bad Bunny because, like him, I once worked in a supermarket, packing groceries and pushing carts under the Caribbean sun. Many Puerto Ricans share this experience, which shaped our understanding of hard work and community. It’s more than just a job. It’s about our humble beginnings, the neighborhoods we grew up in, and the resilience that comes from small-town life. Growing Up in Small Towns Bad Bunny, born Benito Martínez Ocasio, grew up in Vega Baja, a northern town in Puerto Rico. I grew up in San Lorenzo, in the southeast. His mother was a schoolteacher, his father a truck driver with no music connections. My mother worked in a factory, far removed from media or entertainment. Childhood for both of us felt distant from San Juan, even though the capital was just 45 minutes away. Trips to the city were special events, usually focused on visiting Plaza Las Américas, a massive shopping mall. Bad Bunny described it as a place where "you didn’t even know where you were standing." Language and Opportunity Like Bad Bunny, I learned English as an adult and still speak with a non-native accent. Many Puerto Ricans face the same challenge. According to the latest U.S. census data, only 22% of the island’s population feels confident speaking English "very well." Access to private lessons often depends on affordability. Life Under Strain Daily life in our towns moves slowly. Limited public transportation, few tourists, and a lack of major events shape our communities. We have endured political and economic struggles, including public debt crises and bankruptcy. These hardships affect electricity, schools, migration, and public services. In 2018, Bad Bunny referenced these issues in his song Ser Bichote: "Schools are closing while puntos open. So what do I do? Tell me, I’m asking you." The "puntos" are drug-selling spots our parents warned us about. Only Puerto Ricans truly understand the weight of that line, though everyone enjoys the music. Why It Resonates Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show isn’t just entertainment. It’s a reflection of Puerto Rican identity, language, and shared struggles. Watching him on stage, I saw my own experiences mirrored in his journey.
Entertainment

Why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Felt Personal for Puerto Ricans

A Historic Performance in Spanish On Sunday, Bad Bunny made history as the first artist to perform a Super Bowl halftime show entirely in Spanish. For Puerto Ricans like me,…

Capitol Hill hearing examining foreign funding and nonprofit political influence
NewsUnited States

Foreign Billionaires Sent $2.6 Billion to US Advocacy Groups, Watchdog Report Alleges

House Hearing Targets Foreign Influence in Nonprofits A new watchdog report claims that foreign billionaires and overseas foundations have poured more than $2.6 billion into American advocacy groups. The findings…

Sen. Josh Hawley speaking at Senate hearing on Minnesota fraud and foreign funding concerns
NewsUnited States

Hawley Presses Minnesota Fraud, CCP Linked Funds at Senate Hearing

Senate Panel Probes Billions in Alleged Fraud A Senate hearing this week will examine large scale fraud in Minnesota and possible foreign funding tied to unrest. Sen. Josh Hawley will…

Novo Nordisk Sues Rival Over “Knock-Off” Weight-Loss Drugs
Health

Novo Nordisk Sues Rival Over “Knock-Off” Weight-Loss Drugs

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers in the US, claiming the company is selling unsafe, unapproved versions of its weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and…

President Trump and EPA officials discussing repeal of 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding at White House event
NewsUnited States

Trump Administration Moves to Repeal Obama Era Greenhouse Gas Finding in Major Deregulatory Shift

EPA Targets 2009 Climate Ruling That Underpins Federal Emissions Rules The Trump administration is preparing to roll back a key climate determination made during the Obama years. The move would…

Chappell Roan leaves talent agency led by Casey Wasserman after Epstein fallout
Entertainment

Chappell Roan Leaves Casey Wasserman’s Talent Agency Amid Epstein Files Controversy

Singer Parts Ways With Agency Chappell Roan has announced she is no longer represented by the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman. Her decision comes after Wasserman’s name appeared in…

Buy an island for £350k... but you must wade across an estuary to reach it
News

Buy Your Own Private Welsh Island for £350,000—Access at Low Tide Only

A Rare Island for Sale in Wales A 17-acre private island off the Welsh coast is now on the market for £350,000, slightly above the UK average house price of…

Commercial fishing boat working in the North Atlantic as debate grows over U.S. seafood and national security
NewsUnited States

American Seafood Is National Security and Washington Must Back Its Fishermen

Domestic Fishing Is Critical to U.S. Food Security I have spent my life working at sea as a commercial fisherman. Now, as chairman and chief strategist of the New England…

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US Hotels Fear Weak World Cup Tourism as Bookings Fall Short Tourism expectations fail to match reality US hotels are worried the upcoming World Cup will not deliver the expected tourism boost. Many host cities are reporting lower-than-expected bookings, raising doubts about the event’s economic impact. A report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows demand is falling behind forecasts across most locations. The group represents more than 32,000 hotel properties and a large share of franchised hotels in the United States. Conflict between booking data and ticket sales The association says hotel demand does not match FIFA’s claim that over five million tickets have already been sold. It warns that the expected financial gains from the tournament could be lower than projected. Accusations over hotel room block bookings The report also criticizes FIFA for reserving large numbers of hotel rooms in advance. According to the association, this created artificial demand and pushed prices higher in early stages of booking. Later, FIFA cancelled a significant portion of those reservations. Hotel operators say this left gaps in availability and disrupted normal pricing patterns. FIFA has rejected these claims and does not agree with the criticism. Other factors behind weak demand Hotels say several issues are discouraging visitors. High ticket prices for matches are one concern. Expensive local transport and taxes are also adding pressure. Some operators also point to political tensions as another reason international travel interest has slowed. Economic outlook remains uncertain With lower bookings and mixed signals from ticket sales, the hospitality sector is now unsure about the World Cup’s overall economic benefit. Many hotels are preparing for weaker-than-expected revenue during the tournament period.
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