Author: Press Room

Tea leaves pull heavy metals from water, significantly lowering the amount of lead and other dangerous compounds that people may be unknowingly drinking, a new study found.Recent research has highlighted potential applications for used tea leaves, from biofuels to gluten-free cookies. But the new study shows a public health benefit from something that countless people are already doing. About five billion cups of tea are consumed each day around the world, according to one estimate.“You can see the implications,” said Vinayak Dravid, a materials scientist at Northwestern and an author of the study, which was published this week. “How often…

ROME – Pope Francis has been in the hospital for the longest stay of his papacy, more than two weeks now. And while the latest updates from the Vatican report a slow and steady improvement from his severe bronchitis and double pneumonia, it hasn’t stopped the Vaticanista rumor mill from speculating about his possible resignation.But papal historian, author and biographer Austen Ivereigh is dispelling those rumors, saying that despite the secret letter of resignation he wrote at the beginning of his election as bishop of Rome, Pope Francis believes the papacy is for life.”He’s spoken various times about this,” Ivereigh…

The 2025 Oscars are underway as “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” are each looking to turn their multiple nominations into big wins, including for best picture, at the 97th Academy Awards.”Emilia Pérez” had the most nominations this year with 13, including nods for best picture, best director, best writing and multiple acting nominations. Karla Sofía Gascón made Oscar history when she became the first transgender woman to be nominated in any acting category when she received a best actress nomination for playing the film’s title role. Her Oscar campaign, however, has since become marred by…

Christopher Bell took home his second NASCAR victory in as many weeks, winning the checkered flag at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday.Bell also won the Ambetter Health 400 in Atlanta last week before taking home this year’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on the road course. Kyle Busch led for a decent chunk in the second half of the race but fell back in the closing laps after his right rear got messed up. Christopher Bell celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 2, 2025, in Austin,…

The Hague — A global campaign has led to at least 25 arrests over child sexual abuse content generated by artificial intelligence and distributed online, Europol said Friday. “Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material, making it exceptionally challenging for investigators due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes,” the Hague-based European police agency said in a statement. The majority of the arrests were made Wednesday during the world-wide operation led by the Danish police, and which also involved law enforcement agencies from the EU, Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.…

CNBC’s Contessa Brewer reports on news regarding Norwegian Cruise Line.

A 12-year-old boy from Tom Price is embarking on a business venture around town to keep bins sparkly and new. 

DEALING WITH A CHANGED AMERICA From a wider perspective, Asian countries have options if the US decides to upend its economic and security role in the region. One, it has been suggested that countries in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework go it alone without the US, which is likely to ditch the deal. Second, regional countries will have to work with middle powers, such as Quad members Australia, India and Japan. In January, for example, Japan and Indonesia boosted bilateral cooperation in defence, energy and food security. Third, some countries eyeing China – say, the Philippines and Vietnam in the…

Its soldiers are underpaid and underarmed. Its ranks are riddled with factions pursuing their own interests. And successive presidents are said to have kept it weak for fear of a coup.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has appeared too weak and dysfunctional to stop a militia that has swept through the eastern part of the country in recent weeks. The militia, called M23, has seized two major cities, two strategic airports and large stretches of Congolese territory.Félix Tshisekedi, the president, tried to prepare for this moment, strengthening his military to squash the thousands of fighters roaming in the east. But…

Declaring that “we are at a crossroads in history,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain said on Sunday that European countries would ramp up their military spending and assemble a “coalition of the willing” to defend any peace declared in Ukraine.Speaking at a news conference after hosting a meeting of 18 European leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Mr. Starmer said that “a number” of other nations had indicated that they could join with Britain and France and deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire between Kyiv and Moscow. He did not name those countries.Mr. Starmer…