Some people say you shouldn’t mix politics with fun things like music or puzzles. But history shows that when famous faces speak up, they often light a path through dark times. Think of Billie Holiday, whose song about injustice became a weapon against oppression. Even though she was dying, authorit
Venezuela’s government is making a move to take back control of Citgo, its prized U. S. oil company, but it’s not as simple as just appointing new leaders. The Trump-appointed interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, wants to replace Citgo’s current board—chosen by Venezuela’s opposition back in 2019—but
Bulgaria is preparing for another election on April 19, its eighth in five years. The caretaker government insists this vote will be cleaner than past ones, citing recent crackdowns on vote buying where police found cash and suspect lists. Criticism of the process has been constant, with groups like
This year has brought warmer temperatures sooner than usual to Santa Clarita Valley, waking up rattlesnakes earlier and pushing them into areas where people walk, hike, or just hang out. Unlike some animals that hide from cold, these snakes actually prefer the heat and become active as soon as the s
A new sports betting app wants you to try it out with a free $20 bonus. If you sign up and deposit at least $20 using the promo code WTOP, the money appears instantly in your account. The catch? You have to be in the US and at least 18 years old. The app focuses on predicting game outcomes rather th
Raccoons trash pandas are more than just pests rummaging through bins. Scientists at the University of British Columbia tested 20 captive raccoons with a clear box full of obstacles like latches and dials hiding a marshmallow prize. The team noticed something unexpected the raccoons didn’t just grab
Iran’s new president just took a bold step by writing directly to everyday Americans. His message? Stop believing everything you hear about Iran. In a post on a popular social media site, he argued that powerful governments often create enemies to push their own agendas. Instead of seeing Iran as a
In early 2024, Ripple rolled out new tools for big businesses. One was Ripple Treasury, a platform for companies to handle cash and digital money all in one place. Instead of waiting days for overseas payments, firms could now move funds in seconds using RLUSD, a dollar-backed stablecoin. Companies
The debate over funding for border security has left Congress at a standstill. Senate Republicans are pushing a plan to keep the Department of Homeland Security running, but Democrats have held back on negotiations for weeks. One senator from Kansas, who works on budget and tax issues, says the dela
A major investment firm just placed a big wager on a company most people don’t know much about. Jana Partners recently revealed it now owns 5. 4 million shares—worth about 5% of Alkami Technology. That’s according to a report filed with regulators on a recent Wednesday. The New York-based firm didn’
