More from Diane Duenez
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March Madness costs US economy $20 billion in lost productivity
As college basketball fans finalize their brackets for March Madness, employers brace for a significant drop in productivity. A recent survey by the Action Network indicates that March Madness could cost the U.S. economy $20 billion in lost productivity. On average, working fans plan to spend 2.4 hours per day checking scores, tracking brackets or… -
Pope Francis in stable condition at Rome hospital, shows gradual improvement
Pope Francis remains in stable condition at a Rome hospital, the Holy See Press Office reported. The pope still requires various therapies and is showing gradual improvement. In his Angelus message, the pontiff shared he is facing a period of trial. “I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick, fragile, at this… -
Four astronauts arrive at ISS on SpaceX capsule, replacing crew after 9 months
Four astronauts arrived at the International Space Station Sunday, March 16, aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule. The capsule docked in less than 48 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral. How many people are on the ISS now? Americans Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut… -
Cuba power outage affects more than 10 million amidst aging infrastructure
Cuba remained largely without power on Saturday, March 15, following a massive outage that impacted more than 10 million people. The grid collapsed on Friday night, March 14, according to a social media post from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which added that efforts were underway to restore service. By Saturday morning, officials reported… -
Trump orders airstrikes on Yemen targeting Houthi bases and leaders
President Donald Trump announced Saturday, March 15, that he ordered airstrikes on Yemen, targeting bases, leaders and missile defenses of terrorist forces. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the aerial attacks aimed to protect American shipping and restore navigational freedom. Trump also issued a warning to Iran, demanding an immediate end to its… -
Crackdown at the Border: Egg-smugglers Risk Getting Scrambled
Egg-smuggling attempts are on the rise as border patrol agents clamp down. The Wall Street Journal reports a 36% increase in “egg interceptions” nationwide, with a 54% rise along the Texas border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a sharp decline in egg prices on Tuesday, with the average cost now… -
FBI, CISA warn 1.8B Gmail accounts at risk from Medusa ransomware
Are you afraid of ghosts? You should be when it comes to your email. The FBI warns of “ghost attackers.” The ransomware attack threats are reportedly delivered by the United States Postal Service to your Google Gmail account. The FBI warns more than 1.8 billion accounts are at risk. Who has been affected by the attack?… -
With $37 billion spent on homelessness since 2019, CA audits reveal more issues
California officials are using audits to address concerns over the management of homelessness funding. Recent findings show mismanaged funds, a lack of accountability and individuals from outside the state using services. What have recent audits revealed? An audit released Thursday, March 6, of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) revealed the city is unable to track… -
VA may lay off 80,000 employees, NOAA and other agencies brace for cuts
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to begin mass layoffs as early as June 2025, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. The memo, dated March 6, instructed VA human resources teams to begin reviewing operations for a department-wide reduction in force. In a video posted on X, VA Secretary Doug Collins confirmed… -
Trump hints at TikTok sale as deadline approaches, multiple buyers interested
President Donald Trump said a sale of TikTok may be in the works, adding that four groups are interested in acquiring the social media giant. He called the four groups “good,” and claimed the final decision was up to him. “We’re dealing with four different groups, and a lot of people want it. It’s up… -
Transportation sec. rescinds memos on environment, social justice infrastructure
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Monday, March 10 that his department will roll back two Biden-era memos that incorporated social justice and environmental considerations into infrastructure project planning. The change in policy aims to shift focus to traditional infrastructure priorities and discard additional requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions and equity. “Under President Trump’s leadership,… -
Billions of cicadas to emerge in 13 states this spring, Ky. and Tenn. to see most
As temperatures rise, residents in 13 states will soon witness billions of cicadas emerging from underground. Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, told USA Today that Brood XIV should start appearing in northern Georgia in mid-to-late April. Further north, they are expected to appear in May and remain until the end of June. In addition… -
Man shot by Secret Service near White House, investigation underway
Authorities have not released the identity of the man shot by U.S. Secret Service agents near the White House early Sunday morning, March 9. The agency said in a statement that they were alerted by Washington D.C. police about a suicidal man traveling from Indiana to the nation’s capital. Authorities located the man’s car near…