Wildfires upend lives in Southern California. And, Jimmy Carter's state funeral

The OECD warns that Australian economic growth will slow in 2026 due to US President Trump's tariff agenda, with GDP growth expected to decline to 1.8% from 1.9% in 2025. Global growth is also projected to moderate, with higher trade barriers impacting investment and household spending. Inflation is expected to be higher than previously forecasted, with headline inflation in Australia predicted to reach 2.2% in 2026, allowing for continued policy rate reductions. Full Article

"Owen Cooper stars as Jamie Miller in the new Netflix drama Adolescence, which features a predominantly British cast and a unique filming style with all four episodes shot in one continuous take. The show required months of planning, weeks of rehearsals, and multiple full takes for each episode. Crew members disguised as extras helped ensure they stayed out of shot, and meticulous choreography guided the hour-long shoots. Mistakes during filming sometimes led to takes being...

Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani will participate in an annual EU conference in Brussels on March 17, 2025, focusing on Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction post-al-Assad regime. The EU plans to reveal additional funding, potentially involving the European Investment Bank, to support Syria’s transition and address humanitarian needs, amid concerns of a US aid freeze exacerbating the crisis. The EU is expected to increase financial commitments towards Syria’s reconstruction, aiming for a contribution similar to...

Brambles are considered a nuisance by woodland managers, but recent research has revealed that fallow deer surprisingly have a taste for them, as shown by analysis of plant DNA in their feces. This discovery sheds light on deer diets and their impact on woodland ecosystems, particularly as deer populations thrive in human-altered landscapes in the UK. The government's target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 may be at risk due to deer grazing on...

India and New Zealand signed a significant agreement to enhance their defense and security cooperation, with PM Modi raising concerns about anti-India activities in New Zealand. Both leaders discussed boosting bilateral ties in trade, defense, education, and agriculture, agreeing to prepare a roadmap for defense industry collaboration and affirming a joint stance against terrorism and extremist elements. Modi emphasized the need for strict action against perpetrators of terrorist attacks and reiterated their commitment to combatting...

In the two centuries since Montreal’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the local Irish community has evolved, with longtime attendee Rick Fitzgerald noting that it has become smaller and older. Fitzgerald, who has attended the parade 50 times, reflects on the changes that have taken place over the years, highlighting the shifting demographics within the community. Despite the changes, the tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Montreal continues to endure, albeit with a different...