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Native Plants Surge as Gardeners Try to Save Bees & Butterflies As insect populations decline, home gardens are changing. Native species—milkweed, coneflowers, goldenrod and native grasses—are transforming front yards and parkways into vital habitat for pollinators and birds. What was once a niche interest among ecological hobbyists is now a mainstream response to a global conservation problem: declining insect populations. Native plants are experiencing a renaissance. Groups dedicated to local species have ballooned in membership, retailers report surging sales, and homeowners are swapping turf for nectar-rich beds. What was once a niche interest among ecological hobbyists is now a mainstream response to a global conservation problem: declining insect populations. Numbers that matter While comprehensive national tracking is limited, regional indicators are clear. Native gardening groups across the Midwest have grown rapidly, and some garden centers report spring n...

Jennifer Aniston Buys Oprah Winfrey’s Montecito Villa for $14.75M Jennifer Aniston has quietly acquired a luxurious Tuscan-style villa in Montecito, California, from none other than Oprah Winfrey.   (Image credit: GettyImages The off-market transaction, valued at $14.75 million, adds another jewel to Aniston’s already impressive property portfolio and underscores Montecito’s status as the ultimate celebrity sanctuary. While the deal was kept under wraps, property records confirm the sale took place at the end of last month. Oprah, who originally purchased the estate in January 2021 for $10.48 million, sold it to Aniston through a trust named after her late dog, Dolly—a touching personal detail that adds warmth to the high-profile exchange. You can read more about the transaction on Homes & Gardens . Montecito: Where Privacy Meets Prestige Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Montecito has long been a magnet for celebrities seeking tranquility,...

In a stunning development that's sending shockwaves through Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has publicly called for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign immediately over his controversial vaccine policies and what Sanders calls "dangerous" opposition to proven public health measures. Bernie Sanders Demands RFK Jr.'s Resignation: "We've Got to Rally the American People" Over Vaccine Policies The dramatic escalation came just days after CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired for refusing to implement Kennedy's restrictive vaccine policies, leading to a mass exodus of top health officials and triggering rare bipartisan outrage. Sanders' Bold Call to Action "We've got to rally the American people. This is a huge issue," Sanders told Fox News Digital on Monday, making it clear that he's not just issuing a statement but mobilizing public opposition to Kennedy's leadership at HHS. As th...

Farmers Insurance has confirmed a data breach affecting over 1.1 million customers. The incident is linked to the ongoing Salesforce cyberattacks that have impacted major companies in 2025. Attackers exploited a third-party vendor on May 29, gaining access to sensitive customer details. Farmers Insurance confirms a Salesforce-linked cyberattack exposing the personal data of over 1.1 million customers. How the Breach Happened The intrusion began when hackers accessed a vendor database connected to Farmers’ systems. Monitoring tools detected suspicious activity quickly, allowing containment measures.  Farmers launched an investigation, involved law enforcement, and began notifying affected customers on August 22. What Data Was Exposed The stolen information includes names, addresses, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers . In some cases, the last four digits of Social Security numbers were also exposed. Farmers has assured customers that their core systems were not compromi...

China’s Diplomatic Campaign Following Trump’s Tariffs When U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April 2025, it sent shockwaves through the global trade system .  Countries scrambled to assess the economic fallout, but China quickly recognized an opportunity: if Washington appeared unstable, Beijing could present itself as a steady, reliable leader in international trade. The question is; has it worked? Credit: Wikimedia Commons / FISU Background of the Trump Tariff Escalation Trump’s initial tariff hike targeted almost every country, but China soon found itself singled out. After Beijing’s retaliatory measures, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 74% , then slapped on another 50% in a tit-for-tat escalation. Negotiations in May brought a temporary truce, but by June, tensions flared again. Trump accused China of breaking the agreement, then oddly followed it with a friendly phone call to Xi Jinping, promising an in-person visi...

The Trump administration is once again pressuring the Federal Reserve , as newly appointed Treasury Secretary  Scott Bessent  calls for immediate interest rate cuts.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent His appeal comes amid signs of economic uncertainty and inverted bond yields, often seen as a precursor to recession. The Trump administration is once again pressuring the Federal Reserve, as newly appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls for immediate interest rate cuts.  His appeal comes amid signs of economic uncertainty and inverted bond yields, which are often seen as a precursor to recession. “The bond market is clearly flashing caution,” Bessent said at a policy forum. “It's time for the Fed to respond accordingly.”  The administration believes that easing rates now would support consumer spending and business investment, especially with inflation easing. This stance aligns with President Trump’s pro-growth agenda, especially ahead of the 2...

A powerful explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas in Iran’s Hormozgan province early Saturday morning. Massive Blast Shakes Key Iranian Trade Hub Iranian state media confirmed that at least four people lost their lives, while more than 500 individuals suffered varying degrees of injuries.  The blast sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, visible from miles away, and disrupted vital commercial operations at one of Iran’s largest shipping hubs. Rescue Operations Underway Amidst Extensive Damage Emergency teams, led by the Iranian Red Crescent Society ’s Relief and Rescue Organization, quickly mobilized to control the situation.  Babak Mahmoudi, the organization's head, stated that the death toll might rise as search and rescue operations continue through the mangled wreckage. Hospitals in the Hormozgan province hav...

The escalating US-China trade war continues to send shockwaves through global markets, driving up trade costs and disrupting long-standing economic relationships. US-China Trade War Sparks Global Uncertainty and Shifting Alliance With each country slapping tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of goods, uncertainty looms over multinational corporations and investment flows.  Major companies like NVIDIA are already feeling the heat: potential losses could reach up to $5.5 billion due to Washington’s tightening restrictions on chip exports, specifically the H20 line, to China. Although a total economic decoupling between the two superpowers is improbable, the sustained friction is catalyzing a global realignment.  For instance, the European Union may find new openings to deepen its economic ties with China, even as it remains wary of issues such as industrial subsidies a...

In a high-stakes diplomatic move, US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for a three-hour conversation to break the deadlock in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.  Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, welcomes US special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, ahead of their meeting in Moscow. [Photo: Kristina Kormilitsyna/Pool/AFP] According to the Kremlin, the meeting brought the two sides' positions “closer,” raising cautious optimism about the possibility of restarting direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv for the first time since the war's early stages in 2022. This marks Witkoff’s third extended meeting with Putin since former US President Donald Trump re-entered the global diplomatic scene with renewed efforts to end the conflict, now well into its fourth year.  Witko...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track and punish those responsible for the brutal attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. Modi Vows to Hunt Down Terrorists After Kashmir Attack( Source ) The assault occurred in the Pahalgam area , a well-known tourist destination, marking the deadliest civilian attack in the region since 2000.  Speaking during a public address in Bihar, Modi promised justice, declaring that terrorists and their supporters would be pursued “to the ends of the Earth.” India swiftly blamed Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism. In response, New Delhi implemented a series of diplomatic measures: it closed a key border crossing, suspended the Indus water-sharing treaty, expelled Pakistani defence officials, and reduced its diplomatic mission in Islamabad.  Pakistan has denied involvement and stated it will discuss the situation in a national security meeting. Kashmir police named three suspected militants involved in the attack, tw...