Contemporary blueser Samantha Fish hits UK venues in late February, with mainland European and US shows beginning in March

The House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on April 10, 2025, aiming to ensure that only U.S. citizens can register to vote in federal elections. It passed with only one vote. The SAVE Act, formally known as H.R. 22, requires states to obtain documentary proof of citizenship before registering individuals […] The post House Passes SAVE Act with One GOP Vote, It’s DOA in the Senate appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives narrowly passed a measure to overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada on Wednesday. Six Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the measure 219-211. The Republicans who voted in favor of the measure were Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Kevin Kiley of California, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Dan Newhouse of Washington, and Jeff Hurd of Colorado. The resolution, which was introduced by Democratic New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, mostly serves as a symbolic rebuke of Trump’s far-reaching trade policies, but it also shows how the Republican Party’s dwindling control of the House is already coming with consequences. The anti-tariff measure advanced by a vote of 217-214 thanks to a united Democratic front and the votes of three Republicans: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kevin Kiley of California, and Don Bacon of Nebraska. Shortly before the vote, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Canada has taken advantage of the United States on Trade for many years. They are among the worst in the World to deal with, especially as it relates to our Northern Border. TARIFFS make a WIN for us, EASY. Republicans must keep it that way!” On Tuesday, the House cleared the way for the anti-tariff resolution and set up more potential votes on Trump’s tariffs in the near future. Tuesday’s procedural vote, which was approved by when Democrats and those three same Republicans, shot down a rule that blocked members from proposing resolutions to reject Trump’s tariffs. After the successful vote pushing back on Trump’s Canada tariffs, Democrats are soon expected to bring up more resolutions rejecting the president’s tariffs on Mexico and Brazil, POLITICO reported. Even though the resolution likely won’t go anywhere past the House, the vote still takes time away from other matters that the lower chamber could be debating and voting on, including major parts of Trump’s agenda. That fact was acknowledged by Bacon, who voted in favor of the resolution. “I don’t like putting the important work of the House on pause, but Congress needs to be able to debate on tariffs,” said Bacon, who has bucked Trump and the Republican Party on multiple occasions. “Tariffs have been a ‘net negative’ for the economy and are a significant tax that American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers are paying,” Bacon argued. “Article I of the Constitution places authority over taxes and tariffs with Congress for a reason, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch. It’s time for Congress to reclaim that responsibility.” The resolution now advances to the Republican-controlled Senate, and even if the upper chamber passed the resolution, it would then have to be signed by the president whose tariffs it seeks to shoot down. While the House resolution will almost assuredly hit a dead end, it represents a growing issue for Republicans as they seek to address the economy and prepare for tightly contested midterm elections. Trump’s tariffs have also faced scrutiny at the Supreme Court, which could drop a ruling on the issue as early as this month. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who has his hands full trying to keep the small Republican majority in line, said the vote was “a big mistake.” “I don’t think we need to go down the road of trying to limit the president’s power while he is in the midst of negotiating America-first trade agreements with nations around the world,” Johnson told Fox Business on Wednesday, adding, “The tariffs [have] been a tool that the president has used very effectively to level the playing field and put America back on top, and I think it’s wrong for Congress to step in the middle of that.” Since the beginning of 2025, Johnson has been tasked with uniting Republicans while holding the narrowest House majority in modern history. What began as a 220-215 Republican majority at the beginning of this term dwindled to a 218-213 majority following the resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and the death of California Rep. Doug LaMalfa. Democrat Christian Menefee’s victory in a Texas special election earlier this month further reduced the GOP majority to 218-214, where it currently stands. The GOP could soon receive another blow, as the Florida Congressman Neal Dunn is reportedly planning to announce his immediate resignation next week. Dunn already said he would not seek re-election in 2026, but a resignation before the election would drop the Republican Party’s majority to just three seats.

The FDA is zeroing in on chemical food preservatives and making changes to food labels, aiming to bring American food more in line with European standards and make labels clearer. The agency announced on Tuesday that is plans to review a preservative called BHA, which is commonly used in many processed foods. FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary says that the preservative may contribute to cancer. “About 4,600 different types of food that are common in the U.S. Food supply have BHA. It’s an ingredient that’s found in rubber, in plastic, in glue,” Makary told The Daily Wire. “A National Toxicology Program assessment said that there’s a reasonable anticipation that it’s carcinogenic or cancer-causing.” In addition to BHA, the FDA is also taking a closer look at two other compounds called BHT and azodicarbonamide. “BHT is very common in cereal. It’s known to be a hormone disruptor,” Makary said, “and azodicarbonamide, which is a dough conditioner, is what gives yoga mats the sort of air bubbles to give it the cushion.” “It’s also used in shoes to make them more springy. And it’s also found in breads and foods, and it just doesn’t make sense that the same chemicals used to condition yoga mats and shoes are also being used in food for children,” the commissioner said. The chemicals under review have already been banned by most of Europe. They became staples of processed foods in the United States because they were protected under an FDA rule known as GRAS, or generally recognized as safe. The rule allowed companies to self-declare chemicals as safe. “It was originally intended for things like salt, and things that were naturally in the environment, but companies over time used this loophole to be able to self declare chemicals as safe without any real good, solid testing, and then just insert them into the food, not because it added any taste or flavor, but because it increased the shelf life of certain foods,” said Makary. “Now that this medical field has matured and caught up. The data now shows that there are health concerns with some of these chemicals,” he added. Alternatives to these popular preservatives are cost neutral, according to Makary, so replacing them will not place any additional costs on companies. The FDA is also rolling out new rules regarding food labels, specifically regarding claims around artificial dyes. “The FDA is making it very clear what these labels should mean, and what the criteria are. For example, the label, ‘no artificial dyes’ will now mean no artificial dyes. In the past, if you used a natural dye from natural ingredients, you could not use that label, and it created a lot of confusion among parents shopping for groceries for their kids,” said Makary. “Now, you can trust that label, ‘no artificial dyes.’ And at the same time, the FDA approved last week two new natural dyes that can be used as alternatives to the petroleum artificial dyes, and that’s what we need to do,” he added.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cancer often feels like a disease beyond our control, but according to new global research, that isn’t always the case. A significant number of cancer diagnoses could be prevented simply by reducing two common lifestyle habits. A comprehensive analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO), published in Nature Medicine, estimates that more than one-third of cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were linked to modifiable risk factors. In other words, millions of cases each year are potentially preventable. “These preventable causes represent one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden,” said Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, medical epidemiologist at WHO and senior author of the study. What the data shows Globally, there were nearly 19 million new cancer diagnoses in 2022. According to the WHO analysis, roughly 38 percent of those (around 7.2 million cases) were linked to 30 modifiable risk factors. These include behaviors, exposures, and health conditions that individuals or societies can potentially change or control. While the list of risk factors is extensive, ranging from occupational exposures to air pollution and infectious diseases, two habits stood out: tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Smoking remains the top preventable cause Tobacco use was the single largest contributor to cancer, responsible for 15 percent of all global cases in 2022. Among men, the numbers were even more stark, with smoking linked to 23 percent of all new cancer diagnoses. Despite decades of public health campaigns, tobacco remains deeply entrenched in many countries, particularly in regions with fewer smoking regulations or access to cessation resources. Alcohol is a strong second The second most common lifestyle-related risk was alcohol consumption, which accounted for approximately 3.2 percent of new cancer cases, or about 700,000 cases globally. While alcohol’s role in cancer risk is often underestimated, it’s now well-established as a carcinogen. Regular or excessive drinking has been linked to cancers of the liver, breast, esophagus, and more. Environmental and infectious risks still matter Not all risks are behavioral. The study also found that infections accounted for about 10 percent of global cancer cases. Among women, the largest share was due to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which can lead to cervical cancer. While an effective HPV vaccine exists, access and uptake remain low in many parts of the world. Air pollution also plays a significant role, especially when it comes to lung cancer. In East Asia, around 15 percent of lung cancer cases in women were linked to poor air quality. In Northern Africa and Western Asia, about 20 percent of lung cancer cases in men were tied to air pollution. For men, stomach cancer, which is often linked to smoking and infections resulting from overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and limited clean water access, is also a notable concern. Why prevention matters now more than ever The findings underscore how targeted action both at the individual and governmental level can make a meaningful dent in cancer rates. “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start,” said Dr. André Ilbawi, WHO’s team lead for cancer control and a co-author of the study. Prevention strategies include smoking cessation programs, increased access to vaccines like HPV, better regulation of environmental pollutants, and global education on the risks of alcohol and tobacco. The path forward: small steps, big impact While cancer will never be entirely preventable, this new data offers a roadmap for reducing its burden in meaningful ways. By addressing smoking and drinking, two behaviours that we are in control over, we could prevent millions of cancer cases each year. Public health infrastructure, global cooperation, and personal choice all play a role in that change. The tools exist—we just need to use them.   Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Most cancer cases are preventable: the 2 lifestyle habits largely to blame first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For many of us, friendships were once built on shared space and spontaneous time. We grew close during overlapping class schedules, long shifts at work, or simply passing each other in the hallway day after day. Those early connections often felt effortless, woven into the fabric of daily life without the need for coordination or cost. As we move into adulthood, that kind of natural proximity often fades. Friends relocate, jobs shift, and routines become more complex. In its place, we carve out time, more often than not a lunch, a dinner, or a weekend coffee date, and we mark it on the calendar like an appointment. These scheduled catch-ups can be lovely, but they also reflect a shift: where friendship was once integrated into life, it now risks becoming another task to manage. Adding to the challenge is the reality that socializing often carries a price tag. Meals out, drinks, and even the occasional weekend getaway can strain different budgets unevenly, especially as friends navigate varying life stages and financial responsibilities. And while reminiscing over entrees has its place, it can sometimes feel as though the relationship is standing still, orbiting around past stories rather than generating new ones. Fortunately, shared experience doesn’t have to be expensive or formal to be meaningful. Why everyday life creates deeper connection There’s a reason long-term romantic partners often speak fondly of doing ordinary things together. Time spent running errands, folding laundry, and cooking dinner are seemingly unremarkable activities, even mundane. However, these moments can actually be the most intimate ones, creating space for connection and deepened trust. Friendships can thrive in that same environment. When we invite friends into the unscripted parts of our lives—the messiness, the errands, the downtime—we offer a different kind of closeness. One that doesn’t rely on planning or payment, but on presence. The shift isn’t about eliminating outings or dinners. It’s about expanding what friendship can look like, and rediscovering the ease and richness of simply sharing time. Easy ways to spend time together at home Instead of coordinating another night out, consider inviting a friend into your real, lived-in life. Here are a few ideas that blend connection with comfort and practicality: Try cooking a new recipe together, then split the cleanup while you catch up. If you both work remotely, spend a few hours co-working in the same space and take breaks together. Trade off helping each other with chores. Organize their closet one week, tackle your pantry the next. Host a casual night of letter writing, card making, or gift wrapping around the holidays (or just because). Spend a sunny afternoon outside reading, gardening, or simply chatting on the porch. Plan a low-key spa day with homemade facials and a calming YouTube yoga class. Batch-cook freezer meals to prep for busy weeks ahead. Help each other mend or repair clothing while swapping life updates. Throw a themed dinner night that keeps things light and playful. Pick a versatile ingredient and see how everyone uses it! Turning errands and routines into quality time Some of the best conversations happen in motion, when attention is shared between a task and a friend. Everyday errands offer a surprisingly good backdrop for connection: Take a walk or hike a local trail while the weather’s good. Volunteer side-by-side for a cause you both care about. Combine grocery shopping trips and swap recipe ideas as you go. Walk your dogs together, or tag along to a vet appointment for moral support. Invite a friend to ride along while you tick off errands. Picking up dry cleaning, swinging by the post office, and visiting the hardware store are all more fun tasks with good company. Sign up for a run or try a new physical activity or sport together. Friendship as part of real life Special occasions will always have their place. A beautifully plated dinner, a spontaneous night out, or a weekend getaway can be so nourishing. But these moments don’t need to carry the full weight of a relationship. When we reserve our connections for restaurant tables or holiday calendars, we risk turning friendship into something occasional and ornamental, when it can be something much more enduring. By welcoming our friends into our ordinary days, we invite the kind of closeness that doesn’t rely on performance or polish. These are the friendships that grow in kitchens, on porches, and in backseats during errands. They’re built not on novelty, but on trust, and they’re sustained by shared experience rather than expense. Over time, this kind of friendship becomes its own reward: consistent, grounding, and rich with new stories made not by planning more, but by sharing more of what’s already happening.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post How to nurture deeper friendships without going out or spending a dime first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'Trump’s post and has been deleted'

Drought conditions persist in many areas of the South and Southern Plains, particularly in Arkansas and parts of Georgia

'Republicans are invoking historical policies'