Author: John Spears

The health of King Charles is reportedly deteriorating, with preparations for his funeral already underway at Buckingham Palace. The 75-year-old monarch has been largely absent from the public eye since revealing his cancer diagnosis in February. Despite efforts to remain optimistic, insiders close to the situation claim that King Charles is very unwell. While Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the specific type of cancer the King is battling, a detailed document outlining his funeral plans has been created and is regularly updated. Dubbed “Operation Menai Bridge,” the plan draws inspiration from Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and aims to ensure a smooth…

Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have made a groundbreaking discovery in the world of plant genetics. Leading a team of 279 scientists from around the globe, they successfully sequenced the genetic code of the parasitic plant Pilostyles aethiopica and reclassified its group within the plant kingdom. The study, which was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature, utilized a staggering 1.8 billion letters of genetic code from over 9,500 different plant species. By doing so, the researchers were able to shed light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants, providing valuable insights into their rapid diversification and dominance…

Swerd Media is excited to announce the upcoming release of ‘Another Crab’s Treasure’, a colorful soulslike game inspired by FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game follows the journey of a crab protagonist named Kril as he embarks on a quest to retrieve his stolen shell in a vibrant undersea world. One of the standout features of ‘Another Crab’s Treasure’ is its focus on accessibility. The game offers various assist options, remappable buttons, and the ability to pause gameplay, making it more inclusive for players of all skill levels. The combat system has been simplified to make it more accessible,…

The European Commission has launched an investigation into TikTok’s Lite app over child safety concerns. The app, which rewards users for watching and liking videos, has come under fire for its potentially addictive nature. The commission has expressed worries about the app’s impact on the mental health of users, especially minors. Users in France and Spain can earn points on TikTok Lite to exchange for goods through a rewards program. However, TikTok failed to provide a risk assessment for the spinoff app by the deadline, leading to potential suspension of the rewards program in the European Union. The company has…

A recent study conducted by Swerd Media has revealed a significant increase in the number of people working from home. The survey indicated that a whopping 75% of employees are now working remotely, a trend that has been on the rise in recent years. The surge in remote work can be attributed to various factors, such as advances in technology making it easier to work from anywhere, as well as changing attitudes towards flexible work arrangements. The benefits of working remotely are plentiful, with many employees reporting improved work-life balance and increased productivity. However, remote work does come with its…

The Lyrid meteor shower, the first major meteor shower of the year, is set to dazzle skywatchers with fireballs tonight. However, conditions for viewing may be less than ideal due to a nearly-full Moon at the peak of the shower. Despite this, the Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest-known meteor showers, with recorded observations dating back over 2,700 years. The peak time to see the Lyrid meteor shower in 2024 is Monday night, 22-23 April, with the radiant located in the constellation Lyra the Lyre. The radiant will rise higher in the sky as the night goes on…

The House is gearing up to vote on a series of important bills that will authorize new U.S. aid to Israel and Ukraine, along with security assistance for the Indo-Pacific region. One of the bills also includes a provision that would require the parent company of popular app TikTok to sell it within a year, or face a nationwide ban in the U.S. These bills are expected to pass in the House and move on to the Senate for approval. Speaker Mike Johnson has thrown his support behind the aid for Ukraine, in an effort to help the country fend…

The Federal Reserve is facing challenges and delays in implementing anticipated interest rate cuts due to disappointing inflation data. Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated a longer wait for rate cuts, sparking concerns that there may be no cuts at all. There is growing debate about the effectiveness of high borrowing costs in curbing demand and price growth, with some suggesting that restrictive monetary policies may need to be reconsidered. Economists are now expecting only two rate cuts this year, down from previous forecasts. Despite progress in inflation attributed to supply side improvements, strong demand continues to persist. Financial conditions are…

House Democrats joined forces with Republicans in a recent vote to advance Ukraine aid legislation, a move that not only supported Speaker Mike Johnson but also ensured critical assistance for Ukraine’s resistance to Russia. In a bipartisan effort, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of providing aid in a timely manner to effectively assist Ukraine. Despite facing opposition from rightwing rebels within his party, Johnson remains committed to pushing forward on a $95 billion aid bill intended for Kyiv, Israel, Taiwan, and allies. The aid package includes $61 billion specifically designated for the conflict in Ukraine, $26 billion…

The highly anticipated hush money business fraud trial of former President Donald Trump kicked off this week with jury selection in New York City. The process got off to a rocky start with challenges and two initial jurors being excused. Despite the early setbacks, a jury has been seated with only five alternates left to be selected. The trial is expected to be a bumpy ride, as there are restrictions on what the defense can know about the prosecution’s first witnesses. The seated jury is comprised of seven men and five women, including professionals such as an investment banker, speech…