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The Parisian-inspired Bellevue-Stratford was Philadelphia's first grand hotel and was built in 1904 as the city's answer to New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Today, it's known simply as the Bellvue.

After surviving its latest near-death experience, the Bellevue offers lessons for today’s Philadelphia

The new incarnation of the “Grand Dame of Broad Street” includes several public attractions along with luxury apartments and fancy ballrooms.

Inga Saffron | Columnist, For The Inquirer2 hours ago

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take questions during a February news conference at the White House.

Trump’s Gaza diplomacy has failed. Will he break with Netanyahu and reverse course?

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

The second season of the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast "Suave" is out now.

I thought juvenile lifer Suave Gonzalez got his happy ending. Then he faced the real world.

Helen Ubiñas | Columnist

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, of Ghana, celebrates a Mass at St. Liborius' parish church in Rome in March 2013. Turkson is one of the cardinals who are considered "popeable" and will be an elector at the conclave to choose Pope Francis' successor in early May.

It’s time for a Black pope for the Catholic Church. Actually, it’s way past time.

Jenice Armstrong | Columnist

The 2025 Volvo V60 looks pretty much the same as ever, but the Polestar engineering adds a lot to the experience.

2025 Volvo V60 Polestar: Have I died and gone to Europe?

Scott Sturgis | Columnist

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In this combination of file photos, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are seen at the Elysee Palace, Dec. 7, 2024, in Paris, and Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a Technology Forum in Moscow on Feb. 21, 2025.

Trump’s ongoing kowtow to Putin ensures failure of ‘peace’ talks on war in Ukraine

As Moscow's economy weakens, now is the time for tighter U.S. sanctions to force Kremlin concessions.

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

From left, Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20.

The stunning grift of Trump’s inaugural fund | Will Bunch Newsletter

Plus, why young people aren’t out protesting

Will Bunch | Columnist

Pope Francis delivers a speech at Independence Hall on Sept. 26, 2015.

Pope Francis, a.k.a. ‘Frankie da Pope,’ brought a world of joy to Philadelphia in 2015

From papal bobbleheads and cheese sculptures to pterodactyl maps, Philly was lit for Pope Francis' 2015 visit.

Stephanie Farr | Columnist

Judy Bardes, a 93-year-old resident of the Quadrangle senior community in Haverford, joined about 85 other residents along Darby Road on Saturday to protest Donald Trump's presidency.

In Haverford, 80-somethings and 90-somethings take to the road to protest Trump

They saw the Holocaust, WWII, and Vietnam, and these senior protesters on the Main Line have seen enough of Trump.

Will Bunch | Columnist

President Donald Trump, (from right) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attend a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10.

Trump’s cult of ignorance undermines policy at home and abroad

His fearful team refuses to critique his ill-informed tariff wars, attacks on universities, or ego-driven foreign policy.

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

Egyptian Hall is one of seven rooms open to the public during guided tours of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.

Philly’s own ‘Temple of Doom’ has fossils in the floors, stars in the ceiling, and an Egyptian room

I finally pulled back the veil and toured this enigmatic landmark I’ve passed by so many times.

Stephanie Farr | Columnist

At a journalism conference in Italy, where the scars of fascism are etched deep into the landscape and the culture, nearly every conversation circled back to the creeping authoritarianism of a second Trump term, writes Helen Ubiñas.

Warnings from a global writing festival as U.S. democracy hangs by a thread

The world is sounding the alarm as Donald Trump runs the well-worn authoritarian playbook. Are we listening?

Helen Ubiñas | Columnist

This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Why Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the Jenga piece that could topple the American Experiment

The Trump regime lies about a Salvadoran laborer and dad because the truth of his humanity could unravel its dream of autocracy.

Will Bunch | Columnist

A woman places her ballot in a box during early voting in Waukesha, Wis., Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

The SAVE Act would be bad news for voters

We need to oppose any roadblocks Republican politicians dream up to try and get between hardworking Americans and our constitutional right to cast a ballot.

Jenice Armstrong | Columnist

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV continues the snazzy design language of the company’s vehicles. The EV comes in many forms and drivetrains.

2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD: It’s one among many

The new EV from Chevrolet offers many versions, comes in front-, all-, and even rear-wheel drive, and some impressive ranges. There’s a lot to like about it, just like many other EVs.

Scott Sturgis | Columnist

A statue of Paul Revere in Boston's North End. It is a bitter irony that the 250th anniversary of Revere's ride will take place under President Donald Trump, who is trashing the rule of law and the spirit of U.S. independence, writes Trudy Rubin.

The 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride reminds us that ordinary citizens can defeat tyrants

President Donald Trump's assault on the rule of law is an effort to destroy the values for which the Founding Fathers fought.

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

A photo from inside the Pennsylvania governor's residence shows the extent of the damage inside the home, where an arsonist set fire Sunday morning. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family had celebrated Passover in the same room just hours before the fire was set. They evacuated the home safely.

Cody Balmer and the banality of U.S. hate | Will Bunch Newsletter

Plus, what I learned from Daisy, the red golden retriever

Will Bunch | Columnist

Protesters hold a flag upside down as they gather in Center City during a “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump near the Independence Visitor Center on April 5.

I love seeing anti-Trump protests. Like many other Black folks, I won’t be joining them.

This is not something our community is doing out of spite — it's fairness: Trump is white America's creation, so it’s only fitting white Americans take the lead in fixing this mess.

Solomon Jones | Columnist

When this is over, U.S. rights abusers must be tried for crimes against humanity

Escalating reports of human rights crimes from Kristi Noem's propaganda to ICE cruelty must be wiped clean with justice.

Will Bunch | Columnist

An artist's conceptual rendering of the 30-foot-tall Chronos portal that will be erected at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs from May 16 to 18.

Philly is getting a second, very different portal at the ‘Rocky steps’

The 30-foot "Chronos" portal is a promotional advertisement that will be erected at one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

Stephanie Farr | Columnist

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