Miami has entered a new political era. Eileen Higgins, a Democrat and former county commissioner, has won the city’s mayoral race, becoming the first Democrat to hold the position in almost three decades and the first woman ever elected as mayor of Miami.

Her victory—securing 59% of the vote in a decisive runoff—defeated Republican candidate Emilio Gonzalez, who had received high-profile endorsements from former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, but finished with 41%.

Speaking to supporters during her election night celebration, Higgins said,
“Miami chose a new direction… you chose competence over chaos.”
Her message echoed throughout a city that has long leaned Republican at the local political level, making her win even more significant.

A Historic Win and the Start of a New Chapter

At 61, Higgins has made history as Miami’s first female mayor, a milestone widely highlighted across U.S. media.
She told her supporters that the election results, while historic, are just the beginning.
“This marks the beginning of the work ahead,” she said.
Her priorities include addressing Miami’s growing concerns over immigration policies, affordable housing, governance, and inclusivity.

Higgins campaigned on promises to build a city “that belongs to everyone,” a clear contrast to the tone adopted by her opponent.
Her message resonated strongly among voters in a city where more than half of the population consists of immigrants or first-generation Americans.

Higgins vs Trump-Backed Gonzalez: A Clear Contrast

Although the race was technically non-partisan, the political contrast between the candidates was unmistakable.

• Gonzalez was openly backed by Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis.
• Higgins was supported by prominent Democrats, including former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

In an interview with El Pais, Higgins highlighted her opposing stance on immigration, saying,
“He [Trump] and I have very different points of view on how we should treat our residents, many of whom are immigrants.”

During the mayoral debate, she criticized the former president’s immigration enforcement policies as “inhumane and cruel.”

Still, she emphasized a willingness to collaborate on shared goals, telling CBS News,
“When we disagree, I’ll make my voice heard.”

Democrats Riding Momentum After Multiple Wins

Higgins’ victory follows a wave of Democratic wins in the first major elections of President Trump’s second term.

Recent victories include:

• Zohran Mamdani defeating independent Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race
• Abigail Spanberger flipping Virginia’s governor’s seat from Republican to Democrat
• Mikie Sherrill winning the governor’s race in New Jersey

Higgins now replaces outgoing mayor Francis Suarez, who briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination.

Miami’s mayoral win continues a trend of Democrats gaining ground in traditionally challenging territories.

Predicting the mood of a future year is no small task, but the Pantone Color Institute has been doing exactly that since 1999. For 2026, the global authority on color trends has selected a calm, airy shade of white — “Cloud Dancer” — as its official Color of the Year.

Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as “a billowy, balanced white imbued with a feeling of serenity.” At a time when technology saturates nearly every part of daily life, the institute believes this shade symbolizes a collective yearning to slow down, breathe, and reset.

A Color for New Beginnings

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained that the selection reflects the cultural push toward mindfulness.

As AI, automation, and digital intensity increase, Cloud Dancer represents a “calming influence in a frenetic society” and a reminder of the importance of measured consideration and quiet reflection.

Eiseman added that white is often associated with beginnings — and Cloud Dancer, specifically, “signifies our desire for a fresh start.”

How Pantone Chooses Its Color of the Year

Pantone’s team of color experts sifts through an entire year’s worth of cultural, political, fashion, and lifestyle influences. From macro trends to niche aesthetics, everything is analyzed through the lens of color psychology.

Laurie Pressman, Pantone’s vice-president, explained that even the name of the color plays a crucial role.

“The minute you hear a name describing color, you instantly conjure up an image,” she said.

Cloud Dancer’s name evokes softness, elevation, and calm — a deliberate choice reflecting emotional balance.

Why This Shade of White?

While white has always had a strong presence in fashion and design, Pantone’s choice is more nuanced.

Cloud Dancer strikes an equal balance between cool and warm undertones, creating comfort rather than sterility. Pressman noted that a brighter, harsher white would have felt “cold” and “isolating,” which runs counter to Pantone’s vision of optimism and natural authenticity.

This shade connects strongly to current fashion trends — such as billowy silhouettes, feathers, and textured natural fabrics.

Recent red carpet appearances have hinted at this shift:

• Diana Ross stunned at the Met Gala with a dramatic white feathered train.
• Emma Stone wore a Louis Vuitton bubble-hem white dress at the Venice Film Festival.
• Rosalía embraced clean, floaty white designs while promoting her album Lux.

Cloud Dancer in Interior Design

Beyond fashion, Cloud Dancer works seamlessly in home interiors. Eiseman characterizes it as:

“Clarity without coldness, structure without severity.”

It pairs naturally with wood, stone, ceramic finishes, and minimalist décor, creating peaceful spaces without feeling clinical.

Pantone’s Evolving Color Legacy

Pantone’s past selections reflect the emotional climates of their respective years:

• 2025: Mocha Mousse — a warm, comforting brown meant to soothe global tension
• 2024: Peach Fuzz — a soft, peaceful tone reflecting a desire for closeness and care

With Cloud Dancer, Pantone is signaling a future shaped by simplicity, reflection, and the pursuit of quiet optimism.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the internationally recognized actor whose commanding screen presence defined some of Hollywood’s most memorable villains and mentors, has died at the age of 75. His family confirmed that he passed away early Thursday in Santa Barbara due to complications from a stroke, surrounded by his children.

Tagawa’s career spanned more than four decades, with over 150 film, television, and video-game credits. For millions of fans around the world, he will forever be remembered as the iconic sorcerer Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat universe — a role he first brought to life in New Line Cinema’s 1995 film and later reprised in television series, animated projects, and multiple game installments, including Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.

A defining figure of the Mortal Kombat franchise

Tagawa’s performance as Shang Tsung became a cultural landmark. His unforgettable delivery of lines like “Your soul is mine” and his fierce, theatrical presence helped push Mortal Kombat into mainstream popularity.

The original film grossed over $100 million on a modest $20 million budget, with Tagawa’s role widely considered one of the reasons for its lasting success.

He often credited director Paul W.S. Anderson and the film’s groundbreaking use of energetic metal music for shaping the franchise’s identity, saying it “matched the action so well” that audiences couldn’t stay still.

His commitment to the character — lending his likeness, voice, and physicality across multiple projects — made him one of the most beloved actors in video-game adaptation history.

Breakout role and rise in Hollywood

Tagawa’s breakthrough came in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor (1987), where he played Chang, the emperor’s driver. Despite limited screen time, his performance left a mark and opened the door to major studio productions.

He went on to appear in a long list of high-profile films that explored intersections between Asian and Western cultures, including:

• License to Kill
• Rising Sun
• Snow Falling on Cedars
• Pearl Harbor
• Planet of the Apes
• Elektra
• Memoirs of a Geisha
• 47 Ronin

His skills in martial arts were frequently incorporated into his roles. Born in Tokyo, Tagawa began training in Kendo as a teenager and later practiced traditional Japanese karate at the University of Southern California. He later studied in Japan under Master Nakayama of the Japan Karate Association and eventually created his own system, Chun-Shin, focused on energy rather than combat.

A prolific presence on television

Beyond films, Tagawa also built an impressive television career. He appeared in many major series over the years, including:

• MacGyver
• Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Miami Vice
• Nash Bridges (as Lt. A.J. Shimamura)
• Hawaii (as Captain Terry Harada)
• Revenge (as Satoshi Takeda)
• Lost in Space
• Blue Eye Samurai (voice role)

However, one of his most critically acclaimed performances came in Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, where he played Nobusuke Tagomi, the Trade Minister of the Pacific States. His character’s layered ideology, inner conflict, and longing for peace resonated deeply with audiences.

Tagawa openly acknowledged parallels between Tagomi’s life and his own experience as a Japanese-born American navigating the post-war cultural landscape.

Early struggles and a global legacy

In interviews, Tagawa often spoke about the challenges of growing up as a Japanese child in the American South during the 1950s. Those experiences—marked by cultural tension, identity conflict, and discipline—shaped both his worldview and his approach to acting.

He worked with some of Hollywood’s most notable directors, including:

• Philip Kaufman
• Tim Burton
• Michael Bay
• Rob Marshall
• Ivan Reitman
• John Carpenter

His very first screen role was an uncredited appearance in Carpenter’s now-cult classic Big Trouble in Little China (1986). From there, his career grew rapidly, launching him into roles that would eventually make him a global icon.

Final years and family

Tagawa spent recent years living on the island of Kauai, where he and his wife Sally raised their children. Despite his fame, he often described his life in Hawaii as peaceful and grounding.

He is survived by:

• Three children: Calen, Brynne, and Cana
• Two grandchildren: River and Thea Clayton

His death marks the loss of a towering figure in both Hollywood cinema and the global martial-arts entertainment community. But Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa leaves behind a body of work, a legion of fans, and a legacy that will continue to inspire performers around the world.