Space

NASA scientist warns there’s no way to stop thousands of city-killing asteroids from striking Earth

NASA planetary defense officer Kelly Fast warns that humanity is largely defenseless against up to 15,000 undetected “city-killer” asteroids, roughly 500 feet across, which could cause regional devastation. While large asteroids are tracked and smaller ones frequently hit Earth harmlessly, these mid-sized asteroids are difficult to detect because they orbit close to Earth and reflect little sunlight. To address this, scientists plan to launch the … Continue reading NASA scientist warns there’s no way to stop thousands of city-killing asteroids from striking Earth

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Space

NASA begins countdown for Artemis II wet dress rehearsal

NASA has begun the second wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission at Kennedy Space Center, with a simulated launch window set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. The multi-day test runs through full launch operations, including loading cryogenic propellant into the Space Launch System rocket and practicing countdown procedures. Teams at Johnson Space Center and other NASA centers are supporting the exercise to ensure … Continue reading NASA begins countdown for Artemis II wet dress rehearsal

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Space

Saturn’s Moon Enceladus Reveals Hidden Giant Electromagnetic Web

Enceladus, one of Saturn’s smallest moons at just 500 kilometers across, has been found to generate surprisingly vast and complex electromagnetic waves, far beyond its physical size. Data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft revealed that the moon’s water geysers release charged particles, forming a plasma that interacts with Saturn’s magnetic field to produce Alfvén waves. These waves travel hundreds of thousands of kilometers, reflecting off Saturn’s … Continue reading Saturn’s Moon Enceladus Reveals Hidden Giant Electromagnetic Web

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Business

Bayer agrees to pay billions to settle Roundup lawsuits

Bayer has proposed a $7.25 billion (€6.1 billion) nationwide settlement to resolve roughly 65,000 U.S. lawsuits claiming its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiffs allege exposure to Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, led to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers, while Bayer maintains decades of studies show it is safe and denies wrongdoing. The settlement would involve annual payments over 21 years, with amounts varying based on use, … Continue reading Bayer agrees to pay billions to settle Roundup lawsuits

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Business

Wall St rises as tech stocks recoup some losses

U.S. stock indexes rose Wednesday as technology shares rebounded after an AI-driven selloff, while investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting. The S&P 500 software and services sector climbed 1.4%, led by a 9.5% gain in Cadence Design Systems, though Palo Alto Networks fell 6.3% after lowering its profit forecast. Megacap tech companies also advanced, with Nvidia up 2.6% following a multi-year … Continue reading Wall St rises as tech stocks recoup some losses

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Business

Meta CEO to testify in high-stakes trial that could cost Big Tech billions

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court in a landmark case, K.G.M. v. Meta Platforms, over claims that social media platforms harm children. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old California woman, alleges that Meta and other companies engineered their platforms to addict young users, contributing to her depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta and Google’s YouTube deny the claims, citing safety features, parental … Continue reading Meta CEO to testify in high-stakes trial that could cost Big Tech billions

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Politics

Mamdani threatens to raise New York property tax if wealth tax isn’t passed

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled two budget proposals to address the city’s growing deficit: raising taxes on the wealthiest residents and corporations, or, as a last resort, a 9.5% property tax hike affecting millions of homes and commercial properties. Mamdani emphasized that taxing the wealthy is the fairer and more sustainable option, warning that relying on property taxes and reserves would burden working- and … Continue reading Mamdani threatens to raise New York property tax if wealth tax isn’t passed

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Politics

Trump sued over plan to ‘bring car prices tumbling down dramatically’

Environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the Trump administration’s plan to roll back federal emissions and fuel economy standards. The lawsuit challenges the EPA’s decision to rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which identified greenhouse gas emissions from cars as a threat to public health and underpins current fuel efficiency rules. The administration … Continue reading Trump sued over plan to ‘bring car prices tumbling down dramatically’

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Politics

France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

French President Emmanuel Macron met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai to strengthen economic and strategic ties amid global uncertainty. Their talks emphasized expanding cooperation beyond defense to trade, technology, energy, and space, with France positioning itself as a reliable European partner for India. The leaders inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Karnataka, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. … Continue reading France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

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Politics

Vatican says it will not participate in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

The Vatican announced it will not join U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” saying crisis management should be led by the United Nations, according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The board, initially meant to oversee Gaza’s temporary governance under Trump’s plan, aims to expand to global conflicts, with its first meeting set in Washington this Thursday. Italy and the European Union plan to attend as … Continue reading Vatican says it will not participate in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

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Politics

Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants to cooperate with US

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, recently reappointed after a landslide election, said she aims to deepen ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and expand cooperation in rare earths and economic security during her Washington visit next month. Takaichi plans to bolster Japan’s military capabilities, increase defense spending, lift the ban on lethal weapons exports, and consider developing a nuclear-powered submarine, while pursuing ultra-conservative social policies … Continue reading Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants to cooperate with US

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U.S. News

Residents evacuate, firefighters injured as Oklahoma wildfires blaze

Multiple wildfires are raging across Oklahoma, prompting evacuations and injuring firefighters amid extreme fire conditions. The 43 Road Fire near Woodward has burned about 2,000 acres, leading to evacuations of 3,000–4,000 residents, while the massive Ranger Road Fire in Beaver County has consumed over 145,000 acres and spread into Kansas. At least four firefighters have been injured, including three in an overturned fire truck, and … Continue reading Residents evacuate, firefighters injured as Oklahoma wildfires blaze

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U.S. News

Death toll rises to 5 after multi-vehicle crash on Colorado’s I-25 near Pueblo

Five people died in a major crash on northbound I-25, including four confirmed from southern Colorado: two men from Walsenburg, a woman from Pueblo, and a woman from Rye; the identity of the fifth victim was not released. The collision involved 29 passenger vehicles and seven semis, one of which was towing a trailer carrying goats, four of which were killed. State troopers are investigating … Continue reading Death toll rises to 5 after multi-vehicle crash on Colorado’s I-25 near Pueblo

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U.S. News

Potomac River E-coli levels skyrocket after 240 million gallons of sewage pour into waterway

A massive sewer pipe collapse north of Washington, D.C., has spilled 243.5 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River, creating what the EPA calls an ecological crisis of “historic proportion.” Tests showed E. coli levels hundreds of times above safe limits, prompting DC Water to warn residents to avoid the river and take precautions if exposed. Emergency crews are treating calls near the … Continue reading Potomac River E-coli levels skyrocket after 240 million gallons of sewage pour into waterway

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U.S. News

Epstein files suggest acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts

A UN human rights council panel of independent experts said millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein point to a “global criminal enterprise” whose actions may meet the legal threshold for crimes against humanity. The experts highlighted that the crimes occurred against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, misogyny, racism, and corruption, resulting in the commodification and dehumanization of women and girls. They called for an … Continue reading Epstein files suggest acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts

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U.S. News

Dangerous conditions in search for skiers missing in avalanche near California’s Lake Tahoe

Rescue teams are searching for nine skiers missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, facing winds up to 40 mph and blizzard-like conditions. The group of 15 skiers and guides was in the Castle Peak backcountry area, known for deep snow, rugged terrain, and no ski patrol. Six skiers have been rescued with varying injuries, two of whom were hospitalized. Authorities warned that the difficult … Continue reading Dangerous conditions in search for skiers missing in avalanche near California’s Lake Tahoe

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World News

Russian Military Reports Largest Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks Since Early January

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses destroyed over 150 Ukrainian drones overnight, marking one of the largest such attacks this year. Most drones were downed over the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, Crimea, and the Krasnodar region, causing minor injuries to a 9-year-old boy and damage to homes, vehicles, and gas pipelines. In Krasnodar, Ukrainian strikes sparked a fire at the Ilsky Oil … Continue reading Russian Military Reports Largest Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks Since Early January

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World News

Gabon blocks social media after protests and strikes

The government of Gabon has ordered an immediate and indefinite block on social media platforms, citing the spread of false information, defamation, and data protection concerns. Residents of the capital, Libreville, reported that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok were inaccessible, though messaging apps like WhatsApp continued to function. The move comes amid growing protests over the rising cost of living and low wages in the oil-rich … Continue reading Gabon blocks social media after protests and strikes

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World News

British Police investigating claims that Epstein trafficked women through UK airports

British police have expanded their review of Jeffrey Epstein’s links to the UK, confirming for the first time they are assessing claims that he used private flights into British airports to traffic women. The move follows comments by former prime minister Gordon Brown, who cited newly released U.S. files alleging Epstein flew women into Stansted Airport. Four forces — including Essex Police, Thames Valley Police, … Continue reading British Police investigating claims that Epstein trafficked women through UK airports

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World News

France arrests nine in right-wing activist’s death

French authorities arrested nine suspects in connection with the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon. Prosecutor Thierry Dran said six suspects are believed to have taken part in the beating, while three allegedly assisted them. The attack occurred on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician, and video footage aired by TF1 showed multiple people assaulting victims with what witnesses … Continue reading France arrests nine in right-wing activist’s death

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World News

Cuban drivers face monthslong wait for gasolin

Drivers in Cuba are facing waits of weeks or even months to refuel as worsening fuel shortages grip the island. The government now requires motorists to use a state-run app called Ticket to schedule gas station appointments, but many report thousands of bookings ahead of them. Subsidized fuel sales in local currency have been halted, with gasoline now sold only in U.S. dollars at $1.30 … Continue reading Cuban drivers face monthslong wait for gasolin

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U.S. News

Mistrial declared in Texas ICE detention center ambush trial over defense lawyer’s T-shirt

A federal judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case of nine alleged Antifa members accused of ambushing a police officer at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center. The mistrial was triggered by defense attorney MarQuetta Clayton wearing a T‑shirt featuring civil rights icons Shirley Chisholm and Martin Luther King Jr. during jury selection. Judge Mark Pittman said the shirt was inappropriate and scheduled a show‑cause … Continue reading Mistrial declared in Texas ICE detention center ambush trial over defense lawyer’s T-shirt

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World News

U.S. releases new details on alleged secret Chinese nuclear test

The U.S. government has released intelligence alleging that China conducted a secret nuclear test in 2020 at its Lop Nur site, detected as a small 2.75-magnitude seismic event in Kazakhstan. Christopher Yeaw, assistant secretary for arms control and nonproliferation, described the tremor as “quite consistent” with a nuclear explosion, though independent experts caution that the evidence is limited and inconclusive. Ben Dando of NORSAR noted … Continue reading U.S. releases new details on alleged secret Chinese nuclear test

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Politics

Peru’s Congress removes interim President Jerí as he faces a corruption probe

Peru’s Congress voted Tuesday to remove interim President José Jerí amid corruption allegations, deepening political instability just weeks before the April elections. Jerí, who assumed office on Oct. 10 after predecessor Dina Boluarte was dismissed, faces a preliminary investigation over undisclosed December meetings with two Chinese executives, which he denies were improper. With 75 votes in favor, Congress will now select a new interim president … Continue reading Peru’s Congress removes interim President Jerí as he faces a corruption probe

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Space

NASA Mars rover finds new clues pointing to past life on Mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover may have brought scientists closer to finding signs of past life on Mars after detecting organic compounds in a rock sample nearly a year ago. While such compounds can form through non-biological processes, researchers concluded that these alone could not account for the findings, leaving open the possibility that life once existed on the planet. The study, published Feb. 4 in Astrobiology, … Continue reading NASA Mars rover finds new clues pointing to past life on Mars

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