Space

Falcon Heavy flies its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), marking the first time the U.S. spy satellite agency has used the powerful rocket. The NROL-97 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida late October 1 and carried a classified payload whose exact purpose and destination remain undisclosed.  The Falcon Heavy uses three Falcon 9-derived boosters and has now completed its 14th … Continue reading Falcon Heavy flies its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency

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Space

Dragon Docks Bringing SpaceX Crew-13 to Station

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft carrying four Crew-13 astronauts successfully docked with the International Space Station on October 1. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov reached the station about 7 hours and 55 minutes after launch, setting a record for the fastest U.S. spacecraft launch-to-docking time at the ISS.  The crew opened the Dragon’s hatch at 9:19 p.m. … Continue reading Dragon Docks Bringing SpaceX Crew-13 to Station

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Technology

Chinese start-up behind laser mosquito killer plans to start shipping orders this month

A Chinese startup, Photon Matrix Lab, is preparing to ship a laser-based mosquito killer that uses LiDAR, AI and lasers to detect and eliminate mosquitoes in midair. The company attracted more than 4,000 customers from over 50 countries through crowdfunding, raising about $2.7 million for the product. The first batch is expected to ship later this month, with initial production planned at 3,000 to 5,000 units per monthbefore … Continue reading Chinese start-up behind laser mosquito killer plans to start shipping orders this month

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Business

Ford fends off Hyundai to retain No. 3 U.S. sales position in third quarter

Ford reported 509,764 U.S. vehicle sales in the third quarter, down 6.6% from a year earlier, partly because it phased out the Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Ford said that excluding those discontinued models, its sales volume was essentially flat while the overall U.S. auto market declined about 1%.  Truck sales remained relatively strong, with Ford’s total truck sales rising 0.5%, while demand for hybrid vehicles increased … Continue reading Ford fends off Hyundai to retain No. 3 U.S. sales position in third quarter

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Business

10-year Treasury yield falls after much weaker-than-expected jobs report

Treasury yields fell after the September jobs report showed much weaker-than-expected hiring, with employers adding just 29,000 jobs compared with expectations of about 90,000.  The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield dropped to about 5.18%, while the two-year yield, which is particularly sensitive to expectations for Federal Reserve policy, fell to roughly 4.73%.  The weaker labor-market data reduced market expectations for another Federal Reserve interest-rate increase at its October … Continue reading 10-year Treasury yield falls after much weaker-than-expected jobs report

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Business

US added just 29,000 jobs, unemployment ticked up

The U.S. added just 29,000 jobs in September, far below economists’ expectation of 90,000, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%. Average hourly earnings increased only 0.1% from August and were up 3% from a year earlier, while previous job estimates for July and August were revised down by a combined 60,000. The report suggests the labor market continues to follow a “low-hire, low-fire” pattern, with limited layoffs but employers also … Continue reading US added just 29,000 jobs, unemployment ticked up

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Politics

California Gov. Gavin Newsom bans AI ‘robo bosses’ in landmark state law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that prevents employers from relying solely on artificial intelligence to fire or discipline workers.  The law requires a human to review employment decisions when AI is the primary factor and requires affected workers to receive information about the AI system and data used. Newsom also signed measures restricting AI-based workplace surveillance and requiring companies to notify workers … Continue reading California Gov. Gavin Newsom bans AI ‘robo bosses’ in landmark state law

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Politics

President Donald Trump makes rare visit to Oklahoma ahead of midterm election

President Donald Trump held a midterm election rally in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday, urging Republicans to turn out for the November elections.  Thousands of people attended despite heavy rain, with the event beginning about two hours later than scheduled. Trump promoted several Oklahoma Republican candidates and called on voters to support the party in the midterms. He also discussed his administration’s economic policies, tariffs, immigration … Continue reading President Donald Trump makes rare visit to Oklahoma ahead of midterm election

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Politics

JD Vance Names ‘Really Obvious’ Presidential Opponent If Veep Decides To Run

Vice President JD Vance said it is “really obvious” to him that Sen. Ted Cruz is preparing to run for president in 2028, while saying he has not decided whether he will seek the presidency himself.  Cruz has recently increased his political activity, including campaigning for Republican candidates in states that play important roles in presidential nominations. Vance said his current focus is helping Republicans … Continue reading JD Vance Names ‘Really Obvious’ Presidential Opponent If Veep Decides To Run

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Politics

Kushner’s firm profited from Israeli defense investments while he negotiated Gaza war end

Jared Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, benefited financially from its stake in Phoenix Holdings, which invests in several Israeli defense companies, according to a CNN investigation reported by Ynet.  Kushner was also serving as an unpaid White House envoy involved in negotiations over the Gaza war and ceasefire. CNN found no evidence that Kushner’s diplomatic activities directly influenced the investments, but the overlap has raised … Continue reading Kushner’s firm profited from Israeli defense investments while he negotiated Gaza war end

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Politics

Putin says Russia will use ‘all weapons’ in its arsenal if attacked

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would use “all weapons” in its arsenal, potentially including nuclear weapons, if its territory were directly attacked.  His comments followed Russian warnings that NATO could try to isolate Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania. NATO rejected the accusations, saying it is a defensive alliance and that its military exercises do not threaten Kaliningrad.  The exchange comes … Continue reading Putin says Russia will use ‘all weapons’ in its arsenal if attacked

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U.S. News

Fifteen 18-wheelers involved in 50-car pileup on I-95; roadway reopens

A massive 50-vehicle pileup involving 15 tractor-trailers shut down both directions of I-95 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, Thursday morning.  The crashes blocked all lanes between mile markers 97.5 and 102, creating a major traffic disruption. Four people became trapped in vehicles, while about 11 others suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Emergency crews worked for more than 20 hours to … Continue reading Fifteen 18-wheelers involved in 50-car pileup on I-95; roadway reopens

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U.S. News

Energy Department employee arrested in Washington state on attempted support for Houthis

A 51-year-old Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Houthis, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.  Federal authorities allege Ellaboudy traveled from Oman into Yemen in 2025 using a government-issued passport and attempted to reach Houthi-controlled territory. Investigators say he purchased materials that could be used for explosives and drones and … Continue reading Energy Department employee arrested in Washington state on attempted support for Houthis

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U.S. News

FBI arrests Massachusetts man on charge of stalking conservative podcaster Katie Miller

A Massachusetts man, John Anthony Proia III, was arrested and charged with cyberstalking conservative podcaster and former Trump administration official Katie Miller.  Federal prosecutors allege that Proia contacted Miller more than 40 times between August and September 2026 using multiple phone numbers. The calls, texts and voicemails allegedly included menacing language and were sometimes made late at night. Prosecutors also allege that Proia sent disturbing … Continue reading FBI arrests Massachusetts man on charge of stalking conservative podcaster Katie Miller

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U.S. News

Divers find body of person missing from Calif. helicopter crash that killed 2 others

Police divers recovered the body of a patient who had been missing after a medical helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island, California.  The crash killed three people, including the patient, a male pilot and a female nurse, while two others survived and were hospitalized. The helicopter was carrying five people and went down shortly after taking off from Catalina Island while transporting … Continue reading Divers find body of person missing from Calif. helicopter crash that killed 2 others

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U.S. News

Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged gang-rape at Cornell

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate allegations that a Cornell University student was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members in 2024.  The case was initially closed without criminal charges, but the local district attorney reopened the investigation after new information and a civil lawsuit brought renewed attention to the allegations.  The woman, identified as … Continue reading Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged gang-rape at Cornell

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World News

Bolivia arrests top prosecutor and 13 others accused by US of protecting drug traffickers

Bolivian police arrested Attorney General Roger Mariaca and 13 others over allegations that they protected drug traffickers and operated a criminal network within the justice system.  The arrests came days after the United States revoked Mariaca’s visa and accused him of accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking, allegations he has denied. Bolivian officials also said authorities found more than $300,000 in cash being removed from … Continue reading Bolivia arrests top prosecutor and 13 others accused by US of protecting drug traffickers

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World News

Finland probes suspected break-ins at politicians’ homes

Finnish authorities are investigating a series of suspected break-ins and attempted intrusions at the homes of several members of Parliament. Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho described the number of reported cases as significant, although some incidents may have occurred as far back as a year ago.  Police said there were no obvious signs of forced entry or theft, with some politicians reporting small signs suggesting someone … Continue reading Finland probes suspected break-ins at politicians’ homes

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World News

Pakistan launches deadly air attacks on Afghanistan

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces, with Afghan officials saying at least nine people were killed and 11 wounded.  Afghanistan said the victims were women and children and that three homes were destroyed in the attacks. Pakistan said the strikes targeted hideouts used by armed groups and claimed that 22 fighters were killed. The United Nations later reported that at least … Continue reading Pakistan launches deadly air attacks on Afghanistan

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World News

Whale sinks yacht in South Pacific, sailors rescued alive 18 hours later

A sperm whale struck a 52-foot yacht carrying four sailors in the remote South Pacific, badly damaging the vessel’s hull and steering system.  The crew issued a distress call and spent hours trying to control the flooding before abandoning the yacht for a life raft. The sailors later cut the raft’s connection to the yacht because they feared the sinking vessel could pull them underwater. … Continue reading Whale sinks yacht in South Pacific, sailors rescued alive 18 hours later

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World News

2,000 arrested in France as student protests escalate into violence

French student protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and poor school conditions have spread nationwide, with some demonstrations turning violent. Authorities say about 2,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested since the protests began, while roughly 400 schools have been closed.  Students have also protested proposed education funding levels, arguing that schools need more resources to address deteriorating facilities and staffing shortages.  The government has … Continue reading 2,000 arrested in France as student protests escalate into violence

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Space

Astronomers discover the 1st black hole powered ‘microquasar’ in the Milky Way

Astronomers have discovered the first confirmed microblazar in the Milky Way, a black-hole-powered system that produces a jet of plasma traveling at nearly the speed of light.  The system, IRAS 18293−0941, is about 12,000 light-years away and consists of a black hole orbiting a massive companion star once every 11 days while pulling material from the star.  Some of the material falling toward the black hole is … Continue reading Astronomers discover the 1st black hole powered ‘microquasar’ in the Milky Way

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Archaeology

Palestinian archaeologists race against time to save Gaza’s heritage

Palestinian archaeologists are racing to recover and preserve Gaza’s cultural heritage after extensive damage to historic sites and museums during the war.  The UNESCO-based figures cited by Al Jazeera say at least 164 cultural sites have been damaged, including the Great Omari Mosque, Hamam al-Sammara, Qasr al-Basha and the al-Qarara Cultural Museum.  A local group called “Guardians of Heritage” has recovered more than 1,700 historical objects from four museum collections, cataloguing … Continue reading Palestinian archaeologists race against time to save Gaza’s heritage

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Space

SpaceX launches Starship into orbit for first time ever but cuts mission short

SpaceX launched its Starship spacecraft from Texas on its 14th test flight, with the mission intended to last about 10 hours and send the vehicle around Earth six times.  The uncrewed spacecraft lost one of its engines shortly after liftoff but was still able to perform an orbital burn using a single remaining Raptor engine and reach orbit for the first time.  Starship also successfully … Continue reading SpaceX launches Starship into orbit for first time ever but cuts mission short

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Technology

FTC investigating Anthropic, OpenAI and other companies over potential AI risks

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic and other AI companies over potential risks their technologies could pose to consumers.  The FTC plans to request information from the companies and is preparing formal investigative demands that could require executives to testify about their products and associated risks.  The investigation began this summer, amid reports that AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic … Continue reading FTC investigating Anthropic, OpenAI and other companies over potential AI risks

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