Blue Origin rocket explodes on the launch pad during an engine-firing test

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine test at Cape Canaveral, briefly lighting up the sky and shaking nearby homes, though no injuries were reported. The company said it is investigating the cause of the failure, which comes after previous issues with the rocket’s early flights. The vehicle was intended for an upcoming satellite launch and plays a key role in Blue … Continue reading Blue Origin rocket explodes on the launch pad during an engine-firing test

NBA to Let AI Take Over for Lazy Referees

The NBA has faced growing criticism during the 2026 playoffs over inconsistent refereeing, including frequent flopping by players and controversial missed calls in key games. A major disputed out-of-bounds decision in a recent Oklahoma City matchup intensified debate about officiating quality. NBA commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the issues and suggested the league may soon use AI-powered systems to automatically handle objective calls like out-of-bounds plays. … Continue reading NBA to Let AI Take Over for Lazy Referees

Wall Street pushes to more records as profits keep piling up for US companies

U.S. stocks reached new record highs on Thursday, driven by strong corporate earnings from companies like Dollar Tree, Snowflake, and Hormel Foods. The rally was also supported by optimism over a tentative U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension, which helped ease oil prices and inflation pressures. Major indexes all rose, with the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq setting fresh records despite ongoing concerns about inflation and high interest … Continue reading Wall Street pushes to more records as profits keep piling up for US companies

Caesars Entertainment to be bought by Fertitta Entertainment in $17.6 billion deal

Caesars Entertainment has agreed to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment in a $17.6 billion all-cash deal that includes assumption of significant debt. Shareholders will receive $31 per share, and the agreement includes a short window for Caesars to consider other bids. The combined company would bring together casino resorts, online betting platforms, and Fertitta’s restaurant and hospitality businesses. Caesars Entertainment’s top executives are expected to stay on and … Continue reading Caesars Entertainment to be bought by Fertitta Entertainment in $17.6 billion deal

Anthropic tops OpenAI as most valuable AI startup, nears $1 trillion valuation

Anthropic has become the most valuable AI company in Silicon Valley after raising $65 billion in a Series H funding round at a $965 billion valuation. The round, led by major investors including Altimeter Capital and Sequoia Capital, nearly tripled the company’s valuation in just a few months. Strong growth has been driven by demand for its Claude AI tools, with the company reporting a … Continue reading Anthropic tops OpenAI as most valuable AI startup, nears $1 trillion valuation

White House pushes Congress to approve $250 bill with Trump’s image

The White House is supporting a proposal to create a $250 bill featuring Donald Trump’s portrait to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The plan would require Congress to change a long-standing law that bans living people from appearing on US currency. Officials say the Treasury has begun preparing design prototypes, though final approval would depend on legislation in … Continue reading White House pushes Congress to approve $250 bill with Trump’s image

Spain police enter PM Sanchez’s Socialist Party HQ in corruption probe

Spanish police have entered the headquarters of the Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid as part of a judicial investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing. The search was carried out under court orders linked to an inquiry into corruption allegations involving former party members and others. The investigation includes claims involving PSOE member Leire Diez, who is accused of attempts to influence officials and undermine anti-corruption efforts. … Continue reading Spain police enter PM Sanchez’s Socialist Party HQ in corruption probe

Starmer and Tusk sign UK–Poland defence pact amid warnings over Russia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a new defence pact aimed at strengthening cooperation against what they described as Russian aggression. The agreement includes joint development of advanced weapons, expanded military exercises, and increased use of unmanned systems to bolster NATO’s eastern flank. It also deepens cooperation on intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, migration, and efforts to combat organized crime. Both … Continue reading Starmer and Tusk sign UK–Poland defence pact amid warnings over Russia

Japan woos Philippine leader during state visit with arms sales

Japan and the Philippines agreed to deepen defense cooperation, including faster talks on Japanese weapons sales and expanded intelligence sharing amid growing concerns over China’s military activity in the region. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening cooperation beyond security issues. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was given high-level honors during his visit to Japan, underscoring the importance Tokyo places … Continue reading Japan woos Philippine leader during state visit with arms sales

Trump shares draft Iran peace agreement with Israel and other allies

Donald Trump has circulated a draft peace agreement on the Iran conflict among allies, including Israel, as negotiations continue to stabilize a fragile ceasefire. The proposal outlines reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, lifting some sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and beginning talks on Iran’s nuclear program. While US and Iranian negotiators say they are close to a deal, key disputes remain over … Continue reading Trump shares draft Iran peace agreement with Israel and other allies

2 men dead after colliding on bike path of Queensboro Bridge

Two men were killed in a collision on the Queensboro Bridge bike path in New York City during the morning commute when a stand-up motorized scooter and a bicycle struck each other while traveling in opposite directions. Both victims, aged 39 and 35, were taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the scooter involved was capable of speeds exceeding … Continue reading 2 men dead after colliding on bike path of Queensboro Bridge

Tense protests erupt outside Delaney Hall immigrant detention centre in US

Protests have resumed outside Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention center in Newark, New Jersey, amid controversy over conditions and its role in President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy. The facility, reopened in 2025 and run by a private contractor under ICE, has faced accusations of poor conditions, including medical neglect and inadequate food. Demonstrators recently clashed with law enforcement, leading to several arrests as officials … Continue reading Tense protests erupt outside Delaney Hall immigrant detention centre in US

Man wanted in 3 homicides in 48 hours arrested in Hawaii after massive search

A 36-year-old Hawaii man, Jacob “Jake” Daniel Baker, was arrested after a two-day manhunt in connection with the killings of three people in the Puna district. Police said the victims, all local men, were killed in separate incidents involving strangulation, blunt force trauma, and sharp force injuries. Baker was found hiding in a small cave after a resident reported his location and was taken into … Continue reading Man wanted in 3 homicides in 48 hours arrested in Hawaii after massive search

Former senior CIA officer took home gold bars and millions in cash, FBI says

Former CIA official David J. Rush was arrested after FBI agents allegedly found more than 300 gold bars worth over $40 million, $2 million in cash, and luxury watches at his Virginia home. He is charged with theft of public money and is accused of improperly requesting large amounts of gold and currency for supposed work-related expenses. Investigators say he also fabricated academic and military … Continue reading Former senior CIA officer took home gold bars and millions in cash, FBI says

California’s ‘Los Gatos party mom’ sentenced to 35 years in prison

A San Francisco Bay Area woman known as the “Los Gatos party mom” was sentenced to 35 years in prison for crimes involving hosting alcohol-fueled sex parties for teenagers. Shannon O’Connor, 52, was convicted of dozens of offenses, including child endangerment and facilitating sexual assault, and received the maximum sentence allowed under state law. Prosecutors said she provided alcohol and condoms to teens as young … Continue reading California’s ‘Los Gatos party mom’ sentenced to 35 years in prison

Bodies of 6 of the 9 missing employees recovered after chemical tank rupture

The bodies of six missing employees have been recovered after a chemical tank ruptured at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, raising the confirmed death toll to eight. Three workers remain unaccounted for as recovery efforts continue in what officials warn could be one of the state’s worst industrial disasters. The explosion involved a tank of “white liquor,” a hazardous chemical used in paper production, … Continue reading Bodies of 6 of the 9 missing employees recovered after chemical tank rupture

Three killed, including child, in Dallas apartment explosion and fire

A natural gas explosion destroyed an apartment building in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood, killing three people, including a child, and injuring several others. Fire officials said crews responded to a gas leak before a fire broke out, which quickly escalated into a major multi-alarm emergency. At least 23 people were believed to have lived in the building, with some still unaccounted for as rescue teams … Continue reading Three killed, including child, in Dallas apartment explosion and fire

Man stabs 3 people at Swiss train station in what authorities call an ‘act of terror’

A man stabbed and wounded three people at a train station in Winterthur, Switzerland, in what authorities called an “act of terror.” The suspect, a 31-year-old Swiss-Turkish dual national, was arrested shortly after the attack, which occurred around 8:30 a.m. Police said he had previously been flagged for distributing Islamic State propaganda and had recently been briefly held in a psychiatric facility. Three Swiss men … Continue reading Man stabs 3 people at Swiss train station in what authorities call an ‘act of terror’

Israeli strikes kill at least 14 in major Lebanon city

Israeli military strikes hit southern Lebanon and the city of Sidon, killing at least 14 people, including women, children, and a Lebanese soldier, according to officials. The attacks also wounded dozens, while a separate Hezbollah drone strike killed an Israeli soldier in northern Israel. The escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of expanded operations against Hezbollah amid ongoing cross-border violence. Many civilians have … Continue reading Israeli strikes kill at least 14 in major Lebanon city

At least 16 students killed in fire at Kenya girls school dorm

At least 16 students were killed when a fire broke out in a girls’ dormitory at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya. Authorities said 79 others were injured, and the cause of the overnight blaze has not yet been determined. Rescue teams, including police officers, searched the school and surrounding areas as some students may have fled in panic. The incident occurred about 120 … Continue reading At least 16 students killed in fire at Kenya girls school dorm

Italy seizes gold, luxury villas and cash tied to Sicilian Mafia drug-trafficking

Italian authorities have seized more than 200 million euros in assets linked to the drug trafficking network of late mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The confiscated assets include gold bars, large sums of cash, luxury watches, and about 20 high-end properties. Denaro, who died in prison in 2023, had been a fugitive for 30 years and was convicted of multiple murders, including involvement in deadly … Continue reading Italy seizes gold, luxury villas and cash tied to Sicilian Mafia drug-trafficking

Australian woman held in custody on charges of traveling to Syria to join Islamic State

An Australian mother of four, Rayann El Houli, was held in custody after appearing in court charged with traveling to Syria and joining the Islamic State group. She was arrested in Melbourne months after returning to Australia with her children and another woman from Lebanon. Authorities say she is part of a broader series of recent returns of women and children from Syrian camps linked … Continue reading Australian woman held in custody on charges of traveling to Syria to join Islamic State

5 of 7 people trapped in flooded Laos cave for more than a week found alive

Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos for more than a week were found alive, while two others remain missing. The group became trapped on May 19 after heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the cave’s exit. Rescue divers have made difficult trips through narrow, flooded passages to bring the survivors food and supplies and continue searching for the missing. Rescuers … Continue reading 5 of 7 people trapped in flooded Laos cave for more than a week found alive

Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize ‘70% of Gaza Strip’, violating ceasefire deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to expand control over Gaza to 70% of the territory, raising fears of a collapse of the October ceasefire. Israeli forces have gradually increased their presence beyond the original ceasefire lines, while armed militias backed by Israel have reportedly pressured Palestinians to leave areas near the border zones. Critics, including UN-linked observers and analysts, … Continue reading Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize ‘70% of Gaza Strip’, violating ceasefire deal

Romania condemns ‘irresponsible escalation’ after Russian drone hits apartment building

A Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania near the Ukrainian border, injuring two people and causing a fire that was later extinguished. Romanian officials said the drone entered their airspace during renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine and condemned the incident as an irresponsible escalation. Radar tracked the drone to the city of Galati, where it crashed into a residential building. Romania scrambled two … Continue reading Romania condemns ‘irresponsible escalation’ after Russian drone hits apartment building