SpaceX sends 24 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit on Falcon 9 launch from California

SpaceX launched 24 more Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Sunday, continuing the expansion of its global broadband internet network. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and successfully deployed the satellites after reaching orbit. The rocket’s first stage completed its 17th flight and landed on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. The new satellites bring the total … Continue reading SpaceX sends 24 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit on Falcon 9 launch from California

First humanoid robot begins teaching in US classroom

A school district in Salamanca, New York, is introducing both an AI tutor and a humanoid robot into classrooms as part of a new pilot program with tech company Realbotix. The AI system, called Optio, will act as a 24/7 personalized tutor and classroom assistant, while the robot will interact with students in person using speech and facial expressions. The program will begin with high … Continue reading First humanoid robot begins teaching in US classroom

British American Tobacco to slash 9,000 jobs as it turns to AI

British American Tobacco plans to cut around 9,000 jobs this year, including layoffs and outsourcing, as part of a major cost-cutting and restructuring effort. The company says the changes are aimed at becoming more “technology-enabled” and could deliver £600 million in annual savings by 2028. BAT is facing declining demand for traditional cigarettes and is increasingly investing in smoke-free products like vapes and nicotine pouches. … Continue reading British American Tobacco to slash 9,000 jobs as it turns to AI

South Korean tech giants to build a $518 billion chipmaking hub

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have announced a massive joint investment of about $518 billion to build a new semiconductor manufacturing hub in southwestern South Korea. The project, supported by President Lee Jae Myung, aims to expand production beyond the crowded Seoul region and strengthen the country’s leadership in AI-driven chip demand. Each company will construct new fabrication plants, though timelines have not yet been … Continue reading South Korean tech giants to build a $518 billion chipmaking hub

Serbia’s protesters press on even after Vucic promises to step aside

Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Kraljevo, Serbia, continuing demonstrations against President Aleksandar Vučić despite his announcement that he would step down and open the way for early elections. Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics for over a decade, did not give a clear timeline for his resignation or the vote, fueling suspicion that he may retain power through other political roles. The protests … Continue reading Serbia’s protesters press on even after Vucic promises to step aside

Andy Burnham vows to decentralise power in Scotland

Andy Burnham has proposed a major overhaul of UK governance that would further decentralise power, including in Scotland, as part of a plan to “power up” regions across the country. He said the changes would shift authority away from central and devolved governments and place more decision-making power in local communities and grassroots organisations. Burnham also described plans to create a “Number 10 North” in … Continue reading Andy Burnham vows to decentralise power in Scotland

Australia and Vanuatu sign deal to block foreign military bases

Australia and Vanuatu have signed the Nakamal Agreement, a new economic and security pact that includes a ban on foreign military bases in Vanuatu. The deal, signed by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Jotham Napat in Canberra, also expands Australian economic support and requires consultation with Australia on critical infrastructure investments. Albanese said the agreement strengthens regional security and ensures no foreign military presence in the Pacific island nation. Vanuatu … Continue reading Australia and Vanuatu sign deal to block foreign military bases

Sisters, friend charged in Texas mom’s stabbing death

Three women have been charged with murder after a 32-year-old mother of five, Caroline Peña, was stabbed multiple times in broad daylight in Del Rio, Texas, and later died from her injuries. Police said the attack occurred at a busy intersection, and the victim was rushed to hospitals in Del Rio and San Antonio before succumbing to her wounds. Investigators identified Kitty Mia Diaz, Amaya … Continue reading Sisters, friend charged in Texas mom’s stabbing death

Manhunt underway after 2-year-old, 2 women killed in ‘horrifying’ Mississippi shooting, police say

Police in Jackson, Mississippi are investigating a triple homicide after two women and a 2-year-old child were found shot dead on Saturday night. Officers responded to an aggravated assault call and discovered the victims, all of whom had multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities initially searched for a suspect linked to a stolen red Mitsubishi Mirage, describing them as armed and dangerous, though the vehicle was later … Continue reading Manhunt underway after 2-year-old, 2 women killed in ‘horrifying’ Mississippi shooting, police say

At least 5 dead after storms bring flash floods to Kentucky, Tennessee

Severe storms in Kentucky and Tennessee triggered record-breaking rainfall, causing flash floods that killed at least five people and left dozens missing or unaccounted for. Kentucky was hardest hit, with multiple deaths reported, including victims trapped in flooded basements and a weather-related car crash, while another fatality occurred in Tennessee when a mother died after saving her child from rising waters. Gov. Andy Beshear declared … Continue reading At least 5 dead after storms bring flash floods to Kentucky, Tennessee

At least 117 dead dogs found in search at California animal rescue accused of abuse, officials said

California authorities uncovered at least 117 dog remains during a search of Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna as part of an ongoing animal cruelty investigation. Many of the bodies showed signs of decomposition and possible gunshot wounds, with forensic experts also recovering hundreds of bones and dog collars from the property. Investigators said earlier reports of missing animals and alleged abuse led to multiple search warrants … Continue reading At least 117 dead dogs found in search at California animal rescue accused of abuse, officials said

Three firefighters die battling huge wildfires on Colorado-Utah border

Three firefighters were killed and two others injured in a “burnover” incident while battling fast-moving wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border. Officials said the crew was overwhelmed by flames from the Knowles and Gore fires, which later merged into a larger blaze covering tens of thousands of acres. The injured firefighters were hospitalized with burns, and authorities are providing support to the victims’ families and colleagues. … Continue reading Three firefighters die battling huge wildfires on Colorado-Utah border

French skydiving plane crashes in France, killing all 11 onboard

A skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after departing from an airfield near Nancy in northeastern France, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board, including the pilot, instructors, and trainees. Authorities reported that the plane experienced a sudden technical failure and went into a near-vertical descent before striking the ground close to the airport, limiting any risk to surrounding areas. The passengers were reportedly a … Continue reading French skydiving plane crashes in France, killing all 11 onboard

Australia to double potential fines over child social media accounts

Australia is planning to double the maximum fines for social media companies to A$99 million if they fail to stop children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. The government says tougher penalties and expanded powers for the eSafety Commissioner are necessary because major platforms have not effectively enforced the age restrictions. Under the proposed legislation, regulators would also gain the authority to request more … Continue reading Australia to double potential fines over child social media accounts

Australian man charged with murder after dead girl found in suitcase in Thailand

An Australian man has been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old Thai girl after her body was discovered inside a suitcase near a railway track in Pattaya. Authorities arrested the suspect, Simon Peter Carman, at Bangkok’s airport while he was allegedly trying to leave Thailand. Police say surveillance footage and other evidence connect Carman to the killing, though he denies the allegations and claims … Continue reading Australian man charged with murder after dead girl found in suitcase in Thailand

Pakistan says its security forces killed 29 fighters along Afghan border

Pakistan launched ground operations and airstrikes along the Afghanistan border after deadly militant attacks, saying it killed 29 fighters linked to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). Afghanistan’s Taliban government condemned the strikes, claiming they killed at least 36 civilians and injured 163 others, while both countries exchanged diplomatic protests. The operation followed a militant assault on a paramilitary headquarters in Karachi that killed three Pakistani soldiers. … Continue reading Pakistan says its security forces killed 29 fighters along Afghan border

Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes

Iran launched new drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait following recent U.S. airstrikes, while warning it would suspend peace negotiations if Washington continues its military campaign. Tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran insists it must oversee the vital waterway and has criticized efforts to establish alternative shipping routes. Pakistan says U.S.-Iran talks are set to resume Tuesday, with both … Continue reading Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes

SpaceX launches secretive Starfall reentry demo mission

SpaceX launched the first test flight of its secretive Starfall reentry capsule on June 23 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The company said the mission is designed to test a new spacecraft intended for microgravity research, in-space manufacturing, and potential cargo delivery, but provided few technical details. Much of the flight was kept unusually quiet, with limited livestream coverage and no confirmation … Continue reading SpaceX launches secretive Starfall reentry demo mission

Indian factory workers told to film themselves for AI robot replacements

Garment workers in India were asked to wear head-mounted cameras while working, recording their movements as part of a growing effort to collect “egocentric data” used to train AI systems and humanoid robots. Companies say this first-person footage is essential for teaching robots how humans perform physical tasks, especially in factories and warehouses where automation is expanding rapidly. The data is being gathered at large … Continue reading Indian factory workers told to film themselves for AI robot replacements

Agility Robotics heads to Wall Street in a $2.5B bet on staffing warehouses with humanoids

Agility Robotics, an Oregon-based company that builds humanoid warehouse robots, announced plans to go public through a SPAC merger that would value it at about $2.5 billion. The company’s main product, Digit, is already used in industrial settings to move materials and is backed by major firms including Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Foxconn. Unlike some competitors such as Tesla and Unitree, Agility focuses on practical … Continue reading Agility Robotics heads to Wall Street in a $2.5B bet on staffing warehouses with humanoids

Nasdaq closes lower as chip sell-off resumes; Micron shares extend losses

U.S. stocks were mixed on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq slipping as investors focused on upcoming earnings from Micron Technology while the Dow rose. Semiconductor and energy stocks weighed on the market, as Micron and other chip-related names fell and oil prices dropped sharply to multi-month lows. Treasury yields also declined, reflecting weaker energy prices and shifting market expectations. Analysts described the tech pullback as a … Continue reading Nasdaq closes lower as chip sell-off resumes; Micron shares extend losses

Federal Reserve says banks can withstand $708 billion in losses amid overhaul of capital rules

The Federal Reserve’s annual stress test found that the largest U.S. banks could withstand more than $708 billion in losses during a severe global recession while continuing to operate and lend. All 32 banks tested stayed above minimum capital requirements even under a harsh scenario involving rising unemployment, sharp drops in home and commercial real estate prices, and major loan losses. Key losses were concentrated … Continue reading Federal Reserve says banks can withstand $708 billion in losses amid overhaul of capital rules

Trump asks Congress for $87bn, mostly for ‘urgent’ Iran war costs

The White House has requested $87.6 billion from Congress to fund military and related needs tied largely to the ongoing war in Iran, even as lawmakers recently passed a resolution rebuking the conflict and calling for limits on presidential war powers. Most of the funding would go to the Pentagon for munitions, operations, classified programs, and rebuilding military stockpiles, along with smaller amounts for embassy … Continue reading Trump asks Congress for $87bn, mostly for ‘urgent’ Iran war costs

Trump cancels plans to sign housing bill, in latest sign of tension with his party

President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned bipartisan housing bill signing ceremony on Capitol Hill after posting that he would not sign the legislation unless Congress first passed his voter ID proposal, the SAVE America Act. The decision came just as Republican leaders were preparing to promote the housing measure as a key affordability win, leaving them to scramble after the reversal. A subsequent lunch … Continue reading Trump cancels plans to sign housing bill, in latest sign of tension with his party

Trump kicks off the Great American State Fair after musical acts pulled out

President Donald Trump used the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall as a celebration of both America’s upcoming 250th birthday and his own leadership, declaring that “America is back” and praising his administration’s accomplishments. The event, part of a 16-day exposition tied to the Freedom 250 initiative, featured military displays, performances, and patriotic spectacle, though it faced criticism after some … Continue reading Trump kicks off the Great American State Fair after musical acts pulled out