Space

James Webb Space Telescope finds precursors to ‘building blocks of life’ in nearby galaxy

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered a rich array of small organic molecules in the galaxy IRAS 07251–0248, a nearby, ultra-luminous infrared galaxy. The JWST’s infrared instruments, NIRSpec and MIRI, allowed researchers to peer through dense dust and gas that normally obscure the galaxy’s core. They detected molecules including benzene, methane, acetylene, and the reactive methyl radical—never before seen beyond the Milky … Continue reading James Webb Space Telescope finds precursors to ‘building blocks of life’ in nearby galaxy

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Space

China sends fourth ‘Shenlong’ reusable spacecraft mission into orbit

China on Saturday launched its latest reusable experimental spacecraft, potentially rivaling the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B. This marks China’s fourth such mission since 2020, all flown from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre using Long March-2F rockets, with the spacecraft unofficially nicknamed Shenlong (“Divine Dragon”). Previous missions demonstrated long-duration orbits, improved thermal shielding, power management, and capabilities like releasing small objects and performing rendezvous and proximity … Continue reading China sends fourth ‘Shenlong’ reusable spacecraft mission into orbit

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Space

SpaceX resumes Falcon 9 flights with Starlink satellite launch from California

SpaceX successfully launched 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on February 7, just five days after pausing operations due to an anomaly on its previous mission. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and deployed the satellites (Group 17-33) about an hour later. The rocket’s first stage, Booster 1088, completed its 13th flight, landing safely on the drone … Continue reading SpaceX resumes Falcon 9 flights with Starlink satellite launch from California

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Technology

US Navy Laser Weapon Takes Down Four Drones in HELIOS Test

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Preble successfully destroyed four drones last year using Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS high-energy laser system, marking the first confirmed multi-target engagement at sea. HELIOS, a 60-kilowatt-class directed-energy weapon that can also function as an optical “dazzler,” is designed to neutralize drones and small boats while conserving traditional missiles for higher-priority threats. Preble, the only Navy ship equipped with HELIOS since 2022, demonstrates … Continue reading US Navy Laser Weapon Takes Down Four Drones in HELIOS Test

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Business

Uber ordered to pay $8.5 million in trial over driver sex assault claims

A U.S. jury ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to Jaylynn Dean, who said she was sexually assaulted by a driver when she was 19, in the first bellwether trial of more than 3,000 similar lawsuits against the company. The jury found the driver was acting as an agent of Uber, holding the company liable, but declined to award punitive damages. Uber said it will … Continue reading Uber ordered to pay $8.5 million in trial over driver sex assault claims

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Business

South Korean crypto firm accidentally sends $44 billion in bitcoin to users

South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb said it accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of bitcoin to customers as promotional rewards, triggering a sharp selloff. The error occurred when users meant to receive small cash bonuses instead received at least 2,000 bitcoins each, affecting 695 customers. Bithumb said it recovered 99.7% of the mistakenly distributed bitcoin within 35 minutes and stressed the incident was not … Continue reading South Korean crypto firm accidentally sends $44 billion in bitcoin to users

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Business

Hims & Hers pulls copycat weight-loss pill after threats of legal action

Hims & Hers said Saturday it will pull its compounded semaglutide weight-loss pill after backlash and threats of legal action. The telehealth company said it decided to stop offering the treatment following discussions with industry stakeholders, while emphasizing its commitment to safe and affordable care. The pill was intended as a cheaper alternative to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, priced as low as $49 for the first … Continue reading Hims & Hers pulls copycat weight-loss pill after threats of legal action

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Business

‘Washington Post’ CEO resigns after going AWOL during massive job cuts

Will Lewis announced he is stepping down as publisher and CEO of The Washington Post after two turbulent years marked by controversy, deep financial losses, and mass layoffs. More than a third of the newsroom was cut after losses reached as high as $100 million, with Lewis largely absent from public explanations to staff or readers. Journalists, having lost confidence in his leadership, appealed directly … Continue reading ‘Washington Post’ CEO resigns after going AWOL during massive job cuts

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Politics

Republicans warn Democrats’ ICE reform push is cover to defund border enforcement

Senate Democrats are pressing for stronger oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), unveiling a list of 10 demands including policies like requiring judicial warrants and de-masking agents. Republicans, however, accuse Democrats of seeking to defund ICE entirely and promote “open borders,” pointing to a failed Bernie Sanders amendment that would have stripped $75 billion from DHS and ICE. Funding for immigration operations is largely … Continue reading Republicans warn Democrats’ ICE reform push is cover to defund border enforcement

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Politics

Democrats involved in ‘illegal orders’ video say they won’t cooperate with DOJ probe

Two Democratic lawmakers, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), are refusing to cooperate with a Justice Department investigation into a video urging military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders. Slotkin said the Trump administration is using “physical and legal intimidation” to silence critics, while Houlahan called the probe an overreach of federal power. The 90-second video, posted in November by six … Continue reading Democrats involved in ‘illegal orders’ video say they won’t cooperate with DOJ probe

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Politics

Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms

Virginia Democrats unveiled a proposed congressional map aimed at helping the party win up to four additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterms, responding to Republican-led redistricting efforts nationwide. The plan requires voter approval through a constitutional amendment in a special election tentatively scheduled for April 21, though a court recently blocked the measure, prompting a Democratic appeal. Critics, including the group Virginians for … Continue reading Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms

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Politics

White House launches direct-to-consumer drug site TrumpRx

President Donald Trump on Thursday launched TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer platform aimed at lowering U.S. prescription drug costs. The website does not sell drugs directly but connects patients to manufacturers offering discounts or provides coupons for pharmacies, with initial participation from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. Trump promoted the platform as a way for millions to save money, particularly cash-paying patients or … Continue reading White House launches direct-to-consumer drug site TrumpRx

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Politics

Be ‘prudent’ about supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump in call

Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump to be “prudent” about arms sales to Taiwan during their first call since November, emphasizing that Taiwan is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. Xi stressed that China will safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will not allow Taiwan to separate. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te responded by saying ties with the U.S. are “rock … Continue reading Be ‘prudent’ about supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump in call

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World News

Iran seizes 2 foreign oil tankers in Persian Gulf, state media says

Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, claiming the vessels were smuggling about 1 million liters of fuel, including diesel. The Revolutionary Guard’s navy transferred the tankers to Bushehr, and 15 crew members are in judicial custody, though their nationalities were not disclosed. The report did not identify the tankers’ flags, and Iran has previously detained vessels in the region … Continue reading Iran seizes 2 foreign oil tankers in Persian Gulf, state media says

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World News

U.S. and Russia agree to resume high-level military-to-military communication

The U.S. and Russia have agreed to resume high-level military-to-military communications that were suspended in 2021, the U.S. European Command announced Thursday. The agreement was reached during trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. European Command emphasized that such dialogue promotes transparency, de-escalation, and global stability, coinciding with the expiration of the last U.S.-Russia … Continue reading U.S. and Russia agree to resume high-level military-to-military communication

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World News

Russian military intelligence official shot in Moscow

Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a top Russian military intelligence official, was hospitalized in Moscow on Friday after being shot multiple times by an unidentified assailant in a residential building. Russian authorities have opened a criminal case for attempted murder and launched a manhunt for the shooter, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the attack an “act of terrorism” and blamed Ukraine, though investigators have not … Continue reading Russian military intelligence official shot in Moscow

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World News

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi’ite mosque in Pakistan’s capital

A gunman attacked a Shi’ite mosque in Islamabad on Friday before detonating a suicide bomb, killing at least 31 people and wounding more than 170. The explosion occurred after guards confronted the attacker at the gates of the Khadija Tul Kubra Imambargah mosque. Witnesses described bloodied bodies inside the mosque and dozens more injured in the surrounding gardens. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the bomber … Continue reading Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi’ite mosque in Pakistan’s capital

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U.S. News

3 Killed as Vehicle Crashes Into Grocery Store in Los Angeles

A vehicle crashed into a 99 Ranch Market in Westwood, Los Angeles, Thursday afternoon, killing three people and injuring six others. The victims who died—a 55-year-old man, a 42-year-old woman, and a 30-year-old man—were in the store’s bakery at the time. Two patients were reported in serious condition, two had minor injuries, and two left the scene against medical advice. The driver, an elderly woman, … Continue reading 3 Killed as Vehicle Crashes Into Grocery Store in Los Angeles

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U.S. News

Renowned Houston surgeon allegedly faked records to block patients’ liver transplants

A Houston doctor, Dr. John Stevenson Bynon Jr., has been federally indicted on five counts of falsifying medical records, allegedly making five patients ineligible for liver transplants, with three of them dying as a result. Bynon, who served as director of abdominal organ transplantation at Memorial Hermann Health System, is accused of altering records between March 2023 and March 2024 without patients, families, or medical … Continue reading Renowned Houston surgeon allegedly faked records to block patients’ liver transplants

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U.S. News

Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom Nancy is “still out there,” sheriff says, as FBI offers $50,000 reward

Investigators continue to search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, in Arizona, with no suspect yet identified, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Evidence suggests a possible abduction: blood matching Guthrie’s was found outside her home, her doorbell camera was disconnected … Continue reading Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom Nancy is “still out there,” sheriff says, as FBI offers $50,000 reward

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U.S. News

Homan calls anti-ICE roadblocks in Minneapolis a ‘joke’ after police chief disbands them

White House border czar Tom Homan criticized anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis for setting up roadblocks and checkpoints, calling their actions a “joke” that only harm local residents. He said local police have dismantled the checkpoints and emphasized that such actions are illegal and ineffective against federal immigration enforcement. Homan also announced a drawdown of 700 federal agents in the Twin Cities, citing increased cooperation with … Continue reading Homan calls anti-ICE roadblocks in Minneapolis a ‘joke’ after police chief disbands them

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Archaeology

Archaeologists Are Unraveling the Secrets of Shipwreck Discovered 20 Feet Below Manhattan

A Dutch ship called the Tyger, captained by explorer Adriaen Block, arrived in what is now New York Harbor in 1613 but was destroyed by fire months later. In 1916, subway construction workers in Manhattan uncovered charred ship timbers believed to be remains of the Tyger, which later became part of the Museum of the City of New York’s collection. Researchers are now launching a … Continue reading Archaeologists Are Unraveling the Secrets of Shipwreck Discovered 20 Feet Below Manhattan

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U.S. News

Noem vows criminal prosecution after catching alleged DHS ‘prolific leaker’

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday that another “prolific leaker” who released information endangering federal law enforcement officers has been identified. In a post on X, Noem said she plans to refer the individual to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. She emphasized that leakers will be pursued regardless of rank, tenure, or political status, making internal prosecutions a top priority. Noem previously announced … Continue reading Noem vows criminal prosecution after catching alleged DHS ‘prolific leaker’

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World News

Russia says 2.8-ton chunk of Aletai meteorite disguised as garden ornament found being smuggled to U.K.

Russian investigators stopped the attempted smuggling of a massive meteorite fragment to the United Kingdom after it was falsely declared as a garden sculpture, customs officials said. The 2.8-ton object is believed to be part of the Aletai meteorite, one of the largest known iron meteorites, and prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation. Authorities discovered the item during an inspection of a sea container at … Continue reading Russia says 2.8-ton chunk of Aletai meteorite disguised as garden ornament found being smuggled to U.K.

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U.S. News

700 immigration officers will immediately leave Minnesota

The Trump administration is reducing the number of federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota as part of its ongoing operations, following cooperation agreements with state and local officials to turn over arrested immigrants. About 700 federal immigration officers—roughly a quarter of those deployed—will be withdrawn immediately, though around 2,000 agents will remain in the state. The full drawdown will only occur once protests and interference … Continue reading 700 immigration officers will immediately leave Minnesota

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