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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Business

US economy grew a solid 2.2% in the second quarter, government says

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, an upgrade from the Commerce Department’s previous estimate of 1.5%.  Consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 70% of economic activity, increased at a 3.8% annual pace, while business investment outside housing rose 9%, driven in part by continued investment in artificial intelligence.  Imports rose 12.6% and reduced reported GDP growth by nearly … Continue reading US economy grew a solid 2.2% in the second quarter, government says

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Business

Magic Mountain closes X2 coaster permanently after history of injuries

Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently closed its X2 roller coaster after more than two decades of operation and multiple reports of serious injuries. The ride was temporarily shut down in July after two riders suffered brain hemorrhages requiring surgery, prompting an ongoing inspection by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. X2, originally opened as X in 2002 and redesigned with lighter trains in … Continue reading Magic Mountain closes X2 coaster permanently after history of injuries

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Business

Fed watchdog finds renovation failures, but no grounds for criminal referral

The Federal Reserve’s inspector general found significant mismanagement but no criminal misconduct in the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters, whose projected cost grew to about $2.4 billion.  The report said the project began without a comprehensive cost estimate or maximum spending limit, while poor project and contract management contributed substantially to the cost overruns.  The findings are significant because President Donald Trump and members of his administration … Continue reading Fed watchdog finds renovation failures, but no grounds for criminal referral

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Business

Fed’s preferred gauge showed core inflation at 3.0% in August

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed that core inflation rose 3.0% over the year in August, coming in below economists’ 3.3% forecast.  The broader Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index increased 0.3% in August, bringing annual headline inflation to 3.4%, while core PCE rose 0.2% for the month.  Energy prices were a major contributor to the increase, with gasoline prices rising 4.4% and transportation services increasing … Continue reading Fed’s preferred gauge showed core inflation at 3.0% in August

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Politics

Senate Democrats block bill to limit lawmakers’ stock trades, citing voter ID provision

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Andy Burnham’s suggestion that the UK could eventually rejoin the European Union, saying “welcome back” and calling it good news for Britain and Europe.  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also said Spain would welcome a British bid to rejoin the EU, responding to Burnham’s call for a new long-term relationship with Europe.  Burnham has said the UK should consider several … Continue reading Senate Democrats block bill to limit lawmakers’ stock trades, citing voter ID provision

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Politics

Macron says ‘welcome back’ to Burnham suggestion UK could rejoin EU

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Andy Burnham’s suggestion that the UK could eventually rejoin the European Union, saying “welcome back” and calling it good news for Britain and Europe.  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also said Spain would welcome a British bid to rejoin the EU, responding to Burnham’s call for a new long-term relationship with Europe.  Burnham has said the UK should consider several … Continue reading Macron says ‘welcome back’ to Burnham suggestion UK could rejoin EU

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Politics

Pope Leo criticizes legalization of assisted dying as immoral “false compassion”

Pope Leo XIV criticized the legalization of medically assisted dying during a visit to Lourdes, France, calling it “false compassion” and saying that something being legal does not necessarily make it moral.  Speaking before about 150,000 people, many of them sick or disabled, Leo emphasized that people experiencing severe suffering retain inherent dignity that laws or technology cannot remove.  His comments came shortly after France … Continue reading Pope Leo criticizes legalization of assisted dying as immoral “false compassion”

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Politics

Romanian lawmakers reject a new center-right Cabinet as political crisis deepens

Romanian lawmakers rejected a proposed center-right Cabinet led by Siegfried Muresan, prolonging the country’s political crisis. The Cabinet received 182 votes in favor, well short of the 233 needed for approval, with the Social Democratic Party and nationalist AUR party opposing it.  The crisis began in May when Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was removed through a no-confidence vote, and previous attempts to form a new … Continue reading Romanian lawmakers reject a new center-right Cabinet as political crisis deepens

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Politics

Burnham to fight next election on pledge to change voting system

Andy Burnham has pledged that Labour will campaign in the next general election on changing the UK’s voting system. He announced plans for a national commission to examine electoral reform and invited other political parties to participate. Burnham has previously backed proportional representation, arguing that the current first-past-the-post system does not adequately reflect the fragmented political landscape. The issue has gained attention after Labour won … Continue reading Burnham to fight next election on pledge to change voting system

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U.S. News

Gentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska’s Fat Bear Week

Backpack, a brown bear at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, was crowned the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion after receiving more than 103,000 votes. He narrowly defeated Bear 910 in the final round, with the two bears separated by only about 5,000 votes.  The annual contest celebrates bears’ preparation for winter by gaining as much weight as possible before hibernation. Backpack is known for … Continue reading Gentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska’s Fat Bear Week

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U.S. News

3 employees shot at workplace in Virginia, suspect dead: Police

Three employees were critically injured in a workplace shooting at a United Rentals facility in Manassas, Virginia, on Wednesday morning.  Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Marvin Grant, who was believed to be a coworker and fled the scene after the shooting.  Grant was later stopped by police on Interstate 81 in Augusta County after a pursuit. Police said he pulled out a gun after … Continue reading 3 employees shot at workplace in Virginia, suspect dead: Police

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U.S. News

Floodwaters strike across New Mexico, with more rain in the forecast

Heavy rains caused flooding across New Mexico, with water entering homes and threatening communities already saturated by weeks of thunderstorms. Residents in Santa Fe reported ankle-deep water in streets and flooding in mobile-home communities, while several roads were closed as officials responded to rising water. Doña Ana County ordered evacuations near an earthen dam considered at risk of failing, adding to concerns about further flooding. … Continue reading Floodwaters strike across New Mexico, with more rain in the forecast

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U.S. News

Former ‘American Idol’ contestant found guilty of murdering wife

An Ohio jury found Caleb Flynn, 40, guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, after prosecutors argued that he staged an intruder attack to conceal the killing. Flynn had called 911 claiming an intruder had shot Ashley, but prosecutors presented evidence including text messages with his mistress, digital records, and an allegedly staged garage entrance. Prosecutors also argued that Flynn had removed security cameras, attempted … Continue reading Former ‘American Idol’ contestant found guilty of murdering wife

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U.S. News

Court halts execution of Christa Gail Pike for a Tennessee murder

Tennessee halted the planned execution of Christa Gail Pike about an hour before it was scheduled after a federal appeals court agreed to review claims about her history of childhood sexual abuse and rape. Pike, now 50, was convicted of killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995 when Pike was 18, along with her then-boyfriend. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the stay in … Continue reading Court halts execution of Christa Gail Pike for a Tennessee murder

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World News

MI5 issues spy alert to UK universities over Chinese front company

MI5 issued a rare public warning alleging that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) is a front for China’s Ministry of State Security and has used research partnerships with British universities to obtain sensitive technology information. The security service said more than 100 UK academics received funding or awards linked to CGTRI, with research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications, and … Continue reading MI5 issues spy alert to UK universities over Chinese front company

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World News

Russia launches largest attack on Ukraine energy infrastructure since spring

Russia launched its largest attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the spring, heavily targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas and killing at least five people, including a child. The overnight strikes hit 11 regions, damaging power facilities, homes, railways, and other civilian infrastructure while leaving some households without electricity. Ukraine’s largest private energy company restored power to thousands of homes, but authorities warned residents to limit … Continue reading Russia launches largest attack on Ukraine energy infrastructure since spring

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World News

Hundreds detained as student protests across France turn violent

More than 400 people, mostly children, were detained in France after high school students across the country protested over class sizes, teacher shortages, and long school days. The Education Ministry said about 400 schools were affected, while clashes between protesters and police occurred in several cities. Police reported that 48 officers were injured, with some protesters accused of throwing objects and hydrochloric acid and damaging … Continue reading Hundreds detained as student protests across France turn violent

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World News

Burnham says ‘strong indications Iran played a part’ in RAF Fairford ‘terror plot’

Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” that Iran may have been involved in an alleged terror plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The Prime Minister said investigators believe foreign actors were involved but stressed that the police investigation remains ongoing. Five British nationals aged 23 to 25 were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism but were later released on bail. The RAF … Continue reading Burnham says ‘strong indications Iran played a part’ in RAF Fairford ‘terror plot’

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World News

Flydubai pilot attempts terror hijacking of flight to Tel Aviv, foiled by Israeli passengers

A flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation in the cockpit involving one of the pilots. Israeli officials said the incident may have been an attempted hijacking and that a major disaster was narrowly avoided after crew members subdued the pilot. The airline confirmed that the crew secured the aircraft but said the motive remains … Continue reading Flydubai pilot attempts terror hijacking of flight to Tel Aviv, foiled by Israeli passengers

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U.S. News

Feds charge Venezuelan man shot by ICE agent with assaulting an officer

Federal prosecutors have charged a Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by an ICE officer in Austin, Texas, with assaulting a federal officer, according to court documents.  The man, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was shot while working for DoorDash and was later taken into ICE custody while still suffering from his injuries. Authorities say he had a final deportation order, while his attorney says he … Continue reading Feds charge Venezuelan man shot by ICE agent with assaulting an officer

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U.S. News

Officials investigate possible new ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case

Authorities are investigating a possible new ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing from her Arizona home for nearly eight months. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI task force recently learned about the note and related social media posts and are working to determine whether they are credible. Officials previously released two ransom notes sent to a Tucson … Continue reading Officials investigate possible new ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case

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