Space

SpaceX’s Crew-12 astronauts heading home after nearly 10 months in space

Four astronauts from SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission are scheduled to leave the International Space Station on Oct. 7 after nearly eight months in orbit, following the arrival of Crew-13 on Oct. 1.  The crew consists of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.  Their Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, is scheduled to undock at 8:05 a.m. EDT … Continue reading SpaceX’s Crew-12 astronauts heading home after nearly 10 months in space

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Technology

Lightsaber-like plasma antenna uses laser-ionized air to transmit radio waves

Researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated a new antenna made from a thin filament of laser-ionized air, creating a glowing plasma beam that resembles a lightsaber. The laser creates the plasma filament by ionizing air, while a metal ring acts as a contactless capacitor to couple a radio-frequency signal into the plasma without physically touching it. The researchers demonstrated the system transmitting a … Continue reading Lightsaber-like plasma antenna uses laser-ionized air to transmit radio waves

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Business

S&P 500 rises to record high as yields move lower

U.S. stocks rose on Oct. 5, with the Nasdaq Composite reaching a record closing high as investors continued to favor technology and AI-related companies.  The S&P 500 gained 0.66%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.18% and the Nasdaq climbed 1.05% to 27,477.31.  Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta and Tesla were among the major technology stocks helping drive the gains, while Nvidia also reached a record … Continue reading S&P 500 rises to record high as yields move lower

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Business

Google signs 20-year nuclear deal with Constellation Energy to power AI build-out

Google has signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to secure 890 megawatts of additional nuclear power for its growing AI and data-center operations. The deal will fund upgrades at 11 existing nuclear reactors across Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with Constellation investing more than $4.3 billion to increase their output. The first upgraded facility is expected to begin supplying electricity in 2028, with the … Continue reading Google signs 20-year nuclear deal with Constellation Energy to power AI build-out

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Politics

Trump says he ‘looks forward to signing’ $5,000 dividend checks

President Donald Trump is again promising a $5,000 “Trump dividend” to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate in the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump said in a Truth Social video that he looks forward to signing the checks, but he has not provided a detailed funding mechanism for the proposed payments. USA TODAY estimates that sending $5,000 … Continue reading Trump says he ‘looks forward to signing’ $5,000 dividend checks

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Politics

Meloni files to trademark her voice in fight against deepfakes

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has applied to trademark her voice with the European Union Intellectual Property Office as a way to strengthen legal protections against AI-generated deepfakes. The application, filed Oct. 5, includes a four-second recording of Meloni saying “Io sono Giorgia Meloni,” echoing a phrase from her well-known 2019 political speech and her 2021 autobiography. Meloni has previously been targeted by manipulated images … Continue reading Meloni files to trademark her voice in fight against deepfakes

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Politics

Carney says Quebec should focus on economy, not a possible independence referendum

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Quebec’s new government to focus on immediate economic challenges rather than a potential independence referendum years from now.  The separatist Parti Québécois, led by Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, won 59 of Quebec’s 127 legislative seats but fell five short of a majority.  Plamondon has pledged to pursue another independence referendum but says he will wait until U.S. President Donald … Continue reading Carney says Quebec should focus on economy, not a possible independence referendum

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U.S. News

California couple accused of killing son-in-law in public park charged with murder

A California couple, both 77, have been charged with murder after authorities say they shot their 40-year-old son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, in a Dublin sports complex parking lot.  Police detained Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang near the scene, recovered firearms and said surveillance footage showed both suspects shooting McKinsey; prosecutors also said Zhang admitted to the shooting.  The killing occurred days before McKinsey and the couple’s … Continue reading California couple accused of killing son-in-law in public park charged with murder

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U.S. News

Coast Guard identifies 6 aboard missing Bermuda-to-Boston plane; debris found

The U.S. Coast Guard has identified the six people aboard a medical transport plane that disappeared off Nantucket while flying from Bermuda to Boston.  The passengers included four Canadians — Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton and Jolene Beth Weir — and two Bermudian nationals, Marilyn Lavonne Bean and Sergio Wayne Lottimore.  The Gulfstream G100 lost contact with air traffic controllers early … Continue reading Coast Guard identifies 6 aboard missing Bermuda-to-Boston plane; debris found

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U.S. News

Judge to weigh government’s effort to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia

A federal judge in Maryland is considering whether the Trump administration can deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in 2025.  Abrego Garcia had a 2019 court order protecting him from deportation to El Salvador because of concerns he could face gang persecution there. The administration has argued that Liberia is willing to accept him, while Abrego Garcia’s lawyers … Continue reading Judge to weigh government’s effort to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia

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U.S. News

Ex-pastor, ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn sentenced to life in prison

Former pastor and “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, in their Ohio home.  Flynn was convicted of aggravated murder, multiple murder counts, felonious assault and tampering with evidence after prosecutors said he staged the scene to make the killing appear to be a break-in.  During sentencing, Flynn apologized to his daughters … Continue reading Ex-pastor, ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn sentenced to life in prison

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World News

Pentagon to execute convicted Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad

The Pentagon announced that former Army Maj. Nidal Hasan will be executed by firing squad for the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting that killed 13 people and wounded 32 others.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended the execution method, and President Donald Trump approved it. Hasan was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder and sentenced to death in 2013. … Continue reading Pentagon to execute convicted Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad

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World News

12 arrested in Vietnam for snatching cats off streets at night for meat

Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have arrested 12 men suspected of operating a ring that stole and resold about 2,700 cats for meat.  Authorities said the alleged leader, 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh, purchased stolen cats and kept them at a facility before selling them for meat. Investigators said members of the group rode motorcycles through residential neighborhoods at night, trapping as many as … Continue reading 12 arrested in Vietnam for snatching cats off streets at night for meat

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World News

Lithuania takes further step towards lifting nuclear weapons ban

Lithuania’s parliament has voted 106-18 to advance a constitutional amendment that would remove the country’s ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases.  The measure still requires a second vote after a three-month waiting period, with at least 94 of the 141 lawmakers needed for approval. Supporters say lifting the restriction would allow Lithuania to participate more fully in NATO’s nuclear deterrence arrangements and strengthen … Continue reading Lithuania takes further step towards lifting nuclear weapons ban

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World News

U.K. police arrest 7th man over RAF Fairford incident on suspicion of terrorism

British police have arrested a seventh man in connection with a suspected terrorist plot near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-used military base in England.  The 22-year-old British national was detained in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, as investigators continue examining the September 27 incident. Six other men previously arrested in the case have been released on bail while remaining under investigation. Police found gasoline … Continue reading U.K. police arrest 7th man over RAF Fairford incident on suspicion of terrorism

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World News

Germany arrests former intelligence chief over alleged spying

August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service, was arrested on suspicion of treason, espionage and obtaining state secrets.  Prosecutors allege that Hanning received thousands of classified documents from a former BND aide after leaving the agency in 2005.  The aide, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested and is accused of supplying Hanning with about 2,000 sensitive documents over several years.  Investigators … Continue reading Germany arrests former intelligence chief over alleged spying

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World News

France shuts down nearly 900 schools as violent protests grow over education funding

Students across France are protesting over underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages and worsening educational conditions. The demonstrations have spread nationwide, with more than 250,000 people taking part in rallies and school blockades.  Clashes have erupted in several cities, with protesters setting fires and throwing objects while riot police responded with tear gas and other crowd-control measures.  Hundreds of people have been injured, including students … Continue reading France shuts down nearly 900 schools as violent protests grow over education funding

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Archaeology

30,000 ancient treasures saved from ISIS in daring archaeological rescue

A new study details how Syrian archaeologists rescued about 30,000 priceless artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum as ISIS advanced on the city in 2014.  The collection included ancient statues, jewelry and cuneiform tablets, including artifacts from the important Mesopotamian city of Mari.  The operation was part of a much larger effort that relocated roughly 300,000 museum objects from locations across Syria threatened by war … Continue reading 30,000 ancient treasures saved from ISIS in daring archaeological rescue

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Space

‘Completely unexpected’ Phoenix planet was born from the ashes of a dying star

Astronomers have found evidence of a rare “second-generation” planet that appears to have formed from material expelled by a dying star, rather than from the star’s original planetary disk.  The planet appears to orbit the white dwarf HS 0209+0832, about 790 light-years away, and scientists detected unusually high levels of heavy elements including niobium in the star’s atmosphere.  Observations from NASA’s TESS suggest the object … Continue reading ‘Completely unexpected’ Phoenix planet was born from the ashes of a dying star

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Technology

Human vs humanoid robot cage fight goes viral

Frankie LaPenna, a content creator, stepped into a San Francisco cage to fight three humanoid robots in an event billed as the first human-versus-humanoid robot cage fight.  The robots included modified EngineAI T800s standing about six feet tall, with footage showing one knocking LaPenna across the cage with a powerful strike.  Despite the robots’ futuristic appearance, they were controlled in real time by human pilots … Continue reading Human vs humanoid robot cage fight goes viral

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Technology

Ukraine’s surprise robot offensive exposes a vulnerability in Putin’s war machine

A surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive in the eastern Donbas, known as “Operation Vivaldi,” appears to have reversed more than a year of Russian territorial gains around Lyman.  Ukrainian forces reportedly used large drones and remotely controlled ground robots behind Russian lines, helping them attack troops while reducing risks to Ukrainian soldiers.  The operation has also allowed Ukraine to gain greater control of the air around Lyman … Continue reading Ukraine’s surprise robot offensive exposes a vulnerability in Putin’s war machine

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Technology

Accept ‘bad things’ in return for benefits of AI, says Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said society should accept some negative consequences from artificial intelligence, including hacks and scams, because of the broader benefits the technology can provide.  Altman defended keeping AI widely accessible and said OpenAI has a fundamentally different approach from Anthropic, which has called for stronger safety measures and a slower pace of development.  His comments came shortly after OpenAI safety leader David … Continue reading Accept ‘bad things’ in return for benefits of AI, says Sam Altman

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Business

Euro hits 17-month low as French debt fears mount and Spain heads for snap election

The euro fell to a 17-month low against the U.S. dollar as investors grew increasingly worried about France’s high debt and political uncertainty.  French 10-year bond yields approached 5%, while the gap between French and German borrowing costs widened sharply, raising concerns about a possible return of eurozone debt-crisis dynamics.  Spain added to the uncertainty after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election … Continue reading Euro hits 17-month low as French debt fears mount and Spain heads for snap election

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Business

Saudi Aramco chief says replenishing global oil stockpiles could take two years

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned that global oil inventories could take up to two years to rebuild as the U.S.-Iran war continues to disrupt energy supplies.  The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has sharply reduced shipments and increased pressure on markets.  Nasser said crude and refined-fuel supplies remain especially … Continue reading Saudi Aramco chief says replenishing global oil stockpiles could take two years

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Business

GM says hybrid vehicles are coming

General Motors plans to add hybrid vehicles to its U.S. lineup as demand for hybrids grows while sales of fully electric vehicles weaken.  GM propulsion executive Mike Anderson said hybrids are “part of the plan,” but the company has not announced when the new models will arrive.  GM has largely avoided hybrids while investing heavily in electric vehicles, and currently sells only one hybrid model, … Continue reading GM says hybrid vehicles are coming

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