Author: bcbegley

World News

Military strikes three more alleged drug boats in Pacific, Caribbean

United States Southern Command said it carried out strikes on three suspected drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, killing 11 people. The military claimed the vessels were operating along known trafficking routes and were run by designated terrorist organizations, though it has not released supporting evidence. The strikes are part of a broader campaign that has involved more than 40 operations and over … Continue reading Military strikes three more alleged drug boats in Pacific, Caribbean

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U.S. News

Gunman arrested outside US Capitol

A suspect carrying what appeared to be a gun was arrested near the West Front of the United States Capitol, according to United States Capitol Police. Authorities temporarily closed part of Maryland Avenue and warned staff to avoid the Lower West Terrace while they investigated, later giving the all-clear around 2 p.m. Police said one person is in custody and there is no ongoing threat. … Continue reading Gunman arrested outside US Capitol

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World News

US sends over 50 fighter jets to Middle East in military buildup against Iran

The United States has moved more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East within the past 24 hours as part of a growing military buildup near Iran. Independent flight trackers observed F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft heading to the region. The buildup comes amid indirect nuclear negotiations, with a U.S. official telling The Jerusalem Post that recent talks in Geneva showed progress but significant … Continue reading US sends over 50 fighter jets to Middle East in military buildup against Iran

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World News

‘Lovers’ Arch’ collapses on Valentine’s Day on Italy’s Adriatic coast

Italy’s famous “Lovers’ Arch” on the Adriatic coast collapsed on Valentine’s Day after days of heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas, officials said. The natural arch, part of the Sant’Andrea sea stacks near Melendugno in Puglia, had long been a popular spot for proposals and tourist photos. Mayor Maurizio Cisternino called the collapse a “very hard blow” for the area’s image and tourism. Authorities … Continue reading ‘Lovers’ Arch’ collapses on Valentine’s Day on Italy’s Adriatic coast

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Politics

Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Bangladesh prime minister

Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s new prime minister after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a two-thirds majority in the first election since the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. He took the oath in a televised ceremony in Dhaka, pledging to uphold the law, while lawmakers also swore loyalty to the country. The BNP and its allies secured at least … Continue reading Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Bangladesh prime minister

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World News

US plans to deploy more missile launchers to the Philippines despite China’s alarm

The United States plans to deploy additional advanced missile systems to the Philippines to deter potential aggression in the South China Sea, amid growing tensions with China. U.S. and Philippine officials condemned Beijing’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities” and outlined joint defense plans, including military exercises and support for Philippine military modernization. China has protested previous U.S. deployments, including the Typhon mid-range missile system … Continue reading US plans to deploy more missile launchers to the Philippines despite China’s alarm

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World News

Australians with alleged IS ties are turned back after departing Syrian camp

A group of 34 Australian women and children attempting to leave Syria’s Roj camp for repatriation were turned back on Monday after Syrian authorities said their travel procedures were incomplete. The families, from 11 households, had planned to travel from the camp near the Iraq border to Damascus and then fly to Australia, accompanied by relatives who had traveled from home. Roj camp, controlled by … Continue reading Australians with alleged IS ties are turned back after departing Syrian camp

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Business

Gold prices tumble below $5,000, silver is under $75

Gold fell below $5,000 on Tuesday, dropping $109.30 to $4,936 an ounce, while silver plunged 5.2% to $73.92 amid the start of China’s Lunar New Year holiday. The absence of Asian buyers, particularly from China, removed key support for precious metals, contributing to the sharp declines, analysts said. Other metals also tumbled, with copper down 2.3% and platinum slipping 4.2% as investor momentum slowed. A … Continue reading Gold prices tumble below $5,000, silver is under $75

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Politics

Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of ‘cover-up’ over Epstein files

Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating a “cover-up” over files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling for their full public release. Speaking to the BBC, she said she and Bill Clinton have “nothing to hide” and that the couple is set to testify before a House oversight committee investigating Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. The Justice Department recently released over … Continue reading Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of ‘cover-up’ over Epstein files

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U.S. News

Sheriff says Guthrie family ‘cleared’ as suspects in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping

Authorities investigating the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie have cleared her immediate family members as suspects, calling them fully cooperative. The FBI is analyzing key DNA evidence found on a glove linked to a masked suspect seen outside her Tucson-area home the night she disappeared. Surveillance footage shows an armed man tampering with a security camera before the Feb. 1 kidnapping, but no arrests have … Continue reading Sheriff says Guthrie family ‘cleared’ as suspects in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping

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U.S. News

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader who ran for president, dies at age 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, pioneering civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, has died at 84 after battling Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. A close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., he was present when King was assassinated in 1968 and later founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to advance social and economic justice. Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, … Continue reading Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader who ran for president, dies at age 84

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Technology

Humanoid robots perform drunken kung fu with nunchucks at China’s Spring Gala

At the 2026 China Media Group Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots performed alongside young kung fu artists in a groundbreaking martial arts showcase watched by hundreds of millions. Developed by Unitree Robotics, G1 and H1 humanoid robots demonstrated advanced bipedal movement, multi-robot coordination, and real-time motion control. The machines wielded traditional weapons and executed complex feats such as table vaults, aerial flips, and high-speed synchronized … Continue reading Humanoid robots perform drunken kung fu with nunchucks at China’s Spring Gala

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World News

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship as nuke talks start

Iran fired live missiles toward the Strait of Hormuz as nuclear talks with the United States began in Geneva, escalating tensions in the region. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that while a U.S. warship in the Gulf is dangerous, Iran possesses weapons capable of sinking it. The negotiations, described by Iranian state media as indirect, are focused solely on Iran’s nuclear program amid increased … Continue reading Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship as nuke talks start

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Space

NASA launches twin rocket missions from Alaska to study mysterious black auroras

NASA launched two suborbital rockets from Alaska this week to study the electrical “circuitry” of auroras, the northern lights caused by interactions between solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere. The first mission, Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor (BADASS), launched on Feb. 9 to investigate black auroras, where electrons shoot into space rather than toward Earth, reaching 224 miles (360 km) in altitude and returning high-quality … Continue reading NASA launches twin rocket missions from Alaska to study mysterious black auroras

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Space

SpaceX Dragon astronauts make Valentine’s Day docking at space station

SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Valentine’s Day after a 34-hour journey, bringing four new astronauts aboard the short-staffed station. The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA’s Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, with Hathaway and Adenot on their first spaceflight. They join three existing ISS crew members—NASA’s Chris Williams and cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and … Continue reading SpaceX Dragon astronauts make Valentine’s Day docking at space station

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Technology

China’s humanoid robot masters stunning sword dance, shows perfect control

China’s Robotera released a video of its full-sized L7 humanoid robot performing a traditional Chinese sword dance to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse, highlighting its advanced capabilities. Standing 5.6 feet tall and weighing 143 pounds, the L7 has 55 independently moving joints, enabling intricate movements like arm rotation, wrist flipping, and grip adjustment. The sword dance demonstrates the robot’s real-time whole-body coordination, precise … Continue reading China’s humanoid robot masters stunning sword dance, shows perfect control

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Technology

China celebrates Year of the Horse with humanoid robots

Hundreds of millions of people in China are traveling for the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which begins Feb. 17, marking the world’s largest annual human migration with a record 9.5 billion trips expected. This year ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing speed, intensity, and decisive action, and has inspired playful traditions like decorating doors with “Draco Malfoy” for luck. Despite … Continue reading China celebrates Year of the Horse with humanoid robots

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Technology

Pentagon Used AI in Maduro Venezuela Raid

Anthropic’s AI model Claude was reportedly used in the U.S. military operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking one of the first classified deployments of the tool. Claude’s usage policies prohibit facilitating violence or weapons development, raising questions about how the model was applied during the mission. The Pentagon’s relationship with Anthropic is under review, and concerns over ethical AI use have led … Continue reading Pentagon Used AI in Maduro Venezuela Raid

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Business

Wendy’s will continue closing hundreds of stores through mid-2026

Wendy’s plans to close 5% to 6% of its U.S. restaurants in the first half of 2026 as part of a previously announced turnaround plan. The closures follow 28 stores shut during the fourth quarter, targeting consistently underperforming locations while allowing franchisees to focus on more profitable outlets. The chain’s U.S. same-store sales fell 11.3% in the last quarter of 2025 and 5.6% for the … Continue reading Wendy’s will continue closing hundreds of stores through mid-2026

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Business

Inflation measure falls to nearly five-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool

Inflation in the U.S. eased to a near five-year low in January, with consumer prices rising 2.4% year-over-year and core prices, excluding food and energy, up 2.5%, driven by slower rent growth and falling gas prices. Monthly increases were modest, with used car prices dropping 1.8% and gas falling 3.2%, while some items like airline fares, furniture, and appliances saw sharper rises. Housing costs, which … Continue reading Inflation measure falls to nearly five-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool

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Business

Japan’s economy avoids technical recession

Japan’s economy narrowly avoided a technical recession in Q4 2025, growing just 0.1% compared with the previous quarter, following a 0.7% contraction in Q3. Annualized GDP rose 0.2%, below economists’ expectations of 1.6%, with private consumption supporting modest growth while exports and public spending weakened. The Nikkei 225 edged higher after the data, though the yen weakened against the dollar, and the Bank of Japan … Continue reading Japan’s economy avoids technical recession

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Politics

Zelenskyy says questions remain for allies over security guarantees for Ukraine

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked international allies for their support, particularly air defense systems, but raised concerns about the country’s future security guarantees. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he questioned proposals like a free trade zone in the Donbas, warning that Russian opposition and potential provocations could make such arrangements risky. Zelenskyy criticized Moscow’s insistence that Ukraine cede territory in the east and highlighted … Continue reading Zelenskyy says questions remain for allies over security guarantees for Ukraine

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Politics

Von der Leyen rebukes NATO chief, calls for European mutual defence

Ursula von der Leyen pushed back on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s claim that Europe cannot guarantee its own security without the United States, calling the situation more nuanced and urging EU nations to activate their mutual defence obligations under Article 42.7. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she highlighted that European defence spending has risen nearly 80% since Russia invaded Ukraine, but stressed that … Continue reading Von der Leyen rebukes NATO chief, calls for European mutual defence

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Politics

Macron calls for ‘restraint’ after death of young man attacked in Lyon

Quentin D, 23, died in hospital from a traumatic brain injury sustained during an attack on the sidelines of a conference by LFI MEP Rima Hassan in Lyon. Quentin, part of the security team for right-wing protesters from Collectif Némésis, was violently assaulted while the group staged a demonstration against Hassan’s visit. The Lyon prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for aggravated manslaughter, but no … Continue reading Macron calls for ‘restraint’ after death of young man attacked in Lyon

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Politics

Rubio visits Slovakia and Hungary to bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a trip to Slovakia and Hungary, pledging closer cooperation with Central European nations that have strong ties to President Donald Trump. In Slovakia, Rubio met Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini to discuss energy and defense, including Slovakia’s plans for a new nuclear plant and additional F-16 fighter jets. Rubio emphasized partnership rather than dominance, calling … Continue reading Rubio visits Slovakia and Hungary to bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders

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