Author: bcbegley

Space

Largest piece of Mars on Earth fetches $5.3 million at auction

At a Sotheby’s auction in New York, the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth sold for $5.3 million, setting a record as the most valuable meteorite ever auctioned. The 54-pound rock, discovered in Niger in 2023, traveled from Mars after an asteroid impact. However, a rare juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton stole the spotlight, selling for $30 million after a six-minute bidding war, far surpassing … Continue reading Largest piece of Mars on Earth fetches $5.3 million at auction

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Technology

This tiny, furry robot is taking on invasive pythons in Florida

Researchers at the University of Florida have deployed 40 robotic rabbits in South Florida to lure and track invasive pythons. Designed to mimic the heat and movements of marsh rabbits—a common python prey—the mechanical bunnies are solar-powered, remotely controlled, and part of a conservation effort to manage the snake population. The project builds on years of research and aims to replace the use of live … Continue reading This tiny, furry robot is taking on invasive pythons in Florida

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Bank of America puts up mixed results

Bank of America reported mixed Q2 results, beating earnings expectations with 89 cents per share but missing on revenue at $26.61 billion. Profit rose 3% to $7.12 billion. Net interest income increased 7% but came in below forecasts. Trading revenue was strong, with fixed income beating estimates, while equities trading was slightly below expectations. Investment banking fees fell 9% but topped analyst projections, CNBC has reported. Shares were … Continue reading Bank of America puts up mixed results

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Goldman Sachs tops estimates as traders generate $840 million more revenue than expected

Goldman Sachs beat expectations in the second quarter, with earnings of $10.91 per share on $14.58 billion in revenue, both well above estimates. Profit rose 22% from a year earlier. Strong trading performance—especially equities trading, which jumped 36%—drove most of the gains. Fixed income trading and investment banking also beat forecasts, while the asset and wealth management division underperformed, CNN has reported. Goldman shares were up 23% … Continue reading Goldman Sachs tops estimates as traders generate $840 million more revenue than expected

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Dow adds 200 points, S&P 500 rises

Stocks swung sharply Wednesday after reports that President Trump was considering firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Markets initially fell but rebounded when Trump denied he planned to remove Powell “in the near future,” though he didn’t rule it out entirely. The S&P 500 closed up 0.32%, the Nasdaq 0.26%, and the Dow 0.53%. Traders remained wary given Trump’s repeated calls for steep rate cuts. … Continue reading Dow adds 200 points, S&P 500 rises

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

House Republicans float grilling Joe, Jill Biden as former aides stonewall cover-up probe

House Oversight Committee Republicans say they may subpoena former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden as part of an investigation into whether aides covered up signs of Biden’s mental decline while in office. Chairman James Comer said “every option’s on the table,” while Rep. Byron Donalds called for all former Biden staffers to testify. The committee recently questioned Jill Biden’s longtime aide … Continue reading House Republicans float grilling Joe, Jill Biden as former aides stonewall cover-up probe

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Carney says US-Canada trade deal likely to include some tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada may have to accept some US tariffs as part of a trade deal, acknowledging the Trump administration’s insistence on including levies in negotiations. This comes as Trump plans to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% starting August 1. Carney warned of possible further Canadian counter-tariffs if no deal is reached but said any agreement must be in Canada’s … Continue reading Carney says US-Canada trade deal likely to include some tariffs

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump to sign legislation cracking down on illicit fentanyl

President Trump will host a ceremony Wednesday to sign the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act, which toughens prison sentences for trafficking fentanyl and its copycat variants by classifying them as Schedule I drugs. The legislation aims to close legal loopholes and help law enforcement target traffickers. Critics warn it could impose harsh penalties on drug users, CNN has reported. Families who lost loved ones to fentanyl … Continue reading Trump to sign legislation cracking down on illicit fentanyl

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Mike Johnson signals break with Trump on Epstein

House Speaker Mike Johnson joined calls for releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files, despite Republican leaders blocking a Democratic push to force the issue. Johnson said he supports transparency and urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to clarify her past remarks about an alleged “client list.” Meanwhile, Trump has told his supporters to drop the matter, calling it unimportant, Axios has reported. The split has exposed tensions in … Continue reading Mike Johnson signals break with Trump on Epstein

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump wars with allies over Epstein

Former President Trump criticized some of his Republican allies for pushing conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein, saying he doesn’t want their support if they keep demanding more disclosures. Trump called GOP calls for further investigation “Democrat work” and accused them of falling for a smear campaign. Despite this, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans have joined Democrats in seeking more transparency about Epstein’s associates … Continue reading Trump wars with allies over Epstein

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs, a U.S. marshal, and a businessman have been federally indicted in a large visa fraud scheme. Prosecutors say they took bribes to create false police reports so noncitizens could fraudulently obtain U-visas meant for crime victims. The businessman, Chandrakant Patel, allegedly paid officers $5,000 per fake report over nearly a decade, NBC News has reported. The five face … Continue reading Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Golfer dies after being struck by lightning on course in New Jersey

Simon John Mariani, 28, died after being struck by lightning while playing golf at Ballyowen Golf Course in New Jersey on July 8. He was participating in an all-day competition with his father, who tried to revive him before emergency crews arrived. Mariani was airlifted to a hospital but died days later. He worked in New York City and was remembered as talented and devoted … Continue reading Golfer dies after being struck by lightning on course in New Jersey

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

TikTok influencer’s husband faces possible felony charge after son’s tragic pool accident

Brady Kiser, husband of influencer Emilie Kiser, may face a felony child abuse charge over the drowning death of their three-year-old son, Trigg, in Arizona. Police recommended charging Brady after he told them he left Trigg unsupervised for several minutes near the backyard pool. The case has drawn widespread attention due to Emilie’s large social media following, Fox News has reported. She has asked the … Continue reading TikTok influencer’s husband faces possible felony charge after son’s tragic pool accident

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Burrito factory worker killed after getting sucked into meat grinder

A 19-year-old sanitation worker was killed after falling into a meat grinder while cleaning it at Tina’s Burritos factory in Vernon, California. The machine activated unexpectedly around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, and co-workers were unable to stop it in time. Police called it an industrial accident with no foul play suspected. Authorities and workplace safety officials are investigating, the U.S. has reported. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Burrito factory worker killed after getting sucked into meat grinder

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Enormous fire threatens Area 51

A large wildfire, sparked by lightning on July 4, has grown to 35,000 acres near Nevada’s Area 51, raising fears among UFO enthusiasts that historic evidence could be destroyed. The Gothic Fire remains uncontained and is burning about 15 miles from the secretive base. While officials say no one is in danger, conspiracy theories have spread online, with some claiming the blaze is a government … Continue reading Enormous fire threatens Area 51

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Men sentenced to over 4 years in prison for cutting down iconic tree

Two British men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were sentenced to over four years in prison for cutting down England’s iconic Sycamore Gap Tree in 2023. The nearly 200-year-old tree, beside Hadrian’s Wall and featured in the film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” was felled in minutes with a chainsaw. The act, called “deliberate and mindless” by the judge, caused over £620,000 in damage and … Continue reading Men sentenced to over 4 years in prison for cutting down iconic tree

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Stolen small plane circles Vancouver airport as controllers ground flights

A stolen Cessna 172 caused a 39-minute shutdown of Vancouver International Airport’s airspace on Tuesday. The plane took off from Victoria, circled over Vancouver, and forced controllers to reroute other aircraft, including a WestJet 737 that had to abort its landing. The stolen plane landed safely and the lone pilot was arrested, CNN has reported. Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or motive. Written … Continue reading Stolen small plane circles Vancouver airport as controllers ground flights

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Iceland volcano erupts, prompting evacuation of town and geothermal spa

A volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula forced the evacuation of tourists from the Blue Lagoon spa and a nearby campsite in Grindavik. The eruption began after intense seismic activity, sending lava southeast from a fissure, though no infrastructure is currently threatened. Grindavik has faced repeated volcanic activity since November 2023 after centuries of dormancy, ABC News has reported. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Iceland volcano erupts, prompting evacuation of town and geothermal spa

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

At least 20 Palestinians killed in crush at food distribution site in southern Gaza

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in a crush at a US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution site in southern Gaza. Witnesses and health officials say GHF guards used teargas or pepper spray on the crowd, causing panic and suffocation. The incident marks the first such deaths at a GHF-run site, amid broader starvation in Gaza where Israeli attacks have killed over 58,000 people, … Continue reading At least 20 Palestinians killed in crush at food distribution site in southern Gaza

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Israel strikes Syria’s defence ministry in third day of attacks

Israel carried out two airstrikes on Syria’s defence ministry in Damascus, collapsing part of the building and injuring officers, as it intervened in escalating fighting between Syrian government forces and Druze militias in southern Syria. The strikes followed days of Israeli attacks aimed at deterring Syrian military deployment near Israel’s border and signaling support for the Druze community, though many Druze reject being seen as … Continue reading Israel strikes Syria’s defence ministry in third day of attacks

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

Scientists find Uranus is surprisingly warm

Scientists have discovered that Uranus emits about 12.5% more heat than it receives from the Sun, contradicting Voyager 2’s 1986 findings that suggested it had little internal heat. Using decades of spacecraft data and computer models, researchers found Uranus is still losing leftover heat from its formation, offering clues about its origins and evolution. This discovery could reshape theories about the planet’s structure and history, … Continue reading Scientists find Uranus is surprisingly warm

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

Astronomers discover monster exoplanet hiding in ‘stellar fog’

Astronomers have discovered a giant planet up to ten times the size of Jupiter hidden in the dense gas and dust around the young star MP Mus, about 280 light-years away. Using data from ALMA and the ESA’s Gaia mission, they detected the massive gas giant in the star’s protoplanetary disk—marking Gaia’s first such exoplanet discovery. This rare find, only the fourth strong detection of … Continue reading Astronomers discover monster exoplanet hiding in ‘stellar fog’

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Bitcoin soars to new all-time high as US lawmakers focus on pro-crypto legislation

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high above $123,000 on Monday, up sharply from $108,000 a week earlier, pushing its market cap to $2.4 trillion—making it the world’s fifth most valuable asset. The surge comes as the U.S. Congress begins “crypto week,” considering multiple pro-crypto bills, including stablecoin regulation and a broader market-structure overhaul. President Trump has promised to make the U.S. a global crypto hub … Continue reading Bitcoin soars to new all-time high as US lawmakers focus on pro-crypto legislation

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Starbucks staff must work in the office four days a week

Starbucks is requiring its corporate employees in the US and Canada to work in the office four days a week (Monday–Thursday) starting in October, up from three days. Those unwilling to comply will be offered a one-time payout to leave. CEO Brian Niccol said the change supports Starbucks’ focus on “human connection” and its business turnaround amid falling sales. Some managers will also have to … Continue reading Starbucks staff must work in the office four days a week

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Nvidia says it will resume H20 AI chip sales to China soon

Nvidia announced it may soon resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China after the U.S. government indicated it would grant export licenses—a major boost for the company hit by prior export restrictions. The H20 chips were originally designed to bypass earlier U.S. curbs. The move follows Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s meeting with President Trump and growing U.S.-China trade cooperation. Nvidia also unveiled a … Continue reading Nvidia says it will resume H20 AI chip sales to China soon

Unknown's avatarbcbegley