Author: bcbegley

Space

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit on brand-new Falcon 9 rocket

A brand-new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Tuesday night (May 20) from Cape Canaveral. This marked the first flight and landing for the rocket’s first stage, which touched down on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions. The mission, delayed by a day due to an aborted launch, was SpaceX’s 60th Falcon 9 flight and 43rd Starlink … Continue reading SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit on brand-new Falcon 9 rocket

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Space

SpaceX Dragon to depart ISS with scientific research samples

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is set to return to Earth on Friday, carrying nearly 6,700 pounds of scientific experiments, equipment, and supplies from the International Space Station. NASA scheduled its departure for 12:05 p.m. EDT on Thursday, with splashdown off the California coast. Returning experiments include studies on space-exposed materials, radiation shielding, and Astrobee robots that demonstrated the ability to grasp and move objects in … Continue reading SpaceX Dragon to depart ISS with scientific research samples

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Technology

TRON1 robot extends its reach with a new optional arm

LimX Dynamics, a robotics company from Shenzhen, China, showcased its bipedal robot TRON1 at the ICRA conference in Atlanta. Resembling a Star Wars AT-ST walker, TRON1 is designed for research in mobile manipulation and humanoid AI. It recently won a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its multi-modal locomotion. The robot can be upgraded with a single robotic arm, NVIDIA computing modules, voice interaction features, and sensors like lidar … Continue reading TRON1 robot extends its reach with a new optional arm

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Technology

China to launch drone mothership

China is set to launch the Jiu Tan, a new drone-carrying mothership capable of deploying 100 kamikaze drones simultaneously. Developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology, the aircraft has a 25-meter wingspan, 12-hour flight time, and 7,000 km range. It can carry six tons of equipment, including cruise and air-to-air missiles. Designed to evade radar and overwhelm defenses, it could play a major role in a China-Taiwan … Continue reading China to launch drone mothership

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Business

Target sales drop in 1st quarter and retailer warns they will slip for all of 2025

Target’s efforts to revive sales are faltering, with Q1 revenue falling more than expected and full-year sales now projected to decline. The company blamed weak consumer spending, economic concerns, and the impact of customer boycotts related to its handling of LGBTQ+ and DEI issues. Comparable store sales dropped 3.8%, and transaction volume also declined. Target’s stock fell 3.5%, and the company cut its annual forecast. … Continue reading Target sales drop in 1st quarter and retailer warns they will slip for all of 2025

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Business

Dow Fall More Than 800 Points, Bitcoin Touches New High

U.S. stocks fell sharply as details of the White House’s tax plan raised inflation concerns. The Dow dropped 704 points (1.7%), the S&P 500 lost 1.2%, and the Nasdaq slipped 1%. Investors fear higher bond yields and borrowing costs due to rising deficits and tariffs. The 30-year bond yield rose to 5.09%, USA Today has reported. Oil prices dipped, gold rose nearly 1%, and Bitcoin … Continue reading Dow Fall More Than 800 Points, Bitcoin Touches New High

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Politics

Foreign diplomats come under Israeli fire on official West Bank visit

Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at a delegation of over 20 European and Arab diplomats near the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, drawing widespread international condemnation. The diplomats were on an official visit to assess the humanitarian situation when the shots were fired, despite the visit being coordinated in advance. The Israeli military claimed the group deviated from the approved route, but the … Continue reading Foreign diplomats come under Israeli fire on official West Bank visit

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Politics

Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a reversal on winter fuel payment cuts, pledging to ease eligibility rules after widespread criticism. Over 10 million pensioners lost the payments—worth up to £300—last year when the benefit became means-tested. Starmer said more pensioners would qualify under changes to be detailed in the autumn Budget, though specifics remain unclear. The original cuts, made to save £1.4bn, drew backlash from … Continue reading Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts

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Politics

U.S. Ambassador Huckabee is ‘outraged’ at European leaders for condemning Israel

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized the leaders of the U.K., France, and Canada for condemning Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza, calling their stance “outrageous” and “hypocritical.” Israel resumed heavy airstrikes and mass evacuations in Gaza, where over 53,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since October 2023. While international leaders denounced Israel’s actions as “disproportionate,” Huckabee defended them, likening the response to Allied … Continue reading U.S. Ambassador Huckabee is ‘outraged’ at European leaders for condemning Israel

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Politics

Trump confronts South African president with video on treatment of White farmers

At the White House, President Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a video showing alleged violence against White South African farmers, claiming they are being killed and forced off their land. Trump described scenes of white crosses symbolizing slain farmers and said many are fleeing to the U.S. Ramaphosa questioned the video’s authenticity and denied any genocide, urging Trump to listen to South … Continue reading Trump confronts South African president with video on treatment of White farmers

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Politics

Sparks fly between Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Dem Rep. Watson Coleman

At a heated House Appropriations hearing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon clashed with Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman over the Trump administration’s plans to cut $12 billion from the Education Department and reduce its size. Watson Coleman accused the administration of racial bias and gutting civil rights enforcement, while McMahon defended the cuts as efforts to return control to states and improve literacy. McMahon also highlighted school … Continue reading Sparks fly between Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Dem Rep. Watson Coleman

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U.S. News

University of Buffalo grad chased by police as he runs across stage holding his baby

At the University at Buffalo’s commencement, graduate Jean-Paul Al-Arab was chased by police after running onstage with his baby, who wore a matching cap and gown. The university said he violated rules by bringing an infant onstage, despite being warned. Al-Arab claimed he was previously told it was allowed and shared his story on TikTok, thanking supporters. Though escorted offstage, he later apologized and will … Continue reading University of Buffalo grad chased by police as he runs across stage holding his baby

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U.S. News

Loose pet kangaroo keeps police hopping in Colorado

Police in Durango, Colorado, had to recapture Irwin, a pet kangaroo who escaped for the second time. Now too big to hop into a pouch-like bag as he did last fall, Irwin was eventually cornered and caught by an officer with farm experience. He was safely returned home, the Associated Press has reported. As Irwin grows, authorities warn he’ll become harder to catch and stress … Continue reading Loose pet kangaroo keeps police hopping in Colorado

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U.S. News

Tallahassee prosecutor now looking into $10M tied to Casey DeSantis charity

Tallahassee-area State Attorney Jack Campbell has reportedly opened an investigation into a $10 million Medicaid settlement donation to a charity linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis, which was later funneled into a political committee. The funds, intended for the Hope Florida Foundation, were routed through nonprofits before $8.5 million ended up with Keep Florida Clean, a committee that opposed marijuana legalization and was run by … Continue reading Tallahassee prosecutor now looking into $10M tied to Casey DeSantis charity

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U.S. News

DOJ investigating Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying about COVID decision

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over allegations he lied to Congress about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The probe focuses on Cuomo’s March 2020 directive that sent over 9,000 COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, which critics say worsened outbreaks and deaths. House Republicans previously accused Cuomo of making false statements during a … Continue reading DOJ investigating Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying about COVID decision

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U.S. News

Two women arrested for assisting Orleans jail escapees, Louisiana State Police say

Two women have been arrested for allegedly helping inmates escape from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. Courtnie Harris, 32, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, were charged as accessories after the fact. Harris reportedly contacted an inmate before the escape and later drove two fugitives to various locations in New Orleans. She is believed to have assisted escapee Leo Tate, Fox 8 Live has reported. … Continue reading Two women arrested for assisting Orleans jail escapees, Louisiana State Police say

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World News

Pakistan blames India for suspected suicide attack on school bus

A suspected suicide bombing targeting a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan killed three children, a driver, and a guard, with dozens more injured. Pakistan blamed India for orchestrating the attack through proxy groups, while India denied the “baseless” allegations. The incident follows heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors after recent cross-border strikes and a fragile ceasefire declared on May 10, The Guardian has reported. No … Continue reading Pakistan blames India for suspected suicide attack on school bus

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World News

Russia’s Putin visits Kursk as Ukraine says six killed in missile strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk border region for the first time since Russian forces expelled Ukrainian troops who had briefly occupied the area—marking Ukraine’s first incursion into Russian territory since WWII. During his visit, Putin met with volunteers and inspected a nuclear plant. Meanwhile, Russia launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian training camp, killing six soldiers, and intercepted 159 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine … Continue reading Russia’s Putin visits Kursk as Ukraine says six killed in missile strike

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World News

Tourists flee as roof collapses off 650-year-old building in China

The 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower in China’s Anhui Province partially collapsed on May 19, sending roof tiles flying and causing tourists to flee. No injuries were reported. The tower, originally built in 1375 and rebuilt in 1995, had recently undergone maintenance due to safety concerns, USA Today has reported. Authorities are investigating the incident, which was captured on video showing falling debris and dust. Written … Continue reading Tourists flee as roof collapses off 650-year-old building in China

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World News

Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid school

Andriy Portnov, a former top Ukrainian official, was shot dead outside an American school in Madrid after dropping off his children. The gunman fled into a nearby park, and no arrests have been made. Portnov, once allied with pro-Russian ex-president Yanukovych, had faced U.S. sanctions and was accused of undermining judicial reforms. The motive for the attack remains unknown, though the shooting occurred in broad … Continue reading Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid school

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World News

UK to castrate pedophiles, sex criminals

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering making chemical castration mandatory for paedophiles and rapists in the UK. The plan aims to reduce reoffending by up to 60% using drugs that suppress sexual urges. A current small pilot program will be expanded to 20 prisons, with a potential nationwide rollout. Mahmood is also exploring its use on offenders with suspended sentences, The Sun has reported. The … Continue reading UK to castrate pedophiles, sex criminals

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Space

Scientists urge NASA to act on Apophis mission concept

Scientists are urging NASA to quickly repurpose its twin Janus smallsats to study the asteroid Apophis before its close approach to Earth in April 2029. Originally built for asteroid flybys, the Janus mission was canceled and the spacecraft were placed in storage. Researchers now recommend using them for a pre-flyby mission to Apophis, following discussions at the recent Apophis T-4 Years Workshop, Space News has … Continue reading Scientists urge NASA to act on Apophis mission concept

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Space

Nasa warns of huge solar flares causing blackouts on Earth

Astronomers are warning of increased solar storms in the coming days as a highly active sunspot region rotates to face Earth. NASA recently recorded 2025’s strongest solar flare so far—an X2.7-class eruption—which caused brief radio blackouts in the Middle East. More flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from this region could disrupt radio signals, power grids, navigation systems, and pose risks to satellites and astronauts. … Continue reading Nasa warns of huge solar flares causing blackouts on Earth

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Space

A broken thruster jeopardized Voyager 1, but engineers executed a remote fix

Earlier this year, NASA faced a critical decision that could have ended Voyager 1’s mission. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 relies on roll thrusters to keep its antenna aimed at Earth. After years of using backup thrusters due to primary failure, engineers feared both systems might fail as residue built up in the fuel lines. With the only ground antenna capable of contacting Voyager 1 … Continue reading A broken thruster jeopardized Voyager 1, but engineers executed a remote fix

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