B.C. Begley

Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar

Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and some foreign policy decisions in a recent NBC interview. While praising Trump’s border security and military actions, Pence called the early April tariffs the largest peacetime tax hike on Americans, expressing relief when many were paused. He warned that ongoing tariffs could raise consumer prices and harm jobs, contrasting the current approach with … Continue reading Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar

Britain poised to reset trade and defence ties with EU

Britain is set to agree on a major reset of its relationship with the EU, focusing on closer cooperation in trade and defense to boost the economy and security. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former Remain supporter, aims to deliver clear benefits to Britons despite criticism from Brexit hardliners. Key talks include a defense pact allowing UK firms to join a €150 billion European rearmament … Continue reading Britain poised to reset trade and defence ties with EU

Centrist wins Romania’s tense presidential race over right-wing nationalist

Pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan won Romania’s presidential runoff against hard-right nationalist George Simion, with about 54% of the vote after a high 64% turnout. The election was seen as a choice between East and West amid recent political turmoil following a canceled election. Dan, the incumbent Bucharest mayor, surged from a first-round loss to defeat Simion, who led initially but lost support due to his … Continue reading Centrist wins Romania’s tense presidential race over right-wing nationalist

Pope Leo urges unity, condemns capitalism and war at inaugural Mass

Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was inaugurated as the 267th pope in St. Peter’s Square before tens of thousands. In his inaugural Mass, he called for global unity, condemned unchecked capitalism, and urged the Church to be a force for healing and reconciliation. He emphasized uniting the Church as a model for the world and prayed for peace in conflict … Continue reading Pope Leo urges unity, condemns capitalism and war at inaugural Mass

Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 and bone metastasis, his office announced Sunday. Despite the severity, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective treatment. The diagnosis followed the discovery of a prostate nodule after Biden experienced urinary symptoms, Breitbart News has reported. Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his doctors. … Continue reading Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Employee killed, multiple injured in shooting at Las Vegas gym

A gunman opened fire inside a Las Vegas Athletic Club on Friday, killing one person and injuring two others. Police shot the suspect as he tried to flee and later confirmed he died at the hospital. The motive remains unknown. The victim killed was identified as longtime gym employee Edgar Quinonez, NBC News has reported. The gym is temporarily closed as the investigation continues. Written … Continue reading Employee killed, multiple injured in shooting at Las Vegas gym

28 dead, half a million without power as deadly storms, tornadoes sweep across central, eastern US

At least 28 people were killed and dozens injured after a powerful wave of severe storms and tornadoes tore through the central U.S. from late Friday into Saturday. Kentucky was hit hardest, with 18 deaths—17 in Laurel County alone—while Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana also saw significant damage and casualties. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, thousands lost power, and emergency crews are still searching for survivors. In … Continue reading 28 dead, half a million without power as deadly storms, tornadoes sweep across central, eastern US

Authorities express confidence in finding 7 remaining escaped New Orleans inmates

Authorities say they are confident they will soon capture the remaining seven of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, calling it one of the largest jailbreaks in Louisiana history. Three fugitives were caught Friday, the day of the escape, and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, are actively tracking the rest using public tips and … Continue reading Authorities express confidence in finding 7 remaining escaped New Orleans inmates

Authorities say suspect in California fertility clinic bombing left behind ‘anti-pro-life’ writings

A 25-year-old man, Guy Edward Bartkus, died in a car bomb explosion he allegedly set off outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, in what the FBI is calling an act of terrorism. Bartkus left behind anti-natalist and “anti-pro-life” writings and attempted to livestream the blast, which injured four people but did not harm any embryos. Authorities are investigating his motives and searching his … Continue reading Authorities say suspect in California fertility clinic bombing left behind ‘anti-pro-life’ writings

Mexican navy cadet is first victim to be identified in Brooklyn Bridge ship collision

A female Mexican Navy cadet, América Yamilet Sánchez of Veracruz, was killed when the Mexican navy training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday night. The ship lost propulsion and struck the bridge, snapping its masts but causing no injuries on the bridge itself. Videos captured the dramatic impact as the ship backed into the span. Investigations are underway, with officials calling … Continue reading Mexican navy cadet is first victim to be identified in Brooklyn Bridge ship collision

Mogadishu suicide bomber kills at least 10 at army recruitment drive

At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber targeted a line of young recruits outside the Damanyo military base in Mogadishu, Somalia. Witnesses said the attacker arrived in a tuk-tuk and detonated explosives among the crowd. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, alleging higher casualties, NBC News has reported. The attack follows the recent assassination of a Somali army colonel … Continue reading Mogadishu suicide bomber kills at least 10 at army recruitment drive

Building fire kills 17, injures others in southern India

At least 17 people died and several were injured after a fire broke out in a building near Hyderabad’s historic Charminar monument on Sunday. The blaze, caused by a short circuit, began in a jewelry store on the ground floor of the three-story building, which also housed residents. A narrow staircase and a single exit blocked by fire made escape difficult. Prime Minister Modi expressed … Continue reading Building fire kills 17, injures others in southern India

Estonia says Russia detained a tanker in Baltic Sea

Russia detained a Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged oil tanker, the Green Admire, on Sunday after it left Estonia’s Sillamae port and crossed a navigation channel through Russian waters. Estonia said the detention may be retaliation for its actions against Russia’s shadow oil fleet and has alerted NATO. The tanker, carrying Estonian shale oil to Rotterdam, was reportedly moved by Russia to impose a fine. The incident comes amid … Continue reading Estonia says Russia detained a tanker in Baltic Sea

Israel Expands Ground Operation in Gaza, Says Hamas Leader Is Likely Dead

Israel has launched a major ground offensive in Gaza, with five military divisions now active and 670 airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure. The operation aims to demilitarize Hamas and secure the release of 57 remaining hostages. A senior Israeli official said top Hamas figure Mohammed Sinwar was likely killed in a strike near Khan Younis, though confirmation is pending. Amid rising domestic pressure, Israel is now … Continue reading Israel Expands Ground Operation in Gaza, Says Hamas Leader Is Likely Dead

Russia unleashes war’s biggest drone attack

Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, striking multiple regions including Kyiv, where one woman died and several others were injured. Ukraine’s air force reported 273 drones were launched, with many intercepted or going off course. The attack came ahead of a scheduled call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, amid stalled peace talks and calls for … Continue reading Russia unleashes war’s biggest drone attack

Space

James Webb Space Telescope captures ghostly images of clouds on Saturn’s largest moon Titan

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first evidence of cloud formation in the northern hemisphere of Saturn’s moon Titan, revealing dynamic weather similar to Earth. Observed in 2022 and 2023 with help from Hawaii’s Keck Observatory, the data showed cloud convection and also identified a key organic molecule, the methyl radical, linked to Titan’s methane-based chemistry. These findings, published in Nature Astronomy, build on … Continue reading James Webb Space Telescope captures ghostly images of clouds on Saturn’s largest moon Titan

Space

House hearing on asteroid threats also takes up budget threats

A House hearing on NASA’s efforts to defend against asteroid impacts shifted focus to concerns over proposed budget cuts to the agency. While bipartisan support remained strong for the planetary defense program—including the Near Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission—Democrats warned that broader cuts in the White House’s 2026 proposal could harm NASA’s science initiatives and partnerships. Officials, including NASA’s Nicky Fox, said they have little … Continue reading House hearing on asteroid threats also takes up budget threats

Technology

Tesla Robot Demo Stuns Audience, Mass Production Set for 2025

Tesla unveiled major upgrades to its Optimus humanoid robot, showing improved balance, movement, and dexterity through demo videos featuring complex tasks like ballet. Trained via simulation and tested at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, Optimus is expected to enter production in 2025 with 5,000 units, possibly scaling to 12,000. External sales could begin in 2026, priced between $25,000 and $30,000, Yahoo News has reported. Tesla faces competition … Continue reading Tesla Robot Demo Stuns Audience, Mass Production Set for 2025

Business

No NJ Transit trains running as engineers strike for first time since 1983

NJ Transit engineers began their first strike in over 40 years at 12:01 a.m. Friday, halting rail service for 350,000 commuters after contract talks over higher wages failed. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen rejected NJ Transit’s latest offer, with 87% voting against it. Both sides say they’re ready to resume negotiations, with new talks set for Sunday involving federal mediators, NBC 4 New … Continue reading No NJ Transit trains running as engineers strike for first time since 1983

Business

Consumer sentiment slides to second-lowest on record

U.S. consumer sentiment dropped to 50.8 in May—its second-lowest level on record—as worries about inflation and tariffs grew, according to a University of Michigan survey. Short- and long-term inflation expectations both rose, with nearly 75% of respondents citing tariffs as a concern. The survey was mostly completed before the U.S. and China announced a 90-day tariff pause, which may affect future sentiment, CNBC has reported. … Continue reading Consumer sentiment slides to second-lowest on record

Business

Moody’s downgrades US credit, citing rising debt

Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating on Friday, citing rising debt, growing interest payments, and inadequate revenue, marking the last major rating agency to strip the U.S. of its top-tier status. The move, seen as a blow to the Trump administration, comes amid GOP debates over extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and growing fiscal deficits. Moody’s warned that current proposals won’t reverse long-term budget problems. … Continue reading Moody’s downgrades US credit, citing rising debt

Trump slams Supreme Court, Springsteen and Swift

President Trump unleashed a series of sharp attacks on the Supreme Court, fellow Republicans, and celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift in social media posts during his return from the Middle East. He criticized the Court over birthright citizenship arguments, called out Republican “grandstanders” blocking his tax-cut bill, and mocked Springsteen and Swift personally. Despite Trump urging unity to pass his “big, beautiful bill,” … Continue reading Trump slams Supreme Court, Springsteen and Swift

Handful of Republicans sink Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in key House committee

President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” failed to pass the House Budget Committee on Friday, dealing a setback to House GOP leaders’ plan for a full House vote next week. Four House Republicans, mostly from the Freedom Caucus, voted against it over delayed Medicaid reforms and green energy subsidy rollbacks. A fifth Republican switched his vote to “no” as a procedural move to bring the bill … Continue reading Handful of Republicans sink Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in key House committee

Pope Leo offers Vatican for Ukraine peace talks

The new pope, Leo XIV, wants to host Ukraine peace talks after a recent summit in Istanbul failed, following Russia’s President Putin’s absence. The Vatican called the summit’s outcome “tragic” and said the Holy See is ready to bring the two sides together to end the war. Leo XIV, elected last week, has made peace in Ukraine a key priority, appealing to both leaders to … Continue reading Pope Leo offers Vatican for Ukraine peace talks