B.C. Begley

Trump chooses former TV anchor Kari Lake as head of Voice of America

Donald Trump has appointed Kari Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial and Senate candidate, as the new director of Voice of America (VOA). Lake, a staunch immigration hard-liner and vocal critic of the media, built a loyal following with her controversial views, including spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and election fraud. In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Lake for her commitment to promoting American values through … Continue reading Trump chooses former TV anchor Kari Lake as head of Voice of America

Biden commutes 1,500 sentences, pardons 39 in biggest act of clemency

President Joe Biden has granted clemency to about 1,500 people who were released to home confinement during the pandemic and pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The commutations apply to those who served at least one year of their home confinement sentences. The pardons include individuals convicted of drug offenses, fraud, and theft, many … Continue reading Biden commutes 1,500 sentences, pardons 39 in biggest act of clemency

Ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleads guilty to lying about the Bidens

Alexander Smirnov, a California man charged with lying to the FBI about false criminal allegations against President Biden and his son Hunter, is pleading guilty. Smirnov, a longtime confidential informant, falsely claimed in 2020 that the Bidens received $5 million from Ukrainian company Burisma. His false allegations were included in an FBI document that became a key piece of evidence in Republican investigations. Smirnov will … Continue reading Ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleads guilty to lying about the Bidens

Attorneys for man accused in Trump assassination attempt seek lengthy trial delay

Attorneys for Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in September, have requested a trial delay until next December to review extensive evidence and explore an insanity defense. Routh, 58, allegedly aimed a rifle at Trump and a Secret Service agent at Trump’s Florida golf club but fled after being fired upon. Prosecutors oppose a year-long delay, citing speedy trial rights … Continue reading Attorneys for man accused in Trump assassination attempt seek lengthy trial delay

Supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione establish defense fund

New York prosecutors are pursuing murder charges against Luigi Mangione for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, while anonymous supporters have raised over $50,000 on GiveSendGo for his defense. The platform defends hosting legal defense funds, contrasting with GoFundMe and other sites that removed similar campaigns. Law enforcement warns against celebrating violence, as “Free Luigi” merchandise and social media posts glorifying the act surface. … Continue reading Supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione establish defense fund

1 dead as small plane crashes on I-684 along New York-Connecticut border

A small plane crashed onto I-684 near Westchester County Airport on Thursday evening, leaving one person dead and another critically injured. The crash occurred around 7 p.m. near Greenwich, Connecticut, just over the New York border. The pilot had reported engine problems and was attempting to land at the airport when the plane went down on the highway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National … Continue reading 1 dead as small plane crashes on I-684 along New York-Connecticut border

DOJ IG report reveals 26 FBI informants were present on Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz revealed that 26 confidential human sources (CHSs) were in the crowd during the January 6 Capitol riot, but only three were assigned by the FBI to attend. None were authorized to break the law or encourage illegal acts. The FBI, which had a minor supporting role that day, took steps to prepare but lacked primary responsibility for intelligence or … Continue reading DOJ IG report reveals 26 FBI informants were present on Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Suicide bomb kills Taliban minister in Kabul

Taliban refugee minister Khalil Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network and a US-designated global terrorist, was killed in a suicide bombing at his ministry in Kabul. Six others also died in the attack, which Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for, stating an operative detonated explosives outside Haqqani’s office. This marks the highest-profile Taliban casualty since their 2021 return to power, the BBC has … Continue reading Suicide bomb kills Taliban minister in Kabul

11-year-old girl survives three days in the sea after shipwreck

An 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone survived three days adrift in stormy Mediterranean seas by clinging to two tire inner tubes after her migrant boat sank near Lampedusa, Italy. She was rescued by chance at night by the German charity Compass Collective’s Trotamar III vessel, likely the sole survivor among 45 people on board. The girl had no food or water and suffered from hypothermia … Continue reading 11-year-old girl survives three days in the sea after shipwreck

Israeli strike in Gaza kills 25 people as US makes new push for a ceasefire

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens on Thursday, as U.S. officials pushed for a ceasefire. The strike was part of ongoing attacks that have killed at least 54 Palestinians since Wednesday night, according to health officials. Most casualties were civilians, including children. Amid the devastation, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli … Continue reading Israeli strike in Gaza kills 25 people as US makes new push for a ceasefire

Euthanasia now responsible for 1 in 20 deaths in Canada

A Canadian government report reveals that euthanasia deaths have steadily risen since the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law was enacted in 2016, with over 60,000 cases to date. In 2023, euthanasia accounted for 4.7% of all deaths (15,343 cases), though the growth rate is slowing. Most recipients were elderly (median age 77) with terminal illnesses like cancer, while 4% had chronic conditions without imminent … Continue reading Euthanasia now responsible for 1 in 20 deaths in Canada

NATO secretary general warns world must prepare for war

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the alliance must adopt a “wartime mindset” and significantly boost defense spending to counter growing threats from Russia and China. In his first Brussels speech as NATO chief, Rutte emphasized that the current 2% GDP defense spending target is insufficient, urging members to invest “considerably more” to prepare for long-term confrontation. He criticized decades of defense cuts post-Cold … Continue reading NATO secretary general warns world must prepare for war

Archaeology

Ritually bent Bronze Age sword unearthed in Danish bog is ‘very rare find’

A metal detectorist recently uncovered a bent bronze sword, dating back 2,500 years to the late Bronze Age, in a bog near Veksø, Denmark. The sword, along with other artifacts like axes, ankle rings, and a fragment of a needle, is believed to have been part of a ritual sacrifice. The sword’s unusual S-shape suggests it was bent as part of the ritual, and it … Continue reading Ritually bent Bronze Age sword unearthed in Danish bog is ‘very rare find’

Space

NASA’s solar eclipse experiments yield intriguing early data

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse crossed North America, and NASA supported various research projects to study the sun’s effect on Earth’s atmosphere. Citizen scientists played a key role in the Citizen CATE 2024 project, capturing over 47,000 images of the sun’s corona during totality. Despite some challenges, the data collected in polarized light will help scientists understand the corona’s behavior, Phys.org has … Continue reading NASA’s solar eclipse experiments yield intriguing early data

Space

‘Dark Comets’ Come in Two Distinct Types, Study Finds

In 2017, the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, with an elongated shape, was identified as a hybrid asteroid-comet, later termed a dark comet. New research has doubled the number of known dark comets, discovering seven more and revealing two distinct populations based on their size and orbit. These objects, with both asteroid and comet-like behaviors, might have played a key role in delivering the building blocks of … Continue reading ‘Dark Comets’ Come in Two Distinct Types, Study Finds

Space

James Webb Space Telescope finds smallest asteroids ever seen between Mars and Jupiter

Astronomers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered dozens of tiny asteroids, including the smallest ever observed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. These asteroids, often just tens of meters wide, are more likely to migrate toward Earth and cause significant damage, such as the impact events in Chelyabinsk or Tunguska. The team, led by MIT’s Artem Burdanov, spotted … Continue reading James Webb Space Telescope finds smallest asteroids ever seen between Mars and Jupiter

Technology

China’s sci-fi spherical Death Star-like robot cop uses AI, facial recognition to track criminals

Chinese robotics company Logon Technology has unveiled the RT-G autonomous spherical robot, designed to assist or replace humans in dangerous environments. The robots, capable of moving on both land and water, can reach speeds of up to 35 km/h and withstand impacts up to 4 tons. Footage from Hangzhou, China, shows one of these robots patrolling alongside law enforcement officers. The RT-G is equipped with … Continue reading China’s sci-fi spherical Death Star-like robot cop uses AI, facial recognition to track criminals

Technology

Maker of AI robots for kids abruptly shutters

Embodied, the company behind Moxie, an AI-powered robot for kids, is shutting down, leaving parents with a $799 robot that will soon stop functioning. The company cited financial struggles and a failed funding round as reasons for its closure and stated that no refunds will be issued. Moxie, designed for children ages 5 to 10, offered interactive games, emotional support, and conversation, but its reliance … Continue reading Maker of AI robots for kids abruptly shutters

Business

Nvidia faces antitrust probe in China

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has launched an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, focusing on its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies and compliance with conditions requiring fair treatment of Chinese firms. The probe adds to rising U.S.-China tensions, as the U.S. restricts Nvidia’s chip sales to China while China imposes its own tech-related export bans. Nvidia, also under scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe for … Continue reading Nvidia faces antitrust probe in China

Business

Kroger and Albertsons grocery mega-merger halted by two courts

Judges in two separate cases blocked the $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons on Tuesday, citing antitrust concerns and consumer protection laws. The merger, which would create the largest U.S. grocery chain with nearly 5,000 stores and 720,000 employees, faces opposition from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and multiple states. Critics argue the merger would reduce competition, raise prices, and harm workers, while the … Continue reading Kroger and Albertsons grocery mega-merger halted by two courts

Business

General Motors pulls plug on robotaxi business

General Motors (GM) has ended funding for its Cruise self-driving taxi project, shifting its focus to autonomous technology for personal vehicles. GM cited the competitive robotaxi market and significant scaling challenges as reasons for the decision. Cruise, 90% owned by GM, faced setbacks, including the suspension of its U.S. driverless testing permit after a vehicle crash that injured a pedestrian. The incident led to job … Continue reading General Motors pulls plug on robotaxi business

Mitch McConnell falls during Senate Republican lunch

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, fell during a GOP lunch on Tuesday, though details about injuries remain unclear. Medical responders briefly attended to him, and Sen. John Thune, his successor in January, stated McConnell is “fine” and in his office. McConnell, who walks with a limp from childhood polio, has had previous falls, including a serious one in March 2023 that led to a … Continue reading Mitch McConnell falls during Senate Republican lunch

Rep. Nancy Mace allegedly attacked on Capitol Hill; Suspect arrested

U.S. Capitol Police arrested James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois, for allegedly assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 6 p.m., and Mace, who sustained minor injuries, shared on social media that she was physically accosted by a “pro-trans man.” Capitol Police confirmed McIntyre had passed security screening before the assault, Fox 5 has reported. He … Continue reading Rep. Nancy Mace allegedly attacked on Capitol Hill; Suspect arrested

Brazil’s President Lula da Silva Recovering After Emergency Brain Surgery

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, is recovering in intensive care after successful emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed caused by a fall in October. Doctors at Sírio-Libanês Hospital in São Paulo confirmed that the procedure, which involved draining the haematoma, went well, with Lula stable, alert, and speaking. He will remain under observation for at least 48 hours and is expected … Continue reading Brazil’s President Lula da Silva Recovering After Emergency Brain Surgery