Author: bcbegley

U.S. News

Man accused of aiding Kabul airport bombing charged in US court

Mohammad Sharifullah, accused of helping plan the 2021 Kabul airport bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, appeared in court on Wednesday. Charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for supporting a foreign terrorist organization, he faces life in prison. Sharifullah, a member of ISIS-K, allegedly helped prepare the attack that killed over 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. He also admitted involvement in … Continue reading Man accused of aiding Kabul airport bombing charged in US court

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U.S. News

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man’s final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected the final appeal of Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for his execution by firing squad on Friday. Sigmon, 67, convicted of beating his ex-girlfriend’s parents to death in 2002, chose the firing squad over lethal injection, citing concerns over painful execution methods and a lack of transparency regarding the state’s lethal injection drugs. His lawyers argued that his … Continue reading South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man’s final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

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U.S. News

Recovery teams hope to reach site of Alaska avalanche that buried 3 skiers

Authorities in Alaska are attempting to reach the site of an avalanche near Girdwood that trapped three skiers, who are believed to have died after being buried in over 30 feet of snow. The avalanche occurred Tuesday afternoon after a helicopter dropped the skiers on a backcountry peak. The snow slide, which was up to 100 feet deep, caught the skiers, and despite efforts by … Continue reading Recovery teams hope to reach site of Alaska avalanche that buried 3 skiers

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U.S. News

$10M reward offered for arrest of former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug lord

The U.S. Department of State is offering a $10 million reward for the capture of Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder accused of leading a major drug trafficking organization and orchestrating multiple murders. Wedding, a Canadian national, is wanted for smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Canada and U.S. cities and ordering murders to further his criminal activities. He was indicted last year on multiple charges, … Continue reading $10M reward offered for arrest of former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug lord

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World News

About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says

Around 20 countries, mainly from Europe and the Commonwealth, are interested in joining a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine, though not all may send troops. The plan, led by the UK and France, aims to uphold a ceasefire in Russia’s war on Ukraine. However, Russia’s foreign minister rejected the proposal, warning it could escalate NATO’s involvement. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized … Continue reading About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says

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World News

Teen armed with gun overpowered by passengers onboard plane

A 17-year-old was charged in Australia after boarding a plane with a shotgun and ammunition at Avalon Airport near Melbourne. The teenager, who breached a security fence, was tackled by passengers and crew before takeoff on a flight bound for Sydney. He faces eight charges, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft and endangering flight safety. No one was injured, though the incident caused distress … Continue reading Teen armed with gun overpowered by passengers onboard plane

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World News

Fighter jet accidentally bombs village, injuring 15, during South Korea military drill

South Korea’s air force apologized after a fighter jet accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a designated training range during a live-fire exercise on Thursday, injuring 15 civilians and damaging several buildings in the village of Nogok-ri, near the North Korean border. The bombs, each weighing 225kg, were released due to incorrect coordinates entered by the pilot. The incident occurred during preparations for joint South Korea-US … Continue reading Fighter jet accidentally bombs village, injuring 15, during South Korea military drill

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World News

Meloni Backs Giving Ukraine NATO Security Without Membership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed granting Ukraine the security of NATO’s collective defense under Article 5 without full membership. Speaking at a European Union leaders’ meeting, she emphasized the need for more sustainable solutions than European peacekeeping troops. Meloni suggested this extension of NATO protection would be more effective, Bloomberg has reported. While her stance may position her as a potential bridge between Europe … Continue reading Meloni Backs Giving Ukraine NATO Security Without Membership

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World News

Canada Eyes Arctic Military Expansion in Response to USA Demands

Canada is increasing its military presence in the Arctic, investing C$2.67 billion ($1.86 billion) over 20 years to enhance support hubs in Inuvik, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit. The plan aims to deter Chinese and Russian influence while addressing calls from the Trump administration for higher defense spending. The funding will improve airstrips, logistics, and equipment for military operations. This move comes as Canada’s defense spending remains … Continue reading Canada Eyes Arctic Military Expansion in Response to USA Demands

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Space

NASA powers down two instruments on twin Voyager spacecraft to save power

NASA is shutting down two science instruments on its Voyager spacecraft to conserve power and extend their missions. Voyager 2 will turn off an instrument measuring charged particles and cosmic rays later this month, while Voyager 1 powered down a similar instrument last week. The spacecraft, launched in 1977, are now in interstellar space, with Voyager 1 over 15 billion miles from Earth and Voyager … Continue reading NASA powers down two instruments on twin Voyager spacecraft to save power

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Space

Private lunar lander may have fallen over while touching down near the moon’s south pole

Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander touched down near the moon’s south pole but may have tipped over, creating uncertainty about its status. Despite communication with controllers and solar power generation, the lander’s exact position remains unclear. NASA and Intuitive Machines are assessing whether the onboard drill and drone can still function. This was the second moon landing this week under NASA’s commercial lunar delivery program, … Continue reading Private lunar lander may have fallen over while touching down near the moon’s south pole

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Space

SpaceX again loses its Starship rocket on test flight after explosion during previous attempt

SpaceX’s Starship megarocket suffered another setback during its eighth test flight, losing contact with the upper stage about eight minutes after launch. The rocket lifted off from Starbase in Texas but appeared to experience engine failures before communication was lost. Debris from the explosion was reported over Florida, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. Despite the failure, the Super Heavy booster successfully executed its “catch” landing, … Continue reading SpaceX again loses its Starship rocket on test flight after explosion during previous attempt

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Technology

They’re Teaching Robots How to Stunt Ride Motorcycles Now

Researchers at the Robot and AI Institute (RAI) in Massachusetts have developed a robot capable of performing motorcycle stunts using reinforcement learning. The demonstration, which showcases the robot’s ability to drive, turn, jump, and balance, has sparked concerns reminiscent of the Terminator franchise, where AI goes rogue. The project raises questions about whether scientists are prioritizing AI capabilities over potential risks, echoing the famous Jurassic Park quote: “They were so … Continue reading They’re Teaching Robots How to Stunt Ride Motorcycles Now

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Technology

Mysterious unmanned warship spotted off of Washington state coast

The USX-1 Defiant, a 180-foot, 240-ton unmanned warship, was spotted in Washington state’s Puget Sound. Developed under DARPA’s “No Manning Required Ship” (NOMARS) program with Serco as the primary contractor, the vessel was launched last month for trials. Designed for autonomous naval missions, it aims to provide a cost-effective alternative for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. The U.S. military sees such vessels as key to … Continue reading Mysterious unmanned warship spotted off of Washington state coast

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Business

Fintech exec arrested for allegedly defrauding investors out of $145M

Joseph Neal Sanberg, founder of the climate-focused banking startup Aspiration, was arrested for allegedly defrauding investors of $145 million. His co-conspirator, Ibrahim Ameen AlHusseini, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and admitted to falsifying financial statements to support the scheme. Sanberg, a Democratic donor with celebrity investors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Drake, allegedly misled investors using Aspiration shares as collateral. Federal authorities are also investigating the … Continue reading Fintech exec arrested for allegedly defrauding investors out of $145M

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Technology

Scientists created a ‘woolly mouse’ with mammoth traits

Colossal Biosciences has genetically modified a lab mouse to exhibit woolly mammoth-like traits, including longer, wavy hair and curly whiskers. The experiment aims to test how specific DNA sequences influence traits that helped mammoths survive cold climates. Scientists edited eight genes, including those affecting hair growth, color, and body fat, using advanced gene-editing techniques, CNN has reported. The research, detailed in a preprint paper, is … Continue reading Scientists created a ‘woolly mouse’ with mammoth traits

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Business

More Americans tapping 401(k)s to pay for financial emergencies

A record 4.8% of Americans took hardship withdrawals from their 401(k)s in 2024, up from 3.6% in 2023, signaling growing financial strain, according to Vanguard. The most common reasons were preventing foreclosure and covering medical bills. The rise is partly due to expanded automatic enrollment in retirement plans and relaxed withdrawal rules. While hardship withdrawals offer emergency relief, they come with penalties and permanently reduce … Continue reading More Americans tapping 401(k)s to pay for financial emergencies

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Business

Americans Behind on Car Payments at Highest Rate in Decades

Auto loan delinquencies have hit a 30-year high, with 6.56% of subprime borrowers at least 60 days behind on payments in January, according to Fitch Ratings. Rising car prices, high borrowing costs, and inflation are driving more repossessions, while serious delinquencies (90+ days) reached 3% in Q4, the highest since 2010. The economic slowdown, Trump’s trade wars, and financial strain on lower-income borrowers are fueling … Continue reading Americans Behind on Car Payments at Highest Rate in Decades

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Business

Layoff announcements soar to the highest since 2020

Job cuts surged in February, reaching 172,017—the highest in nearly five years—driven by Trump’s push to shrink the federal workforce. Federal layoffs totaled 62,242 across 17 agencies, partly due to Elon Musk’s efforts with Trump’s support. Retail and tech sectors also saw major cuts, with Macy’s and Forever 21 leading retail layoffs. Despite concerns over trade wars and government downsizing, some companies announced 34,580 new … Continue reading Layoff announcements soar to the highest since 2020

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Business

US Trade Deficit Surges to a Record Ahead of Trump Tariffs

The U.S. trade deficit surged 34% in January to a record $131.4 billion as companies rushed to import goods ahead of Trump’s tariffs. Imports hit a record $401.2 billion, while exports rose 1.2%. Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, prompting swift retaliation. He temporarily exempted automakers from tariffs on Mexico and Canada, but Canada refused to lift its own retaliatory duties. Canada’s … Continue reading US Trade Deficit Surges to a Record Ahead of Trump Tariffs

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Politics

Democratic Rep. Al Green removed after disrupting Trump’s speech

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was removed from the House chamber during President Trump’s joint address to Congress after disrupting the speech. Green, a long-time critic of Trump, stood and shook his cane at the president, prompting cheers and boos from other lawmakers. The disruption led House Speaker Mike Johnson to call for decorum, and Green was escorted out. Outside, Green explained his protest was due … Continue reading Democratic Rep. Al Green removed after disrupting Trump’s speech

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Politics

Elissa Slotkin assails Trump’s early actions in Democrat rebuttal

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin criticized President Donald Trump in her Democratic response to his first joint congressional address of his second term. She accused Trump of worsening the economy with tariffs and pushing for a “giveaway to his billionaire friends.” Slotkin, a first-term senator, warned that Trump’s economic policies could lead to a recession, citing rising national debt and inflation. She also expressed concern about … Continue reading Elissa Slotkin assails Trump’s early actions in Democrat rebuttal

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Politics

New Zealand lawmakers told to stop complaining about use of the country’s Māori name in Parliament

The Speaker of New Zealand’s Parliament, Gerry Brownlee, ruled that complaints about using the Māori name Aotearoa in Parliament would not be considered. The controversy began when lawmaker Ricardo Menéndez March used the term, which means “land of the long white cloud” in Māori, prompting objections from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Peters argued that such changes should require a referendum. Brownlee, however, stated that … Continue reading New Zealand lawmakers told to stop complaining about use of the country’s Māori name in Parliament

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Politics

Serbian parliament erupts into chaos as opposition hurl smoke bombs and flares

Opposition MPs in Serbia’s parliament caused chaos on Tuesday, setting off flares and gas bombs in an attempt to block last-minute laws proposed by the outgoing government. The smoke-filled session led to fights between lawmakers, injuring two, and the speaker of parliament, Ana Brnabić, accused the opposition of attempting to disrupt the institution’s work. Outside, citizens threw raw eggs at the parliament building. The unrest … Continue reading Serbian parliament erupts into chaos as opposition hurl smoke bombs and flares

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Politics

Trump promises ‘this will be our greatest era’ in joint address to Congress

In a speech to Congress, President Donald Trump declared that his administration would guide America into its “greatest era” by focusing on reducing inflation, tackling drug cartels, and securing the U.S. southern border. He highlighted the arrest of a terrorist responsible for the deaths of 13 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and announced that Ukraine was ready to sign a rare-earth minerals deal and resume peace … Continue reading Trump promises ‘this will be our greatest era’ in joint address to Congress

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