Author: bcbegley

U.S. News

Alabama to use nitrogen gas to execute man for 1994 slaying of hitchhiker

Carey Dale Grayson, 50, is set to be executed in Alabama using nitrogen gas, the third such execution since the state introduced the method this year. Convicted of the 1994 murder of hitchhiker Vickie Deblieux, Grayson is the only one of the four teens involved to face the death penalty, as the others were under 18 at the time. Nitrogen hypoxia, which causes death by … Continue reading Alabama to use nitrogen gas to execute man for 1994 slaying of hitchhiker

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U.S. News

Pathologist disputes finding that Marine veteran’s chokehold caused subway rider’s death

A forensic pathologist testified in defense of Daniel Penny, disputing claims that Penny’s chokehold caused the death of Jordan Neely, who died after being restrained on a New York subway. Dr. Satish Chundru argued Neely’s death resulted from a combination of factors, including synthetic marijuana use, schizophrenia, and a blood condition, rather than the chokehold. This contrasts with the city medical examiner’s determination that Neely … Continue reading Pathologist disputes finding that Marine veteran’s chokehold caused subway rider’s death

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U.S. News

Illinois Supreme Court reverses actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction

The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett, ruling that his second prosecution violated due process. Smollett had been convicted in 2021 for falsely reporting a 2019 hate crime, which he staged by paying two brothers to carry out the attack. His original charges were dropped in 2019 as part of an agreement, but a special prosecutor later refiled charges, leading … Continue reading Illinois Supreme Court reverses actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction

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U.S. News

FBI: Florida Man Planned to Bomb NY Stock Exchange

A Florida man, Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, has been charged in a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange. The FBI began investigating Yener in February 2024 after discovering bomb-making schematics and components in a storage unit. Undercover agents posing as allies assisted in the investigation, revealing Yener’s plans to acquire explosives. Yener, described as unhoused with a history of violent threats and extremist ideologies, … Continue reading FBI: Florida Man Planned to Bomb NY Stock Exchange

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World News

US will send Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons in push to bolster Kyiv

The Pentagon announced a $275 million aid package for Ukraine, including antipersonnel land mines and air defense systems, as the Biden administration rushes to deliver military support before President-elect Trump takes office. Ukraine recently used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian targets, escalating tensions. The aid package includes artillery rounds, HIMARS munitions, drones, and more, using funds approved by Congress. Biden’s administration is also expediting … Continue reading US will send Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons in push to bolster Kyiv

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World News

Russia Confirms Ukraine Used U.K.-Made Storm Shadow Missiles in Cross-Border Strikes

Russia’s military confirmed Ukraine used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time on Wednesday, reportedly targeting a command center in Kursk. Local forces claimed 12 missiles were launched, hitting a 19th-century estate used as a communications hub. The missiles, capable of reaching 250 km, were initially restricted to Ukrainian territory when delivered by the U.K. in 2023, The Moscow Times … Continue reading Russia Confirms Ukraine Used U.K.-Made Storm Shadow Missiles in Cross-Border Strikes

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World News

Icelandic volcano erupts for seventh time in a year

A volcano near Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, erupted late Wednesday for the seventh time in a year, creating a fissure nearly two miles long and spewing lava and smoke. The eruption, smaller than previous ones, caused no disruption to air traffic or major infrastructure. Authorities evacuated some areas near the Reykjanes peninsula, but Grindavik, a nearby fishing town, remains safe for now, NBC News has reported. … Continue reading Icelandic volcano erupts for seventh time in a year

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World News

Britain ‘directly involved’ in Ukraine war, Russian ambassador says

Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, accused Britain of being “directly involved” in the Ukraine war after British Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets inside Russia. The claim follows Western allies approving Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, with the U.S. and Britain leading the policy shift. In response, President Putin tested a new intermediate-range missile in a strike on Dnipro and warned … Continue reading Britain ‘directly involved’ in Ukraine war, Russian ambassador says

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World News

Russia tested new hypersonic missile in Ukraine strike

Vladimir Putin tested Russia’s new hypersonic missile, the “Oreshnik,” by firing it at Ukraine, citing retaliation for British and American long-range weapons supplied to Kyiv. In a televised address, Putin labeled Britain a legitimate military target and lowered Russia’s nuclear response threshold. The missile was part of a larger strike on Ukraine’s military facilities, with Dnipro being hit, injuring two people. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned … Continue reading Russia tested new hypersonic missile in Ukraine strike

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Archaeology

Newly discovered ancient amulet references tale of King Solomon fighting demons

Archaeologists in Turkey discovered a 5th-century amulet depicting King Solomon defeating a demon, referencing the apocryphal Testament of Solomon, a text excluded from the Bible for its themes of dark magic. Found in the ruins of a Roman-era military structure in Paphlagonia, the amulet shows Solomon on horseback with a spear and bears the inscription, “Our Lord who defeated the devil.” The reverse side features the … Continue reading Newly discovered ancient amulet references tale of King Solomon fighting demons

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Archaeology

Italy recovers Etruscan artifacts dug up by ‘amateurish’ tomb raiders

Italian authorities have recovered valuable 3rd century B.C. Etruscan artefacts worth at least 8 million euros ($8.5 million) from a looted necropolis in Umbria. The items, including urns, sarcophagi, and beauty accessories, were discovered by two amateur tomb raiders on their land in Citta della Pieve. The artefacts, which feature Greek mythology scenes and gold-painted jewels, were posted online by the suspects in an attempt … Continue reading Italy recovers Etruscan artifacts dug up by ‘amateurish’ tomb raiders

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Space

A distant planet seems to have a sulphur-rich atmosphere, hinting at alien volcanoes

Astronomers have gathered tentative evidence of a sulphur-rich atmosphere on L 98-59 d, a super-Earth exoplanet 35 light years away, which could be the smallest exoplanet known to have an atmosphere. Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists detected potential signs of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) in the planet’s atmosphere, suggesting a molten or volcanic surface. L 98-59 d, discovered by … Continue reading A distant planet seems to have a sulphur-rich atmosphere, hinting at alien volcanoes

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Space

ESA awards funding to four European launch startups

The European Space Agency (ESA) is providing a combined 44.22 million euros ($46.7 million) to four launch vehicle startups—HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA)—to assist with testing their vehicles. This funding, through ESA’s “Boost!” program, supports integrated testing as the companies work towards their first launches. Isar Aerospace received 15 million euros for testing its Spectrum small launch vehicle, while Orbex received … Continue reading ESA awards funding to four European launch startups

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Space

SpaceX launches Starship on its sixth test flight

SpaceX began serious development of Starship in 2019, debuting the “Starhopper,” a steel test vehicle designed to test landing maneuvers. After several test flights, including four that ended in explosions, SpaceX succeeded in achieving a soft landing in May 2021 after a 10-kilometer test. Since then, the company has focused on launching the Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster, although no Starship has reached … Continue reading SpaceX launches Starship on its sixth test flight

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Business

CVS, UnitedHealth, Cigna sue to block FTC case over insulin prices

CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group, and Cigna have sued the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), claiming its case against drug supply chain middlemen over high insulin prices is unconstitutional. The FTC accused these companies’ pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—CVS’s Caremark, Cigna’s Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx—of inflating insulin costs through a rebate system that boosts their profits. The lawsuit, filed in Missouri, argues that the FTC’s administrative … Continue reading CVS, UnitedHealth, Cigna sue to block FTC case over insulin prices

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Business

Walmart CFO says some prices might rise if Trump’s tariffs take effect

Walmart CFO John David Rainey warned that President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports could lead to higher prices for consumers, despite the company’s commitment to maintaining low prices. Trump’s plan includes tariffs of 10-20% on all imports and up to 60% on Chinese goods. While Walmart sources a large portion of its products domestically, Rainey acknowledged that tariffs are inflationary and said the company will … Continue reading Walmart CFO says some prices might rise if Trump’s tariffs take effect

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Business

Comcast will announce the spinoff of cable networks Wednesday

Comcast plans to spin off its cable network channels, including E!, Syfy, Golf Channel, USA, and Oxygen, into a separate entity, according to sources. Bravo will remain with NBCUniversal due to its ties to Peacock. The process, expected to take about a year, involves resolving licensing agreements and determining collaborations with NBC News for MSNBC and CNBC. Mark Lazarus, NBCUniversal’s media group chairman, is expected … Continue reading Comcast will announce the spinoff of cable networks Wednesday

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Politics

Kissinger’s final warning: Prepare now for ‘superhuman’ people to control Earth

The late Henry Kissinger, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Microsoft executive Craig Mundie warn in their book Genesis that humanity must prepare for a future where artificial intelligence surpasses human capabilities. Published posthumously, the book urges proactive measures to align AI with human values and avoid reliance on machines that could dominate or redesign humanity. The authors highlight risks of genetic engineering and brain-machine interfaces, warning … Continue reading Kissinger’s final warning: Prepare now for ‘superhuman’ people to control Earth

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Politics

Trump picks former congressman Sean Duffy as next Transportation secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former congressman and Fox Business co-host Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation. Duffy, who served in Congress from 2011 to 2019, has limited transportation experience but is praised by Trump for his communication skills and public service. If confirmed, Duffy will oversee infrastructure projects, aviation safety issues, and initiatives like electric vehicles, while managing ties with Elon Musk’s companies, CNN … Continue reading Trump picks former congressman Sean Duffy as next Transportation secretary

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Politics

Dem governor breaks silence on illegal ballots in Pennsylvania Senate race 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro backed the state Supreme Court’s ruling that improperly dated or undated mail-in ballots cannot be counted, amid a heated Senate recount. The court’s 4–3 decision directed election boards in several counties to comply with its earlier ruling. Shapiro emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law to maintain trust in elections. The decision comes after GOP lawsuits during the recount … Continue reading Dem governor breaks silence on illegal ballots in Pennsylvania Senate race 

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Politics

Hakeem Jeffries: Republicans don’t have a mandate

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) dismissed claims that Republicans received an Election Day mandate, citing their slim House majority and the need for bipartisan cooperation. Jeffries criticized GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Donald Trump, for asserting a broad conservative agenda, while vowing to oppose far-right policies targeting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and abortion rights. Despite Republican control of Congress and the White … Continue reading Hakeem Jeffries: Republicans don’t have a mandate

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Politics

Georgia court cancels hearing in Trump’s appeal of Fani Willis disqualification case

The Georgia Court of Appeals canceled a December 5 hearing to review Donald Trump and codefendants’ appeal regarding the disqualification of DA Fani Willis in their Georgia criminal case. No reason was provided. The appeal challenges a ruling allowing Willis to remain on the case despite a staff prosecutor’s resignation over a romantic relationship. Trump and 18 others face racketeering charges for alleged 2020 election … Continue reading Georgia court cancels hearing in Trump’s appeal of Fani Willis disqualification case

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Politics

Trump picks Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), sparking criticism due to Oz’s history of promoting unproven medical treatments and his lack of government experience. Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, stating that Oz would work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services nominee, to address chronic diseases. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon … Continue reading Trump picks Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid

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U.S. News

FEMA director vows to request IG investigation into order to avoid Trump supporters’ houses

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell pledged to request an inspector general investigation into allegations that a FEMA employee ordered workers to avoid homes of Trump supporters during Hurricane Milton relief efforts. Criswell testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, stating the directive came from a single employee, Marn’i Washington, and was not part of a broader policy. Washington, however, claims she is being scapegoated for … Continue reading FEMA director vows to request IG investigation into order to avoid Trump supporters’ houses

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U.S. News

Texas officials signal support for adding Bible lessons for K-5 classes

Texas officials have approved a controversial public school curriculum, Bluebonnet Learning, that incorporates Christian teachings from the Bible starting in kindergarten. The curriculum, set for possible use in the 2025-26 school year, has faced criticism for focusing disproportionately on Christianity over other religions. Lessons include biblical content such as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Genesis-inspired art, and New Testament parables, with limited mention of other … Continue reading Texas officials signal support for adding Bible lessons for K-5 classes

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