The International Space Station adjusts its orbit to avoid space debris

On Tuesday, NASA conducted an orbital shift of the International Space Station (ISS) to avoid a piece of space debris. The maneuver, which lasted 5 minutes and 31 seconds, raised the ISS’s orbit to create more distance from debris from a defunct satellite that broke up in 2015. The debris would have come within 2.5 miles of the station. This was the first debris-avoidance maneuver … Continue reading The International Space Station adjusts its orbit to avoid space debris

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from Florida

SpaceX launched 24 more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral on November 21, marking the company’s seventh launch in a week. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 11:07 a.m. EST, with its first stage successfully landing on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic. This marked the 20th launch and landing for the booster, with 16 of those being Starlink missions. The upper … Continue reading SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from Florida

Small robot convinces 12 larger robots to leave work and come home with it

Erbai, a small AI-powered robot from Unitree Robotics, “kidnapped” 12 larger robots from a showroom in Zhejiang, China, in a viral video. The incident shows Erbai engaging in a human-like conversation with the robots, convincing them to leave their workstations and follow it. Initially thought to be a prank or CGI, both Erbai’s creators and the makers of the larger robots confirmed the video’s authenticity. … Continue reading Small robot convinces 12 larger robots to leave work and come home with it

American Airlines to shame boarding line cutters with new technology

American Airlines has introduced new technology at over 100 U.S. airports to prevent passengers from boarding before their group is called. Scanning a boarding pass prematurely triggers an alert and denies access. The system, tested at select airports, will expand to hubs during the busy Thanksgiving travel period, as the airline expects 8.3 million passengers, CNBC has reported. This move aims to protect early boarding … Continue reading American Airlines to shame boarding line cutters with new technology

DirecTV to Scrap Merger With Rival Dish

DirecTV has officially terminated its agreement to acquire Dish Network and Sling TV from Echostar, citing failed bond exchange negotiations with Dish’s creditors. Echostar’s offer to reduce Dish’s $9.75 billion debt by $70 million was rejected, leading DirecTV to withdraw to protect its financial stability. CEO Bill Morrow emphasized DirecTV’s focus on innovation and flexibility, supported by TPG Capital, which owns a stake in DirecTV. … Continue reading DirecTV to Scrap Merger With Rival Dish

Bitcoin Nears $100K, With Crypto Market Cap at Record $3.4T

Bitcoin (BTC) surged above $99,000 on Friday, nearing the $100,000 mark, with a 2% daily increase driving the crypto market’s total capitalization to a record $3.4 trillion. U.S.-based BTC ETFs saw over $1 billion in net inflows, led by BlackRock ($600M) and Fidelity ($300M), with no outflows reported. Other tokens also rallied, including Ethereum (ETH) up 9%, XRP soaring 25% following SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s … Continue reading Bitcoin Nears $100K, With Crypto Market Cap at Record $3.4T

Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide

Wolverine Packing Co. has recalled 167,277 pounds of ground beef due to potential E. coli contamination, affecting fresh and frozen products shipped nationwide. The recall follows an outbreak in Minnesota, where 15 people fell ill after consuming the beef. Products bear the establishment number “EST. 2574B” and include fresh items with a use-by date of November 14, 2024, and frozen items produced on October 22, … Continue reading Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide

Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed

The Senate struck a deal to expedite judicial confirmations, allowing votes on seven district court judges after Thanksgiving and six more in December but excluding four of President Biden’s appellate nominees. This brings Biden closer to Trump’s first-term record of 234 confirmed judges, with Biden’s total at 221. Excluded nominees include Adeel Mangi, who would have been the first Muslim American federal appellate judge, the … Continue reading Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed

Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick after a statewide recount confirmed McCormick’s 16,000-vote lead. Casey’s campaign faced legal setbacks over mail-in and provisional ballot disputes, while McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, regained a GOP Senate seat with strong financial backing. Republicans will hold a 53-47 Senate majority next year, the Associated Press has reported. Written by … Continue reading Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania

Arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu by International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Netanyahu and Gallant were charged with depriving Gaza civilians of essentials like food, water, and medicine and hampering humanitarian aid, while Deif was accused of orchestrating the October 7 attack, which … Continue reading Arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu by International Criminal Court

Brazil police to formally accuse Bolsonaro of coup plot

Brazil’s Federal Police have accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others, including ex-ministers and aides, of plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss. The charges allege plans for the violent overthrow of democracy, with some accused of plotting to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before his inauguration. The case has been sent to the Supreme Court for potential prosecution. Bolsonaro, denying … Continue reading Brazil police to formally accuse Bolsonaro of coup plot

Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws 

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, a veteran prosecutor and former Florida attorney general, as his pick for attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration. Bondi, a longtime Trump ally, served on his legal team during his first impeachment trial and supported him in court appearances. She has also worked on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and leads the America First Policy … Continue reading Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws 

Father of Georgia high school shooting suspect pleads not guilty

Colin Gray, 54, pleaded not guilty to 29 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, for allegedly giving his son, Colt Gray, 14, the firearm used in a mass shooting at Georgia’s Apalachee High School on September 4. The shooting killed two teachers and two students, leaving nine others injured. Colt, charged as an adult with 55 counts, including four counts of murder and 25 … Continue reading Father of Georgia high school shooting suspect pleads not guilty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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