Author: bcbegley

Politics

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

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Politics

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

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Politics

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

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Politics

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

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Politics

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 

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U.S. News

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

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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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