Author: bcbegley

World News

Three US citizens sentenced to death in Congo over role in failed coup

Three Americans were sentenced to death by a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo for their involvement in a failed coup attempt on May 19. The group, which included US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga’s son, Marcel Malanga, and his friend Tyler Thompson, was found guilty of criminal conspiracy and terrorism. Their leader, Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces during the coup. The … Continue reading Three US citizens sentenced to death in Congo over role in failed coup

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Archaeology

The campaign to bring Queen Nefertiti home

Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian antiquities minister, is leading a campaign to repatriate the 3,400-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti from Berlin’s Neues Museum to Egypt. The bust, discovered in 1912 at Tell el-Amarna, has been in Germany since 1913. Hawass argues that the bust, a masterpiece of ancient art, was taken illegally and should be returned to Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum. The campaign also targets other … Continue reading The campaign to bring Queen Nefertiti home

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Space

NASA to develop lunar time standard for exploration initiatives

NASA is working with U.S. and international partners to establish a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) following a White House directive. The time standard, based on a weighted average of atomic clocks on the Moon, aims to support a future lunar ecosystem and can be adapted for other celestial bodies. Initial research shows that atomic clocks on the Moon may tick slightly faster than on Earth … Continue reading NASA to develop lunar time standard for exploration initiatives

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Space

NASA’s Voyager 1 probe swaps thrusters in tricky fix as it flies through interstellar space

Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object now in interstellar space, recently used a clever thruster technique to maintain communication with Earth. Facing issues with its thrusters and limited power, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) engineers managed to switch to a backup thruster system. Despite the spacecraft’s advanced age and declining power, the team successfully reoriented Voyager 1 towards Earth by warming a dormant thruster … Continue reading NASA’s Voyager 1 probe swaps thrusters in tricky fix as it flies through interstellar space

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Space

Tech billionaire pulls off first private spacewalk high above Earth

Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman completed the first private spacewalk on Thursday, emerging from a SpaceX capsule 460 miles above Earth. This marks a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight, previously limited to professional astronauts. Isaacman, testing SpaceX’s new spacesuits, performed the spacewalk briefly, lasting less than two hours. SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis also conducted a brief spacewalk. The mission, part of Isaacman’s Polaris program, was designed … Continue reading Tech billionaire pulls off first private spacewalk high above Earth

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Business

Mortgage rates fall to lowest level in over 18 months

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest in over a year and a half, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.20% from 6.35% two weeks ago, according to Freddie Mac. Despite this decline, high home prices and low inventory are keeping many potential buyers and sellers out of the market. The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage also decreased to 5.27%, … Continue reading Mortgage rates fall to lowest level in over 18 months

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Business

After more than a century, the Campbell’s company drops ‘soup’ from its name

The Campbell Soup Company, founded in 1869 and known for its iconic soup cans, will drop “Soup” from its name and become The Campbell’s Company. This change reflects the company’s new strategy and mission, aiming to encompass its broader portfolio beyond just soups. With net sales of $9.6 billion last year, Campbell’s is also following recent trends of rebranding, similar to Twitter’s transition to X … Continue reading After more than a century, the Campbell’s company drops ‘soup’ from its name

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Business

Major grocery chain hiring 13,000 workers, raising starting pay to up to $23 per hour

Discount grocery chain Aldi will hire 13,000 additional workers for the holiday season, increasing the average hourly wage to $23. New hires, working in stores and warehouses, will start at $18 to $23 per hour depending on the role. Aldi, which operates over 2,000 stores across 36 states with a current workforce of more than 49,000, offers health insurance, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and … Continue reading Major grocery chain hiring 13,000 workers, raising starting pay to up to $23 per hour

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Politics

Republicans push for clean stopgap as leaders regroup on shutdown plan

As the government shutdown deadline approaches, a growing number of House Republicans believe a clean continuing resolution (CR) is the likely solution, postponing the shutdown until after the election. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) abandoned a vote on his conservative funding bill after it failed to gain enough GOP support, pushing the House back to square one. Some Republicans still advocate for another conservative bill to … Continue reading Republicans push for clean stopgap as leaders regroup on shutdown plan

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Politics

Trump says he would end all taxes on overtime pay at first post-debate rally

At a campaign rally in Tucson, Arizona, former President Donald Trump announced that if elected, he would eliminate taxes on overtime pay. Trump claimed this would encourage work and make it easier for companies to hire. The Harris campaign criticized the proposal as insincere, pointing to Trump’s previous policies that reduced overtime protections, NBC News has reported. Trump’s pledge follows a debate against Vice President … Continue reading Trump says he would end all taxes on overtime pay at first post-debate rally

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Politics

Garland says he won’t let the Justice Department be used as a political weapon

Attorney General Merrick Garland declared Thursday that he will not permit the Justice Department to be used as a political tool, addressing what he called “conspiracy theories and dangerous falsehoods” aimed at federal law enforcement. Speaking to Justice Department members, Garland reaffirmed the department’s commitment to impartiality amid accusations from Republicans that it is politically weaponized against former President Donald Trump. Garland condemned these attacks … Continue reading Garland says he won’t let the Justice Department be used as a political weapon

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Politics

Mussolini’s granddaughter quits Meloni’s party saying it’s too right wing

Rachele Mussolini, granddaughter of Italy’s wartime dictator Benito Mussolini, announced she is leaving Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party due to its right-wing stance and recent disagreements over minority rights. Mussolini, a prominent city councillor in Rome, will join the more centrist Forza Italia group. She cited her dissatisfaction with Brothers of Italy’s positions on civil rights and a recent dispute over gender … Continue reading Mussolini’s granddaughter quits Meloni’s party saying it’s too right wing

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Politics

DHS designates Electoral College vote count as special national security event

Homeland Security has designated the Electoral College vote count and certification as a special national security event, with the U.S. Secret Service responsible for security. This decision follows the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack aimed at disrupting the certification of President Biden’s victory. The designation aligns the Electoral College count with other major events like presidential inaugurations and State of the Union addresses. The Secret … Continue reading DHS designates Electoral College vote count as special national security event

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U.S. News

Man charged in Line Fire tried to set off two other blazes, officials say

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, from Norco, has been charged with igniting the massive Line Fire in San Bernardino County on September 5. Prosecutors say Halstenberg also attempted to start two other fires that day. He faces nine felony charges, including aggravated arson and arson causing great bodily injury, and is held without bail. The Line Fire has burned 37,207 acres and is 18% contained. The … Continue reading Man charged in Line Fire tried to set off two other blazes, officials say

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U.S. News

Louisiana communities assess damage and begin cleanup after Francine

AccuWeather estimates Hurricane Francine’s total damage and economic losses at $9 billion, including flooding, power outages, and business interruptions from halted Gulf of Mexico oil platform operations. Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter described Francine as a short but impactful hurricane in New Orleans. Despite the significant impact, Francine’s costs are lower compared to other recent storms this season, AccuWeather has reported. Notably, many homeowners face challenges … Continue reading Louisiana communities assess damage and begin cleanup after Francine

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U.S. News

NYPD commissioner resigns amid corruption investigation

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned, effective 5 p.m. Friday, Mayor Eric Adams announced. Caban’s decision follows reports of federal investigators seizing electronic devices from his home and other NYPD executives, though his lawyers state he is not a target of the investigation. In his resignation letter, Caban cited recent developments as a distraction to the department. Tom Donlon, a former FBI official, will serve … Continue reading NYPD commissioner resigns amid corruption investigation

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U.S. News

NORAD Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Russian Aircraft Near Alaska

The U.S. scrambled fighter jets after detecting two Russian military aircraft near Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), NORAD reported. The Russian aircraft stayed in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD stated this activity is not considered a threat but is monitored closely. Similar incursions have occurred frequently, with at least four reported near Alaska in 2023. The intercept … Continue reading NORAD Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Russian Aircraft Near Alaska

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U.S. News

Southern California Breaks Record For Most 4.0+ Mag Quakes In Single Year

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Malibu at 7:28 a.m., followed by a 2.8 aftershock and four more ranging from 2.7 to 3.5 in the next hour, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Initially reported as a 5.1, the quake was centered five miles north of Malibu and seven miles deep. No injuries or significant damage have been reported. USGS seismologist Lucy Jones noted a rise … Continue reading Southern California Breaks Record For Most 4.0+ Mag Quakes In Single Year

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World News

Australia strips medals from military commanders over Afghanistan war crime allegations

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced that several current and former military commanders have been stripped of medals due to alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The decision follows recommendations from Maj. Gen. Paul Brereton, who found that Australian troops were involved in the unlawful killings of 39 Afghans. Marles emphasized that the medals were revoked not for the commanders’ direct … Continue reading Australia strips medals from military commanders over Afghanistan war crime allegations

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World News

UK navy intercepts ‘narco sub’ in Caribbean carrying $209M worth of cocaine

The Royal Navy’s HMS Trent has intercepted its first-ever “narco-sub” in the Caribbean, seizing 4,409 pounds of cocaine worth $209.4 million. In collaboration with the US Coast Guard, the operation occurred 190 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic. Over eight months, HMS Trent has intercepted nearly $981.6 million in drugs through eight busts, surpassing HMS Argyll as the top Royal Navy ship in drug … Continue reading UK navy intercepts ‘narco sub’ in Caribbean carrying $209M worth of cocaine

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World News

Three Red Cross workers killed in eastern Ukraine shelling

A Russian attack on a Red Cross vehicle in eastern Ukraine killed three aid workers and wounded two others, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The incident occurred during preparations for an aid distribution in the Donetsk region. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric condemned the attack, calling it “unconscionable.” All victims were Ukrainian citizens. The UN reported … Continue reading Three Red Cross workers killed in eastern Ukraine shelling

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World News

IDF names 9 Hamas operatives, including 3 UNRWA staffers, killed in strike on school

The United Nations condemned an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Jawni school in Gaza, which killed 18 people, including UN staffers. Israel’s military claimed the school was a Hamas control center used for planning attacks. The UNRWA reported six staffers killed in the strikes, marking the highest death toll among its team in a single incident. The IDF identified nine Hamas operatives killed in the strike, … Continue reading IDF names 9 Hamas operatives, including 3 UNRWA staffers, killed in strike on school

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World News

Putin sends direct threat to NATO over ‘act of war’

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that NATO would be “at war” with Russia if the West allows Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to strike Russian targets. Putin emphasized that such a move would signify direct NATO involvement in the conflict, prompting Russia to take “appropriate decisions” in response. Meanwhile, UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to discuss Ukraine’s request to use long-range Storm … Continue reading Putin sends direct threat to NATO over ‘act of war’

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Space

NASA spacecraft to study Jupiter moon’s underground ocean cleared for October launch

NASA has approved the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft, scheduled for October 10 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. After addressing concerns about the spacecraft’s transistors and their ability to handle Europa’s intense radiation, NASA confirmed that the spacecraft is ready for its $5 billion mission. The Europa Clipper will spend six years traveling to Jupiter, conducting close flybys of Europa to investigate its … Continue reading NASA spacecraft to study Jupiter moon’s underground ocean cleared for October launch

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Politics

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump shake hands again at 9/11 anniversary ceremony

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump shook hands at the 9/11 anniversary ceremony in Manhattan. This handshake followed their first meeting at a presidential debate the night before, breaking an eight-year tradition of no handshakes at debates. On 9/11, Biden and Harris attended ceremonies at Ground Zero, Shanksville, and the Pentagon, while Trump also visited Shanksville, ABC News has reported. Biden reflected … Continue reading Kamala Harris, Donald Trump shake hands again at 9/11 anniversary ceremony

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