Author: bcbegley

Archaeology

‘Extremely rare, beautiful’ First Temple-era ‘genie’ seal discovered in Jerusalem

A rare First Temple period stone seal featuring paleo-Hebrew script and an image of a protective demon has been discovered in Jerusalem. Found in the Davidson Archaeological Garden near the Temple Mount, the seal is about 2,700 years old and bears the inscription “LeYeho’ezer ben Hosh’ayahu” in mirror writing. The seal, which likely belonged to a senior official in the Kingdom of Judah, depicts a … Continue reading ‘Extremely rare, beautiful’ First Temple-era ‘genie’ seal discovered in Jerusalem

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Space

NASA selects Intuitive Machines for south pole lunar lander mission

NASA has awarded Intuitive Machines a $116.9 million contract to deliver six payloads to the moon’s south polar region in 2027. This mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, will use Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander to transport experiments from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the University of Colorado Boulder. The payloads include studies on biology, planetary science, and a laser retroreflector … Continue reading NASA selects Intuitive Machines for south pole lunar lander mission

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Space

Blue Origin launches 6 people to space, lands safely on NS-26 flight

Blue Origin successfully launched and landed its eighth suborbital space tourism mission, NS-26, from its West Texas spaceport this morning. The flight, which took off at 9:07 a.m. EDT, reached an altitude of 341,000 feet before returning to Earth at 9:19 a.m. EDT. The six-person crew, including philanthropist Nicolina Elrick and NASA-funded researcher Rob Ferl, enjoyed a few minutes of weightlessness. Ferl conducted plant growth … Continue reading Blue Origin launches 6 people to space, lands safely on NS-26 flight

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Space

NASA Discovers Hidden Atmospheric Force Driving Particles Into Space

NASA’s Endurance rocket has confirmed the existence of a long-hypothesized ambipolar electric field surrounding Earth. Launched from Norway’s Svalbard in May 2022, the rocket detected this weak electric field, which is believed to influence the polar wind and contribute to Earth’s unique atmospheric conditions. The field’s detection, reported in Nature, shows an electric potential change of just 0.55 volts, sufficient to drive the polar wind and … Continue reading NASA Discovers Hidden Atmospheric Force Driving Particles Into Space

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Technology

Chinese tech firms accelerate humanoid robot R&D

Chinese tech and automation companies are ramping up R&D in humanoid robots, anticipating significant growth in demand across service, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Wuxi Longsheng Technology is working with local authorities to apply humanoid robots in manufacturing, with ongoing trials and system improvements. Shenzhen’s Jwipc Technology has introduced a high-performance controller for various robots, including humanoid models, using NVIDIA’s Isaac platform, ECNS has reported. Analysts … Continue reading Chinese tech firms accelerate humanoid robot R&D

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Business

Dollar General shares crater 25% as retailer cuts outlook

Dollar General’s shares fell 25% after it revised its full-year sales and profit forecasts downward, indicating financial strain among its lower-income customers. The retailer now expects same-store sales to rise by 1.0% to 1.6% and earnings per share to be between $5.50 and $6.20, lower than previous estimates. In its second fiscal quarter, Dollar General reported earnings of $1.70 per share on revenue of $10.21 … Continue reading Dollar General shares crater 25% as retailer cuts outlook

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Business

Ford becomes the latest company to scale back its diversity and inclusion policies

Ford is revising its diversity and inclusion policies amid shifting legal and political pressures. CEO Jim Farley announced changes, including refocusing employee resource groups and ending participation in external culture surveys by the Human Rights Campaign, which previously recognized Ford for LGBTQ+ equality. The move follows pressure from right-wing activist Robby Starbuck and aligns with broader trends among companies adjusting or scaling back their DEI … Continue reading Ford becomes the latest company to scale back its diversity and inclusion policies

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Business

Bugs, mold and mildew found in Boar’s Head plant linked to deadly listeria outbreak

Inspectors found numerous violations at Boar’s Head’s Jarratt, Virginia plant, which has been linked to a nationwide deli meat recall due to a listeria outbreak. Violations included mold, mildew, and insect infestations throughout the facility. The outbreak has resulted in 57 hospitalizations and at least nine deaths across 18 states. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has suspended inspections at the plant, which … Continue reading Bugs, mold and mildew found in Boar’s Head plant linked to deadly listeria outbreak

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Politics

Harris-Trump debate rules include muted mics and no audience

Next month’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will feature strict rules: no audience, no live microphones between speaking turns, and no written notes. ABC News, the host network, shared these guidelines with both campaigns this week. The debate, scheduled for September 10, is set to follow similar rules as the June Biden-Trump debate, which saw controversy over microphone muting. … Continue reading Harris-Trump debate rules include muted mics and no audience

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Politics

Walz says his military record ‘speaks for itself’ in CNN interview

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed criticism of his military record in a CNN interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, explaining that his 2018 remarks about “carrying a weapon of war in war” were a grammatical error. Walz, who served 24 years in the National Guard but was not in combat, dismissed the criticism as part of a broader attempt to undermine him. He emphasized pride … Continue reading Walz says his military record ‘speaks for itself’ in CNN interview

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Politics

Harris defends shifting from some liberal positions

In her first major TV interview of her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris defended her shift away from some liberal positions, stating her values remain unchanged while seeking consensus. Speaking alongside running mate Gov. Tim Walz, Harris addressed policy reversals on fracking and decriminalizing border crossings, emphasizing the need to find common ground. The interview aimed to introduce voters to the Democratic ticket following … Continue reading Harris defends shifting from some liberal positions

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Politics

Trump vows IVF will be free if reelected

During a rally in Michigan, former President Donald Trump announced that if reelected, his administration would ensure the federal government or insurance companies cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Trump emphasized the need to support families and allow new parents to deduct newborn expenses from taxes, positioning the GOP as pro-family amid backlash over abortion rights. This announcement comes as Democrats have criticized Trump and … Continue reading Trump vows IVF will be free if reelected

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Politics

Trump asks federal court to take over hush money case 

Former President Trump has asked a federal court to intervene in his hush money case, aiming to overturn his conviction and delay his sentencing, scheduled for next month. Trump’s lawyers argue that the state’s prosecution violated his constitutional rights and conflicts with a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Convicted earlier this year on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments, … Continue reading Trump asks federal court to take over hush money case 

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U.S. News

Solo backpacker, 60, found dead near rugged and remote Grand Canyon trail

A 60-year-old solo backpacker from North Carolina was found dead near a remote trail along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. He was located by helicopter on Wednesday between Lower Tapeats and Deer Creek campsites during a multi-day hike. The man was reported missing on Tuesday after failing to check in with his family. His death is under investigation by the National … Continue reading Solo backpacker, 60, found dead near rugged and remote Grand Canyon trail

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U.S. News

University of Delaware student killed after motorcyclist flees traffic stop

A motorcyclist fleeing a traffic stop hit and killed an 18-year-old University of Delaware freshman and injured four others on the first day of classes. The incident occurred after the motorcyclist sped away from campus police, striking the student as she crossed the street. Despite bystanders’ efforts, the student was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike, which continued to … Continue reading University of Delaware student killed after motorcyclist flees traffic stop

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U.S. News

Loran Cole executed in murder of Florida State University student whose sister was raped

Loran Cole, 57, was executed by lethal injection on Thursday at Florida State Prison for the 1994 murder of 18-year-old Florida State University student John Edwards and the sexual assault of Edwards’ sister during a camping trip in Ocala National Forest. Cole’s execution, Florida’s first of the year and the 13th in the nation, occurred at 6:15 p.m. with witnesses including guards, journalists, and corrections … Continue reading Loran Cole executed in murder of Florida State University student whose sister was raped

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U.S. News

Wells Fargo employee found in her cubicle 4 days after last scanning into work

Denise Prudhomme, a 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee, was found dead at her cubicle in Tempe, Arizona, on August 20, four days after she last scanned into the office on August 16. The cause of death is under investigation, with no signs of foul play reported. Prudhomme’s body went unnoticed for days as she worked in a sparsely populated area away from main aisles, with some … Continue reading Wells Fargo employee found in her cubicle 4 days after last scanning into work

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U.S. News

NSA launches public awareness campaign in major shift

The NSA is launching a podcast titled “No Such Podcast,” aimed at sharing insights into its secretive work in signals intelligence, cybersecurity, and combat support. Announced via a cryptic trailer, the podcast will feature NSA experts discussing the agency’s role in major military and intelligence events, marking a shift in the NSA’s public engagement strategy since the fallout from Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations. The initiative … Continue reading NSA launches public awareness campaign in major shift

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World News

YouTube chef, son of Spanish actors, sentenced to life in Thai prison for grisly murder

A Thai court sentenced Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a 30-year-old chef and member of a prominent Spanish acting family, to life in prison for the premeditated murder and dismemberment of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan. Originally sentenced to death, Sancho’s term was reduced due to his cooperation during the trial. He must also pay over $125,000 in compensation to … Continue reading YouTube chef, son of Spanish actors, sentenced to life in Thai prison for grisly murder

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World News

Israel agrees to brief pause in fighting so Palestinian children can receive polio vaccinations, U.N. says

The WHO has reached an agreement with Israel for temporary pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow polio vaccinations for 640,000 children after the first polio case in 25 years was confirmed. The campaign will begin on September 1 in central Gaza, with daily pauses from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three days, extendable by one day if necessary. Similar pauses will follow in … Continue reading Israel agrees to brief pause in fighting so Palestinian children can receive polio vaccinations, U.N. says

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World News

China’s Icebreakers Challenge US Staying Power on Arctic Frontier

For the first time, China has sent three icebreakers to the Arctic, according to ship-tracking data, while a U.S. icebreaker, the USCGC Healy, aborted its mission after an onboard fire. Despite China’s territory being 900 miles from the Arctic Circle, the nation has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and has strengthened ties with Russia, raising concerns among other Arctic nations. In response, the U.S. Department … Continue reading China’s Icebreakers Challenge US Staying Power on Arctic Frontier

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World News

Panic in France as ‘war’ between migrants, police sparks chaos

In the small northern French town of Grand-Fort-Philippe, tensions have escalated as clashes between migrants seeking to cross the English Channel and French police have intensified. Once a place where locals and migrants coexisted with polite interactions, the town is now facing increased violence. The situation worsened as French authorities ramped up efforts to curb illegal migration after a deal with the UK, the Express … Continue reading Panic in France as ‘war’ between migrants, police sparks chaos

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World News

Shark decapitates teenager on Jamaican beach

A 16-year-old Jamaican teenager, Jahmari Reid, was tragically decapitated by a shark while spearfishing alone on Jamaica’s north coast. His body was found the next day with his head and left arm missing, near a large tiger shark. J ahmari had gone spearfishing near his home in Trelawny, east of Montego Bay, but when he didn’t return, a search was launched. His devastated parents, Michael … Continue reading Shark decapitates teenager on Jamaican beach

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Archaeology

4-year-old boy accidentally smashes 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar at museum

A 4-year-old boy accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar during a visit to the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa in Israel. The rare, fully intact jar, dating back to between 2200 and 1500 B.C., fell when the boy, out of curiosity, slightly pulled on it. The museum director, Inbal Rivlin, acknowledged that it was an accident and assured that the response would … Continue reading 4-year-old boy accidentally smashes 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar at museum

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Space

NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars begins steep climb to rim of a crater

NASA’s Perseverance rover is embarking on a challenging climb up 1,000 feet to the rim of Jezero Crater on Mars, after spending 3 1/2 years exploring its floor. The rover, which has already collected 22 rock samples from the crater’s bottom, will now gather samples from the crater’s rim. These samples could provide insights into Mars’ ancient climate and the possibility of past life. The … Continue reading NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars begins steep climb to rim of a crater

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