Author: bcbegley

Space

Radio blackouts reported across the world after ‘tsunami’ of solar storms 

On Thursday, a series of solar storms caused global radio blackouts, with at least 15 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) impacting Earth. The disturbances have affected communications in parts of Africa and Asia and are moving toward the US, potentially disrupting satellite operations, aviation, maritime communications, and GPS. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that these blackouts may continue until at least August 4. … Continue reading Radio blackouts reported across the world after ‘tsunami’ of solar storms 

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

Saturn threw a comet out of the solar system at 6,700 mph

Scientists have discovered Comet A117uUD, which is on a trajectory out of the solar system after a close encounter with Saturn in 2022. The comet, identified on June 14, 2024, by ATLAS, was tracked through 142 observations, revealing its altered, elliptical orbit. It is now traveling at approximately 6,710 miles per hour (10,800 km/h) and will exit the solar system, becoming only the second observed … Continue reading Saturn threw a comet out of the solar system at 6,700 mph

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Technology

MMI successfully trials Symani surgical robot in neurosurgery

Medical Microinstruments (MMI) is expanding the use of its Symani surgical system, having completed a successful preclinical study in neurosurgery. Dr. Adnan Siddiqui used the Symani system to repair a brain blood vessel in an animal model, demonstrating its effectiveness for delicate procedures. The system, which replicates human hand movements on a small scale, received FDA de novo clearance in April 2024 for soft tissue … Continue reading MMI successfully trials Symani surgical robot in neurosurgery

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Technology

‘Electrified roadway’ getting closer to being a reality in West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University and INDOT are advancing a pioneering project to create an “Electrified Roadway” in West Lafayette that will charge electric vehicles as they drive. Since 2019, the teams have been installing electric coils beneath US 231, which are now being covered with concrete. The technology will enable electric semi-trucks to charge while driving at 65 mph via a magnetic field transferring energy from the … Continue reading ‘Electrified roadway’ getting closer to being a reality in West Lafayette, Indiana

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Technology

South Korea Fires Laser Weapon To Shoot Down UAV During Demo

On July 30, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) demonstrated its new laser weapon designed to neutralize enemy drones. The public display, held at a test site in Taean County, showcased the weapon’s capability to down drones with an invisible directed-energy beam. During the test, a DJI Phantom 4 drone was destroyed within seconds of being targeted by the laser, which emitted no visible … Continue reading South Korea Fires Laser Weapon To Shoot Down UAV During Demo

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Home valuations are rising faster than incomes

Record inflation is prompting some to question the value of homeownership as an investment. Home prices have been rising faster than incomes, increasing the cost of maintaining a home. Over 25% of homeowners with mortgages are “cost-burdened,” spending more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a 2023 Chamber of Commerce analysis, CNBC has reported. Experts highlight that rising property taxes and insurance … Continue reading Home valuations are rising faster than incomes

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Sinking Treasury yields signal growing jitters

On Thursday, U.S. government debt yields fell sharply, signaling increased concern about the economy ahead of Friday’s July nonfarm payrolls report. The 10-year Treasury yield dropped to its lowest level since February, influenced by weak manufacturing data and a surge in weekly jobless claims to a near one-year high. Traders are anticipating continued softness in the labor market. Historically, lower Treasury yields can indicate a … Continue reading Sinking Treasury yields signal growing jitters

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Unemployment rises to 4.3%

In July, U.S. job growth significantly slowed, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by only 114,000—below the Dow Jones estimate of 185,000 and a decrease from June’s revised 179,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, its highest since October 2021. Average hourly earnings increased by 0.2% for the month and 3.6% year-over-year, both below expectations. Stock market futures fell and Treasury yields dropped following the report. Despite … Continue reading Unemployment rises to 4.3%

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Senate fails to advance major tax bill that would expand Child Tax Credit

A major tax package aimed at expanding the Child Tax Credit and cutting business taxes failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday, despite strong bipartisan support in the House earlier this year. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 sought to increase the Child Tax Credit from $1,600 to $2,000 per child by 2025 and provide relief to lower-income families. … Continue reading Senate fails to advance major tax bill that would expand Child Tax Credit

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good loses Virginia primary recount

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good has officially lost his primary recount, confirming his defeat to GOP state Sen. John McGuire. McGuire, who led by 374 votes in the June primary, will now face the end of Good’s tenure as chairman, making him the first sitting House Republican to lose to a primary challenger this year. The recount concludes the race, which saw significant GOP … Continue reading House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good loses Virginia primary recount

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump Floats End to Taxes on Social Security Benefits

Former President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits in a recent Truth Social post. This tax, established by a bipartisan reform in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan, was designed to support the Social Security trust fund. Currently, up to 50% of Social Security benefits can be taxed for incomes between $25,000 and $34,000, and up to 85% for incomes above $34,000. … Continue reading Trump Floats End to Taxes on Social Security Benefits

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Overwhelming evidence Venezuela opposition won election – Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated there is “overwhelming evidence” that Edmundo González won Venezuela’s recent presidential election, despite incumbent Nicolás Maduro’s disputed victory. Blinken’s comments highlight the discrepancy between the government-controlled electoral council’s announcement of Maduro’s win and the opposition’s claim of a wide margin victory for González. The opposition disputes the official result, citing their own vote tally and access to … Continue reading Overwhelming evidence Venezuela opposition won election – Blinken

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Harris clinches Democratic nomination, DNC announces

Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination after winning the necessary delegate votes, as confirmed by Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison on Friday. Harris, who will officially accept the nomination next week, becomes the party’s first Black female presidential nominee. Her nomination follows President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month and his endorsement of Harris. The switch to Harris has energized … Continue reading Harris clinches Democratic nomination, DNC announces

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Crews struggle to contain rapidly spreading Park Fire in California

The Park Fire has become California’s fourth-largest wildfire in history, burning 397,629 acres across Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties, with 24% containment as of Friday. It has surpassed the SCU Lightning Complex Fire from 2020 in size, with the majority of the damage in Tehama County. The fire has destroyed 540 structures and damaged 50 more, primarily in Butte and Tehama counties. Evacuations are … Continue reading Crews struggle to contain rapidly spreading Park Fire in California

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Drunk driver was going 78 mph when he crashed into nail salon and killed 4, prosecutors say

Steven Schwally, 64, pleaded not guilty to a 38-count indictment, including charges of murder and vehicular manslaughter, after a crash on June 28 where he drove his SUV into a Long Island nail salon, killing four people and injuring nine. Prosecutors revealed Schwally was driving at 78 mph with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit. The crash occurred after … Continue reading Drunk driver was going 78 mph when he crashed into nail salon and killed 4, prosecutors say

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Whistleblower accuses acting Secret Service director of reducing counter surveillance before Trump shooting

A whistleblower informed Republican Senator Josh Hawley that Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. personally directed cuts to the Counter Surveillance Division (CSD), which led to a failure in performing a threat assessment before a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report follows congressional scrutiny over security failures at the rally where former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. The whistleblower claimed that the … Continue reading Whistleblower accuses acting Secret Service director of reducing counter surveillance before Trump shooting

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Louisiana mayor who resigned days ago is arrested for alleged sex with minor

Misty Roberts, a former Louisiana mayor who recently resigned, was arrested on Thursday on charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. The arrest follows an investigation by the Louisiana State Police’s Special Victims Unit after the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint alleging Roberts had sexual relations with a minor while in office. Two minors were interviewed, with one confirming … Continue reading Louisiana mayor who resigned days ago is arrested for alleged sex with minor

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

20-year-old man falls 400 feet to his death from rim of Grand Canyon

A 20-year-old man, Abel Joseph Mejia from Hickory, North Carolina, tragically fell 400 feet to his death from a scenic overlook at the Grand Canyon. The incident occurred near Pipe Creek Overlook, a popular stop on Desert View Drive. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received the report on Wednesday morning, and park rangers quickly located Mejia’s body. Officials stated that Mejia accidentally fell while … Continue reading 20-year-old man falls 400 feet to his death from rim of Grand Canyon

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

US redeploying forces to protect Israel from Iran retaliation

U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. military is redeploying forces in the Middle East to protect Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxy forces. This decision follows a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Biden also urged for de-escalation of regional tensions and a ceasefire in Gaza. The discussions come amid concerns that Iran and allied militant … Continue reading US redeploying forces to protect Israel from Iran retaliation

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Nigerian police may seek army help after violent protests

Police in Nigeria are on high alert and may seek military assistance after protests turned violent in several cities, resulting in at least three deaths, according to the inspector general of police. Amnesty International’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, reported a higher death toll of 14, based on independent verification from witnesses, victims’ families, and lawyers. While major cities like Abuja and Kano saw clashes and … Continue reading Nigerian police may seek army help after violent protests

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

American woman found in Indian forest had been chained to tree for 40 days

A 49-year-old American woman, Lalita Kayi Kumar, was found chained to a tree in a forest near Sonurli village, Goa, after being held there for 40 days. Discovered by a shepherd who heard her cries, Kumar was too weak to unchain herself and had sustained multiple injuries. She alleged in a written note that her ex-husband had abandoned her to die, leaving her without food … Continue reading American woman found in Indian forest had been chained to tree for 40 days

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Suspect in Southport stabbings named as PM announces new ‘capability’ to curb riots

The suspect in the Southport attack has been identified as 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana after a judge at Liverpool Crown Court lifted reporting restrictions. Photos of the suspect from when he was younger and court sketches have also been released. In response to the attack and other violent incidents across the country, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with police chiefs to discuss strategies to address … Continue reading Suspect in Southport stabbings named as PM announces new ‘capability’ to curb riots

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

US and Russia complete biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history

The United States and Russia completed their largest post-Soviet prisoner swap, freeing two dozen individuals, including journalist Evan Gershkovich, American Paul Whelan, and dissidents like Vladimir Kara-Murza. Gershkovich, Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, returned to the U.S. for a joyful reunion with their families at Joint Base Andrews, where President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted them. Despite … Continue reading US and Russia complete biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Archaeology

Archaeologists unseal 2,000-year-old tomb, find mummy in ‘excellent state’

Archaeologists have made an unexpected discovery in the Tomba del Cerbero, a 2,000-year-old tomb in Giugliano, Italy, near Naples. For the first time since its discovery last year, experts physically opened the sarcophagus, revealing a remarkably well-preserved mummy. The body, found face-up and covered with a shroud, shows signs of careful preservation, including mineralization from the burial chamber’s climate. The tomb, located in the Phlegraean … Continue reading Archaeologists unseal 2,000-year-old tomb, find mummy in ‘excellent state’

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

Astronomers Just Discovered The Earliest Galaxy We’ve Ever Seen

Astronomers have discovered a new galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0, which has set a record as the most distant galaxy observed, existing less than 300 million years after the Big Bang. This finding challenges current models of galaxy formation due to the galaxy’s brightness and size. JADES-GS-z14-0 was detected with a redshift of 14.32, surpassing the previous record, and is found to be over 1,600 light-years across, primarily … Continue reading Astronomers Just Discovered The Earliest Galaxy We’ve Ever Seen

Unknown's avatarbcbegley