President Joe Biden heads to Europe this week in a trip meant to be a show of defiance. He will mark a second year of war by denouncing Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and publicly declare that the United States will support Kyiv until the final moments of the conflict. But the backdrop to Biden’s trip is also complicated, dangerous and uncertain. As the fighting … Continue reading President Biden heads to a troubled Europe
The United States has determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris said Saturday, insisting that “justice must be served” to the perpetrators. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Harris said the international community has both a moral and a strategic interest in pursuing those crimes, pointing to a danger of other authoritarian governments taking advantage if international rules … Continue reading US says Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine
When astronomers discovered that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, they theorized that some force must be pushing things farther apart and overcoming gravity, which should be slowing things down. That force was suggested to be dark energy, but no one has ever figured out from where it comes. But a team of 17 international researchers led by the University of Hawaii has … Continue reading Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy
The University of Haifa received the gift of a rare map collection made up of 30 maps and atlases containing biblical illustrations and Christian narratives from the 1500s and 1600s. The gift was bequeathed by the Richard Umansky Living Trust based on the wishes of the late Dr. Richard Umansky, a pediatrician, outdoorsman, traveler and historian. Umansky studied the maps for decades and eventually gave … Continue reading Ancient Christian maps of Israel, Jerusalem gifted to University of Haifa
An Indiana woman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after stealing nearly $600,000 from the church where she worked. According to court documents from 2008 to 2021, Marie Carson illegally transferred approximately $573,836.59 from business accounts of a Catholic church and related school in Indianapolis to her own personal bank accounts. The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday the actual monetary loss … Continue reading Church employee stole nearly $600K for gambling, Florida vacations, feds say
The Pentagon’s top China official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase, has arrived in Taiwan for a visit, the Financial Times reported on Friday citing a source, on a trip that could exacerbate tension between Beijing and Washington. Both Taiwan’s Defence Ministry and Pentagon declined to comment. “We don’t have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but I would highlight that our … Continue reading Pentagon’s top China official has arrived in Taiwan, FT reports
Four US service members and one dog were wounded last night during a raid which killed a senior ISIS senior leader. The helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, carried out by the US and the Syrian Democratic Forces, killed the targeted ISIS senior leader, Hamza al-Homsi. The service members and working dog are receiving treatment in Iraq. The news comes hot on the heels of US … Continue reading ISIS senior leader killed in daring raid which left four US servicemen wounded
Ukrainian soldiers fighting to hold off a Russian push on the small eastern city of Bakhmut pleaded for more weapons from the outside world as senior Western leaders met in Munich on Friday to assess the year-long war shaking Europe. “Give us more military equipment, more weapons, and we will deal with the Russian occupier, we will destroy them,” said Dmytro, a serviceman standing in … Continue reading Ukrainian troops holding line at Bakhmut appeal for help as global security meeting starts
Armenia has presented Azerbaijan with a project for a full peace treaty to end the decades-long dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. The two former Soviet republics have been locked in a state of conflict over the mountainous area, which lies in Azerbaijan but whose population is largely Armenian. An agreement would provide for monitoring mechanisms by both sides to prevent … Continue reading Armenia offers peace treaty project to Azerbaijan
Over a century after the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution released never-before-seen footage on Wednesday of what was at one point the largest ship in the world. The haunting video was captured in 1986, when the WHOI made 11 dives nearly 12,500 feet below the ocean’s surface to explore the wreckage. Alvin, a three-person submersible, was used to … Continue reading Never-before-seen footage of the Titanic nearly 12,500 feet below the ocean released
At least two people are dead following a fatal military helicopter crash Wednesday afternoon near Highway 53 near Huntsville, Alabama, Fox News Digital has confirmed. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the fiery crash happened at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Burwell Road and Highway 53 near Huntsville, Alabama. Don Webster with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services says the helicopter caught fire upon impact. Webster … Continue reading Black Hawk military helicopter crashes near Alabama highway, 2 dead
Archaeologists in southern Iraq have uncovered the remains of a tavern dating back nearly 5,000 years they hope will illuminate the lives of ordinary people in the world’s first cities. The U.S.-Italian team made the find in the ruins of ancient Lagash, northeast of the modern city of Nasiriyah, which was already known to have been one of the first urban centers of the Sumerian … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover 5,000-year-old tavern and “beer recipe” on tablet in Iraq
A large pet bird that is normally native to Australia caused a ruckus south of Boston, Massachusetts, after escaping from her home, the Associated Press reported. The bird is an emu. It’s the second-tallest bird on Earth after the ostrich, its close relative. The flightless bird apparently managed to get loose on Thursday night in East Bridgewater — and led police on a chase through … Continue reading Large pet emu runs loose through the streets south of Boston, Massachusetts
In the event that Russia launches an attack or invasion against Estonia, the United States will enter the conflict, according to the head of the Department of the Defense. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III spoke Thursday at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Belgium. The conference focused heavily on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is approaching its year anniversary. Austin was … Continue reading Defense Secretary Austin says US would enter conflict if Russia attacks Estonia
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday urged Turkey to ratify the applications of Finland and Sweden to join the military organization, repeating his claim that the Nordic neighbors have done enough to satisfy Ankara’s demands that they crack down on extremism. At a news conference in Ankara standing alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Stoltenberg also condemned the burning of the Muslim holy book, the … Continue reading NATO chief urges Turkey to let Nordic pair join quickly
Peru’s Machu Picchu, an Inca-era stone citadel nestled in its southeastern jungle, reopened on Wednesday after being closed nearly a month ago amid antigovernment protests, the culture ministry announced. Agreements were made between authorities, social groups and the local tourism industry to guarantee the security of the famed tourist attraction and transport services. Protests calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and members of … Continue reading Peru’s Machu Picchu reopens after being closed following protests
China on Thursday accused the United States of escalating the dispute over the downed surveillance balloon, as concerns grew that the saga may send relations between the world’s two largest economies further into a tailspin. The episode and the mystery surrounding subsequent aerial objects shot down over North America have fueled a domestic media frenzy and piled political pressure on the White House, but also … Continue reading China warns U.S. against escalation as balloon saga spirals
The mayor of an Ohio village where a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed earlier this month told ABC News that he “wasn’t built for this” and needs “help.” East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway briefly spoke to reporters on Wednesday evening, before a town hall meeting with residents in the local high school’s gymnasium. ABC News asked Conaway about the pressure of being in the national … Continue reading Ohio train derailment: East Palestine mayor says he needs ‘help’ ahead of EPA administrator’s visit
The elusive “Planet Nine,” which may or may not lurk in the outer reaches of the solar system, could be surrounded by a small swarm of potential moons, a new study reveals. What’s more, these moons could be the key to finding the missing planet. Planet Nine, if it exists, lurks beyond the orbit of Neptune in an icy region known as the Kuiper Belt. … Continue reading Elusive Planet Nine could be surrounded by hot moons
Scientists have detected signs of a hidden structure inside Earth’s core using a new method that combines seismic data with machine learning algorithms. The study analyzed data from thousands of earthquakes to create a three-dimensional picture of the core and found evidence of a distinct zone at the boundary between the inner and outer core. The researchers believe this zone could be composed of a … Continue reading Scientists Detect Signs of Hidden Structure Inside Earth’s Core
The earliest and most complete Hebrew Bible ever discovered – a “vital touchstone of human history” that dates back more than 1,100 years – is to be sold at auction. The ninth-century volume, referred to as the Codex Sassoon, is a critical link between the Dead Sea scrolls and the Bible of today. It is being offered by Sotheby’s with an estimate of $30m-$50m (£25m-£42m), … Continue reading Oldest complete Hebrew Bible expected to break auction records
Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of artificial-intelligence chatbots. For now, the evolving consensus among clergy is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon. But no, they can’t replicate the passion of actual preaching. “It lacks a soul – I don’t know how else to say it,” said Hershael York, a pastor in Kentucky who … Continue reading Pastors’ view: Sermons written by ChatGPT will have no soul
The daughter of a man killed by his pet rooster has warned of the dangers of aggressive poultry after the bird also attacked her young child. Jasper Kraus, 67, suffered a heart attack after the bird plunged its spur into his leg, causing him to lose litres of blood. Daughter Virginia Guinan, 33, says Jasper – a dad-of-two and grandad-of-two – was an experienced animal … Continue reading Man killed by aggressive pet rooster
The article reports that sewage from Tijuana, Mexico, is flowing through canyons near the border into San Diego due to a recent pipe break. The break occurred in a pipeline that carries sewage to a treatment plant in Mexico. The sewage is being carried by the Tijuana River and its tributaries into canyons in San Diego, where it poses a health hazard to people and … Continue reading Tijuana sewage pours through San Diego border canyons after recent pipe break
The article reports that lawyers representing Kari Lake, a Republican candidate for governor in Arizona, have filed complaints with the State Bar against five attorneys who they say tried to interfere with Lake’s campaign by making “false and defamatory statements” about her. The complaints allege that the attorneys violated professional conduct rules and should be disciplined. The lawyers for the accused attorneys deny the allegations … Continue reading Kari Lake’s lawyers hit with bar complaints
