Top Armed Services Dem says Sept. 2 strike video would show Republicans’ description ‘completely false’

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, said surveillance video of a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel contradicts claims made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Republicans. Smith, who viewed the footage, said the surviving individuals were unarmed, stranded, and unable to fight, disputing assertions that they were attempting to recover drugs or reengage. He … Continue reading Top Armed Services Dem says Sept. 2 strike video would show Republicans’ description ‘completely false’

bcbegleyDecember 7, 2025

More than 200,000 power banks sold on Amazon recalled over fire and burn risks

About 210,000 INIU portable lithium-ion power banks sold on Amazon have been recalled due to risks of overheating, fires and burn injuries. The recalled units are model BI-B41, sold between August 2021 and April 2022, and include serial numbers 000G21, 000H21, 000I21 and 000L21. At least 15 overheating incidents were reported, including 11 fires that caused minor injuries and property damage. Consumers are urged to … Continue reading More than 200,000 power banks sold on Amazon recalled over fire and burn risks

bcbegleyDecember 7, 2025

Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine as peace talks stall

Russia has recently accelerated its territorial gains in Ukraine, seizing about 200 square miles in November, one of the fastest advances since the war began. Western leaders, including Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz, are meeting for emergency talks amid concerns over weakening support for Kyiv. European officials insist Ukraine is not close to collapse but warn that long-term backing is … Continue reading Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine as peace talks stall

bcbegleyDecember 7, 2025

Doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry before his overdose death gets 2 1/2 years in prison

Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 2½ years in prison and two years of probation for illegally selling ketamine to Matthew Perry shortly before the actor’s 2023 overdose death. The judge stressed that Plasencia didn’t supply the fatal dose but exploited Perry’s addiction for profit. Perry’s family delivered emotional victim impact statements, describing the actor as beloved worldwide. Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of … Continue reading Doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry before his overdose death gets 2 1/2 years in prison

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Salesforce beats on earnings, issues better-than-expected revenue forecast

Salesforce reported stronger-than-expected earnings, with adjusted EPS of $3.25 beating the $2.86 forecast, while revenue of $10.26 billion slightly missed estimates. Net income rose to $2.09 billion, boosted by a $263 million gain from strategic investments. The company highlighted strong cloud growth in Tableau and MuleSoft, with on-premises revenue recognized immediately rather than over time. For the fiscal fourth quarter, Salesforce expects $3.02–$3.04 in adjusted … Continue reading Salesforce beats on earnings, issues better-than-expected revenue forecast

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

November private payrolls unexpectedly fell by 32,000

The U.S. labor market weakened in November as private payrolls fell by 32,000, driven largely by small businesses, according to ADP. Firms with fewer than 50 employees cut 120,000 jobs, while larger companies added 90,000. Industry losses were led by professional and business services (-26,000), information services (-20,000), and manufacturing (-18,000), though education and health services (+33,000) and leisure and hospitality (+13,000) saw gains. Wage … Continue reading November private payrolls unexpectedly fell by 32,000

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

For the 1st time ever, 8 spacecraft are docked to the International Space Station

For the first time in its history, all eight docking ports on the International Space Station (ISS) are fully occupied, NASA announced. The crowded station required NASA’s robotic Canadarm2 to temporarily move the Northrop Grumman Cygnus-23 cargo spacecraft to make room for the Thanksgiving Day arrival of the Soyuz MS-28 crew carrying Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikaev for an eight-month mission. Other spacecraft … Continue reading For the 1st time ever, 8 spacecraft are docked to the International Space Station

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Russia replaces cosmonaut after alleged security breach at SpaceX facility

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been removed from the upcoming Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station after allegedly photographing restricted SpaceX materials at the company’s Hawthorne training facility. Artemyev reportedly used his phone to take images of sensitive engines and documents and attempted to remove them from the site, prompting an interagency investigation, according to Russian media. Roscosmos announced that 43-year-old Andrey Fedyaev, who … Continue reading Russia replaces cosmonaut after alleged security breach at SpaceX facility

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

China’s 1st reusable rocket explodes in dramatic fireball during landing after reaching orbit

Chinese company Landspace’s first test flight of its Zhuque-3 rocket successfully reached orbit but ended with the first stage exploding during reentry. Launched on December 2 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the 66-meter reusable rocket placed its expendable second stage into orbit before its first-stage booster lost an engine during landing, caught fire, and crashed. Despite the fiery failure, Landspace called the flight a … Continue reading China’s 1st reusable rocket explodes in dramatic fireball during landing after reaching orbit

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

“Space gum” and sugars discovered in asteroid Bennu samples, NASA reveals

Samples from asteroid Bennu are providing new insights into the origins of the solar system and the beginnings of life. Since NASA’s Osiris-REx spacecraft returned the material to Earth in 2020, scientists have identified sugars and a previously unseen “gum-like” substance in the asteroid samples. Three new studies, published in Nature Geosciences and Nature Astronomy, detail these findings: one highlights sugars as essential building blocks … Continue reading “Space gum” and sugars discovered in asteroid Bennu samples, NASA reveals

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Man charged with theft after allegedly swallowing Fabergé egg

A 32-year-old man in Auckland, New Zealand, has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing a jewel-encrusted Fabergé egg locket by picking it up and swallowing it. Police arrested him inside the store minutes after the incident on Friday afternoon; he remains in custody ahead of a court appearance on December 8. The stolen item, a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg locket, is valued at … Continue reading Man charged with theft after allegedly swallowing Fabergé egg

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

India revokes order for smartphone makers to install government security app amid uproar over privacy

India’s government has revoked an order requiring smartphone makers, including Apple and Samsung, to preinstall its state-developed security app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new and existing devices. The reversal comes after criticism from opposition politicians and privacy groups, who called the app a potential surveillance tool. The original order, leaked last week, had mandated that the app’s functions could not be disabled or restricted, prompting … Continue reading India revokes order for smartphone makers to install government security app amid uproar over privacy

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Israel launches airstrike in southern Gaza after earlier attack by militants wounded 5 soldiers

Israel carried out an airstrike on a Hamas militant in southern Gaza Wednesday in response to an earlier attack that wounded five Israeli soldiers, testing a fragile ceasefire in place since October. The strike came as Israel received the remains of what may be one of the last hostages held in Gaza and prepared to allow Palestinians to exit the territory via the Rafah crossing … Continue reading Israel launches airstrike in southern Gaza after earlier attack by militants wounded 5 soldiers

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Putin visits India amid Ukraine peace push

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, amid stalled U.S. efforts to end the conflict. His 30-hour visit comes as U.S.-India relations face tension, with Washington imposing tariffs and threatening sanctions over India’s continued strong ties to Russia and increased purchases of Russian crude. The visit underscores India’s ongoing challenge of … Continue reading Putin visits India amid Ukraine peace push

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

California radiologist, wife fatally shot in driveway by son, police say

A California man, Keith Cordes, 37, allegedly fatally shot his father, Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and stepmother, Vicki Cordes, 66, in their Simi Valley garage on Sunday before fleeing to Chino, where he set his car on fire and died by suicide. Police believe the same weapon was used in both the double murder and Keith’s suicide, though forensic testing is pending. The motive for … Continue reading California radiologist, wife fatally shot in driveway by son, police say

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Huge recall of shredded cheese sold at major retailers in 31 states

Over 260,000 cases of shredded cheese sold at major retailers, including Aldi, Target, and Walmart, are being recalled due to possible metal fragments, according to the FDA. Great Lakes Cheese Co., based in Hiram, Ohio, initiated a voluntary recall in early October, covering products sold in 31 states and Puerto Rico. The recall affects a variety of cheeses, including Italian style, pizza style, mozzarella, mozzarella … Continue reading Huge recall of shredded cheese sold at major retailers in 31 states

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Safety volunteer charged in fatal shooting of ‘No Kings’ protester in Utah

Matthew Scott Alder, a safety volunteer, was charged with manslaughter Wednesday for fatally shooting bystander Arthur “Afa” Ah Loo during a June No Kings protest in Salt Lake City. Alder fired three shots after seeing Arturo Gamboa, 24, carrying a rifle, believing Gamboa was about to commit a mass shooting; Gamboa was wounded but not charged, as his weapon was unloaded and pointing down. Salt … Continue reading Safety volunteer charged in fatal shooting of ‘No Kings’ protester in Utah

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Federal probe targets alleged Minnesota Somali fraud ‘network’ as COVID-aid crime rings persist

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is investigating a network of Somali organizations in Minnesota connected to a $1 billion COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, amid allegations of auditing failures by Gov. Tim Walz’s administration. The probe targets nonprofits and individuals, including Feeding Our Future, who allegedly obtained PPP loans and other state and federal funding fraudulently. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler stated the agency is reviewing citizenship, … Continue reading Federal probe targets alleged Minnesota Somali fraud ‘network’ as COVID-aid crime rings persist

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

U.S. brokers first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in decades

Israeli and Lebanese diplomats met Wednesday in Naqoura under U.S. auspices to discuss economic cooperation aimed at stabilizing southern Lebanon near their shared border—the first direct, public engagement between the countries since 1993. The meeting comes amid rising tensions, including recent Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets following the assassination of the group’s top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai. U.S. officials hope the talks will help … Continue reading U.S. brokers first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in decades

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Drunk raccoon found passed out in Virginia liquor store

A Virginia liquor store employee found smashed whisky bottles and a drunk raccoon sprawled in the bathroom after it fell through a ceiling tile and went on a “rampage.” The Hanover County animal shelter confirmed the raccoon was unharmed aside from a likely hangover and was released back into the wild after sobering up. Raccoons have increasingly adapted to urban life, showing physical changes similar … Continue reading Drunk raccoon found passed out in Virginia liquor store

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Venezuela’s Maduro confirms ‘cordial’ call with Trump amid tensions with US

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed he spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump last month amid rising tensions and a U.S. military buildup in the region. Maduro described the call as “cordial” and emphasized diplomatic prudence, saying he prefers handling sensitive matters quietly rather than through public statements. He expressed hope that the conversation could be a step toward “respectful dialogue” and reiterated Venezuela’s … Continue reading Venezuela’s Maduro confirms ‘cordial’ call with Trump amid tensions with US

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Federal agents begin immigration operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis

The Trump administration launched immigration enforcement operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis, targeting individuals alleged to have criminal records or immigration violations. In New Orleans, DHS said the operation focuses on people released after arrests for crimes including home invasion, armed robbery, and rape, citing “sanctuary policies” that prevent local authorities from honoring ICE detainers. The raids have sparked fear among immigrant communities, with many … Continue reading Federal agents begin immigration operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Ghislaine Maxwell to seek release from prison: Court filing

Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking ring, plans to file a petition seeking her early release, representing herself in the process. A recent court filing warned that releasing documents from her case could prejudice a fair retrial by exposing “untested and unproven allegations.” The petition comes amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s crimes and the networks of … Continue reading Ghislaine Maxwell to seek release from prison: Court filing

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Democrats release Epstein Island photos as Maxwell argues against release of grand jury transcripts

House Oversight Committee Democrats released over 150 images and more than a dozen short videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s Virgin Islands estate, capturing rooms, the coastline, a helipad, and other property features, though no people appear in the material. The release coincided with Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorneys arguing against unsealing grand jury materials in her criminal case, citing potential prejudice to a fair retrial despite her exhausted … Continue reading Democrats release Epstein Island photos as Maxwell argues against release of grand jury transcripts

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025

Spain bringing back mask mandates as flu spreads

Spain is preparing to reinstate mask mandates in hospitals and healthcare facilities due to rising flu cases ahead of winter. The Ministry of Health is coordinating with regional governments to create a unified protocol aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and easing pressure on hospitals. Masks will become mandatory for patients, visitors, and staff in high-risk medical settings, particularly where immunocompromised individuals are treated. Although everyday … Continue reading Spain bringing back mask mandates as flu spreads

bcbegleyDecember 4, 2025