Space

SpaceX launches advanced European weather satellite

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the advanced European weather satellite MTG-S1 on July 1 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The rocket’s first stage landed on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, marking its ninth flight. MTG-S1 will enter geostationary orbit to deliver frequent, detailed weather data over Europe and northern Africa, Space.com has reported. Operated by EUMETSAT, the satellite carries … Continue reading SpaceX launches advanced European weather satellite

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Business

Biggest US banks hike dividends, announce share buybacks

Major U.S. banks announced third-quarter dividend hikes after passing the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test, which confirmed their resilience to economic shocks. JPMorgan raised its dividend to $1.50 per share and launched a $50 billion share buyback program. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup also announced dividend increases and, in some cases, new repurchase plans. The Fed found banks held … Continue reading Biggest US banks hike dividends, announce share buybacks

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Business

Lululemon accuses Costco of selling ‘unauthorized’ versions of its $128 pants

Lululemon is suing Costco, accusing the retailer of selling knockoff versions of its high-end athleisure wear under the Kirkland brand. The lawsuit claims Costco’s lookalike products mislead consumers into thinking they’re authentic Lululemon items, damaging the brand’s reputation. Lululemon seeks monetary damages and a court order to stop Costco from selling the alleged copies, CNN has reported. This comes as Lululemon faces declining store visits, … Continue reading Lululemon accuses Costco of selling ‘unauthorized’ versions of its $128 pants

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Business

Powell confirms that Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed would have eased monetary policy by now if not for President Trump’s tariff plan, which raised inflation forecasts and caused the central bank to hold rates steady. Speaking at a European Central Bank forum, Powell explained that the tariffs led the Fed to pause rate cuts despite pressure from the White House. The Fed has kept interest … Continue reading Powell confirms that Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs

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Politics

Trump and Ron DeSantis put aside rivalry at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis put aside their rivalry to jointly open a large immigrant detention center in the Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility, built in just eight days to house 3,000 detainees, is a key part of Trump’s immigration crackdown and boosts Florida Republicans’ political standing. Despite past tensions, Trump and DeSantis praised each other during the event, signaling a thaw … Continue reading Trump and Ron DeSantis put aside rivalry at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

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Politics

House kicks off final sprint for Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ with key committee hearing

The House of Representatives is beginning final steps to approve President Trump’s sweeping “big, beautiful bill” after the Senate narrowly passed it with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill, covering taxes, border security, energy, defense, and raising the debt limit by $5 trillion, faces potential challenges in the House, where just four GOP “no” votes could block it. Key conservatives on … Continue reading House kicks off final sprint for Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ with key committee hearing

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Politics

Starmer survives rebellion as watered-down welfare cuts pass key vote

Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill passed its first Commons vote by a narrow majority of 75 despite a large rebellion of 49 Labour MPs—the biggest defiance since 1997. The bill, heavily watered down after concessions, mainly cuts Universal Credit sickness benefits for new claimants but delays changes to disability payments (PIP) until after a 2026 review. Many MPs expressed concern over the bill’s impact on … Continue reading Starmer survives rebellion as watered-down welfare cuts pass key vote

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Politics

GOP Sen. Murkowski cast crucial vote for Trump’s megabill after getting key carveout

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska cast the decisive vote to pass President Trump’s tax-and-spending bill in the Senate, helping secure its narrow 51-50 approval after Vice President JD Vance broke the tie. Though critical of the bill—especially its cuts to SNAP benefits—Murkowski supported it after negotiating carveouts to shield Alaska from those cuts for two years and securing more funding for rural hospitals. She … Continue reading GOP Sen. Murkowski cast crucial vote for Trump’s megabill after getting key carveout

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Politics

Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill

Senate Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s major tax cuts and spending bill after a tense overnight session, with the vote split 50-50 and Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaker. Three GOP senators joined all Democrats in opposition, highlighting divisions within the party. The bill now returns to the House, where changes—especially to Medicaid—could spark further conflict despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s push to meet … Continue reading Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill

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U.S. News

Son of notorious cartel leader “El Chapo” to plead guilty in U.S. drug trafficking case

Ovidio Guzmán López, son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, plans to plead guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges, according to newly filed court documents. Prosecutors say he and his brother led the “Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggled fentanyl into the U.S. and used brutal torture methods against rivals. Arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the U.S., Ovidio … Continue reading Son of notorious cartel leader “El Chapo” to plead guilty in U.S. drug trafficking case

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U.S. News

Man who killed his family after his wife sought a divorce is set for execution in Florida

Edward Zakrzewski is scheduled to be executed in Florida on July 31 under a death warrant signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. He was convicted of killing his wife and two children in 1994 in Okaloosa County after she asked for a divorce, beating and strangling his wife and killing the children with a machete. Zakrzewski pleaded guilty in 1996 and received three death sentences; he … Continue reading Man who killed his family after his wife sought a divorce is set for execution in Florida

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U.S. News

Suspect Confesses to Crucifixion of Pastor, Planned to Kill 14 More

Adam Sheafe, 51, confessed to murdering Arizona pastor William “Bill” Schonemann in April, posing the 76-year-old’s body in a crucifixion-like manner. Arrested in June on unrelated charges, Sheafe admitted in an interview he planned to kill 14 pastors across the country, targeting four in Arizona first, with thorn crowns and copies of the Ten Commandments left at the scenes. Motivated by his belief that Christian … Continue reading Suspect Confesses to Crucifixion of Pastor, Planned to Kill 14 More

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U.S. News

Mystery surrounds Epstein files after Bondi claims ‘tens of thousands’ of videos

Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed the FBI is reviewing “tens of thousands of videos” of Jeffrey Epstein involving children or child porn, raising expectations for new evidence in the Trump administration’s promised release of Epstein investigation files. However, weeks later, it’s unclear what Bondi meant: prosecutors and lawyers in Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s cases say they know of no such trove, and no related charges … Continue reading Mystery surrounds Epstein files after Bondi claims ‘tens of thousands’ of videos

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U.S. News

Jurors reach partial verdict in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial, ordered to keep deliberating

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial reached a partial verdict on four of five charges—including sex-trafficking and prostitution-related counts—but remain deadlocked on the top charge of racketeering conspiracy. The judge ordered them to keep deliberating. Combs is accused of running a criminal enterprise for two decades involving kidnapping, sex-trafficking, and other crimes. Key testimony came from ex-partner Cassie Ventura, who described repeated abuse and … Continue reading Jurors reach partial verdict in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial, ordered to keep deliberating

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World News

Death toll rises to 36 after explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in India

At least 36 people were killed and around three dozen injured after a massive explosion and fire at a Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical factory in Telangana, India. The blast destroyed the plant’s structure, with many victims’ bodies badly burned. Authorities are clearing debris to check for more casualties and have launched an investigation. The factory, which makes microcrystalline cellulose for drug production, will halt operations for … Continue reading Death toll rises to 36 after explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in India

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World News

Turkey arrests journalists over alleged cartoon of Prophet Muhammad

Four staff members of Turkey’s satirical magazine LeMan have been arrested over a cartoon accused of depicting the Prophet Muhammad, a highly sensitive issue in Islam. Turkey’s interior minister condemned the drawing as offensive, sparking protests in Istanbul where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.  LeMan denied the cartoon was of Muhammad, saying it was misinterpreted and meant to highlight Muslim suffering, not insult … Continue reading Turkey arrests journalists over alleged cartoon of Prophet Muhammad

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World News

Iranian Hackers Threaten to Leak 100GB of Stolen Trump Team Emails

An Iran-linked hacker group calling itself “Robert” claims to have stolen over 100 gigabytes of emails from Donald Trump’s inner circle and is threatening to release them in what U.S. officials call a politically motivated smear campaign. Targets reportedly include Trump allies like Susie Wiles, Roger Stone, and attorney Lindsey Halligan. U.S. authorities have tied the group to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The hackers … Continue reading Iranian Hackers Threaten to Leak 100GB of Stolen Trump Team Emails

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World News

‘Jesus of Siberia’ jailed for abusing followers at isolated mountain-top cult

Sergei Torop, 64, a Russian cult leader who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for mentally and physically abusing followers of his Church of the Last Testament. Known as “Vissarion,” he founded the sect in 1991 after claiming a divine revelation, attracting thousands to remote Siberian settlements. He and two associates, also jailed, were convicted of … Continue reading ‘Jesus of Siberia’ jailed for abusing followers at isolated mountain-top cult

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World News

Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine

The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine over concerns that U.S. stockpiles are too low. The pause, driven by a Pentagon review led by policy chief Elbridge Colby, affects Patriot air defense missiles, precision artillery rounds, and Hellfire missiles. The decision, initiated in June, takes effect as Ukraine faces intense Russian attacks. While the White House says … Continue reading Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine

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Space

NASA exoplanet-hunting spacecraft and citizen scientists discover a new alien world

Citizen scientists using NASA’s TESS mission have discovered TOI-4465 b, a rare, relatively cool gas giant about 400 light-years away. Roughly six times Jupiter’s mass and 1.25 times its width, it orbits its star every 102 days in an elliptical path, with temperatures between 200 and 400 °F. Unlike scorching “hot Jupiters” or frigid ice giants, TOI-4465 b occupies an underexplored middle ground, offering valuable clues … Continue reading NASA exoplanet-hunting spacecraft and citizen scientists discover a new alien world

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Technology

Beijing hosts China’s first fully autonomous 3-on-3 AI robot soccer match

Humanoid robots competed in a 3-on-3 soccer tournament in Beijing, delivering a comical display of stumbles, pileups, and slow-motion collisions. Despite the slapstick spectacle, the robots were fully autonomous, using AI and advanced sensors to navigate and play without human control. The event highlighted China’s serious investment in robotics, with its market projected to reach $108 billion by 2028. The match also previewed the 2025 … Continue reading Beijing hosts China’s first fully autonomous 3-on-3 AI robot soccer match

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Business

Home Depot is buying GMS for about $4.3 billion

Home Depot announced it will acquire building products distributor GMS for $4.3 billion through its subsidiary SRS Distribution, aiming to expand sales to professional contractors. The deal, expected to close by early 2026, ends a potential bidding war with billionaire Brad Jacobs’ QXO. GMS shares rose 12% on the news, while Home Depot shares dipped nearly 1%. The acquisition aligns with Home Depot’s strategy to … Continue reading Home Depot is buying GMS for about $4.3 billion

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Business

Trump sends handwritten letter to Powell demanding ultra-low interest rates

On Monday, President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, demanding deep interest rate cuts and accusing the Fed’s board of harming the U.S. economy. Trump posted a chart showing U.S. rates among the world’s highest and claimed Powell has “cost the USA a fortune.” Despite Trump’s months-long pressure, the Fed has kept rates steady, focusing on controlling inflation. Powell has … Continue reading Trump sends handwritten letter to Powell demanding ultra-low interest rates

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Business

US stocks push further into record heights

U.S. stocks rose on Monday, closing out a second straight monthly gain and hitting new records. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, the Dow gained 275 points (0.6%), and the Nasdaq rose 0.5%. Markets were boosted by Canada dropping a planned tax on U.S. tech firms and resuming trade talks. Hopes for tariff deals have underpinned Wall Street’s rebound from its spring sell-off. Standout stock moves … Continue reading US stocks push further into record heights

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Politics

Republican senator denounces Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in fiery speech

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina delivered a scathing Senate floor speech criticizing the Senate’s version of Trump’s proposed budget bill, warning it would break Trump’s promise not to cut Medicaid. Tillis, who announced he won’t seek re-election, argued the bill’s Medicaid cuts would threaten coverage for over 660,000 North Carolinians. He blamed “amateurs” advising Trump and urged changes to avoid harming vulnerable people, The … Continue reading Republican senator denounces Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in fiery speech

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