B.C. Begley

6 shot, 1 fatally, in Chicago

A mass shooting on Chicago’s West Side early Sunday left one woman dead and five others injured. Police found multiple victims at a large gathering near North Lacrosse Avenue around 3 a.m. The 22-year-old woman who was shot in the back died at the hospital, while others, including three critically injured men and two treated for less severe wounds, were hospitalized, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading 6 shot, 1 fatally, in Chicago

6 dead, including 4 children, from two-alarm Maryland house fire

A two-alarm fire in Charles County, Maryland, killed six people, including four children, early Sunday morning. Firefighters responded to a house fire in Waldorf around 8:40 a.m., with one adult escaping and two residents absent at the time. Multiple agencies assisted with search and recovery efforts, CBS News has reported. Authorities found no evidence of criminal activity, but the cause of the fire remains under … Continue reading 6 dead, including 4 children, from two-alarm Maryland house fire

Colorado prison evacuated as wildfire becomes one of largest in state history

A Colorado prison was evacuated as the Lee fire, one of the state’s largest wildfires, grew to over 167 square miles with only 6% containment. All 179 inmates from the Rifle Correctional Center were safely relocated about 150 miles away. The fire, fueled by gusty winds and low humidity, is now Colorado’s sixth-largest and has prompted evacuation orders for nearby mountain communities, The Guardian has … Continue reading Colorado prison evacuated as wildfire becomes one of largest in state history

DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting remembered as investigation continues

Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old U.S. Marine veteran and married father of two with another child on the way, was killed Friday while responding to an active shooter near the CDC in Atlanta. Rose, who joined the DeKalb County Police Department last September and graduated from the academy in March, was remembered for his dedication, integrity, and sense of duty. The suspected shooter, 30-year-old Patrick … Continue reading DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting remembered as investigation continues

Flash flooding hits Milwaukee as heavy rain pummels millions across the Midwest

More than 10 million people across the Midwest remain under flood alerts as heavy rain causes widespread flooding in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Milwaukee saw record-breaking rainfall, with 14.5 inches in 24 hours potentially setting a new state record, forcing a state of emergency, dozens of water rescues, and the cancellation of the Wisconsin State Fair’s final day. Flooding also shut down parts of … Continue reading Flash flooding hits Milwaukee as heavy rain pummels millions across the Midwest

Shootout at Ecuador nightclub kills 8 as violent crime surges, police say

A shooting at a nightclub in Santa Lucía, Ecuador, on Sunday left eight people dead and three injured, marking another violent incident in the country’s coastal Guayas province. Police said the attackers, armed and arriving on motorcycles and in vehicles, opened fire on victims aged 20 to 40. The motive remains unknown, but authorities link recent violence to organized crime groups tied to international drug … Continue reading Shootout at Ecuador nightclub kills 8 as violent crime surges, police say

Turkey earthquake flattens buildings in north-east Balikesir province

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern Balikesir province on Sunday evening, killing an 81-year-old woman and injuring 29 others. The quake, centered in the town of Sindirgi, caused 16 buildings to collapse and was felt as far as Istanbul. Search and rescue operations have ended, with officials reporting no further casualties, though images show severe destruction, the BBC has reported. Turkey, located on multiple … Continue reading Turkey earthquake flattens buildings in north-east Balikesir province

bcbegleyAugust 11, 2025August 11, 2025

Italy’s Mount Vesuvius, a popular tourist destination, closes over wildfire

Italian firefighters and the army are battling a wildfire on Mount Vesuvius that has burned over 500 hectares since Friday, forcing the closure of all hiking trails in the popular national park near Naples. Twelve firefighting teams, six Canadair planes, and reinforcements from other regions are working to contain the blaze, which is concentrated on the densely vegetated Mount Somma slopes. High temperatures, wind, and … Continue reading Italy’s Mount Vesuvius, a popular tourist destination, closes over wildfire

bcbegleyAugust 11, 2025August 11, 2025

UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend

London police arrested 532 people on Saturday after supporters of the recently banned group Palestine Action staged a protest to challenge the government’s enforcement of the ban. Most were detained for displaying signs supporting the proscribed organization, with others arrested for offenses such as assaulting officers. The group, outlawed for past violent actions and property damage, argues the ban unlawfully restricts free speech, while officials … Continue reading UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend

Israel targets and kills Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif

An Israeli airstrike near Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital on Sunday killed Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohamed Qreiqeh, along with four other journalists and two additional people who were sheltering outside the complex. The blast damaged the hospital’s emergency building entrance. Press advocates condemned the strike as retaliation against those documenting the war, while Israel’s military claimed al-Sharif was a Hamas cell leader — … Continue reading Israel targets and kills Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif

Mexico’s president rejects claims of planned US military operations in her country

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected reports that U.S. President Donald Trump secretly approved military operations against drug cartels in Mexico. She emphasized that her government will not permit any foreign military presence on Mexican soil. While open to collaboration and intelligence sharing with the United States, Sheinbaum stated there is no agreement allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country, Straight Arrow News has reported. … Continue reading Mexico’s president rejects claims of planned US military operations in her country

Archaeology

Ancient ‘fairy houses’ still filled with treasures found in Italy

Archaeologists in Sardinia, Italy, have uncovered three prehistoric rock-cut tombs known as domus de janas, or “fairy houses,” at the Necropolis of Saint Andrea Priu. These newly discovered tombs — labeled Tombs XVIII, XIX, and XX — were carved over 5,000 years ago and had gone unnoticed for nearly 200 years of excavation. The structures vary in size and complexity, with Tomb XX containing seven chambers … Continue reading Ancient ‘fairy houses’ still filled with treasures found in Italy

Space

Image reveals unprecedented view of the third interstellar object observed passing through our solar system

A new image from the Hubble Telescope offers the clearest view yet of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which is speeding through our solar system at 130,000 mph. The comet, first spotted on July 1, shows a teardrop-shaped dust tail streaming from its icy nucleus, estimated to be between 1,000 feet and 3.5 miles wide. Multiple telescopes, including James Webb and Keck Observatory, are studying the comet’s … Continue reading Image reveals unprecedented view of the third interstellar object observed passing through our solar system

Space

NASA’s Webb Finds New Evidence for Planet Around Closest Solar Twin

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence of a gas giant planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, part of the closest star system to the Sun at just 4 light-years away. While Proxima Centauri, the system’s red dwarf, has three confirmed planets, planets around Alpha Centauri A and B have been harder to detect. If confirmed, this gas giant would be the … Continue reading NASA’s Webb Finds New Evidence for Planet Around Closest Solar Twin

bcbegleyAugust 8, 2025August 8, 2025

Space

Gabbard vows to ‘share the truth’ on UFOs

The US intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, has confirmed her belief in aliens and UFOs but says she cannot share classified information yet, promising to reveal the truth when possible. She spoke amid growing public interest and recent Pentagon disclosures of UFO footage, including mysterious “metal orb” objects captured by US military drones. Former officials, like whistleblower Luis Elizondo, claim the US possesses unexplained advanced technologies. … Continue reading Gabbard vows to ‘share the truth’ on UFOs

Technology

United blames ‘technology disruption’ for 1,000+ flight delays

United Airlines faced widespread flight delays Wednesday due to a technology disruption affecting its Unimatic system, which manages flight data like weight, balance, and timings. Over 1,000 flights were delayed as a result. The issue has been resolved, but residual delays remain as operations recover, The Hill has reported. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the problem was specific to United and unrelated to the broader … Continue reading United blames ‘technology disruption’ for 1,000+ flight delays

Technology

James Cameron warns of ‘Terminator-style apocalypse’ if AI weaponized

Director James Cameron warned that using AI in global weapons systems could trigger a “Terminator”-style apocalypse, especially with rapid decision-making in nuclear defense. While he embraces AI to reduce film production costs, he remains concerned about its misuse and doubts AI can replace human screenwriters, believing true storytelling requires human experience. Cameron also highlighted the simultaneous threats of climate change, nuclear weapons, and super-intelligence as … Continue reading James Cameron warns of ‘Terminator-style apocalypse’ if AI weaponized

bcbegleyAugust 8, 2025August 8, 2025

Business

Trump opens the door for private equity and crypto as 401(k) retirement plan options

President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to allow 401(k) retirement plans to include higher-risk investments like private equity and cryptocurrencies. While no immediate changes will occur, new rules could eventually let employers offer these alternatives, opening trillions in retirement funds to industries long seeking access. This move rewards private equity and crypto sectors, which have supported Trump’s campaign, contrasting with the previous … Continue reading Trump opens the door for private equity and crypto as 401(k) retirement plan options

Business

Asian shares are mostly lower, while Tokyo’s Nikkei jumps 2%

Asian markets were mostly down Friday, except for Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 surged 2.2% after Japan resolved a tariff dispute with the U.S. that had threatened key exports like cars. Automakers Toyota and Honda saw strong gains. Meanwhile, markets in Hong Kong, South Korea, and India fell, while Taiwan edged up slightly. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Dow slipped, but the Nasdaq … Continue reading Asian shares are mostly lower, while Tokyo’s Nikkei jumps 2%

Business

Intel shares drop after Trump calls for CEO to resign immediately

Intel shares fell Thursday after President Trump called for CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign, citing conflicts of interest. Trump’s demand follows criticism from Sen. Tom Cotton over Tan’s past ties to Chinese companies and a previous criminal case involving Cadence Design, where Tan was CEO. Intel defended its leadership, highlighting its major investments in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, CNBC has reported. Tan, appointed in March, recently … Continue reading Intel shares drop after Trump calls for CEO to resign immediately

US offers $50m reward for arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

The U.S. has doubled its reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of major involvement in global drug trafficking. Attorney General Pam Bondi linked Maduro to groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, claiming the DEA seized 30 tons of cocaine tied to him and his associates. Venezuela dismissed the move as political … Continue reading US offers $50m reward for arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

Trump orders work on new census, says people in US illegally will not be counted

President Trump announced Thursday that he has ordered the Commerce Department to begin work on a new census, stating that illegal immigrants will not be included in the count. In a Truth Social post, he emphasized the need for a “highly accurate” census using data from the 2024 election. The move could impact congressional representation and electoral votes, as census data is used for apportionment, … Continue reading Trump orders work on new census, says people in US illegally will not be counted

Haiti inaugurates new leadership as gangs threaten to overthrow the government

Wealthy businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr was sworn in Thursday as head of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, tasked with restoring order amid deep crisis. His appointment marks the first time private sector figures lead both the presidency and prime minister roles. The move comes as powerful gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier threatened to overthrow the government, urging Haitians to support his armed group, NPR has reported. The … Continue reading Haiti inaugurates new leadership as gangs threaten to overthrow the government