B.C. Begley

U.S. inflation rises 0.1% in May from prior month, less than expected

Consumer prices in the U.S. rose less than expected in May, with the inflation rate holding at 2.4%, as President Trump’s tariffs have yet to significantly impact prices, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, also came in below forecasts. Declines in energy, vehicle, and apparel prices helped offset increases in shelter and food costs. Experts caution that tariff-related price … Continue reading U.S. inflation rises 0.1% in May from prior month, less than expected

Brazil’s Bolsonaro testifies before Supreme Court over alleged coup plan

Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro denied any involvement in an alleged coup plot to overturn the 2022 election he lost to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his first testimony before the Supreme Court. Bolsonaro and seven allies face charges of planning to stay in power despite defeat, with possible prison terms up to 40 years. The prosecution says the plot failed due … Continue reading Brazil’s Bolsonaro testifies before Supreme Court over alleged coup plan

Polish PM Donald Tusk prepares for confidence vote

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for a vote of confidence in his pro-EU government following a narrow loss by his camp in the recent presidential election. The vote, expected to pass easily due to his coalition’s majority in parliament, aims to reaffirm his mandate amid challenges posed by president-elect Karol Nawrocki, a conservative backed by the opposition who is likely to continue using his … Continue reading Polish PM Donald Tusk prepares for confidence vote

Senators return the impeachment case against Sara Duterte to the Philippine House

Philippine senators formed an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte’s corruption and criminal allegations but voted to send the complaints back to the House of Representatives over legal issues, delaying her trial. The decision sparked protests and criticism from senators demanding an immediate trial. Duterte was impeached in February on charges including assassination plotting and corruption, deepening political tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. … Continue reading Senators return the impeachment case against Sara Duterte to the Philippine House

bcbegleyJune 11, 2025June 11, 2025

Argentina top court draws curtain on Cristina Kirchner’s political era

Argentina’s top court banned former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from holding office and upheld her six-year prison sentence for a 2022 fraud conviction involving public works contracts. This ruling blocks her planned run in Buenos Aires provincial elections and likely ends her political career. Kirchner, a divisive leftist leader from 2007 to 2015, denies wrongdoing and calls the case political persecution. Her supporters protested … Continue reading Argentina top court draws curtain on Cristina Kirchner’s political era

Trump administration slams UK over sanctions on Israeli ministers

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the UK, Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for sanctioning two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over their comments on Gaza. Rubio said the sanctions hinder efforts for a ceasefire and urged their reversal, affirming U.S. support for Israel. The UK and allies accused the ministers of inciting violence against Palestinians, Politico has reported. Israel … Continue reading Trump administration slams UK over sanctions on Israeli ministers

Florida executes man convicted of raping and killing a woman 3 decades ago

Anthony Wainwright, 54, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday for the 1994 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart. Wainwright and another man, Richard Hamilton, abducted Gayheart from a supermarket parking lot, assaulted her, and fatally shot her. Both men had escaped from a North Carolina prison prior to the crime. Hamilton died on death row in 2023. Wainwright’s lawyers filed … Continue reading Florida executes man convicted of raping and killing a woman 3 decades ago

Authorities believe they spotted ex-soldier Travis Decker, who is wanted in deaths of 3 daughters

Authorities believe they may have spotted Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for the murders of his three young daughters, near a remote alpine lake in Washington state. A helicopter crew saw a lone hiker near Colchuk Lake who fled upon being spotted, prompting a renewed search in the mountainous area. Decker, 32, has been the focus of a manhunt since June 2, when the … Continue reading Authorities believe they spotted ex-soldier Travis Decker, who is wanted in deaths of 3 daughters

Navy’s search for missing 21-year-old seaman ends, sailor detained in Virginia

The body of missing Navy Seaman Angelina Resendiz, 21, was found in a wooded area near Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. She had last been seen on May 29 at her barracks. A fellow Navy sailor has been placed in pretrial confinement in connection with her death, with charges pending under military law. Resendiz’s disappearance had been considered critical, and her family reported her missing after … Continue reading Navy’s search for missing 21-year-old seaman ends, sailor detained in Virginia

More accusations added to federal sex trafficking case against Alexander brothers

Three real estate brothers — Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander — appeared in a New York federal court Tuesday to face a third superseding indictment in a sex trafficking case, bringing the total charges to 10. They pleaded not guilty to allegations of drugging, sexually assaulting, and raping women across multiple states and Mexico from 2009 to 2021, including one minor. Prosecutors say over 60 … Continue reading More accusations added to federal sex trafficking case against Alexander brothers

bcbegleyJune 11, 2025June 11, 2025

LA police make mass arrests as protesters defy overnight curfew

Los Angeles police made mass arrests in the city’s downtown area Tuesday night after protesters defied a curfew imposed amid ongoing demonstrations against Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and military deployment. Over 300 people have been arrested in recent days. The unrest follows Trump’s order to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to LA, despite strong opposition from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom and … Continue reading LA police make mass arrests as protesters defy overnight curfew

Homes, cars set ablaze in Northern Ireland during protests

Riots erupted for a second night in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, following protests over an alleged sexual assault involving two teenage boys. Homes and cars were set on fire, and police came under attack with petrol bombs, rocks, and scaffolding. Officers responded with water cannon and plastic baton rounds. Calm was restored around 1 a.m. local time, Yahoo News has reported. The unrest began after the … Continue reading Homes, cars set ablaze in Northern Ireland during protests

At least seven dead in Colombia attacks, local media reports

At least seven people, including two police officers, were killed in a wave of coordinated bomb and gun attacks in southwestern Colombia, targeting Cali and surrounding towns. The attacks involved car and motorcycle bombs, rifle fire, and a suspected drone, with up to 50 injured. Authorities suspect a faction of the former FARC guerrilla group may be responsible. Colombia’s Ministry of Defence linked the violence … Continue reading At least seven dead in Colombia attacks, local media reports

Israel’s navy hits Houthis in Yemen in ‘unique’ strike

The Israeli navy carried out a rare long-range strike on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port of Hudaydah on Tuesday, aiming to halt its use for military purposes, according to the IDF. The precision strike was launched from a Sa’ar 6 vessel and marked a significant escalation in Israel’s response to ongoing Houthi threats. The attack followed recent Houthi missile attempts against Israel, including one intercepted over Jerusalem. … Continue reading Israel’s navy hits Houthis in Yemen in ‘unique’ strike

Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine

Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the port city of Odesa early Tuesday, killing three people and injuring at least 13. President Zelenskyy said Russia fired 315 drones and seven missiles, damaging a maternity hospital and residential areas. The assault followed a massive drone barrage the previous night and came amid stalled peace talks in Istanbul. While progress on … Continue reading Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine

Police seek answers as Austria mourns victims of one of the worst shootings in its history

A tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, left ten people dead—nine students aged 15 to 17 and one teacher—after a 21-year-old former student opened fire at his old high school on Tuesday. The gunman, armed with a rifle and handgun, later took his own life. Authorities found a suicide note, a video message, and a non-functional bomb at his home. Several others were injured, though … Continue reading Police seek answers as Austria mourns victims of one of the worst shootings in its history

Space

Starliner future plans still in limbo

A year after Boeing’s troubled crewed test flight of the CST-100 Starliner, NASA still hasn’t decided on the spacecraft’s next mission — or whether it will be crewed or uncrewed. The next flight isn’t expected before early 2026, pending resolution of technical issues like thruster failures and helium leaks. Budget cuts and ongoing testing have delayed decisions, while Boeing remains quiet amid speculation it might … Continue reading Starliner future plans still in limbo

Space

NASA raises the odds that an asteroid could hit the moon in 2032

Asteroid 2024 YR4, once considered the highest-impact risk to Earth ever recorded, now poses no threat to our planet but has slightly increased its odds of hitting the moon in 2032—from 3.8% to 4.3%, according to NASA. The James Webb Space Telescope recently helped refine its trajectory by 20%. First detected in late 2023, the asteroid briefly sparked alarm with a 3.1% chance of impacting … Continue reading NASA raises the odds that an asteroid could hit the moon in 2032

Technology

Robot pets help care home dementia patients

Kallar Lodge, a council-run care home in east London, is using technology like robot pets and Amazon Alexas to support its 43 dementia residents. As part of a new care tech initiative launched in 2023 with provider Alcove, the home has introduced robotic dogs and cats that reduce distress and encourage interaction, even among non-verbal residents. Digital translators have also helped non-English speakers communicate better, … Continue reading Robot pets help care home dementia patients

Amazon to spend $20B on data centers in Pennsylvania

Amazon announced a $20 billion investment to build two data center complexes in Pennsylvania, including one next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, where it plans to draw power directly. The other center will be in Fairless Hills, powered by the electricity grid. Governor Josh Shapiro called it the largest private-sector investment in state history and highlighted the job creation, tax revenue, and training programs … Continue reading Amazon to spend $20B on data centers in Pennsylvania

China extends an olive branch to Western auto giants over rare earth shortage

China has offered some relief to U.S. and European automakers amid rare earth export restrictions by creating a “green channel” to speed up export license approvals for EU firms. This follows trade talks between Chinese and EU officials and comes after China imposed rare earth export curbs in response to U.S. tariffs. The move also included granting licenses to suppliers of General Motors, Ford, and … Continue reading China extends an olive branch to Western auto giants over rare earth shortage

Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two public companies by next year

Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to split into two public companies by mid-2026: one focusing on streaming and studios, including HBO Max and movie properties, led by CEO David Zaslav; and a global networks company, including CNN and TNT Sports, led by CFO-turned-CEO Gunnar Wiedenfels. The move reflects industry shifts as consumers move from cable to streaming, aiming to give each company more strategic focus. … Continue reading Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two public companies by next year

Fearing arrest, Argentina’s Kirchner urges backers to ‘organize’

Argentina’s former president Cristina Kirchner, convicted of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison, urged her supporters to “organize” amid fears of her arrest if her Supreme Court appeal fails. Kirchner, barred from holding office due to her sentence, is running for a Buenos Aires provincial legislature seat to gain immunity, but could be disqualified if the court rules against her before the September … Continue reading Fearing arrest, Argentina’s Kirchner urges backers to ‘organize’

Colombia president hints at conspiracy after candidate shot

Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed a conservative presidential candidate’s security was “strangely reduced” before he was shot, raising concerns of a possible plot. Senator Miguel Uribe, 39, was critically wounded by a 15-year-old alleged hitman while campaigning in Bogotá. Authorities say the attacker used a gun bought legally in Arizona but don’t yet know who hired him. Petro, while condemning the attack, also alleged threats … Continue reading Colombia president hints at conspiracy after candidate shot