Spacecraft will slingshot around Earth and the moon this week on its way to Jupiter

The European Space Agency’s Juice mission is set to achieve two historic firsts as it embarks on its journey to study Jupiter’s icy moons. Launched in April 2023, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will perform the first-ever consecutive flybys of the moon and Earth, along with the first double gravity assist maneuver on August 19-20. These maneuvers will use Earth’s gravity to adjust Juice’s … Continue reading Spacecraft will slingshot around Earth and the moon this week on its way to Jupiter

SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew lands at launch site ahead of 1st-ever private spacewalk mission

The Polaris Dawn mission crew landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on August 19, preparing for their upcoming launch scheduled for no earlier than August 26. This marks the second privately crewed SpaceX mission funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, following his 2021 Inspiration4 mission. Polaris Dawn will push the boundaries of private spaceflight, aiming to fly farther from Earth than any human has in 50 … Continue reading SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew lands at launch site ahead of 1st-ever private spacewalk mission

$16,000 humanoid robot ready to leap into mass production

China’s Unitree Robotics, a newcomer in the general-purpose humanoid robot market, has unveiled a mass production-ready version of its $16,000 G1 model. Initially focused on four-legged robots, Unitree entered the humanoid space with the G1, which has quickly shown impressive capabilities. The G1 features a visor-like face, three-digit hands, and enhanced mobility, including leaping, twisting, and climbing stairs. Standing 1.32 meters tall and weighing 35 … Continue reading $16,000 humanoid robot ready to leap into mass production

Federal Reserve ‘poised to begin cutting rates as early as September’

Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign is gaining momentum as expectations rise that the US Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates by September. Economists predict a series of rate cuts throughout 2024, following signals from key Federal Reserve officials indicating readiness to ease borrowing costs due to a weakening jobs market. This development could relieve economic pressure ahead of the closely contested election between Harris and … Continue reading Federal Reserve ‘poised to begin cutting rates as early as September’

Harley-Davidson is dropping DEI policies after pressure from diversity critics

Harley-Davidson announced on Monday that it is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following pressure from anti-diversity critics on social media. The company, which has not had a DEI program since April 2024, stated it no longer enforces hiring quotas, supplier diversity goals, or participates in Human Rights Campaign scoring. Despite these changes, Harley-Davidson emphasized the importance of a diverse employee and customer … Continue reading Harley-Davidson is dropping DEI policies after pressure from diversity critics

GM lays off more than 1,000 salaried software and services employees

General Motors is laying off over 1,000 salaried employees globally, including around 600 at its Detroit-area tech campus, as part of efforts to streamline its software and services division. The layoffs come after a leadership change earlier this year, following the departure of former Apple executive Mike Abbott. GM’s decision to cut jobs, which affects about 1.3% of its global salaried workforce, is aimed at … Continue reading GM lays off more than 1,000 salaried software and services employees

Georgia approves election rule that could delay vote certification

The Georgia state election board has approved a new rule granting local officials more power to investigate votes after election day, raising concerns about potential delays in certifying election results. The rule allows any county election board member to examine election-related documents before certification, which some fear could be used to obstruct the process. The board, controlled by Republicans, passed the rule despite objections, with … Continue reading Georgia approves election rule that could delay vote certification

Walz amplifies Harris’s attacks on GOP

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has shared his personal experience with fertility treatments, is using his story to highlight reproductive care issues and criticize Republican stances on the matter. Walz’s experience with IVF, which he and his wife used to have their children, has become a focal point in discussions about reproductive rights. This comes as Republicans face challenges reconciling their views on life beginning … Continue reading Walz amplifies Harris’s attacks on GOP

India’s Modi likely to meet Zelensky in Ukraine after Russia trip

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine later this week, marking his first trip to the country. The visit, expected between August 21-23, comes about a month after Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Modi will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following up on their previous meeting at the G7 summit in May and several phone calls since Russia’s … Continue reading India’s Modi likely to meet Zelensky in Ukraine after Russia trip

Manhattan DA signals openness to delaying Trump criminal sentencing

The Manhattan district attorney’s office has indicated it won’t oppose delaying former President Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case, scheduled for September 18. Trump has requested the delay until after the November presidential election, citing plans to appeal if the judge doesn’t overturn the guilty verdict following a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Prosecutors, while rejecting most of Trump’s arguments, deferred to the … Continue reading Manhattan DA signals openness to delaying Trump criminal sentencing

Santos pleads guilty to charges of money laundering, identity theft and fraud

Former congressman George Santos, who admitted to fabricating key elements of his background, pleaded guilty to two felony fraud charges on Monday. Santos was facing a 23-count indictment, including wire fraud and identity theft. He acknowledged defrauding donors, stealing identities, and lying about his financial situation. As part of a plea deal, Santos admitted to all the conduct he was charged with and agreed to … Continue reading Santos pleads guilty to charges of money laundering, identity theft and fraud

2 dead, 1 injured in a shooting near Kentucky courthouse

A gunman, Christopher Elder, 46, fatally shot a mother and daughter and injured another man outside a Kentucky courthouse on Monday before leading police on a highway chase and then shooting himself. The victims, 37-year-old Erica Riley and her 71-year-old mother, Janet Riley, were attacked in a parking lot after Erica had attended a court hearing with Elder, with whom she had been in a … Continue reading 2 dead, 1 injured in a shooting near Kentucky courthouse

Protesters break through mesh fencing at DNC perimeter

Protesters breached a security fence near the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, leading to a standoff with police near the United Center in Chicago. A group of about 100 protesters broke through the outer security perimeter, attempting to access the convention site. Police quickly intervened, arresting four individuals and dispersing the crowd with riot gear and pepper balls. While most protesters remained peaceful, tensions … Continue reading Protesters break through mesh fencing at DNC perimeter

DC Councilmember Trayon White took envelopes stuffed with cash as part of bribery scheme, DOJ says

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White of Ward 8 has been charged with federal bribery for allegedly using his position to pressure government agencies into renewing public safety contracts in exchange for cash and kickbacks. White was arrested at his home and later released on the condition he surrender his passport. Investigators claim White accepted $35,000 in cash and discussed receiving up to $156,000 in kickbacks. The … Continue reading DC Councilmember Trayon White took envelopes stuffed with cash as part of bribery scheme, DOJ says

On one night, two places in the Northeast get hit with 1-in-1,000 year rainfall

A powerful storm that struck the Northeast this weekend brought unprecedented rainfall, with two areas experiencing rates of precipitation expected only once in a thousand years. The storm caused widespread flooding, killed at least three people, and dropped around 10 inches of rain in parts of Connecticut and 6.7 inches in Stony Brook, New York, in just a few hours. Scientists note that such extreme … Continue reading On one night, two places in the Northeast get hit with 1-in-1,000 year rainfall

Woman arrested for ravioli battery

A 21-year-old Florida woman, Nakhia Davis, was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly throwing a plate of ravioli at her sister during an argument over food. The incident occurred when Davis became upset that her sister wouldn’t share the meal she had brought home. When police arrived, they found the victim with ravioli sauce on her, and Davis admitted to the food attack, which was … Continue reading Woman arrested for ravioli battery

Western Turkey wildfires continued raging for a 3rd day

Wildfires in western Turkey have raged for a third consecutive day, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures. Over the past week, more than 130 fires have erupted across the country, with eight major blazes still active in the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk, and Bolu. Thousands of firefighters, supported by aircraft and vehicles, are battling the flames. Although thousands have been evacuated, no … Continue reading Western Turkey wildfires continued raging for a 3rd day

Nicaragua forces 1,500 church and civil society groups to close

Nicaragua has revoked the registration of 1,500 non-profit organizations, including over 400 religious groups, as part of an ongoing crackdown by President Daniel Ortega’s government. The organizations were accused of failing to report financial statements for up to 35 years. This move follows the recent cancellation of the Diocese of Matagalpa’s Caritas, led by government critic Bishop Rolando Alvarez. Civil liberties have significantly diminished under … Continue reading Nicaragua forces 1,500 church and civil society groups to close

Multiple Stabbing in Manchester Leaves One Woman Dead, Two Others Injured

A 22-year-old man has been arrested following a stabbing incident in Manchester that left a 43-year-old woman dead and two others, a 17-year-old girl and a 64-year-old man, seriously injured. The stabbings occurred late Sunday evening at a property in the Gorton area. Greater Manchester Police arrested the suspect on suspicion of murder, with detectives believing he was known to the victims and that the … Continue reading Multiple Stabbing in Manchester Leaves One Woman Dead, Two Others Injured

British tech entrepreneur among missing after yacht sinks off Italian coast

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, often called “Britain’s Bill Gates,” is among six missing after a luxury superyacht, the 184-foot Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily. The yacht, carrying foreign tourists, capsized in bad weather, resulting in one confirmed death and six missing, while 15 people were rescued, including a 1-year-old girl. The Italian coast guard reported that the vessel overturned early Monday near … Continue reading British tech entrepreneur among missing after yacht sinks off Italian coast

Ukraine Strikes 3 Bridges in Russia

Ukrainian forces have recently targeted and destroyed three key bridges in Russia’s Kursk region, undermining Russian efforts to retake the area and signaling Ukraine’s intention to hold the territory long-term. The strikes, confirmed by Ukrainian air force footage and open-source analysts, leave Russian forces reliant on vulnerable pontoon bridges for supplies. Ukraine now controls over 400 square miles and 80 settlements in Kursk since the … Continue reading Ukraine Strikes 3 Bridges in Russia

Archaeologists unearth 13,000-year-old mastodon skull in Iowa

Archaeologists in Iowa have discovered a well-preserved mastodon skull, believed to be around 13,600 years old, which could provide insights into human interaction with the ancient animal. Excavated over two weeks from a creek bank in Wayne, the site was first identified in 2022. The Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) plans to examine the bones for evidence of human activity, such as cut marks … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth 13,000-year-old mastodon skull in Iowa

SpaceX launches 116 satellites

SpaceX successfully launched its Transporter 11 mission on August 16, sending 116 satellites into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The rocket’s first stage landed back near the launch site, marking its 12th successful flight. Among the payloads was an Nvidia Jetson Orin NX chip, protected by a nanoparticle-infused polymer developed by Cosmic Shielding Corporation. This mission is … Continue reading SpaceX launches 116 satellites

NASA’s Mars rover to begin ‘most challenging’ journey up crater rim

NASA’s Perseverance rover is embarking on a challenging new mission to ascend the steep western rim of Mars’ Jezero Crater. After spending two and a half years exploring the crater floor and river delta, Perseverance, which has already collected 22 rock cores and traveled over 18 miles, will begin its ascent the week of August 19. The rover’s climb, which will see it gain about … Continue reading NASA’s Mars rover to begin ‘most challenging’ journey up crater rim

NASA’s Revolutionary X-59 Supersonic Jet Inches Closer to Historic First Flight with Final Tests Underway

NASA’s X-59 QueSST (Quiet Supersonic Technology) aircraft is on the verge of its first flight, promising to revolutionize air travel by breaking the sound barrier without the disruptive sonic boom. Designed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, the X-59 aims to achieve quieter supersonic flights over land, a significant advancement since the era of the Concorde. The aircraft’s sleek design and innovative technology focus on minimizing … Continue reading NASA’s Revolutionary X-59 Supersonic Jet Inches Closer to Historic First Flight with Final Tests Underway