Powell says September rate cut ‘on the table’ if inflation data continues to cool

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the central bank might cut interest rates at its September meeting if economic conditions remain favorable. Recent data shows inflation moving toward the Fed’s 2% target and unemployment rising slightly above 4%. Powell emphasized that rate decisions will be based on overall data trends rather than individual data points, CNBC has reported. The Fed kept its benchmark rate … Continue reading Powell says September rate cut ‘on the table’ if inflation data continues to cool

Senators unveil bipartisan proposal aimed at making child care more affordable

Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced a bipartisan package of bills aimed at making child care more affordable and accessible for low- and middle-income families. The proposal includes changes to existing tax credits to ease child care costs for working parents and a new program to retain child care workers. Kaine highlighted the high cost of child care, which has been rising … Continue reading Senators unveil bipartisan proposal aimed at making child care more affordable

Maduro declares Musk ‘archenemy’

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused Elon Musk of attempting to destabilize the country after Musk criticized the recent presidential election results. The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner with over 51% of the vote, while his main rival, Edmundo Gonzales, received 44%. Following the announcement, Gonzales’s supporters protested, alleging election fraud. Musk, via his platform X (formerly Twitter), accused Maduro of “major election … Continue reading Maduro declares Musk ‘archenemy’

Republican Senators: Secret Service’s ‘Political Leadership’ Allowed Trump Shooting

At a recent Senate hearing, Republican senators voiced strong criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. The hearing, led by Acting Director Ronald Rowe and Deputy Director Paul Abbate, took place 17 days after the incident but failed to answer many pressing questions. Senators, including Roger Marshall (R-KS), pointed to systemic failures within the Secret Service that have … Continue reading Republican Senators: Secret Service’s ‘Political Leadership’ Allowed Trump Shooting

In the Halls of the Capitol, Lawmakers Hunt for a Smoke-Filled Room

Workplace smoking is facing a challenge on Capitol Hill, one of the last bastions where smoking in offices persists. Despite widespread bans across the U.S., some lawmakers, like Rep. Tom Cole, continue to smoke cigars in their offices. However, recent changes in House leadership, including Cole’s move from the Rules Committee to the Appropriations Committee, have left smokers without a dedicated space. Cole’s former Capitol … Continue reading In the Halls of the Capitol, Lawmakers Hunt for a Smoke-Filled Room

Maduro Moves to Silence Opposition After Disputed Election

Nicolás Maduro’s regime is cracking down on a growing protest movement challenging election results that have reinforced his grip on power. Evidence suggests Maduro lost the election by a significant margin, sparking violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Authorities have begun arresting opposition leaders, including Edmundo González and María Corina Machado. Riot police used tear gas on protesters, and at least 11 deaths have … Continue reading Maduro Moves to Silence Opposition After Disputed Election

Feds arrest ex-US Green Beret in connection to failed 2020 raid of Venezuela to remove Maduro

Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. Green Beret, was arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges related to a failed 2020 cross-border raid aimed at overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. A federal indictment unsealed in Tampa, Florida, accuses Goudreau and his Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alvarez, of violating U.S. arms control laws by assembling and sending AR-style weapons, ammunition, silencers, and other military gear to … Continue reading Feds arrest ex-US Green Beret in connection to failed 2020 raid of Venezuela to remove Maduro

4 people, 3 dogs killed after Florida mobile home intentionally set on fire: Sheriff

Four people and three dogs were killed in a mobile home fire in Plant City, Florida, which authorities have labeled an “evil” act. The fire was set intentionally, and a 25-year-old resident, Shawn Gossett, has been arrested after allegedly admitting to starting the blaze by igniting paper towels with a lighter. Fire crews responded shortly after midnight on Wednesday and extinguished the fire within 20 … Continue reading 4 people, 3 dogs killed after Florida mobile home intentionally set on fire: Sheriff

Texas gets win from full appeals court in dispute with DOJ over buoys in Rio Grande

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a significant victory to Texas in its legal battle with the Biden administration over the state’s construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande. In a split decision, the conservative court overturned a lower court’s preliminary ruling that had ordered Texas to remove the barrier. The majority opinion, written by Circuit Judge Don Willett, argued that … Continue reading Texas gets win from full appeals court in dispute with DOJ over buoys in Rio Grande

Former ballerina convicted in Florida over shooting death of husband

A Florida jury convicted Ashley Benefield of manslaughter for the 2020 fatal shooting of her husband, Douglas Benefield, after six hours of deliberation. The 33-year-old former ballerina, initially charged with second-degree murder, claimed she acted in self-defense during a custody battle over their young daughter, alleging domestic violence. However, prosecutors argued that the evidence did not support her claims and that she killed Douglas to … Continue reading Former ballerina convicted in Florida over shooting death of husband

1 person dead in Colorado’s Stone Canyon Fire burning near Lyons

Human remains were discovered at a home in the Stone Canyon Fire burn area north of Lyons, according to Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson. He confirmed one fatality related to the fire but provided no further details, citing an ongoing investigation. Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed condolences for the loss during an afternoon news conference. The wildfire, which began on Tuesday, has burned several homes, … Continue reading 1 person dead in Colorado’s Stone Canyon Fire burning near Lyons

Top Sudanese commander survives ‘assassination’ attempt

Strikes on a military graduation ceremony in eastern Sudan killed five people, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reported on Wednesday. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto leader of Sudan and army chief, was present but survived the attack. The SAF stated that two drone strikes targeted their base in Gebeit after a graduation event for military, air, and navy college students, leaving several others … Continue reading Top Sudanese commander survives ‘assassination’ attempt

Protesters clash with police near the site of U.K. stabbing attack that killed 3 girls

Protesters, fueled by anger, clashed with police outside a mosque in northwest England on Tuesday, injuring over 20 officers. The unrest followed a peaceful vigil in Southport, where hundreds had gathered to mourn three girls fatally stabbed the previous day. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, which he said had hijacked the vigil. The violent crowd, believed to be supporters of the far-right English … Continue reading Protesters clash with police near the site of U.K. stabbing attack that killed 3 girls

China warning shot as USA sinks 820-foot ship with stealth explosives

The U.S. military sent a strong message to China by blowing up the decommissioned USS Tarawa, a 39,000-ton naval ship active from 1976 to 2009, in the Pacific. The Global Times, a Chinese state-run news outlet, claimed the exercise was clearly aimed at China, noting that the U.S. views China as its primary adversary in the Asia-Pacific region. The exercise involved dropping a bomb from … Continue reading China warning shot as USA sinks 820-foot ship with stealth explosives

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reportedly assassinated

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard announced Wednesday, though no one immediately claimed responsibility. Israel was quickly blamed for the assassination, having previously vowed to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the group’s October 7 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and around 250 abducted, according to the Associated Press. Haniyeh was in Tehran for … Continue reading Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reportedly assassinated

Hezbollah confirms that a top commander was killed in Israeli strike in Beirut

Hezbollah confirmed on Wednesday that Israel killed a top commander, Fouad Shukur, after a rare strike in Beirut. Shukur was reportedly in the building during Tuesday’s attack, and Hezbollah was searching the rubble to confirm his fate. The announcement followed an overnight strike in Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Hamas and Iran attributed to Israel. The strike is part of ongoing hostilities … Continue reading Hezbollah confirms that a top commander was killed in Israeli strike in Beirut

ULA prepares for final military launch of Atlas 5 rocket

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing to launch its final Atlas 5 rocket for the U.S. military on July 30. The mission, designated USSF-51, will carry a classified payload to geostationary Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marks ULA’s 100th national security launch and the 53rd for the Atlas 5 rocket. USSF-51 is the first ULA mission under the National Security Space … Continue reading ULA prepares for final military launch of Atlas 5 rocket

Colossal X-class solar flare erupts from Earth-facing sunspot

Over the weekend, the sun experienced significant activity, including multiple M-class solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The highlight was a massive X-class solar flare that peaked on July 28 at 10:33 p.m. EDT (0233 GMT on July 29). This intense flare caused shortwave radio blackouts across most of Asia and Australia. Solar flares are bursts of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the sudden release of … Continue reading Colossal X-class solar flare erupts from Earth-facing sunspot

Boeing’s Starliner tests thrusters at ISS as NASA reviews options for astronauts’ return to Earth

On July 27, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft tested its reaction control system (RCS) thrusters, preparing for a broader review of its readiness for future missions. This test follows delays during Starliner’s June 6 docking with the ISS, caused by helium leaks and thruster issues. The spacecraft’s next mission, Starliner-1, is now delayed to August 2025, from an initial early winter 2025 launch, Space.com has reported. Engineers … Continue reading Boeing’s Starliner tests thrusters at ISS as NASA reviews options for astronauts’ return to Earth

MIT designing AI-powered robot that bags groceries

MIT researchers are working on a robotic system designed to automate the grocery bagging process at self-checkout stations. The system combines cameras, artificial intelligence, and specialized grippers to handle items efficiently. The robot uses its cameras and AI to identify products on a conveyor belt. Grippers equipped with pressure sensors then assess the nature of each item, distinguishing between delicate produce like grapes and sturdier … Continue reading MIT designing AI-powered robot that bags groceries

Humanoid robot gets to work in BMW assembly plant

Figure’s humanoid robot, which has been in development with BMW for nearly six months, is showing impressive progress in its manufacturing training. A new video highlights its evolving capabilities, underscoring its potential in industrial applications. The robot, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 132 pounds, can carry up to 44 pounds and operates for up to five hours at a speed of 2.7 … Continue reading Humanoid robot gets to work in BMW assembly plant

$5,000 Exoskeleton Pants Promise to Make You a Better Hiker

Hiking enthusiasts with deep pockets might be interested in the MO/GO exoskeleton hiking pants, which cost $4,500 for early buyers and $5,000 later. Developed by Arc’teryx and tech startup Skip, these pants are designed to enhance hiking performance by making each step feel lighter and more efficient. The MO/GO features carbon fiber exoskeletal braces and a power pack that work to reduce impact and aid … Continue reading $5,000 Exoskeleton Pants Promise to Make You a Better Hiker

Bitcoin moves toward $70,000 then dips 

Cryptocurrencies experienced a decline at the start of the final week of July. Bitcoin fell over 1% to $67,264.00 after briefly hitting $69,982.00, while Ether rose more than 1% to $3,311.28. Last week, Bitcoin gained 1%, but Ether dropped 7%. Traders are focused on upcoming central bank meetings, particularly the Federal Reserve, where comments from Chair Jerome Powell are anticipated. Over the weekend, former President … Continue reading Bitcoin moves toward $70,000 then dips 

McDonald’s earnings, revenue miss estimates as consumer pullback worsens

McDonald’s reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, with revenue of $6.49 billion and net income of $2.02 billion, missing analyst expectations. Same-store sales fell 1% globally, marking the first decline since Q4 2020. CEO Chris Kempczinski cited reduced industry traffic and external factors like the Middle East conflict as contributors to the downturn. In the U.S., same-store sales decreased by 0.7%, down from a 10.3% increase a … Continue reading McDonald’s earnings, revenue miss estimates as consumer pullback worsens

USA National Debt Hits $35 Trillion

On Monday, the U.S. national debt surpassed $35 trillion for the first time, reaching $35,001,278,179,208.67. This milestone follows a rapid increase, with the debt hitting $34 trillion in January 2024 and $33 trillion in September 2023. Just four decades ago, the debt was around $907 billion. The Congressional Budget Office projects that debt held by the public will reach 99% of GDP this year and … Continue reading USA National Debt Hits $35 Trillion