Business

Stocks soar, Dow closes 650 points higher buoyed by bullish inflation report

On Friday, stocks surged, ending a volatile week on a high note as investors reacted to new U.S. inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 654.27 points (1.64%) to close at 40,589.34, the S&P 500 rose 1.11% to 5,459.10, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.03% to 17,357.88. The rally was driven by a combination of oversold market conditions, a stronger-than-expected GDP report, and optimism … Continue reading Stocks soar, Dow closes 650 points higher buoyed by bullish inflation report

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Business

Plan to tax super-rich divides at G20 meet

At the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s proposal for a global tax on the ultra-rich faced opposition, particularly from the U.S. Washington dismissed the need for an international agreement on taxing billionaires, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arguing that tax policy is best handled domestically. Despite this, Brazil’s Economy Minister Fernando Haddad remained optimistic, noting that the agenda’s inclusion was a … Continue reading Plan to tax super-rich divides at G20 meet

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Politics

Viktor Orbán’s Hungary Takes Out Billion Dollar Chinese Loan

This week, the Hungarian government under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confirmed it has secured a billion-euro ($1.09 billion) loan from Chinese banks, which Budapest must repay in three years. The loan, finalized in April, came ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary, where he and Orbán signed over a dozen bilateral agreements. Following Hungary’s assumption of the EU Council presidency, Orbán and Xi … Continue reading Viktor Orbán’s Hungary Takes Out Billion Dollar Chinese Loan

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Politics

House Democrats look to force vote on IVF 

Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), the lead sponsor of the Access to Family Building Act, reported that a discharge petition for the bill gathered 155 signatures within its first 24 hours and now has nearly 190 signatures in total. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) emphasized that the petition represents a test for House members to demonstrate their positions on reproductive rights and freedom. The Access … Continue reading House Democrats look to force vote on IVF 

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U.S. News

Trump says he’ll hold a rally in town where he was shot

Former President Donald Trump announced plans for another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was shot and injured during a recent campaign event. Trump did not specify a date but urged followers to stay tuned for details. The shooting resulted in one fatality and two critical injuries. The deceased, Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, reportedly died while protecting his family during the incident. In … Continue reading Trump says he’ll hold a rally in town where he was shot

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Politics

Obama endorses Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in a 55-second video released by her campaign. In the clip, Harris answers a call from the Obamas while heading to her motorcade, expressing her excitement about their support. Michelle Obama praises Harris, calling her candidacy historic, and Barack Obama emphasizes their pride and commitment to supporting her campaign. The endorsement, coming after … Continue reading Obama endorses Kamala Harris

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Politics

FBI says Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet in assassination attempt

The FBI confirmed Friday that former President Donald Trump was struck by a bullet in the right ear during the assassination attempt at his rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. This clarification came after FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously stated there was uncertainty about whether Trump’s injury was caused by shrapnel or a bullet. Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, Trump’s former physician, also confirmed that … Continue reading FBI says Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet in assassination attempt

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U.S. News

Georgia girl, 12, missing since May, found safe in Ohio; suspect arrested

Maria Gomez-Perez, a 12-year-old girl missing from Georgia since May, was found in Dover, Ohio, and a suspect has been arrested. The girl was located at a shopping center with 31-year-old Antonio Agustin, a Guatemalan citizen. Agustin allegedly traveled to Georgia to meet Gomez-Perez after she expressed unhappiness at home. The case broke when Gomez-Perez contacted her father via a new social media account, leading … Continue reading Georgia girl, 12, missing since May, found safe in Ohio; suspect arrested

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U.S. News

California education official embezzled over $16 million, hid cash in mini fridge, officials say

Jorge Armando Contreras, a former senior director of fiscal services at Magnolia School District in California, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $16.7 million in restitution. Contreras, who managed the district’s finances, embezzled the funds over several years by depositing falsified checks into his personal account. He used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including luxury … Continue reading California education official embezzled over $16 million, hid cash in mini fridge, officials say

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U.S. News

A tanker plane crash has killed a firefighting pilot in Oregon as Western wildfires spread

On Friday, wildfires ravaged communities across the U.S. West and Canada. A lightning-sparked blaze in rural Idaho forced evacuations, while a human-caused fire in northern California led to the evacuation of hundreds of homes. In eastern Oregon, a pilot died in a crash while fighting one of the many wildfires burning across the region. The National Interagency Fire Center reported over 110 active fires covering … Continue reading A tanker plane crash has killed a firefighting pilot in Oregon as Western wildfires spread

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U.S. News

Park Fire swells to over 164,000 acres; thousands of residents under evacuation orders

The Park Fire, the largest wildfire in the West this summer, continued to grow rapidly on Friday morning, devastating northern California. Igniting near Chico on Wednesday, the fire has burned over 164,000 acres, larger than Chicago, and destroyed more than 130 structures. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced the arrest of Ronnie Stout, 42, for allegedly starting the fire by pushing his mother’s flaming … Continue reading Park Fire swells to over 164,000 acres; thousands of residents under evacuation orders

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U.S. News

Sean Grayson, officer charged in Sonya Massey shooting, had disciplinary record

Sean P. Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with fatally shooting Sonya Massey, had a disciplinary record with accusations of bullying and abuse of power, CBS News reports. Girard Police Chief Wayman Meredith described Grayson as a “bully” in an incident where Grayson pressured him to call child protective services. Superior officers expressed concerns about Grayson’s integrity and behavior in audio recordings, citing misconduct … Continue reading Sean Grayson, officer charged in Sonya Massey shooting, had disciplinary record

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World News

Britain drops its challenge to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders

Labour has taken a significant step in changing the UK’s Middle East policy by dropping its opposition to an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite U.S. pressure. Downing Street announced it would not challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), where Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan seeks a warrant against Netanyahu. This move increases the likelihood of the ICC granting … Continue reading Britain drops its challenge to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders

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World News

Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper

A fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies forced 25,000 people to evacuate, devastating nearly half of Jasper overnight. Flames higher than treetops caused extensive damage, though no injuries were reported due to the earlier evacuation. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland expressed deep sympathy for the community, acknowledging the destruction. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith estimated 30% to 50% of structures were damaged or destroyed, highlighting the significant … Continue reading Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper

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World News

US operation to capture Sinaloa cartel leaders had the help of one of the captured men

On Thursday, two Sinaloa cartel leaders, Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, were arrested in the United States. Guzman Lopez, son of notorious cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, orchestrated their arrest by luring Zambada to the US under the pretense of examining land in Mexico. Upon landing in El Paso, Texas, federal agents arrested them. This operation, exploiting a rift within the … Continue reading US operation to capture Sinaloa cartel leaders had the help of one of the captured men

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World News

NATO Nation Preparing Mass Evacuation Plans for Russian Invasion

Lithuania is planning a mass evacuation of civilians in case of war, according to the Interior Ministry, as NATO members adopt measures against potential Russian attacks. The Baltic States—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—signed a January agreement to create a common defense line with anti-mobility infrastructure to bolster NATO’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus. Lithuania’s Interior Ministry stated preparations to relocate a quarter of its 2.6 … Continue reading NATO Nation Preparing Mass Evacuation Plans for Russian Invasion

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World News

Finland Says Russia Ship Sailed Into Its Waters in Territorial Breach

Finland suspects a Russian ship violated its territorial waters in the eastern Gulf of Finland, the latest in a series of border breaches by Moscow. The incident, under investigation by the Finnish Border Guard, occurred Friday afternoon with no vessel details provided. These territorial violations are part of hybrid warfare tactics, intended to pressure governments and scare citizens, and have increased since Russia’s invasion of … Continue reading Finland Says Russia Ship Sailed Into Its Waters in Territorial Breach

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Space

SpaceX wins $113 million contract to launch advanced NOAA climate satellite

SpaceX has secured a $112.7 million contract to launch NOAA’s JPSS-4 satellite, scheduled for 2027. This mission will use a Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. The JPSS program, a joint effort between NOAA and NASA, aims to monitor Earth’s environment, aiding in weather and climate predictions. To date, three JPSS satellites have launched successfully, with JPSS-4 joining the constellation as the … Continue reading SpaceX wins $113 million contract to launch advanced NOAA climate satellite

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Space

SpaceX Starlink satellites made 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in the past 6 months

In the past six months, satellites in SpaceX’s Starlink megaconstellation performed nearly 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers, double the number from the previous half-year. According to SpaceX’s latest Semiannual Constellation Status Report, each Starlink satellite executed its thrusters an average of 14 times to avoid collisions with other satellites, spacecraft, and space debris. The constellation grew from about 5,100 to 6,200 satellites during this period. SpaceX also … Continue reading SpaceX Starlink satellites made 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in the past 6 months

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Space

SpaceX Reveals Plan to Bring Down the ISS Using a Powered-Up Dragon Spacecraft

SpaceX and NASA are preparing to de-orbit the International Space Station (ISS) using an upgraded Dragon spacecraft designed for this purpose. NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to create a spacecraft capable of shifting the ISS, which weighs over 400 tons, into a controlled re-entry trajectory over an unpopulated ocean area. The ISS is scheduled for decommissioning after 2030, marking the end of its … Continue reading SpaceX Reveals Plan to Bring Down the ISS Using a Powered-Up Dragon Spacecraft

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Technology

Department of Homeland Security to use robot dogs in raids

The Department of Homeland Security plans to deploy four-legged robots, similar to Boston Dynamics’ creations, in raids on suspects. These robots, equipped with capabilities to jam networks, disable devices, and provide video and audio feedback, will act as “walking denial of service attacks” to enhance tactical operations. The robots, such as the NEO model, can disable “Internet of Things” devices like cameras, which is particularly … Continue reading Department of Homeland Security to use robot dogs in raids

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Technology

Hong Kong-backed humanoid robot maker wants to take on tech giants

Galbot, a robotics start-up from Beijing, plans to challenge major tech giants in the global humanoid robot market. Backed by the Hong Kong government, Galbot aims to use Hong Kong as a gateway to enter developed markets with high labor costs. Co-founder Yao Tengzhou shared this strategy following a partnership announcement with the Hong Kong Investment Corp. The company will face competition from established firms … Continue reading Hong Kong-backed humanoid robot maker wants to take on tech giants

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Technology

New ‘Jetsons law’ paves the way for flying cars starting August 1

Minnesota is set to enter a new era of transportation with the implementation of the “Jetsons law” on August 1. This legislation officially defines a “roadable aircraft” as a vehicle capable of both flying and driving on public highways. The law streamlines the registration process for these dual-purpose vehicles, allowing them to use tail numbers instead of traditional license plates. While on the road, these … Continue reading New ‘Jetsons law’ paves the way for flying cars starting August 1

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Business

US Department of Justice finalizes plea deal with Boeing

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed the finalized plea deal with Boeing, which involves the company pleading guilty to a felony charge of defrauding the government. Boeing will pay a $243.6 million fine and admitted to misleading the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the 737 Max plane’s passenger certification. The plea deal, pending a federal judge’s approval, also requires Boeing’s board to meet … Continue reading US Department of Justice finalizes plea deal with Boeing

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Business

Renewable energy demand could triple as electricity consumption surges

NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum predicted that renewable energy demand will triple over the next seven years due to the rapid growth of data centers driven by artificial intelligence. In the second quarter, NextEra added 3,000 megawatts of renewable and storage projects to its backlog, with 860 megawatts—28%—coming from agreements with Google to power its data centers. Ketchum described this as the company’s second-best origination … Continue reading Renewable energy demand could triple as electricity consumption surges

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