Business

Asian markets make solid gains following global rout

Asian markets posted solid gains on Wednesday, with Japanese shares reversing early losses after a Bank of Japan official downplayed the likelihood of an immediate interest rate hike. The Nikkei 225 closed 1.2% higher, recovering from a 2.5% drop earlier in the session, following comments from BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida. Uchida stated that recent market volatility could influence the BOJ’s rate hike decisions, emphasizing … Continue reading Asian markets make solid gains following global rout

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Business

Mortgage demand roars back to life as rates drop to lowest level in a year

Last week, home-purchase applications surged as mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in over a year. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 6.9% increase in mortgage applications for the week ending Aug. 2. The average rate for a 30-year loan dropped to 6.55% from 6.82%, marking the lowest rate since May 2023. The lower rates also led to a 16% surge in refinancing … Continue reading Mortgage demand roars back to life as rates drop to lowest level in a year

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Business

As inflation fury lingers, politicians join customers in pushing companies to cut prices

High inflation has put companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Kroger in the political spotlight. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey criticized Kroger’s use of electronic shelf labels, fearing they could lead to price hikes, especially as Kroger plans a $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons. Both Democrats and Republicans are focusing on inflation in their campaigns. Vice President Kamala Harris targets corporate “price gouging,” while former … Continue reading As inflation fury lingers, politicians join customers in pushing companies to cut prices

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Politics

Vance reopens line of attack into Walz’s military record

Ohio Sen. JD Vance has intensified his attacks on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing him of avoiding deployment to Iraq by leaving the Army National Guard to run for Congress in 2005. Vance also claims Walz falsely stated he served in a combat zone. Walz retired two months before his unit was ordered to Iraq. These criticisms are part of the effort to define Walz, … Continue reading Vance reopens line of attack into Walz’s military record

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Politics

Cori Bush Defeated in Missouri Democratic Primary

Incumbent progressive Rep. Cori Bush lost the Democratic primary in Missouri to St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, who was supported by the pro-Israel group Aipac. Bell’s win, with 51.2% of the vote to Bush’s 45.6%, marks a significant victory for Aipac, which has targeted members of Congress critical of Israel. Bush is the second member of the left-leaning House “Squad” to lose a … Continue reading Cori Bush Defeated in Missouri Democratic Primary

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Politics

Arizona prosecutors asked grand jurors not to indict Trump in state’s fake electors case

An Arizona grand jury considered indicting Donald Trump alongside 18 Republican supporters who falsely claimed he won the state in the 2020 election. However, prosecutors urged them not to charge Trump, citing a U.S. Justice Department policy against prosecuting someone for the same crime twice, and noting a lack of sufficient evidence at the time. The grand jury ultimately indicted 18 individuals on charges of … Continue reading Arizona prosecutors asked grand jurors not to indict Trump in state’s fake electors case

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Politics

Thai court bans a popular political party for proposing to amend lèse-majesté law

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has banned the country’s most popular party, Move Forward, for allegedly attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy by proposing changes to the law against defaming the royal family. The court also banned the party’s senior leaders from politics for 10 years. The Move Forward Party, which succeeded the dissolved Future Forward Party, gained significant support in the May 2023 general election, promising … Continue reading Thai court bans a popular political party for proposing to amend lèse-majesté law

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Politics

JD Vance tries to confront Harris on tarmac, calls Air Force 2 his ‘future plane’

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance surprised reporters Wednesday by confronting Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz on the tarmac when their planes arrived simultaneously. Vance, who hopes to be on Air Force Two soon, accused Harris of avoiding reporters and criticized her performance on immigration. His stunt diverted attention from a rally featuring Harris and Walz, who had just posed … Continue reading JD Vance tries to confront Harris on tarmac, calls Air Force 2 his ‘future plane’

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U.S. News

Texas man executed for 1997 killing of female jogger

Arthur Lee Burton, 54, was executed Wednesday evening for the 1997 killing of Nancy Adleman, a 48-year-old mother of three, who was jogging near her Houston home. Despite claiming intellectual disability in a late attempt for reprieve, Burton received a lethal injection at the Huntsville state penitentiary and was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. local time. Adleman was beaten and strangled with her shoelace in … Continue reading Texas man executed for 1997 killing of female jogger

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U.S. News

Florida woman arrested for ambush murder in killing of deputy, claimed she worked for God

Julie Ann Sulpizio, 48, was arrested for an ambush attack in Florida that killed Deputy Bradley Michael Link, 28, and injured two other deputies. Sulpizio faces multiple charges, including first-degree premeditated murder. The attack occurred after deputies responded to a disturbance report near Eustis. Sulpizio allegedly lured neighbors to her home for her husband, Michael, to kill. Deputies found suspicious signs at her home, and … Continue reading Florida woman arrested for ambush murder in killing of deputy, claimed she worked for God

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U.S. News

DOJ contends Hunter Biden was hired by Romanian oligarch to ‘influence US policy:’ docs

DOJ prosecutors allege that Hunter Biden was paid by Romanian oligarch Gabriel Popoviciu to influence U.S. policy and public opinion while Joe Biden was vice president, according to documents filed by Special Counsel David Weiss in California. These allegations are part of Hunter Biden’s tax trial, set to begin on September 5 in Los Angeles. Popoviciu is expected to testify against Hunter Biden, who allegedly … Continue reading DOJ contends Hunter Biden was hired by Romanian oligarch to ‘influence US policy:’ docs

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U.S. News

Metallic balloon hits power line, plunges nearly all of New Orleans into boil water advisory

A boil water advisory was issued for the entire east bank of New Orleans and Algiers Point after a floating metallic balloon caused a power outage. On Tuesday, August 6, around 7 p.m., a sudden drop in water pressure was reported across several parts of the city, prompting the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) to issue the advisory at 8:17 p.m. The water … Continue reading Metallic balloon hits power line, plunges nearly all of New Orleans into boil water advisory

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U.S. News

Severe flooding from glacier outburst damages over 100 homes in Alaska’s capital

A glacial outburst flood from the Mendenhall Glacier caused severe flooding in Alaska’s capital, Juneau, damaging over 100 homes. The flooding began Monday, with water levels reaching up to 16 feet by Tuesday. Despite the extensive damage, no injuries were reported among Juneau’s 31,000 residents as of Wednesday. The flood was triggered by the peak of the glacier’s Suicide Basin on August 1, following an … Continue reading Severe flooding from glacier outburst damages over 100 homes in Alaska’s capital

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World News

Turkey submits ICJ bid to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Turkey has formally submitted a bid to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), increasing international pressure on Israel regarding its actions in Gaza. The Turkish delegation, led by Ambassador Selcuk Unal, filed the request, emphasizing the importance of addressing the Palestinian issue through law and justice. Turkey is now the seventh country to join the case, following … Continue reading Turkey submits ICJ bid to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

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World News

Reclusive Mashco Piro tribe attacks loggers suspected of encroaching on their land in Peru’s Amazon

Peru’s reclusive Mashco Piro ethnic group attacked loggers with bows and arrows on July 27, injuring one, due to suspected encroachment on their Amazon territory, according to FENAMAD. This regional Indigenous organization believes illegal logging is taking place on Mashco Piro land, with recent photos showing the tribe searching for food near logging areas. FENAMAD warns that increased logging and lack of government protection could … Continue reading Reclusive Mashco Piro tribe attacks loggers suspected of encroaching on their land in Peru’s Amazon

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World News

Iran executes dozens, day after hanging protester over killing of IRGC agent

Iran executed at least 29 convicts in a single day on Wednesday, including 26 in a group execution at Ghezelhesar Prison in Karaj, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group. Three additional men were executed in Karaj’s city prison. The convicts, which included two Afghan nationals, were sentenced for charges of murder, drug-related crimes, and rape. Other human rights organizations, including HRANA and CHRI, … Continue reading Iran executes dozens, day after hanging protester over killing of IRGC agent

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World News

After Japan snubs Israel for Nagasaki commemoration, U.S., other envoys plan to skip event

After Japan excluded Israel from a Nagasaki ceremony due to fears of possible protest disruptions, the U.S. ambassador, along with many of his counterparts, decided to skip the event. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and other ambassadors, including those from Britain, Canada, France, Italy, and Australia, will not attend the 79th annual memorial marking the 1945 atomic bombing. Nagasaki’s mayor cited security concerns related … Continue reading After Japan snubs Israel for Nagasaki commemoration, U.S., other envoys plan to skip event

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World News

Russia says Ukrainian troops crossed into its territory and launched ‘massive attack’

Russia has accused Ukrainian troops of crossing the border into its Kursk region, potentially marking the first such incursion from Ukraine and increasing pressure on Moscow in an area largely unaffected by the two-year war. Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defense, Investigative Committee, and Ombudsman for Children, reported a “massive attack” on Tuesday, alleging that Ukrainian forces attempted to breach Russian defenses near the … Continue reading Russia says Ukrainian troops crossed into its territory and launched ‘massive attack’

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Space

China launches its rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellites

China launched its first batch of internet satellites on Tuesday, aiming to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The constellation, called “Thousand Sails,” will consist of over 15,000 low-Earth orbit satellites to provide global internet coverage. A Long March 6A rocket from Taiyuan launch center delivered the initial 18 satellites, marking a successful mission according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. By 2025, China plans to deploy … Continue reading China launches its rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellites

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Space

Planets of Milky Way’s most common stars are less habitable than thought

New research suggests that red dwarf stars, the most common stars in the Milky Way, may be even less hospitable to life than previously thought. These stars may emit intense ultraviolet (UV) light radiation flares that significantly reduce the habitability of their planets. Scientists reached this conclusion by analyzing data from NASA’s now-decommissioned Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) mission, which scanned the universe for UV flares … Continue reading Planets of Milky Way’s most common stars are less habitable than thought

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Space

NASA delays SpaceX astronaut mission as rumors swirl about Boeing Starliner’s safety

NASA announced a delay in the launch of SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which aims to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and could potentially serve as a backup for Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft. The postponement allows more time to finalize return plans for the Starliner and its crew. NASA will provide more details in a news conference on Wednesday. The delay comes amid … Continue reading NASA delays SpaceX astronaut mission as rumors swirl about Boeing Starliner’s safety

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Technology

San Jose researcher designs robot to help children cross streets safely

The CrossBot, resembling a small lawnmower with a single black pole and screen, is a prototype robot designed to protect children in crosswalks and address the crossing guard shortage in the Bay Area. Created by Hovannes Kulhandjian, an associate professor at Fresno State, the CrossBot is equipped with 360-degree sensors, including Lidar, radar, and video cameras, and has the ability to speak. When traffic is … Continue reading San Jose researcher designs robot to help children cross streets safely

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Technology

Figure redesigns its humanoid robot from the ground up

California-based robotics company Figure has unveiled its second-generation humanoid robot, initially targeted at commercial production lines with future plans for household use as a bipedal butler. Founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Brett Adcock, Figure aims to create a “commercially viable general-purpose humanoid robot.” The company has redesigned both hardware and software, enhancing AI systems, computer vision, battery packs, electronics, sensors, and actuators. The new robot … Continue reading Figure redesigns its humanoid robot from the ground up

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Business

US to invest $2.2 billion to overhaul national power grid

The Biden administration announced a $2.2 billion investment to revamp the U.S. power grid, aiming to protect it against extreme weather events and support increasing demands from data centers. The upgrades will add nearly 13 gigawatts of capacity, facilitating more manufacturing, data centers, and renewable power transmission. The funding will support eight projects across 18 states, Reuters has reported. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm … Continue reading US to invest $2.2 billion to overhaul national power grid

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Business

Elon Musk’s X files antitrust lawsuit against worldwide advertising group

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against The Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), accusing it of illegally boycotting companies, including X. The lawsuit also targets the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and GARM members CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever. X CEO Linda Yaccarino stated the lawsuit follows a House Judiciary Committee investigation that found GARM organized boycotts and … Continue reading Elon Musk’s X files antitrust lawsuit against worldwide advertising group

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