Business

Gold surges past $5,500 amid Iran tensions, weakening US dollar

Gold prices hit a record above $5,500 an ounce amid President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against Iran and a weakening U.S. dollar. The rally has pushed gold up more than 20% since the start of the year, following a 64% gain in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in global markets. Investors continue to favor gold as a “safe haven” amid concerns … Continue reading Gold surges past $5,500 amid Iran tensions, weakening US dollar

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Microsoft lost $357 billion in market cap as stock plunged most since 2020

Microsoft shares fell about 10% following an earnings report that fell short of some investor expectations, marking the stock’s biggest daily drop since March 2020 and cutting its market cap by $357 billion to $3.22 trillion. Azure and cloud services growth came in at 39%, slightly below consensus, while revenue guidance for the More Personal Computing segment, including Windows, was lower than expected, along with … Continue reading Microsoft lost $357 billion in market cap as stock plunged most since 2020

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Apple sales surge 16% on ‘staggering’ iPhone demand

Apple reported stronger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter earnings, with revenue up 16% year-over-year and net income of $42.1 billion, or $2.84 per share, surpassing analyst forecasts. iPhone sales surged 23% to $85.27 billion, driven by strong demand for the iPhone 17, while the active installed base of Apple devices grew to 2.5 billion. Services revenue rose 14% to $26.34 billion, and iPad sales grew 6% to $8.6 … Continue reading Apple sales surge 16% on ‘staggering’ iPhone demand

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump officials met with Canadian separatists; British Columbia premier alleges treason

The Trump administration reportedly held meetings with the separatist group Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), sparking outrage in Canada and accusations of “treason” from British Columbia Premier David Eby. The APP seeks independence for Alberta and has reportedly requested U.S. support, including a $500 billion credit facility in case of a successful referendum. White House officials said the meetings were with civil society groups and no … Continue reading Trump officials met with Canadian separatists; British Columbia premier alleges treason

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on aircraft sold in US

President Donald Trump threatened Canada with a 50% tariff on all aircraft sold in the U.S., escalating tensions in his ongoing trade dispute with the country. The move targets Canada for allegedly refusing to certify jets from Gulfstream Aerospace and includes decertifying Bombardier’s Global Express business jets, a move that would affect 150 aircraft registered in the U.S. Bombardier responded that its planes meet FAA … Continue reading Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on aircraft sold in US

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump declares national emergency over Cuba, threatens tariffs on nations that supply oil

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba, citing the communist government’s alignment with hostile countries, terrorist groups, and malign actors as a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The executive order establishes a tariff mechanism to impose additional duties on countries that supply oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly. Trump accused Cuba of hosting Russian intelligence facilities, deepening defense cooperation with … Continue reading Trump declares national emergency over Cuba, threatens tariffs on nations that supply oil

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to do business with China

Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that it was “very dangerous” for the UK to do business with China as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Shanghai. Trump, who called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “friend,” also criticized Canada for engaging with China. Sir Keir, meanwhile, described his talks with Xi as “very good” and announced agreements on visa-free travel, lower whisky tariffs, AstraZeneca investment, … Continue reading Trump says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to do business with China

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Trump sues IRS and Treasury for $10 billion over leaked tax information

President Donald Trump is suing the IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion, alleging they failed to prevent leaks of his tax information to news outlets between 2018 and 2020. The lawsuit, filed in Florida federal court, also names Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization as plaintiffs, claiming the leaks caused reputational and financial harm. The disclosures were made by former IRS … Continue reading Trump sues IRS and Treasury for $10 billion over leaked tax information

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Anti-ICE protests to be held across US as organizers urge national strike

Activists are calling for a nationwide “blackout” on Friday, urging people to skip work, school, and shopping to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive ICE enforcement. The strike, organized by student groups in Minnesota and supported by unions and national organizations, follows a series of fatal shootings involving federal agents, including Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Protests and walkouts are planned in cities across the U.S., … Continue reading Anti-ICE protests to be held across US as organizers urge national strike

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Omar is charged with assault and intimidation

Anthony Kazmierczak was charged for squirting apple cider vinegar on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis event, facing federal counts of assault and intimidation. Authorities say Kazmierczak, who has a criminal history and health issues, appeared to make threats during the attack and had previously expressed violent sentiments toward Omar. He also faces state charges for terroristic threats and assault. Omar, a Somali refugee, … Continue reading Man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Omar is charged with assault and intimidation

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Ghislaine Maxwell claims 29 friends cut ‘secret deals’ with DOJ

Ghislaine Maxwell has filed a habeas corpus petition seeking to overturn her 2021 sex‑trafficking conviction, claiming prosecutors concealed “secret settlements” that shielded 29 associates of Jeffrey Epstein from prosecution. She alleges 25 men reached undisclosed deals while four alleged co‑conspirators were known but never charged, and argues that this concealment violated her constitutional rights and undermined the fairness of her trial. Maxwell also raises claims … Continue reading Ghislaine Maxwell claims 29 friends cut ‘secret deals’ with DOJ

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

Luigi Mangione jailbreak attempt ‘by fan posing as FBI agent’

A man from Minnesota, Mark Anderson, was arrested for attempting to break accused CEO assassin Luigi Mangione out of the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center armed only with a pizza cutter and a BBQ fork. Anderson allegedly posed as an FBI agent, claiming to have a judge-signed order to free Mangione, and tried to convince guards to release him. When asked for credentials, Anderson showed a … Continue reading Luigi Mangione jailbreak attempt ‘by fan posing as FBI agent’

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
U.S. News

New York suspends ferry service as Hudson & East Rivers freeze

New York City’s ferry service has been suspended due to Winter Storm Fern, which left the East and Hudson Rivers nearly frozen and created massive ice blocks. Freezing temperatures in the single digits have made ferry operations unsafe, forcing riders to use subways, buses, or cars instead. NYC Ferry cited crew and passenger safety as the top priority while monitoring conditions to resume service once … Continue reading New York suspends ferry service as Hudson & East Rivers freeze

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Gunfire and explosions heard near airport in Niger’s capital

Heavy gunfire and explosions erupted early Thursday near Niamey’s international airport in Niger before subsiding within hours, residents reported. Videos showed bright streaks in the sky, large flames, and burned vehicles near the Diori Hamani International Airport, which also hosts an air force base about 10 km from the presidential palace. The cause of the attack and whether there were any casualties remained unclear. Calm … Continue reading Gunfire and explosions heard near airport in Niger’s capital

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

EU lists Iran Revolutionary Guard as terror organization

The European Union has designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization in response to the regime’s deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, a largely symbolic move meant to increase pressure on Tehran. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move puts the Guard on the same level as al-Qaida, Hamas, and ISIS, condemning its role in killing thousands of protesters. The U.S. and Canada … Continue reading EU lists Iran Revolutionary Guard as terror organization

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Trump weighs Iran strikes to inspire renewed protests, sources say

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering military options against Iran, including targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to encourage protesters, following a nationwide crackdown that killed thousands. Sources say he aims to create conditions for “regime change,” though no final decision has been made, and options also include larger strikes on Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. The deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier … Continue reading Trump weighs Iran strikes to inspire renewed protests, sources say

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Feminist historian claims Shakespeare was actually a black Jewish woman in new book

A controversial new book claims William Shakespeare was not the true author of his plays, arguing instead that they were written by Emilia Bassano, a Tudor court poet. Feminist historian Irene Coslet contends Bassano, whom she describes as a Jewish woman of Moorish descent, used “Shakespeare” as a pen name because Elizabethan society favored a white male genius. She argues Bassano’s education, cultural background, and … Continue reading Feminist historian claims Shakespeare was actually a black Jewish woman in new book

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
World News

Spain to grant legal status to 500,000 migrants

Spain’s left-wing government has approved a fast-track plan allowing up to 500,000 undocumented migrants to apply for legal residency, marking one of Europe’s largest regularizations in years. The measure applies to people who have lived in Spain for at least five months by December 31, 2025, have no criminal record, and will allow them to work nationwide under renewable permits. Migration Minister Elma Saiz called … Continue reading Spain to grant legal status to 500,000 migrants

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

NASA exoplanet probe tracks interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to gauge its spin

NASA’s TESS spacecraft recently captured observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it left the solar system, recording it as a bright, fast-moving dot with a faint tail across a crowded starfield. A 28-hour video compiled from the data shows the comet’s trajectory, though a spacecraft “safe mode” caused a gap in the observations. Scientists hope the dataset will reveal the comet’s activity, dust and gas … Continue reading NASA exoplanet probe tracks interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to gauge its spin

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

A potentially habitable new planet has been discovered 146 light-years away

Astronomers have identified a potentially habitable, Earth-sized planet named HD 137010 b about 146 light-years away, orbiting a sun-like star with a 355-day year. The planet is estimated to be 6% larger than Earth and may lie within the star’s habitable zone, though its cooler, dimmer star could make surface temperatures similar to Mars, possibly below –70°C. The discovery, made using 2017 data from NASA’s Kepler … Continue reading A potentially habitable new planet has been discovered 146 light-years away

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Space

AI Unlocks Hundreds of Cosmic Anomalies in Hubble Archive

Astronomers used an AI-assisted tool called AnomalyMatch to analyze nearly 100 million images from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, identifying over 1,300 rare or unusual objects in just two and a half days, more than 800 of which had never been documented. The anomalies included merging galaxies, gravitational lenses, star-forming clumps, jellyfish-like galaxies, and edge-on planet-forming disks, with some objects defying existing classification schemes. Developed by … Continue reading AI Unlocks Hundreds of Cosmic Anomalies in Hubble Archive

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Amazon to lay off 16,000 employees after grocery shakeup

Amazon announced it will cut 16,000 corporate jobs, marking the second major reduction in less than six months as the company restructures after pandemic-era hiring surges. Executive Beth Galetti said the layoffs aim to reduce bureaucracy, increase ownership, and streamline management layers, while stressing that large, recurring cuts are not planned. The move follows October 2025 layoffs of 14,000 employees and comes amid CEO Andy … Continue reading Amazon to lay off 16,000 employees after grocery shakeup

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Deutsche Bank raided in money laundering probe

Deutsche Bank’s offices in Frankfurt and Berlin were raided by German authorities as part of an investigation into possible money laundering involving the bank’s business relationships with certain foreign companies. The Office of the Federal Prosecutor said the probe targets “unknown individuals and employees” and focuses on potential violations of anti-money laundering reporting obligations. Deutsche Bank confirmed the searches but provided no further details on … Continue reading Deutsche Bank raided in money laundering probe

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Business

Tesla tops estimates for quarter

Tesla reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, with adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share and $24.9 billion in revenue, though annual revenue fell 3% to $94.8 billion—the first yearly decline in company history. Vehicle sales were weak, with the auto segment dropping 11% in Q4 due to lower deliveries, aging models, and reduced regulatory credit revenue, prompting plans to end production of the Model S and … Continue reading Tesla tops estimates for quarter

Unknown's avatarbcbegley
Politics

Denmark lauds constructive talks with U.S. over Greenland

Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said high-level talks in Washington with the U.S. and Greenland over the island’s future were “very constructive” and that discussions are “back on track.” The talks aimed to resolve tensions sparked by President Donald Trump’s earlier threats to take over Greenland. Rasmussen described the atmosphere as positive and said new meetings are planned, though no final decisions have been … Continue reading Denmark lauds constructive talks with U.S. over Greenland

Unknown's avatarbcbegley