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 Donald Trump in November, The Guardian has reported.
The Nasdaq 100 Index has entered correction territory, losing over US$2 trillion in value in just over three weeks due to a sharp rotation away from Big Tech stocks.
The index fell 2.4% on Friday, bringing its total decline since a July 10 record to more than 10%. Despite this drop, the index is still up nearly 10% for the year.
Major tech stocks, including Nvidia Corp. and Tesla Inc., have seen significant declines, with both down more than 20% from recent highs, placing them in bear-market territory.
Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. have also lost over 10%, although most major tech stocks, except Tesla, remain higher for the year, BNN Bloomberg has reported.
Plans by Police Scotland to introduce live surveillance cameras for scanning faces have been criticized as “deeply intrusive” and dangerous by a coalition of international privacy groups.
The cameras are intended to help catch shoplifters and people violating bail conditions, with images monitored from police vans and checked against a database.
Privacy advocates, including Big Brother Watch, Liberty, Privacy International, and others, have urged Justice Secretary Angela Constance to withdraw the proposal, the Daily Mail has reported.
According to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Iran has provided Hezbollah and other proxies with electromagnetic ordnance capable of disabling communication systems and shutting down radars.
Rotem Mey-Tal, CEO of Asgard Systems, likened this technology to an extreme power outage that affects all electrical and electronic systems, including critical medical equipment.
Mey-Tal speculated that the technology might be used in low-flying UAVs, similar to recent attacks by Iranian-backed forces, but noted that there is no historical precedent or detailed documentation for such weapons, the Jerusalem Post has reported.
,rumble user_BC_Begley Short seller Andrew Left of Citron charged with fraud by prosecutors, SEC rumble_video_LGv6s__qR4e,
Federal prosecutors have charged activist short seller and analyst Andrew Left with securities fraud, accusing him of illegally profiting at least $16 million by manipulating stock market activity from 2018 to 2023.
Left, a 54-year-old Florida resident known for his appearances on CNBC and other financial news channels, and his hedge fund, Citron Capital, face additional civil fraud charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The SEC’s complaint alleges that Left and Citron engaged in a $20 million scheme to deceive followers with false and misleading stock trading recommendations, involving fraudulent conduct with 23 companies on at least 26 occasions, CNBC has reported.
David Dutch and James Copenhaver, the two men injured in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, were both discharged from the hospital recently.
Dutch, 57, was released from Allegheny General Hospital on July 24, while Copenhaver, 74, was discharged on July 26.
Copenhaver, who suffered critical injuries at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, is reported to be recovering from “life-altering” wounds. His family expressed gratitude for the support received during his recovery.
Former fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed at Trump’s rally on July 13 while trying to shield his wife and two daughters from gunfire.
During the attack, a bullet or its fragments struck Trump in the ear, as confirmed by the FBI, NBC News has reported.
France’s national rail operator, SNCF, has completed repairs on infrastructure damaged in a suspected arson attack on Friday.
Most trains were running as scheduled by Sunday, with full service expected to resume by Monday.
The attack, described by officials as “sabotage” aimed at paralyzing high-speed TGV lines to and from Paris, caused significant disruption ahead of the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.
SNCF staff repaired damaged fibre optic cables on several lines, and thwarted an attempt to destroy safety equipment on another.
The disruption affected around 250,000 passengers on Friday, with estimates of up to 800,000 impacted over three days.
Eurostar services were also affected, with one in four trains canceled over the weekend. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those affected, opting to fly to the Games instead, the BBC has reported.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a potentially crucial clue on Mars that might indicate ancient life.
On July 18, the rover found a vein-filled red rock with leopard-like spots, which could suggest past microbial activity due to ancient chemical reactions.
David Flannery, a member of the Perseverance science team, noted that similar features on Earth are often linked to fossilized microbes.
Although the rock’s origin and its implications for past life on Mars are still under investigation, this sample is highly anticipated, CNN has reported.
After weeks of troubleshooting, NASA and Boeing still can’t set a return date for the astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is facing issues such as helium leaks and thruster failures.
Recent tests have revealed that heat buildup in the thrusters may cause Teflon seals to bulge and restrict propellant flow.
Engineers have replicated the thruster issues on the ground, providing insights into the problems.
Boeing and NASA have decided to forgo manual flying of the spacecraft to avoid extra stress on the thrusters.
While there’s a push to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home aboard Starliner, officials remain cautious and have contingency plans if necessary, CNN has reported.
On Thursday, OpenAI unveiled a prototype of its search engine, SearchGPT, designed to provide “fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”
Currently being tested with a select group of users, the tool is intended to integrate with ChatGPT in the future.
This development could challenge Google’s dominant search engine, raising concerns among Alphabet investors about potential market share losses since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the prototype’s potential to offer a more intuitive and conversational search experience, CNBC has reported.
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 crucial first step.
The draft declaration will suggest cooperative efforts to ensure high-net-worth individuals are taxed more effectively, though it stops short of proposing a global tax, the AFP has reported.
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 met again in July during Orbán’s efforts to address the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This loan is reportedly the largest in modern Hungarian history and is causing concern among observers familiar with China’s exploitative lending practices through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While this loan does not appear to be part of the BRI, it is intended for infrastructure projects and involves the China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and the Bank of China’s Hungarian branch, all at a variable interest rate, Breitbart News has reported.
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 goods and a luxury car, NBC News has reported.
,rumble user_BC_Begley Britain drops its challenge to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders rumble_video_DPT4s__qR4e,
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 the request, potentially leading to Netanyahu’s arrest if he travels abroad.
The decision marks a reversal from the previous government’s staunch support of Israel and alignment with U.S. policy, The Guardian has reported.
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 cartel, marks a significant victory for US law enforcement.
The Sinaloa cartel is a major narcotics trafficking organization responsible for smuggling large quantities of drugs into the US.
The arrests, hailed by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, target the cartel’s core operations, especially its fentanyl and methamphetamine networks.
Experts predict increased violence within the cartel following Zambada’s capture.
Despite skepticism from HSI agents, the operation went smoothly. Zambada pled not guilty and is held without bond on multiple charges, CNN has reported.
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 Ukraine in early 2022.
Finland’s previous incident in June involved four Russian state aircraft entering Finnish airspace.
Since joining NATO in April 2023, Finland has faced GPS interference affecting commercial aircraft and closed its 1,300-kilometer border with Russia to road traffic, Bloomberg has reported.
,rumble user_BC_Begley SpaceX Starlink satellites made 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in the past 6 months rumble_video_jx62s__qR4e,
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 lowered its collision-avoidance threshold to one in a million, significantly more stringent than the industry standard, Space.com has reported.
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 nearly 30-year operational life, IGN has reported.
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 flying cars will be regulated like regular vehicles, but must adhere to Federal Aviation Administration rules when in flight.
They are prohibited from taking off directly from roads. Minnesota is the second state to adopt such regulations, following New Hampshire, the U.S. Sun has reported.
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 quarter ever, reinforcing their belief that future growth will largely rely on renewables and battery storage.
NextEra currently has seven gigawatts of renewable assets with tech and data center clients, NBC News has reported.
On Wednesday, President Biden announced plans to call for Supreme Court reform as part of his agenda for his final six months in office.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Biden explained his decision not to seek reelection and outlined his priorities, including lowering costs, boosting the economy, combating extremism, addressing the climate crisis, and working for peace and the release of hostages in Gaza.
He emphasized the need for Supreme Court reform, noting it as crucial for democracy. Biden is reportedly considering proposals for term limits for justices and an enforceable ethics code.
This marks a shift from his previous reluctance to support such reforms, driven by concerns over politicizing the court, The Hill has reported.
On Wednesday, former President Trump called for FBI Director Christopher Wray’s resignation, accusing him of lying to Congress about President Biden’s mental competency.
Trump, who appointed Wray, criticized him after Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee about an assassination attempt against Trump.
During the hearing, when asked by Rep. Matt Gaetz about Biden’s cognitive state, Wray said he hadn’t observed any such decline, Axios has reported.
At his first rally since President Biden announced he would not seek reelection, former President Trump launched a barrage of attacks on Vice President Harris, who is now the likely Democratic nominee.
Speaking in North Carolina, Trump criticized Harris on immigration and inflation, labeling her a “radical-left lunatic” and “the most incompetent and far-left vice president in American history.”
He mispronounced her name, accused her of being unfit to lead, and mocked her record as a prosecutor compared to his own legal issues.
Trump also highlighted her support for policies like Sanders’s “Medicare for All” and banning fracking, calling her “crazy” and “unhinged,” The Hill has reported.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in a heartfelt Oval Office address.
Citing concerns about the nation’s future, Biden reflected on his deep respect for the presidency and his love for the country, invoking past presidents like Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln.
Despite facing mounting pressure from Democrats following a poor debate performance, Biden chose to step aside after much soul-searching.
He emphasized his decision to “pass the torch to a new generation” as the best path for national unity and preserving democracy.
Biden’s speech, his first major public comments since his exit from the race, underscored his commitment to the country and his dedication to pressing issues such as NATO solidarity, the Ukraine conflict, and Supreme Court reform.
He reassured the public of his focus on fulfilling his presidential duties over the next six months, Reuters has reported.
Scientists believe that if life exists on Saturn’s moon Enceladus or Jupiter’s moon Europa, detectable trace molecules might survive just beneath their icy surfaces.
Both moons are thought to have vast liquid oceans that could harbor life, potentially containing complex organic molecules like amino acids and nucleic acids—key indicators of life.
Although harsh solar radiation could destroy these molecules at the surface, new research suggests they might be preserved within the moons’ icy shells, Space.com has reported.
President Joe Biden will deliver a prime-time address from the White House on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET to announce his decision to withdraw from the presidential race.
In his address, Biden plans to explain his withdrawal and discuss his priorities for the remainder of his term.
He announced his exit from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
Biden, who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19, delayed his public comments but stated that stepping aside is in the best interest of the country and the Democratic Party, NBC News has reported.
Former Philadelphia police officer Edsaul Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Thomas “T.J.” Siderio, was sentenced to 8 to 20 years in prison.
Mendoza, who was fired shortly after the 2022 incident, expressed sorrow and regret before sentencing.
Initially charged with first- and third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, he accepted a plea deal in April.
Prosecutors revealed that Siderio was unarmed and on the ground when Mendoza shot him in the back, despite the boy having previously fired at an unmarked police car, injuring an officer.
Surveillance footage contradicted Mendoza’s account of the events, CNN has reported.
Illegal fireworks ignited the Hawarden Fire in Riverside, California, causing significant destruction and financial loss.
Starting on Sunday, the blaze reached 527 acres by Monday night, destroying six homes and damaging seven others, amounting to $11 million in damages and response costs.
One firefighter and one civilian sustained minor injuries. Authorities are searching for suspects seen fleeing the scene and have identified a vehicle of interest.
Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson condemned the reckless behavior, emphasizing the dangers of fireworks in the region’s dry and hazardous conditions.
Some residents were evacuated, and the community faces poor air quality and emotional distress, NBC News has reported.
China is planning to dominate cislunar space with a new satellite network designed to enhance communication, navigation, and monitoring between Earth and the moon.
Developed by researchers at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, the network aims to provide real-time services for global users, enabling simultaneous communication for up to 20 travelers through images, audio, or video.
It will also offer precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) for lunar missions and track targets as small as one meter in cislunar space, Interesting Engineering has reported.
Pressure is mounting on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, with several lawmakers calling for her resignation.
Key Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have demanded her removal.
At the Republican National Convention, frustrated GOP senators publicly confronted Cheatle over the incident.
Additionally, criticisms have extended to the agency’s diversity practices and the acknowledgment that the Secret Service previously denied some Trump campaign security requests.
Democrats, too, are scrutinizing Cheatle’s leadership, The Hill has reported.
,rumble user_BC_Begley Trump’s $6,000 gift to Kamala Harris comes back to bite him rumble_video_fQU0s__qR4e,
Following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump has quickly targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, reviving his nickname for her: “Laffin’ Kamala Harris.”
However, Trump faces an awkward issue: a $5,000 check he wrote to Harris on September 26, 2011, and other donations from the Trump family during her tenure as California’s Attorney General.
The check and donations, totaling $8,000, have resurfaced on social media, with critics noting the irony of Trump’s past financial support.
Trump previously claimed the donation was a favor for New York’s then top prosecutor, Eric Schneiderman, and not related to any investigations, The Guardian has reported.
On Friday, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection bid, following his poor debate performance against Donald Trump.
Despite nearly 30 Democratic members of Congress urging him to step aside, Biden, who is currently isolated at his Delaware beach house with COVID-19, remains determined to continue his campaign.
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Morgan McGarvey are among those who have publicly urged Biden to exit the race, citing the high stakes of the election.
President Biden criticized Donald Trump’s Republican National Convention speech as presenting a “dark vision for the future.”
Despite increasing calls from prominent Democrats for him to withdraw, Biden plans to return to the campaign trail next week, asserting he has a viable path to victory.
He emphasized the high stakes of the election and his confidence in winning, the Associated Press has reported.
In February, a junior Navy sailor attempted to access President Biden’s medical records three times using the military’s Genesis Medical Health System database but failed each time, the U.S. Navy confirmed to CBS News.
The sailor, whose identity remains undisclosed, faced administrative discipline following an investigation that concluded in late April.
Based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the sailor is a member of the Navy’s hospital corps. According to a U.S. official, the sailor tried to access the database on February 23 but did not retrieve the correct “Joe Biden.”
Navy Commander Tim Hawkins assured CBS News that the MHS Genesis system remained secure and that the president’s personal information was never compromised.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service began an investigation on February 26 after a co-worker reported the incident.
The sailor admitted to searching for the president’s name out of curiosity, CBS News has reported.
Two Georgia firefighters, Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, who had been reported missing, were tragically found dead in Cocke County, Tennessee, according to the Hinesville Police Department.
Anderson’s car was also located in Tennessee. Anderson was last seen on June 25 at Liberty County Fire Services Station #1 in Midway, Georgia, accompanied by Kuhbander, who was reported missing in Liberty County as well.
Kuhbander’s vehicle was found in Savannah, and Anderson’s vehicle was initially seen in Richmond Hill before being discovered in Tennessee.
Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the discovery of their bodies or the events leading to their deaths, 11 Alive has reported.
JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley announced significant increases in dividend payouts and share repurchases.
JPMorgan, the largest U.S. bank by assets, raised its quarterly dividend by 8.7% to $1.25 per share and authorized a new $30 billion share repurchase program.
Morgan Stanley increased its dividend by 8.8% to 92.5 cents per share and approved a $20 billion repurchase plan.
In contrast, Citigroup and Bank of America made more modest announcements, with Citigroup raising its dividend by 5.7% to 56 cents per share and Bank of America increasing its dividend by 8% to 26 cents per share, without mentioning share repurchases.
These actions followed the banks’ successful completion of the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test, which confirmed their ability to withstand a severe recession, CNBC has reported.
President Vladimir Putin has vowed to retaliate against the West for providing Ukraine with long-term missiles and a £40 billion loan using frozen Russian assets.
On June 5, the state-of-the-art Yasen-class submarine Kazan was detected by an RAF Poseidon P8 anti-submarine aircraft, which deployed sonar buoys to track subsurface activity.
The submarine was monitored as it traveled along the west coast of Ireland to Scotland, nearing Britain’s nuclear naval base at Faslane.
Military commanders were concerned that the 13,800-tonne vessel might be probing for weaknesses on NATO’s perimeter.
This information was reported to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, with both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary being informed, the Express has reported.
In an incident captured on newly released body camera footage, a Florida deputy is observed firing multiple rounds at his patrol vehicle after mistakenly interpreting the sound of an acorn hitting the car’s roof as a muted gunshot.
The video is part of an investigation conducted by the sheriff’s office, revealing the dramatic moments in November 2023 when the deputy discharged his weapon while a handcuffed suspect was situated inside the patrol vehicle.
“I’m hit! I’m hit!” the deputy, Jesse Hernandez, can be heard yelling, though no one was shooting at him.
As he fell to the ground, Hernandez shouted “Shots fired!” on four occasions, as depicted in the video and detailed in an internal investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards.
Subsequently, he discharged his weapon at the patrol vehicle, ABC News reported.
Alaska is currently facing an unprecedented “pandemic of snow” during the winter, with a record-breaking snowfall of over 8.5 feet.
The excessive snow accumulation has led to roof collapses and residents having to excavate their homes from beneath the heavy snow.
Authorities in Anchorage are advising citizens to clear snow off their roofs to prevent collapses, similar to incidents that have occurred with some municipal buildings.
In just one weekend, over 16 inches of snow fell, propelling Alaska’s largest city beyond the 100-inch mark at a pace faster than ever recorded.
With a considerable portion of winter still ahead, Anchorage is on course to surpass its all-time record of 134.5 inches of snowfall, the Mirror reported.
This week, an asteroid the size of a sports stadium is hurtling toward Earth and will be accompanied by four other celestial near-misses, with the largest anticipated to pass within less than 2 million miles of our planet on Friday.
NASA reports that Asteroid 2008 OS7 measures approximately 890 feet in diameter and is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 2.
Discovered in 2008, this space rock is projected to miss us by a distance of 1.77 million miles.
While there is no risk of impact, its proximity is close enough to earn a spot on NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Asteroid Watch website, which monitors the next five asteroid approaches.
The near miss of 2008 OS7 will conclude a week featuring several other asteroids passing uncomfortably close to Earth.
On Sunday, 2024 AU4, a “building-size” asteroid with a diameter of about 260 feet, is set to miss Earth by approximately 3.92 million miles at its closest point.
Next on Tuesday, the “airplane-size” asteroid, 2007 EG, will pass a bit closer, with an anticipated distance of approximately 3.8 million miles, the New York Post reported.
Kimberlee Singler, a Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her young children and injuring a third, appeared in court for an initial hearing in London on Monday, where she was arrested over the weekend.
After her appearance in Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 35-year-old Singler was held in custody.
A hearing is scheduled for January 29 to determine whether she should be extradited to the United States to face charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse, and one count of assault.
Singler came under suspicion as Colorado police were about to arrest her in connection with the deaths of her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, who were discovered slain on December 19 during what was initially reported as a burglary, the Associated Press reported.
The City of Tempe is preparing to resume its redevelopment efforts on a segment of Eighth Street that had been halted a few years ago due to a significant archaeological find.
Over the past few years, the city had been engaged in enhancing the section of Eighth Street stretching between Rural Road and McClintock Drive.
However, the project was temporarily suspended after archaeological excavations conducted at the site in 2018 unveiled remnants of a Native American community dating back more than a millennium, 12News NBC reported.
Once again, another tourist has chosen to deface the Colosseum, disregarding its historical significance.
In an unfortunate incident, a Swiss girl has been reported to have carved her initials into the iconic amphitheater, following the recent incident where another tourist engraved his and his fiancée’s names onto the ancient landmark.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation after David Battaglino, an Italian tour guide, captured video footage of the incident, the New York Post reported.
The video, shared on Twitter by Italian news agency ANSA, reveals the blond girl, whose face is blurred, utilizing an object to carve the letter “N” into the wall. As the attention surrounding the act intensifies, she retreats.
On Friday, former President Donald Trump delivered a speech to thousands of attendees at an arena in the western part of Iowa, marking his largest campaign event in the state in nearly four months.
During his appearance in Council Bluffs, Trump took aim at his main GOP competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for his opposition to the federal mandate for ethanol, a renewable fuel additive in which Iowa is a leading producer.
“I’m proud to be the most pro-farmer president that you’ve ever had,” Trump declared, emphasizing his administration’s agricultural record and highlighting his efforts in reducing regulations on farmers.
He also mentioned his strong support for Iowa ethanol, claiming to have fought for it like no other president in history, the Associated Press has reported.
JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s largest bank, has accused the wife of a former governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cecile de Jongh, of aiding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in evading sex offender monitoring laws and facilitating various aspects of his alleged criminal activities.
According to court documents filed on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, de Jongh served as Epstein’s “primary conduit” for distributing money and influence within the USVI government.
The financial institution claimed that Epstein maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with the highest-ranking officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands for approximately two decades, NBC News reported.
Large pet emu runs loose through the streets south of Boston, Massachusetts
A large pet bird that is normally native to Australia caused a ruckus south of Boston, Massachusetts, after escaping from her home, the Associated Press reported.
The bird is an emu. It's the second-tallest bird on Earth after the ostrich, its close relative. The flightless bird apparently managed to get loose on Thursday night in East Bridgewater — and led police on a chase through Brockton, WCVB-TV reported.
East Bridgewater is about 25 miles south of Boston. Surveillance video showed the emu strolling through an intersection in Brockton, which is about 20 miles south of Boston.
A different video posted on social media then showed her running alongside a car, various outlets reported. The bird’s owner, Lee Flaherty, told the television station that a wild animal likely caused the emu to jump over a 6-foot (2-meter) high fence and take off.
The pet bird — named Mallory — eventually was subdued in a parking lot by Flaherty, police and a bystander, the AP reported.
Already dealing with flooded streets, residents of rain-battered Jackson, Mississippi, are now contending with little or no water pressure in their homes after the city's main water treatment facility failed Monday, leaving them without enough water to flush toilets or fight fires, Gov. Tate Reeves said. CNN reported.
Reeves said the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is also working to prepare an emergency order due to little or no water pressure in the city. KXAN reported.
The city water system has been plagued with problems for years, including tens of thousands of residents losing water between one and three weeks during a 2021 winter storm. Mississippi Today reported.
A fireball traveling at 42,000 miles per hour streaked across the night sky above Vermont on Sunday night, creating a spectacular light show.
The meteor "fragmented so violently," it shook buildings across the state and produced a loud boom, NASA said.
NASA said on Facebook that over 100 eyewitnesses reported details of the meteor in Vermont around 5:38 p.m.
It first appeared about 52 miles above Mount Mansfield State Forest, moving 33 miles through the upper atmosphere, before burning up 33 miles above Beach Hill, in Orleans County.
It said the space rock was likely a fragment of an asteroid.
It was so intense, it could be heard for miles, as it shook homes and cars.
The meteor's explosive passage through the atmosphere released the equivalent of 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of TNT, suggesting that the meteor was likely 10 pounds (4.5 kg) and 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, according to NASA Meteor Watch.
A judge on Thursday granted prosecutors’ request to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged in connection with George Floyd’s death.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill added the charge after Minnesota’s Supreme Court denied an appeal from Chauvin Wednesday. Cahill had earlier rejected the charge as not warranted by the circumstances of Floyd’s death, but an appellate court ruling in an unrelated case established new grounds for it.
Chauvin already faced second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.