Massive Mushroom Cloud 'Test' Blast Rattles Uninformed Residents Outside Jerusalem Late Saturday night, a massive explosion and a bright fireball illuminated the skies over Israel's Beit Shemesh, deeply rattling local residents and setting off rampant speculation in local media and online commentary. The area lies just 19 miles west of Jerusalem, close enough to be located within Jerusalem Distric...
Massive Mushroom Cloud 'Test' Blast Rattles Uninformed Residents Outside Jerusalem Late Saturday night, a massive explosion and a bright fireball illuminated the skies over Israel's Beit Shemesh, deeply rattling local residents and setting off rampant speculation in local media and online commentary. The area lies just 19 miles west of Jerusalem, close enough to be located within Jerusalem District. Curiously, the state-owned Tomer rocket propulsion defense ministry-linked firm subsequently sought clarify that the blast was actually a controlled , pre-planned test and that authorities were notified in advance. However, community members have complained about receiving absolutely no warning , and were shocked at the immensity of the blast which lit up the night sky, visible for many miles. Tensions were already running high in the city which had been struck multiple times by Iranian missiles during the recent war. The sudden detonation fueled widespread anxiety and anger among residents already on edge, bracing for the potential renew of the Iran war and thus Iranian ballistic missile attacks. Times of Israel has cited Channel 12, saying that "the test involved propellants for rockets, including those with a range of thousands of kilometers . " The same report interestingly called it "apocalyptic" in appearance but suggested this was misleading : On Sunday, Kan reported that in the wake of the panic caused by the blast, a meeting was held at Tomer during which it was decided, in coordination with the Defense Ministry, to warn the public ahead of similar tests. Tomer sources told the broadcaster that due to operational needs, the company is conducting testing at all hours , including during the night. According to Kan, the company recently hired dozens of new employees, and the test was scheduled at night due to production constraints. Sources said it was carried out five kilometers from any population areas and that weather conditions had made the blast appear more "...
Excluding capital would be ‘missed opportunity’, says Sadiq Khan, given existing assets and ‘world-class infrastructure’ The mayor of London has criticised plans to explore a bid for the north of England to host the Olympics, saying that excluding London would be a “missed opportunity”. Ministers have commissioned an assessment by UK Sport which could inform a bid for the international sporting ev...
Excluding capital would be ‘missed opportunity’, says Sadiq Khan, given existing assets and ‘world-class infrastructure’ The mayor of London has criticised plans to explore a bid for the north of England to host the Olympics, saying that excluding London would be a “missed opportunity”. Ministers have commissioned an assessment by UK Sport which could inform a bid for the international sporting event in the 2040s. If the campaign were successful, it would be the first time the Olympic Games and Paralympics were hosted in Britain since London 2012. Continue reading...
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivered the commencement address at the University of Arizona on Friday. And, as his speech veered into talk of AI, he was repeatedly drowned out by boos. AI is already a contentious topic, and it's not surprising that those about to enter a ravaged job market feel particularly negative about it. Schmidt acknowledged the anxiety, according to Business Insider , say...
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivered the commencement address at the University of Arizona on Friday. And, as his speech veered into talk of AI, he was repeatedly drowned out by boos. AI is already a contentious topic, and it's not surprising that those about to enter a ravaged job market feel particularly negative about it. Schmidt acknowledged the anxiety, according to Business Insider , saying fears "that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics are fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create," were "rational." But Schmidt's frustration was also palpa … Read the full story at The Verge.
German police shot dead a tiger that escaped from a private facility near the eastern city of Leipzig, with a 73-year-old man seriously injured in the incident, authorities said on Sunday. Police said the man was inside the enclosure when the animal broke free in Schkeuditz, on the outskirts of Leipzig. He was described as a volunteer authorised to be on the premises and was taken to hospital with...
German police shot dead a tiger that escaped from a private facility near the eastern city of Leipzig, with a 73-year-old man seriously injured in the incident, authorities said on Sunday. Police said the man was inside the enclosure when the animal broke free in Schkeuditz, on the outskirts of Leipzig. He was described as a volunteer authorised to be on the premises and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. “The tiger left its enclosure. It was then found by police officers near a garden...
In one of the more head-scratching moves this earnings season, Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) shares sank despite the coffee shop operator turning in another stellar quarter. As of this writing, the stock is down about 13% year to date. Let's take a closer look at its results and prospects, and at why I think Dutch Bros could be a great long-term stock buy. Image source: The Motley Fool. Continue reading
In one of the more head-scratching moves this earnings season, Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) shares sank despite the coffee shop operator turning in another stellar quarter. As of this writing, the stock is down about 13% year to date. Let's take a closer look at its results and prospects, and at why I think Dutch Bros could be a great long-term stock buy. Image source: The Motley Fool. Continue reading
DNY59 The U.S. government has crossed a symbolic fiscal threshold, with federal debt held by the public now exceeding 100% of gross domestic product, yet lawmakers in Washington appear largely unfazed as they continue pushing for higher spending on defense and immigration enforcement, the Dealbook column of the New York Times reported Saturday. The milestone has reignited warnings from budget watc...
DNY59 The U.S. government has crossed a symbolic fiscal threshold, with federal debt held by the public now exceeding 100% of gross domestic product, yet lawmakers in Washington appear largely unfazed as they continue pushing for higher spending on defense and immigration enforcement, the Dealbook column of the New York Times reported Saturday. The milestone has reignited warnings from budget watchdogs and economists who argue the nation’s debt trajectory is becoming increasingly unsustainable. But unlike past periods of fiscal panic, the latest debt surge has produced more shrugs than shockwaves in Washington. For investors, the bigger concern may not be the symbolic 100% figure itself, but the possibility that rising deficits and higher interest rates could keep pushing Treasury yields upward. That risks lifting borrowing costs across the economy, pressuring equities, housing and corporate investment while making government interest payments an even larger burden on future budgets. Economists say the debt buildup stems from years of crisis spending tied to the 2008 financial meltdown and the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with an aging population, repeated tax cuts and rapidly growing interest expenses. Unlike the post-World War II era, when strong economic growth and inflation helped reduce the debt burden, current projections show the ratio continuing to climb for decades. The Congressional Budget Office estimates publicly held debt could reach 175% of GDP by 2056. At the same time, financing that debt is becoming more expensive. Thirty-year Treasury yields recently climbed above 5%, their highest level since 2007, as investors demand greater compensation to hold long-dated government bonds. Some economists warn the rising interest burden could eventually crowd out private investment and reduce the government’s flexibility during future crises. Others note that countries such as Japan have operated with even higher debt loads, though the U.S. relies more heavily on...
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images Entertainment Lionsgate’s ( LION ) “Michael” returned to the top spot at the domestic box office in its fourth weekend, helping theaters generate an estimated $106 million in ticket sales for the May 15-17 frame, according to Comscore. Year-to-date domestic ticket sales reached about $3.18 billion, up 16.15% from the same period a year earlier. The Michael Jackson biop...
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images Entertainment Lionsgate’s ( LION ) “Michael” returned to the top spot at the domestic box office in its fourth weekend, helping theaters generate an estimated $106 million in ticket sales for the May 15-17 frame, according to Comscore. Year-to-date domestic ticket sales reached about $3.18 billion, up 16.15% from the same period a year earlier. The Michael Jackson biopic grossed an estimated $26.1 million domestically, down 31% from the previous weekend, bringing its North American total to nearly $283 million. Worldwide ticket sales climbed to about $704 million, underscoring continued audience demand for music-driven event films. The weekend also showed strength for established franchises and nostalgia plays. Disney’s ( DIS ) “The Devil Wears Prada 2” held the No. 2 position with $18 million in its third weekend, while Paramount’s ( PSKY ) 40th anniversary re-release of “Top Gun” landed in the top 10 with $3.1 million domestically and nearly $10 million worldwide. For investors, the results suggest theatrical attendance remains resilient despite concerns about streaming competition and consumer spending pressures. Legacy intellectual property, recognizable franchises and nostalgia-driven releases continue to draw audiences, helping studios generate stronger year-over-year box office momentum heading into the summer season. Focus Features’ horror film “Obsession” debuted at No. 3 with $16.1 million from 2,615 theaters, marking one of the stronger openings for an original horror title this year. Warner Bros.’ ( WBD ) “Mortal Kombat II” added $13.4 million in its second weekend, surpassing $100 million globally. Amazon MGM Studios ( AMZN ) placed two films in the top 10. “The Sheep Detectives” earned $9.3 million in its second weekend, while “Is God Is” opened with $2.2 million. Black Bear’s Guy Ritchie-directed thriller “In The Grey,” starring Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal, debuted with $3 million. IMAX ( IMAX ) also benefited from th...
Bulgaria’s first-ever win in European song contest delivers ray of hope at turbulent time after years of political instability Bulgarians have rejoiced in their country’s first victory at the Eurovision song contest as fans welcomed home the singer whose party anthem Bangaranga proved an unexpected breakthrough hit. “Dara is yet more proof that Bulgaria can win,” declared the new prime minister, R...
Bulgaria’s first-ever win in European song contest delivers ray of hope at turbulent time after years of political instability Bulgarians have rejoiced in their country’s first victory at the Eurovision song contest as fans welcomed home the singer whose party anthem Bangaranga proved an unexpected breakthrough hit. “Dara is yet more proof that Bulgaria can win,” declared the new prime minister, Rumen Radev, of Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, known simply as Dara. He hailed “a young artist who, thanks to her talent and professionalism, has managed to rise above all the complexities and prejudices surrounding the [Eurovision] voting process”. Continue reading...
Markets face a reasonably quiet week, but it will be dominated by Wednesday's Nvidia (NVDA) earnings and Alphabet's two-day developer conference, creating a critical test for AI infrastructure investment sustainability and technology sector leadership.
Markets face a reasonably quiet week, but it will be dominated by Wednesday's Nvidia (NVDA) earnings and Alphabet's two-day developer conference, creating a critical test for AI infrastructure investment sustainability and technology sector leadership.
Many seniors can expect lower tax bills over the next few years, thanks to the enhanced senior tax deduction included in President Donald Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill. It's worth up to $6,000 for qualifying single adults or up to $12,000 for qualifying married couples, and it stacks up with your standard deduction and the existing senior tax deduction. The extra savings could be especially helpful ...
Many seniors can expect lower tax bills over the next few years, thanks to the enhanced senior tax deduction included in President Donald Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill. It's worth up to $6,000 for qualifying single adults or up to $12,000 for qualifying married couples, and it stacks up with your standard deduction and the existing senior tax deduction. The extra savings could be especially helpful as rising inflation threatens to drive up living expenses and retiree spending. But several seniors will not be able to take advantage of this deduction in 2026. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading