Stories from United States

A hiker in San Bernardino County discovered a human skull on Wednesday morning. Authorities have identified the remains as human, and investigations into the identity and cause of death are pending. The discovery occurred in the vicinity of Twentynine Palms. Unofficial reports indicate that two skulls were found at the site. It is currently unclear whether the discovery represents a single burial or a mass grave.

NASA is preparing facilities at Kennedy Space Center for the upcoming launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The launch is expected to take place as early as September via a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. This mission aims to expand astronomical observations of the deep universe. The telescope is equipped with solar panels and wide-angle lenses. It is designed to observe tens of thousands of new planets and thousands of supernovae. The telescope is equipped with infrared thermal imaging technology to detect light from celestial bodies billions of years old. Data from the mission will be integrated with existing datasets from the James Webb Space Telescope.

A Department of Justice watchdog has launched a review into how the agency is complying with laws regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. The investigation aims to ensure transparency and adherence to legal mandates. This follows ongoing scrutiny regarding the handling of sensitive documents related to the late financier. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on May 29th. Members of the panel confirmed the development on X today.

A vehicle collided with a residence in Sacramento on Thursday afternoon. The impact caused significant damage to the home's garage and a gas meter. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

AI company Anthropic has expanded its Claude assistant by adding personal app connectors for services including Spotify, Uber Eats, Instacart, and TurboTax. This move aims to position Claude as a central AI operating system by allowing direct interaction with user data across various platforms. The update follows similar integration steps taken by competitors like ChatGPT. Anthropic's Claude AI can now connect directly to Adobe Photoshop, Blender, and Ableton.

The Geneva Area City School Board has officially selected a construction manager for a new athletic facility. While the approval marks a significant step for the project, no specific start date for the construction work has been established. The facility is intended to serve the local student population in Geneva. A municipal initiative to create a complete cycling network in Geneva was accepted by 82% of voters. The project will reduce space available for motorists on certain sections to increase cyclist safety. Some residents expressed opposition, stating the plan narrows streets and eliminates parking spaces.

The US Senate voted 50-48 in the early morning hours to advance a $70 billion funding plan for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. This measure provides instructions for committees to draft legislation to fund ICE and Border Patrol with $70 billion over three and a half years. Both federal immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security have been shut down since February 14. Additionally, members are expected to vote on the 2026 Farm Bill regarding nutrition and agricultural surveillance authority. Legislative efforts to provide funding for US immigration enforcement agencies are gaining mainstream support within both the Democratic and Republican parties. Immigration enforcement funding is receiving mainstream support from both Democrats and Republicans in the US.

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 113-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets to take a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series. The win was achieved at their home arena, marking a significant momentum shift in the matchup. The series continues as both teams vie for advancement in the playoffs. NBA analysts noted that despite potential fines, the league is unlikely to bench star players for playoff games. Star player Anthony Edwards and Dante Givincenzo are ruled out for the remainder of the current playoff series. This loss impacts their performance for the rest of the playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets with a 109-98 home win in Game 6. The Philadelphia 76ers secured a Game 7 against the Boston Celtics following a 106-93 victory at home. The Minnesota Wild and another team advanced in the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.

The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards winners were announced during the RSA Conference, highlighting a major industry shift toward AI-driven security solutions. The focus on AI indicates that automated threat detection and mitigation are now the primary priorities for security professionals. The awards recognized various achievements in the cybersecurity sector.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has released its fiscal 2027 national security and State Department funding bill. The legislation includes a provision to set aside $500 million specifically for military aid to Taiwan. This funding is part of the broader national security budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The US House Appropriations Committee voted on April 28 to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The US House has proposed $500 million, approximately 15.7 billion Taiwan dollars, in military financing aid for Taiwan. House committee approved a spending bill on Tuesday that allocates US$500 million for military assistance to Taiwan. The funding is part of a larger legislative package currently moving through the House. The decision follows legislative efforts to bolster regional defense capabilities.