In an earnings call last night, United Airlines said it would add more “basic economy” fares in its bid to better compete with the new crop of low-cost carriers. The announcement sent the company’s stocks tumbling, but more distressingly, it will increase the likelihood that consumers will get lured in by the rock-bottom prices without […]
Category: Newsroom
Mind bender: shape of human brain evolved over time
An analysis of fossils including the oldest-known Homo sapiens specimen has revealed that brain shape in our species evolved over time to become less elongated and more globular, a change that appears to have accommodated key advances in its function. Scientists said on Wednesday they examined brain size and shape based on 20 Homo sapiens […]
The road ahead for Toys R Us likely includes even more store closures
Toys R Us is moving ahead with plans to shut roughly 20 percent of its U.S. stores, or 180 locations, and some say this is just the beginning. “We see this as the first phase of a more robust real estate clean up effort at TRU,” Jefferies analyst Stephanie Wissink said. “The move has been […]
When Will SpaceX Launch Falcon Heavy? Elon Musk Updates Twitter
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company’s new Falcon Heavy rocket would soon launch for the first time, after months of pushing back its debut liftoff. Musk shared photos on Twitter Jan. 24 of an engine test-fire, showing clouds of smoke unfurling from underneath the rocket. “Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good,” Musk […]
The Best Places to See the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse of Jan. 31
Skywatchers in Alaska, the Hawaiian islands and the western part of North America will have the best view of the rare “Super Blue Blood Moon” in the early morning of Jan. 31. This spectacular lunar event features the second full moon of the month, also known as a Blue Moon. The event will coincide with […]
Spacewalking Astronauts Shrug Off Glitch During Repair Job on Space Station
Two NASA astronauts embarked on a spacewalk today (Jan. 23) and successfully replaced a degraded robotic “hand” outside the International Space Station (ISS) despite a software glitch that left the team running behind schedule. Expedition 54 flight engineers Mark Vande Hei and Scott Tingle suited up early today and emerged from the Quest airlock at […]
Scientists say rash of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on ‘Ring of Fire’ not connected
Volcanic eruptions in Japan, the Philippines and Bali. Massive earthquakes in Alaska and Indonesia. The rash of natural disasters over the past two days have one common denominator: they all occurred along the so-called Ring of Fire, a sprawling horseshoe-shape geological disaster zone. At least five different events occurred on the Ring of Fire on […]
Earthquake Shakes Alaska and Sends a Shudder of Alarm Along the Coast
ANCHORAGE — The Alaskans, roused by a major earthquake and threatened by the specter of a tsunami, moved in the middle of the night. They shuffled into schools that had become evacuation centers. They parked their cars on higher ground at Safeway and Walmart stores. They rushed up Pillar Mountain. Then, mercifully, the big waves […]
End to government shutdown should limit impact on space operations
NASA and the U.S. Air Force are expected to return to normal operations Tuesday after lawmakers passed a budget bill Monday evening, ending a government funding lapse that threatened to cut off live television coverage of an International Space Station spacewalk and interrupt SpaceX launch operations in Florida and California. Astronauts Mark Vande Hei and […]
Did the economy grow 3% for a 3rd straight quarter?
The economy grew at better than a 3% annual pace in both the second and third quarters last year. Did it score a hat trick in the fourth quarter, taking another step toward President Trump’s promise of 3% growth for a full year (assuming his agenda is carried out)? Quite possibly, economist says. The week’s […]
Business leaders grow more confident about world economy, despite politics
DAVOS, Switzerland — Confidence levels at some of America’s largest corporations soared over the past year despite uncertainty created by President Trump’s election and the fractious geopolitical headlines his administration unleashed, according to a report published Monday on the eve of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. Professional services giant PwC’s annual CEO survey found […]
Congress clears bill to end shutdown
The House cleared legislation on Monday to end the three-day government shutdown, and the measure was later signed by President Trump. Lawmakers voted 266-150 to reopen the federal government and extend funding through Feb. 8, as well as provide money for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years. Six Republicans voted “no,” while […]