NASA’s Curiosity Rover Captures ‘Coral’ Rock on Mars, Hinting at Ancient Water

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NASA’s Curiosity rover has uncovered yet another fascinating clue about Mars’ watery past — a small, coral-like rock that may offer more evidence that the Red Planet once supported conditions for life.

The rock, about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide and light in color, was discovered in the Gale Crater, a massive impact basin that has been a focal point of Curiosity’s decade-long mission. Captured by the rover’s Remote Micro Imager, the object bears an uncanny resemblance to coral found on Earth.

While striking, this isn’t the first time Curiosity has spotted such formations. According to NASA, these unusual shapes were created billions of years ago when liquid water still flowed across Mars. Water carried dissolved minerals into cracks in the rock, and as it evaporated, those minerals hardened into distinctive patterns. This process, common on Earth, has also produced other spectacular Martian features — including a flower-shaped rock captured in earlier missions.

“These findings remind us that Mars was once a planet of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans,” NASA explained. “Although its surface water disappeared long ago, the minerals left behind tell a clear story of a world that was once much wetter.”

This summer, Curiosity also documented another intriguing geological phenomenon in the Gale Crater — intricate ridge networks nicknamed “spiderwebs” due to their insect-like patterns. These structures, like the coral rock, formed when water persisted underground even as the surface dried. Over time, Martian winds eroded the softer rock, revealing the hardened mineral ridges we see today.

“The images and data being collected are already raising new questions about how the Martian surface evolved over billions of years,” NASA said. “Remarkably, even as Mars transitioned into the cold desert we know now, water continued to shape its landscape beneath the surface.”

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Trump Signs Executive Order Cracking Down on ‘Debanking’: ‘Incompatible with a Free Society’

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President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at preventing banks from refusing to offer financial services to people based on their political beliefs or lawful business activities – a practice known as “debanking.”

“It is the policy of the United States that no American should be denied access to financial services because of their constitutionally or statutorily protected beliefs, affiliations, or political views, and to ensure that politicized or unlawful debanking is not used as a tool to inhibit such beliefs, affiliations, or political views,” Trump wrote in his order.

“Banking decisions must instead be made on the basis of individualized, objective, and risk-based analyses,” he added.

Earlier this week, Trump accused JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America of rejecting more than $1 billion of his deposits for political reasons.

“The banks discriminated against me very badly,” he told CNBC on Tuesday.

Former Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback recently alleged he was “debanked” by JPMorgan over his conservative religious views – a claim the bank denied. (Read more from “Trump Signs Executive Order Cracking Down on ‘Debanking’: ‘Incompatible with a Free Society’” HERE)

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Arizona Lawmaker Could Face Charges After Tipping Off Illegals To ICE Presence

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Arizona Republican lawmakers are calling for a federal investigation into a leftist state senator who tipped off her community about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. It’s the latest case of a left-winger spouting incendiary rhetoric about ICE, a federal agency that has seen an 830 percent increase in assaults.

Arizona State Sen. Analise Ortiz shot back at a LibsOfTiktok post accusing the Phoenix Democrat of “actively impeding and doxxing” immigration enforcement officials. The far-left lawmaker has posted alerts from local groups sharing locations of ICE agents attempting to apprehend illegal immigrants. The LibsOfTiktok post, which copied ICE Director Tom Homan and the Department of Homeland Security, urged federal officials to charge Ortiz.

Ortiz defiantly responded, “Yep. When ICE is around, I will alert my community to stay out of the area, and I’m not f***king scared of you nor Trump’s masked goons,” the lawmaker wrote.

As of Wednesday evening, the post had received 10.7 million views. Among those watching was Arizona state Senate President Warren Petersen, who called Ortiz’s comments “deeply troubling.” (Read more from “Arizona Lawmaker Could Face Charges After Tipping Off Illegals To ICE Presence” HERE)

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Trump Admin Poised To Ditch Biden-Era Taxpayer-Funded Abortion For Veterans

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The Trump administration advanced its goal to eliminate taxpayer-funded abortion this week when it proposed ditching a Biden administration-era rule that forced taxpayers to subsidize veterans’ abortions.

One of President Donald Trump’s first actions in his second term was prohibiting Americans’ hard-earned dollars from going to organizations that lobby for, perform, or encourage abortions in other countries. The reinstatement of President Ronald Reagan’s Mexico City Policy brought the U.S. back up to speed with Americans’ majority opposition to taxpayer-funded abortions — especially overseas.

Now, six months into the Trump administration’s return, the Department of Veteran Affairs proposed a rule to rescind a 2022 policy that lumped abortions and “abortion counseling” into veterans’ taxpayer-funded medical benefits package.

“We believe the 2022 interim final rule was not only inappropriate as a matter of fact but also was legally questionable,” the August 4th notice posted to the federal register states.

As the proposed rule notes, “the regulatory determination that abortion is not a ‘needed’ service for veterans was accepted by every Secretary and Presidential administration for over 20 years.” It wasn’t until the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson ruling in 2022 that the Biden administration saw an opportunity to advance its abortion agenda through the VA. (Read more from “Trump Admin Poised To Ditch Biden-Era Taxpayer-Funded Abortion For Veterans” HERE)

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Internal Records Reveal Uber Faced Over 400,000 Sexual Misconduct Reports in Five-Year Span

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Newly unsealed court documents have pulled back the curtain on the scale of sexual misconduct reports lodged against rideshare giant Uber, raising renewed concerns about safety for passengers—particularly women—who rely on the app for late-night travel.

From 2017 to 2022, Uber received over 400,000 reports of sexual assault or misconduct in the United States, according to information reviewed by the courts and whistleblower testimony. That equates to one reported incident every eight minutes, on average, over a five-year period.

Despite publicly advertising itself as a safer alternative to traditional transportation, Uber has struggled behind the scenes with a persistent pattern of abuse claims. The company’s internal safety research reveals that such incidents are most likely to occur on weekends and late at night, often involving rides requested near nightlife venues. Women are disproportionately the victims—whether passengers or drivers—and the alleged perpetrators are typically male.

Internal teams at Uber, including data scientists and safety officers, reportedly flagged these patterns years ago. However, former employees claim the company failed to adequately inform users of these risk factors, choosing instead to focus on marketing and expanding its customer base.

“There were tools we knew would reduce harm,” one former staffer said, “but implementing them across the platform would have clashed with growth goals.”

Proposed safety features—such as in-car cameras and the ability for women to request female drivers—were piloted but not made mandatory. According to internal presentations, Uber had even developed algorithmic models aimed at predicting ride pairings likely to result in misconduct, but the models lacked sufficient accuracy.

Cameras were seen internally as a more promising solution, with experts noting that even the presence of a visible camera (active or not) could deter inappropriate behavior. However, the initiative was shelved amid concerns it would undermine the company’s contractor-based business model and alienate drivers.

Hannah Nilles, Uber’s head of safety for the Americas, acknowledged the 400,000+ reports but downplayed their severity, claiming about 75% were categorized as “less serious,” including inappropriate comments or lewd language. She also raised the possibility that some reports were made dishonestly to secure fare refunds, though admitted Uber had not yet fully audited the data.

Critics argue such framing ignores the emotional impact of unwanted sexual behavior and fails to reckon with the probable underreporting by victims. Fear of retaliation, social stigma, or simply not being believed—especially when a driver knows where a passenger lives—are all powerful deterrents to reporting.

As litigation moves forward and more internal documents become public, legal and advocacy groups are demanding systemic change at Uber and within the rideshare industry. Many are calling for increased transparency, stronger oversight of drivers, and a reassessment of the contractor model that has shielded the company from responsibility.

Some 150+ organizations, including legal experts and women’s rights advocates, have urged Uber to adopt mandatory in-vehicle safety protocols, greater passenger-driver matching controls, and robust third-party safety audits.

Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Semiconductors Made Outside the U.S. in Potential Blow to Domestic Businesses

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President Trump announced plans Wednesday for a 100% tariff on “all chips and semiconductors” — insisting that there would be an orderly economic transition despite potential major impacts on US businesses.

“We’ll be putting a tariff, approximately 100%, on chips and semiconductors,” Trump said at an Oval Office event with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who arrived to announce plans for $600 billion in new investments in the US.

Trump said he would exempt companies that have plans to transition their manufacturing to the US — a hint that the world’s largest chip manufacturer, Taiwan’s TSMC, which is building massive manufacturing plants in Arizona, would be spared.

“If you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge, even though you’re building and you’re not producing yet in terms of the big numbers of jobs and all of the things that you’re building. If you’re building there will be no charge,” Trump said.

“So 100% tariff on all chips and semiconductors coming into the United States. But if you’ve made a commitment to build, or if you’re in the process of building, as many are, there is no tariff.” (Read more from “Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Semiconductors Made Outside the U.S. in Potential Blow to Domestic Businesses” HERE)

Bill Clinton Subpoenaed Over Epstein Ties as House Investigation Expands

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Former President Bill Clinton’s long-rumored ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein are once again in the spotlight, as the House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to both Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about their alleged connections to Epstein and his network.

The renewed congressional interest stems from years of reporting, flight logs, and witness accounts linking Clinton to Epstein’s social circle. Central to this scrutiny is Clinton’s participation in a 2002 trip to Africa aboard Epstein’s now-infamous private jet — a plane later dubbed the “Lolita Express.” The journey, which was intended to promote Clinton’s AIDS relief initiative, also included actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. However, it’s the company on board — including Epstein’s young female staff — that has fueled speculation for years.

Actor Kevin Spacey later expressed concern about the presence of young women on those flights, telling British media in 2023 that he believed Epstein placed the former president “at risk.”

A photo from that trip, widely circulated in later years, shows Clinton receiving a shoulder massage from a 22-year-old massage therapist reportedly employed by Epstein. While the image raised eyebrows, Clinton has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes or participation in any wrongdoing.

Despite public denials, Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency. Epstein also made at least one known visit to Clinton’s Harlem office in 2002 and donated to both Bill and Hillary Clinton’s political campaigns.

The House Oversight Committee’s subpoena letter to Hillary Clinton referenced what it called a potentially “close relationship” between the Clintons and both Epstein and Maxwell. Hillary has been requested to give sworn testimony in early October; Bill’s deposition is scheduled for just days later.

According to publicly available flight logs, Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet at least 26 times — occasionally without the presence of his Secret Service detail, which was a breach of standard protocol for former presidents. One of Clinton’s former aides, Doug Band, claimed he tried to keep Epstein at arm’s length but that the former president continued to engage socially with him, including a reported 2003 visit to Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean. Clinton has denied ever setting foot on the island.

That denial has been challenged by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most well-known accusers, who claimed in a fictionalized memoir — filed as evidence in legal proceedings — that she saw Clinton dining on the island with two young women. Clinton has never been charged with any crime in connection to Epstein and has denied all accusations of impropriety.

Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained a network of elite connections around the world. Among the revelations discovered in his New York townhouse after his death was a large painting of Clinton in a blue dress, similar to the one worn by Monica Lewinsky during Clinton’s White House scandal — a bizarre detail that further fueled conspiracy theories about Epstein’s relationships with political power players.

Clinton’s spokesperson has maintained that the former president had cut ties with Epstein long before his first arrest in 2007 and reiterated in 2019 that he “knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes.”However, questions about the nature of Clinton’s ties to Epstein continue to mount. Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s trafficking operation, is believed to have provided a list of over 100 names to federal authorities — possibly shedding new light on the scope of Epstein’s reach. Maxwell had also attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010, years after the public first began questioning her relationship with Epstein.

The upcoming House hearings are expected to feature high-profile testimony, beginning with former Attorney General William Barr on August 18. Whether the Clintons’ depositions will provide clarity or deepen the controversy remains to be seen.

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Fort Stewart Soldiers Hailed as Heroes After Halting Base Shooting

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A mass shooting at Georgia’s Fort Stewart military installation was brought to a swift end on Wednesday thanks to the courageous actions of several soldiers who tackled the suspected gunman moments after he opened fire.

The alleged shooter, identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford, reportedly used a personal handgun in the attack, which left five fellow soldiers wounded — three of whom required surgery. All injured personnel are currently in stable condition and are expected to recover.

Brigadier General John Lubas, speaking to reporters during a press briefing, credited the rapid response of servicemembers who witnessed the shooting.

“Soldiers who witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the shooter so he could be brought into custody,” Lubas stated. “Their actions prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome.”

The shooting occurred at Radford’s workplace within the base and involved his coworkers, according to Lubas. Authorities have not yet released a motive, though Radford is being interviewed by Army investigators.

Radford, who serves as an Automated Logistics Sergeant with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had no known combat deployments or disciplinary history prior to the incident. Officials are investigating how he managed to bring a firearm into a secured area.

“We’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty,” Lubas said, adding that base leadership remains confident in the installation’s overall security measures.

A potential DUI charge from May has surfaced during the investigation, though Lubas noted that this information only came to light during post-incident background checks and was not previously known to Radford’s chain of command.

Radford is currently in pre-trial confinement, and the case has been referred to the Office of Special Trial Counsel, which is expected to determine formal charges in the coming days.

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Former DOGE Staffer “Big Balls” Beaten Bloody in DC Carjacking Attempt by Juvenile Mob

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A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer was left bloodied and concussed after a brutal attempted carjacking by a group of 10 juveniles early Sunday in one of the busiest areas of the nation’s capital, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software specialist known by former colleagues as “Big Balls” — a nickname born from his bold LinkedIn tagline — was reportedly out with a female companion near downtown D.C. when the group of teens approached their parked car and made comments about stealing it.

Sensing danger, Coristine pushed his companion into the vehicle and confronted the group alone, according to a police report obtained by The New York Post.

“The gang tried to open the closed doors and slammed [Coristine] against the car extremely loudly while attacking him,” a source told reporters. His companion dialed 911 from inside the car as he was being beaten.

Police officers on patrol in the 1400 block of Swann Street NW — a well-trafficked area near Dupont Circle, about a mile north of the White House — witnessed the attack in progress and immediately intervened. The mob scattered, but two suspects — a 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female from Hyattsville, Maryland — were caught and later identified by Coristine as his assailants. Both were charged with unarmed carjacking.

Coristine, who had his iPhone 16 stolen during the attack, sustained a broken nose, black eye, and concussion, and was treated at the scene by DC Fire and EMS personnel. He is reportedly recovering, according to a source close to the family.

The image of Coristine’s battered face quickly gained national attention after former President Donald Trump shared it Tuesday on Truth Social, calling the attack “disgraceful” and blaming local leadership for the spike in urban crime.

“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote, threatening a federal takeover of the District if city officials “continue to fail to protect citizens and visitors.”

Marko Elez, a former DOGE colleague of Coristine’s, claimed he took the now-viral photo shortly after the attack and praised Coristine’s bravery.

“My friend Big Balls … is a hero,” Elez wrote. “He protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by 8 thugs near Dupont Circle. Violence like this in the heart of DC is completely unacceptable.”

Elon Musk, who previously led DOGE before resigning in May, also weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), denouncing the attack — though he did not name Coristine directly.

Coristine left DOGE in June 2025, shortly after Musk’s exit. He had become a standout among the agency’s younger staffers, with his bold approach to government tech reform and larger-than-life personality.

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Sicko Arrested for Trading Child Porn with Ousted Republican

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An Oklahoma man was arrested for allegedly swapping child pornography with disgraced South Carolina state Rep. Robert “RJ” May over a month after the former lawmaker was booked.

Christian Soto, who has a lengthy criminal record including threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, was arrested in connection with the FBI’s probe into May’s online exchanges of more than 220 graphic files of child pornography.

Now, Soto faces additional federal charges including receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and prohibited possession of ammunition.

May (R-Lexington), a 38-year-old father of two, was arrested at his home in June after authorities found he used the online handle “joebidennnn69” to trade explicit content of young children and toddlers engaging in sex acts over five days last spring.

The three-term representative allegedly requested content of “bad moms” from Soto, who operated under the more stereotypical degenerate handle “randomcouplehere,” according to court documents obtained by KOCO. (Read more from “Sicko Arrested for Trading Child Porn with Ousted Republican” HERE)