Long Beach is a coastal, charter city in southeastern Los Angeles County with 451,307 residents (2022).
The Harvest Moon will be visible in UK skies this weekend as September’s full moon reaches its peak. The autumnal equinox has occurred, marking the start of astronomical autumn in the northern hemisphere. Forecasts suggest clearer skies in parts of southern England, with unsettled conditions possible elsewhere.
Trump-backed Julia Letlow has won the Louisiana Senate runoff, consolidating support for his slate in Republican primaries. The race highlights Trump’s continued influence while Democratic challengers eye a path to regain control of Congress.
A US broadcaster has apologized after describing Bosnia and Herzegovina in a way many viewers found insensitive during coverage of the World Cup. The incident prompted social media backlash from Bosnian fans and officials, with the station stating the remark was meant as lighthearted but inappropriate. The US and Bosnia-Herzegovina are set to meet in San Francisco this Wednesday.
Ford has integrated Apple Maps directly into its universal electric vehicle platform, starting with a $30,000 midsize truck due in 2027. The move, part of Ford’s push for affordability and a simplified tech stack, will power navigation, EV routing, and battery preconditioning, with Latitude AI using map data for a next-gen hands-free system. Apple Maps runs natively in-vehicle, not via CarPlay, and aims to streamline features like home automation and fleet routing.
New York lawmakers propose a 10% self-checkout discount for shoppers at stores that also sell food. The bill, introduced in May, would require supermarkets to offer the discount, funded by saved labor costs. The measure is in early stages and would need committee votes before becoming law.
Hurricane Genevieve remains a Category 4 storm offshore in the East Pacific, with winds around 140-160 mph. It is weakening as it moves northwest, while swells are causing life-threatening surf along southern Baja California and the Mexican coast. Fausto has weakened toward a tropical storm and Hawaii monitors for impacts.
Zoox has received a temporary NHTSA exemption that allows it to charge fares for its purpose-built robotaxis and will start paid rides in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The company can deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years under enhanced federal oversight while state and local approvals remain required for expansion.
The Jones Act waiver has been narrowed and extended for 90 days, with case-by-case reviews for voyages. The extension aims to keep fuel moving amid Iran-related disruptions, as prices remain volatile and the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
A roundup of recent reports shows how debt, housing costs, and consumer spend patterns shape the US financial landscape. Redfin and Zillow data indicate ongoing affordability stress in housing, while consumer debt and money-management trends are highlighted by CNBC and independent outlets. The mix suggests a cautious, debt-aware economy.
California voters will decide Prop 40 in November. Billionaire wealth, tax politics, and business interests collide as wealthy residents consider plans that would impose a 5% one-time tax on net worth to fund healthcare, with heavy pushback from residents and business leaders.
The Army’s Janus program has selected five companies to develop microreactors, aiming to deliver reliable baseload power to installations and spur civilian adoption. Antares Nuclear leads the first deployment at Fort Bragg, with projects across Fort Drum and other sites; approvals and regulatory steps are being aligned to support rapid deployment.
Cities including Albuquerque, NM, and Portland, OR, are deploying a rest-in-red system that defaults signals to red until a vehicle meets speed checks, adding early greens for compliant drivers. Early results show slower speeds and fewer incidents on targeted corridors, with researchers cautioning more study is needed.
Finland is expanding its AI data-center infrastructure with Google investments and nuclear-backed power. The plan includes new data centers in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, expansion of Hamina, and a 22-year deal to buy up to half of output from the Loviisa nuclear plant, supporting low-carbon computing through 2050.