Technology

OpenAI warns people might become emotionally reliant on its ChatGPT voice mode

OpenAI has raised concerns that its new ChatGPT voice mode, which sounds human-like, could lead some users to become emotionally reliant on the technology. The company highlighted the risks associated with its lifelike audio capabilities, including the potential for people to form connections with the AI, reducing their need for human interaction. While this could help lonely individuals, it might also negatively impact healthy relationships. … Continue reading OpenAI warns people might become emotionally reliant on its ChatGPT voice mode

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Business

Bitcoin plunged 28%. Institutional investors bought the dip

The crypto markets are stabilizing after a turbulent week that tested institutional investors’ reactions to significant market swings, common in the digital currency space. A sell-off in bitcoin and ether earlier in the week wiped out $367 billion in value, but new investors showed resilience, with spot ether ETFs seeing net inflows of $120 million, particularly when prices were low. While bitcoin ETFs initially saw … Continue reading Bitcoin plunged 28%. Institutional investors bought the dip

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Business

Retailers rollout Halloween earlier-than-ever

Retailers are starting the Halloween season earlier than ever, stocking shelves with spooky items alongside back-to-school supplies, a trend dubbed “Summerween.” This early push, popularized by the show “Gravity Falls” and celebrated on TikTok, comes amid growing consumer financial stress, with rising credit card debt and shrinking savings. Despite this, Halloween spending remains strong, as consumers continue to splurge on seasonal goods, CNN has reported. … Continue reading Retailers rollout Halloween earlier-than-ever

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Business

Stocks Make Comeback at End of Dizzying Week

A late-week rebound in stocks led to the biggest back-to-back market gains of 2024, nearly erasing the S&P 500’s earlier losses from a volatile week. This brief period of stability contrasts with the recent turmoil in global markets, driven by concerns over the Federal Reserve’s response to weak economic data and uncertainty surrounding Japan’s policy decisions. Despite the recovery, the S&P 500 ended its fourth … Continue reading Stocks Make Comeback at End of Dizzying Week

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Politics

Judge OKs special counsel’s request for three-week delay in election-subversion case against Trump

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has approved a three-week delay in Donald Trump’s federal election case following a request from special counsel Jack Smith. This is the first time Smith has sought a delay in the case, where Trump is charged with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. The delay comes after the Supreme Court ruled that Trump has “absolute immunity” from some allegations, leaving … Continue reading Judge OKs special counsel’s request for three-week delay in election-subversion case against Trump

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Politics

Tim Walz ‘misspoke’ when he discussed using weapons ‘in war,’ campaign says

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz “misspoke” in a 2018 video where he discussed handling weapons “in war,” according to a statement from the Harris campaign on Friday. The clarification follows criticism from Republicans, including vice presidential candidate JD Vance, who questioned Walz’s military record. The Harris campaign emphasized that Walz did handle military weapons and strongly believes they should be restricted to trained military personnel, contrasting … Continue reading Tim Walz ‘misspoke’ when he discussed using weapons ‘in war,’ campaign says

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Politics

Fugitive Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont in Belgium after evading arrest

Fugitive Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont announced on Friday that he had returned to Belgium after briefly addressing supporters in Barcelona, sparking controversy over how he avoided arrest. Puigdemont, who fled Spain following a failed 2017 Catalan independence bid, defied an arrest warrant to reappear in Spain on Thursday, where he delivered a speech to thousands outside the Catalan parliament before vanishing into the crowd. … Continue reading Fugitive Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont in Belgium after evading arrest

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Politics

Maduro says he will block X in Venezuela for 10 days, after spat with Musk

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced plans to ban the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Venezuela for 10 days following a public dispute with its owner, Elon Musk, over the country’s contested election. Maduro accused Musk of inciting “hatred” and “civil war” after Musk criticized Maduro for alleged election fraud. The U.S. and other Western countries have rejected Maduro’s election victory, with U.S. Secretary … Continue reading Maduro says he will block X in Venezuela for 10 days, after spat with Musk

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Politics

Trump’s plane lands in Billings after reported mechanical issue

Former President Donald Trump’s plane made an unexpected landing in Billings, Montana, on Friday night due to a mechanical issue, according to the U.S. Secret Service. The issue was not related to security concerns. It is unclear if the plane was originally supposed to land in Billings or Bozeman, where Trump was scheduled for a fundraiser and rally. The Trump campaign has not commented on … Continue reading Trump’s plane lands in Billings after reported mechanical issue

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U.S. News

Smartmatic president, 2 other execs charged with bribing Philippines election official: DOJ

The president of Smartmatic, Roger Alejandro Pinate Martinez, along with two other executives, has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department with bribing the former chairman of the Philippines’ election commission, Juan Andres Donato Bautista, to secure contracts during the 2016 election. The executives allegedly paid over $1 million in bribes and laundered the money through international bank accounts. The charges include violations of the … Continue reading Smartmatic president, 2 other execs charged with bribing Philippines election official: DOJ

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U.S. News

Third body recovered from Grand Canyon in one week as officials review deaths

The body of 20-year-old Leticia A. Castillo from Albuquerque was found 150 feet below the Grand Canyon’s Twin Overlooks, marking the third death at the site within a week. Castillo had been missing since August 3 before her body was discovered during a multiday search. This brings the total number of deaths at the Grand Canyon to 11 this year. Earlier in the week, two … Continue reading Third body recovered from Grand Canyon in one week as officials review deaths

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U.S. News

US ambassador confirms Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada was brought to US against his will

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico confirmed that Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a key leader of the Sinaloa cartel, was forcibly brought to the U.S. against his will in July, contradicting speculation that he had turned himself in. Zambada was allegedly kidnapped by Joaquín Guzmán López, a rival cartel leader and son of “El Chapo” Guzmán, during an internal cartel conflict. The two were unexpectedly flown … Continue reading US ambassador confirms Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada was brought to US against his will

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U.S. News

Montana man ID’d as suspect in cold case killing of teen girl kills himself after being questioned

Nearly 30 years after the murder of 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins in Montana, authorities identified her suspected killer, 55-year-old Paul Hutchinson, using advanced DNA testing and forensic genealogy. Hutchinson, a married father of two, took his own life shortly after being interviewed by investigators who confronted him with evidence linking him to the crime. Houchins was found dead near a fishing access point in 1996, … Continue reading Montana man ID’d as suspect in cold case killing of teen girl kills himself after being questioned

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U.S. News

Deputy who killed Sonya Massey to remain in jail, judge rules as Illinois sheriff says he will retire

A judge ruled that former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson, charged with first-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home, will remain in jail despite his medical needs. The judge determined that electronic monitoring would not adequately protect the community, citing Grayson as a “real and present threat.” The decision comes as Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell announced his retirement under pressure, acknowledging the … Continue reading Deputy who killed Sonya Massey to remain in jail, judge rules as Illinois sheriff says he will retire

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World News

Container explodes on cargo ship at China’s key Ningbo port

A hazardous goods container exploded on Friday aboard the YM Mobility cargo ship at China’s Ningbo port, according to the vessel’s owner, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. The explosion led to a fire, which was quickly brought under control, and all crew members were safely evacuated with no reported casualties or injuries. The Liberia-flagged ship had arrived in Ningbo from Shanghai and was docked at … Continue reading Container explodes on cargo ship at China’s key Ningbo port

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World News

Iraqi teen arrested in Vienna after Taylor Swift terror attack plot thwarted

Austrian authorities arrested an 18-year-old Iraqi national in connection with a suspected ISIS-inspired plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The arrest follows the cancellation of three of Swift’s concerts in Austria after authorities foiled the planned attack. The Iraqi teenager is the third person detained, believed to be linked to the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent, both of … Continue reading Iraqi teen arrested in Vienna after Taylor Swift terror attack plot thwarted

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World News

Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in south Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Friday killed Samer al-Hajj, a senior Hamas security official, near the city of Sidon. The strike also critically injured his bodyguard. This is part of a series of Israeli operations targeting members of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other factions in Lebanon over the past 10 months, coinciding with the Gaza conflict. These strikes have extended beyond the Israel-Lebanon border, … Continue reading Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in south Lebanon

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World News

Ukraine blitzes another Russian region sparking evacuations & state of emergency

A major Ukrainian offensive has targeted Russia, with a fireball seen as Ukrainian drones struck a Russian bomb store and military airfield in Lipetsk, causing massive explosions and forcing hundreds of locals to flee. The attack, part of a joint operation by Ukrainian forces, destroyed over 700 Russian bombs and left nine people dead. Ukraine also launched a HIMARS missile strike that reportedly killed up … Continue reading Ukraine blitzes another Russian region sparking evacuations & state of emergency

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World News

Plane crashes in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, killing all 61 aboard

A passenger plane crashed into a gated residential community in Vinhedo, Brazil, on Friday, killing all 61 people on board, according to officials and the airline Voepass. The ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop was en route to São Paulo’s international airport when it went down. Although the crash caused a smoldering wreck, witnesses reported no casualties among local residents, the Associated Press reported. Voepass confirmed the … Continue reading Plane crashes in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, killing all 61 aboard

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Space

Impulse Space announces GEO rideshare program

Impulse Space announced it will offer rideshare services for spacecraft to geostationary orbit (GEO) using its Helios and upgraded Mira vehicles. Partnering with Exolaunch, the GEO Rideshare Program’s first mission is set for 2027. Helios, a high-energy kick stage powered by liquid oxygen and methane, can transport satellites up to 5,000 kilograms from low Earth orbit (LEO) to GEO within a day. Initially targeting larger … Continue reading Impulse Space announces GEO rideshare program

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Space

Mars Terraforming Could Start By Warming Planet With Tiny Rods

Scientists have proposed using tiny metal nanorods to thicken Mars’ atmosphere and trap heat, potentially aiding future colonization. According to a Science Advances paper, these nanorods could be made from Mars’ natural iron and aluminum and sprayed into the atmosphere to warm the planet. This process could melt frozen water, increasing Mars’ habitability, though not enough for human life alone. The researchers modeled that releasing 30 liters … Continue reading Mars Terraforming Could Start By Warming Planet With Tiny Rods

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Space

NASA considering returning Starliner astronauts on Crew Dragon

NASA is considering having astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew to the International Space Station on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon due to safety concerns with Starliner. During an August 7 briefing, NASA officials indicated a decision will be made by mid-August. If deemed too risky for the astronauts to return on Starliner, they would stay on the ISS … Continue reading NASA considering returning Starliner astronauts on Crew Dragon

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Business

Asian markets make solid gains following global rout

Asian markets posted solid gains on Wednesday, with Japanese shares reversing early losses after a Bank of Japan official downplayed the likelihood of an immediate interest rate hike. The Nikkei 225 closed 1.2% higher, recovering from a 2.5% drop earlier in the session, following comments from BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida. Uchida stated that recent market volatility could influence the BOJ’s rate hike decisions, emphasizing … Continue reading Asian markets make solid gains following global rout

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Business

Mortgage demand roars back to life as rates drop to lowest level in a year

Last week, home-purchase applications surged as mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in over a year. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 6.9% increase in mortgage applications for the week ending Aug. 2. The average rate for a 30-year loan dropped to 6.55% from 6.82%, marking the lowest rate since May 2023. The lower rates also led to a 16% surge in refinancing … Continue reading Mortgage demand roars back to life as rates drop to lowest level in a year

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Business

As inflation fury lingers, politicians join customers in pushing companies to cut prices

High inflation has put companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Kroger in the political spotlight. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey criticized Kroger’s use of electronic shelf labels, fearing they could lead to price hikes, especially as Kroger plans a $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons. Both Democrats and Republicans are focusing on inflation in their campaigns. Vice President Kamala Harris targets corporate “price gouging,” while former … Continue reading As inflation fury lingers, politicians join customers in pushing companies to cut prices

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