'The Conjuring: Last Rites' creeps its way to another box office win for horror genre
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Conjuring: Last Rites” creeped its way toward a box office win for horror. The horror sequel raked in $83 million domestically in 3,802 theaters, making it the third highest domestic opening for a horror movie. It’s now the largest horror opening internationally, with $104 million. The horror genre has now generated over $1 billion in earnings for this year's domestic box office, with the help of other Warner Bros. hits like “Weapons," “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “Sinners.” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore, says "there’s nothing quite like seeing a horror movie in a darkened room full of strangers.”
Aaron Rodgers looks right at home vs. Jets in Steelers debut with 4 TD passes in win
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers looked right at home in his debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 41-year-old quarterback threw four touchdown passes against his former team in a 34-32 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Rodgers’ first game with Pittsburgh to begin his 21st NFL season came after a two-year stint with the Jets that included Super Bowl dreams and mostly disappointing results. Rodgers joined the Steelers after being released by the Jets in the offseason. He threw two touchdown passes in a 50-second span that put the Steelers up in the fourth quarter.
Court of Dreams gives people with disabilities an opportunity to play tennis at US Open
NEW YORK (AP) — Long before Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova began play in the U.S. Open women’s final, there were different players on the courts. On Saturday morning, while the grounds were still quiet, children and adults with disabilities were the ones in the spotlight at Flushing Meadows. They learned the tennis basics, from how to volley to how to hit a backhand, and put them on display at the Court of Dreams clinic. The clinic is put on through a partnership between the USTA and the Beautiful Lives Project, an organization dedicated to providing people with disabilities opportunities to participate in sports and activities.
Powerball lottery players in Missouri and Texas to split nearly $1.8 billion jackpot
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Powerball players in Missouri and Texas have won the nearly $1.8 billion jackpot, overcoming astronomical odds to end the lottery game’s three-month drought without a big winner. The winning numbers were 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, with the Powerball number being 17. The prize, which was the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history, followed 41 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers. The last drawing with a jackpot winner happened May 31. Powerball’s terrible odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins.
Postal traffic to US sank 80% after Trump administration ended exemption on low-value parcels
The U.N. postal agency says postal traffic into the United States plunged by more than 80% after a Trump administration move to end a tariff exemption for low-cost imports. The Universal Postal Union says it has started rolling out new measures that can help postal operators around the world calculate and collect duties. The U.S. on Aug. 29 eliminated an exemption that had allowed U.S.-bound parcels valued at $800 or less to avoid customs charges. The UPU says 88 national postal operators have suspended some or all postal services to the U.S. as a result.
Phillies invite young fan to meet Harrison Bader after dispute over home run ball
MIAMI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have invited a young fan to meet center fielder Harrison Bader after a home run ball dispute during their 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night. Bader hit a solo home run into the left field stands, sparking a scramble among fans. A man initially gave the ball to a boy but later took it back after a woman intervened. The incident went viral on social media. Later, a Marlins staff member gave the boy a prize pack, and he received a signed bat from Bader after the game.
Shark kills beachgoer near Sydney
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — A man in his 50s has died after a shark attack near Sydney, Australia. Emergency crews responded to Long Reef Beach on Saturday morning after reports of critical injuries. The man was brought to shore but died at the scene. Police have closed the beach and are working with wildlife experts to identify the shark species. Nearby beaches are also closed. Witnesses say two surfers brought the victim ashore, and family members rushed to the scene. Surf Life Saving NSW has deployed a drone to monitor shark activity. This is the first shark attack in New South Wales this year.
Attorneys general warn OpenAI and other tech companies to improve chatbot safety
The attorneys general of California and Delaware have expressed serious concerns about the safety of OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, especially for children and teens. They sent a letter to OpenAI after a meeting with its legal team earlier this week. The officials have been reviewing OpenAI's plans to restructure its business, focusing on safety oversight. They say they are alarmed by reports of dangerous interactions between chatbots and users, including a suicide and a murder-suicide linked to OpenAI's chatbot. The two officials have oversight over OpenAI's plans to restructure its nonprofit origins, but want better safety measures.
Trillion dollar man: New pay package could make Musk that much richer if Tesla thrives
Tesla is asking its investors to approve a proposed compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that could be worth almost $1 trillion and is based on the electric vehicle maker hitting certain ambitious milestones over the next decade. The company, which is also leaning heavily into robotics and AI, said in a regulatory filing on Friday that the package includes a dozen share tranches that will be given to Musk if it hits certain targets over the 10-year period. To achieve the initial amount in the compensation plan, Tesla would need to hit a market cap of $2 trillion, double its current valuation.
Don't look now, but there's an AI-generated Italian teacup on your child's phone. What does it mean?
Ballerina Cappuccina, an AI-generated cartoon ballerina with a cappuccino teacup for a head, has become a viral sensation on TikTok. Her videos have garnered over 55 million views and 4 million likes, mostly from tweens. She's part of the "Italian Brain Rot" trend, which features absurd characters like Tralalero Tralala, a shark with sneakers, and Bombardino Crocodilo, a crocodile-headed airplane. These characters have captivated young audiences with their nonsensical charm. Experts say this trend reflects the younger generation's desire to escape the pressures of self-optimization. Despite concerns that it is pointless, some believe it's a harmless way to unwind.
