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.
Powerball draws numbers for $1.8 billion jackpot, the 2nd largest in US history
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The numbers have been drawn for an estimated $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot, which would be the second-largest in U.S. lottery history. The numbers selected Saturday night were: 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, with the Powerball number being 17. Officials haven’t yet said whether anyone overcame Powerball’s abysmal odds by matching all six numbers. The prize was the result of 41 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner. The last drawing with a jackpot winner had been on May 31. The $1.8 billion jackpot is for a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. The cash option would pay out an estimated $826.4 million.
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.
Google hit with $3.5 billion fine from European Union in ad-tech antitrust case
European Union regulators on Friday hit Google with a $3.5 billion fine for breaching the bloc’s competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services. This marks the fourth antitrust penalty for the company from Brussels. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, also ordered Google to end its self-preferencing practices and address conflicts of interest in the advertising technology supply chain. Google plans to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and claiming it will harm European businesses. The decision angered U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has lashed out at the bloc over digital regulations and taxes imposed on U.S. tech companies.
Warner Bros. sues Midjourney for AI-generated images of Superman, Bugs Bunny and other characters
Warner Bros. is suing the AI company Midjourney for copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims Midjourney allows users to create AI-generated images and videos of copyrighted characters like Superman and Bugs Bunny. This is the third lawsuit against Midjourney by a major Hollywood studio, following Disney and Universal's joint lawsuit in June. The lawsuit alleges Midjourney trained its AI on illegal copies of Warner Bros. works and misleads users into thinking the generated content is authorized. Midjourney has not responded to the lawsuit. The company's CEO previously compared the service to a search engine, suggesting AI learning is similar to human creativity.
American Eagle counts new customers after Sydney Sweeney ad frenzy and shares soar
Shares of American Eagle Outfitters spiked 34% Thursday after the teen clothing retailer said the frenzy surrounding its Sydney Sweeney ad campaign drew new customers during its most recent quarter. American Eagle rolled out its new new ad campaign starring 27-year-old actor over the summer. The fall denim campaign sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standards, and the backlash to “woke” American politics and culture. Negative reactions centered on ads that used the word “genes” instead of “jeans” when the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actor known for the HBO series “Euphoria” and “White Lotus.”
