Older adults find themselves at a unique moment in time with artificial intelligence revolutionizing the technology they use.Classes across the U.S. are now teaching seniors about AI’s ability to transform how they interact with the world—and the threat the technology might pose.Experts from the National Council on Aging in the U.S., an organizatio…

In the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services.A broad new government initiative, dubbed “Time Is Money,” includes a rollout of new regulations and the promise of more for industries spanning from …

Fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has launched a new alcohol-free perfume for dogs called 'Fefé' in honor of Domenico Dolce's poodle, but not all vets and pet owners agree it's safe or appropriate.The perfume costs 99 euros ($108) for 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) and has been certified suitable for animal use. It follows a Safe Pet Cosmetics protocol d…

U.S. health officials approved a nasal spray to treat severe allergic reactions, the first needle-free alternative to shots like EpiPen.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it approved the spray from drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc. as an emergency treatment for adults and older children experiencing life-threatening allergic reactions kno…

For a long time, Azerbaijan has attracted tourists with its exotic culture. But now, a new type of luxury traveler is being drawn to the country, located on the border between Eastern Europe and West Asia.A golf course, a rarity for the former Soviet republic, appeared on the slopes of Shahdag Mountain, 160 kilometers away from Azerbaijan’s capital…

Access to braille texts remains a major challenge for many visually impaired students in Africa. Slow progress in the advancement of assistive technology has led to many school dropouts. Now, a group of Ugandan developers has come up with a Blind Assistant app that helps read documents aloud.In the central Ugandan district of Mukono, Sir Apollo Kag…

A study by climate researchers at University College London has found that green roofs planted on the top of buildings are effective at cooling temperatures during the day, but then go on to make the nighttime warmer.In London, many rooftops have been transformed to help cool the city down as temperatures soar. Some are covered in gardens and wildl…

Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long’s victory over Italy’s Filippo Macchi at the Paris Olympics has sparked an exchange of insults on social media, with Cheung’s supporters celebrating his win with posts about pineapple pizzas—widely considered a culinary blunder in Italian cooking.Cheung made Hong Kong history in July by beating Macchi 15-14 in the me…

TikTok has agreed to withdraw a rewards feature that raised concerns about its potential to encourage excessive screen time, particularly among children, the European Union's executive commission said.It was the first resolution of an investigation under the 27-country EU's sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA), which went into effect in February and…

One of the most biodiverse caves in the world has recently received UNESCO World Heritage status. Tourists and scientists alike are celebrating the news as Bosnia’s Vjetrenica Wind Cave system now comes under the global spotlight.It is recognized as one of the most biodiverse caves in the world, formed beneath the unique karstic plains where solubl…

Turbulence is knocking a beloved instant noodle offering off Korean Air's economy menu.Cups of Shin Ramyun instant noodles, a favorite among Korean Air travelers over the years, are no longer available for economy-class passengers as of August 15, a spokesperson for the Seoul-based airline said."This decision is part of proactive safety measures in…

A new museum has opened in London promising visitors one of the best selfie experiences in the capital.The Paradox Museum specializes in special effects and mind-boggling optical illusions, and visitors are actively encouraged to snap away to their hearts’ content. It is the brainchild of co-founder Miltos Kambourides, a Cypriot entrepreneur with a…

On a typical summer day, tourists flock to the historic Marais district of Paris, wandering through charming medieval lanes dotted with ultra-chic boutiques, gazing at stunning private mansions and the elegant 17th-century Place des Vosges, and filling humming eateries and bars.But this summer was hardly typical, and those streets, shops, and cafes…

The warm, soggy summer across much of the Midwest has produced a bumper crop of wild mushrooms—and a surge in calls to poison control centers.At the Minnesota Regional Poison Center, calls from April through July more than tripled over the same period last year, said Samantha Lee, the center's director. “The center took 90 calls for potential expos…

The White House is coming out in favor of “open-source” artificial intelligence (AI) technology, arguing in a report that there’s no need right now for restrictions on companies making key components of their powerful AI systems widely available.“We recognize the importance of open systems,” said Alan Davidson, an assistant secretary of the U.S. Co…

Planting vegetables, Benson Wanjala and his wife are working to cultivate their two-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Nairobi. This is a significant change from Wanjala's farming activities two and a half decades ago, when he farmed a 10-acre plot in his native western Kenya village, 370 kilometers away.Back then, Wanjala's land yielded a bount…

Massachusetts has agreed to provide about $30 million to help support the operations of six hospitals that Steward Health Care is trying to turn over to new owners after declaring bankruptcy earlier this year, according to court filings.The latest update comes as Steward announced in July that it was closing two hospitals—Carney Hospital and Nashob…

A court case could soon settle a spicy dispute: Who invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos?A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.PepsiCo said it has no comment on the lawsuit, which was filed on July 18 in California Superior Court. Acc…

Ever wondered how people spend their spare time?A new exhibition celebrating the U.K.'s hobbies opened on July 18 in Croydon, featuring over 14,000 items, including collections and creations. It's the idea of Hetain Patel, himself a dedicated hobbyist, and the organization Artangel who have taken over Grant's Entertainment Centre with the exhibitio…

It’s becoming a struggle for Australians to afford food which, in turn, affects their health.In Tasmania, a dietician is helping locals cook nutritious dishes at low prices. Enhancing the confidence to cook is what this community cooking class is all about. Cooking has always been a passion for Nalini Burge and, in the class, she’s being taught rec…

A small West Virginia school will remain open for now after a court temporarily blocked an effort to relocate classes due to the town’s contaminated groundwater being added to a national cleanup priority list.Last June, Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassandra R. Porter announced that students, faculty and staff at Paden City High School woul…

Deceptions such as phony emails from people impersonating online retailers like Amazon are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid the heavy spending seen during significant sales events, whether it's Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.“This is a huge moment on the retail calendar,” Josh Planos, vice …

U.S. House leaders are calling on CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz to testify to Congress about the cybersecurity company's role in sparking the widespread tech outage that grounded flights, knocked banks and hospital systems offline and affected services around the world.CrowdStrike said that a “significant number” of the millions of computers that cr…

Restaurant critics appear to have the best job in journalism, enjoying meals a few nights a week on someone else’s dime.But New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells had painted a more complicated picture. In a recent column, Wells announced he’s leaving the beat because the constant eating has led to obesity and other health problems.“Intellectu…

Netflix’s subscriber and earnings growth accelerated in its latest quarter as the video streaming service benefits from a crackdown on freeloading viewers, an expansion into advertising, and an acclaimed programming lineup.The results announced in July painted a portrait of a company still gathering momentum after a jarring decrease in subscribers …

Supercars that run on air and water—that’s the dream for synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero. The UK-based company says it is planning on powering a Formula One team with a more environmentally friendly fuel.The company behind it announced a partnership with Formula One team Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber earlier this year. The move aligns with the motor s…

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have used Artificial Intelligence to develop a tool capable of predicting whether people with early signs of dementia could develop Alzheimer's.It's estimated someone in the world develops Alzheimer's every 3 seconds, with the number of people with the disease set to triple over the next 50 years.The AI al…

Stop & Shop said it will close 32 underperforming grocery stores in the Northeast U.S. by the end of the year.The chain, which is owned by the Dutch supermarket company Ahold Delhaize, said it will close 10 stores in New Jersey, eight stores in Massachusetts, seven stores in New York, five stores in Connecticut and two stores in Rhode Island.The co…

Thailand's prime minister said in July that eligible businesses and individuals can register from August for digital cash handouts, a controversial program that will cost billions of dollars and is meant to boost the lagging economy.The government announced in April the widely criticized ambitious plan, named the “Digital Wallet,” meant to give 10,…

In the race to stay ahead in artificial intelligence, the biggest technology companies are swallowing up the talent and products of innovative AI startups without formally acquiring them.Now three members of the U.S. Senate are calling for an investigation.San Francisco-based Adept announced a deal that will send its CEO and key employees to Amazon…

A company has installed computerized vending machines to sell ammunition in grocery stores in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, allowing patrons to pick up bullets along with a gallon of milk.American Rounds said their machines use an identification scanner and facial recognition software to verify the purchaser’s age and are as “quick and easy” to use…

The Hong Kong government is seeking to regulate online car-hailing platforms through licensing and impose tougher penalties on illegal ride services, a move likely to have a significant impact on tech companies such as Uber.Transport officials sent a document to the legislature, asking lawmakers to further study the proposal. The officials also sai…

An ancient tree from India is now thriving in groves where citrus trees once flourished in Florida, and could help provide the nation with renewable energy.As large parts of the Sunshine State’s once-famous citrus industry have all but dried up over the past couple of decades due to two fatal diseases, greening, and citrus canker, some farmers are …

Tourism on the island of Saipan in the Western Pacific is gradually picking up after taking a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.Once a popular option for Japanese tourists, Korean holidaymakers now account for the majority of visitors to this laid-back resort destination. Turquoise seas, white sandy beaches and palm trees—it looks like a pic…

Past a certain age, many people say they find it gets harder to keep fit. But there’s one physical exercise class that’s easy to start and take part in.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, aqua aerobics has been growing in popularity in Australia, even in some rural areas. Every day, thousands of Australians are taking part in aqua aerobics.“I just love it…

Air travel got more miserable last year, if the number of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. government is any measure.The Transportation Department said that it received nearly 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the year before. The department said there were so many complaints that it took until July to sort through the filings …

Most medical students at Johns Hopkins University will no longer pay tuition thanks to a $1 billion gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies.Starting in the fall, the donation will cover full tuition for medical students from families earning less than $300,000. Living expenses and fees will be covered for students from families who earn up to $175,000.B…

Three years ago, Google set an ambitious plan to address climate change by going “net zero,” meaning it would release no more climate-changing gasses into the air than it removes, by 2030.But a report from the company on July 2 shows it is nowhere near meeting those goals. Rather than declining, its emissions grew 13% in 2023 over the year before. …

Japan issued its first new banknotes in two decades on July 3, yen packed with 3D hologram technology to fight counterfeiting.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised the state-of-the-art anti-counterfeit traits of the new 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen bills as historic.“I hope the people will like the new bills, and they will help energize the …

In April 2025, a herd of animals will travel from Central Africa to the northern tip of Norway—drawing attention to climate change.Forced out of their natural habitats due to global warming, they will be displaced and traversed through cities and urban environments to meet the people there. But they won't be real animals—they are puppets.Along the …

The lights are turning off in Hong Kong. The once spectacular neon hustle and bustle is now much reduced.Safety and regulations mean many shops and businesses have taken down the brilliant signboards that used to hang right over the heads of the crowds on the streets.Some local enthusiasts are trying to find ways to preserve this unique part of Hon…

Before Florida’s ban on “lab-grown” meat went into effect, one manufacturer had hosted a last hurrah with a cultivated meat-tasting party in Miami.California-based Upside Foods hosted dozens of guests at a rooftop reception in the city’s Wynwood neighborhood, known for its street art, breweries, nightclubs and trendy restaurants.“This is delicious …

About half of Nigeria’s more than 200 million people are hooked up to a national electricity grid that can't provide sufficient daily electricity to most of those connected.Many poor, rural communities are off the grid entirely, which means millions in the country are finding ways to live with little to no electricity.Pupils squint at their books a…

California lawmakers are considering legislation that would require artificial intelligence companies to test their systems and add safety measures so they can't be potentially manipulated to wipe out the state's electric grid or help build chemical weapons—scenarios that experts say could be possible in the future as technology evolves at warp spe…

From smart-enabled match balls and artificial intelligence to cryogenic recovery chambers, soccer is being transformed by the cutting-edge technology available to players, coaches, and officials.That much has been evident at Euro 2024, where advancements in areas, such as equipment and sports science, have been deployed on and off the field, design…

Sweden launched a groundbreaking new law on July 1 that allows grandparents to step in and get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to three months of a child’s first year.The development comes after the Swedish parliament, the 349-seat Riksdag, approved last December the government’s proposal on the transfer of paren…

A new housing proposal in Australia could threaten precious koala habitat according to hundreds of local residents who have banded together to oppose the plan. Spanning hundreds of hectares in the city of Ipswich, southwest of Brisbane, the Woogaroo Forest is where an estimated 200 koalas live.“You get all sorts of things, kookaburras wake you up, …

As the first heat wave of the season ripples across the U.S., summer camps are working to keep their children cool while still letting the kids enjoy being outside with nature. It's something they say they've been aware of for several years as climate change meant rising heat.Experts say children can be more vulnerable to extreme heat than adults, …

Janette Navarro’s 1996 Volkswagen Beetle roars as it barrels up a steep hill overlooking concrete houses stacked like boxes on the outskirts of Mexico City.She presses her foot on the pedal, passes a lime green Beetle like hers, then one marked with red and yellow, then another painted a bright sea blue.“No other car gets up here,” she said. “Just …

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced June 18 that he wants to restrict students’ usage of smartphones during the school day, citing the mental health risks of social media.The announcement, which was first reported by Politico, comes a day after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platfor…