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☆ AI is hitting a wall just as valuations reach the stratosphere
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The narrative from Silicon Valley is that the AI train has left the station and any smart investor had better hop on before these products become “superintelligent” and start solving all the world’s problems. Now, some of the leading language models appear to be hitting a wall, according to at least three reports last week. But if we have indeed hit a scaling wall, “it may mean that the the mega-cap technology companies have over-invested” and it’s possible that they could scale back in the near future. That’s the AI optimist/pragmatist view. For a less rosy outlook, I turned to Gary Marcus, NYU professor emeritus and outspoken critic of AI hype.

Persons: CNN Business ’, New York CNN — It’s, OpenAI, ”, that’s, “, Orion “, Ilya Sutskever, ” Sutskever, Marc Andreessen, Sam Altman, ” Gil Luria, Davidson, it’s, ” Luria, Gary Marcus, ” Marcus, “ LLMs Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Nvidia, Tech, ” Bloomberg, ” Reuters Locations: New York, GPT

☆ U.S. climate envoy says work will continue despite Trump’s return
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The annual U.N. climate summit began on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, with many country delegations concerned that Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5 will hinder progress to limit planetary warming. Trump has promised to again remove the United States, the world’s most significant historic greenhouse gas emitter, from international climate cooperation and maximize the country’s already record-high fossil fuel production. “For those of us dedicated to climate action, last week’s outcome in the United States is obviously bitterly disappointing,” Podesta said at the summit. “Let’s dispense with the idea that climate finance is charity,” he said at the Baku stadium. “An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest.”This year is on track to be the hottest on record.

Persons: John Podesta, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Podesta, ”, Joe Biden’s, Simon Stiell, Rich, “, Marc Vanheukelen, Ilham Aliyev Organizations: Azerbaijan —, U.S, United, Trade, Reuters, Finance, Fund Locations: BAKU, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan — U.S, Baku, United States, Ukraine, Gaza, ”, Africa, Spain, U.S ., North Carolina, America, Mexico, China, U.S

☆ Trump and Harris’ proposals would both increase the national debt but Trump’s plan would add $4 trillion more, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Harris’ plan would boost the debt by $3.5 trillion over the next decade, while Trump’s platform would cause it to spike by $7.5 trillion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget’s report, released Monday. It found that Harris’ measures could have no significant impact on the debt or could increase it by $8.1 trillion. And Trump’s proposals could balloon the debt by between $1.5 trillion and $15.2 trillion. These proposals would cost $2.3 trillion in total. But the committee estimates these tariffs would bring in between $2 trillion and $4.3 trillion over a decade — not enough to cover Trump’s agenda.

Persons: CNN —, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris ’, Harris, ’, Trump, Jerome Powell, “ We’re, ” Marc Goldwein, Brian Hughes, Trump’s, ”, That’s, Joe Biden’s, Katie Lobosco, Matt Egan Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Democrats, Trump, Social Security, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Center, of Education Locations: American

☆ Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested in New York, his attorney tells CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | Josh Campbell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Embattled musician and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has been arrested, the mogul’s attorney tells CNN. According to a source, Combs was arrested in a Manhattan hotel on Monday night and is currently being processed. “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, told CNN. Combs’ attorney said that the musician has been cooperating with the investigation, and relocated to New York last week in anticipation of being charged. In an aerial view, the home of Sean "Diddy" Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents in Los Angeles, California, on March 25.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, ” Marc Agnifilo, ”, Sean ‘ Diddy ’ Combs, ” Agnifilo, “, Damian Williams, Sean Combs, Sean, Diddy, Cassandra “ Cassie ” Ventura, CNN’s Kara Scannell Organizations: CNN, U.S, Attorney’s, Southern, of, Homeland Security Investigations, Justice Department Locations: Manhattan, New York, of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Los Angeles , California

☆ Harris and Trump both hate inflation. Their economic proposals could cause prices to go higher
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Both candidates’ plans would probably raise the deficit and increase demand, including through government spending and tightening the labor market, Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, told CNN via email. Trump has so far not released as detailed an economic plan as Harris. Risks of fueling demandA central part of Harris’ economic plan is making housing more affordable. “The problem right now is too many people chasing too few houses,” Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, told CNN. Economists have told CNN that businesses would be forced to raise wages and prices.

Persons: what’s, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Trump, Joe Brusuelas, Brusuelas, Harris ’, ” Marc Goldwein, ” Goldwein, “, ”, Biden, Joe Biden, ” Justin Wolfers, Michelle Holder, Holder, …, ’ Trump, ” Harris Organizations: CNN, RSM, Budget, Child Tax, “, Federal Reserve, Tax Foundation, Social Security, University of Michigan, John Jay College, Center, American Progress Fund, Peterson Institute for International Economics, National Guard Locations: ”, New York, China

☆ More flight cancellations are expected as airlines gradually recover from global tech outage
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Additional flight cancellations are expected through this weekend as airlines gradually recover from a global tech outage that has left thousands of passengers stranded at airports. The outage “has basically turned computers into bricks around the world,” Glenn Gerstell, former general counsel of the US National Security Agency, told CNN Saturday. More than 400 United flights were canceled Saturday, and over 200 flights were canceled Sunday, according to FlightAware.com. “I was supposed to be in California for my mom’s wedding,” Richard Whitfield of Pasco County, Florida, told CNN Saturday. They didn’t tell me – I had no notification, nothing,” Charlotte Yeh told CNN affiliate WFXT on Saturday.

Persons: ” Glenn Gerstell, ” Gerstell, ” CrowdStrike, George Kurtz, ” United, Delta, “, Allegiant, it’s, David Kennedy, “ It’s, ” Kennedy, “ There’s, Pete Buttigieg, ” Buttigieg, Justin Tallis, Villareal, ” Villareal, we’ve, ” Richard Whitfield, Whitfield, Jonathan Shade, Richard, ” Shade, Shade, ”, –, ” Charlotte Yeh, “ We’ve, ” Marc Forbes, WFXT, ” Carol Edwards Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, US National Security Agency, United Airlines, Delta Air, American Airlines, Binary Defense, US Department of Transportation, ”, Gatwick Airport, Getty, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson International Airport, Delta Air Lines, Boston Logan International, WFXT, Las Locations: Horley, London, California, Pasco County , Florida, Tampa, Atlanta, Tallahassee, Delta, Fort Lauderdale, Ft . Lauderdale, West Palm, Boston, Las Vegas

☆ Opinion: My teenage son had an influencer in his class. This is what it was like
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Opinion Michelle Leder | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

More than a few still carry the scars, including one 80-year-old woman I recently spoke to about her middle school experience. Instead of facing a mean girl or boy of his own, he wound up with a social media influencer in his class who held sway over the entire grade. “All of these issues with social media are coming to a head right now and there’s wildly insufficient research,” Marc Berkman, CEO of the non-profit Organization for Social Media Safety, told me recently. Middle school is complicated enough without all the extra pressures generated by having a social media influencer sitting next to you. From middle school science class, we know that a fire needs oxygen to burn.

Persons: Michelle Leder, Michelle Leder Scott Cooper, cooties, she’d, ” Marc Berkman, ”, Zers, influencer Organizations: SEC, CNN, Social Media Safety, Twitter, Facebook Studies, Wall Street Journal Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, Brooklyn , New York, —

☆ The Euro 2024 Adidas ball: Microchipped, slippery – and very quick
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Matt Slater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

But it is slightly unusual for people to talk as much about the ball as they have about the Adidas Fussballliebe Pro EURO 2024 match ball, to give it its full name, as they have in Germany of late. “I’ve not heard any goalkeeper complain about the ball, other than saying it’s a really, really quick ball, which is something you just deal with,” said the former Denmark and Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, whose son Kasper is the current Danish No 1. “Normally, when you have a new ball, the opinions are divided but (goalkeepers) don’t think it’s a bad ball. But while this is all great fun — and even better advertising — “combined ball technology” is not actually new. Kylian Mbappe practises with the Euro 2024 match ball at France’s pre-tournament training camp (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)In terms of the ball’s aesthetics, it’s fine.

Persons: “ It’s, Harry Kane, “, Kose, “ I’ve, ”, Peter Schmeichel, Kasper, don’t, it’s, Roberto Rosetti, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen, Lukaku’s, Lois Openda, ” Marc Makowski, Erik Janza’s, David Jurasek, Denmark’s Morten Hjulmand, Schmeichel, Gianluigi, ” Gianluigi Donnarumma, Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Kylian, Franck Fife, Thierry Henry, Marc, Charlotte Harpur Organizations: Adidas Fussballliebe, Adidas, European Football, Getty, Manchester United, UEFA’s, RB Leipzig, “, Turkey, England, Spain, New Zealand, France’s, UEFA, FIFA, Telstar Locations: Germany, AFP, Denmark, South Africa, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech, Spain, Italy, Qatar, Australia, New

☆ News publishers sound alarm on Google’s new AI-infused search, warn of ‘catastrophic’ impacts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In other words, users will soon no longer have to click on the links displayed in search results to find the information they are seeking. Why spend time clicking on a link when Google has already scoured the internet and harvested the relevant information with its A.I.? Coffey, whose organization represents more than 2,000 news publishers and has taken an aggressive posture toward A.I. This time with a product that directly competes with our content, using our content to fuel it. Most recently, it drew scorn after temporarily blocking some California news outlets from search results in response to a bill that would force it to pay publishers.

Persons: —, ” Danielle Coffey, Coffey, newsrooms, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Mark Zuckerberg, “, we’ll, ” Marc McCollum Organizations: New York CNN, Google, News / Media Alliance, Big Tech, The New York Times Locations: New York, California

☆ Ukraine Could Receive Some U.S. Aid ‘Within Days’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Senate today overwhelmingly approved a critical procedural move to tee up the final passage of the long-stalled $95.3 billion package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. After the bills become law, shipments of American weapons could begin flowing to Ukraine, including air-defense missiles and artillery ammunition that Ukrainian officials say are badly needed. Some of the aid could be sent from the Pentagon’s stockpiles in Germany and shipped by rail to the Ukrainian border. The anticipated aid — the first significant new U.S. package for Kyiv in 16 months — was celebrated in Ukraine. However, he added, military analysts think it will take a month or two before Ukraine receives enough new supplies to change the dynamic of the war.

Persons: Biden, ”, —, Marc Santora, ” Marc Organizations: Senate, Senators, Pentagon, Kyiv, Lawmakers Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, Ukrainian, Kyiv

☆ Fact check: Biden makes false and misleading claims during Pennsylvania campaign swing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden spent three days this week campaigning in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania. (The White House corrected the official transcript of Biden’s speech to make clear Biden should have said 2025 instead of 2024.) In other words, there will clearly still be some big and profitable corporations paying no federal income tax despite the existence of the new Biden tax. The center found that the top 0.1% of households paid an average effective federal tax rate of about 30.3% in 2020, including an average income tax rate of 24.3%. “The deficit is a trillion dollars lower, roughly, than when President Biden took office.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ambrose Finnegan, Biden, Jill Biden, PolitiFact, they’ll, it’s, “, Tami Luhby, —, ’ They’ve, Fuxian Yi, Yi, “ It’s, Derek Scissors, Trump, ” Biden, Biden’s “, Matthew Gardner, ” Howard Gleckman, Gleckman, Emmanuel Saez, Gabriel Zucman “, ”, I’ve, Donald Trump, ” Marc Goldwein, Goldwein, he’s, Afghanistan Biden, Biden’s, Finnegan, Finnegan “, Donald Judd, spokespeople, Andrew Bates Organizations: Washington CNN, Defense, Medicare, China, University of Wisconsin, Madison, American Enterprise Institute, CNN, Taxation, Economic, US, Biden, White, Urban, Brookings Tax, Urban Institute, University of California, Tax, Center, Trump, Federal Budget, Washington Post, Defense Department, Defense POW Locations: Pennsylvania, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Scranton, Pittsburgh, America, Berkeley, “, New Guinea, ” New Guinea

☆ Canada Restores Visa Requirement for Mexican Visitors
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Vjosa Isai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Canada announced on Thursday that it would require visas for Mexican nationals to enter the country, a move that comes amid a surge in asylum requests from Mexicans arriving in Canada. The rule follows months of discussions between the two countries over the rise in the number of Mexicans entering Canada, including repeated attempts by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address the issue with Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Some provincial officials say a surge of asylum seekers has strained their resources and their ability to provide social services. “We needed to give Mexico, because of our friendship, the chance to rectify things,” Marc Miller, Canada’s immigration minister, said at a news conference.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ” Marc Miller Locations: Canada, Mexico

☆ Americans aren't having enough kids. That's bad news for the economy — and immigration may be the answer.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

China, Japan, and Italy are all battling dwindling birth rates — and their struggles are a reminder of an issue that could eventually become a problem for the US. Elon Musk, with his three-year-old son X AE A-Xii at the 2024 Super Bowl, thinks low birth rates pose a risk to civilization. Meanwhile, economists have warned for years about plunging birth rates in Italy . AdvertisementChina has also struggled to raise its birth rate. Congress has also played up the potential for immigration to boost the economy over the longer term.

Persons: —, millennials, Zeds, Zers, you’ve, Marc Ostwald, That’s, Elon Musk, Musk, X, Rob Carr, Italy party’s, ”, ADM’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “, ” Ostwald, Martin Heinrich Organizations: Service, United Nations, Business, ADM Investor Services International, Congressional, Republican, Democrat, Economic Committee Locations: China, Japan, Italy, India, “ Japan

But in many ways, Pence's campaign ended years before it officially began, in the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021. While the issue became less salient as the campaign went on, Pence was heckled and booed at times. During his campaign launch event, Pence addressed Jan. 6 head-on, defending his actions and saying Trump disqualified himself during that period. Even at Pence's opening campaign event, many in attendance said they liked and respected him, but had yet to make a decision. This past week, Pence began dialing top supporters to let them know that he decided to end the campaign.

Persons: Mike Pence, Donald Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Pence, Trump, “, Angry Trump, Pope, Jan, ” Pence, —, ” Marc Short, Biden, Devin O'Malley, Pence's, Vivek Ramaswamy, ”, Larry Post, ” Lawrence Platt, Chris Christie, Christie, CNN's, ___ Colvin Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Democrat, Republican Jewish Coalition, Capitol, Trump, Pence, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Ukraine, Republican Party, Iowa —, PAC, Israel —, Israel, Post, OB, New, New Jersey Gov, Trump Republicans Locations: Las Vegas, North Carolina, United States, Pence, Iowa, Beverly Hills , California, U.S, Los Angeles, New Jersey, CNN's “ State, New York

That was unchanged from the annual rate of inflation in July. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, eased to 5.3%, from 5.5% in July. Food, alcohol, tobacco and services were the biggest drivers of inflation in August, although those prices rose at a slower annual pace than the previous month. Compared with July, energy prices increased by 3.2%, tempering the annual rate of decline to 3.3% in August from 6.1% the previous month. “The main uncertainty moving forward will be how fast and far services inflation rates drop as the weakening [economic] growth momentum will be counteracted by persistently elevated wage inflation,” he wrote.

Persons: ” Marc de Muizon, Muizon, ” Organizations: London CNN —, Deutsche Bank, Reuters, European Central Bank, ECB, Deutsche Locations: Europe

State and local officials have touted the settlements as providing desperately needed relief to communities hit hard by the crisis. But when the money will be paid out, and who will get it, remains far from clear, Reuters has found. Among the states where money is already reaching organizations on the ground are Massachusetts, Kentucky and Arizona. Most states share a significant portion of their total settlement funds with their city and county governments, which make their own independent decisions about how to spend. But in May, the board overseeing the state’s opioid settlement denied a joint application by Challenges and a county health department to fund harm reduction efforts, without explaining its decision.

Persons: Johnson, ”, Brandon Marshall, Julie Burns, Chris Bryan, Glenn Hegar, Lisa Ruzicka, “, Ruzicka, “ I’ve, drugmakers Johnson, Lauren Kestner, Tricia Christensen, –, we’re, ” Marc Burrows, Brendan Pierson, Disha, Alexia Garamfalvi, Claudia Parsons Organizations: Johnson, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Reuters, District of Columbia, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics Reuters, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode, Texas, Hope Foundation, Walgreens, Alliance, state’s Department of Health, Human Services, Prevention Services, Community Education Group, Alabama Attorney, University of Mississippi Medical, Inc, Thomson, & $ Locations: Massachusetts, Texas, United States, Maryland, Illinois, . Arkansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Rhode, RIZE Massachusetts, RIZE, Kansas, North Carolina, Charlotte, Appalachia, Mississippi, Alabama, New York

More recently, he has tried to wrap Ukraine into that narrative, falsely depicting it as a Nazi redoubt. Image Smoke rising above a fuel depot in the Russian village of Volna, near the bridge linking Crimea to Russia, last Wednesday. In Russia, various regional governors have cited security concerns in canceling Victory Day events. “No neo-Nazi scum will be able to mar the great Victory Day. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov said the march was canceled as a “precautionary measure” against possible attacks.

More recently, he has tried to wrap Ukraine into that narrative, falsely depicting it as a Nazi redoubt. Credit... ReutersUkraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, staked his nation’s own claim to the holiday, with an address on Monday drawing a parallel between World War II and the current war against Russian invaders. In Russia, various regional governors have cited security concerns in canceling Victory Day events. Igor Artamonov, the governor of the Lipetsk region, which is also near Ukraine, said his decision should not be misinterpreted. “No neo-Nazi scum will be able to mar the great Victory Day.

☆ Fact Check-Aerofarms leafy greens do not contain a COVID vaccine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vertical farms operator Aerofarms grew protein-producing plants for research on COVID-19 therapies in 2021 in a research facility separate from its retail vegetables. Posts online, however, have misrepresented the company’s work to falsely claim its commercial leafy greens sold at Whole Foods and other businesses contain a COVID-19 vaccine. In the clip, Rosenberg referred to research involving Aerofarms plants creating ACE-2 proteins, Oshima said. Commercial greens produced by Aerofarms do not contain COVID-19 vaccines, a spokesperson for the company told Reuters. A clip circulating misrepresents separate research related to an experimental COVID-19 therapeutic, not an edible vaccine.

☆ What the Boston Marathon Finish Line Means Now
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Talya Minsberg | Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

The Boston Marathon is arguably the most elusive finish line of all, and not just anyone can cross it. In 2013, on a cool, partly sunny day, this ebullient scene was shattered when two bombs exploded near the finish line. On Monday, nearly 30,000 runners will journey, down and up and down, toward the finish line of the 127th Boston Marathon. Volunteer, runner I used to volunteer at the finish line, reading information about runners as they finished for the announcer. It means something so different crossing that finish line compared to other marathon majors.

☆ Why horror films kill at the box office all year round
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Frank Pallotta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —One of Paramount’s biggest blockbusters this year is a surprise hit that hasn’t slowed down at the box office since opening at No. The film, which stars Sosie Bacon as a psychiatrist being tormented by visions of horrifying smirks, opened to $22.6 million at the domestic box office late September. Many horror films this year have done the same, showing that — aside from superhero movies — horror is Hollywood’s most dependable genre at the box office. Audiences have been sporadic and the overall North America box office is down about 34% from the pre-Covid levels of 2019. “The box office results have been scary impressive.”

☆ The Elon Musk wrecking ball
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appeared in CNN Business’ Nightcap newsletter. New York CNN Business —Elon Musk bought a $44 billion fixer-upper, and he’s not wasting any time gutting the joint. If you spent the weekend trying to ignore the news, like I did, let’s catch up on what the Musk wrecking ball has targeted so far:And yes, this is all Textbook Musk. Musk himself has long favored using Twitter rather than an PR team to break news about his other companies like Tesla. And for that I turn to my colleague Frank “Craven” Pallotta, CNN Business’ resident expert on all things Hollywood and horror.

☆ 'What are they hiding?': Group sues Biden and National Archives over JFK assassination records
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Marc Caputo | Marc Caputo Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

The country's largest online source of JFK assassination records is suing President Joe Biden and the National Archives to force the federal government to release all remaining documents related to the most mysterious murder of a U.S. president nearly 60 years ago. “This is about our history and our right to know it,” said Morley, the author of the JFK Facts blog. The National Archives and Records Administration, the agency in charge of the JFK documents, also said it’s complying with the law and the procedures Biden outlined. JFK assassination historian David Talbot, a Trump critic, said he sees an irony in the two cases. Uscinski said he’s hesitant to draw a direct line between lack of trust in the government and the refusal to release the JFK records, but he argued the feds essentially have themselves to blame.

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