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NAGASAKI, Japan (AP) — A United Airlines passenger plane carrying 142 people and bound for the Philippine island of Cebu made an emergency landing in Osaka on Friday after an indicator showed a fire in the cargo room, Japanese aviation officials said.

Footage on Japan’s NHK television showed passengers sliding down escape shooters from the aircraft parked on a runway at the Osaka airport.

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There were no reports of injuries and fire or smoke was not visible in the footage.

The UA flight 32, which departed from the Narita International Airport near Tokyo, had an indicator showing a fire in the cargo room while flying over the Pacific Ocean. Officials later said they were investigating whether there was actual fire or smoke. read more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE

Amazon’s Zoox on Wednesday launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, offering free rides through parts of the entertainment mecca for anyone willing to gamble on the safety of a driverless vehicle that operates without a steering wheel.

The Las Vegas debut of Zoox’s long-planned ride-hailing service reflects Amazon-owned robotaxi maker’s confidence in the safety of its boxy vehicles after two years of testing them in the city.

The robotaxis initially were only available to employees in Las Vegas before gradually expanding to friends and family members. Now, anyone with the Zoox app will be able to request a ride to five designated locations, including Resorts World, the Luxor hotel and the New York-New York hotel. The longest distance the Zoox robotaxis will travel is about three miles (4.8 kilometers) while carrying up to four passengers.

All rides will be provided for free for at least the first few months to help promote the existence of the service in the perennially popular travel destination. Once it begins charging for rides in Las Vegas, Zoox says its prices will be comparable to traditional taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. read more

By BARBARA ORTUTAY

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into several social media and artificial intelligence companies about the potential harms to children and teenagers who use their AI chatbots as companions.

The FTC said Thursday it has sent letters to Google parent Alphabet, Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms, Snap, Character Technologies, ChatGPT maker OpenAI and xAI.

The FTC said it wants to understand what steps, if any, companies have taken to evaluate the safety of their chatbots when acting as companions, to limit the products’ use by and potential negative effects on children and teens, and to apprise users and parents of the risks associated with the chatbots.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

The move comes as a growing number of kids use AI chatbots for everything — from homework help to personal advice, emotional support and everyday decision-making. That’s despite research on the harms of chatbots, which have been shown to give kids dangerous advice about topics such as drugs, alcohol and eating disorders. The mother of a teenage boy in Florida who killed himself after developing what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship with a chatbot has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Character.AI. And the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine recently sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT coached the California boy in planning and taking his own life earlier this year. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has asked an appeals court to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors by Monday, before the central bank’s next vote on interest rates.

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Trump sought to fire Cook Aug. 25, but a federal judge ruled late Tuesday that the removal was illegal and reinstated her to the Fed’s board. Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud because she appeared to claim two properties as “primary residences” in July 2021, before she joined the board. Such claims can lead to a lower mortgage rate and smaller down payment than if one of them was declared as a rental property or second home. Cook has denied the charges. read more

Boards of directors

Ashley Sanchez, event manager for SeaWorld Orlando, was appointed to the board of directors for UCP of Central Florida.

Courtney Bailes Quarles was appointed to the board of directors for UCP of Central Florida.

Derek De Salvia, executive vice president and chief customer officer at Hilton Grand Vacations, was appointed to the board of directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.

Education

Traci Ash Bjella was hired as vice president of marketing and strategic communications at Seminole State College of Florida.

Other

Anna Zucker was appointed executive director of the Winter Garden Art Association and SOBO Art Gallery.

Awards read more