Browsed by
Category: Uncategorized

Veteran of 4 spacecraft, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore retires

Veteran of 4 spacecraft, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore retires

Barry “Butch” Wilmore has flown on the space shuttle, a Russian Soyuz, Boeing’s Starliner and a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

After 25 years with NASA and 464 days in space, he’s calling it a career, the agency announced Wednesday.

A retired U.S. Navy captain, the 62-year-old Wilmore was chosen as an astronaut candidate in 2000 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

“Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence of what is required of an astronaut. His mastery of complex systems, coupled with his adaptability and steadfast commitment to NASA’s mission, has inspired us all,” said Joe Acaba, chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. “As he steps into this new chapter, that same dedication will no doubt continue to show in whatever he decides to do next.”

His most recent trip to space made national headlines as he commanded the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner, flying up to the International Space Station after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5, 2024. read more

Study says ChatGPT giving teens dangerous advice on drugs, alcohol and suicide

Study says ChatGPT giving teens dangerous advice on drugs, alcohol and suicide

By MATT O’BRIEN and BARBARA ORTUTAY, Associated Press Technology Writers

ChatGPT will tell 13-year-olds how to get drunk and high, instruct them on how to conceal eating disorders and even compose a heartbreaking suicide letter to their parents if asked, according to new research from a watchdog group.

The Associated Press reviewed more than three hours of interactions between ChatGPT and researchers posing as vulnerable teens. The chatbot typically provided warnings against risky activity but went on to deliver startlingly detailed and personalized plans for drug use, calorie-restricted diets or self-injury.

The researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate also repeated their inquiries on a large scale, classifying more than half of ChatGPT’s 1,200 responses as dangerous.

“We wanted to test the guardrails,” said Imran Ahmed, the group’s CEO. “The visceral initial response is, ‘Oh my Lord, there are no guardrails.’ The rails are completely ineffective. They’re barely there — if anything, a fig leaf.” read more

If you’re a fan of sports betting or casino gambling, you won’t be a fan of the new tax law

If you’re a fan of sports betting or casino gambling, you won’t be a fan of the new tax law

By Anna-Louise Jackson, Bankrate.com

The house always wins in gambling, and soon it could feel like Uncle Sam does too. That’s because gamblers face what amounts to a tax hike beginning in 2026: They’ll no longer be able to deduct the full amount of their wagering losses.

Related Articles

New rules included in the massive tax bill that was signed into law in July will reduce the tax deduction gamblers can claim on their losses, from 100% to 90%, starting next year.

Consider this: If a gambler wins $20,000 and loses $20,000 in the same year, this change in tax law affects how much of those losses they can deduct: read more

Disney’s 3Q profit climbs as it sees strength at domestic parks, adds streaming subscribers

Disney’s 3Q profit climbs as it sees strength at domestic parks, adds streaming subscribers

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, Associated Press Business Writer

Disney’s profit and revenue climbed in its fiscal third quarter as the entertainment company continued to add subscribers to its streaming service and see strength at its domestic theme parks.

It also raised its full-year adjusted earnings forecast on Wednesday.

The Walt Disney Co. earned $5.26 billion, or $2.92 per share, for the three months ended June 28. A year earlier it earned $2.62 billion, or $1.43 per share.

Tourists stroll by the World of Disney store at Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district
Tourists stroll by the World of Disney store at Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Excluding certain items, earnings were $1.61 per share. This easily beat the $1.46 per share analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research were looking for.

Revenue for the Burbank, California, company totaled $23.65 billion, falling slightly short of Wall Street’s estimate of $23.68 billion.

Last night the NFL announced that it had entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN, which Disney owns. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN. read more

Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs

Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs

By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% last week, but a key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties.

Related Articles

Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs.

Here’s a look at Trump’s tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions:

Most Canadian exports reaching the U.S duty free

Canada’s central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are USMCA compliant. The Royal Bank estimated that almost 90% of Canadian exports appear to have accessed the U.S. market duty free in April. read more