Amazon faces challenges in AI race amid growing competition
Amazon is working to regain its position in the rapidly advancing artificial intelligence landscape as it faces increasing competition from tech giants like Microsoft, Google and OpenAI. While Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant once dominated the market, the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT has reshaped the AI race, leaving the company working to catch up.
Amazon’s AI team has focused on developing large language models and generative AI technology to enhance Alexa and other products. However, the company’s efforts have encountered significant challenges.
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Delays in development, shifting priorities, and tight timelines have slowed progress. As new AI models were integrated into Alexa, the assistant became less reliable for basic tasks, like turning on lights, which it once performed with over 90% accuracy.
Amazon remains optimistic, expecting AI to drive significant revenue growth in the coming years, particularly through its cloud services.
The company has also invested in partnerships and AI startups to bolster its capabilities. Despite these efforts, competitors like Google and Apple have introduced advanced AI assistants, intensifying the pressure on Amazon to innovate.
Amazon is set to reveal an upgraded version of Alexa as early as October, with new conversational abilities and enhanced functionality. However, questions remain about whether the company can close the gap with its rivals in the competitive AI landscape.
No quick fix for Intel as it weighs investment and buyout offers
Once a semiconductor powerhouse, Intel is falling from grace and now has two firms vying to catch it. San Diego-based Qualcomm is offering to acquire the company, the Wall Street Journal first reported, while asset management firm Apollo Global Management has offered an investment lifeline worth up to $5 billion, Bloomberg reports.
Intel has a market capitalization of around $96 billion as of Monday, Sept. 23. The company has been in the semiconductor game since the ’60s and despite the growing demand in the industry, Intel is falling behind its competitors.
Since the start of the year, Intel’s stock has plunged 53%. At the same time, NVIDIA is up 140%.
That performance may make it seem like Intel is currently at a discount, but analysts say a Qualcomm takeover would face significant regulatory issues, particularly in China.
What exactly is going on at Intel and how does it affect the billions of dollars the government promised the company through the CHIPS Act?
In August, Intel announced a $1.6 billion quarterly loss and plans to cut 15,000 workers. Five months prior, the Biden administration and Intel had announced $8.5 billion in direct funding from the CHIPS Act to support the company’s several semiconductor projects, saying the projects would create 10,000 company jobs, 20,000 construction jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs.
And a week ago, the company confirmed another $3 billion in CHIPS Act funding for military chips.
“Giving money to Intel is pretty much, in my opinion, throwing it down a hole,” said Edward Snyder, managing director of Charter Equity Research.
Straight Arrow News spoke with Snyder over the phone about how Intel fell so far behind rivals TSMC and Samsung.
“All companies that are rich and successful for a very long period of time run the risk of becoming ossified and arrogant, and that certainly happened with Intel,” he said. “And it wasn’t a problem when the industry was doing what it’s always been doing. But then when you get a change in the industry, it requires you to be nimble and aggressive and competitive. Those companies really run into problems.”
It’s a sentiment the company is certainly familiar with. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said as much after those disappointing quarterly earnings in August.
“We see quite a number of areas where I’ll just say we’re not a nimble, efficient company,” he said in an interview. “And as we look at it through this clean sheet lens, we’ve looked at every area, our GNA, our sales and marketing, our operational performance, as we look at our design teams, we haven’t been fully leveraging industry best practices and EDA and design practices.”
Gelsinger called the layoffs the most substantial restructuring of Intel in decades. He’s been CEO since 2021. He was chief technology officer during Intel’s heyday in the aughts and left the company in 2009.
“They’re scrambling and desperately trying to change,” Snyder said. “But the culture isn’t built for change. It’s built for, ‘Just keep doing what we’re doing,’ just crush everybody with their market share, so they’re incapable of reacting, [in] my opinion.”
When Gelsinger first took the reins, he told “60 Minutes’” Lesley Stahl they were coming for Taiwan-based TSMC’s market share.
“They’re ahead of you on the manufacturing side,” Stahl said. “Considerably ahead of you.”
“We believe it’s gonna take us a couple of years and we will be caught up,” Gelsinger replied.
A couple of years on, there’s still a marathon to go. TSMC has about 62% of the global foundry market share while Intel’s not on the map.
“Even if they could build it, how long is that going to take?” Snyder said. “And even if you could build it and it took three or four years, ‘Why would I change? I’m at TSMC, right? Everything’s going very well. Why would I go to Intel and risk my product?’”
EU to guide Apple in providing support for third-party headphones, watches
The European Commission, a branch of the European Union, wants to ensure Apple products like iPhones and iPads interact properly with headphones and smartwatches not designed by Apple. This is something Apple must comply with under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
The commission announced Friday, Sept. 20, it is starting two “specification proceedings to assist Apple in complying with its interoperability obligations.” But first, what is interoperability?
Amazon Web Services has a good primer on the subject. It says: “Interoperability refers to the standards, protocols, technologies, and mechanisms that allow data to flow between diverse systems with minimal human intervention. It allows diverse systems to talk to each other and share information in real time.”
Under Article 6 of the DMA, “gatekeepers,” which are large digital companies the EU deems to have the most impact on the digital economy — of which Apple is one — must provide free and effective interoperability to third-party developers and businesses. In this case, the EU refers to those who have developed hardware and software features controlled by Apple’s operating systems.
The first proceeding focuses on iOS features and functions such as “notifications, device pairing, and connectivity.” The commission said companies offering third-party products “depend on effective interoperability with Apple’s phones and systems.”
The second proceeding focuses on the process Apple has set up to address interoperability requests submitted by developers. The commission said it is “crucial that the request process be transparent, timely, and fair.”
The commission said it would conclude the proceedings within six months, at which point it will explain its findings to Apple and release a non-confidential summary to the public. Should Apple ultimately not comply with the DMA obligations, it faces up to a fine of 10% of its global annual turnover.
“To comply with the DMA, we’ve also created ways for apps in the European Union to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPads while protecting our users,” Apple said. “Undermining the protections we’ve built over time would put European consumers at risk, giving bad actors more ways to access their devices and data.”
In a statement along with the EU’s announcement, the European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager spoke about keeping digital markets fair:
“Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue. We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets. Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this. This process will provide clarity for developers, third parties and Apple. We will continue our dialogue with Apple and consult third parties to ensure that the proposed measures work in practice and meet the needs of businesses.”
Apple said it will continue to work constructively with the commission on a path forward that protects both its European users and clarifies the regulation.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
Apple and Google lose billions in back taxes, EU fines across the pond
The European Commission scored two big wins against major U.S. tech companies on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Both Apple and Google will have to pay billions of euros after nearly a decade of fighting in EU courts.
Apple lost its final appeal to avoid paying $14.34 billion in back taxes to Ireland. The European Court of Justice ruled the iPhone-maker received too sweet of a deal to make Ireland its European headquarters.
The ruling stems from a practice known as a “Double Irish” scheme.
For U.S. companies that operate in multiple countries, it was a way for them to shield non-U.S. profits from U.S. corporate tax. But they didn’t pay much in Ireland either; the money would get funneled from Ireland to a tax haven.
The tax loophole was used by Ireland to attract major tech companies to its shores for European headquarters. After pressure from the EU and U.S., Ireland was forced to close the loophole in 2014. However, existing companies like Apple were grandfathered in and could take advantage of the law until 2020.
In 2016, the European Commission ruled Ireland provided illegal state aid to Apple by not collecting 13 billion euros in taxes from 2004 to 2014.
“No one did anything wrong here and we need to stand together,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Irish Independent back in 2016. “Ireland is being picked on and this is unacceptable.”
Cook also called claims made by European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager that the company only paid 0.005% in taxes “total political crap.” He said the company paid $400 million in taxes in 2014, making Apple the highest taxpayer in Ireland that year.
Eight years later, Vestager said winning the final appeal against Apple made her cry.
“Today marks a step forward and it’s encouraging,” Vestager said Tuesday. “It’s encouraging for us to do more. The commission will continue its work on harmful tax competition and aggressive tax planning, both in terms of legislative proposals but also enforcement.”
Other major multinational companies, like Amazon and Starbucks, have avoided paying back taxes, unlike Apple. But the commission’s case against Ireland and Apple proved stronger after getting documents where Irish officials were upfront about just how good of a deal they gave Apple.
The Luxembourg-based court also upheld a $2.7 billion antitrust fine against Google on the same day, giving the commission its second victory in 24 hours.
The Google fine has been in limbo since it was levied back in 2017. At the time, the commission accused Google of giving prominent placement to its own comparison shopping service and burying its rivals in the same results. Google had a 90% market share for search in the EU when the case first started.
“The Google shopping case is a landmark in the history of regulatory actions against Big Tech companies,” Vestager said. “It was one of the first significant antitrust cases brought by a competition agency against a major digital company. And I think this case marked a pivotal shift in how digital companies were regulated and also perceived.”
“In essence, the Google shopping case was a catalyst for change, inspiring a more vigilant and proactive approach to regulating Big Tech and of course, ensuring also a fairer digital marketplace,” she added.
Google is a frequent target of the competition committee and has been fined more than 8 billion euros in the last 10 years. Google is still waiting for final rulings on challenges to cases involving the Android operating system for mobile phones and its advertising platform.
Google also has antitrust concerns to deal with in the U.S. In a trial that started Monday, Sept. 9, over its advertising practices, the Department of Justice argued, “Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies.”
China’s Huawei unveils tri-fold smartphone hours after iPhone 16 reveal
Just when Apple thought it had control of the news cycle when it came to smartphones, China’s Huawei is looking to steal its thunder by releasing a tri-fold smartphone. The phone has a starting price of $2,800.
The company unveiled its Mate XT phone Tuesday, Sept. 10, during a launch ceremony in China. The announcement came just hours after Apple revealed its iPhone 16 lineup during an event in California on Monday, Sept. 9.
Though the Mate XT is not available to purchase in stores in China until Sept. 20, the same day the iPhone 16 goes on sale, the three-way folding phone already received over 4 million pre-orders. However, Huawei did not require a deposit to preorder.
Huawei has been trying to reinvent itself and how it makes its phone since the U.S. imposed sanctions in 2019 that blocked it from the global chip supply chain. However, the company made a resurgence last year when it released its Mate 60 Pro powered by a Chinese-made chip.
The Chinese tech giant is looking to battle Apple in the world’s largest smartphone market with its Mate XT. The phone is being touted as the slimmest foldable phone ever at 3.6 millimeters wide. Huawei passed Samsung earlier this year to become the world’s biggest foldable smartphone maker.
However, unlike in the U.S. where Apple Intelligence will be accessible right away, Apple’s AI software will not be available in Chinese languages until next year. Apple has yet to announce an AI partner to power its 16 series in China.
As for the price tag for the Mate XT, the starting price is more than twice that for the comparable iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
With just one day to go, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are preparing for the first debate between the presidential candidates. And Apple is reportedly set to unveil its latest iPhone models powered by artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
We’re now one day away from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump facing off on the debate stage. Tuesday night, Sept. 10, both presidential candidates will be in Philadelphia to answer questions over policies, address Americans’ concerns in the country and make their case for why voters should choose them in November.
Over the weekend, Harris was seen by reporters on a stroll with her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. She ignored the reporters’ first few questions but when asked if she’s ready for the debate, she said, “I’m ready.”
Also over the weekend, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled a website detailing policies for the first time. It outlines proposals on key issues such as the economy, crime and immigration.
Harris will be in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 9, preparing for the debate with a team of advisors.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that Trump is “holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump was on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, where he also spoke of the upcoming debate.
“Oh, they’re waiting for the debate. You know, if I destroy her in the debate, they’ll say, ‘Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight,’ no matter what,” Trump said.
Two of the latest battleground polls, one from the New York Times and the other CBS News, show razor thin margins between the two candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Defense secretary says temporary budget would severely impact military
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Congress that passing a temporary bill to keep the government open would have devastating impacts on the Defense Department. The bill would keep the federal government funded for another six months, but cap spending at 2024 levels.
In a letter to members of Congress on Sunday, Sept. 8, Austin said that the stop-gap would cut defense spending by more than $6 billion, compared to the 2025 spending proposal. Austin said that would impact thousands of defense programs and damage recruiting just as the military is starting to recover from the pandemic.
Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Manhunt continues for suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting
The suspect in a shooting on a Kentucky freeway that left seven people injured over the weekend remains on the loose. Police said Joseph A. Couch is the man responsible for opening fire Saturday, Sept. 7, on Interstate 75, striking at least 12 vehicles.
Police said in a Sunday night, Sept. 8, news briefing, Couch purchased his weapon legally the morning of the shooting. He also bought a thousand rounds of ammunition.
An AR-15 rifle was found not far from the shooting scene and Couch’s vehicle was located abandoned nearby.
California’s Line Fire consumes 20,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
Firefighters in California are battling against more than a dozen wildfires fueled by a heatwave and high winds. The most intense blaze is the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has surged to over 20,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the fire was zero percent contained. The blaze has injured three people, though details on their conditions are not yet available.
Thunderstorm winds are complicating firefighting efforts, causing unpredictable fire behavior, while critically dry vegetation and smoke continue to pose other challenges.
Officials said more thunderstorms on Monday could add fuel to the Line Fire.
Apple expected to reveal iPhone 16 lineup at ‘Glowtime’ event
It’s “‘Glowtime!” That’s the title Apple has given its event Monday where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest lineup of iPhones.
Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 16 models. They will reportedly be the first ones powered by the company’s artificial intelligence program, Apple Intelligence, which was announced earlier this year.
The phones will also likely have larger screen displays and upgraded cameras.
Apple AirTag leads to arrest of mail theft suspects in Southern California
Police nabbed two mail theft suspects in southern California after a woman’s creative use of Apple AirTag. Frustrated by repeated mail thefts from her post office box, the woman mailed herself a package containing an Apple AirTag. Thieves stole the tagged package, along with her other mail.
Law enforcement tracked the AirTag to a residence in Santa Maria, about 16 miles from the Los Alamos post office.
There, officers discovered the victim’s mail in addition to items believed to be stolen from more than a dozen other individuals.
Officers arrested and booked Virginia Franchessca Lara, 27, and Donald Ashton Terry, 37, on multiple felony charges including possession of checks with intent to commit fraud, conspiracy, identity theft and credit card theft.
Law enforcement officials are actively working to identify and contact additional victims, suggesting the operation’s impact may be more widespread than initially thought.
The next generation of the phone wars is here and it’s all about artificial intelligence. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, Google unveiled its latest lineup of Pixel phones at its annual showcase held a bit earlier than usual this year as it looks to be one step ahead of Apple when it comes to AI.
New AI functions include a voice conversation feature and a “magic editor” that can add a person to a photo who wasn’t in the original. All new phones will come with a free year of Gemini Assistant, normally a $20 monthly subscription.
Google’s new phones are available now to preorder. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are being released on Aug. 22. while the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launch on Sept. 4.. The pricing for these new phones ranges from $800 to $1,800.
US service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
Multiple service members are injured after a U.S. air base in Iraq was hit in a suspected rocket attack Monday. And Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her VP pick before holding a rally in Philly. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
U.S. service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
A U.S. base in Iraq was hit Monday, Aug. 5, in what’s being reported as a “suspected rocket attack.” According to the Department of Defense, several U.S. personnel were injured in the incident, however, no details were given as to how many troops were injured and the extent of those injuries.
U.S. bases have been previously targeted by Iran-backed proxy groups over the past several years, but those attacks have only intensified since the Israel-Hamas War began last October.
Meanwhile, the suspense is building in the Middle East as Israel is bracing for a potential multi-day attack from Iran and Hezbollah. Iran’s government has said its proxy groups — from Hezbollah to the Houthis — will participate in its retaliatory hit against Israel.
According to Axios, President Joe Biden was briefed Monday, Aug. 5, and told the timing and details of Iran’s planned assault are still unclear.
Nine U.N. Workers fired over possible involvement in Hamas attack on Israel
Nine United Nations workers in Gaza have been fired after an investigation found they may have taken part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The U.N. investigation was ordered in January after Israel said employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency participated in the attack.
The U.N. investigated 19 relief workers and said it found enough evidence on nine of them to conclude they may have been involved in the attack that launched the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
Vice President Kamala Harris expected to announce VP pick ahead of Philly rally
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally announce her running mate Tuesday, Aug. 6. The announcement may come in the form of a pre-taped video that Harris’ campaign will drop.
This comes after she secured 99% of state delegate votes from the Democratic National Convention’s “virtual roll call” to officially get the bid for the party’s presidential nominee.
Once her vice president is chosen, the two will set out on a seven-state battleground tour beginning in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Aug. 6, afternoon at a joint rally in Philadelphia.
Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, is also slated to appear at a campaign event Tuesday in Philadelphia.
At least 5 dead as Tropical Storm Debby makes its way back to Atlantic
Hurricane Debby has weakened back into a tropical storm but it’s still packing a punch as it slowly makes its way up Georgia and into South Carolina. It’s been a deadly storm with five people losing their lives, so far — four in Florida and one in Georgia.
More than 150,000 people are without power, most in Florida, but the outages have already started to reach South Carolina.
Debby is expected to unleash potentially record rainfall in Georgia and South Carolina — up to 30 inches in some areas — as it moves offshore into the Atlantic later Tuesday, Aug. 6, morning. Forecasters said the storm could strengthen again once it does move offshore and could make landfall again in South Carolina by Thursday, Aug. 8, before moving into North Carolina Friday, Aug. 9.
Judge says Google is an ‘illegal monopoly’ in antitrust lawsuit ruling
A decision has come down in the nation’s largest antitrust showdown in more than 20 years. The Department of Justice has been handed a major victory over Google.
In the decision, the judge said Google has been exploiting its widely used search engine to crush competition. This included paying cellphone makers like Apple and Samsung $26 billion in 2021 to make Google their default search engine.
The judge will later decide what changes and penalties should be imposed.
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have released a statement condemning the ruling and said they plan to appeal.
Biles wins one more Olympic medal on final day of gymnastics
It was a bittersweet day for Olympic great Simone Biles on the final day of gymnastics at the Paris Games on Monday, Aug. 5. Biles started the day’s competitions by falling off the balance beam and missing the podium, as did her teammate Suni Lee.
Later in the day, Biles’ performance on floor exercises earned her silver — her 11th Olympic medal. Team USA’s Jordan Chiles took the bronze, after originally placing 5th in the competition. After her coaches called for a review, Chiles received a tenth of a point back on her final score earning her the medal.
