Apple pulling new AI news summary feature after series of false headlines
It’s only been available for less than six months, but Apple is already disabling one of its artificial intelligence features. Apple announced Thursday, Jan. 16, it is temporarily suspending the AI feature that summarizes news headlines after getting multiple complaints that the technology issued a series of inaccurate news alerts.
Apple is also adding a warning for users who receive notification summaries for other apps that will say the feature is still in development, and that the information could contain errors.
On Thursday, Apple deployed a beta software update to developers that disabled the AI feature for news and entertainment headlines. The company plans to later roll that out to all users while it works to improve the AI feature. Apple said once it’s fixed, the company will reenable the feature in a future update.
Last month, the BBC filed a formal complaint, after a news alert was summarized by Apple Intelligence, but branded with the BBC’s logo, incorrectly claiming Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.
Apple’s AI also wrongly summarized other BBC app notifications last month to say tennis star Rafael Nadal came out as gay, and named the PDC World Darts Championship winner hours before the competition even began.
Just this week, the AI-powered feature once again incorrectly summarized a headline. The notification from The Washington Post said, “Pete Hegseth fired; Trump tariffs impact inflation; Pam Bondi and Marco Rubio confirmed.” None of those were true.
New NY bill would require a background check to buy a 3D printer
A New York state senator has re-introduced a bill requiring a criminal background check to purchase 3D printers capable of printing firearms. The goal is to block people who would be disqualified from buying a gun from also purchasing the means to produce one.
The bill comes after law enforcement officials in New York raised the alarm about so-called “ghost guns.” Many of these unmarked and untraceable firearms can be made with certain 3D printers.
A “ghost gun” likely played a role in a recent high-profile New York crime. Police in New York City said they believe Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, used an unmarked firearm. Authorities think it was at least partially made using a 3D printer.
The bill is a testament to the difficulties that law enforcement and lawmakers advocating for gun control reform have experienced when trying to regulate guns.
Federal judges, most notably the Supreme Court, have taken a broad view of the Second Amendment. They use it to block many gun control laws.
Democratic State Sen. Jenifer Rajkumar, the lead sponsor, did not include a memo explaining the bill. However, after introducing an initial version in 2023, she wrote, in part, “This bill will require a background check so that three-dimensional printed firearms do not get in the wrong hands.”
The bill has sparked backlash from 3D printer owners and enthusiasts, who worry its language is overly broad. They point to the growing number of 3D printers in schools that students can use for educational purposes.
‘Big 3’ pharmacy benefit managers marked up drugs by $7.3B: FTC
The nation’s three largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) made significant markups to “lifesaving” medications at pharmacies they owned, the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday, Jan. 14. The preliminary report comes as PBMs face increased scrutiny and bipartisan legislation to rein them in.
The “Big 3” pharmacy benefit managers marked up generic drugs filled by their affiliated pharmacies by hundreds and even thousands of percent, according to the FTC’s preliminary report.
The regulator said the markups allowed CaremarkRX, Express Scripts and OptumRX to earn $7.3 billion in revenue from dispensing those drugs from 2017 to 2022. The FTC said the $7.3 billion is the difference between the estimated cost to acquire the drug and what they are being reimbursed.
The report is part of an ongoing FTC investigation into the PBM market.
“The FTC staff’s second interim report finds that the three major pharmacy benefit managers hiked costs for a wide range of lifesaving drugs, including medications to treat heart disease and cancer,” outgoing FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. “The FTC should keep using its tools to investigate practices that may inflate drug costs, squeeze independent pharmacies, and deprive Americans of affordable, accessible healthcare—and should act swiftly to stop any illegal conduct.”
A trade group representing PBMs cast doubt on the veracity of the latest report.
“It’s clear this report again fails to consider the entirety of the prescription drug supply chain and makes sweeping assertions about the role of PBMs disconnected from a full appreciation of their critical cost-saving role for employers, unions, taxpayers, and patients,” the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said in a statement to Straight Arrow News.
The FTC said patients paid $297 million for these drugs in 2021, while plan sponsors paid $4.8 billion. Between 2017 and 2021, costs for both parties increased about 21% per year for commercial health plans and 14% to 15% for Medicare Part D claims.
It’s another narrative PCMA is pushing back against. In a survey commissioned by the trade group, 90% of responding employers “expressed satisfaction with their PBMs’ clarity and transparency of contract terms,” while 88% “expressed satisfaction with their PBMs’ ability to provide the lowest costs for employees at the pharmacy counter.”
A PBM is an intermediary between insurance companies and pharmacies. Ultimately, the middlemen decide whether a drug is covered and how much the pharmacy and the patient must pay for the medication.
Critics of PBMs said consolidation in the industry is a major problem. In multiple cases, insurance providers, PBMs and pharmacies are all owned by the same corporation.
CaremarkRX is part of a group owned by health insurance firm Aetna and pharmacy heavyweight CVS. OptumRX is part of UnitedHealth Group. Cigna owns Express Scripts.
The FTC’s interim report found the PBMs in question reimbursed the pharmacies they owned more than providers that weren’t under their umbrella.
PBMs are receiving bipartisan criticism in Congress. In December, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sponsored a bill that would force companies that own health insurers or pharmacy benefit managers to sell off their pharmacy business.
How the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter could get away with murder
Could the man accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on video get away with murder? While the immediate response would seem to be “no” considering the evidence, legal analysts say there is a chance, however small, Luigi Mangione could avoid a murder conviction.
Increasing public sympathy for Mangione could result in what’s called jury nullification despite the large amount of evidence stacked against him, according to some legal experts.
Jury nullification is when a jury returns a not guilty verdict even though all the jurors believe beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant did what he is accused of.
Mangione has been charged with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, under federal law. He also faces state charges in New York and Pennsylvania.
He faces the death penalty in the federal charges, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. Prosecutors say the two cases will be tried in mostly the same way, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.
Since his arrest, Mangione has gained many supporters. Many of them have posted sympathetic messages online or created fan accounts.
Supporters have even raised thousands of dollars on crowdfunding sites to pay for his legal defense fund. Many see Mangione’s alleged crimes as a form of protest against the American health care system.
Court proceedings in Mangione’s case were slated to start on Jan. 18. However, the deadline for indictment was pushed to Feb. 17 after both prosecutors and Mangione’s attorneys told a federal court they need more time to prepare.
Reporters push Apple to nix AI feature after false Luigi Mangione headline
Reporters Without Borders called on Apple to drop its AI news feature after it generated a false headline. The press freedom group said Apple AI’s feature summarizing news stories created a fake headline for a BBC story.
Last week, a push notification created by Apple AI and sent to users said Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself — which was not true.
The BBC filed a complaint with Apple but has not confirmed if the tech giant responded. Apple AI made its debut in the U.K. last week.
Reporters Without Borders said it’s “very concerned about the risks posed to media outlets by new AI tools.” The group said this incident highlights that AI is “too immature to produce reliable information for the public.”
Apple has not commented on the incident as of yet.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Police transfer UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect to NY federal prison
Law enforcement officials extradited Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to New York on Thursday, Dec. 19. There, Mangione listened as a judge read out four federal charges against him, including murder with a firearm, an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s move from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges Tuesday, Dec. 17, against him, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
But Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from some protesters outside the federal courthouse, as the killing of the 50-year-old Thompson sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
The poll is one of the clearest indicators yet of the backlash against the insurance industry that the killing has sparked. A plurality of young voters, 41%, found the killer’s actions acceptable, while 30-to-39-year-olds had the next highest rate at 23%.
Overall, 17% of voters say the killer’s actions were acceptable, compared to 68% who said they were unacceptable.
Police arrested 26-year-old suspect Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania after a days-long manhunt. He now faces a murder charge in New York and other lesser charges in both New York and Pennsylvania.
Both before and after Mangione’s arrest, posters online lionized the suspect. They likened him to a folk hero and made light of the killing.
Other polls find the reaction comes as people are developing less favorable views of the healthcare system and more favorable views of violence.
A Gallup poll published earlier this month found Americans’ approval of the healthcare system fell to the lowest level in the 21st century.
Similarly, last year, a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that nearly a quarter of Americans agreed with the idea that violence may be necessary to save the United States.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
A Manhattan grand jury indicted Luigi Mangione for first-degree murder as an act of terrorism in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the attack “a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and intimidation.”
The indictment listed 11 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and multiple weapons and forgery offenses. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Investigators said Mangione, 26, targeted Thompson as part of a broader grievance against the health care industry.
Officers discovered a notebook and handwritten materials criticizing large corporations, including UnitedHealthcare. Police said shell casings at the scene bore inscriptions of “deny,” “depose” and “delay,” emphasizing the deliberate nature of the attack.
Thompson suffered two gunshot wounds — one in the back and another in the leg — while walking near a busy Manhattan hotel. The shooting shook residents and business leaders, raising public safety concerns.
Police arrested Mangione on Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a multi-state manhunt. Officers recovered a gun, fake identification and additional writings at the time of the arrest.
Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania, where he faces additional charges. He is scheduled for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One hearing will address his extradition to New York to face his murder charges.
The New York Police Department warned of potential threats against corporate executives following the killing.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch denounced the crime and criticized social media users who celebrated the attack. She called the shooting “vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice.”
Congress unveils stopgap bill to avert shutdown
Congressional leaders unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government until March. And a mega-merger between Nissan and Honda might be revving up. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
Congressional leaders unveil stopgap government funding bill
With just days left to prevent a shutdown, Congress unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded into March. It’ll be down to the wire with the Dec. 20 deadline, as House leaders are supposed to wait 72 hours before bringing proposed legislation to the floor for a vote. This practice allows lawmakers time to review the bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, Dec. 17, that he believes in adhering to the 72-hour rule, but with the deadline approaching so quickly that might not be feasible.
This new stopgap bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid, a one-year extension to the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers, a bill to renew expiring health care programs and a measure to restrict U.S. investments in China.
Right now, the government is funded through Friday by a different stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in September.
I am particularly proud that this bill advances some of my key priorities including strong proposals to help the United States out-compete the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/k73axXhUl0
In a statement last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s “pleased these negotiations led to a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also securing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and job placement, assistance for the key bridge rebuild, additional disaster relief funding and more.”
If approved, this new stopgap bill would keep the government open through March 14, after the GOP has gained control of both the House and Senate.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
In a press conference Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the shooting outside a Manhattan hotel a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”
Mangione faces 11 counts, including two second-degree murder charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
Mangione, who remains in a Pennsylvania prison, is set for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One for charges he faces in the Keystone State and another hearing for his extradition to New York.
Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said officers responded to reports of shots fired at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and found a vehicle lying on its side in flames. McCullough said it appears the car was involved in an incident that caused it to crash and catch on fire but did not say how that was related to the shooting.
“We know that there are some additional scenes that we’re investigating right now where other gunfire took place throughout the neighborhood,” McCullough said. “And that was evidenced by the multiple calls for service from the neighbors who were calling 911 about the gunshots in the community.”
McCullough said the incident was “intentional and targeted.” No arrests have been made in connection with this case.
Madison school shooting motive appears to be ‘combination of factors’: Police
Wisconsin authorities provided more information on Tuesday about the shooting inside a Christian school classroom that left three dead: a teacher, a student and the 15-year-old suspect.
In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the motive appears to be “a combination of factors.” Barnes added investigators are speaking with other students to see if bullying was one of those factors.
“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted,” Barnes said. “Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.”
Barnes said investigators are looking into the suspect’s social activity. Police identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow and asked anyone who knew her to contact them.
Police said Rupnow opened fire Monday morning, Dec. 16, during a study hall full of students from multiple grade levels at Abundant Life Christian School. She struck several people before shooting herself. Six others were injured in the shooting and two remain in critical condition.
Nissan shares surge amid rumors of merger with Honda
Shares for Nissan surged following reports of potential merger talks with Honda. Both automotive giants released a statement to media confirming the whispers of a possible “business integration,” but not confirming any decisions set in stone yet.
The two have already collaborated on electric vehicles and battery technology, but the companies could benefit from deepening ties as both have seen challenges this year.
Nissan and Honda have seen dwindling sales in China, the world’s largest car market. Additionally, both automakers are navigating a slow shift to the electric vehicle market amid growing competition.
Talks of the potential merger saw Nissan shares notch their best day in more than 40 years with a 24% surge, though Honda saw a dip.
Some reports suggested the two will sign “a memorandum of understanding” on the potential deal soon. Mitsubishi is said to be a potential third player in the mix.
Tom Cruise receives Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award
Nearly 40 years after he first starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film “Top Gun,” actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said during the ceremony. “I know in life something that is very true to me is that is to lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. I see that in you, and you understand that. And I appreciate everyone’s dedication. And it’s a true honor to represent them. And I’m just very proud.”
The Navy said the 62-year-old actor’s efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for its “highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
As for what’s next for Cruise, his film “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is set to be released in theaters in May.
