The wave of protests mushrooming around the world has now forced a change of leadership in Madagascar. After weeks of demonstrations over corruption and worsening living standards, the armed forces say they have taken control while President Andry Rajoelina has taken refuge in what he described as a secure, undisclosed location as he tries to shore up enough political support to regain power. (Hookway & Faucon, The Wall Street Journal)
Read MoreThe law, SB 243, is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from some of the harms associated with AI companion chatbot use. It holds companies — from the big labs like Meta and OpenAI to more focused companion startups like Character AI and Replika — legally accountable if their chatbots fail to meet the law’s standards. (Bellan, TechCrunch)
Read MorePreteens using increasing amounts of social media perform poorer in reading, vocabulary and memory tests in early adolescence compared with those who use no or little social media. That's according to a new study that suggests a link between social media use and poorer cognition in teens. (Chaterjee, NPR)
Read MorePresident Donald Trump has taken to justifying his policy agenda by invoking his hope of reaching heaven after he dies. But his quest for eternal paradise is doomed to come up short, the president said Sunday. (Diamond, The Washington Post)
Read MoreSeveral locales across the US claim to be king when it comes to Halloween. But three in particular — Savannah, Georgia; New Orleans and Salem, Massachusetts — have the haunting histories to truly earn the title. (Andrew, CNN)
Read MoreThe Parents Television Council Inc. — whose members lodged thousands of indecency complaints with the Federal Communications Commission — has folded. Earlier this month, the Burbank-based nonprofit filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Delaware court, saying it had $284,823 in liabilities, which include staff member salaries, insurance payments and credit card debt. The filing lists $91,874 in assets. (James, Los Angeles Times)
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