Author: Aurora Lane

Concerns Grow Over Tilly Norwood’s Creation The debate surrounding Tilly Norwood, the so-called AI “actress,” has intensified as the British actors’ union Equity joined SAG-AFTRA in denouncing the digital creation. The union said the character, designed by AI production studio Particle6, cannot be considered a performer and raised concerns about how the data used to build her was sourced. “Tilly is not an actress. She is an AI tool. Or it is an AI tool. That’s not a performer,” said Shannon Sailing, Equity’s audio and new media organizer, in an interview with BBC Radio. “What that tool is made up…

Fried Delivers but Gets Pulled The New York Yankees opened the American League Wild Card Series with a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, and much of the conversation afterward focused on manager Aaron Boone’s decisions. Starting pitcher Max Fried gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, holding Boston scoreless through 6⅓ innings. He scattered four hits, worked out of pressure in the middle innings, and struck out key batters. Fried reached 102 pitches but still looked strong, even saying later that he felt ready to continue until the ball was taken out of his hand. Despite the…

Gemini Replaces Google Assistant Google is officially rolling out Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant on smart home devices starting this month. The shift marks a move toward a more natural, conversational experience, where rigid commands give way to context-driven interactions. Users will still need the “Hey Google” wake word, but Gemini can now interpret intent more flexibly. For example, saying “I’m about to watch a movie, turn off the lights” will dim the living room lights specifically. Multiple requests can be bundled into one sentence, and automations can be created by voice without using the Google Home app. Smarter…

Security Measures Intensify in Copenhagen Denmark has imposed a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights this week as it prepares to host a high-profile European Union summit in Copenhagen. The transport ministry said the restriction was necessary to “simplify security work” for police, stressing that authorities could not allow “foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.” The ban, effective until October 3, comes amid a series of drone sightings over Danish military sites, including incidents as recent as Saturday. Officials warned that violations could carry fines or imprisonment of up to two years. Police remain on heightened alert ahead of the…

AI Shopping Moves Beyond Search OpenAI announced Tuesday that U.S. users can now complete purchases directly within ChatGPT using a new Instant Checkout feature powered by Stripe. The move marks a major step in monetizing the platform’s 700 million weekly users and poses a potential challenge to Google’s dominance in search-driven advertising. The feature launches with Etsy sellers and will expand soon to more than one million Shopify merchants, including well-known brands like Glossier, Skims, Spanx, and Vuori. Instead of redirecting users to merchant websites, ChatGPT will allow shoppers to select an item, click “Buy,” and confirm payment and shipping…

A Historic One-Term Mayor New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is ending his campaign for reelection, virtually ensuring he will become the city’s first one-term mayor since David Dinkins. In a nine-minute video, Adams reflected on his tenure and the challenges that ultimately derailed his political future. “It has been my honor to be your mayor,” Adams said. “We turned victory into action, making this city better for those who have been failed by government.” Legal Troubles and Financial Setbacks Adams’ campaign faltered under the weight of a dismissed federal bribery case, weak polling, and the Campaign…

What Collagen Actually Is Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It provides structure, elasticity, and strength to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Think of it as the body’s scaffolding — the glue that holds everything together. While it isn’t a “complete” protein (it lacks all nine essential amino acids), its role in skin, joints, and overall health makes it one of the most talked-about supplements today. Different Types of Collagen The body contains over 28 types of collagen, but five are most relevant for skin, nails, hair, bones, and joints. Supplements usually come in…

NFL Confirms Historic Performance Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny has been announced as the headliner for next year’s Super Bowl halftime show. The news was confirmed Sunday night during halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation. Super Bowl 60 is set for February 8 in Santa Clara, California. Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will become one of the few Latin artists to lead the world’s most-watched music stage. A Celebration of Culture In a statement released by the NFL, Bad Bunny said…

As the 2025 NFL season enters Week 4, patterns are emerging that help fantasy football managers make sharper lineup decisions. Among the most valuable tools is the concept of the funnel defense — a team that naturally channels opponents toward passing or rushing due to its strengths and weaknesses. This week, several matchups stand out where funnel tendencies could significantly affect fantasy outcomes. Pass Funnel Matchups Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit LionsThe Lions are heavy home favorites and continue to operate as one of the NFL’s most consistent pass funnels. Detroit opponents have increased their pass rate by eight percent above…

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will receive extended support at no cost, following pressure from consumer rights group Euroconsumers. This decision marks a shift from earlier policies that required payment or engagement with Microsoft services, though concerns remain about broader compliance with EU regulations and sustainability goals. From Paid Updates to Free Support Initially, Microsoft announced that after October 14, 2025—the official end-of-support date for Windows 10—users could pay a one-time fee of $30 to access Extended Security Updates (ESU). Later, the company offered a “free” path, but only if consumers redeemed…