The California state Senate passed a measure on October 11 to prevent gas prices from spiking in a state where it is notoriously expensive to fill up at the pump.The proposal, backed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, would give energy regulators the authority to require that refiners keep a certain amount of fuel on hand. The goal is to try to keep …

To cheers and applause from kids wearing spacesuits and star-studded T-shirts, a tree was planted in California that is out of this world.The so-called "Moon Tree"—grown with seeds that were flown around the moon—was wheeled out in a wagon accompanied by several students carrying shovels to help dig its new home at Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary …

Opal miners in Queensland, Australia are concerned about the future of their industry as the land they source the gemstones from is being converted into a national park.The Queensland government bought the land with a 21-million-Australian-dollar anonymous donation.For the past thirty years, Robbey Vinnicombe has been looking through red dirt in se…

As AI continues to evolve, the line between human and machine is blurring in the art world. One artist has taught a robot to copy her brush strokes so they can paint together.D.O.U.G. is a machine created by Sougwen Chung. The artist has built and programmed this AI system to work alongside them, creating paintings together. Over the years, it has …

On the coastal island of Lamu, off Kenya’s east coast, workers are turning plastic waste into furniture, even boats.Lamu is contending with mounds of plastic waste—some washed up on its beaches, others created by its own population.“We are collecting the waste plastic around Lamu archipelago, and we process those ones to make boats, furniture, and …

The All-American denim is all about being Japanese in the town of Kojima, whose main road is aptly named “Jeans St.,” with real pairs of pants flapping like flags overhead.Denim is the heart and soul of Kojima. Some would call this spot in southwestern seaside Okayama Prefecture the mecca of jeans, where fans from around the world make their pilgri…

Most of the world’s raw materials and everyday goods that are moved over long distances—from T-shirts to televisions, cellphones to hospital beds—are packed in large metal boxes the size of tractor-trailers and stacked on ships. A trade group says some 250 million containers cross the oceans every year—but not everything arrives as planned.More tha…

Food labels that say “sell by” or “best before” are misleading because they have no universal meaning under current laws. Now California wants to crack down on such practices, bidding to help consumers stop playing guessing games with produce and other items in their fridges.The state is the first to ban food labels such as “sell by” or “best befor…

Divers and marine experts found no evidence of a major fuel spill on a Samoan reef after a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank, Samoa's deputy prime minister said.All 75 people on board the HMNZS Manawanui evacuated safely as the boat foundered about a mile off the coast of Upolu, Samoa. The ship was one of only nine in New Zealand's navy an…

In a stretch of Northern California known for scenic shorelines and celebrated vineyards, a battle is brewing over the future of the region’s animal farms.Residents in Sonoma County, which is home to half a million people north of San Francisco, will vote this fall on a ballot measure aimed at putting an end to large-scale contained animal agricult…

For decades, Australia's country towns have relied on independently owned general stores. But some are now at risk of disappearing because of increased competition and economic pressures.The small South Australian timber town of Mount Burr is located in the heart of plantation forests. And if you want takeaway or food supplies, the only place avail…

A network of illegal drug sellers based in the U.S., the Dominican Republic and India packaged potentially deadly synthetic opioids into pills disguised as common prescription drugs and sold millions of them through fake online drugstores, federal prosecutors said.At least nine people died of narcotics poisoning between August 2023 and June 2024 af…

Streaming—and a pandemic—have radically transformed cinema consumption, but there is a growing number of mostly younger people contributing to a renaissance of LA’s independent theater scene. The city’s enduring, if diminished, role as a mecca of the film industry still shapes its residents and their entertainment preferences, often with renewed ap…

Video game maker Epic Games sued Google and Samsung, accusing the tech companies of coordinating to block third-party competition in application distribution on Samsung devices.At issue is Samsung's "Auto Blocker" feature, which only allows for apps from authorized sources, such as the Samsung Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, to be installed. The…

Meta was punished in September with a fine worth more than $100 million from the social media giant’s European Union privacy regulator over a security lapse involving passwords for Facebook users.The Irish Data Protection Commission said it slapped the U.S. tech company with a 91-million-euro ($101.6-million) penalty following an investigation.The …

Eating in is in and eating out is out.That's the message that inflation-squeezed consumers have been sending to fast-food companies and other restaurants. Meanwhile, food producers are benefiting from more palatable prices in grocery store aisles.Inflation has been easing broadly for more than a year now, and it's been cooling faster for grocery it…

When Oliver Burkhardt underwent leukemia treatment at age 9, he entered the hospital wearing his patch-covered denim jacket. Pokemon. Superman. NASA. Police, fire, military. Classic rock bands. About 50 patches sewn on by his parents, selected from thousands sent by well-wishers worldwide after his dad made a social media request.The jacket became …

A canine-like Spot robot could provide the answer to harmful pesticides. Forever a problem child for environmentalists, the UN has long been keen to minimize their impact. Pesticides are used to suppress weeds and aid crop growth, some types do not harm soil, but many do.Developed by researchers at Texas A&M University, the Spot robot uses heat fro…

The Thai zoo, whose baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng has become a global viral sensation, moved to patent her image so it can benefit financially from the extraordinary interest which shows no sign of abating.Even on a weekday, the antics of the much-loved little animal drew streams of excited visitors to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, near Pattaya. Her name means …

Tupperware Brands Corp., the Orlando, Florida-based consumer goods company that produces the iconic line of containers, said it was seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling to revitalize its core business and failing to secure a tenable takeover offer.Despite enjoying the same cultural ubiquity as Kleenex, Teflon, and other brands …

FIFA teamed up with the World Health Organization (WHO) for a campaign to educate the soccer industry about the risks of concussion injuries."Concussion is a public health issue of concern at all levels of football, and many other sports, requiring greater levels of awareness and action," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a st…

The scene at Kebap With Attitude in Berlin’s trendy Mitte neighborhood is typical of any street-side stand or restaurant where cooks pile the ingredients into pita bread to create the city’s beloved döner kebab.But the snack’s status could be in jeopardy if the European Commission approves a bid by Turkey to regulate what can legally take the döner…

The head brewmaster for Weihenstephan, the world's oldest brewery, has a secret: He really likes alcohol-free beer.Even though he's quick to say he obviously enjoys real beer more, Tobias Zollo says he savors alcohol-free beer when he's working or eating lunch. It has the same taste, but fewer calories than a soft drink, he said, thanks to the brew…

As one of the world’s most popular takeaway snacks, billions of packets of crisps are consumed every year, with most of them unable to be recycled and ending up in landfill.Now, a farm in the U.K. says it’s on a mission to make the humble packet of crisps a more eco-friendly choice, using fully compostable packaging and a production process that po…

A group of youngsters from a community in Kiambu, Kenya is experiencing the world of VR headsets for the first time.Gathered in their village hall, it’s clear many of them don’t know what to expect as the organizer, Paul Simon Waiyaki Wa Hinga distributes the devices.Waiyaki is a former teacher who was looking for a better way to engage his student…

Starbucks’s new chairman and CEO said that he plans to focus on improving service—particularly during the morning rush—and reestablishing stores as gathering places as he takes over at the struggling coffee giant.In an open letter on the Seattle coffee giant’s website, Brian Niccol said Starbucks is a beloved brand, but he found during conversation…

At the center of the circle is Eiko Araki, a master of the Sanuki Kagari Temari, a Japanese traditional craft passed down for more than 1,000 years on the southwestern island of Shikoku.Each ball, or “temari,” is a work of art, with colorful geometric patterns carrying poetic names like “firefly flowers” and “layered stars.” A temari ball takes wee…

Germany's first hobby horsing championship got underway in Frankfurt, with hundreds of young riders competing in time jumping, style jumping and dressage on their wooden stick horses.Roughly 300 riders—mostly youngsters, but there are about 20 adults enrolled—are expected to canter around a gymnasium, watched by 1,500 spectators. The competition is…

Rust-colored piles of mine waste and sun-bleached wooden derricks loom above the historic Colorado mountain town of Leadville—a legacy of gold and silver mines polluting the Arkansas River basin more than a century after the city’s boom days.The Environmental Protection Agency has been cleaning the area up for decades.One fledgling company called C…

Visitors to Tokyo and Kyoto might not realize it, but Osaka—one of Japan's biggest and oldest cities, known more as a business hub than a tourist destination—is gearing up to host next year's World Exposition.The city has been plastered with the Expo's red-and-blue "Myaku-Myaku" mascot for months and is abuzz with preparations. For many here, the e…

Smart homes and AI-powered kitchen appliances were the hot topics at this year’s IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.But do consumers want to spend their hard-earned money on the latest tech gadgets?The tech event didn’t officially open until September 6, but big brands had already given a sneak peek of what visitors would be able to see.German…

The office dog is nothing new and is always a treat for the owner, dog, and employees lucky enough to have one. But in Tasmania, one insurance firm has made it a policy that employees’ dogs can join the workforce.For many years now, insurer RACT has permitted its Hobart employees to bring their dogs to the office. In the beginning, Fridays were the…

One doesn’t need to know sign language to understand what Michael Connolly feels about his colleagues’ efforts to break down the barriers posed by his deafness.When asked what he thought of his teammates’ decision to learn British Sign Language (BSL), the 45-year-old autoworker at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, England, grinned and flashed a unive…

“Very demure, very mindful” has become the latest vocabulary defining the internet’s summer. TikTok creator Jools Lebron is working to trademark the use of her now-viral words.Lebron filed to trademark “very demure, very mindful” for various entertainment and advertising services, including the promotion of beauty products, with the U.S. Patent and…

While tennis fans savor the last matches of the U.S. Open, a subset of spectators and TV viewers have watched the year's final Grand Slam tournament as a source of fashion inspiration they can use to serve looks off the court.It may have escaped people who don't pay attention to clothing trends, but cities from Australia to America are awash in sho…

The U.S. government has temporarily halted a plan to remove iconic stray cats that live in a historic district in Puerto Rico’s capital until a lawsuit opposing the project is resolved, a nonprofit announced in September.The ruling was cheered by those fighting a decision by the U.S. National Park Service to remove an estimated 200 cats that meande…

The U.K.'s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into the way more than one million tickets were sold for next year's reunion concerts by iconic 1990s Britpop band Oasis.In a statement, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation into Live Nation Entertainment's unit Ticketmaster will look specifically at "dynami…

“Clean beauty,” the idea of promoting healthy and environmentally friendly beauty products, is all the rage online and in big-box stores. But knowing exactly what’s in most of the soaps, creams and perfumes on shelves today can be nearly impossible, supply chain experts say, because even products that tout natural, sustainable ingredients are so fa…

An Australian app is setting out to help diners tired of battling background noise when they visit restaurants. The app allows users to search and review restaurants based on noise levels.Open-plan kitchens and sparse furnishing are the modern hallmarks of a trendy restaurant. However, some restauranteurs fail to consider the auditory implications …

While many costs have come down for small businesses, rents remain high and, in some cases are still rising, forcing many owners into some uncomfortable decisions.“Every time the rent goes up, we have to raise prices to keep up with the cost,” said Adelita Valentine, owner of HairFreek Barbers in Los Angeles. “But with the cost of living, it makes …

Japan, a nation so hardworking its language has a term for literally working oneself to death, is trying to address a worrisome labor shortage by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day workweeks.The Japanese government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021, after lawmakers endorsed the idea. The concept has been sl…

The Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning people to immediately dispose of a magnetic game because it poses serious ingestion risks for children.The CPSC posted a warning that "Magnetic Chess Games" sold by JOMO contain magnets that do not comply with U.S. federal safety regulations. As a result, the "loose, hazardous magnets pos…

A private college in the U.K. is about to start its first class taught using artificial intelligence instead of human teachers.David Game College in London is offering an alternative program of study for 20 GCSE students starting September. GCSEs are the general examinations that all students in the UK take at the age of 16.The platforms learn the …

Online reviews and testimonials are key ways that small businesses can attract new customers and boost sales of products.But fake reviews and testimonials have been a persistent problem for small businesses, many of whom rely on recommendations for business. Fake reviews can make it harder for people to trust what they read online and ultimately hu…

A new law means that all Swedes are now legally required to recycle their food waste.Many cities across the country have been doing so for decades, but it means change in the capital, Stockholm.So, the question is: Has this new law made any difference?Stockholm resident Fabian Säll takes care to recycle his potato peel when he’s preparing a meal. H…

Cheap motorcycles in Uganda are both a blessing and a curse for the capital Kampala—they provide employment for the country’s young population but are also seen as an urban menace in the congested streets.It can look like a game of Russian roulette on these roads in the Ugandan capital Kampala. Motorcycles weave between traffic, jump red lights, an…

Cruise’s trouble-ridden robotaxis are joining Uber’s ride-hailing service next year as part of a multiyear partnership bringing together two companies that were once poised to compete for passengers.The alliance is the latest change in direction for Cruise since its California license to provide driverless rides was suspended in October 2023 after …

They often cover just a few square meters of urban space, and now they’re growing across Australia to cool neighborhoods down on hot days.“Tiny forests,” as they are called, also mature in 10 to 20 years, rather than the usual 100 years, because of the way they’re generated. And that could be a big benefit for Australia’s suburbs.A school in Perth …

A pack of four-legged therapists got a break of their own when they were honored at the airport where they dutifully work to ease stress and calm travelers.The event at Philadelphia International Airport marked five years since the 23 members of the Wagging Tails Brigade began greeting people and serving as therapy dogs. Several of them were presen…

Oklahoma City’s police department is one of a handful to experiment with AI chatbots to produce the first drafts of incident reports. Police officers who’ve tried it are enthused about the time-saving technology, while some prosecutors, police watchdogs, and legal scholars have concerns about how it could alter a fundamental document in the crimina…