As Trump Media scraps some businesses, it's doubling down on Truth Social and the president
NEW YORK (AP) — The president's social media company is going back to its roots. The parent of Truth Social said Monday it is abandoning several new businesses — crypto, online betting, financial services — to refocus on building up its social media platform. Part of that effort is a new paid service for Wall Street traders who want sneak peeks at the president's market-moving posts. The service has drawn criticism from government watchdogs for basically setting itself up as a paid alternative to the White House press office. The parent company, Trump Media & Technology, detailed its new plans Monday after posting losses in the latest quarter jumped tenfold.
Vietnam’s VinSpace signs deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch its first satellites in 2027
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites in 2027, marking a big step in Vietnam’s efforts to develop its space industry. The satellites will fly on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission, which carries multiple customers’ satellites on one rocket. VinSpace, part of the Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, will develop, manufacture and operate the satellites to test its technologies in orbit and support future commercial applications. Established in November 2025, VinSpace aims to become a full-service aerospace company. Its parent, Vingroup, is expanding into high-tech industries including electric vehicles, space, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Zuckerberg manifesto sketches out Meta's ambitions for world-changing AI technology
Meta Platforms has released a new AI model for developers, emphasizing open-source access. CEO Mark Zuckerberg warned Monday in an online essay against concentrating advanced AI under a few companies or governments. The new model, Muse Glimmer, includes a permissive open-source license, allowing broader use. Zuckerberg argues that open-source AI promotes fair development and helps keep the U.S. competitive. He cautions that AI controlled by select entities could lead to unfavorable outcomes. Zuckerberg also addressed concerns about "distillation," a method some accuse Chinese companies of using to extract technical features from U.S. AI models. He said he believes learning from observations is crucial for progress.
As AI grips world, the thrill of collecting vintage computers is growing
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — As Silicon Valley invents the artificial-intelligence future, a growing community of hobbyists is preserving the classic computers that helped launch the digital revolution. These hardware enthusiasts collect and restore decades-old Atari, Commodore and IBM machines that are ancestors to today’s laptops, wearable devices and smartphones. Collectors spend countless hours repairing clunky, obsolete machines that most users ditched in the '80s. The community's passion was evident at the Vintage Computer Festival held in Silicon Valley in early August.
Trump media company announces a massive loss and new turnaround effort
NEW YORK (AP) — The president’s media company posted a massive loss in the latest quarter and plans to ditch new business lines and refocus as a forum for users to post their views. The company behind the Truth Social platform said Monday that it lost $238 million in the three months through June as it branched into businesses unrelated to media, including crypto. That was more than 10 times the loss from a year earlier. The new chief executive, Kevin McGurn, said a yearlong effort to expand by branching into several new industries including online betting and crypto would now be largely abandoned as he refocuses the business on its social media mission.
Driver who broke the sound barrier attempts another land speed record in Utah
WENDOVER, Utah (AP) — The first and only person to break the sound barrier in a car has his eye on another speed record. British driver Andy Green set the land speed record for a diesel-powered car 20 years ago at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Green returns to the lunarlike landscape Tuesday to try to beat that 350.092 mph mark, this time with a hydrogen-powered car. The retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot aims to showcase the power of hydrogen as a clean-energy alternative. But hydrogen power is only as clean as its source, and the vast majority is currently produced from fossil fuels.
Ukraine's push to cripple Russia in Crimea is just getting started, drone chief tells AP
EASTERN UKRAINE (AP) — Ukraine's drone forces could strike seven times more targets in Crimea if Western funding came faster, according to the commander leading Ukraine's drone war. Maj. Robert “Magyar” Brovdi tells The Associated Press that despite the funding delays, Ukraine's summer campaign in Crimea has already damaged rail bridges, oil depots and power infrastructure. The effort aims to make Crimea unusable as a Russian military staging ground for attacks on Ukraine, he says.
Some US adults are using AI for financial guidance but few trust it, Gallup poll finds
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. adults are using artificial intelligence for financial guidance, but it’s far from the most trusted source of advice. That's according to a new Gallup survey conducted in partnership with financial services firm Edward Jones. About 1 in 5 Americans who sought financial guidance in the past year used AI, but fewer than 3 in 10 adults overall have any confidence in its expertise, according to the survey. The poll found a disconnect between the resources Americans trust for financial advice, and the ones they actually rely on.
What to Stream: 'Michael,' Travis Barker, 'Lanterns' and 'Madden NFL 27'
The blockbuster biopic “Michael” and a new documentary about Travis Barker are among the exciting new streaming releases this week. Streaming on Starz beginning Aug. 10, “Michael” explores Michael Jackson's life, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson. On Aug. 14, Netflix releases “Don't Say Good Luck,” a comedy starring Sunny Sandler. Bob Odenkirk stars in “Normal,” premiering on HBO Max the same day. Music fans can enjoy Carly Simon's new album “Comes In Waves” on Aug. 14, her first in over a decade. Meanwhile, “Madden NFL 27" hits gaming consoles on Aug. 13, featuring dynamic weather and new mechanics.
New Mexico attorney general hopes Meta ruling leads to Big Tech review. Here's what to know
New Mexico's attorney general hopes a huge ruling against social media giant Meta is just a step in addressing how Big Tech can harm children. A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and make changes to protect users under 18. This decision follows a previous $375 million judgment, bringing Meta's total liability to $942 million. The court found Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed child exploitation on its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The ruling requires Meta to improve age verification, limit chatbot interactions with children, and reduce addictive features. Meta plans to appeal and says it is confident in how it protects children on its platforms.
