CATEGORIES

UN EXPERTS CALL FOR MORE RULES ON COUNTRIES' USE OF SPYWARE

GENEVA (AP) — Human rights experts working with the United Nations on Thursday called on countries to pause the sale and transfer of spyware and other surveillance technology until they set rules governing its use, to ensure it won’t impinge upon human rights.

FIVE AFFORDABLE SPORTY MIDSIZE SEDANS

Although SUVs dominate automotive sales, midsize sedans are still a practical choice given their roomy seating, respectable fuel economy and value. They’re also better able to provide sporty performance than a comparably priced SUV.

ACCENTURE CLAIMS ‘NO IMPACT' IN APPARENT RANSOMWARE ATTACK

Cybercriminals have breached Accenture in an apparent ransomware attack but the global consulting giant says the incident was immediately contained with no impact on it or its systems.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW UN REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The U.N.-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a new report Monday summarizing the latest authoritative scientific information about global warming. Here are five important takeaways.

ROBOTIC POLICE DOGS: USEFUL HOUNDS OR DEHUMANIZING MACHINES?

If you’re homeless and looking for temporary shelter in Hawaii’s capital, expect a visit from a robotic police dog that will scan your eye to make sure you don’t have a fever.

QATAR AIRWAYS GROUNDS 13 AIRBUS A350S AS FUSELAGE DEGRADING

Qatar Airways said Thursday it grounded 13 Airbus A350s over what it described as fuselages “degrading at an accelerated rate” in the long-range aircraft, further escalating a monthslong dispute with the European airplane maker over the issue.

GM POSTS $2.8B PROFIT, BUT CAUTIOUS TONE SINKS SHARE PRICE

General Motors posted a healthy $2.8 billion second-quarter profit this week, but its cautious outlook for the rest of the year spooked investors.

TYSON FOODS, MICROSOFT TO REQUIRE VACCINATION FOR US WORKERS

Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming one of the first major employers of front-line workers to do so amid a resurgence of the virus.

NINTENDO SEES DWINDLING IMPACT FROM PANDEMIC MEGAHIT GAME

Nintendo’s April-June profit declined 13% from the same period the previous year when the hit game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” dramatically boosted sales.

KIDS AND CARS: TODAY'S TEENS IN NO RUSH TO START DRIVING

Michael Andretti has a 21-year-old son with zero interest in obtaining a driver’s license. Rideshare apps get him where he wants to go.

REBOUNDING GLOBAL ECONOMY HELPS FILL ORDER BOOK AT SIEMENS

Germany’s Siemens AG raised its outlook for the year Thursday, joining other major European industrial companies in signaling that the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is gathering pace despite parts shortages and concerns over the spread of the delta variant.

SURGICAL ROBOT FIRM TO INVEST $500M IN GEORGIA, HIRING 1,200

A California company that makes surgical robots will invest $500 million in an Atlanta-area expansion, hiring 1,200 new workers by 2024.

UBER'S RECOVERY ACCELERATES, BUT WORRIES ABOUT LOSSES LINGER

Uber’s ride-hailing service is regaining the momentum that it lost during the pandemic, but it’s coming at a cost that’s raising more doubts about the company’s ability to make money.

FACEBOOK PROFITS TOP $10B AS ITS CEO EXALTS THE ‘METAVERSE'

Concerns about a revenue growth slowdown pushed Facebook’s shares lower in afterhours trading Wednesday, not long after the company reported that its second-quarter profits doubled thanks to a massive increase in advertising revenue.

NOKIA PROFIT SUBSTANTIALLY UP ON NEW OPERATING MODEL, 5G

Wireless network maker and 5G technology provider Nokia reported substantially improved second-quarter profit Thursday, citing the help of its new operating model and booming sales of 5G equipment.

NEW TECHNOLOGY PROPELS EFFORTS TO FIGHT WESTERN WILDFIRES

As drought- and wind-driven wildfires have become more dangerous across the American West in recent years, firefighters have tried to become smarter in how they prepare.

US ECONOMY SURPASSES PRE-PANDEMIC SIZE WITH 6.5% Q2 GROWTH

Fueled by vaccinations and government aid, the U.S. economy grew at a solid 6.5% annual rate last quarter in another sign that the nation has achieved a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession. The total size of the economy has now surpassed its pre-pandemic level.

FORD OVERCOMES COMPUTER CHIP SHORTAGE, POSTS SURPRISE PROFIT

Sky-high sales prices for its pickup trucks and SUVs helped Ford Motor Co. turn a surprise second-quarter profit despite a global shortage of computer chips that cut factory output in half.

RUSSIAN LAB MODULE DOCKS WITH SPACE STATION AFTER 8-DAY TRIP

Russia’s long-delayed lab module successfully docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, eight days after it was launched from the Russian space launch facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

RUSSIA FINES GOOGLE FOR VIOLATING DATA STORAGE LAW

A Moscow court ordered Google on Thursday to pay a fine of 3 million rubles (roughly $41,000) for refusing to store the personal data of Russian users on servers in Russia, a move that is part of the government’s longstanding effort to tighten its grip on online activity.

AMERICAN PLANS TO INVEST IN A BUDGET AIRLINE BASED IN CHILE

American Airlines plans to invest in a Chilean budget airline and sell seats on each other’s flights to help American extend its reach in South America.

ASTRAZENECA TO SEEK US APPROVAL OF COVID VACCINE IN 2ND HALF

AstraZeneca said Thursday that it intends to seek U.S. approval for its COVID-19 vaccine later this year, further delaying the application even as the company announced it had already delivered more than 1 billion doses to other countries.

3 TECH GIANTS REPORT COMBINED PROFITS OF MORE THAN $50B

Three tech companies — Apple, Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet — reported combined profits of more than $50 billion in the April-June quarter, underscoring their unparalleled influence and success at reshaping the way we live.

JEFF BEZOS BLASTS INTO SPACE ON OWN ROCKET: ‘BEST DAY EVER!'

Jeff Bezos blasted into space Tuesday on his rocket company’s first flight with people on board, becoming the second billionaire in just over a week to ride his own spacecraft.

SOUTHWEST, AMERICAN POST 2Q PROFITS AS AIR TRAVEL PICKS UP

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both posted second-quarter profits on Thursday thanks to generous federal pandemic relief that covers most of their labor costs.

‘WE'RE BACK ON THE ROAD!' ROLLING STONES RELAUNCH U.S. TOUR

Time is finally on their side.

FRANCE WEIGHS CYBERSECURITY MOVES AFTER SPYWARE REPORTS

French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency cybersecurity meeting Thursday to weigh possible government action after reports that his cellphone and those of government ministers may have been targeted by spyware.

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE FIXED AFTER MONTH OF NO SCIENCE

The Hubble Space Telescope should be back in action soon, following a tricky, remote repair job by NASA.

DUTCH DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY FINES TIKTOK OVER PRIVACY

The Netherlands’ Data Protection Authority said Thursday it has fined TikTok 750,000 euros ($885,000) for not offering a privacy statement in Dutch, saying many children who use the popular video sharing app would be unable to understand the information.

SMALL BUSINESSES LIFTED BY RETURN OF SUMMER TOURISTS

Small businesses in the U.S. that depend on tourism and vacationers say business is bouncing back, as Americans rebook postponed trips and spend freely on food, entertainment and souvenirs.