Latest news with #StraightArrowNews
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Speaker Johnson says Republicans will expand majority in 2026 election
Speaker Johnson says Republicans will expand majority in 2026 election House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects Republicans to maintain or widen their majority in Congress in 2026. Straight Arrow News
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
You Don't Have to Post It for Facebook to Scan It
Facebook is rolling out a new AI feature that may give it deeper access to your phone than ever before, and most users won't realize what they're agreeing to. The tech giant is now prompting some users to allow 'cloud processing' of their camera roll, a move that enables Facebook to scan and upload photos stored on your device on an ongoing basis, according to Straight Arrow News. The company says the goal is to generate AI-enhanced content, like themed collages and stylized memories. But privacy advocates see something more invasive. The prompt, which appears when users attempt to create a new story, touts the feature as a way to 'curate the best of your camera roll.' But once you opt in, Facebook can continuously access photos based on time, location, and even who or what is in the picture. That includes photos you've never shared on the platform. Facebook insists this data won't be used for ad targeting, but the fine print tells a different story. According to Meta's terms, any image processed by its AI can be analyzed and retained, along with the prompts or feedback users provide. This content can be used to generate new material or refine the platform's AI users can toggle off the feature in settings under 'camera roll sharing suggestions,' many may not know it's even active. It's unclear how many users have enabled it, or if they understand the long-term implications. This comes on the heels of Meta's recent legal win in a copyright case brought by authors who claimed the company trained its AI on their books. Though the case was dismissed, it highlights growing unease around how companies collect and use creative content in training datasets. With so much of our lives stored in the photos we don't share, Facebook's new feature feels less like a tool and more like a test of how much we're willing to give away without realizing Don't Have to Post It for Facebook to Scan It first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2025
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Hasbro layoffs: Toymaker restructures due to tariff struggles and weak demand
Hasbro layoffs: Toymaker restructures due to tariff struggles and weak demand Show Caption Hide Caption Trump threatens major tariffs for Barbies and Hot Wheels President Donald Trump this week threatened to slap a 100% tariff on products from popular toy maker Mattel. Straight Arrow News Toy seller Hasbro HAS.O has cut 3% of its global workforce in its latest cost-cutting effort amid higher U.S. tariffs on toys from China. The job cuts amount to about 150 employees. According to its fiscal 2024 annual filing, the company had roughly 4,985 employees globally. "We are aligning our structure with our long-term goals," Hasbro spokesperson Abby Hodes told Reuters. Hasbro sources about half of its toys and games sold in the U.S. from China. The toymaker has been speeding up efforts to diversify sourcing and reduce exposure to China. Swirling worries about a global trade war after U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on trading partners have piled pressure on the toy industry that was already struggling with tepid demand. In case you missed it: Barbie dolls and other toys may cost more due to tariffs, Mattel warns "Ultimately, tariffs translate into higher consumer prices, potential job losses as we adjust to absorb increased costs, and reduced profits for our shareholders," Hasbro's CEO Chris Cocks had said during an earnings call in April. The company also said it was reassessing logistics routes and manufacturing in the call. In December 2023, Hasbro said it would cut 900 jobs globally, nearly a year after saying it would reduce 15% of its workforce due to weaker sales. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the job cuts on Tuesday. The report added that the job cuts are part of a multi-year restructuring at Hasbro. The Play-Doh maker did not comment on the number of job cuts. In April, Hasbro beat estimates for quarterly results, as a shift towards its digital and licensed gaming businesses helped attract younger customers after it has struggled to drum up demand for its toy business for about three years now. Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Cannabis users 29% more likely to experience heart risks, new study shows
Cannabis users 29% more likely to experience heart risks, new study shows Show Caption Hide Caption Smoking weed, using THC edibles could be as bad for you as cigarettes A new study found a link between marijuana use and a higher risk for cardiovascular disease comparable to the impacts of smoking cigarettes. Straight Arrow News A new study builds on previous research that shows marijuana usage can contribute to cardiovascular risks. Research published in Heart, an international peer-reviewed journal, documents that adults who use cannabis are 29% more likely than nonusers to develop Acute Coronary Syndrome and 20% more likely than nonusers to suffer from stroke. Acute Coronary Syndrome is any condition brought on by a reduction or blockage of blood flow to the heart, which can result in heart attacks. Researchers surveyed 24 studies conducted between 2016 and 2023 that involved more than 400 million participants, ranging mostly between 19 and 59, according to the study. "Our findings are consistent with those from previous reviews, which outlined a positive association between cannabis use and cardiovascular disorders," the study states. "The increased awareness of this potential risk among cannabis users should encourage investigating such use in all patients presenting with serious cardiovascular disorders." Marijuana news: New study finds cannabis edibles raise risk of premature heart disease How does marijuana affect the heart? Simply put, not enough research has been conducted to determine just how marijuana affects the cardiovascular system. The research that has been done has largely been conducted on the effects of smoking cannabis, in contrast to other modes of consumption like edibles. But generally, researchers understand that marijuana can make the heart beat faster and raise blood pressure, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ahmed Mahmoud, a clinical instructor at Boston University, previously told USA TODAY that researchers believe marijuana may make small defects in the coronary arteries' lining, the thin layer of cells that forms the inner surface of blood vessels and hollow organs. "Because cannabis increases the blood pressure and makes the blood run very fast and make some detects in the lining to the coronary arteries, this somehow could make a thrombosis (formation of a blood clot) or a temporary thrombosis in these arteries, which makes a cardiac ischemic (stroke) or the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen to function," Mahmoud previously told USA TODAY. "This is what makes the heart injured and this is a myocardial infarction or heart attack." Terms to know: Is marijuana the same as cannabis? What is THC? How does the new study compare to previous research? The new study aligns with previous research about cannabis' effects on the cardiovascular system. A study published earlier this year found that people under the age of 50 who consume marijuana are about 6.2 times more likely to experience a heart attack than nonusers. Young marijuana users are also 4.3 times more likely to experience an ischemic stroke and 2 times more likely to experience heart failure, the study shows. And a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association last year found the same, that cannabis users are more likely to experience cardiovascular risks than those who do not partake. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Can the stock market keep rising forever? Here's how to prepare for all scenarios
Can the stock market keep rising forever? Here's how to prepare for all scenarios Show Caption Hide Caption Top business leaders see recession risk fading CEOs of nearly 280 U.S. companies say the odds of a downturn in the second half of 2025 are shrinking, many shifting to growth expectations. Straight Arrow News The S&P 500 is at nearly 6,000 and only 3% off of its all-time highs. While many investors are excited about the prospect of the market hitting new highs, some investors might be wondering how high it can go. It's a question that investors have grappled with many times, and yet the market has always climbed higher. The S&P 500 has almost doubled over the past five years and delivered life-altering wealth for confident investors who have remained in the market over time. If this is something you worry about, it's a good idea to prepare for all different types of scenarios. The likelihood is that the market will, in fact, keep climbing, but smart investors generally have a broad, long-term strategy to cover their bases. Here's what to do to be well-armed for any scenario. 1. Stay in the market Is there inherent risk in investing in the stock market, even in the "safest" of stocks? Absolutely. But is the alternative any safer? If you look over the past hundred years, you'd have missed out on incredible gains if you had taken the pessimistic stance. While the past isn't any guarantee of the future, it's a pattern that has repeated itself over and over again. During that time, investors who have resisted the temptation to panic sell or give in to worries about how high the market can go have been well rewarded. Stay optimistic and remain in the market. Invest consistently in stocks that you've researched to meet your investing goals. 2. Keep an emergency fund Although it makes sense to stay in the market and invest consistently, you should always keep an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months of your daily living expenses. This way, if you need to generate cash, you can avoid selling stocks when the market is down when you may have to take a loss. Staying in the market means leaving your funds in the market over a long period of time so they can compound. That will require you to weather market drops. I don't say that as a maybe but as a given. Over 20 or 30 years or longer, there are going to be challenging times when the market drops and you're tempted to pull your money out. Having an emergency fund available will help you ride out the storms and stay in the game. 3. Diversify in many ways If you're worried about how the market will perform, make sure you have your money diversified among asset classes and categories. Consider having about 25 to 30 stocks spread across a variety of industries, sizes and across various categories tailored to your personal risk level and preferences. Considering what's happening with tariffs today, investors are also becoming more interested in putting some of their money to work for them outside the U.S. Beyond the stock market, you can and should invest in real estate, bonds, gold and other assets. Many assets move in contrast with the market, and that's what hedging your assets is all about. 4. Stay educated If you're concerned about the direction of the market, reassess your strategy on a regular basis based on current and changing market conditions. Although "experts" can't tell the future and often offer differing opinions, you want to be aware of what's happening in the markets and in the world so you can make educated decisions and take decisive action when necessary. 5. Invest like Warren Buffett As part of your diversification efforts, make sure to have some solid, anchor stocks that can provide a bulwark under challenging circumstances. These are often slow-growing companies with stocks that are undervalued because their growth prospects are more limited than the new, hyped-up, exciting stocks of the day. They are well-established companies that can withstand the tests of time. These are the qualities that famed investor Warren Buffett often praises. His two longtime favorite and longest-held stocks, Coca-Cola and American Express, are both more than 100 years old and are still thriving today. Every investor should have some stocks like this to protect their investments. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jennifer Saibil has positions in American Express. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 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