Border Patrol agents arrested a woman driving with 51 pounds of meth in Indio, marking a significant drug smuggling bust valued at over $83,000. The 28-year-old woman was apprehended on Interstate 10 with the illicit substances hidden in her vehicle’s quarter panels. The discovery was made possible by a K-9 team’s alert during a routine traffic stop. Additionally, a child was present in the car at the time of the arrest. Following the seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection handed over the suspect, along with the drugs and vehicle, to local law enforcement for further investigation. The child was safely released into the custody of their grandfather. This incident was part of Operation Apollo, a focused effort to combat drug trafficking, particularly involving fentanyl, in the region.
Former ISRO Scientist Launches Vaanam Space Tech Accelerator to Boost Indian Startups in Space Sector
The historic success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon has sparked significant interest among startups, aiming to tap into India’s burgeoning space sector. Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan highlighted this trend, noting the potential for entrepreneurship in space technology. Entrepreneurs in the field now have a promising new accelerator, Vaanam, designed to nurture space sector ventures. The accelerator, co-founded by Sameer Bharat Ram and Hariharan Vedamurthy, aims to provide expertise and seed funding to these startups. With the Indian space economy expected to grow substantially in the coming years, Vaanam is positioned to support innovative space tech projects and bring them to market. Narayanan’s vision for an Asia Aeronautics Space Agency underscores the broader potential for collaboration and innovation in the space industry, signaling a new era of growth and exploration.
Australia Tightens Mining Disclosure Rules in Bid to Boost Transparency
Australia — one of the world’s most important mining nations — is planning to tighten rules that govern how companies announce their exploration results, with a revised code for listed companies including industry leaders BHP Group Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group.
A draft of the new code published on Thursday would impose additional environmental requirements, plus a need for qualified experts to sign off on estimates of minerals and metals to be mined. The tweaked JORC Code — or Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves — will require ministerial approval before coming into force.
It puts the handbrake on companies making up their own terminology and definitions, Steve Hunt, JORC committee chair, told Bloomberg. There’s always a tendency for companies to talk up, as best they can, their investment opportunities. This code provides technical guardrails.
Australia has a vast mining industry, with players large and small seeking to exploit the nation’s trove of mineral resources including iron ore, gold, and copper, as well materials central to new-energy technology such as lithium. The JORC Code has its roots in the 1970s, when thousands of investors lost billions after a mining company falsified exploration results, then collapsed. It was first published in 1989 and last updated more than a decade ago.
Under the planned changes — which, when adopted, will apply to all locally-listed miners — a company will need to acknowledge publicly any environmental risks to their projects. In addition, a qualified professional, with experience in mining, is required for the technical sign off on a project, and must now display their credentials publicly.
The framework not only sets benchmark standards for Australian-listed miners, but also for companies listed on some overseas exchanges in the region, including the New Zealand Stock Exchange and Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby Exchange. Further afield, the JORC code is also comparable to Canada’s own version.
To the extent that any proposals impact on the Listing Rules and our guidance, our main interest will be that the changes continue to encourage strong and consistent disclosure on our market of mining exploration results and estimates of resources and reserves, a spokesperson for the Australian Securities Exchange told Bloomberg.
25th Annual Landfall Foundation Art Show & Sale Showcases North Carolina Artists & Supports Nonprofits, US
The 25th annual Landfall Foundation Art Show and sale opened Wednesday, July 31, and will run through Friday August 2.
Doors open at 10 a.m. at the Country Club of Landfall and stay open until 7 p.m. each day. There is no charge and it is open to the public.
According to the Landfall Foundation, the art show features over 1,400 original pieces of art from 137 very talented North Carolina artists. There’s a wide array of styles and price ranges, judging by the renowned JJ Jiang, whose works are on display in museums around the country.
The artists will donate 30% of their sales to the Landfall Foundation grants program which helps hundreds of area nonprofit organizations each year.
In 2023, the Landfall Foundation awarded $550,000 in grants to 99 Wilmington area non-profit organizations and schools. Since its inception in 1995, the Landfall Foundation has granted $7.3 million to the Greater Wilmington Community.
AI Startups Amp Up Lobbying Efforts in the U.S. Amid Regulatory Uncertainty, US
AI lobbying at the U.S. federal level is intensifying in the midst of a continued generative AI boom and an election year that could significantly influence future AI regulation.
New data from OpenSecrets, a nonprofit group tracking and publishing metrics on campaign financing and lobbying, shows the number of groups lobbying the federal government on AI-related issues grew from 459 in 2023 to 556 in the first half of 2024 from January to July. At the same time, top AI startups have ramped up their lobbying initiatives, OpenSecrets data reveals.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI has dramatically increased its lobbying expenditures, spending $800,000 in the first six months of 2024 compared to $260,000 in all of 2023. The company has also expanded its team of outside lobbyists from three consultants last year to around 15 in the first half of 2024. In March, OpenAI retained former Republican Senator Norm Coleman to advocate on research and development issues. Other prominent law firms, including Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and DLA Piper, have registered lobbyists for OpenAI, according to OpenSecrets.
OpenAI rival Anthropic is on track to spend half a million dollars on lobbying in the coming months. So far in 2024, the company has invested $250,000 in its five-lobbyist team. Cohere, which builds custom generative AI models for enterprise customers, increased its lobbying spend from $70,000 to $120,000 in the first half of this year.
Leading presidential nominees have made clear their divergent stances on AI regulation, offering different paths for the future. In an election year that feeds urgency, AI startups are facing potential antitrust cases that have led companies like Microsoft and Amazon to navigate carefully in this space.
The surge in lobbying efforts by AI startups underscores the high stakes involved in the future of AI regulation. With an election year adding to the urgency, companies are investing heavily in influencing policy decisions that could shape the industry for years to come. As federal and state governments grapple with how to regulate this rapidly evolving technology, the actions taken in the coming months will have far-reaching implications for both AI developers and the broader public.
Toddler Dies After Drinking Liquor Mistaken for Water in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur, India
A three-year-old girl tragically died after mistakenly drinking liquor instead of water at her home in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district. The toddler, Sarita, took a sip from a bottle of mahua liquor thinking it was water while playing at her grandma’s house. Shortly after ingesting the alcohol, Sarita collapsed and was rushed to the hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the effects of the liquor. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Doggy AI Poised to Lead Meme Coin Market Rally
LONDON, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the cryptocurrency market grapples with extreme fear, there are surprising surges in interest, particularly in the meme coin sector.
Amidst this volatility, Doggy AI is strategically positioning itself for an optimal launch. Doggy AI attracts significant attention due to its unique blend of humor and cutting-edge technology, including an AI-enhanced trading system and seamless swaps.
This article explores why Doggy AI could be the next big thing in the meme coin market rally, offering investors high staking rewards and immense price potential.
Doggy AI stands out in the crowded meme coin market with its unique blend of humor and advanced technology.
Unlike many meme coins that rely solely on their viral appeal, Doggy AI is building a robust ecosystem that includes an AI-enhanced trading system, seamless doggy swaps, zero fees, and MFbot protection.
This combination of entertainment and functionality makes Doggy AI a compelling choice for investors looking for fun and utility in a cryptocurrency.
The project has cleverly embraced its memeable status, with 69 billion total tokens and engaging, sharable graphics that resonate with the community.
This approach has helped Doggy AI quickly amass a following, with 5,000 followers on social media even before its official launch. The project’s focus on community engagement and innovative features positions it well for success in the meme coin space.
DOGGY AI’s presale has been a significant success, highlighting the crypto community’s strong interest and confidence.
With only 23 days left until the presale ends, Doggy AI has attracted substantial investments, positioning itself for a strong launch.
The presale’s success indicates the project’s potential, as investors are eager to get in early on a token with high price potential and promising features.
One of Doggy AI’s key attractions is its staking rewards, which offer an impressive 151% annualized interest.
This incentive encourages long-term holding and community support, fostering a stable and growing ecosystem. As the fear in the broader cryptocurrency market begins to shift towards greed, Doggy AI is poised to benefit from increased investor interest and participation.
The combination of strategic positioning, innovative technology, and strong community support makes Doggy AI a promising contender in the meme coin market.
Doggy AI is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the current rally in the meme coin market. Its innovative technology and strong community support promise significant returns for investors.
As the market shifts from fear to greed, Doggy AI is set to lead the charge, offering high staking rewards and immense price potential.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking project in the crypto space.
About Doggy AI
Doggy AI ($DOGYAI) introduces a unique fusion of memes, culture, and artificial intelligence to the crypto ecosystem. It aims to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for its community.
Former BBC News Presenter Huw Edwards Pleads Guilty to Child Indecent Images, UK
Former BBC TV news presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three counts of making indecent pictures of children. Edwards, 62, acknowledged his involvement in receiving inappropriate images via WhatsApp. The prosecutor revealed that among the images sent to him were two disturbing pornographic videos of young children. The court appearance marks a significant moment for Edwards, who had been a prominent figure in British journalism before his departure from the BBC. His sentencing is scheduled for September 16, shedding light on a troubling chapter in his career.
Pureprofile and Sprive Partner to Offer Cashback for Mortgage Surveys
Pureprofile has announced a partnership with UK mortgage app Sprive, offering survey participants the chance to earn cashback for their mortgages. The integration of Pureprofile’s Audience Builder tool into the Sprive app allows users to receive cash rewards by participating in surveys focusing on mortgage holders’ behaviors and decisions.
Tim Potter, Pureprofile’s managing director for the UK/EU and US, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, emphasizing the ability to analyze evolving financial behaviors among British consumers. Sprive CEO Jinesh Vohra emphasized the aim to assist mortgage holders in managing costs efficiently, especially during challenging economic times.
The collaboration aims to provide immediate financial relief to homeowners while empowering individuals to take control of their financial future. This innovative approach spearheaded by Pureprofile and Sprive signifies a proactive step towards understanding and supporting mortgage holders in navigating financial uncertainties.
Hezbollah Commander’s Fate Unknown After Israeli Airstrike
Hezbollah confirmed in the statement issued on Wednesday that senior commander of the group Fuad Shoukr (Hajj Mohsen) had been present in the building that was hit by the Israeli airstrike late on Tuesday. It said, however, that search teams were working on the site of the attack to determine the fate of Shoukr. We are still waiting for the results of the search efforts to know the fate of the senior and dear commander as well as other citizens, said the group. The Israeli regime claimed on Tuesday that it had carried out a targeted strike against a Hezbollah commander that it accused of being behind a rocket explosion in Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, over the weekend.
