United States

One Dead, Thousands Stranded in Mud at Burning Man Festival

Heavy rain at the Burning Man festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert stranded approximately 70,000 participants, turning the grounds into mud. One death is under investigation by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. The weather disrupted the festival's grand finale and left toilets unusable. Attendees were advised to shelter and conserve resources. Notable departures included DJ Diplo and comedian Chris Rock, who walked miles to get a ride. Organizers arranged bus transport to Reno. The festival emphasizes radical self-reliance but faced challenges from the unpredictable weather.

US Court Rules AI-Generated Art Not Eligible for Copyright

A US court in Washington, D.C., ruled that AI-generated art without human involvement cannot be copyrighted. Judge Beryl Howell upheld the Copyright Office's rejection of Stephen Thaler's application on behalf of the AI system DABUS. Thaler's attorney Ryan Abbott disagreed and plans to appeal. The decision reinforces that only human-authored works are copyrightable, highlighting legal challenges in generative AI.

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First Trophy

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to their first trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final against Nashville. Messi scored a stunning goal in the 24th minute, and after a 1-1 draw, Inter Miami won on penalties thanks to goalkeeper Drake Callender's save. Messi has scored 10 goals in 7 games for Inter Miami, and the Leagues Cup title is his 44th career trophy. He was named player of the tournament. Co-owner David Beckham praised the rapid transformation of the team since Messi's arrival, along with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Inter Miami now prepares for the US Open Cup semifinal against Cincinnati.

Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Continues to Function Normally in Human Patient

A genetically modified pig kidney transplanted into a brain-dead patient over a month ago continues to function normally. The procedure was performed by NYU Langone surgeons on July 14. Dr. Robert Montgomery expressed optimism. The patient, Maurice 'Mo' Miller, died suddenly at 57 with brain cancer; his family donated his body for research. A separate study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham also reported successful pig kidney transplants. These studies aim for FDA clearance for Phase I clinical trials in living humans.

Trump and 18 Others Indicted for Election Meddling in Georgia

California Regulators Approve 24/7 Driverless Taxi Service in San Francisco