Asco

Spaniards are searching for 'chubasco' — a sudden, heavy downpour — as weather forecasts point to a stormy start of October. Forecaster Jorge Rey's Cabañuelas predictions of rain and storms over the 12 October long weekend are said to conflict with the official AEMET outlook. Meanwhile meteorologists warn that unusually warm Atlantic waters near Spain, around 24°C, will fuel strong autumn storms, with rain expected across much of the country.

A yellow weather warning is in place for Gipuzkoa, with heavy rainfall also forecast for Bizkaia, putting Bilbao's old town, the Casco Viejo, in the spotlight as storms move through the Basque Country. Local coverage from El Diario Vasco highlights the risk of intense precipitation, and residents in low-lying areas near the Nervión river are paying close attention to conditions.

American Airlines shared a short video playing on 'side selections,' mixing Dallas Cowboys football talk with barbecue and travel themes. The clip shows the airline joining in on game-day food conversation, with small engagement so far but a label tied to football discussion.

Artificial intelligence firms are increasingly adopting cute mascots as part of their public branding, softening the image of a technology often viewed with suspicion. Observers say the playful characters are intended to make AI products feel friendlier and more approachable to consumers, while critics question whether charm is being used to distract from serious concerns about the industry.

Samsung has begun rolling out an unusually large security update, over 5 GB, for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, starting in South Korea. The size of the package has caught attention, with speculation that it hides more than routine security patches, possibly new features or system changes, though Samsung has not detailed the full contents.

Tom Cruise is publicly standing by his newest movie despite a poor opening weekend and a low CinemaScore, one of the worst of his career. The story has drawn attention because Cruise rarely publicly backs poorly received films, prompting debate over whether the star's confidence signals a longer play for the movie's fortunes at the box office.

Joey Porter Jr., the cornerback known as JPJ, is described as ready to rep the star of the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL season draws attention. The claim is circulating among football fans, with hashtags tying it to the Cowboys and the league, but no details are given about a signing, trade or other announcement behind it.

A Wall Street Journal report says technology companies are deploying friendly, cuddly mascots as part of their efforts to soften public unease about artificial intelligence. The approach aims to make AI products feel more approachable and less threatening as concerns grow over job displacement, privacy and the rapid spread of AI tools. The report has drawn attention to how firms are increasingly focusing on image and reassurance alongside product development.