SUI

Lawsuits are being brought against social media companies in the EU over alleged harm to children's mental health and safety. The claims target major platforms over design practices said to expose minors to addictive features and harmful content. The cases add to growing legal and regulatory pressure on tech firms in Europe over child protection online.

Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI and Google are facing an antitrust lawsuit alleging the companies agreed among themselves to slow the pace of AI development. According to the plaintiffs, the plan was in motion for months before the companies publicly framed the agreement as safety-driven, calling it self-serving. The suit raises questions about whether coordination among leading AI firms violates competition law, and comes as regulators and the public increasingly scrutinize how much power a handful of companies hold over frontier AI.

A Los Angeles Times commentary reports that Democrats are preparing for a contested November election by running war-game exercises and preparing draft lawsuits aimed at protecting the results against challenges from Donald Trump and his allies. The effort reflects concern that the election outcome could again be disputed, and supporters see it as prudent planning while critics view it as assuming conflict before votes are cast.

Big technology companies are rapidly expanding the use of guarantees to back debt for AI datacentres and chips, issuing up to $300bn in commitments in less than a year, according to analysis shared by economist Adam Tooze. A key concern raised is that much of this exposure goes unrecorded on their balance sheets, echoing pre-crisis off-balance-sheet practices and raising questions about hidden systemic risk in the AI buildout.

New York authorities have filed a lawsuit against Polymarket, the prediction-markets platform, alleging its operations amount to illegal gambling. The suit argues that betting on event outcomes offered by Polymarket falls under state gambling law, putting one of the most prominent prediction-market companies at legal risk. The case could shape how event-based markets are regulated in the United States and how such platforms operate going forward.

Golfer Tom Kim is dealing with the possibility of an early exit from the Presidents Cup while pursuing an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. Reports say his participation could be cut short as the exemption matter is resolved. The issue has drawn attention because elite athletes in South Korea can earn military exemptions through major international achievements, and Kim's status is being closely followed by golf fans.

A passenger has been charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer following a police pursuit in North Texas, according to officials. Details about the chase, the suspect's identity, and any injuries have not been released beyond the charge announced by authorities. Local outlets are covering the case as it moves through the courts.

Santa Monica police have concluded that the deaths on Pico Boulevard were a murder-suicide. Authorities say one person killed the other before taking their own life, resolving questions around the incident. The determination closes an active investigation into the case, which had drawn local attention.

A local health department is recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month, drawing attention to suicide prevention efforts and mental health resources in the community. The observance, held each September, encourages people to talk openly about mental health, support those struggling, and learn about crisis services such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The superintendent of the Johnson County school district in Wyoming has responded to a recent court ruling in an education lawsuit. The district's reaction comes as school communities across the state weigh what the decision could mean for funding and policy. Further details of the ruling and the superintendent's comments were not immediately available.

A woman and a man were found dead in Santa Monica, California, in what police are describing as an apparent murder-suicide. Details about the victims' identities, their relationship, and the exact circumstances have not yet been released, and authorities are continuing to investigate the deaths.

Authorities in north Travis County, Texas, say an earlier case believed to be a murder-suicide was in fact a double homicide, and an arrest has been made. Detectives revised their initial findings after further investigation, leading to charges. The development is drawing attention in the Austin area as residents follow updates on the case and the identity of the suspect.

A consulate, together with local partner organisations, hosted an event in Laredo, Texas marking Suicide Prevention Month. The gathering was aimed at raising awareness of suicide prevention and connecting the community with available mental health resources, according to the Laredo Morning Times.