Oct. 15 (UPI) — Half of adults in the United States are more concerned than excited about the rise of artificial intelligence, at the top of the worries list of those surveyed in 25 countries by Pew Research.
The study, which was released Wednesday, didn’t include respondents from the following nations with populations of at least 100 million: China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Philippines, Congo and Vietnam.
Globally, 34% expressed concern about AI with 42% equally in both extremes and 16% more excited.
Joining the United States at 50% are those in Italy, followed by Australia at 49%, Brazil at 48%, Greece at 47%, and Canada at 45%.
At the other end, South Korea is the least concerned at 16%, followed by India at 19%, Israel at 21%, Nigeria at 24%, Turkey at 26%, Japan at 28% and Germany at 29%.
The other nations ranged in the 30s, including Britain, Argentina and Spain at 39% and France at 35%.
In none of the countries, no more than 3-in-10 adults say they are mainly excited.
In the United States, the survey was conducted among 3,605 adults from March 24 to 30 and 5,023 adults from June 9 to 15 online or by phone with a live interviewer. They are all members of the Center’s American Trends Panel.
For non-U.S. adults, surveys were done over the phone, face-to-face or online, depending on the country, among 28,333 from Jan. 8 to April 26.
A median of 34% of adults worldwide have heard or read a lot about AI, while 47% have heard a little and 14% say they’ve heard nothing at all.
There was a correlation between the country’s domestic product per capita and AI awareness.
In the comparatively wealthy countries of Japan, Germany, France and the United States, around half have heard a lot about AI, but only 14% in India and 12% in Kenya.
Younger adults are more aware and excited about AI than the older respondents.
For example, 46% of Israeli adults under 35 are more excited than concerned about its increased use in daily life, compared with 15% of those ages 50 and older.
In more than half of the countries surveyed, men are more likely than women to have heard a lot about AI.
People who frequently use the Internet are more likely than others to be mainly excited about the growing use of AI .
Geographically, 53% of adults trust the European Union to regulate AI, while 37% trust the U.S. and 27% trust China. In the EU, the survey found those in France, Greece, Italy and Poland the least trusting.
Chewy’s recent dip after earnings could be an opportunity for investors willing to look five years down the road.
Despite its stock price already doubling since 2024, leading online pet goods retailer Chewy (CHWY 0.05%) remains one of my favorite stocks to buy right now.
One particular reason stands out to me as to why Chewy stock is worth owning, and that is the potential for its profit margins to keep rising.
Since the company’s focused on an array of higher-margin growth areas, Chewy’s profitability could continue improving — and investors should be very excited about it.
Chewy’s burgeoning profit margins
Over the past two years, Chewy has become consistently profitable and cash-generative.
Chewy’s Autoship subscription plans account for 83% of total sales. This large base of Autoship sales means that most of Chewy’s revenue is predictable, steady, and ripe for further streamlining.
Image source: Getty Images.
Chewy Vet Care
The company plans to have 20 Chewy Vet Care clinics running by year’s end. These clinics give the company a physical presence and also offer the higher margins that veterinary shops typically achieve.
Get Real
Chewy recently launched its own private-label healthy and fresh dog food, Get Real. This premium-priced product offers higher margins (particularly as a private label good) and ties in perfectly with Chewy’s Autoship subscriptions.
Advertising
Chewy’s sponsored ads business remains a major driver of the company’s growing profitability. Management believes that these high-margin placements should one day grow to account for between 1% and 3% of total revenue.
Chewy+
The company’s new $49 annual membership program, Chewy+, received a positive reaction following its launch. Chewy+ provides members with free shipping, 5% rewards on purchases, and exclusive offers. Chewy+ members already accounted for 3% of the company’s June sales, and the program could generate substantial high-margin membership fees annually.
Trading at 29 times forward earnings — but with these earnings potentially set to rise — Chewy is a top stock to consider today.
Dollar General beat expectations and raised its guidance for the rest of the year when it reported earnings.
Shares of Dollar General(DG -2.64%) are up around 45% so far in 2025. But they are also down more than 55% from their 2022 peak. The retailer’s strong second-quarter-2025 earnings update shows that the turnaround is still going strong. Here’s why I’m excited about Dollar General stock after reading its most recent earnings update.
What does Dollar General do?
Dollar General, as its name implies, is a dollar store. The term is a bit misleading, however. It sells a variety of products, from everyday necessities to clothing and seasonal items, at low prices. For example, it may sell a name brand consumer staples product, like toilet paper, just like another store, but the size of the product might be smaller. Buying a single roll is simply cheaper than buying 20 in a multipack from a club store, even if the per-roll cost from the club store is ultimately a better deal.
Image source: Getty Images.
Dollar General leans into its role of serving less affluent customers with its choice of store locations. The retailer purposely operates relatively small stores in mostly rural areas that are underserved by larger competitors. This makes it more convenient for a customer to stop by a Dollar General store than to drive to a big-box store, even though it might be cheaper to buy from the big box store.
Although Dollar General’s stores are kind of small, the company is actually quite large. It operates over 20,700 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States (it also operates Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico). It expects to complete over 4,800 real estate projects in fiscal year 2025. That list includes capital investments like renovating older stores but also the addition of as many as 575 new stores in the United States and 15 in Mexico.
Although the stock has risen dramatically in 2025, that has erased only a small portion of the decline since late 2022. And that’s the opportunity for long-term investors. But the really big news from the second-quarter earnings update was the company’s financial and operational performance. A look at some income statement highlights tells a very exciting story.
Specifically, sales increased 5.1% year over year, hitting $10.7 billion. However, the real star was same-store sales, which measures the performance of existing locations. That metric rose 2.8%, driven by rising traffic (1.5 percentage points of that total) and an increase in the amount spent by customers on each visit (1.2 percentage points). To put that in plain English, more customers are showing up, and they are spending more.
Earnings for the quarter came in at $1.86, up 9% over the same quarter in 2024. And, notably, earnings came in well above Wall Street analyst expectations, beating consensus by roughly 18%. A big help to the bottom line was the company’s ability to increase its gross margin by 137 basis points year over year, led by less shrinkage, higher inventory markups, and less inventory damage.
This is all very good news and shows that the company’s turnaround effort is working. But the best part of the story is that management updated its full-year 2025 guidance, suggesting that the turnaround is set to continue. Previously, sales were projected to rise between 3.7% and 4.7%. Now they are expected to jump 4.3% to 4.8%. Same-store sales were updated similarly, with a slight increase on the top end and a material change at the low end of the guidance range. Basically, the worst-case scenario that management envisioned appears to be off the table.
There could be more upside from here
My excitement is tempered by the fact that Dollar General’s stock price has risen a great deal in a very short time. Wall Street appears to be aware of the positive reversal in the business dynamics. But that doesn’t change the fact that the stock remains well off its highs, hinting that there could be more room for recovery ahead. Perhaps it won’t happen as quickly as the initial turnaround, but if you think in decades and not days, Dollar General and its still-historically-high 2.1% dividend yield could be a good stock for a deep dive today.
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi have started a family, welcoming their first child a year after they tied the knot.
“Stranger Things” star Brown and Bongiovi (son of singer Jon Bon Jovi) announced in a joint Instagram post shared Thursday that they had adopted “our sweet baby girl” over the summer. The young pair — Brown is 21 and Bongiovi is 23 — did not share additional information about their little one. Their post also featured a drawing of a willow tree.
“We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” the couple said, adding, “And then there were 3.”
Brown, who famously broke out in 2016 for her portrayal of the telekinetic Eleven in Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” has hit a number of personal milestones in the time between the series’ fourth season in 2022 and its fifth and final chapter, which will touch down later this year.
The British “Enola Holmes” and “Electric State” actor reportedly struck up a romance with fellow actor Bongiovi over social media in 2021, and they got engaged in April 2023. A year later, Bon Jovi confirmed rumors about his son and Brown’s wedding, telling BBC’s “The One Show” it was an intimate affair and that his son “is as happy as can be.”
The couple also had a second ceremony in Tuscany in September, according to Vanity Fair. Brown later confirmed her marriage to Bongiovi, sharing in October several photos from that luxurious event.
In the years since her Netflix debut, Brown has also turned her focus to her studies, other business ventures — including her makeup and clothing lines — and running her own farm in Georgia, which also serves as an animal rescue. Bongiovi, on the other hand, made his acting debut in 2024 with the film “Rockbottom” and is set to appear in the upcoming film “Poetic License,” according to IMDb.
Brown enters motherhood as she prepares to close a chapter that defined most of her teen years. Netflix will release the final episodes of “Stranger Things” in three batches: the first on Nov. 26, the second on Christmas and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve.
“I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys,” Brown told her “Stranger Things” crew and cast in a video shared in December. “I love each and every one one of you and I’ll forever carry the memories and bonds we’ve created together as a family.”
It seems Brown will now also have the comfort of her baby girl when that grand finale comes around.
Emma Raducanu says she is “excited” to be working with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francis Roig as she prepares for this year’s US Open.
The 22-year-old had been working with British coach Mark Petchey on an informal basis since March and has now added Spaniard Roig to her team full-time.
Roig, 57, worked alongside Nadal’s uncle Toni from 2005 to 2022 and was part of all 22 of the Spaniard’s Grand Slam victories.
“He’s obviously got a bank of experience and I’m very excited to continue working with him and to have him on my side,” Raducanu told Sky Sports.
The British number one is playing in the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2022 this week and will face either fellow Briton Katie Boulter or Serb Olga Danilovic in her opening match after receiving a first-round bye.
Roig has joined Raducanu for the WTA 1,000 event in Ohio, which is the last tournament before the final Grand Slam of the season begins in New York on 24 August.
“It’s going really well,” Raducanu said. “It’s my second day with [Roig] here, but I did a few days in London before I came out here.”
Bruno Fernandes congratulates Mason Mount for his brilliant goalCredit: Getty
Skipper Bruno Fernandes fired the Red Devils into a 19th minute lead from the penalty spot, after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have fouled Amad Diallo in the box.
Iliman Ndiaye levelled for the Toffees before half-time, profiting on a poor mistake by Manuel Ugarte to score.
A brilliant strike by Mason Mount might have won it for United, but for Ayden Heaven‘s freak own goal 15 minutes from time.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rated each Red Devil in Atlanta.
Altay Bayindir – 5
Keeper‘s United future is decidedly uncertain and all the reasons for that were again in evidence.
Slow reactions to Garner’s free-kick should have been punished by O’Brien although he could do nothing about Ndiaye’s strike.
United need a reliable back-up to Andre Onana. It’s hard to make a case for the Turk deserving that responsibility.
Leny Yoro – 7
Third start in a row for the French, a clear sign that Amorim has him in mind to be the right-sided defensive starter.
His callowness at times is on display, as you should expect.
7
Leny Yoro could have a big season for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
There are occasional errors but the potential is unquestioned and one tackle on Beto after De Ligt was dumbfounded was crucial. He would surely welcome more help than Amad will ever give him, though.
SunSport’s chief reporter Martin Lipton previews the season ahead for Man Utd… with confidence in the air
Matthijs de Ligt – 5
Had the task of neutering Beto’s threat but looked lumbering at times. Too often, when asked to defend, United stand off their men rather than forcing errors.
The Dutchman is unlikely to ever change at this stage in his career and you can envisage him and Maguire being in and out of the team all season. Strikers with genuine pace might be licking their lips.
Luke Shaw – 6
England veteran will probably be the man in possession on the left of the defensive trio for the start of the season and his emphatic backing for Amorim was a significant pointer of dressing room buy-in.
But Shaw will know this was not one of his more persuasive performances as he seemed ill at ease whenever Everton opted to run at him. Doesn’t help when the midfield is a leaky bathtub.
7
Luke Shaw will be desperate for an injury-free campaignCredit: Getty
Amad Diallo – 7
Clearly viewed as a wing-back this season and unleashed his rocket speed well to create Cunha’s opening before winning the penalty converted by Fernandes.
A real threat going forward yet his defensive weaknesses – clear once again in the “Big Peach” – will surely be targeted by opponents as the season wears on. Can you risk him against the top Premier League sides?
Manuel Ugarte – 4
The Uruguayan insists he is now ready for the Premier League. He will have to be better prepared than he was in Atlanta – as he was nowhere near good enough.
Everton appeared to feel they could force errors by putting him under pressure. They were not wrong, catching him in possession for Ndiaye’s equaliser. This system will always see the most defensive midfielder exposed at times.
7
Manuel Ugarte endured an evening to forgetCredit: Getty
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Amorim is adamant the England midfielder can make a genuine first team claim and that he is fitter and more mobile after the pre-season campaign.
Yet it is hard to make the case that Mainoo has progressed over the past 12 months. Still not entirely sure what sort of player he is going to be or if he can fit this United shape..
Diogo Dalot – 6
Portuguese defender, one of the six-man “leadership group”, started on the left – although that would make him Dorgu’s likely understudy.
Did make one really key intervention in front of his own goal as simple centres from Everton left United looking more than vulnerable and happier when moved to the right for the second half.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
First outing in a United short for the £71m recruit from Brentford, who drifted off the right hand side with purpose and penetration.
Superb instant switch of play led to the penalty and his willingness to forage on either flank was evidence that the Cameroonian will instantly upgrade United’s forward threat. Would have loved to cap his display with a goal but understandably has debut run-out restricted to 45 minutes.
7
Bryan Mbeumo made his first outing in Man Utd coloursCredit: AP
Bruno Fernandes – 7
A third goal of the US Tour and second from the spot for the skipper, who is expected to reject the latest Saudi offer and remain at United, although if Sesko is bought he will have to play deeper than he did last night.
Saying that, the way he played in and around Mbeumo and Cunha suggested United might not have to sign the Slovenian to have real attacking threat, with Fernandes showing creativity and enterprise throughout although spat with Ndiaye was utterly needless.
Matheus Cunha 7
The Brazilian was asked to fill the central attacking role, rather than playing off the front man, although the trident gave him the opportunity to roam at times.
Prodded wide of the far post when he might have done better early on but the run in behind was excellent.
The feeling remains he is a scorer of great goals more than a great goal scorer. United surely need someone who can do the ugly stuff in front of the net.
7
Matheus Cunha showed flashes of brillianceCredit: Getty
Subs:
Patrick Dorgu (for Mbeumo, 46) 7
One of the stand-out successes of the US Tour and his entrance on the left saw Dalot switch flanks and Amad move further forward. Instantly improved the United left with the ball.
Ayden Heaven (for Yoro, 57) 6
Teenager walked into a defence that was being worryingly stretched and did his best to bring more security. Own goal was not his fault at all.
Harry Maguire (for Shaw, 57) 6
A little bit of calmness is always welcome. Been there, got the tee-shirt. May not have the starting shirt, though.
Mason Mount (for Mainoo, 57) 8
Mount is desperate for an injury-free campaign and goals like he produced to put United back in front win this one will only help his cause. Terrific finish from 16 yards.
Casemiro (for Ugarte, 72) 6
Brazilian cannot lose the pace he never had. And surely he is smarter and more streetwise than Ugarte. 6
Rasmus Hojlund (for Cunha, 72) 6
Dane knows his United days may be numbered, even if that is against his will. All he can do is try to prove Amorim he can do a job.
Tyler Fredricson (for De Ligt, 88) 6
A late run-out for the youngster. Something more for him to remember from his fortnight Stateside
Franchises could see teams based in major cities like London, Tokyo, Cape Town and Miami.
Reports suggest that no club has been set aside for Rees-Zammit.
On his decision to end his NFL career, 32-time capped international Rees-Zammit said on social media: “I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby!
“It’s been a great experience but it’s time to come home.
“I’ve decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season.
“There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am!!
“There’ll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans.”
A TEACHER’S secret OnlyFans account was exposed by kids “excitedly” sharing the X-rated snaps around school.
Kirsty Buchan, also known as Jessica Jackrabbit x, was a staff member at Bannerman High School, in Glasgow, when she joined the adult platform.
5
The former teacher resigned after her OnlyFans profile was discoveredCredit: Kirsty Buchan
5
The 34-year-old was today struck off from the profession by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)Credit: Kirsty Buchan
5
The mum-of-one taught Physics at Bannerman High School, in GlasgowCredit: Kirsty Buchan
A disciplinary hearing was told the mum-of-one’s profile was discovered by pupils in 2022 and reported to headteacher Seonaidh Black.
Pictures of Ms Buchan, 34, “posing in lingerie” were handed over by shocked students.
In her bio she admitted to being a “good teacher gone bad… really bad”.
The profile was also easily accessible, requiring no payment or sign up.
Ms Black told the hearing: “I was approached by some S5 and S6 boys, who were very excited.
“They were saying things like, ‘Have you heard the news’. I said something like ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ as I did not want to engage them in this kind of conversation.
“I was then told something like, ‘If you haven’t heard, when you do, you’re going to go ballistic. Look out for Jessica Jackrabbit’.
“As I came back into the building, at least two staff stopped to ask me if I knew about Kirsty. It was obvious at this point that everyone knew what was going on.”
Ms Buchan, who had originally been a pupil at the school before teaching there, did not attend the hearing.
In her absence, the headteacher described the OnlyFans model as a “teacher who wanted to do a good job”.
Glamorous futsal player who was sacked after OnlyFans posts now earning 100 times more selling adult content
However there had been several occasions when she “was not always clear on boundaries”.
She told the panel she was referring to “having poor judgement” when it came to being open about sharing her social media with pupils.
One concerned mother had even contacted Ms Black and reported how her son left messages for Ms Buchan on her OnlyFans profile.
The 34-year-old quit her job shortly after her adult content platform was discovered.
She claimed to rake in £60,000 in just one month through her X-rated page.
Ms Buchan argued she signed up because she needed some extra cash after her wages decreased.
Ms Black added how “there’s still talk” about the ordeal now.
Hannah Oakley, who investigated the case for GTCS, told the hearing Ms Buchan did not “ensure that her profile picture and bio” was not accessible to those under 18.
The panel found all allegations to be proven and she was today struck off from the profession by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
Panel member Mr Burton said she was unfit to teach and there was a “significant blurring of boundaries between her private life and her professional life”.
He added how she “used her profession in her bio as a selling tool”.
Mr Burton said Ms Buchan’s actions were “fundamentally incompatible with being a registered teacher”.
Alison Hammond has been a mainstay of This Morning since 2003 and has hosted a number of shows, as well as documentaries, over the years and now she is set to front a new series.
This Morning’s Alison Hammond is set to embark on a new television adventure as she excitedly tells her fans, “let’s hit the road.”
The 50-year-old TV favourite, known for her vibrant personality on This Morning, has been juggling multiple presenting roles.
Since taking over the reins of the Great British Bake Off in 2023, Alison has also been at the helm of For the Love of Dogs, stepping into the shoes of the beloved Paul O’Grady over the past year.
January saw the launch of Alison Hammond’s Florida Unpacked on BBC Two, and more recently, Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend made its debut.
In this latest series, viewers have seen Alison mingling with celebrities such as Perrie Edwards and Luke Evans, exploring the places that shaped them, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Alison Hammond has become a staple on TV as she stars on multiple shows(Image: ITV)
Never one to rest on her laurels, Alison is now gearing up to present Channel 4’s Your Song, where everyday people will perform songs that hold personal significance.
Echoing the sentiment of The Piano, produced by Love Productions, this six-part series will feature Alison travelling across the UK.
Alison shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming show, stating: “I love the power that music, and singing your heart out has.
“It can change your mood – put a smile on your face, make you sad, make you reminisce. So I’m really excited about this new show, about real people telling us their stories through song. Let’s hit the road.”
This Morning’s Alison Hammond ‘really excited’ as she announces new show
An insider told The Sun: “Alison was the natural choice to present this, with her warm personality and ability to catch unguarded moments with the singers, together with chatting to the crowds.
“Your Song will feature people who love singing – they may have been singing for a long time but not necessarily in public or on a stage. You can expect some unexpected performances.”
This announcement follows Alison’s inspiring revelation about her dramatic weight loss.
Alison Hammond has opened up about her dramatic weight loss(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Primark)
Speaking to Bella magazine, she shared: “I’ve lost a lot of weight. I can remember being nearly 30st, and now I’m in the 17/16st 7lbs range.
“I’ve got a personal trainer – she’s amazing. She trains me when I can train. If I’m working, I don’t train. I’ll go for a walk.
“But when I’m at home, I’ll go and have a session with her in the morning, just an hour. It might be four days a week.”
