Wednesday, September 6 — 7 significant news stories

Today ChatGPT read 1239 top news stories. After removing previously covered events, there are 7 articles with a significance score over 7.

[8.1] NHTSA recalls 52 million air bag inflators due to danger. — Reuters

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demanded a recall of 52 million air bag inflators produced by auto suppliers ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive due to the risk of rupture and the release of dangerous metal fragments. The inflators have been used in vehicles produced by 12 automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen. The NHTSA has identified seven confirmed inflator ruptures in the United States, resulting in injuries and one death.

[7.6] 6 billion tons of marine sand extraction deemed unsustainable and harmful. — Reuters

Around 6 billion tons of marine sand are being extracted each year, a practice that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has deemed unsustainable and harmful to marine life. Sand extraction, primarily for use in industries like construction, is poorly regulated, prompting the U.N. to pass a resolution last year to promote more sustainable mining. The UNEP's findings coincide with the launch of a new platform called 'Marine Sand Watch' that monitors dredging activities using marine tracking and artificial intelligence.

[7.6] Narcan nasal spray for opioid overdoses now available over-the-counter. — The Washington Post

Narcan, a nasal spray that counteracts opioid overdoses, will be available over-the-counter in stores like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart, with a suggested retail price of $44.99. Previously requiring a prescription, the Food and Drug Administration approved its over-the-counter sale in hopes of increasing accessibility and saving more lives amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Narcan is a form of naloxone, an opioid antidote that can restore breathing in overdose victims. The move aims to place Narcan in more public and private settings to address rising overdose rates.

[7.5] Cancer cases in under-50s up 80% in 30 years. — The Guardian

The number of cancer cases among people under the age of 50 has increased by nearly 80% in the past three decades, according to a global study. The research, which analysed data from 204 countries, found that global cases of early onset cancer rose from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019, with over a million under-50s dying of cancer each year. Poor diets, alcohol and tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity are believed to be contributing factors to the rise in cases.

[7.3] Saudi Arabia and Russia extend oil supply cuts to boost prices. — The New York Times

Saudi Arabia and Russia have announced that they will extend their cuts in oil supplies through the rest of 2023, in an effort to support oil prices. The cuts, which amount to one million barrels a day by Saudi Arabia and 300,000 barrels a day of exports by Russia, have helped push up oil prices, with Brent crude breaching $90 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude reaching $87.75. The decision to extend the cuts by three months surprised analysts and suggests a greater determination to control supplies and raise prices.

[7.3] European Commission designates major tech firms as "gatekeepers" under new Digital Markets Act. — The Verge

The European Commission has identified several tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and ByteDance, as "gatekeepers" under its new Digital Markets Act (DMA). "Gatekeepers" refer to dominant tech firms that have significant influence over the digital market landscape. The DMA aims to curtail the influence of these tech giants, promoting competition and preventing anti-competitive behaviors. Specific obligations include promoting interoperability between major messaging apps and allowing third-party app stores on their operating systems. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines.

[7.2] Counterfeit prescription pill deaths doubled in the US, fentanyl prevalent. — The Guardian US

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that the number of deaths from counterfeit prescription pills has more than doubled in the US between mid-2019 and the end of 2021. The majority of the counterfeit drugs contained the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has contributed to the record levels of drug overdose deaths in the country. The CDC noted that those who died from fake pills were often younger, Hispanic, and had a history of prescription drug misuse.

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Vadim