International fake news ring targeting B.C. public companies raises fraud concerns - Business in Vancouver

Autonomous agents are the hottest thing in AI. OpenAI, Meta, Google, Instinct, and others promise their agents can scour the internet on your behalf, doing anything from booking a dinner reservation and cleaning out your inbox to buying new shoes. But what happens when the rest of the internet won’t play nice? In recent weeks, users of services like Meta’s Muse, xAI’s Grok, OpenAI’s Dots, and Instinct have reported blocks preventing their AI agents from performing tasks across top websites. Yelp told TechCrunch that it only allows AI agents that pay for its data licensing program, while Delta Air Lines is preventing them from booking tickets on behalf of users. JPMorgan Chase and Charles Schwab have also confirmed that they’re blocking AI agents from accessing accounts due to security concerns. Some users say sites that previously worked with their AI agent are no longer accessible, including Cars.com and Amtrak, suggesting other companies could be quietly blocking them. Amazon was already fighting off AI agents last year when it banned Perplexity’s agentic shopping feature and sued the AI startup, raising legal and practical questions about the future of agents on the web.

Temperatures are warmer-than-normal this fall. But here's why you shouldn't delay putting your winter tires on.

Open this photo in gallery:Democratic candidate for U. S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed poses with UAW union members during the Labor Day Parade in Detroit, Mich., on Sept. 7. Mr. El-Sayed has condemned Donald Trump’s 'disastrous' tariffs. Rebecca Cook/ReutersIn Maine, it’s the importance of Canadian concrete and road salt. In New Hampshire, it’s the disappearance of Canadian tourists. In Michigan, it’s Labatt beer and the weirdness of a trade war waged against an unassuming neighbour. In Minnesota, it’s the rising cost of construction materials imported from Canada. In Montana, it’s the cost of fertilizer. In Idaho, it’s worries about dairy exports to Canada. Across the continent-spanning sweep of the U. S. northern border, Canada is on the lips of candidates and voters as they near an election that will determine the balance of the country’s legislative power. Not for many decades – if ever – has this country occupied such an important place in the political debate south of the border. The introduction of Canada to American political conversation was, initially, the work of President Donald Trump, who accused Canada of shipping fentanyl into the U.