Social media is filled with an endless supply of people selling things, from Shein try-on hauls to health supplement and gadget product placements. Influencer marketing disrupted traditional advertising, creating an army of living room salespeople pumping out content meant to entice strangers at scale — and tech companies’ vision for the future includes more automation.
TikTok announced today it was adding new capabilities to Symphony, the company’s AI ads platform it launched in 2024. The features go beyond generating basic videos and images — instead, the system’s new output mimics what audiences are used to seeing from human influencers. The company says advertisers will be able to upload images, provide a text prompt, and generate videos with virtual avatars holding products, trying on and modeling clothing, and displaying a brand’s app on a phone screen. Some features already available to TikTok users — like creating a video out of a photo — will also now be available to advertisers.
AI creep in the influencer industry has been a steady development: advertisers already have the option of using synthetic characters (sometimes resembling real people) to do things like read scripts to promote brands and products. This new set of features brings an interactivity, with virtual avatars essentially acting like human influencers by using and modeling products. or advertisers, the appeal is a mix of automating processes and cutting costs — an AI avatar can’t demand specific rates or terms in a contract, and a brand can generate an endless amount of content without recording each video separately. AI tools are also being used to target specific audience members, generate ideas for content, and dub audio into different languages. Some advertisers are moving slowly with AI-generated content or are even outright resistant to it. But the expansion of AI ads tools on TikTok signals that the platform, at least, is taking it seriously: why share TikTok Shop affiliate earnings with a thousand random creators when you could instead farm it out to a few virtual faces and bodies?
For human influencers, the potential threat of AI is two-fold: synthetic content could be used in place of human work, and the influx of AI-generated videos could drive rates down for everyone. But so far, AI tools in the influencer space are largely behind the scenes: content creators say they are using AI tools to edit and plan content or find brand deals, even as tech companies continue to push AI-generated profiles and characters. AI-generated sponsored videos — especially of something like trying on clothes or using an app — significantly expand the bounds of influencer content. Is it really a product recommendation if the entity trying to sell you on it doesn’t exist? And if all brands need to promote something is a body, what does it mean for the human influencers that the cheapest, fastest path with the least resistance is being pushed by the platforms they rely on for their income?
TikTok says all content generated using the ads tool will have a label indicating it as AI-generated, and that it will go through “multiple rounds of safety review.”
Enzo Maresca believes Liam Delap has the potential to become England’s main striker, but warned the 22-year-old he faces a fight to get into the Chelsea line-up first.
Chelsea beat out competition from a number of clubs including Manchester United for Delap’s signature amid expectations the former Manchester City academy player could one day rival Harry Kane to lead the line for his country.
Kane is England’s captain and all-time record goalscorer with 73 goals from 107 appearances, but Maresca told reporters on Sunday: “When we faced Ipswich, before we faced Ipswich, so [when] Liam was not a Chelsea player, I said that for me, Liam, potentially, he can be England’s number nine.
“So he was not even with us. And for sure now that he’s with us, I’m going to say again that I don’t have any doubt that he can be in the future England number nine.
“[But] I never say to a players you are going to be a first choice. The message is always the same: you arrive, you work hard, you work more than the other number nine and you are going to be number nine first-choice. So the conversation with Liam has been quite clear.
“He was keen to join us because he knows the way we play, the season that we were together also we won for the first time for Manchester City the under-23 competition. He scored 24, 25 goals that season.
“So he knows exactly what we can give to him and I know what Liam can give us. So I think it’s a win-win and the conversation was quite an easy conversation. We like Liam, Liam like us, so it was an easy conversation.”
Chelsea handed Delap the club’s No. 9 shirt, which many high-profile players have struggled with in recent years including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Álvaro Morata and Fernando Torres.
“Liam knows quite well how important is the number nine for this club,” continued Maresca, who coached Delap during his time at City. “Personally I don’t see any problem about that. I see Liam quite relaxed, easy, he’s doing well. Since he arrived he’s working well. We know each other already from years ago, so I know what Liam can give us, he knows what we can give to him to improve and to become a better player.
“And again in terms of number nine, hopefully he can score goals for us.”
Midfielder Moisés Caicedo backed Delap to make an immediate impact during the tournament in the United States after impressing in training.
“We are happy to have him because he is a very top player,” said Caicedo. “He showed [that] last season, so we are happy. He is training really well. You can see the quality he has. For sure, we are going to score a lot of goals with this amazing player.”
Janelle Brown Questioned How Kody Brown Handled the Family Money
Griping about the family’s inability to pay off Coyote Pass, Janelle said Kody claimed to have “all these other debts.” And, yet, she’s watched him snap up other assets like trailers and home décor. “I see all the art on their walls,” she said of Robyn and Kody’s home. “I see all these things. And that’s fine, I have money and I’ve spent it on things, too.” (For his part Kody said much of his cash went to buying cars—”Basically had a fleet”—and insurance for the kids.)
And while Janelle acknowledged she wasn’t sure how Kody and Robyn handled their finances, “I used to always be surprised at how nice her backyard was. It was completely finished. And there was always, like, stuff at her house. And I was like, ‘Wow. Huh.'”
Bottom line, she said, “He doesn’t prioritize what I need or what I want.” And that issue eventually wore her down. “I think after a while, I began to see it, and my kids were getting very angry about it, like my adult children. Like, ‘What the hell, Mom?'”
Robyn’s take, however, was that she was very careful with her budget after her first marriage fell apart.
“I used to be not so great with money,” she shared during the Sept. 22 episode. “When I was young, I had hard knocks, and then I learned during my divorce really how to budget myself very, very well.” As for her fellow sister wives, she said, “You just must have had a different priority of where your money was going to go than I did, that’s all.”
A man has been discharged from hospital after a vehicle fell from a multi-storey car park at London Luton Airport.
Emergency services were called to Car Park One shortly before 11:00 BST on Sunday and one person was taken to hospital.
The vehicle involved was believed to have fallen from the third storey.
A spokesperson from the airport said it remained fully operational and an investigation into the cause of the incident was under way.
On Sunday, people at the scene told the BBC the car, with one man inside, appeared to turn the wrong way when exiting the car park before crashing to the ground.
The East of England Ambulance Service sent crews to the site and Bedfordshire Police have urged any witnesses to contact the force.
The person involved in the incident had been discharged from hospital with “minor injuries,” a Luton Airport spokesperson said.
“There was no disruption to flights, and the car park remains open, with staff on hand to assist passengers,” the added.
“An investigation into the cause of the accident is now under way.”
The intelligence chief for Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has reportedly been killed by Israel amid growing conflict between the two countries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday afternoon that Israel targeted IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi in a strike.
“Moments ago, we also got the chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran because we’re now over the skies of Tehran,” Netanyahu told Fox News’s Bret Baier on “Special Report.”
Iranian state media confirmed Kazemi and his deputy Hassan Mohaqiq were killed in a strike, The Times of Israel reported. Another Iranian intelligence officer was also reportedly killed.
Israel has killed a number of nuclear scientists and top Iranian commanders in its strikes, including Gen. Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the IRGC.
“I think we’ve set them back quite a bit,” Netanyahu said Sunday of Israel’s strikes, touting the element of surprise in launching widespread attacks on Thursday night.
Netanyahu argued that U.S. talks with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program were not heading toward a resolution, and he did not want to wait until talks were officially called off to hit first.
“That’s not how I conduct wars, and it’s not how Israel conducts wars,” he said.
The Trump administration had pushed for a diplomatic solution to limit Iran’s nuclear enrichment and engaged in multiple rounds of talks with Iranian negotiators to try to reach a deal before Israel launched its attacks.
Following Israel’s initial attack on Iran, the Trump administration has stressed Israel acted unilaterally, though President Trump acknowledged Sunday the U.S. could get pulled into the conflict given its close relationship with Israel.
“We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved,” Trump told ABC News.
Netanyahu in the Fox interview said Iran views Trump as “enemy number one,” while calling himself the president’s “junior partner” in efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear powers.
The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) is one of the 18 stocks Jim Cramer recently shared insights on. While discussing the company, Cramer said that almost every analyst who covers the stock is bearish about the business. He commented:
“But let’s look at the other way. Let’s talk about what old folks were interested in. There’s a company called J.M. Smucker. It makes coffee jams and pet food, Uncrustables, Twinkies. It’s covered by 15 different firms… It’s real. We’ve all bought their stuff. Two years ago, right at the time that the GLP-1 drugs came of age and we went nuts for the weight loss shots, J.M. Smucker didn’t seem to notice. They ran into the fire, they bought Hostess, that’s right, Hostess, maker of Twinkies, for $5.6 billion in November of 2023. Today, they took a $980 million impairment charge for that transaction. I doubt that’ll be the last one, as Twinkies and Ho Hos may not turn very well. Let’s just say they’re going nowhere. They also took a big hit from tariffs and higher coffee costs. Smucker’s talking about a 20% boost in coffee prices. That’s not going to help demand. In the wake of the news, the stock plunged more than 15%. Nearly every analyst who covers it had tough things to say about the business, all major firms.”
Jim Cramer on J.M. Smucker: “It’s Real”
A wholesaler distributing peanut butter, fruit spreads and specialty spreads to a retailer.
J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM) produces a wide range of branded food and beverage products, including coffee, snacks, pet food, spreads, and baked goods.
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Alphabet-owned robotaxi company Waymo is limiting service due to Saturday’s scheduled nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and his policies.
A Waymo spokesperson confirmed the changes to Wired on Friday. Service is reportedly affected in San Francisco, Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, and is entirely suspended in Los Angeles. It’s not clear how long the limited service will last.
While it’s not entirely clear why protestors targeted the vehicles, they may be seen as a surveillance tool, as police departments have requested robotaxi footage for their investigations in the past. (Waymo says it challenges requests that it sees as overly broad or lacking a legal basis.)
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city’s fire chief told officials Wednesday that “in a period of civil unrest, we will not try to extinguish those fires unless they are up against a building.”
It’s Monday, and another week of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 12 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1 Next match: Friday, June 20 vs. Angel City, 8 p.m. ET
When the Kansas City Current are firing on all cylinders, there’s no stopping them. Just ask Racing Louisville, who watched as three goals hit the back of their net inside the first 19 minutes at CPKC Stadium on Saturday. Between their rapid counter-attacking play — good luck dealing with Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper on the break — and their incisive possession approach, even a second-half flurry from the visitors couldn’t rob Kansas City of all three points in a 4-2 victory.
Previous ranking: 3 Next match: Sunday, June 22 vs. Washington Spirit, 10 p.m. ET
One of the hottest teams in the league, San Diego collected their sixth win in their last eight games in a 3-2 victory over the Houston Dash on Friday. Playing away from home, the Wave got out to a 2-0 lead in the first half in no small part due to their interchanging attackers and surging runs from goal-scorer Kenza Dali out of midfield. Though they were outscored in the second half and conceded a sloppy goal to Yazmeen Ryan, Jonas Eidevall’s team continues to impress.
Previous ranking: 4 Next match: Friday, June 20 vs. Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ET
If you look up “smash and grab” in the dictionary, it’ll show you a picture of the Orlando Pride after their 1-0 win over Bay FC. Alright, fine. It won’t. But it should. Despite allowing 20 shots and 1.7 xG on Friday, as per FBref, Orlando still managed a narrow victory thanks to none other than Barbra Banda. After a quick free kick on the left side of midfield, Banda surged into space, worked her way into the box, and capitalized on a deflection to score the game’s only goal. The Pride have a few defensive frailties to address, but they’ll take the three points.
Previous ranking: 2 Next match: Sunday, June 22 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Playing without head coach Jonatan Giráldez (not because of his upcoming move to France but because he and his partner were expecting their second child), the Spirit fell 2-0 to the Portland Thorns to close out the NWSL’s weekend slate. Washington’s narrow midfield helped them hold the majority of possession in Portland. But a sloppy turnover put them in a first-half hole and an inability to capitalize on any of their 13 shots kept them from digging their way out.
play
1:59
Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit, 06/16/2025
Previous ranking: 5 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Bay FC, 7.30 p.m. ET
Though they won the CONCACAF W Champions Cup last month, Gotham FC collected their first league win since April in a 3-0 victory over the Utah Royals on Friday. With a penalty kick goal from Esther Gonzalez and a pair of red cards, one to Jess Carter and one to Jaelin Howell, Gotham’s route to three points was far from uneventful. Still, the visitors largely controlled the game and Rose Lavelle made her second appearance of the year. Not bad for a road trip.
Previous ranking: 7 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Chicago Stars, 10 p.m. ET
In the NWSL, there are few better ways to bounce back from a disappointing loss than by besting the Washington Spirit. Even with the Spirit in a state of managerial transition, the Portland Thorns’ 2-0 win was an impressive one over a team that hadn’t lost since the beginning of May. Between some timely high pressing and lethal transition attacking, Portland ended Sunday’s match worthy of earning all three points.
Previous ranking: 6 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Utah Royals, 5 p.m. ET
Even playing on the road, it’s a challenge not to look at a draw with the Chicago Stars as two points dropped. Due to a poor start that featured their transition defense getting torn apart on two separate occasions inside the first 15 minutes on Saturday, it took everything in the Reign to claw back for a 2-2 draw. Yes, getting those two goals back not long before the final whistle helped salvage the outing, but consistency still lacks for Laura Harvey’s team.
Previous ranking: 8 Next match: Friday, June 20 vs. Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET
At their best, Racing Louisville have been a compact, effective defensive team that makes life absolutely miserable for anyone and everyone on their schedule. It’s that hard-nosed style that’s held them above the playoff line so far this season. But on Saturday in Kansas City, that collective defensive work was absent. Louisville was sluggish in transition, gappy in possession, and never in the game in a 4-2 loss to the Current.
Previous ranking: 9 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Gotham FC, 7.30 p.m. ET
It’s difficult to see positives in a loss, but if there was ever a moment to do so for Bay FC, it’s after their narrow defeat to the Orlando Pride on Friday. While a deflected shot from Banda earned Orlando a 1-0 lead, Bay outplayed the Pride for most of the match. The home side used the ball well in possession and on set pieces, managing 20 shots compared to just seven for their opponents. So much was working for Bay FC — aside from the final touch.
Previous ranking: 11 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Houston Dash, 7.30 p.m. ET
Saturday’s 2-1 win over Angel City was nervy, featuring a near-last minute winner in second-half stoppage-time from Brianna Pinto. But it was a well-earned three points for North Carolina, who outshot their hosts 24 to 13, even with Jaedyn Shaw and Ashley Sanchez both beginning the game on the bench. Playing out of Sean Nahas’ back-three setup, the Courage managed their third-highest xG total of the year and inched closer to the playoff line.
play
1:58
Angel City FC vs. North Carolina Courage – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Angel City FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 06/15/2025
Previous ranking: 10 Next match: Friday, June 20 vs. Kansas City Current, 8 p.m. ET
The second youngest team in the NWSL based on FBref’s average age weighted by minutes played metric, there were always going to be growing pains for Angel City in 2025. Those growing pains played out in real time in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, a game where the hosts allowed the opener in the first minute and the game-winner deep in second half stoppage time. Both Thompson sisters were bright, but there wasn’t enough in the attack to overcome Angel City’s sloppy defending inside their own box.
Previous ranking: 12 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. NC Courage, 7.30 p.m. ET
Despite a surge in the second half where they outscored the Wave, the Houston Dash fell 3-2 to San Diego on Friday. Generating quality attacking chances in open play continues to be a struggle for Houston, who managed just two passes into the attacking penalty box on the evening, according to FBref. Yazmeen Ryan and Barbara Olivieri, who each scored against San Diego, provide a useful level of incision — but the two need help.
Previous ranking: 14 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET
Things never seem to look up for the Chicago Stars for too long, do they? After Ludmila’s brace inside the first 13 minutes put Chicago ahead on Saturday, the Stars proceeded to ship two goals, one in the 87th minute and one in the 89th, to draw 2-2 with the Seattle Reign. The chance for a second win in 2025 was within their grasp, but it wasn’t to be.
Previous ranking: 14 Next match: Saturday, June 21 vs. Seattle Reign, 5 p.m. ET
From a sloppy penalty concession to incredibly sluggish recovery defending in their own half, Utah put in a sub-par performance against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Friday. Losing 3-0 in front of their home crowd, the Royals only managed six total shots despite trailing for all but nine minutes of the match. Friday’s disappointment was the latest reminder in a long string of such reminders that Utah have a ways to go as a club.
He did worry at the time about getting caught, he said, because the practice—which Sconce alleged is common in the cremation industry—was a crime under the state’s Health and Safety Code.
Meanwhile, the National Funeral Directors Association said in response to The Mortician that, though “the actions chronicled in this documentary are both horrifying and real,” they are not indicative of the business itself.
“It’s important to remember that the subject of this documentary is not representative of the funeral profession as a whole,” the organization said in a May 30 statement. “Every day, tens of thousands of funeral directors work around the clock to help families take the first steps toward healing following the death of a loved one. With care, compassion and integrity, they help families create meaningful funeral and memorial services that reflect their loved one’s personal values, interests and experiences.”
Sconce “stupidly justified” what he was up to, he explained in the series, thinking “nobody cares about these people anyway. Most of my cases were scatter-at-sea, no visitors, no viewing.”
As for the remains returned to loved ones, Sconce maintained that it still didn’t really matter what was in that urn. “People just got to be more in control of their emotions,” he said, “because that’s not your loved one anymore and it never has been. Love ’em when they’re here, period.”
But mixing up ashes was just the tip of the iceberg. And as the June 15 series finale suggested, he may have had even more skeletons in the close than previously known.
Five people have been killed and dozens injured as Iran launched fresh strikes across central Israel overnight, according to Israel’s national emergency service. Footage shows explosions and damage in Tel Aviv and Haifia. Officials say at least 19 people have been killed in Israel and 224 people in Iran since Friday, when the two countries began launching attacks.
