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USNBC News

An AI-generated Rumpelstiltskin meme is freaking out much of the internet

Photo: via X

Rumpelstiltskin famously spun straw into gold. Now, AI has spun the fairy-tale character into an eerie internet meme.

In recent days, a clip began circulating widely online featuring what many described as a “creepy” imp-like character. The imp approaches a woman sitting in a heap of straw and dances before her while she’s frightened to tears. Then, he turns all the straw in the room into gold coins, causing her to exclaim with joy. She kisses him, turning him into a prince.

It’s a scene reminiscent of the German fairy tale about Rumpelstiltskin, a magical imp who spins straw into gold for a poor miller’s daughter.

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USNBC News

Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation

Family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks packed a federal appeals courtroom in New York City on Wednesday as three judges heard arguments over whether legal claims against Saudi Arabia can proceed. The judges revealed through their questions that there are still many legal issues to be decided in the lawsuit even though it has dragged on for almost a quarter-century.

USCBS News

FBI concerned alleged Chinese agent is serious flight risk, sources say

The FBI fears the alleged Chinese agent arrested at LAX on Sunday may try to flee the country if released after her court hearing on Wednesday, law enforcement sources told CBS News. Investigators claim California realtor Wanying Zhang owned a business in China, regularly has money deposited in a Chinese bank account and has parents, a brother and sister currently living there, CBS News has learned. One law enforcement source said Zhang also had a Chinese passport that was not recovered during an FBI search of her home.

USCBS News

Maduro expected to face new charges of torture of Americans in Venezuelan prisons

Federal prosecutors are expected to bring new charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, for allegedly torturing Americans who were held in Venezuelan prisons, according to multiple sources familiar with the case. The sources said that additional people could be charged in their role for the torture of more than a dozen Americans who were wrongfully detained by the Venezuelan government while Maduro was in power. Barry Pollack, an attorney for Maduro, told CBS News that he has not been provided any notice that additional charges could be coming.