Albania appoints AI bot ‘minister’ to fight corruption in world first
Sceptics wonder whether ‘Diella’, depicted as a woman in traditional folk costume, will herself be ‘corrupted’.
Pakistan open Asia Cup campaign with 93-run win against Oman
Pakistan batter Mohammed Haris hits 66 of Pakistan's modest 160-7 in their Asia Cup opener, but Oman collapse in reply.
Nine Met police suspended amid inquiry into claims of excessive force
Watchdog says there are also allegations of discriminatory and misogynistic comments, centring on Charing Cross police station
Nine Scotland Yard officers have been suspended after an investigation was launched into claims of excessive use of force and the making of discriminatory and misogynistic comments.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the allegations centre on Charing Cross police station in central London, the source of a previous scandal for the Metropolitan police.
Continue reading...Boat capsizes in Congo, killing at least 86, most of them students – AP News
Charlie Kirk and the danger of selective empathy
To deny empathy to Kirk and his camp is to undermine our stand against the very divisiveness we criticise.
What’s fuelling political violence in the United States?
Killing of divisive conservative Charlie Kirk triggers fears of a cycle of violence.
UK universities cut back on crucial research because of reduced funding
One in five institutions spending less, including in areas such as cancer and heart disease, says report
Universities are cutting back on vital research, with world-leading work on deadly conditions such as cancer and heart disease under threat from an erosion in funding from government and charities, according to a report.
The report, compiled by Universities UK, found that one in five UK universities have reduced their research activity, including cuts to life sciences, medicine and environmental sciences, and many said they were expecting to make steeper cuts in the future because of mounting financial pressures.
Continue reading...Alvarez vs Crawford: Will it be biggest fight in Las Vegas boxing history?
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford seek to unify boxing's super middleweight belts.
China Didn’t Want You to See This Video of Xi and Putin. So Reuters Deleted It. – The Intercept
- China Didn’t Want You to See This Video of Xi and Putin. So Reuters Deleted It. The Intercept
- Hot mic picks up Putin and Xi discussing organ transplants and immortality Reuters
- Xi Muses on Living to 150 in Hot-Mic Moment With Putin, Kim Bloomberg.com
- Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin talked about living to 150. Here's what longevity research says is feasible. Business Insider
- Brainless bodies and pig organs: does science back up Putin and Xi’s longevity claims? The Guardian
NATO fighter jets headed to eastern Europe under new ‘Eastern Sentry’
NATO is deploying more fighter jets and a naval vessel to eastern Europe under a new program called Eastern Sentry.
Suspended London Pride boss ordered to relinquish control of company bank account
Christoper Joell-Deshields to hand over Pride for London’s banking passwords, social media and email accounts
The head of London’s Pride parade, who is fighting claims that he used its funds for his personal benefit, has been ordered by the high court to relinquish control of the organising body’s bank account.
Christoper Joell-Deshields, who was suspended as chief executive last month, consented to an order on Friday to hand over Pride for London’s banking passwords, social media and email accounts.
Continue reading...Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar shatters Gulf’s faith in US protection
The attack in Doha upended a decades-old assumption – and left Arab leaders questioning how much they can still rely on Washington
On Thursday, Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, led a funeral at the state mosque. Flanked by officials in white thobes, he prayed over six caskets – one draped in a Qatari flag and five bearing Palestinian flags.
Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday, which also killed a Qatari officer, marked an unprecedented moment for the Gulf kingdom. The attack undercut the assumption that has underpinned Qatari foreign policy for three decades and reverberated across the Arab region: be useful to the United States, and it will protect you.
Continue reading...NATO announces plan to strengthen Europe’s eastern flank
The new initiative, known as Eastern Sentry, follows the incursion of Russian drones in Polish airspace on Wednesday.
UN General Assembly backs two-state push for Israel and Palestine
Israel slams landmark vote, supported by 142 member states, as ‘disgraceful’ as it continues to pound Gaza.
Anti-apartheid hero’s new inquest should lead to justice, Biko family tells BBC
Seen as a martyr in the struggle against white-minority rule, Steve Biko died in police custody in 1977.
Israel bombs UNRWA-run school and makeshift shelter in Gaza City
Israel has attacked a school in the Al Shati refugee camp that was a makeshift shelter for displaced Palestinians.
Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 65, including 14 members of the same family
At least 48 killed in Gaza City as Gaza authorities claim some 1.3 million people remain in north of bombarded enclave.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: T20 Asia Cup – start time, teams/lineups
Sri Lanka play their opening match of the Asia Cup against a Bangladesh side given a scare by Hong Kong in their opener.
Rubio to visit Israel amid tension over strike in Qatar – Politico
- Rubio to visit Israel amid tension over strike in Qatar Politico
- Marco Rubio to travel to Israel to meet with officials on Gaza NBC News
- Rubio to visit Israel amid tensions among US Middle East allies Reuters
- Secretary Rubio’s Travel to Israel and the United Kingdom U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- Rubio to visit Israel with Gaza peace prospects grim and region reeling after Doha strike CNN
Nigerian pilot tests positive for alcohol after plane veered off runway
The 64-year-old has been sacked, although all the passengers were unharmed.