Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform Party leads in UK poll for first time
If a general election were held tomorrow, 25 percent of British voters would choose Reform, YouGov poll suggests.
Rebels declare ceasefire in DR Congo for ‘humanitarian reasons’
The rebels say they will not seize any further territory but will protect their positions.
US hostage Keith Siegel says Hamas deprived him of food and sunlight – New York Post
- US hostage Keith Siegel says Hamas deprived him of food and sunlight New York Post
- ‘I can breathe again’: Family of American-Israeli hostage reacts to his release CNN
- Poor hygiene, inhumane conditions, abuse: Freed hostage families detail Hamas captivity Haaretz
- Middle East live updates: Former hostage Keith Siegel doing 'remarkably well' ABC News
- Israel and Hamas Exchange 3 Hostages and More Than 180 Prisoners The New York Times
BBC joins Gazan girl, 2, in Jordan on journey to life-saving treatment
Two-year-old Habiba al-Askari needs advanced medical treatment for a rare disease.
BBC joins Gazan girl, 2, on leg of trip to Jordan for life-saving treatment
Two-year-old Habiba al-Askari needs advanced medical treatment for a rare disease.
Over the moon: Billie Eilish sports 188-year-old Yorkshire wool brand at Grammys
The singer paid tribute to her home city wearing an LA Dodgers baseball cap crafted by English woollen mill Moon
When Billie Eilish took to the stage at the 67th Grammy awards wearing a hat with the branding of the baseball team the Los Angeles Dodgers, few would have noticed the much smaller logo on the side with two tiny union flags and the word “Moon”.
But in a small town in West Yorkshire, Moon is a household name, as one of the last surviving woollen mills in the UK.
Continue reading...Trump orders creation of sovereign wealth fund, says it could buy TikTok
Investors were surprised by the news because the US runs a deficit and doesn't have the finances needed for such a fund.
AI systems could be ‘caused to suffer’ if consciousness achieved, says research
Experts and thinkers signed open letter expressing concern over irresponsible development of technology
Artificial intelligence systems capable of feelings or self-awareness are at risk of being harmed if the technology is developed irresponsibly, according to an open letter signed by AI practitioners and thinkers including Sir Stephen Fry.
More than 100 experts have put forward five principles for conducting responsible research into AI consciousness, as rapid advances raise concerns that such systems could be considered sentient.
Continue reading...US Secretary of State Rubio says he has become ‘acting director’ of USAID
The Trump administration has sought to rein in US assistance abroad, with his advisers warning USAID could be closed.
What’s behind surge in Israeli attacks on Palestinian homes in West Bank?
Israeli PM Netanyahu reiterates pledge to 'redraw' the Middle East as he arrives in the US for talks with Trump.
Emergency crews deployed on Santorini as an earthquake swarm worries Greek experts – The Associated Press
- Emergency crews deployed on Santorini as an earthquake swarm worries Greek experts The Associated Press
- People flee Santorini as earthquake fears grow The Guardian
- Greece Prepares for Earthquake as Tremors Shake Santorini and Other Islands The New York Times
- Multiple earthquakes are rattling Greece's volcanic island of Santorini. Here's what we know ABC News
- Tourists and locals flee earthquake hit Greek islands: ‘You cannot contend with nature’ The Independent
GB Energy says it may not meet pledge to employ 1,000 people ‘for 20 years’
Chair Jürgen Maier also refused to put a date on when the agency would bring down energy bills
It could take 20 years for GB Energy to meet its pledge to employ 1,000 people, its chair acknowledged on Monday.
Jürgen Maier also refused to put a date on when it would bring down energy bills.
Continue reading...Rubio hails Panama’s move to exit Chinese infrastructure plan – Reuters
- Rubio hails Panama's move to exit Chinese infrastructure plan Reuters
- Marco Rubio Tells Panama’s Leader ‘Immediate Changes’ Are Needed The New York Times
- The people and the waterway at the center of the Panama Canal NPR
- Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Panamanian President Mulino Department of State
- Panama promises to end key agreement with China amid US pressure Straight Arrow News
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawyers spar during first court hearing
Each lawyer claimed the other was attacking their client outside of court.
Israeli military truck rams vendor’s cart in Tulkarem
Video shows an Israeli military truck ramming into a Palestinian vendor’s cart in Tulkarem, occupied West Bank.
Guardian Essential poll: more voters say Albanese ‘out of touch’ with ordinary Australians than Peter Dutton
Survey also finds 40% of people say antisemitism is a major issue in Australia, while 48% say it is a minor issue
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More voters see Peter Dutton as in touch with ordinary Australians, decisive and better in a crisis than Anthony Albanese, with the opposition leader’s standing improving on key leadership indicators in the latest Guardian Essential poll.
Parliament returns on Tuesday for potentially the last sitting fortnight before the federal election (which must be held by mid-May). Questions about the Labor government’s response to antisemitism and the alleged caravan bomb discovered in Sydney are expected to dominate the political agenda.
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Continue reading...NATO chief says European defence without US ‘will not work’
Mark Rutte says trade tensions under Trump will not affect NATO's deterrence, stressing unity in military alliance.
EU will stand up for itself in face of Trump tariffs threat, Macron says
French president and other leaders call for cooperation with Washington but vow a robust response if needed
The EU will stand up for itself if its interests are targeted, Emmanuel Macron has said, as the bloc’s leaders urged talks – but a firm response if needed – in response to Donald Trump’s weekend threat to impose punishing tariffs.
“If our commercial interests are attacked, Europe, as a true power, will have to make itself respected and therefore react,” the French president said as he arrived for an informal defence meeting with other leaders in Brussels on Monday.
Continue reading...Eastern Congo rebel alliance declares ceasefire starting on Feb. 4 – Reuters
- Eastern Congo rebel alliance declares ceasefire starting on Feb. 4 Reuters
- Rwanda’s president says he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in DRC CNN
- Rwanda-Backed Rebels in Congo Say They Will Begin a Ceasefire Bloomberg
- There are bodies in the streets in the DRC as rebel group's sweep reignites decades old conflict NBC News
- Congo demands international sanctions 'to stop Rwanda' Reuters
Trump tariffs top agenda at EU meeting
European Union leaders gathered on Monday amidst the threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump on imports.