Andy Barr maintains cash on hand edge in GOP contest to succeed McConnell

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron again posted modest fundraising numbers. Rep. Andy Barr has maintained his early fundraising edge in the crowded Republican primary to succeed GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell in Kentucky. Barr raised $1.8 million between the beginning of July and the end of September and ended the quarter with $6.7 million in … Read more

Pakistan and Afghanistan announce ceasefire after deadliest clashes in years

The pause came after appeals from major regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a ceasefire following days of the deadliest clashes in years that killed dozens of people on both sides of the border. The pause came after appeals from major regional powers, including Saudi Arabia … Read more

Europe’s Socialists keep mum on migration at anti-Trump jamboree

The center left is split on how to tackle migration and is relying on the same old priorities to fight right-wing populism. AMSTERDAM — Everyone’s talking about migration. Apart from Europe’s center left. The Party of European Socialists (PES), Europe’s second-biggest political family, is holding a three-day get-together in Amsterdam starting Thursday to fire up … Read more

Equity threatens mass direct action over use of actors’ images in AI content

Union says growing numbers of its members have made complaints about infringements of copyright in AI material The performing arts union Equity has threatened mass direct action over tech and entertainment companies’ use of its members’ likenesses, images and voices in AI content without permission. The warning came as the union said growing numbers of … Read more

Instagram to bring in version of PG-13 system to protect children, says Meta

Company says rules similar to US ‘parental guidance’ film rating will be applied to teenagers’ accounts Instagram is to adopt a version of the PG-13 cinema rating system to give parents stronger controls over their teenagers’ use of the social media platform. Instagram, which is run by Meta, will start applying rules similar to the … Read more

OpenAI will allow verified adults to use ChatGPT to generate erotic content

New version will allow users to customize AI assistant’s personality in what firm calls ‘treat adults users like adults’ policy OpenAI announced plans on Tuesday to relax restrictions on its ChatGPT chatbot, including allowing erotic content for verified adult users as part of what the company calls a “treat adult users like adults” principle. OpenAI’s … Read more

‘Dismal’ health of world’s forests is threat to humanity, report warns

Financial institutions pouring money into land clearance and undermining efforts to stop destruction, says Climate Focus Global forest health has plunged to “dismal” levels and threatens the wellbeing of humanity, warns a damning report that highlights how financial systems are pouring money into land clearance and undermining efforts to reduce destruction. Since 2021 when world … Read more