Asia Government
At least 19 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine
Is the war entering a new phase? Ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been injured in Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas. Ukraine's Air Force said on Thursday that it destroyed or suppressed 131 Russian aerial targets during the overnight attacks, adding that the main areas targeted were the Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces hit metallurgical and electronics plants, factories of the military-industrial complex, energy and transport facilities in the three regions. Three bulk carriers and a ferry used to carry supplies for the Ukrainian military were hit in the port of Chornomorsk, added the ministry.
Russia's attacks on Europe are getting more brazen and more dangerous
Russia's attacks on Europe are getting more brazen and more dangerous Firefighters extinguish a fire inside a train carriage that was damaged by a drone strike near Ukraine's border with Poland on Saturday. Over the course of the summer, Russian attacks have been pushing ever deeper into European territory. On Aug. 11, military divers destroyed two drones floating off the coast of Romania near a €4 billion ($4.7 billion) energy project. Nine days later, Bucharest scrambled two F-16s to take out a maritime drone near the same Black Sea gas platform with hundreds of workers on board. Earlier that month, German police detected an armed UAV at Leipzig airport, while this week NATO jets downed another unmanned aircraft that entered Lithuanian airspace from neighboring Belarus, an ally of Moscow.
From Yanbu to Sohar: Tracking Saudi Arabia's alternative oil routes
Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia's oil exports took another blow last week when drone attacks knocked out part of the country's East-West pipeline, halting oil flow and removing 4-5 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from global supply. It is unclear how long repairs will take, although The Associated Press estimates three to five weeks, citing two regional officials. The 1,200km (746-mile) pipeline connects the kingdom's main oil-producing fields in the east of the country with Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast in the west, allowing Saudi crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely remained closed since the United States-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. As the world's second-largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia's ability to keep crude flowing has significant consequences for global energy markets.
Israel weaponises AI for West Bank demolitions
'This is an apartheid regime' Does Trump have real leverage over Netanyahu? As the world wrestles with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the dangers of removing humans from life-altering decisions, Israel has pressed ahead with deploying AI as part of its military arsenal. In Gaza, AI systems have been used to determine potential bomb targets, contributing to the scale of the killing of Palestinians there as recently documented in the award-winning documentary NAZA . The Turkish media outlet PalDigital, citing rights activists and Israeli media reports, highlighted how Israel uses AI tools - and specifically a product called ImiSight developed by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael - to monitor vast swathes of land and observe changes that can then be used as justifications for demolitions. The tool was initially used by Israel in the Naqab desert, targeting Bedouin Palestinian citizens of Israel, PalDigital reported in July.
Steve Rosenberg: Russia's elections will have few surprises, but for the Kremlin they matter
Rosenberg: Russia's elections will have few surprises, but for the Kremlin they matter To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Figure caption, Low expectations that Russia's election will bring peace closer, Steve Rosenberg reports The system of power in Russia is often referred to as managed democracy (where the Kremlin does the managing). That means huge powers for the president and few political surprises. This weekend's election is set to deliver another parliament dominated by the party of power, United Russia, and a house of MPs fiercely loyal to Vladimir Putin. Critics dismiss the vote as neither free nor fair.
Assad regime planned US journalist Austin Tice's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds
Assad regime planned US journalist's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, was kidnapped in a calculated operation which was more than a month in the planning, the BBC can reveal. A member of the group which detained Tice has also claimed the abduction was sanctioned by Syria's leader at the time, President Bashar al-Assad. Tice was seen getting into a car with a driver he knew and trusted. For years, many assumed they had stumbled upon a government checkpoint, and that the abduction of the journalist had been opportunistic. But we have uncovered evidence that, in fact, his disappearance was anything but chance.
Republican congressman presses NHL over Alex Ovechkin's appearance in Putin party campaign ad
Fans falsely claim to have spotted moving trucks outside FSU head coach Mike Norvell's house Reporter for The Athletic fumes over Arch Manning, silent on Josh Jacobs' alleged violence against woman Jordon Hudson dusts herself off and resumes her WAG duties, Belichick vs Sydney Sweeney & 'Gainesville Ripper' Mets are'trash' because they're not listening to former NJ Gov Chris Christie, Stephen A Smith says Orioles pitcher Shane Baz drilled with 105.1 mph line drive in scary scene NFL's battle with drinking and driving continues as Keenan Allen formally charged in Indianapolis Anthony Molina and Matthew Liberatore's struggles make over 8 runs the play for Giants-Cardinals Shota Imanaga's home run struggles and Wrigley wind make over 7.5 the play for Braves-Cubs Jaxson Dart's girlfriend Marissa Ayers shines in Week 1 win, a Giants-Cowboys fan fight & Ole Miss tension MLB's most electric slugger just had one of the slowest, most disrespectful walk-off home runs of all time James Franklin makes Virginia Tech press conference extremely awkward with bizarre'Hey Michael' moment Charlie Kirk's family files legal claim over alleged security failures at UVU Houthis would be an'easier target' to take out, ex-energy chief says'Fastest pathway' to lowering energy costs is restoring stability: Former VP Mike Pence'Fastest pathway' to lowering energy costs is restoring stability: Former VP Mike Pence Fed decision to raise interest rates clashes with Trump's wishes China's spy chief sounds the alarm against generative AI dangers Emily Compagno: FBI made America safer, but we were treated to a'congressional tantrum Rep. Joe Wilson asked Commissioner Gary Bettman to review the matter and clarify the league's policies Rep Joe Wilson: 'Absurd' Alex Ovechkin would be in advertisement for Puin Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has a problem with Alex Ovechkin appearing in a campaign advertisement for the Vladimir Putin-backed United Russia party, and he wants NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to address it. Wilson sent Bettman a letter Tuesday calling the Washington Capitals captain's participation shameful and asking the league to review the matter. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was copied on the letter. Rep. Joe Wilson (right) calls on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to review Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (left) appearing in a United Russia campaign ad tied to Vladimir Putin. Ovechkin does not speak in the ad.
Tall athletes can't stretch their legs in container beds at Asian Games, official says
Tall athletes can't stretch their legs in container beds at Asian Games, official says Wooden container huts meant for thousands of athletes have become the subject of heated criticism ahead of the opening of Japan's Asian Games on Saturday. Jung Jae-yong, vice-president of the Korea Basketball Association, told AFP news agency the accommodation was the worst it has ever been. Athletes who are over two metres (6ft 7in) tall cannot even stretch their legs out on the beds. The Games, held in the city of Nagoya and wider Aichi prefecture, have faced weeks of concern about a potential shortage of beds. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are attending - exceeding the initial 15,000 expected.
China Isn't Buying Silicon Valley's Call for an AI Slowdown
The US and China agree that advanced AI poses serious risks. But Beijing is deeply skeptical of a deal that prioritizes keeping US companies ahead. For years, many of the most powerful people in Silicon Valley have argued that the US is locked in an AI arms race with China, and that the consequences of losing would be disastrous. But over the past week, those same executives have started emphasizing a different message. AI has the potential to become so dangerous, tech leaders say, that the two countries urgently need to work together to slow the race down.