Law
Jeffrey Epstein's Ties to CBP Agents Sparked a DOJ Probe
Documents say customs officers in the US Virgin Islands had friendly relationships with Epstein years after his 2008 conviction, showing how the infamous sex offender tried to cultivate allies. United States prosecutors and federal law enforcement spent over a year examining ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Customs and Border Protection officers stationed in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), according to documents recently released by the Department of Justice. As The Guardian and New York Times have reported, emails, text messages, and investigative records show that Epstein cultivated friendships with several officers, entertaining them on his island and offering to take them for whale-watching trips in his helicopter. He even brought one cannolis for Christmas Eve. In turn, Epstein would bring certain officers his complaints about his treatment at the hands of other CBP and federal agents.
The Chinese AI app sending Hollywood into a panic
A new artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by the Chinese company behind TikTok rocked Hollywood this week - not just because of what it can do, but what it could mean for creative industries. Created by tech giant ByteDance, Seedance 2.0 can generate cinema-quality video, complete with sound effects and dialogue, from just a few written prompts. Many of the clips said to have been made using Seedance, and featuring popular characters like Spider-Man and Deadpool, went viral. What is Seedance - and why the stir? Seedance was launched to little fanfare in June 2025 but it is the second version that came eight months later that has caused a major stir.
Palestinians in Gaza say 'Board of Peace' will further occupation
'The next stage of the Gaza genocide has begun' How important is the Rafah crossing reopening? Palestinians in Gaza say'Board of Peace' will further occupation NewsFeed Palestinians in Gaza say'Board of Peace' will further occupation Many Palestinians in Gaza reacted to the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's so-called "Board of Peace" with deep scepticism, seeing it as a way to further Israel's illegal occupation of the territory. Masked protesters arrested outside Trump's Board of Peace meeting OpenAI's Sam Altman: Global AI regulation'urgently' needed Gaza'stabilization force' commander outlines security plans Trump praises'magnificent' B-2 bombers that struck Iran in 2025 Jordan-Israel relationship'at its worst' after West Bank plans Trump's'Board of Peace' convenes for first time
OpenAI's Sam Altman: Global AI regulation 'urgently' needed
OpenAI's Sam Altman: Global AI regulation'urgently' needed OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the world "urgently" needs global regulation of fast-evolving AI, calling for an international oversight body. The "democratisation of AI is the only fair and safe path forward," he said. Palestinians in Gaza say'Board of Peace' will further occupation Gaza'stabilization force' commander outlines security plans Trump praises'magnificent' B-2 bombers that struck Iran in 2025 Jordan-Israel relationship'at its worst' after West Bank plans Trump's'Board of Peace' convenes for first time Amid tensions, Ukraine's Chernobyl site remains part of a war zone What we know so far about arrest of UK's former Prince Andrew
Digital blackface flourishes under Trump and AI: 'The state is bending reality'
Digital blackface flourishes under Trump and AI: 'The state is bending reality' Late last year, as a US government shutdown cut off the Snap benefits that low-income families rely on for groceries, videos on social media cast the fallout in frantic scenes. "Imma keep it real with you," a Black woman said in a viral TikTok post, "I get over $2,500 a month in stamps. I sell'em, $2,000 worth, for about $1,200-$1,500 cash." Another Black woman ranted about taxpayers' responsibility to her seven children with seven men, and yet another melted down after her food stamps were rejected at a corn-dog counter. Visible watermarks stamped some videos as AI-generated - apparently, too faintly for the racist commentators and hustlers more than happy to believe the frenzy was real.
Wood storks to be removed from federal Endangered Species List
But the only native stork found in the U.S. is not out of the woods just yet. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. After over 40 years of recovery efforts, one population of the wood stork ()is being removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The large birds are as tall as 45 inches with wingspans that can reach 65 inches and are the only native storks in the United States. They are primarily found in the southeastern United States, where they feed on fish.
The Download: autonomous narco submarines, and virtue signaling chatbots
For decades, handmade narco subs have been some of the cocaine trade's most elusive and productive workhorses, ferrying multi-ton loads of illicit drugs from Colombian estuaries toward markets in North America and, increasingly, the rest of the world. Now off-the-shelf technology--Starlink terminals, plug-and-play nautical autopilots, high-resolution video cameras--may be advancing that cat-and-mouse game into a new phase. Uncrewed subs could move more cocaine over longer distances, and they wouldn't put human smugglers at risk of capture. And law enforcement around the world is just beginning to grapple with what this means for the future. This story is from the next print issue of magazine, which is all about crime. Google DeepMind is calling for the moral behavior of large language models--such as what they do when called on to act as companions, therapists, medical advisors, and so on--to be scrutinized with the same kind of rigor as their ability to code or do math.
Can YOU spot the fake faces? Take the test to see if you can distinguish between real and AI-generated people - as study reveals most of us are overconfident
Trump rushed into Iran crisis meeting as insider warns'strike within hours' 'Deeply concerned' King Charles backs Andrew investigation after royal's arrest and says the'law must take its course' Model agency boss who'scouted' victims for Epstein was secretly planning to testify against him... only to suddenly change his mind before meeting chillingly similar fate to notorious pedophile The monarchy has survived wars and countless crises... but this is why it may not survive Andrew's arrest - and why the rift at the heart of the family is about to get so much worse: ROBERT JOBSON Widower whose wife set herself on fire after alleged affair with married congressman finally breaks silence to reveal their texts... and heartbreaking video of her death Whereabouts of Andrew's ex-wife and daughters remain unknown as former prince is arrested over public misconduct claims Andrew'pushed through' appointment of Jeffery Epstein's fixer to board of Windsor Castle trust despite opposition Virginia Giuffre's family hail Andrew's arrest and say'he was never a prince' But countless women (and some husbands) are secretly getting it for thrilling sex side effects... risking a truly putrid complication FBI'has names and photos of people who may be masked suspect caught on surveillance video outside Nancy Guthrie's home' How DID Beatrice afford her 20s jet-set lifestyle? US assembles the most aerial firepower since Iraq War as Trump prepares to strike Iran'in just DAYS'... and president is'choosing between two devastating options of attack' The side-effects were unbearable and I swore off the drug forever. This is the simple diet that helped me shed the pounds... and I'm not alone. The Prince and Princess of Wales express support for King Charles' statement after Andrew's arrest Jason Bateman says he quit cocaine and alcohol to ease'tension' in his marriage Humiliating real reason Mia Goth left Shia LaBeouf: What'friends and lovers' are all saying behind his back... after Mardi Gras brawl What happens now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested? I went into early menopause in my 30s.