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UNGA 81: Five key takeaways from general debate
The 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) concluded on Monday with artificial intelligence (AI), the Israel-Palestine conflict and the US-Israel war on Iran dominating world leaders' addresses during the general debate. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his final address before his term ends, warned that the future of the world would be shaped by four tests: AI, climate change, wars and inequality. That is why the UN Charter - and the work of the United Nations - matter more than ever," Guterres said. Speeches ranged from calls to reform the UN to appeals for upholding international law, as the global body has been undermined by the unilateral foreign policy pushed by United States President Donald Trump. Here are the biggest takeaways from this year's summit: The situation in Palestine was a key issue among members amid Israel's ongoing genocidal war on Gaza despite the so-called "ceasefire" and escalating settler pogroms in the occupied West Bank.
US criticises Australia's proposed algorithm opt-out laws as 'censorship'
US criticises Australia's proposed algorithm opt-out laws as'censorship' To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The US has criticised Australia's proposal to give users the ability to opt out of social media algorithms, saying it amounts to censorship of protected speech. Under Australia's draft digital duty of care laws, tech firms risk hefty fines if they fail to give users the option to turn off algorithms in a bid to protect them from harmful content. In a rare submission to the proposed laws, the US embassy in Canberra said it had serious concerns and allowing the government to enforce vague definitions of'harm' would lead to viewpoint-based censorship. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the legislation was not about giving governments control but giving it back to individuals.
UK to fight Russian disinformation and push new global AI standards, Burnham says
The UK will set up a new centre to stem the poisonous tide of hostile state attacks, including Russian disinformation, and lead efforts to establish global safety standards for artificial intelligence, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said. In his first major international speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Burnham warned Russian agencies are using every means at their disposal, including bots and fake websites, to spread lies and disinformation. The prime minister noted AI will multiply existing threats, and pitched the UK as an honest broker on the technology. Fears about AI have grown after industry insiders recently warned it could threaten humanity. In Burnham's speech, he accused Russia of running a disinformation campaign.
Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran in UN speech as officials meet on sidelines
Trump threatens to'annihilate' Iran in UN speech as officials meet on sidelines To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Figure caption, Watch: Trump threatens to'annihilate' Iran if no deal reached President Donald Trump has told the United Nations General Assembly he faces a big decision on whether to strike Iran again or pursue a peace deal. A single member of Iran's delegation watched on during the president's speech on Tuesday in New York, in which he said he could annihilate the Islamic Republic if the conflict went unresolved. Before a standing-room-only audience, Trump also rejected global government, vowed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine and ensure the US wins the artificial intelligence race. His comments came on a day of high-level diplomacy.
American power, AI and a walkout - key moments from Trump's UN speech
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Figure caption, Watch: Trump threatens to'annihilate' Iran if no deal reached US President Donald Trump returned to the stage at the United Nations on Tuesday, where he touted his administration's policies in front of world leaders and issued pointed threats to some of those gathered in the room. The lengthy speech was wide-ranging, covering the war in Iran, AI, Cuba and the role of America's military. The BBC's correspondents who covered the address have picked five key moments that stood out. The US president has no great respect for the United Nations - he accused it of imposing a far-left agenda - but he does relish the global platform it gives him.
Davey promises tax cuts for millions if UK rejoins EU single market
The Liberal Democrats will fight the next general election on a promise to cut taxes for millions of workers, Sir Ed Davey has said in a speech to his party conference. The Lib Dem leader said that if he gained power, he would raise the annual tax-free personal allowance to £15,000. He would also raise the 40p income tax threshold from £50,270 to £56,000, in a £17bn package funded by the economic boost he says would come from the UK rejoining the EU single market and customs union. He claimed the plan would mean a £680 cut for most taxpayers but it would not come into full effect until the fifth year of a Lib Dem government - potentially up to eight years away. The announcement was greeted with sustained applause by Lib Dem MPs and activists in the Brighton conference centre.
UK not 'on the slide', Burnham to tell UN as he gears up for first meeting with Trump – UK politics live
UK not'on the slide', Burnham to tell UN as he gears up for first meeting with Trump - UK politics live No 10 confirms Manchester to host next year's G20 summit Burnham plays down past critical comments about Trump, saying it's right to'move beyond' them UK not'on the slide', Burnham to tell UN as he gears up for first meeting with Trump No 10 confirms Manchester to host next year's G20 summit Burnham plays down past critical comments about Trump, saying it's right to'move beyond' them UK not'on the slide', Burnham to tell UN as he gears up for first meeting with Trump He has posted a video on social media in advance, which features him walking on Brighton beach and musing on how the Lib Dems are facing "the fight of our lives". They spoke out after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, summoned all the country's main political leaders for a briefing on how Russia is now ramping up its aggression towards Nato countries. Asked about this on his huddle with journalists on his flight to New York, Burnham did not accept that he was being complacent. But he said he did not want to escalate the problem. In a video that he recorded on the plane, he says the fact that he is going shows that AI is now "top of the international agenda".
Patti Harrison Had Dreams of a Tech Utopia. Silicon Valley Smashed Them
Patti Harrison Had Dreams of a Tech Utopia. The comedian sat down with WIRED to talk about social media, AI, and getting laughs for impersonating Boston Dynamics' robot dogs. Patti Harrison, like every great comic, knows how to use her face. If you've seen her stealing scenes in TV shows like Tim Robinson's or Hulu's, you know that she often starts out a bit demure, or pouty, before walking audiences into the deep end. It's that quality in Harrison's work that WIRED borrowed for our own rather unhinged cover concept. Harrison plays five (well, actually six) of the current masters of the universe--Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos (with Lauren Sánchez Bezos by his side). Combining her farcical sensibilities with our commentary on the man-heavy leader ship of Silicon Valley worked perfectly--and she was happy to lampoon the people behind the platforms she used to enjoy. We caught up with Harrison in London, where she had just finished a sold-out run of her show,, and a week of performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. KATIE DRUMMOND: When we were putting together our WIRED Women cover, we knew we had to put the best possible woman on it. You immediately came to mind, and I can't stress enough how much you nailed the assignment. I want to argue with a bunch of it. I was coming in today like, oh, I guess I didn't really check to see what the interview was about.
Robert Kraft opposes dangerous lies, not free speech Matt Calkins
Bills cruise past Lions to christen new home behind Josh Allen's five-touchdown performance Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson explains siding with family over DCF in custody dispute involving gender identity Colin Kaepernick accuses NFL of'colluding' against Macklemore amid'Free Palestine' controversy Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger quietly rolls back Youngkin's plans to protect girls' sports Human vs. ChatGPT NFL Week 2 betting picks: AI looks to rebound after disastrous 0-5 debut NBA star Kyrie Irving jumps into NFL drama, offers to pay player's fine for Gaza-themed eye black NFL's highest-paid TE George Kittle reveals favorite purchase: A 50-foot flagpole for a massive American flag Bill Belichick would like you to know that his 25-year-old girlfriend isn't running things at UNC Bijan Robinson believes Texas' comeback over Ohio State can change entire season trajectory Barstool chief Dave Portnoy blasts Macklemore's shady past, strongly supports Patriots owner Robert Kraft Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss comes with betrayal, lawsuits and memories of him trying to burn it all down Paige Spiranac and her'cans' go to bat for Sydney Sweeney, Ole Miss-LSU gets nasty & UF alumni speak out Iran's AI-powered cyber threat sparks alarm over US infrastructure Raman would'catastrophically' push LA over the edge if elected: Former Trump campaign official'Gutfeld!': Tirade at 30K feet left him taped to a seat We have'no idea' about long-term effects of Chinese pesticides at Cali pot grows: Ex-DEA chief Gutfeld: If you're concerned about AI, fear the humans - not the device Trump brings'common-sense approach' to AI panic surge, WSJ columnist says NIH director'stunned' by Abdul El-Sayed's breast cancer remark The Patriots owner cited'hate speech' toward the Jewish community as all other opening acts quit in solidarity Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters about Macklemore ban and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's role in it. Based on the way American attitudes have shifted toward a certain country in the Middle East, Robert Kraft likely lost a lot of fans with a recent decision. But that doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. The Patriots' owner said Monday that Macklemore will be removed from two of Ed Sheeran's shows later this month at Gillette Stadium (which Kraft also owns) for what he deemed hate speech toward the Jewish community.