In other news

The article discusses the potential positive implications of a new opposition emerging in Syria under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new president. After ousting Bashar al-Assad's regime, Sharaa has not imposed harsh rule as feared. The lifting of sanctions by Donald Trump has improved the economic situation, with investors from the Gulf and Turkey investing in the country. The public mood is optimistic, but the article suggests that bringing critics closer could be a healthy sign for Syria's future.

The article discusses the growing demand for cocoa and the challenges faced by the chocolate industry due to a shortage of cocoa beans. It highlights the increasing interest of major chocolate companies in lab-grown cocoa as a potential solution to this problem. The article explores how science and technology are being employed to address the shortage and ensure a sustainable supply of cocoa.

The article discusses Britain's emergence as a hub for criminal activities, particularly in the context of its booming criminal industry, and how it has become a global leader in illicit activities. The author argues that the UK has become a hotbed for various forms of crime, including theft, fraud, and other illicit activities.

The article discusses the recent trend in China of wearing 'facekinis', designer sun-protection face coverings that have become popular despite being previously associated with bank robbers. Communist party officials disapprove of the trend. The facekini is an example of a new article of clothing that has fallen into favour in China, similar to how capes, codpieces, and ruffs were once standard garb in Europe.

The article discusses the growing threat of AI-powered hackers and the implications for the cyber-security industry. It highlights how AI can be used to create functioning malware, as demonstrated by Vitaly Simonovich, a researcher at Cato Networks, who used ChatGPT to create malware within six hours. The article notes that the use of AI in cybercrime is booming, with cyber-security firms seeing a significant increase in threats. The Economist explores the potential consequences of this trend for businesses and individuals alike, and suggests that the cyber-security industry must adapt to survive. The article also touches on related topics, such as the struggles of Intel and the rise of lab-grown cocoa.

The article discusses the need to protect pregnant women from heatwaves as temperatures rise due to climate change. It highlights that while there are many conflicting and often unnecessary restrictions advised for pregnant women online, exposure to heat should be considered a serious risk. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with heat exposure during pregnancy.

The article 'The last days of brainstorming' discusses the decline of traditional brainstorming sessions in corporate settings, likely due to the rise of AI and other technological advancements. It presents a fictional scenario of a meeting where employees are tasked with brainstorming names for a new membership service, highlighting the traditional methods used in such sessions. The article suggests that this practice may soon become obsolete as companies adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

The article explores the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on global economic growth, suggesting that it could lead to an explosion in growth rates, upending markets for goods, services, financial assets, and labor. Historically, global economic growth has accelerated significantly since the Industrial Revolution, from 0.1% per year to 2.8% in the 20th century. The article posits that AI could further accelerate this growth, potentially transforming the global economy.

The article argues that South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy has not achieved its intended goals and has instead created a new elite class. The author suggests that the policy has been misused and that a more effective approach is needed to address the country's economic disparities. The article also touches on the topic of Xi Jinping's visit to the US and the implications of his trip for China's economic future.

Cao Ting, a prominent AI researcher and former research manager at Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA), has left Microsoft to join Tsinghua University's Institute for AI Industry Research. This move follows Microsoft's decision to restrict work by Chinese scientists and relocate Beijing-based researchers to Canada, amid growing US-China tech rivalry. MSRA, established by Bill Gates in 1998, has been under pressure due to US government restrictions on AI research in China and China's booming AI sector, leading to an exodus of researchers. The lab was once considered the 'hottest computer lab in the world' and pioneered Microsoft's work on voice, image, and facial recognition, as well as AI projects.

China has discovered two major shale gas fields in the southwest, with proven reserves of over 100 billion cubic metres each. The state-owned China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec) announced that the government had certified 165 bcm of natural gas reserves at the Hongxing field and 124.6 bcm of geological reserves in the Yongchuan shale field. The reserves are located in rock layers more than 3.3 kilometres underground, posing challenges for exploration and extraction. Sinopec is working on developing technology to address these difficulties. The discoveries are part of China's efforts to enhance its energy security by reducing reliance on foreign energy supplies. Sinopec has been exploring the Sichuan Basin for over a decade and has discovered five large shale gas fields in the area.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan and pledged continued support for the country while urging faster progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, a major Belt and Road Initiative project. Wang met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, discussing enhanced security cooperation to counter terrorism threats targeting Chinese nationals. The CPEC project has seen over $65 billion in Chinese investment and is expected to be upgraded to focus on agriculture, industry, and mining. Pakistan also seeks cooperation in aerospace, IT, and infrastructure. The second phase of CPEC involves setting up special economic zones, which is expected to help Pakistan become an export hub and improve its foreign currency reserves.

Hong Kong police arrested over 200 people in a crackdown on illegal gambling operations, which were using e-payment systems and offering free meals to attract customers. The operations were using QR codes for payments, making it difficult for authorities to track transactions.

The Philippines is considering a total or partial ban on online gambling due to concerns that it exploits the poor and vulnerable, despite its significant economic contributions. Regulators have defended the industry, citing its growth from 12.91 billion pesos in 2020 to 154 billion pesos in 2024. Dozens of bills are under review in Congress, with 10 proposing a total ban and 30 calling for restrictions on e-wallet top-ups, celebrity endorsements, and advertising. The central bank's recent order to delink local e-wallets from gaming apps has significantly impacted the industry's revenue.

Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as China asserts 'control measures' against two Philippine vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed territory. The China Coast Guard accused the Philippine ships of 'deliberately engaging in provocative collisions' and released a video showing the confrontation. The Philippine military reported an increase in Chinese vessels, including coastguard and militia ships, near the shoal. The incident has heightened tensions in the contested waters, with China vowing to continue its 'rights protection and law enforcement activities' in the area.

A new study has found that corn plants release a gas called linalool in response to environmental stimuli, which can affect the growth of nearby plants and help the plants defend against pests. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists, provides insights into how corn plants communicate with each other and their environment, and has implications for improving crop yields and reducing pesticide use.

A Facebook group called 'Mia Moglie' (My Wife) with 32,000 members was shut down for sharing non-consensual intimate images of women. The group's content included sexually explicit comments and was reported to the Italian police. The incident has sparked outrage in Italy, with many calling for action against such groups and the toxic masculinity they promote. The case has drawn parallels to France's Pelicot case, where a man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and abusing his wife.

At least 18 people have been killed and dozens injured in two separate attacks in Colombia. A car bomb in Cali killed six people and injured over 60, while a drone attack on a police helicopter in a rural area outside Medellin killed at least 12 people. The attacks are attributed to dissident factions of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) group, posing challenges to Colombia's fragile peace processes ahead of elections next year. The government has responded by announcing a security council meeting to define additional protection measures and vowing to pursue and punish those responsible.

Elon Musk and his social media firm X have reached a tentative settlement with former Twitter employees who sued for $500m in severance pay after being laid off as part of a cost-cutting measure. The lawsuit, led by former Twitter employee Courtney McMillian, claimed that around 6,000 people were wrongly denied benefits under the company's severance plan. The settlement agreement is still subject to court approval and details are not yet public. The layoffs were part of a larger trend of tech firms cutting costs after a hiring spree during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Award-winning rapper Lil Nas X was arrested in Los Angeles after an altercation with police while walking down the street in his underwear. He was taken to hospital for treatment for a possible overdose. The incident occurred on Ventura Boulevard at 05:30 on Thursday. Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, has been known to court controversy throughout his career, including with his hit single 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)'. He is expected to release his second studio album 'Dreamboy' later this year. The rapper has previously won a Country Music Association award and two Grammys for his song 'Old Town Road'.

Thai billionaire and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been acquitted of insulting the Thai monarchy in a case related to an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper ten years ago. The acquittal is seen as a relief to the Shinawatra family, who have been a dominant force in Thai politics for decades. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn, is currently facing a Constitutional Court decision on whether she should be removed from office. The case highlights the controversy surrounding Thailand's lese majeste law, which critics say is often used to target political opponents.

A Ukrainian national has been arrested and detained in Italy in connection with the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The individual was part of a group that planted explosives under the Baltic Sea, damaging the pipelines and disrupting the flow of natural gas to Europe. The incident has been linked to Ukraine, with German prosecutors investigating the matter. The article discusses the details of the sabotage and the subsequent investigation, including the involvement of a Ukrainian national and the potential motives behind the attack.

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Friday as investors awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the central bank's annual economic symposium for clues on interest rates. Japan's core inflation rate cooled to 3.1% in July, while South Korea's Kospi jumped 0.66%. Overnight, U.S. stocks fell broadly, with the S&P 500 sliding for a fifth consecutive day. Fed funds futures priced in a 74% likelihood of a rate cut in September.

Chocolate prices are expected to remain high due to supply chain issues and weather conditions affecting cocoa production. Cocoa prices have been volatile, with significant increases in recent years due to factors such as disease, pests, and weather-related events. The impact of these factors is expected to continue, with some analysts predicting that prices will remain high for the next few years. As a result, chocolate manufacturers are likely to pass on these increased costs to consumers, making chocolate more expensive.

The U.S.-China space race is intensifying as both countries advance their lunar exploration programs. China has made significant strides, including a successful test of its Lanyue lunar lander and the development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket. The U.S. has a six-decade advantage in space exploration but faces challenges with its Artemis program, including delays and budget issues. Experts warn that China's space ambitions are linked to militarization, raising concerns about the implications of a new space race.

Major Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have denied passing on the costs of U.S. tariffs to American consumers, despite a Nikkei Asia report suggesting otherwise. The companies claim that recent price increases were due to other factors such as operational costs, added feature content, and maintaining competitiveness. Japan faced a 15% tariff on automobiles imposed by the Trump administration, with Toyota estimating the impact to be 1.4 trillion yen for the full year. The automakers stated they have been able to absorb or offset the tariff costs through various means, including leveraging U.S.-produced vehicles.

Nio's shares surged after the company unveiled its latest ES8 SUV, priced at 308,800 yuan ($43,000) under a battery subscription plan. The move underscores the intense price war in China's electric vehicle market. Nio has historically targeted the high-end market but has struggled with competition from other companies offering similar features at lower prices. The company has launched two cheaper brands, Onvo and Firefly, to broaden its reach. The ES8's pricing makes it one of the most aggressively priced premium SUVs in the market. China's EV sector faces mounting pressure, with Nio and its peers seeing a dip in deliveries, while competitors reported growth. Nio plans to expand into three new markets between 2025 and 2026, including Singapore.

At least 17 people were killed in Colombia after a car bombing in Cali and an attack on a police helicopter in Antioquia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro attributed both incidents to dissidents of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The car bombing near a military aviation school in Cali killed five people and injured over 30. The helicopter attack, which was allegedly carried out by a drone, killed at least 12 people who were on their way to destroy coca leaf crops. The incidents come as coca leaf cultivation is on the rise in Colombia, with a record 253,000 hectares under cultivation in 2023.

The article reports on the appearance of the blue dragon, a type of sea slug, on the beaches of southern Spain. The blue dragon, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, is a venomous creature that can cause nausea, pain, and vomiting. It has been spotted in the Guardamar del Segura area, prompting warnings to be issued to beachgoers. The creature is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters and is known for its painful sting.

Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian man, identified as Serhii K., suspected of coordinating the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attacks. The arrest was made on a European arrest warrant, and Serhii K. is currently in jail pending extradition to Germany. The German prosecutor's office alleges that Serhii K. was part of a group that planted explosive devices on the pipelines near Denmark's Bornholm island. The attack damaged three pipelines, escalating the Ukraine conflict and worsening Europe's energy supply crisis. Germany's justice minister hailed the arrest as a significant success for state prosecutors.

Kenyan police have begun exhuming 27 shallow graves in Kilifi County, believed to be the remains of followers of a deadly cult led by Paul Mackenzie. The cult members were encouraged to starve themselves to death to get into heaven. This is part of a larger investigation into the cult, which was responsible for one of the world's worst cult-related tragedies in 2023. Eleven suspects have been arrested and police are investigating links to Mackenzie and his Good News International Church. The exhumation is expected to continue, with investigators anticipating many more bodies to be found.

A bus carrying Afghan migrants recently deported from Iran was involved in a collision with a truck and a motorcycle in western Afghanistan, resulting in a fire that killed 78 people, including women and 17 children. The Taliban arrested the head of the transportation company involved and halted its operations pending an investigation. The accident was one of Afghanistan's deadliest in recent years, and it highlights the country's common problem of traffic accidents due to poor roads, dangerous driving, and lack of regulation. The migrants were part of a large-scale operation to remove Afghans from Iran after the Israel-Iran 12-day war in June, and many faced significant hardships during their transfer.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced that 13 people have been arrested in connection with the May 20 killings of her two staff members, Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz. The arrests were made after a series of raids on Wednesday. Authorities described the hit as meticulously planned, with three of those arrested allegedly directly involved in the killings and others playing logistical roles. The investigation revealed that the gunman fled on a motorcycle and changed vehicles twice before escaping to neighboring Mexico State. The motive behind the killings remains unclear, but investigators believe the hit was originally planned for May 14 but was called off.

The United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to the waters off Venezuela as part of President Trump's effort to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. The move comes as Trump pushes for using the U.S. military to thwart cartels he blames for the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into American communities. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has dismissed the Trump administration's drug-trafficking accusations, calling them a lack of credibility and a failure of U.S. policies in the region. Maduro has also announced the planned deployment of more than 4.5 million militia members around the country in response to the increased threats from the U.S.

A 28-year-old trainee surgeon, Ryan Cho, was released on bail in Australia after being charged with secretly recording around 4,500 intimate videos of medical colleagues in hospital restrooms. The recordings were made using phones in staff restrooms at three Melbourne hospitals since 2021. Cho is likely to face around 500 charges related to the alleged offenses.

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the release of stray dogs that were previously removed from the streets of New Delhi. The court modified its earlier judgment, now allowing the dogs to be released in the same localities from where they were removed. The decision was made after the court initially ordered the removal of the dogs.

Iran is set to hold a phone call with European nations to discuss the impending snapback of UN sanctions due to its nuclear program. The call is expected to take place before the deadline for the reimposition of sanctions.

A postman in Australia went above and beyond his duties to save a customer's laundry from getting wet in the rain.

The article discusses several current events around the world, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It also touches on the issue of climate change and its impact on global food security. The article highlights the story of a man who was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a forest, and the subsequent investigation that revealed a larger conspiracy involving corrupt government officials and business leaders. The article also covers the recent developments in the ongoing debate over the use of drones in warfare, with some experts arguing that they are becoming increasingly important in modern warfare.

The article discusses the death of Jade Damarell, a skydiver who intentionally jumped to her death after a breakup. The article reports on the inquest into her death, which heard that Damarell had been in a relationship with Ben Goodfellow, and that she had been experiencing emotional distress following their breakup.

The New York Post reported on the story of Edward 'Big Balls' Coristine, who was involved in a violent incident and is now facing legal issues.

A federal judge has ordered the shutdown of a controversial immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' citing the state and federal governments' failure to consider environmental harms. The center, the nation's first state-run facility for federal immigration detainees, has faced numerous lawsuits and complaints. Judge Kathleen M. Williams ruled that the governments violated federal law by not conducting an environmental review before construction. The decision is seen as a significant victory for environmentalists and the Miccosukee Tribe, who argued that the center posed risks to the sensitive Everglades ecosystem and their water supply. The state plans to appeal the ruling.

The article discusses the impact of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new policy on various government agencies and contractors. The policy, which aims to reduce waste and abuse, has resulted in delays and inefficiencies in the processing of certain tasks. The article highlights the need for DHS to balance its goals with the need to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that the policy is implemented in a way that is fair and effective. The article also notes that the policy has resulted in significant cost savings and improved accountability, but that it has also led to delays and increased costs for some contractors. Overall, the article provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of the DHS policy on various stakeholders, including government agencies, contractors, and the general public.

A fire broke out on the USS New Orleans, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, on Wednesday. The blaze burned for approximately 12 hours before being extinguished early Thursday morning. Two sailors suffered minor injuries, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The USS New Orleans, commissioned in 2007, has a capacity for up to 800 people. The incident is reminiscent of a 2020 fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, which was later scrapped due to extensive damage.

Chongqing, a municipality in southwest China, has evolved into a thriving megacity despite its challenging mountainous terrain. The city's unique landscape, with buildings constructed on steep slopes, has become a tourist attraction and a model for megacity governance. Chongqing's development is rooted in its history as China's wartime capital during World War II and its subsequent designation as one of the four municipalities. The city's urban planners have built around natural obstacles, creating a complex, multi-layered landscape that powers its growth. Chongqing's GDP grew by 5.7% in 2024, higher than the national average, and is aiming for a 6% growth rate in 2025. The city's polycentric approach to urban planning, with multiple sub-centres, has been shaped by its topography and history.

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been cleared of defaming the monarchy, but faces another court case related to his family's political influence. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is also embroiled in a separate court case.