insert_link World U.S Lawmakers visit Taiwan after Chinese drills A delegation of US lawmakers are visiting Taiwan this week, after China ended its biggest military exercise in a year around the island. The delegation, led by chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul, is the first congressional group to visit Taiwan since the inauguration of president William Lai Ching-te. Laura Westbrook has more. todayMay 27, 2024 28
insert_link World UN resumes aid deliveries from floating pier in Gaza The United Nations has resumed transporting humanitarian aid arriving at a U.S.-built pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Deliveries were halted earlier this week due to security reasons while some aid was intercepted by needy Palestinians. Jody Jacobs has more a for us. todayMay 27, 2024 40
insert_link World Georgia hits back at US retaliation over controversial free speech law Georgia's ruling party has accused the United States of using "threats and blackmail" following the US's decision to impose visa restrictions on members of the 'Georgian Dream' party. This action was in response to a controversial 'foreign agents' bill passed by the Georgian Parliament, which has triggered significant political protests in the country. As a result, the US government is reviewing its bilateral cooperation with Georgia. Reporting for us from […] todayMay 27, 2024 30
insert_link World Fake accounts popping up on social media platform X in lead-up to US election Fake accounts posting about the US presidential election are growing across X, formerly known as Twitter, according to new research. A study, first published by Reuters news agency, monitoring posts on the social media platform found a high proportion of accounts praising former President Donald Trump and criticising President Joseph Biden are not real. This comes as both presidential candidates ramp up their campaign efforts with less than six months […] todayMay 27, 2024 18
insert_link World ICJ orders Israel to cease Rafah offensive The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah.The ruling comes as the UN top court continues its probe into whether Israel has violated the Genocide Convention.Israel strongly denies the charges and the case brought by South Africa. William Denselow reports for us from The Hague where the ICJ is based. todayMay 27, 2024 33
insert_link Science & Technology ChatGPT’s use of a soundalike Scarlett Johansson reflects a troubling history of gender-stereotyping in technology Scarlett Johansson, shown here in a 2012 photo receiving her star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, did not grant OpenAI permission to use her voice. (Shutterstock) By Alex Borkowski, York University, Canada Actress Scarlett Johansson released a statement this week expressing anger and concern that OpenAI used a voice “eerily similar” to her own as a default voice for ChatGPT. The voice in question, called Sky, has […] todayMay 24, 2024 19
insert_link World UK election called for 4 July – what happens next? Situation vacant? Nikonpete/Shutterstock By Christopher Kirkland, York St John University On a rainy afternoon in London, an increasingly damp Rishi Sunak confirmed what many had been speculating for most of the day in a speech outside 10 Downing Street – that the UK is heading for an election earlier than anticipated. Here’s what to expect in the weeks ahead. When is the UK having an election? Election […] todayMay 24, 2024 16
insert_link World Indian police arrest one man in Bangladesh MP “murder” case Indian police have arrested one man who they say was involved in the alleged murder of a Bangladesh MP. Anwarul Azim Anar, a member of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party disappeared in India's West Bengal state earlier this month. Ishan Garg brings us the latest. todayMay 24, 2024 42
World China holds say day of drills around Taiwan China is conducting a second straight day of war drills around Taiwan. Beijing says they are to prepare for a seizure of the island and are a punishment for what it calls separatist rhetoric from Taiwan’s newly inaugurated president Lai Ching-te. Chris Gilbert reports for us. todayMay 24, 2024 21