Page 6 - International News

Women are falling in love with AI chatbots. It's a problem for Beijing

China's ruling Communist Party wants young women to prioritise getting married and having babies. Instead, many of them are finding romance with chatbots

Afghan forces hit military targets in Pakistan to retaliate for airstrikes

Afghan military authorities say they have begun carrying out strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes days ago. A statement issued by the media office of Afghanistan's military corps in the east said "heavy clashes" had begun Thursday night "in response to the recent airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces in Nangarhar and Paktia" provinces. There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan and no immediate information on casualties. On Sunday, Pakistan's military carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants. Afghanistan rejected the claim, saying dozens of civilians had been killed, including women and children.

Trump tariff turmoil yet to dent emerging countries' growth: EBRD report

Exports from some EBRD countries to the United States even grew, particularly those related to the AI boom, as those countries replaced China's exports

Mandelson, Summers, Brende: Big names who quit over Epstein connections

While not all individuals named faced consequences, a cluster of senior figures stepped down or lost positions after fresh scrutiny

World Economic Forum chief Borge Brende quits over ties with Epstein

The CEO role at the WEF is more an operational position, and separate from the high-profile chairman position that was long held by founder Klaus Schwab

Lawrence Summers to step down from Harvard after Epstein-linked disclosures

The announcement was first reported by The Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper

Former UK ambassador to US Peter Mandelson arrested amid Epstein probe

Peter Mandelson, theUK's formerambassador to the US,wasarrestedfrom his north London home on Monday onsuspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police said. Mandelson hadresigned from the House of Lords andLabour Party earlier this month following damaging allegations related to his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Met Police had confirmed soon after that the force had opened aninvestigation into the former frontlineLabour politician, who served in the Cabinet underprimeministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. "Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office,"said a Met Police spokesperson. "He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station forinterview.This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. "We are not able to provide further information at this stage to preventprejudicing the integrity of the investigation," ..

UK police arrest Peter Mandelson in misconduct probe over Epstein ties

British police arrested former UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson on Monday in a misconduct probe stemming from his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. London's Metropolitan Police force said "officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office" at an address in north London. It did not name Mandelson, in keeping with British police practice, but the suspect in the case has previously been identified as Mandelson. Police are investigating Mandelson over documents suggesting he passed sensitive government information to Epstein a decade and a half ago. He does not face any allegations of sexual misconduct.

Robotaxis set to enter London market; black cab drivers skeptical

The Ford Mustang Mach-E cruises down a London road choked with traffic, using its onboard AI system to avoid jaywalkers and cyclists, and navigate roadwork as it drives to its destination. The autonomous vehicle from British startup Wayve Technologies is on a test run ahead of the UK government's robotaxi trials set to launch in the spring. Tech companies, including US company Waymo and China's Baidu, also plan to take part in the pilot program, making London the latest arena in the global robotaxi competition. While self-driving cabs aren't new, London's ancient road layout and busy streetscapes could pose special challenges for the technology. There's also scepticism from London's famed black cab drivers, who must pass a gruelling training course known as "The Knowledge," which requires memorising hundreds of routes and takes years to complete. They've previously opposed technology that's disrupted their industry and protested the arrival of Uber. Self-driving taxis are "a soluti

Rob Jetten, 38, sworn in as Netherlands' youngest prime minister

Dutch King Willem-Alexander has sworn in a new minority Dutch coalition government led by the Netherlands' youngest-ever prime minister, who will have to use all his bridge-building skills to pass laws and see out a full four-year term in office. Rob Jetten, 38, heads a three-party administration made up of his centrist D66, the centre-right Christian Democrats and the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. The parties together hold only 66 of the lower house of parliament's 150 seats, so Jetten will have to negotiate with opposition lawmakers to find support for every piece of legislation his government wants to pass. Jetten and his team of ministers were sworn in by the king in the ornate Orange Hall of the royal palace in a forest on the edge of The Hague 117 days after national elections. Following a traditional photo of the new Cabinet on the steps of the palace, the new government plans to begin work with its first Cabinet meeting in the afternoon. The king .

How Britain's royal family can weather former Prince Andrew's arrest

Britain's royal family now faces one of its biggest modern-era tests after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest

Nasa moon rocket faces another glitch, March crew launch at risk

NASA's new moon rocket has suffered another setback, putting next month's planned launch with astronauts in jeopardy, the space agency announced Saturday. Officials revealed the latest problem just one day after targeting March 6 for humanity's first flight to the moon in more than half a century. Overnight, the flow of helium to the rocket's upper stage was interrupted, they noted. Solid helium flow is required for launch. NASA said it is reviewing all the data and preparing, if necessary, to return the Space Launch System rocket to the hangar for repairs at Florida's Kennedy Space Centre. It's possible the work could be done at the launch pad; the space agency said engineers are protecting for both options. "This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window," NASA said in a statement. Hydrogen fuel leaks had already delayed the Artemis II lunar fly-around by a month. A second fuelling test on Thursday revealed hardly any leaks, giving managers the confidence to aim for a

'It's a shame': Trump on ex-Prince Andrew's arrest over Epstein probe

Andrew has now been released under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his tenure as the United Kingdom's trade envoy and his alleged ties with Epstein

Former Prince Andrew released 11 hours after his arrest amid Epstein probe

Former Prince Andrew has been released after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Thames Valley Police force said the former prince was released Thursday evening. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed in a car leaving the station near his home in eastern England about 11 hours after his arrest. He was released under investigation, meaning he has neither been charged nor exonerated. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested early Thursday at his home by detectives investigating his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Police said they had finished searching Mountbatten-Windsor's home but were still searching another property. The former Prince Andrew was arrested by British police Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once sought to shield the royal family from embarrassment. It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal was plac

Nestle in talks to sell ice cream business as overhaul gathers pace

Nestle had already handed the reins of its European and US ice cream units to Haagen-Dazs owner Froneri, a joint venture it established with European buyout firm PAI Partners in 2016

Amazon becomes world's largest company by annual sales, dethrones Walmart

Walmart is having more success developing its e-commerce operation than Amazon is having in creating a physical stores business despite its 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods Market

Youth discontent could trigger another rebellion, warns Nepal PM Karki

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Thursday warned that failing to address youth discontent could trigger another rebellion. Speaking on the 76th Democracy Day celebrations at the Nepali Army Pavilion in Kathmandu, she said democracy must deliver results, protect citizens' rights and ensure accountability. Referring to the Gen Z-led protests in September last year that led to the ouster of K P Sharma Oli-led coalition government, Karki said, "That movement sought an end to corruption, nepotism and discrimination. It sought good governance and equitable justice." "The state must respond to this not only with generosity, but also with humility and a deep sense of duty," she added. She warned that failing to address youth discontent could trigger another rebellion. "No nation can progress by undermining the youth," Karki, who became interim prime minister on September 12 last year, said. "The youth have energy, aspiration for change and moral anger," she said, adding ..

India likely to join US-led 'Pax Silica' strategic bloc on Friday: Report

India is likely to formally join a US-led strategic alliance, known as 'Pax Silica', which is aimed at building a resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The move comes amid efforts by the two sides to finalise the proposed trade deal and move forward on several other initiatives to solidify the bilateral ties after a spell of severe strain in the relations. India is likely to formally join the 'Pax Silica' initiative on Friday, people familiar with the matter said. The initiative was launched in December to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). The Pax Silica Summit was held in Washington on December 12 where partner nations signed the Pax Silica declaration. The declaration lays out a shared vision of deep economic and technology cooperation across supply chains -- from raw materials through semiconductors and AI infrastructure -- and commitment to mutual prosperity

Former UK Prince Andrew arrested for 'misconduct in public office'

Thames Valley Police issued a statement confirming the arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk as part of an ongoing investigation

ECB chief Lagarde tells colleagues rumoured early resignation not imminent

Recipients of the message said this indicated that Lagarde did not want to leave the ECB immediately but she did not firmly close the door to such a step either