Trump's dominance of GOP field has America bracing for a toxic campaign
As America celebrated its independence, while divided on the true nature of its values, it also braced for a toxic presidential campaign likely to deepen its political trauma and again push the election system to its limits.
1970-01-01 08:00
Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘tragic and senseless’ spate of July 4 shootings
President Joe Biden has issued a fresh appeal for a ban on assault weapons after dozens of people were killed or wounded in mass shootings in the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations. Five people were shot dead and two boys, aged two and 13, were injured when a gunman armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest opened fire in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighbourhood at around 8.30pm on Monday night, according to authorities. Hours later, three died and 14 were injured in four separate shootings in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were also grieving “tragic and senseless shootings” that had occurred in recent days in Baltimore, Lansing, Chicago and Wichita in a July 4 statement. He said it was “within our power” to ban AR-15-style weapons and high-capacity magazines while also enforcing safe storage of guns and enacting universal background checks. Mr Biden also marked the one year anniversary of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of seven people at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. In the wake of the shooting, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Highland Park mayor Nancy Rotering had worked with gun control advocates to ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines in the state. “Their achievement will save lives. But it will not erase their grief,” Mr Biden said. “And as we have seen over the last few days, much more must be done in Illinois and across America to address the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our communities apart.” Mr Biden called on other states to follow Illinois’ lead and for Republican lawmakers in Congress to “come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reform”. In a speech to the National Education Association on Tuesday, Mr Biden said gun reform was urgently needed to protect children and teachers. “As you know all too well, educators now find themselves in the frontlines of gun violence,” Mr Biden told the association. “Congress needs to step up, pass common sense gun safety laws to protect our kids and educators, and by the way, arming teachers is not the answer.” According to the Gun Violence Archive, 21,782 Americans have been killed in shootings halfway through 2023. The US has experienced 346 mass shootings, when four or more people are shot, and 26 mass murders, according to the archive. Last June, Congress passed its first new gun control legislation in 28 years in the wake of twin tragedies in Buffalo, New York, where 10 Black shoppers were murdered, and the fatal shooting of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Read More Trump marks Independence Day by sharing vulgar attack on Biden and ominous 2024 warning Fort Worth shooting – live: At least 17 shot across four shootings in Texas city on eve of July 4 Philadelphia mass shooting – live: Fifth victim found dead after gunman, 40, opened fire in Kingsessing The Texas shooter in a racist Walmart attack is going to prison. Here's what to know about the case Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after spate of July 4 shootings Watch as Joe Biden celebrates 4th of July at the White House
1970-01-01 08:00
Singapore’s MAS Pumps $6 Billion Into Climate Transition
The Monetary Authority of Singapore has set aside about 2% of its equities portfolio or just over S$8
1970-01-01 08:00
Fed Minutes to Offer Hints on ‘Awkward’ Pause-and-Hike Message
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday will shed some light on the discussions at their June meeting that left
1970-01-01 08:00
Nigeria’s Soaring Stock Market Rally Is Being Driven By Banks
As Nigeria rolls out sweeping foreign currency and economic reforms, it’s bringing investors back to the stock market.
1970-01-01 08:00
Sweden Real Estate Concerns Are Exaggerated, Pension Funds Say
Some of the biggest institutional owners of Swedish real estate are pushing back against what they view as
1970-01-01 08:00
Apple TV+'s 'Hijack' Episode 3 Review: Idris Elba's Sam Nelson wrestles to devise a new plan to counter hijackers
The third episode of ‘Hijack’ features an unexpected revelation that could change the entire course of events on the plane
1970-01-01 08:00
India Increases Africa Lending in the Race to Counter China
Africa has become the second-largest recipient of credit from India as the country tries to catch up with
1970-01-01 08:00
Nicaraguan Catholic Bishop Alvarez released from prison, talks ongoing
Nicaraguan Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez was released from prison on Monday night, a diplomatic source told Reuters on
1970-01-01 08:00
AI’s rise is ‘most profound’ tech shift to impact ‘all of our lives’, Google UK chief says
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is the “most profound” technology shift of our lifetime with the potential to “turbocharge” the UK’s economy, according to a new report by Google. Artificial intelligence, according to the report, can help turn around the UK’s recent growth stagnation and boost its economy by £400bn by 2030 by enabling an annual growth of 2.6 per cent. The tech giant’s UK and Ireland boss Debbie Weinstein called the transformation ushered in by AI in the tech industry “the most profound platform shift that any of us have lived through”. While some jobs are likely to be lost to AI, there will also be a “whole new set of jobs that will be created”, according to the tech chief. “We are very conscious of the impact that this technology will have on people,” Ms Weinstein told PA. “We want to make sure everyone has the skills they need. We’re aware that this is a fundamental technology shift that will impact all of our lives,” she added. Google’s new report comes amid widespread fear of the impact disruptive AI technology could have on several spheres of life, including privacy, the education sector, industry and jobs. Recently, professor Geoffrey Hinton, widely called the “godfather of AI” for his research contributions to the field and its impact, resigned from his job at Google, expressing fear that the AI tools he helped build could spell humanity’s doom. He cautioned that “bad actors” could use new AI technologies to harm others. “It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things... I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn’t done it, somebody else would have,” he said. A growing number of experts across the world have called for AI development to be slowed down or halted as the potential for the technology to be misused has come to light following the launch of tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney. Google agrees in the new report that regulation is vital as AI technology develops, and adds that is “actively collaborating” with regulators around the world. The company is reportedly in favour of launching a “national skills agenda” involving governments, firms, and educational institutions to ensure that workers are not left behind as AI technology develops. “This nuanced approach is important if the UK is to pursue a competitive advantage in attracting inward investment associated with agile regulation,” Google noted in the report. “We’re aware of the fundamental change and the importance of getting it right while managing the downside risks,” Ms Weinstein told PA. Read More Judge blocks Biden agencies from communicating with social media platforms ‘Rage-baiting’ leftist Twitter account is probably fake, expert says How to delete your Twitter account Meta’s Twitter alternative Threads to be launched this week World ‘a long way’ from alliance on AI, Sunak says AI takes just five hours to design functional computer
1970-01-01 08:00
Will Luis Ruelas be fired from ‘RHONJ’? Andy Cohen weighs in on Bravo star's future on show amid investigation claims
Andy Cohen on the 'most shocking' 'RHONJ' reunion moment and if Luis Ruelas' investigation claim might lead to his dismissal
1970-01-01 08:00
Cubs manager David Ross rips umpire and criticizes decision to close roof in Milwaukee
Infuriated about the plate umpire and the ballpark roof, Chicago Cubs manager David Ross let loose after Tuesday’s wild extra-inning win over the Milwaukee Brewers
1970-01-01 08:00
