AI that can match humans at any task will be here in five to 10 years, Google DeepMind CEO says

Xiaofeng Wang, a cybersecurity professor at Indiana University, was fired on the same day that FBI and Department of Homeland Security agents raided his homes, prompting concerns among Asian students about potential political motivations. Previously, Wang had been questioned by the university regarding undisclosed funding from China for a project that also received US federal research grants. His dismissal via email contradicted the university's own policies, leading to widespread shock in the Bloomington community. Full...

Military Libraries Ordered to Review DEI BooksArmy and Air Force libraries have been directed to evaluate their collections for books related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following a similar initiative at the U.S. Naval Academy, where nearly 400 books were removed. These orders, part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate DEI content from federal agencies, require that any books deemed to undermine meritocracy and unity be identified for potential removal....

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the country's uranium enrichment is "non-negotiable" after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff called for its cessation. The remarks precede their upcoming meeting in Oman, following talks aimed at reviving the nuclear deal abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018. While both sides view the discussions as constructive, Araghchi emphasized the need for consistent US positions to avoid complications, and noted Iran's commitment to engaging with allies like Russia...

The US-China trade war risks pushing the global economy into recession, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) warning that global output could drop by 7% if the two nations fully decouple. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted that US tariffs and China's retaliatory measures could fragment global trade, compelling countries to align with one bloc or another. She noted that poorer nations are particularly vulnerable and emphasized the need for diversification in production to enhance global...

SummaryThe Leaders’ Debates Commission has disinvited the Green Party from the federal leaders’ debates due to their failure to run candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings, as they have not named candidates in over 100 of the 343 ridings. Co-leader Jonathan Pedneault stated this was a strategic decision to avoid splitting the progressive vote where Conservatives are strong, but the Commission deemed this approach inconsistent with party viability. The Greens plan to issue...

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act refers specifically to "a biological woman and biological sex," allowing an appeal from the gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland. This ruling may affirm the current interpretation of the law while also recommending that Parliament consider amending the Equality Act to address unforeseen consequences. The live blog covering this story is now closed, but further information...