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Recent elections in Gilgit Baltistan - and the protest note India had to issue for them - lay bare concerning but oft-ignored realities.

OpenAI's new security feature deliberately disables some of ChatGPT's most powerful capabilities to protect sensitive data from emerging AI attacks

A few buildings collapsed and key infrastructure sustained quake damage in the city of General Santos, and tsunami damage was reported in at least one coastal village.

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Philippines, Tsunami Warning Issued

Tsunami alerts ended but people told not to enter damaged buildings for fear of aftershocks from magnitude-7.8 quakeAt least 32 people have died after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake shook part of the southern Philippines early on Monday, collapsing buildings and triggering tsunami alerts that were later cancelled.The quake hit early in the morning about 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) off the coast of Sarangani province, with tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and 420 kilometres away in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Continue reading...

President posts screenshot on Truth Social attacking Californian election, after walking out of NBC interview after refusing to substantiate his claims of election riggingSign up for the Breaking News US emailA federal lawsuit seeks to halt the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn in a mixed martial arts show timed for Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and part of the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.As the event approaches, a 92ft tall, 600-ton fighting ring dubbed “The Claw” has been erected on the White House’s South Lawn.The UFC Freedom 250 event also is not being held ‘for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.’ Rather, UFC Freedom 250 is being held for the financial benefit of the UFC, Paramount, and their advertisers, and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Donald Trump’s birth. Continue reading...

US president says ‘final peace negotiations’ under way, with reports that the IDF has also halted strikes on IranIsrael strikes Iran despite Trump plea as Middle East crisis threatens to escalateIranian media is reporting that there were no immediate casualties following apparent Israeli strikes on the Karun petrochemical plant in Mahshahr, a city in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province.According to the Fars news agency, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they responded to what they described as an American-Israeli strike on the Iranian petrochemical site by launching a missile attack on a similar plant in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Continue reading...

Former safeguarding minister says if ban came into force properly it could ‘basically eliminate’ problem The government has highlighted work done by the internet safety firm SafeToNet as showing that the technology is already in place that would allow tech companies to stop children using phones to take naked pictures of themselves, or other people. The Home Office says:Measures to protect children already exist within smartphones and tablets, but are applied inconsistently, often switched off by default and only blurring content rather than blocking it. But the government is working closely with technology companies — some of whom, like Apple, have already taken steps to implement protective features — to make this goal a reality.Companies must introduce these measures without threatening privacy or collecting any data. The device should simply block harmful content across all apps and services. Over-18s will still be able to view adult content by providing proof of age.The government is right to act. Children have been failed for too long. This news will be welcomed by parents across the UK and hopefully, will inspire other countries to follow the UK’s lead.We can put an end to so much online misery with this approach. SafeToNet’s HarmBlock technology is a proven example that it is possible to make the device safe by default and not as some optional add-on. The changes will apply to UK devices, including both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets. Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age …Apple recently introduced age checks for iPhone users, making it the first company to activate safety features by default for those who are not verified as over 18. This is a significant step forward following the government’s commitments to work with industry, and one this announcement builds on. Continue reading...