Brandy Melville has closed fitting rooms in stores across the United States, leaving many shoppers frustrated. Employees say vandalism and viral trends may be behind the decision.
Business

Brandy Melville Closes Fitting Rooms Across US Stores, Shoppers React

Popular teen fashion retailer Brandy Melville has started closing fitting rooms in its stores across the United States. The decision has sparked strong reactions from customers, especially young women who…

AI needs a “brake pedal” to prevent unchecked growth, warns Anthropic co founder Key concern over fast AI progress Anthropic co founder Jack Clark has raised concerns about how quickly artificial intelligence is advancing. He warned that AI systems may soon reach a stage where they can improve and generate code with very little human involvement. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Clark said the industry currently has strong momentum but lacks proper control mechanisms. He explained that the field is moving forward rapidly, but safety and governance tools are not keeping pace. Call for stronger regulation and oversight Clark stressed that governments and policymakers need to stay in control of AI development. He said future systems will become more powerful and will have wider effects on jobs, society, and decision making. He argued that regulation should give society the ability to slow down AI progress when needed. According to him, the goal is to ensure humans remain in charge of how these systems evolve. AI systems already writing most of their own code Clark revealed that Anthropic’s chatbot Claude already generates around 80 percent of its own code. He suggested that reaching full automation in coding could happen within two years, a shift he described as highly significant. Such progress, he warned, could reshape how AI companies operate and how software is built across the industry. Debate over government action and industry responsibility Despite these concerns, major AI companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, continue to advance their systems without pausing research. Clark noted that the US approach to regulation remains relatively flexible, with limited mandatory safety checks. He compared the situation to the early oil industry, where rapid growth eventually led to formal rules that helped stabilize the sector. He believes AI will require a similar framework to maintain public trust and reduce risks. Rapid growth and rising valuations Anthropic has expanded quickly since its launch five years ago. The company is now preparing for a public stock market listing, which could make it one of the most valuable tech offerings in history. Investors estimate its value could reach nearly one trillion dollars. Clark said the company’s public warnings are not about marketing or reputation. Instead, he said the aim is to share honest insights about how fast the technology is evolving inside leading AI labs.
Business

AI needs a “brake pedal” to prevent unchecked growth, warns Anthropic co founder

Key concern over fast AI progress Anthropic co founder Jack Clark has raised concerns about how quickly artificial intelligence is advancing. He warned that AI systems may soon reach a…

Naomi Gleit, Meta’s longest serving employee after Mark Zuckerberg, shares her journey, views on AI, workplace culture
BusinessUnited States

Naomi Gleit Journey at Meta and Her Views on Mark Zuckerberg and AI Future

Naomi Gleit joined Meta more than twenty years ago as one of its earliest employees. She was just twenty one at the time. Today she serves as the company’s head…

Learn simple meanings of Bitcoin and key cryptocurrency terms like blockchain, ETFs, and stablecoins, along with recent price trends and market changes.
Business

Bitcoin and Crypto Terms Explained: What They Mean in Simple Words

Bitcoin price swings bring crypto back into focus Bitcoin has recently dropped close to $60,000, bringing fresh attention to the crypto market. This digital currency often makes headlines when prices…

Fally Ipupa receives one of DR Congo’s highest honours as a knight of the National Order of the Leopard, celebrating his global music
Politics

Fally Ipupa receives DR Congo national honour as global success grows

Music star awarded rare state recognition Congolese singer Fally Ipupa has expressed deep pride and emotion after receiving one of the highest national honours in the Democratic Republic of Congo.…

Three men admit violent disorder after Southampton protests Three men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following protests in Southampton that broke out after the murder of 18 year old Henry Nowak. The case has led to multiple court hearings and ongoing legal action. Connor Bishop, 24, Reece Robinson, 21, and Noah Etherington, 18, admitted the charge during hearings in Southampton and Portsmouth magistrates’ courts. Police arrested the trio after disorder during protests on Tuesday night. What the court heard Prosecutors said CCTV footage showed Connor Bishop throwing a traffic cone toward police officers during the unrest. Etherington was also seen near a police line and throwing a brick in the direction of officers. Daniel Frost, 44, also admitted violent disorder. He was also found in possession of a dog lead with a metal clip, which was treated as an offensive weapon. A separate defendant, 50 year old Matt Styler from Gosport, denied assaulting a police officer. Background to the protests The protests followed the release of police body camera footage showing Henry Nowak being placed in handcuffs after he had been stabbed by 23 year old Vickrum Digwa. Digwa has since been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 21 years. Wider reaction The incident has triggered public debate and political reaction. The prime minister called for calm and urged people not to use the case to encourage further unrest. He also referenced the wishes of the victim’s family.
Crime and Justice

Southampton violent disorder case sees three men admit charges after protest linked to Henry Nowak murder

Three men admit violent disorder Three men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following protests in Southampton that broke out after the murder of 18 year old Henry Nowak. The…

Andy Burnham’s comments stir leadership talk ahead of Makerfield by election Andy Burnham has edged closer to the national leadership debate while staying careful with his wording during a recent BBC Question Time appearance in Ashton in Makerfield. His remarks have added fresh attention to Labour’s internal dynamics as the by election approaches. Burnham said he believes Wes Streeting has effectively started a leadership contest. He added that if such a contest is underway, he would consider joining it, but only after persuading members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to support him. He avoided presenting himself as someone launching a challenge. Instead, he framed his position as a response to an already existing contest. Supporters say this shows caution rather than direct ambition. Despite that careful language, the timing and setting of the comments have drawn attention. The programme was recorded in a key constituency, and Burnham is expected to campaign strongly there in the coming weeks. Downing Street responded by stressing that no leadership contest has been formally triggered. A spokesperson said the Labour Party already has a process for leadership challenges and confirmed the prime minister remains committed to his mandate. Leadership tension inside Labour The remarks have highlighted growing political tension within the party. While Burnham has not declared any formal intention to challenge, his comments have kept speculation alive about future leadership moves. Observers note that he is trying to balance ambition with caution. He does not want to appear to be pushing too early, especially during a sensitive by election period. Policy ideas raised during interview In a separate interview, Burnham outlined a few policy ideas. He suggested cutting business rates for pubs by around 20 percent, which he said could save about £5,000 per year for many businesses. He also said he would push to speed up reforms in social care. He proposed asking Dame Louise Casey to deliver her findings earlier than planned, instead of waiting until 2028. Comments on policing and public debate Burnham also addressed wider social issues during the discussion. He said the issue of carrying knives for religious reasons should be reviewed, referencing a case involving a kirpan, a Sikh ceremonial blade. He also commented on debates about “two tier policing.” He said his view is shaped by senior policing leadership in Greater Manchester, pointing to the approach of Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, who previously avoided symbolic gestures like taking the knee to maintain public neutrality.
Politics

Andy Burnham’s comments stir leadership talk ahead of Makerfield by election

Andy Burnham has edged closer to the national leadership debate while staying careful with his wording during a recent BBC Question Time appearance in Ashton in Makerfield. His remarks have…

Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow shares his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and speaks openly about living with the condition and raising awareness.
PoliticsUnited States

Jon Snow reveals Alzheimer’s diagnosis after decades in journalism career

A personal health revelation Jon Snow, who led Channel 4 News for 32 years, has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer’s disease. The veteran journalist is 78 years old.…

AI Designed Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Could Help Prevent Future Pandemics Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in vaccine development by creating the world's first vaccine whose key component was designed entirely by artificial intelligence. Scientists believe this innovation could protect people from a wide range of coronavirus strains and help prevent future pandemics. The research team developed the vaccine to target not only current Covid variants but also animal coronaviruses that could potentially infect humans in the future. Although the project remains in its early stages, scientists are already applying the same technology to develop vaccines for influenza and Ebola. ## A New Approach to Vaccine Development Traditional vaccines usually target a specific virus strain. As viruses mutate over time, vaccine effectiveness can decrease, making regular updates necessary. To overcome this challenge, researchers used genetic information collected from different coronavirus strains identified through global surveillance programs. Artificial intelligence analyzed these genetic sequences and created a unique "super antigen" designed to provide broader protection. This approach helps the immune system recognize and respond to multiple coronavirus variants. It may even offer protection against future strains that have not yet emerged. ## How Artificial Intelligence Designed the Vaccine Scientists fed the AI system genetic data from numerous coronaviruses. The technology identified common features shared across the virus family and designed an antigen that could trigger a broad immune response. Antigens play a crucial role in vaccines because they teach the immune system what to attack when an infection occurs. Researchers say this marks the first time an AI generated antigen has been tested in human clinical trials. The results highlight how artificial intelligence can accelerate vaccine research and improve pandemic preparedness. ## Potential Protection Against Future Outbreaks Experts believe this technology could change how the world responds to infectious diseases. Instead of developing vaccines after an outbreak begins, scientists hope to create vaccines that protect against viruses before they spread widely. This proactive strategy could reduce the impact of future pandemics and improve global health security. By staying ahead of viral mutations, researchers aim to provide longer lasting protection against emerging threats. ## Expanding Beyond Coronavirus The success of this early research has encouraged scientists to explore similar vaccines for other dangerous diseases. Development efforts are already underway for influenza and Ebola vaccines using the same AI driven approach. If successful, this technology could transform vaccine development and help the world prepare more effectively for future health emergencies. ## Looking Ahead While further testing is needed, the early findings represent a significant step forward in medical science. Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in healthcare, and this breakthrough demonstrates its potential to create smarter, faster, and more effective vaccines for future generations.
Health

Ebola case update in DR Congo and Uganda

Overview of the current situation Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported a drop in recorded Ebola cases. At first, officials warned of more than 1,000…

US Senate approves $70bn immigration funding package linked to Trump agencies Senate passes major immigration spending bill The US Senate has approved a funding package worth more than $70bn for immigration enforcement agencies under President Donald Trump’s administration. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for approval before reaching the president’s desk for signing. The vote passed 52 to 47, mostly along party lines. Only one Republican senator opposed it, joining Democrats in rejecting the measure during a long overnight session. Funding boost for ICE and Border Patrol A large share of the funding will go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. These agencies are central to Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement agenda. If fully approved, the money will support operations for the remaining three years of the administration. Heated debate over controversial provisions The Senate session included an 18-hour amendment process known as a vote-a-rama. During this time, lawmakers introduced several changes, many of which failed. Democrats tried to restrict a proposed $1.8bn fund tied to claims of government overreach. Critics described it as a politically sensitive slush fund, while supporters defended its purpose. The proposal also faced controversy after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche suggested earlier in the week that the fund might be dropped. Trump later said the decision was not final and indicated legal review was still ongoing. Political divide and shutdown background Democrats previously refused to support ICE and Customs and Border Protection funding earlier this year. That standoff followed fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers in Minnesota and contributed to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Other budget changes Lawmakers also removed $1bn previously allocated for a planned White House ballroom from the spending package before the final vote. House vote next The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. If it passes there, it will go to President Trump for final approval.
PoliticsUnited States

US Senate approves $70bn immigration funding package linked to Trump agencies

Senate passes major immigration spending bill The US Senate has approved a funding package worth more than $70bn for immigration enforcement agencies under President Donald Trump’s administration. The bill now…

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