Former Assad officer sentenced to 60 years in US for torture

Canadians dream of Europe as Carney floats longshot plan for living and working in EU

Toronto residents tell the BBC they are excited by the possibility of moving to the EU.

The king and AI: Charles meets with tech leaders

LONDON — King Charles III is meeting on Thursday with senior leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind and Nvidia to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and make a plea to ensure the technology remains in the service of people and the planet. The gathering in Scotland, which includes Britain’s AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, was convened to

King Charles warns AI leaders of 'existential dangers'

CUMNOCK, Scotland — Britain's King Charles warned AI leaders on Thursday of the "existential dangers" posed by the technology falling into the wrong hands, saying safeguards were needed before it was too late. Charles was hosting the co-founders of chipmaker Nvidia and the Google DeepMind AI research laboratory, along with leaders from the AI providers OpenAI and Anthropic, in Scotland as concern grows that safety efforts are lagging behind the development of increasingly powerful systems. In recent weeks, the debate has centred on whether the industry can and should regulate itself, drawing interventions from figures including Pope Leo, Charles and U.S. President Donald Trump. Charles calls for controls 'before it is too late' Charles said artificial intelligence had the potential to improve and save lives, particularly in life sciences and medicine. But its creators were increasingly warning that it could develop darker capacities, "perhaps even to take life," he said. "There seems urgency in adequately considering the existential dangers of such technologies falling into the wrong han

US jobless claims fall to 196,000, lowest since mid-July

WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, another sign that layoffs remain rare and most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims slid to 196,000, the fewest since mid-July and down from 206,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, dropped to 203,250. Economists had expected claims to come in at 207,500, according to a survey by the data firm FactSet. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a sign of where the job market is headed. For the past year, claims have mostly stayed within a historically low range of 200,000 to 230,000 a week. The American job market has remained sturdy despite higher gasoline prices that have squeezed businesses and consumers since the fighting with Iran began Feb. 28. Layoffs are low. Businesses, remembering the labor shortages that followed the end of pandemic lockdowns, are reluctant to let go of staff. They’re hiring — but modestly by the

China, US top diplomats discuss 'high-level interactions' in call, Beijing says

BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call that the two countries "should prepare well for the next stage of high-level interactions in the spirit of equality, respect and reciprocity," Wang's ministry said. Head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties, Wang said, adding that the two sides should strengthen communication, advance cooperation, manage differences and respect each other's core interests. The call came a week ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S., with a meeting with President Donald Trump set to take place on September 24, Trump had said. The official Chinese summary of the call fell short of explicitly confirming an upcoming meeting between Xi and Trump, but said Wang and Rubio "held in-depth discussions focused on high-level exchanges between the two countries." The two top diplomats also discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Chinese foreign ministry said, a day after Wang hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Beijing for talks. In

UN-backed experts cite possible US war crimes in Iran strikes

GENEVA — Human rights experts commissioned by the U.N.’s top human rights body say they have found “reasonable grounds” to believe the United States committed war crimes in two strikes in Iran, including on a school in the southern city of Minab. They also accuse Iran’s theocratic government of carrying out crimes against humanity against its own people in a report published Thursday. The report, while not binding, adds to international evidence gathered about crimes in the war in Iran, and could eventually be used in efforts to reach justice in international courts. The fact-finding mission on Iran, chaired by jurist Sara Hossain of Bangladesh, is made up of independent experts and was created in 2022 by the Human Rights Council, the U.N.’s top human rights body, which is based in Geneva. The experts were expected to present their findings on Monday to the council, which is made up of 47 U.N. member countries. The team says the U.S. launched ‘indiscriminate’ attacks The international fact-finding mission says its findings on U.S. war crimes center on a pair of U.S. airstr

US stocks rise after oil prices fall and pressure from bond market eases

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are rising Thursday and recovering most of their losses for the week. Falling oil prices and easing pressure from the bond market helped Wall Street reverse many of its moves from the prior day, when the Federal Reserve hiked its main interest rate for the first time in years and suggested more may be ahead as it tries to get the nation’s high inflation under control. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9 percent and was on track for just its second rise in the last nine days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 213 points, or 0.4 percent, as of 11 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.4 percent higher. Stocks got a boost after the price for a barrel of Brent crude oil slid 2.3 percent to $103.38. That’s down sharply from the nearly $110 it reached earlier in the week on worries that the war with Iran will keep oil bottled up in the Middle East instead of going to customers worldwide. Brent is of course still much more expensive than the $72 per barrel that it cost earlier this summer, but Thursday’s slide helped pull yields lower in the bond market and r

Pennsylvania seeks CDC help on measles outbreak, demands recognition of deaths

WASHINGTON — The Pennsylvania health department said it was requesting emergency support from the U.S. CDC as it grapples with one of the country's largest and most deadly measles outbreaks, according to a document reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. The request comes on condition that the federal agency recognize four measles-associated deaths reported by the state, raising the stakes in a dispute with the Trump administration. The state's measles outbreak has become the focus of a standoff between U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat. Kennedy has cast doubt on whether deaths reported in U.S. measles outbreaks since he took office were due to the virus or another cause, and instructed the CDC not to include the Pennsylvania fatalities in a national tally. Disease experts say the move represented highly unusual interference by a health secretary in the determination by state health officials and could minimize the risks of measles in the eyes of the public. Kennedy has accused Shapiro of politicizing the outbreak in his state and of failing to

Trump to host Xi amid pomp, low expectations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military honor guard has been rehearsing and the new White House helipad is ready. But will Xi Jinping and Donald Trump achieve lift-off at their summit next week? Warnings of an AI apocalypse hang heavy over the Chinese president's first White House meetings with Trump, as both countries race for technological supremacy. Trump's Iran war casts a long shadow too, as China seeks to avoid U.S. sanctions against countries dealing with Tehran, despite reports that Beijing supplied Tehran with intelligence for a strike on U.S. troops. A simmering trade war between the world's two largest economies is of even greater concern, while the threat of military confrontation over Taiwan looms large as well. Behind it all is a desire to manage tensions between a superpower keen to keep its place at the top and a rapidly rising rival determined to make the 21st century a Chinese one. The U.S. president, media-minded as ever, is also focused on the optics of the visit, having been hosted with high pomp during his own state visit to China in May. Trump, who was welcomed by China's v

Brazil's Lula announces 15% welfare boost ahead of election

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a decree on Thursday increasing benefits of his flagship welfare program by 15 percent, weeks before the first round of the presidential elections. The minimum monthly benefit per family of Bolsa Familia (Family Grant) will rise to 691 reais ($134) next month, from 600 reais. The decree says that it adjusts payments for accumulated inflation since March 2023. The measure will increase the purchasing power of voters, who will decide in October whether to grant Lula a fourth, nonconsecutive term, or elect Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a son of former President Jair Bolsonaro , in a likely run-off vote. Polls show the two are currently running neck-and-neck. “Bolsa Familia is central to our strategy to look after more vulnerable families, guarantee income so that people emerge from poverty and don’t suffer from food insecurity,” Finance Minister Dario Durigan said. The additional spending would be absorbed within existing budget allocations and would not represent a new expenditure, he added. Lula introduced the cash-tr

King Charles sounded like 'lottery winner' after Diana's death, her brother writes

LONDON — Britain's King Charles sounded "like a lottery winner" after the death of his late first wife Diana, her brother writes in his forthcoming book, new extracts of which were published on Thursday. Diana's brother Charles Spencer said the then-Prince Charles was "giddily elated" in the immediate aftermath of Diana's death in 1997, possibly because he felt it meant he was freer to marry again, according to passages in the Daily Mail. Charles on Wednesday took the unusual step of responding to criticism after the first extracts of Spencer's book were published in the Daily Mail, saying via a spokesperson that grief could impact reason, judgment and memory. There was no new comment from the king on the latest excerpts, which also stated that Diana went to a site of many suicides on Britain's south coast, but that her love for her sons, William and Harry, "stopped her from going further." "It is a sad fact that, in her later years, Diana drove herself more than once to Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in England, while contemplating ending it all," Spencer wrote. Diana was kil

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Thursday that progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland, crediting "the bold leadership" of Polish President Karol Nawrocki. "If this happens, the location will be announced very soon. This will be a historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Poland has been pushing for a bigger allied presence on NATO's eastern flank after Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022.

Harry makes first public appearance since return to UK

LONDON — Prince Harry on Thursday made his first public appearance since his shock return to Britain from the United States with his family three weeks ago. Harry, who quit Britain for California six years ago with his wife Meghan amid tensions with his family, attended a fundraising evening for his Invictus Games for wounded veterans in London. Dressed in a smoking jacket adorned with his military decorations, the 42-year-old prince took selfies with injured former soldiers at the event. Meghan did not accompany him. Along with their two children, Harry and Meghan landed back in the UK on August 26 and have kept a relatively low profile since. Speculation abounds over the reasons for their return, given that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left in the middle of a falling-out with his family, which only worsened after Harry published his tell-all memoir "Spare." His appearance at the event comes after the brother of Princess Diana, Harry's mother, unleashed a barrage of stinging criticism against King Charles III's behaviour towards his ex-wife. In a memoir being serialised in the Daily Ma

'In our lane': Fed's Warsh defies Trump but still fighting for credibility

WASHINGTON — U.S. Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh delivered the interest rate hike this week that many economists think surging inflation required, defying President Donald Trump — but questions about the central bank chief's credibility linger. The Fed on Wednesday raised rates in the world's largest economy by 25 basis points to between 3.75 and 4.00 percent, with policymakers signalling at least one more rate hike before year-end. Trump has launched an unprecedented assault on the Fed's independence to set monetary policy since taking office, initiating a criminal probe into Warsh's predecessor and attempting to fire another Fed governor in his quest for lower rates to spur economic activity. He frequently insulted and berated former chair Jerome Powell, but delivered a muted — if still extraordinary — response to Warsh's announcement of the rate hike. Trump told reporters he spoke with Warsh before the Fed's meeting, telling him to "do what you want" and ascribing the decision to raise rates — which the Fed chair voted for and stood by — to a "hostile board." Asked by a

Latvia bars NHL's Ovechkin, Trump Jr. wedding benefactor from entering country

Latvia has barred Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin from entering the country days after the he appeared in a political ad for a party backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, has decided to include Alexander Ovechkin and [International Boxing Association President] Umar Kremlev on the list of personae...

Buckingham Palace hits back at claims in a book by Princess Diana's brother

LONDON (AP) — Buckingham Palace has forcefully denied a claim by the brother of the late Princess Diana that King Charles III said she his ex-wife would soon be forgotten after her death. In a new book, Charles Spencer recounts the traumatic days after Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997...

Experts share the everyday habit that can slash hospital risk for heart patients

The new review found exercise-based rehabilitation slashed the risk of heart attacks by 28 per cent

NBI nabs immigration officer allegedly involved in human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested an officer of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City for allegedly being involved in a human trafficking scheme. In an interview on Thursday, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the BI officer is supposedly connected to

Academic admits using fake Jeffrey Epstein fund letter to claim $750,000 settlement

A Florida academic has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting she altered a rejection letter from a Jeffrey Epstein victims compensation programme to obtain $750,000 from another fund.According to the Associated Press, Jennifer Percival, 46, entered the plea on September 14 in federal court...

Japan's core inflation holds near BOJ's target

US Postal Service halts Trump mail voting system after Supreme Court block

US Postal Service halts Trump mail voting system after Supreme Court block

By the numbers: A look at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan

The Asian Games are often identified as the second most important multisports event after the Summer Olympic Games

OpenAI discloses six troubling AI cases, unveils misalignment framework

OpenAI discloses six troubling AI cases, unveils misalignment framework

'No Doubt': Pakistan General Vows To Defend Saudi Arabia 'To Any Extent' Amid Houthi Attacks

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan's pledge covered more than territorial defence, extending specifically to the protection of Makkah and Madinah.

US military F-16 crashes in Michigan during training exercise, pilot ejects to safety

A US military F-16 fighter jet crashed and burst into flames in Michigan on Thursday afternoon, with the pilot ejecting safely.According to the Associated Press, the aircraft crashed in Grand Traverse County, south of Traverse City, while taking part in training exercises at a National Guard base...

This Olympic river has 500 crocodiles in it - but that's not the main concern

Queensland's Fitzroy River has been selected for the 2032 Games, despite concerns over the course - and its inhabitants.

Australia cracks down on student and backpacker visas to curb migration

* Foreign students barred from bringing partners and children * Ballots to be introduced for backpackers for visa extension * Visitor visas to carry no further stay provision (Rewrites throughout

Mitch McConnell gets ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ treatment in AI memes after viral Senate appearance

Other social media videos show the Kentucky Republican, 84, performing acrobatic flips in a wheelchair

Tusk warns Russia may fake drone accidents in Europe to test NATO

Tusk warns Russia may fake drone accidents in Europe to test NATO

Iran's Pezeshkian, Araghchi to get US visas for UN General Assembly

Iran's Pezeshkian, Araghchi to get US visas for UN General Assembly

Squats, push-ups and strength training: Why women may need to exercise differently from men

Women’s muscle fibres, joints and anatomy can affect the way they exercise, from doing squats to struggling with push-ups and even their risk of injury. Experts explain what women should know – and the tweaks that could make workouts safer and more effective.​​​​​​

New human rights report unveils details and blames police for recent massacre in Haiti

A human rights group in Haiti has published a report that reveals new details about one of the country’s biggest massacres in recent years and unveils security holes as authorities struggle to contain violent gangs in the Caribbean country

OpenAI asks California court to dismiss lawsuits over Tumbler Ridge shooting

Lawyers for OpenAI claim any legal action related to the deaths and injuries should take place in British Columbia.

South Korea extends fuel-tax cuts until end of November

Thames Water’s £10 billion creditor rescue deal should be ditched, say MPs

The Efra Committee said bondholder takeover plans are not in the best interests of Thames Water, customers or the environment.

NHS nurses found maggots in wounds during the UK’s ‘suffocating’ heatwaves

Cases of death, fainting and dehydration were documented during a survey of 2,471 nurses for the Royal College of Nursing

YouTube star Max Fosh: ‘It’s easier now than ever to make it on social media’

The 31-year-old rose to fame almost a decade ago through his absurd comedic stunts on YouTube.

Badenoch has ‘instructed lawyers’ to challenge cuts to Tory-run London council

Wandsworth Council is increasing its council tax by 94%, which Kemi Badenoch has blamed on cuts from central government.

Rare Aztec manuscript returns to Mexico on loan after nearly two centuries in France

A prized 16th-century manuscript chronicling the rise and fall of the Aztec Empire has gone on display in Mexico City, nearly two centuries after it was taken to France, as Mexico continues to press Paris for its permanent return.

Far-right German politician heckles Carney with 'U.S.A.' chant before EU address

As Prime Minister Mark Carney approached the podium at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he was met by a lone heckler with an unexpected chant for a Canadian leader speaking to the EU in France.