UN touts panel for 'human control' of AI at global summit
NEW DELHI, Feb 20 (Agencies): A UN panel on artificial intelligence (AI) will work towards "science-led governance", the global body's chief said on Friday as leaders at a New Delhi summit weighed their message on the future of the booming technology.However, the US delegation warned against centralised control of generative...
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Japan PM warns of China 'coercion', vows security overhaul
TOKYO, Feb 20 (Reuters): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of growing Chinese "coercion" in her first post-election speech to parliament on Friday, pledging to overhaul defence strategy, ease curbs on military exports and strengthen critical supply chains.Takaichi's four-month tenure has been marked by a diplomatic dispute with China after...
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Trump warns Iran of 'bad things' if no deal made
WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (Agencies): President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday it must make a deal over its nuclear program or "really bad things" will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing a threat from Tehran to retaliate against US bases in the region if attacked.Amid...
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Ex-President of S Korea Yoon apologises after life sentence
SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters): Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologised on Friday for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, a day after a Seoul court sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding an insurrection.In a statement released by his lawyers, Yoon said that while...
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Gaza deaths in war's first 15 months higher than reported, study says
GAZA, Feb 20 (Agencies): More than 75,000 Palestinians were killed in the first 15 months of Israel's military assault in Gaza, a figure far higher than the 49,000 deaths local health officials announced at the time, says a new study by The Lancet Global Health medical journal.The peer-reviewed study, published...
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Six women killed in California avalanche
VIENNA, Feb 20 (Agencies): Six women killed in the deadliest avalanche in the US in decades were part of a close-knit group of friends who were experienced backcountry skiers and understood the dangers of the wilderness of California's Sierra Nevada, their families said Thursday.Two of the friends got out alive...
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Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills 37 people
ABUJA (Nigeria), Feb 20 (AP): A toxic gas leak at a mine in north-central Nigeria killed 37 people and led to the hospitalization of 26 others, according to police.The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Kampani Zurak community, located in the Wase area of Plateau state, police...
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Venezuela parliament unanimously approves amnesty law
CARACAS, Feb 20 (AFP): Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a long-awaited amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners jailed for being government detractors.But the law excludes those who have been prosecuted or convicted of promoting military action against the country -- which could include opposition leaders...
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