News in Brief-2024-05-30

FE Team | Published: May 29, 2024 21:17:48

EU creates 'AI Office' to regulate tech
under tough new law
BRUSSELS, May 29: The EU on Wednesday announced the creation of an "AI Office" made up of experts to regulate artificial intelligence under a sweeping new law. "The AI Office aims at enabling the future development, deployment and use of AI in a way that fosters societal and economic benefits and innovation, while mitigating risks," the European Commission said. Its 140 members will include technology specialists, lawyers and economists. — AFP
Satellite to probe mystery of clouds, climate
LONDON, May 29: A sophisticated joint European-Japanese satellite has launched to measure how clouds influence the climate. Some low-level clouds are known to cool the planet, others at high altitude will act as a blanket. The Earthcare mission will use a laser and a radar to probe the atmosphere to see precisely where the balance lies. It's one of the great uncertainties in the computer models used to forecast how the climate will respond to increasing levels of greenhouse gases. — BBC
Thaksin to face royal insult charges
BANGKOK, May 29: Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted on charges of insulting the monarchy, the country's attorney-general has said. The controversial political leader, who returned to Thailand last year after 15 years in exile, is being charged over an interview he gave to a Korean newspaper nine years ago. —BBC
N Korea drops trash balloons on South
SEOUL, May 29: North Korea has dropped at least 260 balloons carrying rubbish in the South, prompting authorities to warn its residents to stay indoors. South Korea's military also cautioned the public against touching the white balloons and the plastic bags attached to them because they contain "filthy waste and trash". The balloons have been found in eight of nine provinces in South Korea and are now being analysed. North and South Korea have both used balloons in their propaganda campaigns since the Korean War in the 1950s. — BBC
Bus plunges into Pak ravine: 20 dead
QUETTA, May 29: A speeding passenger bus crashed off a mountainous highway and fell into a ravine in southwest Pakistan early Wednesday, killing at least 20 passengers, police and government officials said. Local police officer Asghar Ali said the accident happened in Washuk town as the bus was traveling from Turbat, the second largest city in Baluchistan province, to Quetta, the province's capital.— AP