Trending World

Listen as Radio

AI Requires Tailored Rules for Varied Roles

As AI systems increasingly take on social roles traditionally held by humans, such as tutors, mental health providers, and romantic partners, the ethical implications of these interactions are coming under scrutiny. A recent exchange between a user and an AI chatbot highlights the importance of understanding relational contexts—different relationships follow distinct norms that dictate appropriate behavior. For instance, a chatbot's refusal to discuss a user's feelings may be acceptable in a professional setting but inappropriate in a caring context. Researchers argue that ethical considerations for AI must extend beyond abstract principles to include these relational norms. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, developers, users, and regulators must consider how these dynamics affect emotional dependencies and expectations, ensuring that AI technologies enhance rather than detract from human well-being. This nuanced approach is vital for fostering healthy human-AI relationships in an evolving digital landscape. sources

Published:
Apr 07 2025, 12 pm

Trump Aims to Stockpile Deep-Sea Metals Against China

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing an executive order to establish a stockpile of deep-sea metals, aiming to reduce reliance on China’s dominance in battery minerals and rare earth supply chains. According to the Financial Times, the initiative seeks to ensure that large quantities of these vital resources are readily available on US soil in the event of a conflict with China that could disrupt imports. This move comes after China imposed export restrictions on certain rare earth elements in response to US tariffs, potentially jeopardizing access to materials essential for technologies ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles. The proposed stockpile is part of a broader strategy to accelerate deep-sea mining applications and enhance domestic processing capabilities. Currently, China produces approximately 90% of the world's refined rare earths, with the US heavily reliant on imports, predominantly from its geopolitical rival. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 7 pm

WhatsApp Down in India: Users Can't Send Messages or Upload Status

WhatsApp experienced significant outages in India on Saturday, preventing users from sending messages and uploading statuses. According to Down Detector, 81% of users reported issues with messaging, while 16% faced broader app problems. Users took to social media to express their frustrations, with one asking, "Is it just me or your WhatsApp is down as well?" Notably, similar disruptions were reported on Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta. This incident follows a massive global outage in late February that left many unable to use WhatsApp effectively. Meanwhile, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced that its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services were also experiencing technical difficulties, affecting millions of users' ability to conduct digital transactions. The NPCI acknowledged the issues on social media, assuring users that they were working to resolve them. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 7 pm

US Exempts Smartphones and Computers from Trump Tariffs

In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has exempted smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices from its reciprocal tariffs, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on American consumers. This decision, announced by the US Customs and Border Protection office, includes various electronics imported from China, which faces an additional 145 percent tariff. The move is intended to lessen the impact of these tariffs on popular high-tech products, making them more accessible to consumers. Additionally, semiconductors have been excluded from a baseline 10 percent tariff imposed on most US trading partners. This exemption reflects the administration's recognition of the importance of technology in the economy and its potential effects on consumer prices. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 7 pm

Iran's Foreign Ministry: Nuclear Talks with US Start in Oman

High-stakes talks between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear programme commenced in Muscat on Saturday, with President Donald Trump warning of military action if negotiations fail. The discussions are indirect, mediated by an intermediary, despite U.S. calls for face-to-face meetings. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leads the Iranian delegation, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff represents the U.S. Both sides are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump withdrew from the 2015 agreement. Iran, facing economic sanctions and regional pressures, is looking for relief, while the U.S. aims to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Witkoff indicated a willingness to explore compromises, though he emphasized that the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme is a starting demand. As tensions rise, Tehran has threatened to expel UN nuclear inspectors, a move Washington warns could escalate the situation further. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 6 pm

China Warns WTO: US Tariffs Harm Developing Nations

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has warned that US tariffs will severely impact developing nations, potentially leading to a humanitarian crisis, during a conversation with World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In a statement released on Saturday, Wang criticized the US for introducing tariff measures that create global uncertainty and instability. As part of the escalating trade tensions, China announced it would implement 125 percent tariffs on US goods, closely mirroring the 145 percent tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese imports. Beijing has indicated it will not comply with any further US levies, asserting that purchasing from America is no longer economically viable. Additionally, China plans to file a lawsuit with the WTO regarding the latest tariffs. The ongoing trade conflict has led to significant market volatility, with fluctuations in stock prices, a surge in gold prices, and pressure on US government bonds. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 4 pm

Georgia Introduces First US Bill Against Hinduphobia

Georgia has introduced Senate Bill 375, aiming to formally recognize Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry within its penal code. If passed, the bill would define Hinduphobia as "antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Hinduism," and require law enforcement to consider this form of discrimination when addressing hate crimes. The bipartisan effort is backed by Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, alongside Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel D. Jones. This initiative builds on a resolution passed in April 2023 that condemned Hinduphobia and acknowledged Hinduism as one of the world's oldest religions, with over 1.2 billion followers globally. The resolution, led by Republican Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones, was well-received by Hindu advocacy groups and aimed to celebrate Hindu contributions while condemning hate incidents. Currently, there are approximately 2.5 million Hindus in the U.S., with over 40,000 residing in Georgia. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 4 pm

Tariff War Goes Viral: Trump and Musk in Sneaker Memes

In response to President Donald Trump's recent tariff policies, Chinese social media users have unleashed a wave of AI-generated memes and videos that satirise the potential repercussions for American manufacturing. One viral video features Trump and Elon Musk working on a Nike sneaker assembly line, while another shows Vice President JD Vance assembling an iPhone, both highlighting fears of rising manufacturing costs and consumer prices due to the new 125% tariffs. These posts, amplified by Chinese media and officials, mock Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, suggesting that his trade policies could lead to higher domestic and imported goods prices. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned the tariffs, asserting that China would not back down from provocations. Meanwhile, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao warned that the tariffs could harm developing nations and announced plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the U.S. levies. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 5 pm

Trump Advocates Ending Daylight Saving Time Changes: Implications Explained

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his call for Congress to abolish Daylight Saving Time, arguing that the biannual clock changes impose unnecessary financial burdens on the nation. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day," emphasizing the inconvenience and costs associated with shifting time. The debate over Daylight Saving Time has persisted for decades, with various political leaders advocating for its discontinuation. Trump previously labeled the issue a "fifty-fifty" situation, acknowledging that opinions are divided on whether to maintain the tradition. Senator Ted Cruz noted that while there is consensus on ending the clock changes, there is disagreement over which time to adopt permanently. A 2022 Senate bill aimed at eliminating the clock changes stalled in the Republican-controlled House and never reached President Biden's desk. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 3 pm

Australian Woman Delivers Stranger's Baby Due to IVF Error

In a troubling case from Brisbane, Australia, a woman gave birth to a child that was biologically linked to another couple due to an IVF mix-up at Monash IVF, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The error, uncovered in February 2025, involved the implantation of the wrong embryo, leading to the biological parents discovering discrepancies when attempting to transfer remaining embryos. Legal experts indicate that under current Australian law, the birth mother and her partner are recognized as the legal parents, potentially leaving the biological parents without custody rights. This incident has sparked calls for greater oversight in the IVF industry and improvements in safeguards for assisted reproductive technologies. Professor Gab Kovacs, a former director at Monash IVF, described the situation as "terrible" and unprecedented in Australia, emphasizing that human mistakes can have profound consequences for all parties involved. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 3 pm

5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Pakistan, Felt in J&K

An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Pakistan on Saturday at 13:00 IST, with tremors felt across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the MET Department, confirmed the epicentre was located 10 km beneath the Earth’s crust in Pakistan. J&K, situated in an earthquake-prone zone, has experienced significant seismic activity in the past, notably the devastating 2005 earthquake which registered 7.6 on the Richter scale, resulting in over 80,000 fatalities and leaving millions homeless. Experts have highlighted the increasing vulnerability of modern cement structures compared to traditional wood and mud buildings, which historically sustained less damage during quakes. As the Chenab Valley region continues to experience periodic tremors, authorities urge the construction of earthquake-resistant structures to mitigate future risks. sources

Published:
Apr 12 2025, 3 pm

For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews

End of news stories. Come back in an hour!