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The UK government has announced that creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfakes will become a criminal offence, aiming to address the alarming rise in such images, predominantly targeting women and girls. Deepfakes, which use artificial intelligence to manipulate videos and images, have seen a more than 400% increase in reported cases since 2017, according to the Revenge Porn Helpline. Although revenge porn was criminalised in 2015, existing laws do not cover fake images. The new legislation will enable prosecution for both the creation and distribution of deepfakes without consent, with offenders potentially facing fines or imprisonment. Additionally, new offences will address the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment for such purposes, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison. The measures will be included in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, with further details to be announced.
Published: Jan 07 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a provocative move, President-elect Donald Trump has shared a map depicting Canada as part of the United States, following his declaration of a potential "golden age" for America. This announcement came shortly after he threatened to use "economic force" to integrate Canada as the 51st state, citing concerns over Canada's military spending and reliance on U.S. defense. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump emphasized the benefits of eliminating the "artificially drawn line" between the two nations, while asserting that Canada must contribute more to its own defense. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly rejected the notion of merging the two countries, stating, "There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell" that Canada would become part of the U.S. Trump, who has a history of contentious relations with Trudeau, has repeatedly floated the idea since his electoral victory on November 5.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inMelania Trump has signed a lucrative $40 million deal with Amazon to produce a documentary about her life, set to stream on Prime Video in mid-2025. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film will feature appearances from her husband, Donald Trump, and their son, Barron. The deal includes a two-to-three-episode follow-up docuseries, with Melania serving as an executive producer, allowing her significant control over the content. Sources indicate that Melania has grown more comfortable in the public eye, leveraging her private nature to create intrigue and drive up her value. This collaboration follows a meeting between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Bezos announced a $1 million donation to Trump's inaugural fund. An Amazon spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for sharing Melania's unique story with a global audience, promising a rare glimpse into the life of the former First Lady.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a shocking incident on New Year's Day, a decorated soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, used generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to plan an attack outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger, 37, fatally shot himself in a rented Tesla Cybertruck packed with fuel containers and fireworks, which subsequently exploded, injuring seven bystanders. Investigations revealed that he sought information on the legality of fireworks in Arizona and explosive targets through the AI chatbot. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill described this as a concerning first instance of ChatGPT being used to assist in creating a dangerous device, highlighting the potential misuse of accessible AI technology. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, stated that their tools are designed to discourage harmful actions and confirmed they are cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn Buenos Aires, David Ezequiel Pereyra, 21, has surrendered to authorities, becoming the second man charged with supplying drugs to British singer Liam Payne, who tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony last October. Pereyra, an employee at the Casa Sur Hotel, turned himself in on Monday, following the arrest of 24-year-old Braian Paiz, a hotel waiter, who is also implicated in the case. Additionally, three others, including Payne's Argentine representative and hotel staff, face manslaughter charges. Prosecutors revealed that Payne had ingested cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant prior to his fatal fall. The former One Direction star had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and the pressures of early fame, leading to widespread mourning from fans and peers alike after his death. One Direction, once a leading global music act, has been on hiatus since 2016.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 6 ameznews.inMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook and Instagram will adopt a community-based approach to content moderation, similar to X's "Community Notes," moving away from reliance on professional fact-checkers. In a blog post, Zuckerberg emphasized that this shift empowers users to assess potentially misleading posts through diverse perspectives. Community Notes, introduced in January 2021 and expanded under Elon Musk, allows any user to contribute by rating notes before publishing them. While some researchers argue that Community Notes can enhance information quality, others express concerns about the potential for misinformation. This decision may conflict with the European Union's Digital Services Act, which promotes the use of professional fact-checkers to combat misinformation. Critics, including fact-checking advocates, warn that this shift could lead to censorship claims and challenges with regulatory compliance. Trump suggested that Zuckerberg's decision might be a reaction to his criticisms of Meta.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inA significant winter storm has impacted much of the central and eastern United States, resulting in travel disruptions for millions, over 2,300 flight cancellations, and at least five fatalities. The storm, described as the first major winter event of the year, is moving eastward into the Atlantic, but frigid temperatures are expected to linger, with wind chills plummeting below zero in areas like Kansas City. Power outages affected nearly 200,000 customers from Missouri to Virginia, while residents in Washington, D.C., took advantage of the snow day, participating in outdoor activities despite federal offices being closed. As emergency declarations were issued in several states, forecasters warned of another storm system potentially bringing significant snowfall to Texas later this week, while California prepared for extreme winds that could heighten wildfire risks. The National Weather Service continues to monitor the evolving weather conditions closely.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inPeter Yarrow, a key member of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away at the age of 86 in New York on Tuesday after a four-year battle with bladder cancer. Known for timeless anthems like "Puff the Magic Dragon," Yarrow's music and activism defined the 1960s protest movement. His daughter, Bethany, remembered him as a generous and passionate figure who believed in the power of song to enact change. The trio, which included Mary Travers and Noel "Paul" Stookey, emerged in 1961, blending folk roots with commercial success, and performed at pivotal events like the 1963 March on Washington. However, Yarrow's legacy was marred by a 1970 conviction for making sexual advances toward a minor, for which he served three months in prison. Despite this controversy, his musical impact remains significant, with the group last performing together in 2009.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inA 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a London bus in broad daylight on Tuesday, marking a tragic addition to the capital's rising knife crime incidents. The attack occurred on a double-decker bus in Woolwich, where paramedics attempted to treat the boy but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after their arrival. No arrests have been made yet. This incident follows a series of violent stabbings in the area, including the serious injury of an 11-year-old girl last August and another teenager's death in September, with three young men charged in that case. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described knife crime as a "national crisis," while London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed condolences to the victim's family. Recent statistics indicate a 4% increase in knife crime in England and Wales over the past year, although figures remain below pre-pandemic levels. The Labour government aims to halve knife crime over the next decade.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a wide-ranging press conference on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump addressed several contentious issues ahead of his inauguration on January 20. Trump reiterated his controversial notion of making Canada a U.S. state, citing national security and economic concerns, while warning that chaos would ensue in the Middle East if Israeli hostages in Gaza were not returned by the time he takes office. He criticized Mexico for its trade deficits and promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, emphasizing the need for stricter immigration controls. Trump also expressed interest in purchasing Greenland and regaining control of the Panama Canal, asserting their importance for U.S. economic security. On NATO, he advocated for European members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP. Additionally, he praised Elon Musk's intelligence amid Musk's recent criticisms of British political figures.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 4 ameznews.inA New York appeals court judge has denied President-elect Donald Trump's request to delay his sentencing in a hush money case, set for Friday. Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence allegations of a past affair. Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer dismissed Trump's arguments for postponement and the claim that presidential immunity should extend to a president-elect. Despite the conviction, Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, indicated he is unlikely to impose jail time, allowing Trump to choose between in-person or virtual attendance at the sentencing. Trump, who was certified as the winner of the 2024 presidential election, could enter the White House as a convicted felon. Legal experts suggest he is unlikely to face prison time, despite potential maximum penalties of four years.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 4 am
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