Newsletter Jun 29, 2023

Hong Kong exiles in UK say 'living in fear' of Beijing

When artists Lumli and Lumlong fled Hong Kong in 2021 they didn't tell a soul for fear of being reported and arrested before they could leave.

Stocks diverge as US rally loses steam

Stock markets diverged Wednesday as a rally fueled by upbeat US economic data ran out of steam, but the dollar got a boost on rate hike comments.

Rishi Sunak's pledge to 'stop the boats' will cost the UK £169,000 per immigrant

The revelation is part of an Impact Assessment of the Government's new Illegal Migration Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in March.

Britons increasingly hungry, isolated because they cannot afford food: report

More than 11 million people in the UK faced hunger in the past year, according to research conducted by the food bank charity Trussell Trust.

New statistics show that foreign investors are 'looking beyond London and the South East'

New statistics on foreign direct investment into the British economy show that investors are 'looking beyond London and the South East' according to Investment Minister Lord Johnson.

EU to take one giant leap towards digital Euro

The EU will take the next crucial step on Wednesday towards launching a digital version of the euro, a controversial project that has come under attack from the public, politicians and banks before it even exists.

The UN call for more women in peacekeeper military roles

In 1948, women made up only one per cent of uniformed UN peacekeeper personnel. In 2023, only 7.8 per cent of the UN peacekeeper military are made up of women.

'Pariah' Putin 'clearly losing' Ukraine war: Biden

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that "pariah" Vladimir Putin is "losing" the war in Ukraine, but it is too early to tell whether the Russian president has been weakened by the mercenary Wagner group's aborted rebellion.

Outrage on the streets of Paris after teen was killed by police

Another clash between demonstrators and police officers in France, following the death of a 17-year-old boy. President Macron has said that reform in France is essential.

Baidu's Ernie Bot makes significant strides, beats ChatGPT on key tests

Baidu's latest iteration of its ChatGPT-style service called Ernie 3.5 has reportedly surpassed the Microsoft-backed OpenAI chatbot on several key metrics.

iOS 17 introduces the new Check In safety feature, how to use it?

The Check In feature automatically lets your family and friends know that you've safely reached your destination.

EU strikes deal to give users more control over data

The EU has reached an agreement giving users greater access to their data and control over how the digital information is used by companies.

'Godfather of AI' urges governments to stop machine takeover

Geoffrey Hinton, one of the so-called godfathers of artificial intelligence, urged governments on Wednesday to step in and make sure that machines do not take control of society.

UK to reduce the number of 'medically downgraded' mariners in the Royal Navy with advanced sports technology

The Navy will be using special movement screening equipment developed by exercise laboratories of the concerned universities. Pressure plates, force plates and motion capture cameras will detect muscle movements for injuries and strains.

UK announces £270 million lung cancer screening programme that can detect up to 9,000 cases

The UK announces a national targeted lung cancer screening programme to detect cancer earlier, save lives and promote smoking cessation.

'Presumed human remains' discovered in Titan sub wreckage

Experts have recovered presumed human remains from what is left of the Titan sub that imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck, with the death of five people, the US Coast Guard said Wednesday.

Ashes drama as Jonny Bairstow called 'overweight' by BBC commentator

Jonny Bairstow scored 78 in England's first innings in the Edgbaston Test.

Wimbledon introduces rule change allowing dark underwear for the first time

The all-white clothing rule has long been part of the Wimbledon tradition.