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Democrats hand Trump one power they spent years fighting
Senate Democrats largely supported a Russia sanctions package that includes limited new tariff powers for President Trump, despite having repeatedly criticised his broader use of tariffs. The vote has drawn renewed attention after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on around $20 billion of Canadian goods, with opponents arguing that tariff authority can raise consumer prices and…
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China-linked research claims as Kusama dies and US Open drama
Australian universities face claims of defence-linked Chinese research, while two are arrested after a Queensland pursuit. Artist Yayoi Kusama has died aged 97, and Muchova and Mensik take the US Open mixed doubles title.
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HuggingFace and Pollen Robotics open pre-orders for the $399 Microduck
Hugging Face and its subsidiary Pollen Robotics have opened pre-orders for Microduck, a small duck-inspired bipedal robot designed for developers and robotics enthusiasts. Unlike the stationary Reachy Mini, Microduck prioritises movement and experimentation, allowing users to explore how AI-enabled robots navigate obstacles, recover from falls and interact physically with their surroundings. The $399 robot is…
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Hugging Face’s new robot is an adorable rollerskating duck
Hugging Face’s Pollen Robotics has opened preorders for Microduck, a one-eyed biped robot standing just under 10 inches tall. The robot can rollerskate, pick up small objects, play with a ball and react to nearby activity, while its open-source software allows owners to adapt and retrain it for new behaviours. Microduck costs $399 and will…
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What does the Meta settlement mean for the UK? Five things we learned
Meta’s $18bn (£13.3bn) settlement with US states could influence child-safety rules beyond America, despite applying initially only to Facebook and Instagram users there. – Meta will introduce overnight access limits, screen-time prompts and stronger parental controls for US children, without admitting wrongdoing. – The measures may encourage the UK to seek similar safeguards, alongside its…
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Kesha on Her First Lingerie Campaign as an Independent Artist: ‘My Whole Body Is Finally All Mine’
Kesha has launched her first lingerie campaign as an independent artist, partnering with Adore Me while on her Freedom Tour. She says the collaboration reflects a new sense of autonomy after gaining greater control over her music and career, linking personal freedom with confidence in her body. The campaign features six items from Adore Me’s…
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POLL OF THE DAY: Is AI a threat to humanity, as Bill Gates claims?
Bill Gates has warned that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence could bring major disruption, including job losses and the potential creation of biological weapons. He argued that technology leaders are not being sufficiently open about these risks, while also acknowledging that AI could reduce inequality if managed well. The article centres on a Daily Mail reader…
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JONATHAN TURLEY: Fake pollster’s stunt was a reckless game with real races
A conservative legal commentator argues that a college graduate’s fake polling operation was a reckless experiment that may have influenced real Democratic primary campaigns. The article says the case exposes weaknesses in modern political polling and raises concerns about how easily false information can circulate, even if it may be protected speech under US law.…
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Burnham drops support for political donation cap after Labour’s union paymasters warn it would limit their funding for his party
Andy Burnham has reportedly withdrawn support for a £500,000 cap on political donations after trade unions argued that it could restrict Labour’s funding. The reported reversal matters because Burnham had previously said a cap would help address concerns that wealthy donors or organisations could exert undue influence over political parties. The GMB, which has given…