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Police learned of Nicola Sturgeon’s new Covid rules by watching her TV briefings, inquiry hears
Senior Police Scotland officers were sometimes surprised by new Covid rules announced by Nicola Sturgeon, and learned of changes by watching her televised briefings, the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry heard. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said advance notice would have helped the force communicate rules and introduce new powers more effectively. Changes were often announced on…
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John Swinney jets off on another costly ‘jolly’ to India just DAYS after UK Government trade mission
John Swinney is due to lead a week-long Scottish business mission to India, prompting criticism that it duplicates a UK Government visit taking place just days earlier. Critics say the trip could be an expensive publicity exercise, while the Scottish Government says it will promote Scotland’s economic interests and build partnerships. The Scottish delegation includes…
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Russian bot farms are still trolling, even after Ukraine’s drone strikes on Yandex
Ukrainian drone strikes on Yandex data centres prompted claims that Russian bot activity and online spam had fallen. The article says there is no evidence the strikes disrupted disinformation operations, and argues that the claims of a decline may themselves be misleading. Zelenskyy said social platforms felt less hateful and divisive after the strikes, while…
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Rivian spinoff Mind Robotics hires Doug Field as president
Rivian spinoff Mind Robotics has appointed Doug Field as president, bringing an experienced automotive and technology executive to lead its factory robotics effort. The move matters as companies race to apply advances in AI to practical industrial robots, a field where scaling reliable hardware and software remains difficult. Field previously held senior roles at Apple,…
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UK urges Interpol to refuse Argentina’s arrest notices over Falklands oil project
The UK has asked Interpol to reject Argentina’s requests for red notices seeking the arrest of people linked to the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands. British officials say the requests appear politically motivated and could deter companies and individuals from lawful commercial activity, amid a sharp rise in tensions over the islands’…
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Baroness Campbell delivers first AI-voiced speech in the Lords
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton used an AI-generated version of her voice to deliver a speech in the House of Lords during a debate on Labour’s Health Bill. The appearance was a first for the UK Parliament and allowed her to speak in her own voice despite the effects of spinal muscular atrophy, which have increasingly…
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Burnham urges closer EU ties as Labour maintains its Brexit red lines
Andy Burnham has called for the UK to explore closer relations with the EU, arguing that Brexit has caused more harm than good. The article supports this change in direction, saying the potential economic and strategic gains outweigh the political risks. Burnham said Labour would keep its manifesto red lines for this Parliament, while a…
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Wiles calls advisers in as reports fuel Republican midterm concerns
Susie Wiles called senior White House advisers to a meeting as reports about Trump allies earning money from foreign work added to political pressure ahead of the midterm elections. The article says Trump was angry about the coverage, while Wiles told staff that the midterms were for his political advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair…
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Motsepe faces internal doubts over Afcon cycle reversal and Caf leadership
Patrice Motsepe’s leadership of African football’s governing body, Caf, is under pressure after he announced a proposed return to a two-year Africa Cup of Nations cycle. The change has broad support, but some officials say they were not consulted and have lost trust in his management, while potential successors are positioning themselves. Caf is expected…
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Ken Paxton filmed at Dubai gathering with indicted US businessmen
Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Texas, was filmed at a New Year’s Eve gathering in Dubai with two American businessmen who had been indicted months earlier on federal healthcare fraud charges. The meeting has drawn scrutiny because the men had not yet returned to the US to face the allegations,…