Pope Leo XIV has declined to authorize the creation of an AI Pope, emphasizing the importance of human representation within the Church. The Pope expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of unchecked AI development, particularly regarding human rights and the exploitation of labor. He warned against a future where technology devalues humanity, advocating for the Church to actively speak out against these dangers. Pope Leo views the current trajectory of technological advancement as a threat to human dignity and the essence of what it means to be human.
Read More
A 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area early Monday morning, centered east-southeast of Berkeley, with over 22,000 people reporting they felt the tremor. While no major damage or injuries were reported, some businesses experienced broken windows and fallen merchandise. The earthquake prompted reduced train speeds and delays for Bay Area Rapid Transit, and residents as far south as Salinas reported feeling the shaking. Officials are assessing the impact, and the event served as a reminder of the region’s seismic risks and the importance of preparedness.
Read More
A Guatemalan family in Leominster, Massachusetts, alleges that ICE agents detained their 5-year-old daughter to pressure her father to surrender. The mother can be heard on a recording demanding the child’s return, stating the child has autism. Although local police recovered the girl initially, federal agents returned two days later, arresting the father. The family, who has an active asylum claim, is demanding investigation into the agents’ actions, with the father now held in an ICE detention center.
Read More
Leavitt asserts that President Trump is fulfilling his promise to restore accountability within the Department of Justice, not weaponizing it. She claims the president is seeking accountability for those who previously weaponized the DOJ, employing “therapy language” to deflect criticism. Leavitt defends Trump by stating that individuals like Adam Schiff, James Comey, and Letitia James, who pursued legal actions against him, are essentially in the wrong. This allows Trump to target these figures, who in MAGA’s view, are persecuting him unfairly.
Read More
During a memorial service, President Trump declared that he hates his political opponents and doesn’t want the best for them, contrasting with Erika Kirk’s message of love and forgiveness. This statement was made despite the fact that the widow of the deceased activist, Charlie Kirk, advocated for dialogue across the political spectrum and forgave her husband’s killer. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt deflected a question about Trump’s comments, emphasizing his authenticity and popularity, while the president has been accused of stoking political tensions. This juxtaposition of Trump’s rhetoric with the call for unity highlights the tension between the president’s approach and efforts to de-escalate political division.
Read More
Russian insurance companies are experiencing a surge in inquiries for separate property insurance against drone attacks, driven by increased media coverage of Ukrainian strikes and the classification of such attacks as terrorism, which is often excluded from standard coverage. Initially, only VSK offered specific drone strike policies, but the expanding range and frequency of attacks have prompted its competitors to follow suit. This has led to a significant increase in customer requests, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands in some regions, and a projected seven-fold increase in the drone insurance market, with experts estimating it could be worth billions of rubles. Financial experts also advise potential customers to carefully review policy details to understand the specific risks covered.
Read More
The UK is considering a plan to leverage approximately £25 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund a “reparations loan” scheme for Ukraine, mirroring a similar EU initiative. The proposed scheme would involve issuing loans to Ukraine, potentially using the full value of the frozen assets as collateral. Brussels aims to avoid outright confiscation of the funds by swapping the Russian cash for zero-interest bonds. However, the legal and financial risks are being carefully considered. The UK’s approach will adhere to international law and prioritize economic and financial responsibility, as Europe seeks to address Ukraine’s looming budget deficit.
Read More
Moldovan officials conducted 250 raids and detained dozens of individuals as part of an investigation into a Russia-backed plan to incite mass riots and destabilize the country ahead of a crucial parliamentary election. Authorities allege that the plot, coordinated from Russia, involved suspects who received training in Serbia. President Maia Sandu stated that the Kremlin is attempting to influence the election, utilizing disinformation campaigns and paying individuals to provoke unrest. The upcoming election is viewed as a pivotal moment, with many considering it a choice between continued alignment with the European Union or closer ties with Russia, amidst increasing tensions and alleged Russian interference.
Read More
On Monday evening, September 22, unidentified drones were detected in both Denmark and Norway. Copenhagen Airport was closed due to the presence of 2-3 large drones, leading to flight diversions and a halt in operations. Simultaneously, in Oslo, drones were detected over a military area, resulting in the detention of two individuals from Singapore. These incidents follow previous instances of drones entering the airspace of NATO countries like Poland and Romania, raising concerns about potential security threats.
Read More
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Donald Trump against accusations of weaponizing the Justice Department, claiming he was holding those accountable who had weaponized it against him. Leavitt insisted it was not weaponization to seek accountability from those who had targeted Trump, echoing the view that Democrats had embarked on a campaign to target the former president. She argued that individuals like Letitia James were guilty of “lawfare” and that Trump was simply seeking accountability for actions that aimed to undermine him. Leavitt further stated the president’s actions were in line with the will of the American people.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker