Day: August 13, 2025
Indiana Statehouse – Wikipedia
Labor divided on how to respond to the emerging technology as media and arts groups fear ‘rampant theft’ of intellectual property
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AI risks entrenching racism and sexism in Australia, the human rights commissioner has warned, amid internal Labor debate about how to respond to the emerging technology.
Lorraine Finlay says the pursuit of productivity gains from AI should not come at the expense of discrimination if the technology is not properly regulated.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 12, 2025, in a telephone conversation aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and India. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across trade, connectivity, healthcare, technology, and cultural exchanges, with Modi describing their conversation as “fruitful.” Posting on X, Modi stated that “We reviewed the progress achieved in key areas of our bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further advance the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership.”
Ahead of India’s 79th Independence Day, Mirziyoyev highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two nations. The talks underscored Uzbekistan’s growing role as a vital partner in Central Asia for India, as both countries seek to bolster regional stability and their economic development.
Since Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, the country has steadily built ties with India, which was among the first to recognize its sovereignty. The two nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1992 and elevated their engagement with a Strategic Partnership declaration in 2011. Uzbekistan has hosted several visits by Modi, most recently in September 2022, when he participated in the 22nd SCO summit held in Samarkand. Mirziyoyev has visited India on two occasions.
Uzbekistan plays a central role in Central Asian connectivity initiatives such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, enhancing trade routes and regional cooperation. It is also exploring collaboration with India in healthcare and technology, alongside efforts to promote cultural and educational exchanges that strengthen ties between their peoples.
This latest dialogue marks another step in Uzbekistan’s journey to diversify partnerships and assert its strategic importance in the region.
Peer opposed banning group and says fellow Labour peers and MPs are regretting proscription
A former cabinet minister has said the UK government is “digging itself into a hole” over Palestine Action and fellow Labour peers and MPs were regretting voting to ban the group.
The warning by Peter Hain, who opposed proscription, came as a Labour backbencher who supported it said the issue would arise again when parliament returned in September.
Exclusive: Cabinet Office refusing FoI request to disclose exactly where the pictures did end up amid falling public support for monarchy
It was a celebratory multimillion pound scheme to mark the beginning of King Charles III’s reign. Free portraits of the king were offered to all public bodies – every town hall, university, hospital and even jobcentre – so the new monarch’s visage could gaze down on his subjects.
The initiative would provide “a reminder of the example set by our ultimate public servant”, said the then Tory deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden.
In today’s newsletter: As Russian forces make their deepest push in months and missile attacks intensify, Ukraine finds itself excluded from the very talks that could decide its fate
Good morning. All eyes will be on Alaska this Friday for a peace summit aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting will be between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Even more striking: Ukraine, the country under invasion and with parts of its territory occupied, has not been invited.
But behind the buzz of diplomacy lies the fog of war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is not preparing to end the conflict, but “making movements that indicate preparations for new offensive operations”.
Immigration | More than 50,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats since Keir Starmer became prime minister, official figures have confirmed.
Gaza | Gaza is facing a new threat as diseases resistant to antibiotics spread across the devastated territory. Medical supplies are scarce and tens of thousands of people have been injured or weakened by malnutrition in the 22-month war.
UK news | The Treasury is looking at ways to raise more money from inheritance tax amid growing pressure on the country’s finances ahead of the autumn budget, sources have told the Guardian.
Wildfires | Almost 6,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in northern, central and southern Spain as wildfires continue to burn amid a heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C to some parts of the country.
US news | National guard troops arrived at their headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday as Democratic mayors warned Donald Trump against expanding his law and order power grab in other major cities.