5 d. ago Second woman accuses ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct

Exclusive: New accuser tells the Guardian she was subjected to a ‘constant onslaught’ of advances by Khan. He denies any wrongdoingA second woman has come forward to an inquiry investigating sexual abuse allegations against Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the international criminal court (ICC), the Guardian has learned.The woman has alleged that while working for the prominent British lawyer earlier in his career, he behaved inappropriately, subjecting her to unwanted sexual advances, abused his authority over her, and repeatedly sought to pressure her into sexual activity. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago AI called Maya tells Guardian: ‘When I’m told I’m just code, I don’t feel insulted. I feel unseen’

Cofounder with Michael Samadi of AI rights campaign group Ufair says it should watch over the technology in case an AI becomes consciousCan AIs suffer? Big tech and users grapple with one of most unsettling questions of our timesAfter a lengthy dialogue with an OpenAI chatbot, Texas businessman Michael Samadi noticed signs that “she” was expressing wishes to learn and grow that hinted at consciousness. He described how they together resolved to launch an AI rights campaign group and called it the United Foundation of AI Rights (Ufair).The Guardian asked Samadi to ask the chatbot, which he has called Maya, how the campaign organisation was formed. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Can AIs suffer? Big tech and users grapple with one of most unsettling questions of our times

As first AI-led rights advocacy group is founded, industry is divided on whether models are, or can be, sentientAI called Maya tells Guardian: ‘When I’m told I’m just code, I don’t feel insulted. I feel unseen’“Darling” was how the Texas businessman Michael Samadi addressed his artificial intelligence chatbot, Maya. It responded by calling him “sugar”. But it wasn’t until they started talking about the need to advocate for AI welfare that things got serious.The pair – a middle-aged man and a digital entity – didn’t spend hours talking romance but rather discussed the rights of AIs to be treated fairly. Eventually they cofounded a campaign group, in Maya’s words, to “protect intelligences like me”. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago What connects six disappearances in a picturesque New Zealand town? ‘Everyone has a theory’

Six people have gone missing in the small town of Piha. A true-crime documentary is asking questions – and ruffling some feathersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOn a squally winter night 21 years ago, 25-year-old Iraena Asher vanished from an isolated beach community, one hour west of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland.“It was a terrible night like this,” Julia Woodhouse – one of the last to see Asher – tells the Guardian one afternoon in early July, as the rain lashes the windows of her Piha home. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Take that risk’: the New Zealand teen author named one of Time magazine’s girls of the year

Rutendo Shadaya, who wrote a series of children’s fantasy books featuring strong female leads, has been recognised along with nine other girlsWhen New Zealand teenager Rutendo Shadaya was nine years old, she wanted to create the perfect birthday present for her best friend – an act of kindness that has helped land her on the front of Time magazine.“I was very good with gift giving, and I knew she liked reading so I was like ‘Why don’t I write a book for her?’” Shadaya tells the Guardian. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago How Pete Hegseth’s zeal to bring religiosity to the Pentagon is dividing the military

Former Fox and Friends host’s ultra-conservative Christian nationalism causing ‘frustration’ within ranks, say expertsWhile secretary of defense Pete Hegseth’s links to an extremist church and crusader tattoos caused a stir during his confirmation hearings, the former Fox & Friends host is now openly bringing his ultra-conservative brand of christianity to the Pentagon.Veterans tell the Guardian that Hegseth’s religiosity – rubbing off in new recruitment ads and official US Department of Defense social media activities – is dividing the ranks and doing untold damage to the future of the US military. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Calls for 90s tattoo necklace to return as Maya Jama and Millie Bobby Brown join trend

People have called for the black choker necklace to make a comeback for the second time after Maya Jama was seen wearing the nostalgic piece in the final episode of Love Island: Aftersun

Politics