60 h. ago Lies, damned lies and AI: the newest way to influence elections may be here to stay

The use of AI-generated campaign videos – labeled or unlabeled – are likely to permeate future US electionsThe New York City mayoral election may be remembered for the remarkable win of a young democratic socialist, but it was also marked by something that is likely to permeate future elections: the use of AI-generated campaign videos.Andrew Cuomo, who lost to Zohran Mamdani in last week’s election, took particular interest in sharing deepfake videos of his opponent, including one that saw the former governor accused of racism, in what is a developing area of electioneering. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Sarkozy freed from prison and put under ‘judicial supervision’ pending appeal – Europe live

Former French president, who is appealing against a conviction for criminal conspiracy, is released from prison in ParisAs we are waiting for the Paris court decision on Sarkozy to come, expected around 13.30 local time (12.30 GMT), let’s take a look at other news across Europe.If Sarkozy gets released with an ankle tag, it won’t be his first: Reuters notes that last year, France’s highest court upheld a separate conviction for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former French head of state. The tag has now been removed. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Sarkozy to be released from prison pending appeal, French court rules – Europe live

Former president will be freed today and placed under ‘judicial supervision’As we are waiting for the Paris court decision on Sarkozy to come, expected around 13.30 local time (12.30 GMT), let’s take a look at other news across Europe.If Sarkozy gets released with an ankle tag, it won’t be his first: Reuters notes that last year, France’s highest court upheld a separate conviction for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former French head of state. The tag has now been removed. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Defiant Sarkozy says prison life is ‘very hard’ as he seeks release from jail – Europe live

Former president is seeking to be released pending his appeal against a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracyIf Sarkozy gets released with an ankle tag, it won’t be his first: Reuters notes that last year, France’s highest court upheld a separate conviction for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former French head of state. The tag has now been removed.In his closing arguments, reported by BFM TV, Sarkozy is reported to have lamented that his life in prison was “hard, very hard,” or “even say it’s gruelling,” as he once again insisted he was innocent. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Belgian drone sightings could be linked to talks on using frozen Russian assets, says German minister – Europe live

Boris Pistorius warns that Russia continues to seek to ‘sow doubt, divide us and influence elections’ in EuropeBack to Belgium, news agency Belga is reporting that ministers have provisionally reached an agreement on the proposed €50m package of measures to strengthen the country’s anti-drone systems.The proposal still requires some finetuning before it can be formally adopted by the government, the agency added. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Florian Schneider’s Kraftwerk equipment to go on sale, expected to fetch up to $650,000

Auction in US includes late musician’s vocoders, flute, sunglasses and bike he rode in Tour de France videoHe was a pioneer of electronic music whose band Kraftwerk redefined the sound of pop and influenced artists from David Bowie and New Order to Coldplay and Run-DMC.Now the electronic equipment and musical instruments Florian Schneider used to create some of the band’s best-known songs in the 1970s and 1980s could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars when they are sold at auction next month. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Florian Schneider’s Kraftwerk instruments put up for auction in US

Sale includes late musician’s vocoders, flute, sunglasses and bike he rode in Tour de France videoHe was a pioneer of electronic music whose band Kraftwerk redefined the sound of pop and influenced artists from David Bowie and New Order to Coldplay and Run-DMC.Now the electronic equipment and musical instruments that Florian Schneider used to create some of the band’s best-known songs in the 1970s and 1980s could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars when they are sold at auction next month. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Benjamin Sesko is latest player damned by a pitiless conveyor belt of takes and memes | Jonathan Liew

Manchester United’s striker is a topic of context-free condemnation as social media’s sluice of aggravation sinks us allThe first thing you need to do is find a photo of Rasmus Højlund looking happy in a Napoli shirt. There you are. Now you find a photo of Benjamin Sesko looking sad in a Manchester United shirt. Like he’s just missed an open goal. No, obviously you don’t need to find a photo of him missing an open goal. The less context here, the better. Now pop the photos side by side. Overlay the goal stats in big buffoonish font. Don’t forget the emojis. Post to all social media channels.Will you mention that Højlund’s tally includes goals in the Champions League while Sesko is not competing in Europe at all? You will not. Nor will you mention that four of Højlund’s goals have come against Belarus and Greece, or the fact that Denmark are a much better team than Slovenia and create many more chances. You run socials for a big media brand, pure liquid engagement is what puts food o...

Sport