2 h. ago ‘I love you too!’ My family’s creepy, unsettling week with an AI toy

The cuddly chatbot Grem is designed to ‘learn’ your child’s personality, while every conversation they have is recorded, then transcribed by a third party. It wasn’t long before I wanted this experiment to be over ...‘I’m going to throw that thing into a river!” my wife says as she comes down the stairs looking frazzled after putting our four-year-old daughter to bed.To be clear, “that thing” is not our daughter, Emma*. It’s Grem, an AI-powered stuffed alien toy that the musician Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, helped develop with toy company Curio. Designed for kids aged three and over and built with OpenAI’s technology, the toy is supposed to “learn” your child’s personality and have fun, educational conversations with them. It’s advertised as a healthier alternative to screen time and is part of a growing market of AI-powered toys. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago UK households urged to make one bedroom change in autumn to slash heating bills

This expert advice about choosing the right mattress and bedding in the lead up to autumn could help you shave money off your household bills, all while keeping your bedroom stylish

Society

5 h. ago Jennifer Lopez hugs director Ridley Scott while visiting her ex

Jennifer Lopez turned heads when she stopped by her ex-husband Ben Affleck's production company office in Los Angeles on Monday.

Politics

6 h. ago Picture that shows why Vogue's new editor needs to get Anna Wintour to back off, reveals ex

When I look at this picture, I see Anna Wintour, now Global Editorial Director of Conde Nast, seated beside Chloe Malle, the successor she appointed to her Vogue editor's chair.

Politics

6 h. ago Health misinformation on social media could lead to a ‘sicker UK’, experts warn

Experts at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are calling for universities, health organisations, charities to join a new network aimed at fighting misinformation

Events

7 h. ago MPs to ask fresh questions of Starmer’s judgment on Mandelson

A three-hour emergency debate will be held in the Commons on Tuesday about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

Politics

7 h. ago Bill to scrap not proven verdict will lead to ‘clearer’ system for Scotland

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance spoke out ahead of ‘landmark’ legislation to abolish the controversial verdict facing its final hurdle.

Politics

7 h. ago Keir Starmer was told of investigation into Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before backing him at PMQs

Sir Keir finally broke cover in an interview in which he insisted he would never have appointed the controversial peer as US ambassador if he had known the full truth about his friendship with Epstein.

Events

8 h. ago Attempts to ‘undermine’ strengthening of workers’ rights rejected by MPs

Concerns over a weakening of the legislation had been raised by unions following Angela Rayner’s departure as deputy prime minister.

Politics

9 h. ago Huge X Factor documentary in development as bosses eye up Simon Cowell involvement

A major documentary on The X Factor is reportedly in development but bosses are hoping to get Simon Cowell on board to explore the 'highs and lows' of the talent show

Culture

10 h. ago Autism in children linked to common condition in pregnancy affecting nearly half a million US pregnancies a year

A health condition impacting hundreds of thousands of pregnant women each year may be associated with long-term cognitive risks for the mother and developmental conditions in her children.

Politics

11 h. ago Conflict, aid cuts and equality backlash causing ‘stagnation and regression’ of women’s rights – UN

Report calls on governments to commit to renewed action at general assembly in New York, saying ‘a different path is still possible’Hard-won progress on women’s access to healthcare, rights and employment is being put at risk from global conflict, cuts to aid spending, and a backlash against gender equality, according to a UN equality watchdog.A woman’s chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth is more than a third lower than it was 25 years ago, UN Women said in its annual report, while girls are more likely to complete school than ever before. It also found that rates of intimate partner violence were 2.5 times lower in countries that had introduced comprehensive measures on violence. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Prosecutor in Epstein case sues Trump justice department over abrupt firing

Maurene Comey alleges firing was retaliation against father, former FBI director James ComeyMaurene Comey, a federal prosecutor involved in cases against Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and led the recent case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging her abrupt termination as politically motivated retaliation against her father, former FBI director James Comey.According to the court documents, the justice department fired Comey without cause or explanation on 16 July, citing only “article 2 of the United States constitution and the laws of the United States” in a brief email. When she asked for a reason, interim US attorney Jay Clayton told her: “All I can say is it came from Washington. I can’t tell you anything else.” Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer 'angry' after Lord Mandelson sacking and insists he need not resign as Prime Minister

Embattled Prime Minister faces calls from Labour MPs to stand down ahead of Commons debate on appointment of former ambassador to the US

Politics

13 h. ago Kash Patel on thin ice as FBI director after Trump taps new ‘co

Andrew Bailey’s appointment comes as new report emerges of Patel’s feud with AG Pam Bondi

Politics

13 h. ago BoE expected to slow balance sheet rundown after market turbulence

Monetary Policy Committee will announce on Thursday whether it is dialling back the pace at which it is cutting its gilt holdings

Economics

13 h. ago 'I'm a mortician and people tend to have the same regret just before they die'

Victor M. Sweeney, a licensed mortician and funeral director, has shared his insights into death and dying - and he's noticed a recurring theme among those who share their regrets just before they die

Events

13 h. ago Senior Starmer adviser quits over offensive Diane Abbott messages

Departure of political strategy director Paul Ovenden is yet another setback for PM after Mandelson and Rayner exitsA senior adviser to Keir Starmer has resigned after it was revealed he sent inappropriate messages about the Labour MP Diane Abbott eight years ago.Paul Ovenden quit on Monday as the prime minister’s director of political strategy after details emerged about a sexually explicit WhatsApp conversation he had in 2017. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago US prosecutor Maurene Comey sues justice department over her firing

Daughter of former FBI director James Comey says she was sacked because of her ‘perceived political affiliation’

Events

13 h. ago Starmer ‘angry’ after Mandelson sacking and insists he need not resign as PM

The Prime Minister sacked Lord Mandelson last week but has faced questions about his judgment in appointing the peer as US ambassador.

Politics