LINCOLN — The longshot petition to let voters replace property, income and corporate taxes with a consumption tax fell short of a bulk signature-gathering hurdle that often stops ballot initiatives short that lack paid circulators. That higher hurdle is securing signatures from 10% of the state’s registered voters to amend the state constitution, or about … Read more
Cyprus has investigated allegations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was involved in purchasing a casino resort in the occupied north but found no evidence to support the claims. The reports linking Zelenskyy to the offshore firm and the purchase of the Vuni Palace Hotel and Casino in Kyrenia were dismissed as fake news by the Russian “GnidaProject” research institute. The Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network (CIReN) also pointed out that the website used as a source for the allegations was fake, created just days before the claims were made.
Google has launched News Showcase in Cyprus, collaborating with publishers like Cyprus Mail, Dias Group, Digital Tree, MC Media, Phileleftheros Media Group, Politis, and SPP Media. The product allows publishers to create panels that engage readers and direct them to full articles on their websites. Google has signed News Showcase deals with over 2,700 publications globally and offers journalists training on fighting misinformation online.
Google announced restrictions on its new AI search tool, AI Overviews, after it produced inaccurate and bizarre responses. The tool advised people to eat rocks and spread false information about Barack Obama. Google’s head of search, Liz Reid, acknowledged the failures and implemented protective measures like limiting user-generated content and temporarily halting AI responses on certain topics like health. Despite challenges, Reid defended the tool, but cautioned users to independently verify results due to the risk of misinformation. The rollout of AI Overviews sparked reactions as it replaced traditional search result links, leading to concerns over the spread of inaccurate advice on social media. Google urged users to independently verify information and attributed peculiar results to a “data void” where reliable information is scarce. Despite setbacks, Google remains committed to improving its AI tools and enhancing user experience while safeguarding against misinformation.
Europe’s landmark rules on artificial intelligence will enter into force next month after EU countries endorsed a political deal reached in December, setting a potential global benchmark for the technology. The AI Act is more comprehensive than the United States’ approach and China’s approach, aiming to maintain social stability and state control. The legislation imposes strict transparency obligations on high-risk AI systems and restricts governments’ use of real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces. The new legislation will have a global reach, impacting companies outside the EU who use EU customer data in their AI platforms. Fines for violations range from 7.5 million euros to 35 million euros depending on the type of violations.
Complaints to the financial ombudsman’s office rose by 20 per cent in 2023 to a total of 1,121.
Fake accounts praising former President Donald Trump and criticizing President Joe Biden are increasing on the social media platform X, according to a report by Israeli tech company Cyabra. The study found that 15% of pro-Trump accounts and 7% of pro-Biden accounts are fake. The analysis also shows a tenfold increase in newly detected fake accounts during March and April. The fake pro-Trump accounts are part of a coordinated campaign to influence public opinion, while the fake pro-Biden accounts do not show signs of coordination.
Shani Louk, a 23-year-old tattoo artist, was killed in Hamas’ attack on southern Israel. Her body was recovered months later from Gaza and will finally be laid to rest, bringing comfort to her parents. Shani’s funeral will be held on her mother’s birthday, providing solace to her family. Shani was doing what she loved at the Nova music festival before the attack and likely did not suffer. The attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 abductions, leading to an Israeli military offensive against Hamas. The conflict has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with thousands dead and many displaced. Shani’s parents express pain at the misinformation displayed at some U.S. campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, emphasizing the personal impact of the tragedy.
Political leaders like Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan all share a common theme of nostalgia for a romanticized past. They use this longing for the “good old days” as a strategic political tool to manipulate people by distorting history and promising to bring back a time that never truly existed. This exploitation of nostalgia is effective in winning elections but is also dangerous as it leads to misinformation and a distorted perception of the present and future.
– Most young Cypriots who will not vote in the upcoming European elections say they have no trust in the political system.
– Cyprus has the lowest number of youths active in initiatives aimed at changing society, at 31 per cent.
– The proportion of respondents mentioning distrust in the political system in general as a reason for not voting is the highest in Cyprus (28 per cent).
– Not liking any political party or candidate is a reason for not voting for 24 per cent of respondents in Cyprus.
– 53 per cent of young people in Cyprus said they intended to vote.
– A large majority reported that the education system in their countries prepared them well for the challenges they face.
– 64 per cent of young Cypriots believe that the EU has an impact on their daily lives.