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Though Europe has measures that address how consumers might encounter AI, technology will impact them if the worst scenarios bearEurope’s dilemma over AI was rendered in stark terms this week. The head of the continent’s central bank, Christine Lagarde, said Europeans have two options: shun the technology and lose out on growth; or embrace it and become dependent on tools developed by the US and China.The great debate over AI safety that has erupted in recent days threatens to make the choice moot. If the worst scenarios come to bear – and experts have differing views on this – then the technology will impact the continent regardless. Continue reading...

• Archaeologists discovered 55 Ice Age artifacts buried beneath volcanic ash in Oregon caves. • The findings date back more than 15,000 years, making them four times older than the Great Pyramid of Egypt. • One artifact contains blood traces from an extinct animal, providing evidence of ancient human interaction with vanished species.

Soil and water around military bases show elevated levels of Pfas pollution due to chemicals used in firefighting foamMany US military veterans have much higher levels of Pfas “forever chemicals” in their blood than non-veterans, new peer-reviewed research finds, raising more questions about health risks the nation’s service members face after serving at polluted bases.Ground water, surface water and soil around military bases show among the highest levels of Pfas pollution in the US because the chemicals are used in firefighting foam deployed during training and emergencies. While the problem has been clear for over a decade, the new Brown University-led study is the first to compare levels in veterans’ blood with those in civilians. Continue reading...

Latest data to defy economic gloom shows 0.5% rise boosted by purchases of sports items, aircon units and fans amid heatwavesBusiness live – latest updatesRetail sales across Great Britain unexpectedly rose last month, the latest economic indicator to defy gloomy forecasts as the chancellor, John Healey, prepares to present next month’s budget.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of goods sold rose 0.5% month on month in August, defying analyst expectations of a 0.2% fall. Continue reading...

• The James Webb Space Telescope captured light from the first galaxies formed 13.5 billion years ago to study the early universe. • These findings challenge existing cosmological models, which are the mathematical frameworks used to explain the origin and evolution of the universe. • The mission's discoveries provide new opportunities for growth within Pakistan's scientific research and information technology sectors.

• The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday questioned a Greater Noida executive magistrate for issuing a notice to a second-year law student. • The legal action followed the student's participation in a protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party. • This case highlights the judicial scrutiny of government officials who use administrative notices to penalize individuals for exercising their right to protest.

Former 2GB and 2UE radio host has denied 22 indecent assault and sexual touching chargesA friend of Alan Jones who has denied witnessing an alleged assault in a Mosman restaurant has agreed in court that he sent the broadcaster a text message saying “if you need me to refute any lies, I of course will”.Under cross-examination by prosecutor Georgina Wright, the witness agreed he was a loyal and “very good friend” to Jones and the two men shared an “unbreakable bond”. Continue reading...