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Climate finance will be first casualty of rising global militarism, says expert

As the COP30 approaches amid darkening geopolitical clouds — marked by rising rightwing extremism, corporate backtracking, and rising militarism — Ali T Sheikh, Pakistan’s leading expert on sustainable development and climate change, views the world’s largest diplomatic gathering with a mix of apprehension and caution. Against this complex backdrop, understanding how COPs function — and who gets a seat at the table — becomes even more critical. COPs (Conferences of the Parties) are decision-making bodies of international agreements, where UN agencies, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organisations participate as accredited observers. The private sector often joins government delegations but holds no official observer status. In this fragile context, rising global military expenditure adds yet another layer of uncertainty to already strained climate finance commitments. This increase in military expenditure, said Sheikh, will have far-reaching consequences. In July this year, the NATO countries agreed to increase their defence expenditure by 5% of their gross domestic product. “The axe will fall on climate finance,” feared Sheikh. “It will bring the world upside down and undo 30 years of climate cooperation since the first COP.” After three consecutive years of oil-producing autocratic states hosting the event, it will be a notable shift to hold climate discussions in Brazil, a country where indigenous rights, forest and biodiversity conservation are traditionally stronger. “Pakistan has much to learn,” said Sheikh, a fiercely independent voice, despite serving on several present and past government task forces on climate change. But President Donald Trump’s recent 56-minute speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, where he called climate change the “greatest con job ever,” renewable energy a “joke” and “too expensive,” and carbon footprint a “hoax made up by people with evil intentions,” has only worsened matters for countries like Pakistan, which ranks first among the top ten countries on GermanWatch’s Climate Risk Index 2025 mainly because of “exceptionally high relative economic losses.” “From the perspective of a developing country like Pakistan, statements that dismiss climate change as a ‘con job’ are not just politically charged — they are a profound denial of the lived reality of the people,” said Sheikh “We are already on the frontline, experiencing its devastating impacts. The catastrophic floods of 2022 and 2025 that submerged one-third of our country and displaced millions are a stark reminder that climate change is not a future threat — it is an immediate and existential one.” The economic and human cost, he added, is immense. The 2022 flood caused over $30 billion in damages and “set Pakistan back by years.” Commenting on Trump’s dismissal of green energy, Sheikh said that demonising green energy is to fundamentally misunderstand the situation for countries like Pakistan. “For us, a transition to cleaner energy and greater climate resilience is not a political choice — it is a matter of national survival and economic stability,” he explained. “It is about protecting our agricultural backbone, which feeds millions from unpredictable monsoon seasons and droughts. It is about safeguarding our urban centres and rural communities from floods and heatwaves.” While strongly criticising Trump’s remarks, Sheikh stressed that Pakistan’s response must move beyond protest and toward forward-looking engagement. He said, when Pakistan goes to Brazil, it should not go there “to ask, instead offer a partnership.” “We have a lot to offer and several successful projects to showcase, one of them being the Sindh province’s housing project for the flood-affected. Even in the current floods, we were able to evacuate over 3 million people, not a mean feat.” At the same time, he emphasised that Pakistan must clearly articulate its priorities to secure timely support from the global platform. Among them should be improved construction standards for resilient housing and infrastructure — leveraging AI. Alongside setting clear priorities, he also urged the official delegation to adopt a more strategic approach. “Our pavilions at COPs are often set up in a way that we end up speaking only to ourselves,” he noted. “Instead, look for opportunities to present Pakistan’s case at other countries’ or organisations’ pavilions—where the audiences are broader, more diverse, and more influential.” He also noted that Brazil’s hosting of COP30 presented a valuable opportunity to advance regional climate cooperation — something Pakistan should actively pursue. “All of Pakistan’s climate challenges are regional, whether it’s heatwaves, glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayas, cloudbursts, or tropical storms in the Arabian Sea,” he said, adding that India and Pakistan must find a way to talk. “Even a modest conversation between the two neighbours could mark a critical first step.” Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, which India has held in abeyance since the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir this April, he said the shrinking space for bilateral dialogue demanded finding alternative diplomatic pathways. In this context, an international platform like COP could serve as a neutral space to initiate cooperation on transboundary water management — beginning, at the very least, with the timely and transparent exchange of monsoon rainfall data. Shifting from diplomacy to the broader challenge of climate finance, he emphasized the need for a change in perspective. “Rather than viewing climate investment as a burden,” he said to him, it was an “essential investment in the future, especially for countries like mine, which are striving to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies despite their limited resources”. But the absence of major players like the US in this COP raises questions about global commitment. “It [US] wasn’t there in Azerbaijan either,” Sheikh added, referring to COP29. “That didn’t stop it from influencing and affecting negotiations behind the scenes — through its alliances and financial commitments. The largest tropical forest in the world, which stores vast amounts of planet-warming greenhouse gases, gives the COP “a chance to redeem its past glory,” he said. At the same time, he acknowledged the growing criticism that such events have increasingly become “all about empty promises and inaction,” with the last three conferences even accused of being tainted by oil money. But when 50,000 or so visitors (including 150 heads of state) arrive at the gateway to the Amazon River, between November 10-21, instead of the rainforest, they will be greeted with an impoverished, crime-riddled port city of 2.5 million, where most live in informal settlements. “It may lead to diverting the global conversation not on criticizing the deniers but, instead, on a crisis of justice for the nations most impacted by a problem they did not create,” hoped Sheikh. Admitting that there was a need to “shake things up a bit” and inject more energy, Sheikh pointed out that COP30 faced a much higher bar. Countries will be submitting their updated nationally determined contributions to reduce emissions, while developing nations will expect stronger action on adaptation, loss and damage, and mitigation and access to climate finance — issues that are most difficult to negotiate. Being held in Belem, people are expecting Brazil to show leadership on issues like deforestation, biodiversity, indigenous rights, and climate justice. Yet, delivering on these expectations may prove challenging. With deforestation and new oil drilling happening in the country, it may be difficult for Brazil to meet that high bar. Along with geopolitical tensions, Sheikh said the finance architecture continues to remain a bottleneck. “We still have to sort out who pays, who delivers, and how quickly.” Even so, dismissing COPs as ineffective would be short-sighted. “To say that nothing ever happens and it’s a waste of everyone’s time is a simplistic view,” says Sheikh, who has attended numerous COPs—both officially as part of Pakistan’s delegation and independently—“starting the day without breakfast, speaking or rushing to attend countless events, going from one hall to the other, standing in long queues for coffee and returning to the hotel exhausted and hungry.” While all eyes will be focused on the host country’s role in leading negotiations, building consensus and securing climate finance commitments, Sheikh said much of the real action happens outside the plenary halls. He was referring to the behind-the-scenes deal-making between sessions, informal pledges, the role of private sector actors and how like-minded nations and interest groups quietly build coalitions. According to Sheikh, this off-stage diplomacy is often more dynamic and arguably more consequential than what unfolds on the official record—and far more compelling to observe from the gallery. Zofeen Ebrahim is an independent journalist. She posts on X @zofeen28 This article was originally published in the Inter Press Service news agency's UN Bureau. It has been reproduced on Geo.tv with permission.

9/28/2025, 7:00:00 PM

David Beckham, family trying to uplift Victoria Beckham: Source

The Beckham family is doing all they can to lift Victoria's spirits in Brooklyn Beckham's absence. Heat Magazine recently reported that the mother-of-four has been down about Brooklyn Beckham's absence as she prepares for the premiere of her upcoming Netflix docuseries, Victoria Beckham. “The whole family was supposed to attend the premiere, but Brooklyn and Nicola won’t be there now,” a source revealed. The insider even stated, “Vic’s adapted her original plan, and instructed her PR team to ensure no questions about Brooklyn are asked while she’s promoting the series." "All she’s prepared to say is that she’s proud of all of her children,” they also continued. The insider added that David Beckham and the couple’s younger children, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper, are doing their best to get her excited. “The whole situation is so awkward. David and the other kids are trying to get her excited, but it’s not been easy at all.”

9/26/2025, 7:24:00 PM

10 key takeaways from PM Shehbaz Sharif's UNGA address

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a powerful speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in New York, outlining Pakistan's positions on regional peace, counter-terrorism, climate change, and global justice. He used his address on Friday to urge peace with India, call for urgent climate action, and reaffirm support for Palestine and Kashmir. The prime minister highlighted Pakistan's sacrifices in fighting terrorism, warned over the Indus Waters Treaty, and praised US President Donald Trump's role in mediation to end the war. Below are the ten key takeaways from his address: 1. Pakistan seeks peace after repelling Indian aggression "We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world, and this is my most sincere and serious offer before this assembly of the world nations." 2. Readiness for dialogue with India "Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive, and result-oriented dialogue with Indian on all outstanding issues." 3. Warning on Indus Waters Treaty violations "Pakistan has made it abundantly clear and led there be no doubt once again in anybody's mind, as I said last year in this hall from this podium, we will definitely defend the inseparable right of our 240 million people on these waters." 4. Assurance of support to Kashmiris "Through this house, I wish to assure the Kashmiris that I stand with them, the people of Pakistan stand with them, and one day soon India's tyranny in Kashmir will come to a grinding halt, Kashmir will gain its fundamental right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices of this very organisation, the UN." 5. Trump credited for ceasefire role "Trump's efforts for peace helped avert a more threatening war in South Asia. Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic." 6. Nomination of Trump for Nobel Peace Prize "Who would have lived to tell what happened? And therefore, in recognition of Trump's wonderful and outstanding contribution to promoting peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. I think this is the least we can do for his love of peace — truly, he is a man of peace." 7. Gaza described as facing 'unspeakable terror' "In blind pursuit of its nefarious goals, the Israeli leadership has unleashed a shameful campaign against innocent Palestinians which history will always remember as one of its darkest chapters." 8. Support for Palestinian statehood reaffirmed "Pakistan firmly supports the demand of the Palestinian people for the establishment of a sovereign state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Sharif as its capital. Palestine can no longer remain under Israeli shackles; it must be liberated and liberated with full commitment and force." 9. Pakistan's sacrifices in counter-terrorism highlighted "Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. For over two decades, Pakistan has been at the front line of global counter-terrorism efforts." 10. Urgent climate action demanded "While we are confronted with a climate crisis, it demands the most urgent collective action. Pakistan, on the contrary, contributes less than 1% of global emissions annually. Yet, it continues to face the relentless brunt and muddy waves of climate change, and then we are told to get loans and add to our huge debt — the pillars we have built over time. This is not fairness, this is not equality, this is not justice, this is not fair play."

9/25/2025, 7:00:00 PM

ICC finds Indian captain guilty of breaching code of conduct during Pakistan match

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has been ruled guilty by the ICC for violating the code of conduct after making remarks hinting at the military clash between India and Pakistan following their Asia Cup group match on September 14, ESPNcricinfo reported on Friday. The publication reported that ICC match referee Richie Richardson rejected Yadav’s not-guilty plea; however, it is not yet clear what his punishment was. India, in response, have filed an appeal against the verdict. This development comes a day after reports that the ICC formally reprimanded the Indian captain over his political statements after the Pakistan match. The ICC had held a hearing on an official complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in which it reportedly advised Yadav to refrain from making political statements in the future. The PCB, in its complaint, accused the Indian captain of politicising cricket and violating the ICC's code of conduct on neutrality. Sources said the PCB submitted a detailed letter demanding strict action, claiming that Yadav's remarks were against the spirit of the game and harmed cricket's reputation. According to the foreign publication, the PCB had demanded that the top cricketing body impose a Level 4 sanction on Suryakumar, which is reserved for the most serious breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct. The issue arose during the high-profile game between the arch-rivals, which drew significant attention both on and off the field. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had also lodged a complaint against two Pakistan cricketers — Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf — against their on-field celebrations. In a hearing in Dubai conducted by ICC match referee Richardson today, Farhan and Rauf "submitted their written responses" to ICC match referee Richardson, who held a hearing in Dubai, sources told Geo News. Both cricketers "denied" having any political intent in their on-field celebrations. India and Pakistan only play in multinational tournaments as their bilateral ties have been stalled since 2012 over political tension. In the Asia Cup 2025, the arch-rivals have so far faced off twice and are set to take on each other for the first time in the continental tournament's final on Sunday.

9/25/2025, 7:00:00 PM

Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan's 'Neelofar' finally set for release this winter

After years of anticipation, the wait is finally over: Neelofar, starring Pakistan’s beloved on-screen duo Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan, is officially hitting theatres this winter. The announcement came through a joint Instagram post by the film’s team, featuring the caption: “Agli mulaqat ka intezar rahay ga… Neelofar — This winter.” The post included a short video, showing a woman and a man with their foreheads pressed against each other sillhotted against a red backdrop. The film had initially been slated for a December 2022 release but reportedly faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has since been the subject of endless speculation, with fans eagerly awaiting an update. Mahira, in an emotional wrap-up post at the end of filming in 2020, had shared: “I take with me a piece of you, leaving a bit of my soul with you… My darling Neelofar, I shall miss you, oh so much… Each and every one of them put their heart and soul in it. Can’t wait for all of you to see our hard work and love on your screens soon.” Directed and written by Ammar Rasool, Neelofar stars Fawad as Mansoor Ali Khan and Mahira Khan in the titular role. The powerhouse cast also includes Madiha Imam, Samiya Mumtaz, Behroze Sabzwari, Atiqa Odho, and Gohar Rasheed. The film is produced by Usaf Shariq, with Fawad and Hassaan Khalid serving as executive producers. This will mark the third major collaboration between Mahira and Fawad, after their iconic pairing in Humsafar and their blockbuster reunion in The Legend of Maula Jatt. Fans have long hoped to see the two together again on the big screen — and this winter, that wish will finally be fulfilled. While the exact release date has not yet been revealed, the announcement has sparked excitement across social media, with fans already counting down to the big day.

9/25/2025, 5:50:00 AM

ICC reprimands Suryakumar Yadav over political remarks after Pakistan clash: sources

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) formally reprimanded Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav over his political statements after their Asia Cup game against Pakistan on September 14, sources said on Thursday. The ICC held a hearing on an official complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in which it reportedly advised Yadav to refrain from making political statements in the future. The controversy stems from his post-match comments after India defeated Pakistan in the group stage of the Asia Cup on September 14. The PCB, in its complaint, accused the Indian captain of politicising cricket and violating the ICC’s code of conduct on neutrality. Sources said the PCB submitted a detailed letter demanding strict action, claiming that Yadav’s remarks were against the spirit of the game and harmed cricket’s reputation. The issue arose during the high-profile game between the arch-rivals, which drew significant attention both on and off the field. Tensions had heightened at the toss when both teams skipped the traditional handshake, reportedly at the match referee's advice. India won the group-stage match by seven wickets, but Yadav’s comments have continued to attract criticism, with pundits calling them “unprecedented” and “detrimental to the spirit of the game.” Separately, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a formal complaint with the ICC against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours clash in Dubai last Sunday. The complaint, reportedly submitted via email on Wednesday, highlights Farhan’s animated celebration after reaching his half-century and Rauf’s gestures toward fans while fielding at the boundary, incidents that went viral on social media and sparked widespread debate. If the players deny the allegations, the ICC is expected to hold a hearing, where they could appear before match referee Richie Richardson. Andy Pycroft is also serving as a match referee for the tournament. Both Pakistan players are scheduled to appear before the ICC governing body on Friday.

9/25/2025, 5:45:00 AM

Saim Ayub surpasses Shahid Afridi on unwanted record list

Pakistan's Saim Ayub plays a shot during their ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21, 2025. — AFP Pakistan's batter Saim Ayub surpassed former captain Shahid Afridi on an unwanted record list after getting a duck during their Super Fours clash against Bangladesh in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.The left-handed batter fell for a three-ball duck, his fourth in the ongoing continental tournament. The 24-year-old scored ducks in all three of Pakistan's group-stage matches against Oman, arch-rivals India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively. Ayub fell victim to Mahedi Hasan on the fourth delivery of the second over as he smashed a flighted delivery straight into the hands of Rishad Hossain at mid-on. This was his eighth duck in T20Is, which took him past former captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi on the list of most ducks by a Pakistan batter in the shortest format, led by out-of-favour middle-order batter Umar Akmal. Star batter Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Kamran Akmal are joint fourth on the unwanted list with seven ducks each. Most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is Umar Akmal – 10 ducks in 84 matches Saim Ayub – 9 ducks in 47 matches Shahid Afridi – 8 ducks in 98 matches Kamran Akmal – 7 ducks in 58 matches Mohammad Hafeez – 7 ducks in 119 matches Babar Azam – 7 ducks in 128 matches Earlier in the tournament, Ayub also became the 62nd batter in men's T20Is to bag three consecutive ducks, featuring compatriots Mohammad Hafeez and Abdullah Shafique. Shafique is at the top of the unwanted list with four consecutive ducks in the shortest format.

9/24/2025, 5:44:00 AM

Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh win toss, opt to field first against Pakistan

9/24/2025, 5:00:00 AM

Alcaraz expects Sinner to come back stronger after US Open loss

"I know he's going to change something from the last match," says World number one Carlos Alcaraz By AFP | September 24, 2025 TOKYO: World number one Carlos Alcaraz said Wednesday that he will have to prepare for a new and improved Jannik Sinner after beating his great rival in the US Open final. Italy's Sinner admitted he needed to overhaul his "predictable" game after losing to Alcaraz in New York earlier this month in the latest of a string of recent defeats to his Spanish nemesis. Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open in Tokyo this week, while Sinner will compete at the China Open in Beijing in his first appearance since the US Open. Alcaraz said he would need to be ready for a different Sinner next time he faces the world number two on the court. "I know he's going to change something from the last match," said Alcaraz. "It's the same thing that I did when I lost to him a couple of times, I tried to be a better player the next time I was going to face him. "I have to be focused and I have to be ready for that change," he added. Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men's tennis this season, with the pair contesting all four Grand Slam finals, winning two each. Alcaraz is only 22 and Sinner is just two years older, and the two look set to monopolise the sport's top titles for years to come. "Our rivalry is getting better, which for me and for tennis I would say is great," said Alcaraz. "We will see in the future how many times I'm going to play against him and which circumstances we will play. "Right now, it's going great." Alcaraz heads to Tokyo coming off a surprise loss to American world number five Taylor Fritz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco last week. Fritz is the number two seed in Tokyo, where Denmark's Holger Rune, Norway's Casper Ruud and the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac will also compete. Alcaraz has won the French Open as well as the US Open this year and he said it had been "the best season that I've ever done". "I've seen myself that I've grown up a lot as a player on the court," he said. "For me, it could be better, of course it could be better, but I can't complain about the season I'm having so far." Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open for the first time in his career. He said he wanted to play in Tokyo to "see the culture and see everything here". "I'm really excited about playing in different places, in different stadiums, and feel the energy from the Japanese people," he said.

9/23/2025, 9:40:00 PM

Abrar Ahmed breaks into ICC T20I top five rankings

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan have achieved notable gains in the latest ICC T20I player rankings, following their recent performances in the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. Spinner Abrar Ahmed made the biggest headlines, jumping 12 places to break into the top five for the first time. In the batting charts, opening batter Farhan rose 31 places to 24th position with 589 points. His climb follows a crucial knock of 58 runs in Pakistan’s recent Super Four clash against India. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and opener Fakhar Zaman also improved, moving up three places each to 64th and 66th respectively. Meanwhile, senior duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan continued to slip down the charts, having last featured in a T20I for Pakistan in 2024. Babar dropped nine places to 35th, while Rizwan fell five spots to 38th. Struggling opener Saim Ayub slid eight places to 55th, middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz dropped 11 spots to 58th, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris slipped one place to 90th. India’s Abhishek Sharma retained his position as the No. 1 T20I batter, followed by England’s Phil Salt in second, while Tilak Varma leapfrogged Jos Buttler to claim third. He now sits in fourth with 703 points, edging closer to a top-three finish. Pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf also rose in the standings, climbing to 25th and 28th, respectively, after strong performances in recent matches. However, not all bowlers fared well. Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem slipped three places to 14th, Mohammad Nawaz dropped 13 spots to 46th, and pacer Abbas Afridi fell three places to 44th. India’s Varun Chakaravarthy remains the top-ranked T20I bowler, followed by New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy in second and the West Indies’ Akeal Hosein in third. In the all-rounders’ rankings, Saim Ayub held on to his fifth position with 201 points, while Mohammad Nawaz rose one place to 17th. Shadab Khan dropped five places to 35th, while Faheem Ashraf surged 12 places to 39th. Shaheen Afridi and Agha Salman both climbed 14 and 11 places respectively, now tied at 71st. India’s Hardik Pandya continues to lead the all-rounders’ chart, with Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi second and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza third.

9/23/2025, 6:00:00 AM

AI tool helped recover £500m lost to fraud, government says

More than a third of the money clawed back related to fraudulent activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, with other cash being recouped from unlawful council tax claims and illegal subletting of social housing. The government will announce later that a new AI tool which has helped to identify the fraud will now be licensed to other countries, including the US and Australia. Civil liberties campaigners have previously criticised the Labour government for its use of AI in trying to counter fraud. The Cabinet Office says the £480m recovered in the 12 months from April 2024 is the largest sum ever reclaimed by government anti-fraud teams in a single year.The savings have been made by cross-referencing information held by different government departments, as well as using a new AI tool.Ministers say the savings will now be used to recruit nurses, teachers and police officers.Of the total sum recovered, £186m was related to Covid fraud.Ministers have long vowed to claw back some of the money lost during the pandemic, but the £186m recouped is a fraction of the amount Labour has previously said was missing.Before last year's general election, the now-Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed more than £7bn of public money was lost to fraud during the pandemic.These savings include the blocking of hundreds of thousands of companies with potentially fraudulent Bounce Back Loans from dissolving.Bounce Back Loans were loans of up to £50,000 set up by the government during the pandemic to support businesses.But the scheme has been criticised for not being diligent enough and effectively inviting fraud, as companies that dissolve before paying back the money often then do not need to repay anything.The Cabinet Office says one case it found involved a woman who invented a company and then sent the loan money to Poland. Anti-fraud summit Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons will announce the savings at an anti-fraud summit held jointly by the UK, the US, Canada and Australia on Wednesday.He said "cutting-edge AI and data tools" would ensure the government can protect public funds and not "line the pockets of scammers and swindlers". The new AI tool, called the Fraud Risk Assessment Accelerator, was developed by researchers in the Cabinet Office and will now be rolled out across other government departments. The Cabinet Office said the tool "scans new policies and procedures for weaknesses before they can be exploited" and claims it could make policies "fraud-proof" before they are implemented. It was developed because of concern within Whitehall about the level of fraud seen during the pandemic. Simons will announce that the UK government will now license the tool for international use, and it is expected that the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will all adopt it in some way. But the move could cause concern among campaign groups already unhappy with the government's use of AI. Last year, an AI tool used to crack down on welfare fraud was found to show bias according to people's age, disability, marital status and nationality. Documents released to the Guardian under Freedom of Information Laws admitted the tool used by the Department for Work and Pensions showed a "statistically significant outcome disparity" in a "fairness analysis". A report by Amnesty International released earlier this year criticised the government's "unchecked use of tech and AI systems".

9/18/2025, 7:00:00 AM

Quantum computer made with silicon chips looks like a time machine

While this device may look like a time machine, it is actually a quantum computer – albeit one that has taken us further into the future. Made by Quantum Motion and now housed at the UK National Quantum Computing Centre, this is the first quantum computer fully built using standard silicon chip manufacturing techniques. It is a step towards achieving the mass production of quantum computers.

9/16/2025, 7:00:00 PM