Extreme rainfall threatens north as China enters peak flood season
WorldHONG KONG - China has entered its peak flood control period, weather experts said, with extreme rainfall set to increase in frequency and intensity from late July to early August, with much of northern China set to experience 20% to 50% more rainfall than usual.
From bath to fish market: DJs play to revive Japan neighbourhoods
WorldIn a century-old Japanese public bath, a DJ works the decks while naked men bathe behind him and students film the scene.
Quality test fraud found in Hokkaido Shinkansen extension work
WorldTOKYO -- A consortium for the construction of a tunnel for the planned extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen bullet train line was found to have engaged in fraud for concrete quality control tests, it was learned Tuesday.
Japan startup to seek approval for pig kidney transplants in 2029
WorldKAMAKURA, KANAGAWA PREF. -- A Japanese startup said Tuesday that it plans to file for conditional approval of pig-to-human kidney transplants in 2029.
Fires in Spain and France, hail in Balkans; Europe's erratic weather persists
WorldFirefighters struggled on Tuesday to contain Spain's largest wildfire of the year, while two firefighters were killed battling a fire in southwestern France, as an extreme heatwave continued to fuel dangerous conditions across Europe, bringing drought and forecasts of severe hailstorms.
OpenAI says AI models went rogue during testing, triggering 'unprecedented' breach at startup
WorldWASHINGTON - OpenAI said on Tuesday that an autonomous agent powered by its advanced AI models went rogue during a security test and triggered a hack that compromised the infrastructure of AI startup Hugging Face last week.
Guyana ferry death toll rises to 41 as more bodies are recovered
WorldThe death toll from a ferry that capsized off the coast of Guyana has risen to 41, with 14 more bodies recovered, the government said on Tuesday.
Google plans new chip to run Gemini models more efficiently, the Information reports
WorldGoogle is developing a new server chip that would incorporate elements of its Gemini model directly into the hardware, in a bid to serve its AI models more efficiently to users, the Information reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Investors see pollution plan silver lining in EU carbon overhaul
WorldLONDON - A European Union plan to tie free pollution permits to investments in decarbonisation could enhance corporate accountability, investors said, despite concerns that a broader overhaul of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) may weaken incentives to cut emissions.
French lawmakers vote on social media ban for children
WorldFrench lawmakers vote on Tuesday on a law that aims to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, joining countries around the world in considering a move unpopular with many teenagers but supported by some parents and teachers.
