On Call

A new essay by Cal Newport argues that leading artificial intelligence companies should face formal investigation, questioning their claims, practices and impact on society. The piece has drawn significant attention among technology readers, with many debating whether scrutiny of AI labs is overdue or whether calls for investigation risk slowing progress.

Donald Trump has suggested that the United States and Iran could work together to remove what he called 'nuclear dust', implying possible cooperation on nuclear-related cleanup efforts. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions and debate over Iran's nuclear programme, and observers are weighing whether the comment signals an opening for diplomacy or remains a rhetorical gesture.

SpaceX's long-awaited stock market debut reportedly saw shares jump 19% on their first day of trading, in what is being called a historic IPO for the space industry. Commentators are now debating what comes next for Elon Musk's company, including how it will use the proceeds and whether the rally can hold.

An artificial intelligence startup is calling on Europe to embrace a more optimistic outlook on AI technology, even as concerns about safety and potential risks continue to grow. The company argues that European regulators and the public should not let fear hold back innovation, sparking debate about whether Europe can balance technological progress with adequate safeguards for citizens.

Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar will lower fuel prices at its service stations in Italy, following a similar decision by Eni. The cuts ease pressure on Premier Giorgia Meloni's government, which has faced calls to impose a windfall tax on energy companies as elections approach.

A project called tester-army/e2e is circulating among developers, described as a next-generation end-to-end testing framework for web and mobile applications. Written in TypeScript and published on GitHub, it has drawn modest early attention with a small number of stars, as programmers evaluate whether it can compete with established testing tools.

Light pollution is erasing natural darkness from urban life, with most city dwellers no longer able to see the night sky as earlier generations knew it. The piece examines how weak regulation of street and commercial lighting is driving the loss, and the growing calls for darker-sky policies to restore something many people have simply stopped noticing is missing.

Novak Djokovic is back in the spotlight as the tennis tour turns to Asia. The Serb is in Beijing for the China Open, where he has been speaking about the state of Chinese tennis, calling its development important. Attention also centres on the Shanghai Masters qualifying draw and the Six Kings Slam exhibition in October, where Jannik Sinner's opponent has been set.

A judge has ordered the Canadian government to release classified records concerning Nazi war criminals who settled in Canada after the Second World War. The decision would open previously sealed files long withheld despite calls from historians and parliamentarians, including a 2023 House of Commons motion, to disclose what Canadian authorities knew about the wartime backgrounds of immigrants admitted to the country.

Dr. Sean O'Mara appeared on Megyn Kelly's show to discuss nutrition, outlining what he calls the 'Living Diet,' explaining how to avoid visceral fat, and making the case for fermented foods. The conversation covers dietary choices that reduce dangerous abdominal fat and improve metabolic health, drawing a large audience interest in practical health advice.

President Trump is calling on Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to the White House. The appeal comes as the government shutdown continues, leaving the department partially unfunded and intensifying pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal.

The New York Times reports that strikes on bridges could create a 'logistical nightmare' for Kyiv, disrupting supply routes and transport across Ukraine. Russian media, including Kazan-based Business Online, are circulating the story, which feeds into ongoing discussion of attacks on key infrastructure crossings, including the so-called northern bridge routes, and their impact on military and civilian logistics.

A Democratic lawmaker has launched an effort to impeach Linda McMahon, calling the conduct at issue 'completely out of bounds'. The move sets up a fresh political fight, though details of the specific allegations and the lawmaker's identity were not provided in the available reporting. It remains unclear whether the effort has broader support within the Democratic caucus.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap election, citing significant public discontent. The announcement makes Spain the focus of political attention, with observers weighing what the move means for the country's government and Sanchez's own future. Further details about the election date and the specific grievances behind the decision have not been confirmed.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap parliamentary election for November, amid growing housing protests across the country. The announcement came after weeks of demonstrations over soaring rents and housing shortages put pressure on the government. The decision plunges Spain into another election campaign, with housing policy expected to dominate the debate.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez is reportedly considering a procedural move to save his housing decree: calling an urgent vote in the Diputación Permanente, the standing committee that sits when Congress is not in session. Spanish media say the 'trick' could allow the decree to advance despite a lack of clear support, turning a routine parliamentary body into the decisive battleground for the housing law.

Novak Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev to reach the China Open semifinals in Beijing, preserving his unbeaten record there. The match was marked by a heated argument between the two players over a rule Djokovic called 'the most stupid' after an umpire's call. Djokovic also gave a health update after the win, having earlier described his season as 'a big, big struggle' following repeated medical timeouts.

Insects are a trending search topic in the Netherlands. Dutch media attention includes Trouw describing an alien-looking insect that might better have been called a 'praying cockroach' instead of a praying mantis. Beyond this, there is no clear news event driving the interest, so the broader reason people are searching for insects right now is not evident.

Attention is on Orix Buffaloes player Tomomiya Hiroma as the club's roster decisions make headlines. The team also announced that pitcher Abe Shota has been taken off the roster, with the 29-year-old saying his future is undecided and that he will consult his family after what he called six happy years with the club, thanking the organisation.

Spanish outlet El Correo Gallego is running breaking coverage under the banner 'ultima hora' (breaking news) centred on the message that Ceuta needs more support. The report highlights the North African Spanish enclave's appeal for greater assistance, though no further details are provided about who is calling for support or in what area.

David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes and a French centre-right political figure, published a call to 'renounce renunciation' and to 'restore order' in France, urging the country to rediscover a proper order of values. The message, tagged #OnLeFera ('we will do it'), is being read as a political rallying statement as France debates its direction and leadership.

Donald Trump called on Republicans to vote by mail, reversing his long-standing criticism of the practice, according to The New York Times. The former president had repeatedly claimed mail-in voting was prone to fraud, and his shift is being read as an effort to make sure his supporters do not cede an early-voting advantage to Democrats in upcoming elections.

The Afghan Taliban government says its problems with Pakistan can be resolved through diplomacy, according to a Reuters report. The statement comes amid recurring tensions between Kabul and Islamabad over border security and cross-border accusations. It signals a willingness to pursue talks rather than confrontation, and is drawing attention from analysts watching relations between the two neighbours.