Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

AI-generated political ads are spreading across US election campaigns, with at least 164 adverts nationwide produced or enhanced using the technology this year, according to the Wesleyan Media Project. The adverts range from parodies featuring prominent candidates to attacks in local races, raising questions about whether voters can distinguish satire from reality and whether those depicted have consented to the use of their likenesses. Jessica Bichler, a Democratic candidate for the North Carolina state Senate, was shown in an advert produced by her Republican opponent, incumbent Senator Michael Lee, contorting into physically impossible yoga poses. The video also made claims…

Ursula von der Leyen has backed a slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence and will invite frontier labs to talks on tackling the risks posed by the technology. The European Union move will bring leading AI developers into discussions focused on managing potential risks as the technology continues to advance.

A potential Florian Wirtz and Michael Olise swap between Liverpool and Bayern Munich has been discussed by German journalist Christian Falk, although he stressed that several factors would need to fall into place before such a deal could become realistic. Wirtz was wanted by Bayern before joining Liverpool, having established himself as one of Germany’s leading young players during his time with Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old has yet to consistently reproduce his best form on Merseyside, though there have been signs of improvement at the start of this season. Olise, meanwhile, has impressed since moving to Bayern and is already…

A man accused of racially abusing a schoolgirl on a Sydney bus has launched a tirade in court. The allegations relate to an incident involving the schoolgirl on public transport in Sydney. No further details of the court outburst were provided.

The US Coast Guard and FBI boarded a Texas-bound oil tanker after detecting signs that its computer network may have been compromised by a foreign actor while the vessel was crossing the Atlantic. A specialist team went aboard the foreign-flagged ship on August 21, before it reached port. Coast Guard law-enforcement personnel, a vessel inspector, cyber specialists and FBI Cyber Action Team operators examined its operational technology and information-technology systems. The team worked with the crew and the ship’s corporate operators to remove the suspected threat. The Coast Guard said there had been no reports of operational disruption, instability affecting…

Amnesty International has named 87 Iranian officials it says oversaw killings, torture and sexual violence during the authorities’ crackdown on the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests. The human rights organisation is calling for the officials to be investigated for crimes against humanity in a 1,000-page report based on testimony from 270 witnesses and survivors, alongside an examination of more than 2,000 videos recorded between 16 September and 31 December 2022. Amnesty said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) led operations to disperse protesters. Official statements and leaked documents reviewed…

Democrats plan to deploy at least 10,000 volunteer “Democracy Protectors” at polling stations during this November’s midterm elections in an effort to deter voter intimidation. The volunteers will be sent to the polls as part of the party’s response to concerns about intimidation during voting.

Major brokerages’ forecasts for the S&P 500 index in 2026 have been compiled in a factbox.

JJ Gabriel wants to leave Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the club attempting to persuade the highly rated 15-year-old to remain at Old Trafford. Romano said the teenager formally told United of his wish to depart three days ago and has not trained with the club since. The development has placed the youngster’s future in serious doubt. JJ Gabriel’s Manchester United future Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “The player informed officially three days ago Manchester United that he wants to leave, that he wants to go. I can tell you also that JJ Gabriel is no…

Australia’s major political parties are locked in a battle to present themselves as best placed to tackle rising interest rates and the housing crisis. The contest centres on issues affecting millions of people, with both sides seeking to claim the strongest approach to the country’s key economic and housing challenges.