Microsoft rallies behind licensing regime for AI firms to ensure safety June 6, 2023 The president of Microsoft has called for a licensing regime for artificial intelligence firms, arguing that such a system would be needed to ensure AI models are used safely. “There is some category of models that is so powerful, so impactful, there will need to be certain regulations and laws – new regulations and laws [...]
Starmer hints Labour could link government contracts to how firms treat unions June 6, 2023 Keir Starmer has suggested that, under a Labour government, the awarding of state contracts could hinge on how companies treat trade unions that represent their staff. Speaking at the annual congress of trade union GMB in Brighton yesterday, Starmer said that Amazon should “recognise unions”, arguing that his party would beef up the power of [...]
Margaret Ferrier: MP suspended from Commons over 2020 Covid breach – and risks by-election June 6, 2023 Margaret Ferrier has been suspended from the House of Commons for 30 days for breaching coronavirus rules. The Commons voted 185 to 40, majority 145, to approve the motion to suspend the independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Ms Ferrier, a former SNP MP, was in the Commons chamber as MPs approved her suspension. [...]
China told ‘secret UK police stations’ must “not operate in any form” June 6, 2023 The Chinese Embassy has been told running overseas police stations in the UK is “unacceptable” and that “they must not operate in any form”, the security minister has said. Tom Tugendhat set out the findings of an investigation into allegations of unofficial Chinese overseas police stations operating in the UK which stood accused of seeking [...]
All you need to know: Ukraine blames Russia for ‘war crime’ Kakhovka dam explosion June 6, 2023 Ukraine blames Russia for the bombing of the Kakhovka dam, with thousands now set to be hit by floodwaters and concerns over a nuclear plant
“Russian terrorists”: Kremlin blamed for catastrophic Ukraine dam blast that could leave thousands homeless June 6, 2023 A major Soviet-era dam in the Russian controlled part of southern Ukraine was breached on Tuesday, unleashing floodwaters across the war zone in what both Ukraine and Russia said was an intentional attack by the other’s forces. Unverified videos on social media showed water surging through the remains of the dam with bystanders expressing their [...]
Tory MPs slam Labour over move to hire former Extinction Rebellion lawyer June 5, 2023 Conservative MPs have slammed the Labour Party over its decision to hire a former Extinction Rebellion lawyer as a senior political advisor.
Ex-Autoglass boss to donate £5m to Labour in bid to smash Tories at election June 5, 2023 The former Autoglass chief Gary Lubner is set to donate £5m to Labour to bolster its coffers ahead of the next election battle. The South African-born businessman told the Financial Times he had wanted to help Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer get the party into power “for a long time”. He said: “This is the [...]
Exclusive: Rishi Sunak plans shake-up of worker ownership schemes June 4, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are drawing up plans to revamp schemes designed to hand workers a stake in their employers, City A.M. can reveal. The Treasury will today ask businesses for their view on the effectiveness of government-sponsored programmes that steer staff toward taking stakes in their employer by offering financial incentives. The Prime [...]
Retailers urge rethink on net zero ‘grocery tax’ as public blame Brexit for rising costs June 4, 2023 Top retailers have urged the government to rethink plans for green levies to fund the recycling of food packaging in a bid to avoid a further rise in spiralling food costs. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned the scheme, dubbed the ‘net zero grocery tax’, could push up shopping bills by up to £4bn [...]