Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

The EU's new entry-exit system (EES) has caused significant delays at several European airports, with travellers waiting up to three hours at border checks. The system, which came into effect on Friday in the Schengen countries, requires passengers from non-EU countries to register their personal information and biometrics at the border.Passengers in airports in countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece are experiencing several hours of waiting at border checks, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) body. Olivier Jankovec, the director of the ACI European division, warned that the situation will be "simply unmanageable" in the coming weeks and peak summer months.The EES has been gradually introduced since October and has already caused long delays at some airports. On Sunday, the BBC reported that more than 100 passengers were unable to board an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester before it took off due to delays at passport desks.Airport representatives and the European Commission held a meeting to discuss problems with the system on Tuesday. The ACI has asked to extend existing exemptions and the power to fully suspend the new checks. Jankovec told the FT that the ACI needed the ability to "fully suspend EES registration whenever there are excessive waiting times at border control that are just unmanageable".A spokesperson for the European Commission said that the system is working well, with an average registration time of 70 seconds per passenger. However, the ACI has claimed that it can take up to five minutes. The commission said that there were a "few member states where technical issues have been detected" but that they "are being addressed".The EES has registered more than 52m entries and exits, as well as more than 27,000 refusals of entry, since its introduction in October. Almost 700 people were identified as posing a security threat.

Atletico Madrid will welcome Barcelona to the Metropolitano Stadium for the decisive second leg of their Champions League quarter‑final. After a 2‑0 defeat in the first encounter, Barcelona arrives in Madrid needing a swift and comprehensive response to stay alive in the competition.The showdown is scheduled for 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT), and the home side will look to protect the advantage they earned in the first leg while the visitors aim to overturn the deficit and advance to the semi‑finals.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a "major defence cooperation partnership" with Indonesia during a ceremony at the Pentagon, describing it as a boost to regional stability in the Asia‑Pacific. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin signed the agreement alongside Hegseth, highlighting the depth of the bilateral security relationship. The partnership commits both nations to co‑develop sophisticated asymmetric capabilities and to pioneer next‑generation defence technologies in the maritime, subsurface and autonomous‑systems domains, while also enhancing operational readiness. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the two armed forces already conduct more than 170 joint exercises each year, a figure that underscores an "active and growing" security tie. Minister Sjafrie expressed enthusiasm, stating that the cooperation should be "enduring for our next generation" and serve the "mutual respect and benefit" of both nations. One day after the signing, Indonesian media reported that Washington is seeking "blanket" overflight access for its military aircraft through Indonesian airspace, a proposal reportedly approved by President Prabowo Subianto. The Indonesian Defence Ministry clarified that discussions are limited to a non‑binding Letter of Intent and that any final agreement must respect Indonesia’s sovereign control over its airspace. Rico Ricardo Sirait, the minister’s spokesperson, emphasized that "authority, control, and oversight over Indonesian airspace rest entirely in our country" and that any regulation will guarantee Indonesia’s right to approve or reject such activities. President Prabowo is slated to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, following recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on oil matters. Earlier this month, his administration introduced fuel‑rationing measures and a work‑from‑home policy for civil servants to conserve energy amid rising global oil prices. Analysts view the new defence pact as a strategic move to strengthen deterrence against potential regional threats while balancing Indonesia’s insistence on maintaining full sovereignty over its airspace. The outcome of the overflight negotiations will likely shape the future scope of U.S. military operations in Southeast Asia.

Nelson Mandela once claimed sport could spark hope where despair prevailed – a sentiment that now feels overly optimistic as climate change threatens every arena, from football pitches to alpine slopes.Extreme weather events are already cancelling competitions and rendering venues unplayable through floods, wildfires and storms. Rising heat and air‑pollution expose athletes to heat‑related illnesses, asthma and cardiovascular strain, while also increasing injury risk and diminishing performance for officials and spectators alike.Countries most vulnerable to climate impacts face the harshest sporting challenges. As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned, athletes must compete on the conditions that exist, not on idealised pitches, while wealthier nations and governing bodies often look the other way.Historian David Goldblatt estimates sport’s carbon footprint rivals that of a small‑ to medium‑sized nation – roughly the emissions of Cuba to Poland. Yet the industry continues to chase growth, attracting sponsorship from fossil‑fuel giants and even entities reminiscent of the tobacco era.A 2024 “Dirty Money” report by the New Weather Institute revealed that state‑owned and private fossil‑fuel companies have poured at least $5.6 billion (£4.2 billion) into global sport across 205 active deals. The recent Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics relied on oil major Eni to fund artificial snow, while the upcoming men’s football World Cup – labelled the “most polluting ever” by Scientists for Global Responsibility – will be plastered with ads from Aramco, the world’s largest corporate greenhouse‑gas emitter, with emissions projected to be 92 % higher than typical tournaments between 2010‑2022.Fans and grassroots organisations are pushing back. Groups such as Surfers Against Sewage, Fossil Free Football, FrontRunners and Protect Our Winters are mobilising, while clubs like Forest Green Rovers and athletes such as Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins are publicly denouncing fossil‑fuel ties.Alternative sponsorships are emerging: Northern Rail backs the Rugby Super League, Metrobank partners with cricket, and Oxford United’s limited‑edition shirt celebrates John Ruskin’s “Study of a Wild Rose,” linking sport to environmental heritage.“The Hotspot” aims to surface the most compelling stories, analyse data, and chart a path forward for sport in a warming world. As the planet races toward a climatic finish line, sport must deliver its own last‑second victory.This excerpt is from the inaugural issue of The Hotspot newsletter. To subscribe, visit this page and follow the instructions.

A remarkable fossil discovery in Victoria, Australia, has revealed that giant echidnas once roamed the region. The Owen's giant echidna, Megalibgwilia owenii, lived during the Pleistocene epoch, which began 2.5 million years ago.The fossil, discovered in the Buchan cave complex in East Gippsland, is a significant find, as it fills a 1,000km gap in the species' known distribution. Previously, specimens of the extinct monotreme had been found across Australia, from Western Australia to Tasmania, but mysteriously absent from the fossil record in Victoria.The Owen's giant echidna was about twice the size of Australia's modern echidnas, growing up to 1 metre long and weighing up to 15kg. Its skeleton is much more robust than that of comparably sized animals, with deeper, more prominent muscle scars and larger attachments for ligaments, indicating it was using much greater force when interacting with the landscape.According to Tim Ziegler, the collection manager of vertebrate palaeontology at the Museums Victoria Research Institute, the fossil was likely used for digging for buried larvae, larger prey of beetles, or bogong moths, or tearing tree bark to access food.The research, published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, provides new insights into the distribution and habitat of the Owen's giant echidna during the ice age.

Match details: Atletico Madrid will meet Barcelona on Tuesday at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT) in the Metropolitano Stadium for the Champions League quarter‑final second leg. The fixture decides which side advances to the semi‑finals. After a 2‑0 first‑leg triumph at Camp Nou, Atletico enter the tie as favourites despite trailing Barcelona in the La Liga table. Their advantage stems from goals by Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sörloth, who capitalised on a red card for Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions, are desperate to overturn the deficit. They bolstered their domestic campaign with a 4‑1 win over Espanyol, extending their lead over Real Madrid to nine points. Ferran Torres netted a brace, assisted by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, while Marcus Rashford added the fourth. Atletico’s weekend league performance was less convincing, suffering a 2‑1 loss to Sevilla after heavy rotation by Diego Simeone. The loss left them fourth in La Liga with 57 points, four behind Villarreal. Historical context: The two clubs have met 251 times, with Barcelona winning 115 matches, Atletico 79 and 57 draws. Their recent knockout encounters include Atletico’s victories in the 2014 and 2016 quarter‑finals, both decided over two legs. Team news: Atletico will miss Marc Pubill (suspension) and have Jose Giménez, Pablo Barrios and David Hancko listed as doubtful. Barcelona’s defender Pau Cubarsi is suspended, replaced by Ronald Araujo. Injuries rule out Marc Bernal, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen. Predicted line‑ups: Atletico – Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Llorente, Koke; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez.Barcelona – Joan Garcia; Koundé, Araujo, Martín, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski. Managerial insights: Simeone stressed the need to stay focused on the objective of advancing, while Barcelona coach Hansi Flick highlighted the quality of his squad and the importance of collective effort. With a slim margin separating the sides, the second leg promises a tactical battle that could see either club secure a coveted place in the Champions League semi‑finals.

The National Gallery of Art's latest exhibition, 'Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience', is a thought-provoking collection of over 100 works by 95 artists. This 'open letter to the nation' offers a multifaceted exploration of the American experience, delving into themes of land, community, and freedom.Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are immediately struck by the unconventional representations of iconic American symbols. The Statue of Liberty, for instance, is reimagined through the lens of South African photographer Zanele Muholi and a geometric screenprint by Roy Lichtenstein.The exhibition's curatorial approach is to create 'provocative conversations across centuries, disciplines and demographics.' E Carmen Ramos, the gallery's chief curatorial and conservation officer, notes that the show was 'years in the making' and showcases an 'embarrassment of riches' from the gallery's permanent collection of over 160,000 works.Structured around three core themes – land, community, and freedom – the exhibition presents a diverse array of works. These include Thomas Moran's idyllic watercolours of the American West juxtaposed with Thomas Hart Johnson's photographs of a landscape ravaged by coal mining and railroads. The exhibition also features poignant pieces such as Carrie Mae Weems's haunting silhouette and Gordon Parks's indelible 'American Gothic.'The show's second section, 'Community,' features Richard Avedon's massive 1976 commission 'The Family,' which comprises 69 stark, uniform portraits of the bicentennial era's political, media, and corporate elite. This is contrasted with John Wilson's tender sketches of his teenage children and their friends.The final act of the exhibition turns its lens to 'Freedom,' showcasing historical portraits of figures such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and George Washington, alongside powerful works by Kara Walker, Martha Rosler, and Faith Ringgold. As visitors exit, they are met with Robert Indiana's boldly coloured screenprint 'Liberty '76,' created for the 1976 bicentennial.Ramos reflects on the exhibition's significance, stating that it 'explores how artists in the United States have explored the American experience across different moments in time.' The exhibition will be on view in the National Gallery's West Building until 20 September.

Only one team has ever overcome a 2-0 defeat at home to go through in the history of the Champions League, but a Barcelona player was involved in a notable exception: Marcus Rashford scored the winner as Manchester United knocked out PSG in the round of 16 in March 2019. However, Atlético Madrid have never lost in 20 knockout stage games at the Metropolitano and their former home at the Vicente Calderón.

Plans to alter the size of HS2 trains, aimed at maximizing capacity, may result in increased costs and fewer seats, potentially leading to slower services north of Birmingham. A senior government and rail industry figure, Chris Gibb, has warned against changing the train order.The original £2bn order for 54 high-speed trains, to be built by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi, was placed in 2021. However, the project has been under review since the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2 by Rishi Sunak in 2023. The initial plan was for the 200-metre, eight-carriage units to double into 16-carriage trains, similar in size to a Eurostar. But this will only be feasible on the new line between London and Birmingham, as existing stations like Manchester Piccadilly cannot accommodate a 400-metre train.Gibb, a non-executive director of DfT Operator, expressed concerns that if HS2 opens with eight-coach trains, they would be full, leaving people behind. He suggested that instead of varying the train order, which could incur extra costs and delays, the government should retain the original order and plan to replace the current Pendolino fleet with longer, faster, modern versions around 2040.This approach, Gibb argued, would provide a significant increase in capacity, revenue, and a reduction in journey times on all routes without the need for further railway construction. Lord McLoughlin, former transport secretary, and Lord Berkeley, a long-term HS2 sceptic, have backed Gibb's idea, emphasizing the importance of consistent rolling stock for future use.A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd stated that no changes have been made to the original order, and they are still working closely with the manufacturer and the DfT to finalize train designs. The trains will be built in Derby and Newton Aycliffe.