Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

The United States has a long history of threatening to carpet bomb countries, with President Donald Trump recently warning Iran that he would bomb the country 'back to the stone ages.' This rhetoric is not new, as US leaders have made similar threats in the past.During his prime-time address to the nation, Trump said, referring to Iran: 'We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks, we're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong.' Trump also said 'discussions are ongoing,' adding that the conflict could end over the same period.The current war on Iran began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched their attacks. Tehran hit back, targeting Israel and Gulf countries. More than 2,000 Iranians have been killed in the war so far. Thousands of civilian sites, including hospitals, schools, universities, and pharmaceutical factories, have been attacked by Israel and the US.Janina Dill, a global security professor at the University of Oxford, told Al Jazeera that if Trump's 'stone ages' threat implies that the US will destroy structures and buildings that characterise a modern society, 'then this would be illegal because it implies directing attacks against civilian objects.'The phrase 'bombing back to the stone ages' is widely associated with US Air Force officer Curtis LeMay, in the context of US threats against North Vietnam in LeMay's 1965 book, Mission with LeMay. LeMay wrote: 'We're going to bomb them back into the Stone Age.'The US carried out intensive bombing in South Vietnam, as well as in Cambodia and Laos, claiming to target enemy bases and supply routes. Overall, millions of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the war.In January 1991, the US led a global coalition to force out Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Former US Secretary of State James Baker threatened that the US would bomb Iraq 'back to the Stone Age' if it did not withdraw from Kuwait.During World War II, the US carpet bombed Japanese cities, as well as cities in Asia that were controlled by Japanese forces. During the Korean War, the US carried out heavy bombing in North Korea, which some officials said destroyed almost every town.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin warned that Italy’s ability to co‑host Euro 2032 with Turkiye is in jeopardy because many of the nation’s football venues rank among the worst in Europe. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ceferin said, “Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place, of that there is no doubt. I just hope that the infrastructure in Italy will be ready. If that’s not the case, the tournament will not be held in Italy.” He added that the core issue lies in “the relationship between the football authorities and politics,” suggesting that political interference has hampered stadium development. By October, Italy must submit a list of five stadiums for the tournament, choosing from eleven candidate cities: Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Genoa, Bari, Naples, Turin, Cagliari and Palermo. Work on any new or renovated venue must commence by March 2027 to meet UEFA deadlines. At present, only Juventus’s Allianz Stadium in Turin meets UEFA standards for Euro 2032 matches. Meanwhile, Inter Milan and AC Milan have acquired the San Siro site and aim to deliver a new 71,500‑seat arena on the same footprint by 2031, but the transaction is under investigation for alleged bid‑rigging. In Rome, local authorities have approved a new stadium in the city’s eastern district, while Fiorentina’s Artemio Franchi Stadium is undergoing redevelopment. Naples unveiled a €200 million renovation plan for the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, which includes removing the surrounding running track – a project the mayor says is essential “regardless of 2032.” The UEFA warning follows a historic setback for Italian football: the Azzurri, coached by Gennaro Gattuso, were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 4‑1 penalty defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA playoff final, marking the first time a former champion has missed three consecutive World Cups. Should Italy fail to upgrade its venues, UEFA has indicated that the tournament could proceed without Italian venues, preserving the event’s schedule but stripping Italy of the prestige and economic benefits of hosting matches.

The United States is reportedly contemplating a daring military operation to confiscate Iran's reserves of highly enriched uranium, a move that experts warn would be fraught with significant challenges and risks.Ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons or the capability to produce them using enriched uranium has been a primary objective for the US during negotiations with Iranian officials over the past year. This goal was also cited as a justification for the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities during last year's 12-day war with Israel and for initiating the ongoing conflict in February, despite ongoing talks with Iran at the time.Iran possesses approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level at which it becomes considerably easier to reach the 90 percent threshold required to produce a nuclear weapon. This amount theoretically could be used to produce more than 10 nuclear warheads, according to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi.Iran asserts that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian energy purposes, despite enriching uranium far beyond the required threshold. Iranian officials have expressed openness to discussing a reduction in the level of enrichment during past negotiations but have refused to dismantle the country's nuclear program entirely, citing national sovereignty concerns.In 2015, the former Obama administration negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and other nations, under which Iran agreed not to enrich uranium to high levels and to undergo frequent inspections. However, Trump withdrew the US from this agreement during his first term as president.Challenges in Accessing and Transporting the UraniumAny military ground operation to extract the uranium would face substantial chemical, logistical, and tactical hurdles. Isfahan, where about half of the enriched uranium is believed to be stored, is over 480 kilometers (about 300 miles) inland, far from the nearest US naval ships. This would necessitate transporting US forces, possibly alongside Israeli troops, over a long distance through an active warzone, accompanied by heavy equipment.Securing a substantial perimeter around the site and holding that territory for the duration of the operation would be required, all while mitigating the risk of constant fire from Iran. Experts describe this as a risky and infeasible operation.Storing and Handling the UraniumIf the US were to successfully extract the uranium, it would likely be stored in the form of hexafluoride gas, which is difficult to handle and reacts with water to produce extremely toxic chemicals. The uranium hexafluoride must be stored in small, separated canisters to prevent neutrons from multiplying out of control.Any damage to these canisters could trigger the release of toxic chemicals, posing a radiological hazard. An alternative would be to destroy the cylinders on the spot using Army Nuclear Disablement Teams, but this would result in chemical contamination and environmental hazards.Previous Operations and Potential AlternativesIn 1994, US forces undertook a secret operation dubbed Project Sapphire to remove weapons-grade uranium from Kazakhstan. A similar operation for Iran is being considered, but it would require coordination with Iranian authorities and the IAEA, and a cessation of hostilities.A less risky approach would be for the US to negotiate a deal with Iran, resulting in the stockpile being left in place but under international oversight, being downblended, or being removed with Iranian agreement.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General, Jassim al-Budaiwi, has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action to stop Iranian attacks on Gulf countries, which he described as a 'flagrant violation' of international law and the UN Charter.Speaking at the UNSC, al-Budaiwi called on the council to 'take all necessary measures' to bring an end to Iran's attacks on Gulf countries and to protect maritime corridors and guarantee uninterrupted maritime navigation through strategic waterways in the region.The GCC chief also emphasized the need for the six GCC states – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates – to be included in any talks or deals with Iran 'to enhance regional security and prevent further escalation or repetition of such attacks in the future.'Iran has been carrying out daily missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, including in Arab Gulf nations, since the US and Israel launched a war against the country on February 28. These attacks have struck civilian sites, including critical energy facilities, and have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key Gulf waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquified natural gas supplies transit.The situation has sent global energy prices skyrocketing, and frustrations are growing across the Gulf as the US-Israeli war on Iran drags on. According to Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi, 85 percent of the projectiles fired by Iran have targeted Gulf countries, with the UAE being the hardest hit.

The Paris Appeals Court on Wednesday rejected Tunisia's request to extradite Halima Ben Ali, the daughter of the late former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who faces accusations of laundering assets acquired during her father's 1987‑2011 rule.The ruling was anchored in Tunisia's failure to provide guarantees of an independent and impartial trial, a prerequisite under French and international extradition standards.Halima Ben Ali was detained in September 2025 at Tunisia's behest as she prepared to board a flight from Paris to Dubai. Authorities allege she participated in the laundering of wealth amassed under her father's regime.Her lawyer, Samia Maktouf, warned that sending her back would be tantamount to “a death sentence.” After the verdict, Maktouf described the decision as “an immense relief” and affirmed that justice had been served in accordance with the law.Tunisian prosecutors say the alleged financial crimes could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, underscoring the broader push to recover misappropriated assets and hold the Ben Ali family accountable more than a decade after the Arab Spring uprisings.The case revives debate over the legacy of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in 2011, fled to Saudi Arabia, died in exile in 2019, and was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by a Tunisian court.While the French decision may strain diplomatic ties, it also signals Paris' commitment to uphold procedural safeguards when handling extradition requests linked to politically sensitive cases.

Oil prices experienced a significant surge, rising more than $5, after President Donald Trump stated that the United States would continue its military operations against Iran. This development has heightened investor concerns about potential sustained disruptions to global oil supplies.Brent crude futures saw a notable increase, rising $6.33, or 6.3%, to $107.49 per barrel early on Thursday. Similarly, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $5.28, or 5.3%, to $105.40 per barrel. These gains followed an earlier decline of more than $1 in both benchmarks prior to Trump's televised address to the nation.The recent escalation in tensions between the US and Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks. This strategic move has disrupted approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, precipitating the world's most significant energy crisis in decades.Trump emphasized that the US military is nearing its objectives in the conflict, which he expects to conclude within two to three weeks. His remarks have contributed to increased uncertainty in financial markets.Asian stocks were severely impacted following Trump's speech. Most Southeast Asian countries, which heavily rely on oil imports, are particularly vulnerable to the sharp rise in oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict. The MSCI gauge of EM Asia equities experienced a 2.3% decline, while regional currencies weakened by 0.2%.Notably, South Korea's main stock market, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), plummeted by 4.2% after initially gaining nearly 2%. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged parliament to promptly pass a 26.2 trillion won ($17.3bn) supplementary budget to bolster the economy during what he described as the worst energy security threat caused by the Middle East crisis.Other Asian markets also saw significant declines, with Singapore's main stock market, the Singapore Exchange (SGX), slipping 0.8%, and Malaysia's benchmark index falling 1%. Markets in Indonesia and Taiwan declined by about 1% and 1.4%, respectively. Stocks in China and Hong Kong also fell, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite index dropping 0.53% and China's blue-chip CSI300 Index losing 0.74%.

The United States has lifted sanctions against Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, following her assumption of power after the abduction and imprisonment of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.The US Department of the Treasury updated its website to reflect Rodriguez's removal from the Specially Designated Nationals List, easing restrictions that had been in place since 2018.Rodriguez welcomed the decision, calling it a positive step towards normalizing relations between Venezuela and the US. She also urged the US to lift additional sanctions on Venezuelan entities and individuals.The move is seen as part of a shift in US-Venezuela relations, with Rodriguez taking a conciliatory approach to engage with the US. This includes efforts to open Venezuela's economy to greater outside investment, particularly in the oil and mining sectors.However, critics have raised concerns about the circumstances under which these reforms have progressed, given the US's continued pressure on Venezuela and the international community's concerns about human rights abuses in the country.The US embassy in Caracas has resumed operations after a seven-year closure, and international organizations like the United Nations have highlighted ongoing human rights issues in Venezuela.

The UK's swift population has been declining at an alarming rate, with a 68% decline recorded between 1995 and 2023. This has led to a significant decrease in the number of swifts in the country's skies, with many conservationists working to protect these birds.Swifts are known for their impressive endurance, flying 14,000 miles annually from sub-Saharan Africa to nest in the UK and back again. They are a beloved species, providing a heart-soaring display of beauty with their long swooping wings and pale throats.Why do they need to be saved?The reasons for the decline are complex, but it's likely that the loss of nesting sites is a contributing factor. Changes in building management and renovation practices over the past 100 years have made it harder for swifts to find the holes and nooks they need to nest. Additionally, insect populations are believed to have declined, which can impact the swifts' food supply.How can you help?There are several ways to help protect swifts, including:Become a nest detective: Use the RSPB Swift Mapper app and website to record sightings of nesting swifts and help conservation groups focus their efforts.Install swift bricks: Fit small structures into building walls to provide a forever nest for swifts.Install swift boxes: Build or purchase inexpensive nest boxes and install them under eaves at a minimum of five meters high.Protect insects: Plant flowers, nectar, fruit, and berries to support insect life and bird life.Get involved in local swift conservation: Contact a swift group or local RSPB group to get involved in conservation efforts.By taking these steps, individuals can help make a difference in the conservation of swifts and protect these amazing birds for future generations.

New research by Cleanview and a subsequent confirmation from Google reveal that the tech giant is collaborating with Crusade Energy to develop a 933‑megawatt natural‑gas power plant in the sparsely populated Armstrong County of the Texas panhandle. The facility will serve the Goodnight AI‑focused datacenter campus, signaling a notable departure from Google’s long‑standing clean‑energy narrative.The plant, slated for off‑grid operation, is intended to power at least two buildings on the Goodnight site. Satellite imagery commissioned by Cleanview shows construction already under way, following a permit application filed in January.According to the 465‑page permit filing, the plant could emit as much as 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide per year—roughly the same amount released annually by the entire city of San Francisco. This emission level underscores the environmental stakes of the project.Cleanview founder Michael Thomas described the venture as “one of the first direct investments in fossil‑fuel infrastructure” he has seen from Google, suggesting a strategic pivot away from the company’s historic climate leadership.When queried, Google spokesperson Chrissy Moy did not deny the partnership but clarified that “we don’t have a contract in place for the plant in Texas.” She noted that negotiations are ongoing and pointed to a separate wind‑farm partnership with Serena Energy in the region. Crusoe Energy declined to comment.The Texas project is Google’s third known involvement with gas‑fuel facilities in recent months. Earlier in October, the company announced an agreement to purchase power from a gas plant in Illinois, and documents obtained in May revealed exploratory talks on a large‑scale gas project in Nebraska.Despite the shift, Google maintains that natural gas does not conflict with its climate objectives. The firm argues it is moving from a strategy of buying carbon credits to one of “building the grid” to secure carbon‑free energy for its operations.At a recent energy conference in Houston, Google’s head of advanced energy, Michael Terrell, declined to elaborate on how natural gas aligns with the company’s sustainability roadmap.From carbon‑free promises to “climate moonshots”Google has long positioned itself as a climate leader, setting a 2020 goal to achieve net‑zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2030 and investing heavily in wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear projects. However, the rapid expansion of AI workloads has strained those commitments.The 2023 sustainability report noted that Google was no longer “maintaining operational carbon neutrality,” and a 2024 update reported a 48 % rise in greenhouse‑gas emissions since 2019, driven largely by datacenter energy demand.By 2025, the company reframed its emissions targets as “climate moonshots,” acknowledging the growing complexity of meeting its 2030 ambitions amid AI‑driven uncertainties.Google is not alone in this trend. Competitors such as Meta, Amazon and Microsoft have also turned to natural‑gas‑powered facilities to meet the soaring energy needs of their AI infrastructures, highlighting a broader industry tension between rapid AI deployment and climate pledges.Thomas of Cleanview summed up the situation: “The race to build AI is creating a new tension with climate goals that these hyperscalers have long championed.”