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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   1072 thread views

Transnational Thursday for June 5, 2025

Transnational Thursday is a thread for people to discuss international news, foreign policy or international relations history. Feel free as well to drop in with coverage of countries you’re interested in, talk about ongoing dynamics like the wars in Israel or Ukraine, or even just whatever you’re reading.

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Some news items this week:

AI generated video might be directly optimizable for attention, in a way that is more scary than Tiktok

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Transforming the U.S. AI Safety Institute into the Pro-Innovation, Pro-Science U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation

In conducting these evaluations, CAISI will focus on demonstrable risks, such as cybersecurity, biosecurity, and chemical weapons.

^ Sad day for black swans

AI required by court order to save logs?

Chinese couple charged with smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S.

Floods in Nigeria kill over 150 people

Iran FM preparing response to potential nuclear agreement, holds call with IAEA head.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Rejects U.S. Nuclear Deal Offer

Interesting brief, similar to Sentinel

Israel strikes Syria after projectiles fired, holds Sharaa responsible

The spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, Zhang Xiaogang, responded to recent comments made by the U.S. Secretary of Defense at the Shangri-La Dialogue, criticizing the U.S. for its negative portrayal of China and its military presence in Asia. Zhang condemned the U.S. for its hegemonic approach, inciting tensions in the region, and undermining China's sovereignty, particularly regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Zhang emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China's internal matter and warned against any U.S. interference. He asserted China's commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also highlighting China's intent to resolve disputes peacefully in the South China Sea. The statement depicted China as a proponent of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, opposing any form of hegemonism that disrupts regional harmony.

China's 'Silent Hunter' laser gun shooting down Ukrainian drones

US Simulates Missile Strikes on Warships at China Choke Point

'Corpses rotting in the Nile' as cholera tears through Sudan  – Dominican Republic Post

Sudan's New PM Dissolves Caretaker Government One Day After Taking Office

Death toll in Nigeria jumps past 200

Ukraine and Russia agree to swap dead, wounded troops but report no progress toward ending war

'Balochistan, KP remain epicentres as Pakistan records 85 attacks in May'

'New red line': India, Pak generals exchange warnings at Shangri-La

Al-Qaida affiliate attacks Mali army bases as junta struggles to contain jihadist threat

Indonesia's health ministry issues warning over COVID-19 surge in Asia

Niger Flood: Death toll rises to 150, Tinubu asks NEMA to activate Emergency Response Centre

Trump Asks Congress to Rescind $8.3 Billion in Foreign Assistance

Trump on Musk

Elon was "wearing thin," I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!

Elon and Trump fighting

Who detected vaccine-derived polio in samples from children in Morobe (Papua New Guinea)

US vetoes UN Security Council demand for Gaza ceasefire

NB.1.8.1 covid variant

EpochAI database of datacenters

Whatever happened with this?

A nuclear strike on Britain is a real possibility. Here's what we need to do. Grr

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