Global Maternal Deaths Surge Amid Aid Cuts, WHO Reports

A new research study from Google DeepMind posits that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could emerge as early as 2030 and poses significant existential risks to humanity. The paper emphasizes the necessity for societal oversight regarding the development and application of AGI to avert potential catastrophic outcomes. Co-authored by DeepMind co-founder Shane Legg, the study categorizes the risks associated with advanced AI into four main areas: misuse, misalignment, mistakes, and structural risks. DeepMind's CEO Demis Hassabis has called for the establishment of an international governing body akin to CERN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to regulate AGI development. He advocates for a collaborative global approach to ensure that AGI advancements are conducted safely and responsibly. According to Hassabis, this collective strategy would involve multiple countries in determining how AGI systems should be utilized. The study highlights that the societal understanding of risk and harm related to AGI will shape its governance. "Given the massive potential impact of AGI," the paper warns, "the threat of severe harm must be taken seriously," underscoring the urgency for comprehensive risk mitigation strategies.

In a controversial shift in U.S. trade policy, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs aimed at his largest trading partners, set to take effect in early April. The president revealed a 10% universal tariff on all imported goods and "reciprocal tariffs" targeting countries he claims have exploited U.S. trade practices. The universal tariff starts on April 5, while the reciprocal tariffs commence on April 9. Trump described the day as "liberation day," portraying the tariffs as a corrective measure against decades of unfair trading practices, claiming that countries have "looted" the U.S. during his speech in the Rose Garden. Special exemptions were made for Canada and Mexico due to existing trade agreements. However, tariffs on other countries include a proposed charge of 34% on China and 20% on the EU. Reactions from international leaders have been swift, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calling the tariffs "unjustified." Economists warn that these measures could escalate into a trade war, further straining U.S. economic relations and potentially leading to higher consumer prices and job losses.

The U.S. Attorney General, Pamela Bondi, has directed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealth Group's insurance division CEO, Brian Thompson, in New York last year. Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel during a company event, prompting a five-day manhunt for Mangione. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to New York state charges, which include murder as an act of terrorism. Conviction could lead to a life sentence without parole, but New York does not permit the death penalty for state offenses. However, a separate federal indictment has been brought against him in Manhattan federal court, where he could face the death penalty if convicted. "Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination," Bondi stated, indicating that the prosecution aligns with President Donald Trump's agenda to combat violent crime. While public condemnation for the murder has been widespread, some view Mangione as a folk hero in response to rising healthcare costs.