Ex SNP MSP calls for independent legal figure to make final decision on Operation Branchform

Taylor Swift appeared online this week.Deepfakes are created using artificial intelligence (AI) to make a photo or video of someone by manipulating their face or body.The images have appeared on sites including X/Twitter and Telegram and have been viewed millions of times. One such photo was reportedly seen by users 47million times before being taken down.X/Twitter said in a statement that it was “actively removing” the images and taking “appropriate actions” against accounts involved in spreading them [via BBC].It added: “We’re closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any further violations are immediately addressed, and the content is removed.”Now, numerous US politicians have pointed to the need for legislation to catch up with advancements in AI technology.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor The CEO of Paramount Global urged staffers at the entertainment conglomerate to focus on their 2024 business goals, even as a handful of industry heavy hitters and investment firms explore a potential acquisition of the company and speculation about looming layoffs intensifies. In a memo issued to employees Thursday and reviewed by Variety, Bob Bakish acknowledged that Paramount’s future “remains a topic of speculation,” a nod to the fact that a group of investors led by Skydance founder David Ellison have engaged in talks with Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone.

A Greater Manchester MP has called for an 'immediate' and 'sustainable' ceasefire in Gaza. Gorton MP Afzal Khan, who quit the Labour frontbench in November over the party's stance on the Middle East conflict, will present a petition to Parliament today (January 24).

Nicola Sturgeon has been challenged to reveal the full extent of her use of a private SNP email address when speaking with government advisers during the coronavirus pandemic.

perform just an instrumental version of ‘Rule Britannia’ at the Last Night Of The Proms after criticism over historic links with colonialism and slavery.A survey shortly after revealed that 55 per cent of people opposed the decision, and the song ended up being performed in its original version.Now, lauded cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason – who performed at Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle and was in 2016 the first black person to win the BBC Young Musician award – has shared his hope for the song to be banned at the Proms moving forwards.In an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Kanneh-Mason said that there was “so much wonderful music” that could be performed instead of ‘Rule Britannia’.“I think maybe some people don’t realise how uncomfortable a song like that can make a lot of people feel, even if it makes [the people singing it] feel good,” he said.“There is so much wonderful British music. The wealth of folk music from this country is astonishing,” he added.“There is so much that is worth celebrating and having as part of a big celebration at the end of a wonderful music festival.”In response, a BBC spokesperson said: “The Proms are built on longstanding traditions that were established by co-founder Sir Henry Wood, and which are loved by people around the world.“One of these traditions is the last night festivities.

The Sunday Mail has been nominated for one of the UK’s most prestigious journalism awards for its string of exclusive reports on the SNP in crisis.

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has spoken about the role Jose Mourinho played in his career, after the Portuguese manager was axed by Italian side Roma this week.

Dua Lipa has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and urged for world leaders to “take a stand” in a new interview.The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has continued into the new year, with over 24,000 people now having died on both sides, 23,469 of them Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli.Last year, Lipa joined the likes of Michael Stipe and Cate Blanchett in signing an open letter to President Joe Biden calling for a ceasefire and “an end to the bombing of Gaza and the safe release of hostages”.Speaking to Rolling Stone about her upcoming new album, Lipa reaffirmed her stance on the conflict, saying: “My existence is kind of political, the fact that I lived in London because my parents left from the war,” she said. “I feel for people who have to leave their home.

The mum of murdered teenager Caroline Glachan has said 'justice has been done' after her killers were jailed for life on Monday.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief As Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary, leading Russian director Aleksey German Jr. (“House Arrest,” “Under Electric Clouds”), is currently giving “Air,” his state-funded WWII thriller, a commercial release in Russian cinemas. With ferocious action and cruel detail, “Air” has been called out for being a patriotic film.

A new online petition is calling for the UK Government to reform the State Pension system and link the payment rate to the National Living Wage. Petition creator Michael Thompson, also proposes making a ‘universal State Pension’ available to everyone over the age of 60, worth £549.12 each week - equivalent to 47 hours at the National Living Wage rate.

Scottish Labour has called for a public health levy on booze sales to help fund alcohol and drug treatment services.

Turning 100 years old is a rare milestone that very few of us are lucky enough to achieve and to celebrate one resident reaching this fine old age, a care home in Greater Manchester is asking the public to help them mark the occasion, with 100 birthday cards for 100 years.

Jesse Lingard has reportedly cut all ties with his former agents with the Manchester United academy graduate yet to find a new club after being released by Nottingham Forest last summer.

Cocteau Twins have announced that their final studio album ‘Milk & Kisses’ is to receive an official re-release.The album was first released in March 1996 via Fontana Records in the UK and was their eighth LP, including the fan-favourite tracks ‘Tishbite’, ‘Violane’ and ‘Eperdu’.The group did re-convene two years later, with the intention of recording their next full-length, but the sessions fell through, and no further albums were made.The re-issued version of the album is available to order now here, and is presented in audiophile 140gm vinyl by Proper Records, in collaboration with Universal Music Recordings. The labels say they have paid “scrupulous attention to the detail of the original UK first pressings”.Last September, the band’s vocalist Elizabeth Fraser had an asteroid named after her by the International Astronomical Union.“It does not pose a threat to humankind and will not collide with Earth for millions of years,” the Union noted, reassuringly.

Lee Sun-kyun died at age 48. Lee starred as the father of a wealthy family in “Parasite,” which was the first non-English-language movie to win best picture in the Oscars’ 92-year history.

A health worker who stabbed herself outside a hospital before claiming she had been attacked has been convicted of wasting police time.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats have slammed Stephen Flynn for having a go at the "Westminster establishment" over the Horizon scandal.

Simon Jordan has called for a change of Financial Fair Play rules that could impact Manchester United in the future.

More than 17,000 people have signed an online petition calling for income tax on the State Pension to be scrapped in order to help “reduce the tax burden on pensioners”. The ‘make State Pensions tax free’ petition has now met the 10,000 signature threshold which entitles it to a response from the UK Government.