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News Briefing
What’s going on?
Pope Leo XIV launched a three-day visit to France, during which he expressed concerns about artificial intelligence. He warned that AI poses risks to humanity, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these challenges. The visit marks a significant engagement with technology’s societal impact.
AP News reported, “Pope warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France trip,” focusing on potential dangers AI presents. In contrast, The Guardian’s headline, “Pope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visit,” centres on the pope’s direct warning rather than the concept of paradise. This juxtaposition highlights whether the emphasis is on existential threats or the philosophical implications of AI advancements.
Coverage analysed: AP News | The Guardian
What’s happening?
Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner, focusing on economic ties amid ongoing geographic tensions. Tech industry leaders were in attendance, highlighting the significance of collaboration between the two nations.
In contrasting coverage, NPR’s headline states, “Trump’s state dinner for Xi features sea bass and a long list of tech titans,” which emphasizes the social event’s details and attendees. Conversely, CNN’s headline reads, “Analysis: The Trump-Xi meeting was heavy on pomp, light on substance. China is just fine with that,” suggesting a critical view of the meeting’s effectiveness in addressing serious geopolitical issues. While NPR highlights the ceremony and guest list, CNN frames the event’s impact, revealing underlying concerns about the substantive outcomes of the discussions.
Coverage analyzed: NPR | CNN | The Hill | The New York Times
NETANYAHU PROTEST
Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder arrested during anti-Netanyahu protests in New York this morning.
Protests reflect ongoing international discontent with Israeli leadership.
“This role is not something that she’d be a natural for but she does it really well.”
Things are getting more and more out of hand…
That’s definitely the wrong twin, Nina…
The United keeper has been named in Cameroon’s squad for the tournament.
Alan Ford is making his EastEnders debut (Picture: BBC)
We’ve been given a first look at Hollywood icon Alan Ford making his EastEnders debut.
The 85-year-old actor, best known for his work in films such as Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, is set make an appearance in the BBC One soap at the funeral of Aunt Sal (Anna Karen).
He’ll be taking on the role of Billy Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick) estranged dad Stevie Mitchell.
Billy grew up in care from the age of ten after Stevie took sole custody of his brother Charlie and the pair last saw each other off-screen over twenty-five years ago.
Speaking about his soap gig, Alan said: ‘I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series.”
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: It’s an honour to welcome the immensely talented Alan Ford to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Stevie Mitchell.
‘Whilst Billy has been a stalwart in the show for over 25 years, viewers know very little about his complicated childhood and the events that led him to grow up in care. Alan arrives in Walford as the Mitchell family prepare to say goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sal but it soon becomes apparent that he is not welcome in the family fold.’
‘I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age.’ (Picture: BBC)
Alan previously played con-man Sam in EastEnders for a single episode (Picture: BBC)
This won’t be the first time Alan stars in EastEnders, having previously made an appearance all the way back in 1986, portraying the role of Sam Sangers in a single episode.
Sam was a con-man who targeted grieving Debbie Wilkins shortly after the death of her boyfriend Andy O’Brien, hoping to con her out of her beloved beau’s possessions.
Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), however, suspected that dastardly Sam was up to no good and thus gave him his marching orders, telling him that he ‘ought to be ashamed of himself’.
Aunt Sal, meanwhile, appeared in over 50 episodes of the BBC serial drama between 1996 and 2017.
Her final appearance came in the latter year during the funeral of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell (Samantha Womack and Rita Simons).
Sal was known for showing up at Mitchell family occasions such as weddings and funerals, and she always had something witty to say about the people present and their actions.
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Will she ever get over this?
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