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What to expect from the 2024 Democratic National Convention

With just three months to go before the 2024 election, thousands are set to gather in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention. It’s a tradition dating back to the 1830s, when a group of Democratic delegates supporting President Andrew Jackson gathered in Baltimore to nominate him for a second term. This year will look slightly different from others, as the Democratic Party has already officially nominated Vice-President Kamala Harris in a virtual roll call after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. But many of the other DNC traditions - including appearances from celebrities and memorable speeches from party leaders - will remain the same. Here’s what to know. What happens at the DNC? Because Ms Harris and Mr Walz have already been nominated, this year’s convention will focus on speeches from prominent Democrats and the adoption of the party’s platform. Delegates work during the day to finalise the platform, a draft of which has already been released. It focuse...
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Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as first woman president

Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico's first woman president in an historic landslide win. Mexico's official electoral authority said preliminary results showed the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City winning between 58% and 60% of the vote in Sunday's election. That gives her a lead of almost 30 percentage points over her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez. Ms Sheinbaum will replace her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on 1 October. Ms Sheinbaum, a former energy scientist, has promised continuity, saying that she will continue to build on the "advances" made by Mr López Obrador. In her victory speech, she told voters: "I won't fail you." Her supporters are celebrating at the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, waving banners reading "Claudia Sheinbaum, president". Prior to running for president, Ms Sheinbaum was mayor of Mexico City, one of the most influential political positions in the country ...

How AI turned a Ukrainian YouTuber into a Russian

How AI turned a Ukrainian YouTuber into a Russian “I don't want anyone to think that I ever said these horrible things in my life. Using a Ukrainian girl for a face promoting Russia. It's crazy.” Olga Loiek has seen her face appear in various videos on Chinese social media - a result of easy-to-use generative AI tools available online. “I could see my face and hear my voice. But it was all very creepy, because I saw myself saying things that I never said,” the 21-year-old, who studies at the University of Pennsylvania, told the BBC. The accounts featuring her likeness had dozens of different names like Sofia, Natasha, April, and Stacy. These “girls” were speaking in Mandarin - a language Olga had never learned. They were apparently from Russia, and talked about China-Russia friendship or advertised Russian products. “I saw like 90% of the videos were talking about China and Russia, China-Russia friendship, that we have to be strong allies, as well as advertisements for food.” O...

Why Ireland is VITAL to PRESIDENT Joe Biden.

  There is almost nothing that the polarised politicians in Washington can agree on these days. Bipartisan co-operation is extremely hard to find. That is with respect to an American editor Sara Smith. But there is one issue on which just about everyone sees eye to eye. And that is the value of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), which ended 30 years of deadly violence in Northern Ireland.  The agreement itself is seen as a shining example of what can be achieved by determined diplomacy and careful negotiation.  American politicians are rightly proud of the role the US played in securing the peace. The tireless work of Senator George Mitchell as well as the intense engagement of President Bill Clinton were essential. President Biden sees the agreement as part of his own political legacy and can claim    credit   for encouraging US involvement in the peace process through the 1980s and 90s. Defending the GFA, and the relative peace it ensures, has been a h...