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How AI could upend the world even more than electricity or the internet

The rise of artificial general intelligence -- now seen as inevitable in Silicon Valley -- will bring change that is "orders of magnitude" greater than anything the world has yet seen, observers say.. This is the first time we're able to create intelligence itself and increase its amount in the universe," he told AFP. Change, as a result, will be "orders of magnitude greater than every other technological change we've ever had in history."

Britain defends Rwanda asylum plan as 'compassionate'

Britain's interior minister defended a controversial plan to deport asylum seekers who arrive in the UK illegally to Rwanda during a visit to the country on Saturday, saying it was "compassionate".. It is seeking to outlaw asylum claims by all illegal arrivals and transfer them to "safe" third countries, such as Rwanda, in a bid to stop thousands of migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats.

Two killed, eight wounded in eastern Ukraine: mayor

Russian strikes killed two people and wounded eight in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Saturday, the mayor said, accusing Moscow of having used cluster bombs in the attack.. "Consequences of Kramatorsk bombardment with cluster bombs: two people were killed and eight were wounded, three of them seriously."

Refugees protest tough Greek migration policy

Hundreds of refugees protested against Greece's tough migration policies in Athens on Saturday, accusing the conservative government of "murdering" asylum seekers through illegal pushbacks.. Since taking office four years ago, Greece's conservative government has reinforced its land and sea borders with Turkey in a bid to stem illegal arrivals.

Crunch weekend for crisis-hit Credit Suisse

Troubled Credit Suisse has two days to reassure before the markets open Monday with the spectre of a new turbulent week in global finance looming.. US asset management giant BlackRock was also reported to be eyeing a move for the troubled bank, but the New York-based company strongly denied this to AFP. "BlackRock is not participating in any plans to acquire all or any part of Credit Suisse, and has no interest in doing so," a spokesperson told AFP. After a turbulent week on the stock market which forced the SNB to step in with a $53.7 billion lifeline, Credit Suisse was worth just over $8.7 billion on Friday evening. 

Protests as Italy limits rights of same-sex parents

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Milan on Saturday in protest against moves by Italy's new right-wing government to restrict the rights of same-sex parents.. Elly Schlein, newly elected leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, was among opposition politicians who attended the protest Saturday, where many campaigners railed against the new government.

Pakistan court drops arrest warrant against ex-PM Imran Khan

A Pakistan judge dropped an arrest warrant against former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday, his lawyers said, after the ex-cricketing star, who had skipped several hearings, travelled to court.. "The court has cancelled the arrest warrant after marking Imran Khan's attendance.

Pope greets refugees helped through Christian 'corridors'

Pope Francis on Saturday greeted thousands of refugees brought to Europe by Christian charities, recognising their difficult journeys and hailing their desire to "live free from fear and insecurity".. "You have shown a firm will to live free from fear and insecurity."

Greece sacks police chief after train tragedy protests

Greece said Saturday it had sacked its national police chief, days after clashes between security forces and demonstrators broke out in the wake of the country's deadliest train tragedy.. No specific cause was given for prompting the change, which comes as police face widespread public criticism for their handling of protests over the February 28 tragedy in which 57 people were killed when two trains collided.