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UK Research Fund Faces Cuts as Norway Investigates Former PM Over Epstein Links
The UK's £8 billion research fund, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is facing "hard decisions" and has paused new grants after the government instructed it to "focus and do fewer things better," according to UKRI boss Ian Chapman. This comes as Norway opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, in France, the Louvre Museum revealed that the crown of French Empress Eugenie was damaged during a raid last October but remains "nearly intact" and can be fully restored. Separately, the rise of AI-generated content on social media is sparking a backlash, and in Thailand, the People's Party faces challenges despite its popularity.
Chapman, in an open letter, warned that the changes to UKRI's funding priorities "will result in negative outcomes for some" within the research community, according to BBC Technology. The reorganisation represents a major shift in how Britain's scientific research and innovation are prioritised and funded with public money. The changes have not yet been finalized but are expected to be fully implemented soon.
In Norway, a special police unit is analyzing newly released Epstein files in the US and suspects Jagland, 75, of "aggravated corruption," according to BBC World. Police have requested the foreign ministry to lift Jagland's immunity, which he holds due to his past role as a senior foreign diplomat. Jagland's lawyer has promised his client's full cooperation with the investigation. Jagland is also a former head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and spent 10 years in the role.
Meanwhile, the Louvre Museum issued the first photos of Empress Eugenie's crown since the October raid, showing the damage it sustained. Raiders stole an estimated 88 million euros in jewels but left the diamond-studded headpiece behind during their escape. According to the museum, the crown was "badly deformed" after the thieves tried to remove it through a narrow hole they sawed in its glass display case.
The rise of AI-generated content is also causing concern. Théodore, speaking to BBC Technology, described an AI-generated image of two emaciated South Asian children with beards, one missing limbs, holding a birthday cake in the rain, that went viral on Facebook. "It boggled my mind," Théodore said, highlighting the growing backlash against what is being termed "AI slop."
In Thailand, Suttasitt "Macky" Pottasak, a candidate of the People's Party, represents a new generation of politicians. He won a rural seat in the last election and uses social media to promote his party's policies, gaining millions of views, according to BBC World. Despite the party's popularity, winning the vote is only the first hurdle in Thailand's complex political landscape.
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