Trump says US will form 'AI Force' and appoint an artificial intelligence tsar
US President Donald Trump has announced that he will form an "AI Force" and appoint an artificial intelligence tsar amid warnings about the emergent technology. In a social media post on Saturday, he said his administration "will not in any way hinder or stifle the growth" of the industry, and pushed back against calls to slow down the development of AI until better safeguards are put in place. His post came as a slew of warnings about the potential dangers of AI have spurred calls for coordinated action on the technology's development. Trump offered no details or a timeline for his plan. Why Trump is all-in on AI despite the warnings "AI is the next Industrial Revolution, or Internet, but will be even larger and more impactful, possibly as much as 25% of our Country's GDP," he said on social media, adding that he wants the US to continue leading China in AI. AI now sits at the heart of the US-China rivalry as the world's two largest economies seek to gain an edge in advanced tech, and it is expected to be discussed when Trump meets President Xi Jinping next week. Meanwhile, Trump said his administration would use the existing criminal and civil justice system to target any bad actors using the AI. He also repeated comments that criticism and concerns around the potential dangers of AI are a "hoax". This video can not be played Watch: Cyber Correspondent Joe Tidy considers if could AI wipe out humanity, and how it might do it Claims - with one suggesting there is a greater than 10% chance of it "killing all humans" - have raised alarm bells in recent weeks. Major AI companies have been racing to develop better systems, including creating what they call super intelligence - theoretical tech which is smarter than humans. AI titans Anthropic, OpenAI and Google - the tech companies behind Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, respectively - have also disclosed instances of security breaches or incidents in which their chatbots were used for "malicious activity". Anthropic head Dario Amodei recently called for AI development to slow down and proposed industry-wide deceleration and regulation, as well as independent monitoring of AI model development. Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI have both said they agree with his recommendations. Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, told BBC that a "kill switch" that can be checked by a third party may need to be mandatory for the industry.
Federal court rules there is no constitutional right to safe drinking water
This story was originally published by Capital B and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. A federal appeals court has used a decades-long water crisis in one of the Blackest cities in America to rule that the U. Constitution does not guarantee Americans the right to clean and safe drinking water. The September 4 ruling came even after Jackson, Mississippi, residents alleged officials knew the water was contaminated and assured the public it was safe. To this point, the appellate court also ruled that the Constitution does not offer citizens the “right to truthful information from officials during a public health crisis.” The ruling signals that Black residents may face the most serious consequences of unsafe or failing water systems while having limited ability to seek a remedy through the Constitution. At the same time, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has already determined that the city could not receive support through the Civil Rights Act of 1965. What is happening in Jackson matters because federal data shows Black communities are more likely than white communities to be served -based Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Research has also found that systems in communities with larger Black populations take much longer to be fixed or improved. Grist thanks its sponsors. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How Read Next Chicago has the most lead pipes in the nation. Keerti Gopal, Peter Aldhous, Clayton Aldern, Amy Qin, & Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco “Jackson residents did everything this country tells poor people to do. They organized, they testified, they boiled their water, they filed suit, they trusted the courts. And at every step the answer has been no,” said Danyelle Holmes, a senior national organizer with Mississippi’s Poor People’s Campaign. Jackson is more than 80 percent Black and has a poverty rate that is more than double the national average. “What it signals is that the law has told a majority-Black capital city that its suffering is real but its remedy does not exist,” Holmes added. How did the court come to this decision? The lawsuit that spurred the federal appeals court ruling was first brought -contaminated water to reach their homes and then misled the public about whether it was safe to drink. The suit also alleged that state authorities violated civil rights law . To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist.
Spider season! Ten species you’ll see scuttling across Britain’s carpets and lawns this autumn
The world is suddenly full of webs and hairy legs. But why? And what do they belong to? Meet the spiders you’re most likely to encounter, from cardinals to false wolvesSummer is at an end, and suddenly spiders seem to be everywhere – in your house, in your garden, in your hair. Fresh webs hang from doorways, walls, shrubs and fence posts, creating invisible obstacle courses. Where do all these spiders come from, what kind are they and what, if anything, should we do about them?The short answer to the question “Why are there so many more spiders at this time of year?” is: there aren’t. They are just more obvious. Dave Clarke, an ectotherm (“cold-blooded” animal) specialist at the Zoological Society of London, says: “There are more spiders around in the spring, because that’s when they hatch from their egg sacs, and there are hundreds of babies in each egg sac. But they’re small and not very obvious. They grow up during the summer and, at this time of year, they reach their maximum size.” Their webs are also correspondingly larger. Continue reading...
When a beloved tree began withering away, locals suspected a killer in their midst
ByYujin Choi, BBC Korean, Reporting fromSeoul and Koh Ewe Every summer, Seoul turns a deep green, growing dense and lush under humid skies. But this year, one tree was visibly suffering. "Green leaves were falling to the ground, which shouldn't happen at that time of year," recalls Jung, who lives near the streetside ginkgo in Buam-dong, a largely residential neighbourhood in the north of Seoul. The tree is beloved by locals, who believe it has occupied its spot for more than 100 years. So Jung couldn't ignore what she was seeing. With each passing day, her curiosity turned to concern. A rotting carpet of familiar fan-shaped leaves soon surrounded the tree, a sight so alarming Jung and her neighbours formed a crew of amateur detectives to solve the mystery: what was ailing their hardy ginkgo? The whodunnit engrossed Buam-dong and piqued the country's interest, making national headlines. But the attention unsettled Jung, who spearheaded the campaign but has since requested anonymity - we are using a pseudonym. "Imagine a grandfather who silently embraces you every day, listens to you, and has always been strong and full of life," she says. "Suddenly, he begins to die. "How heartbreaking would that be?" So began one community's fight to save a cherished symbol of their neighbourhood. Their unlikely enemy, who they believe plotted a surreptitious attack, was a museum built to honour a pioneering, nature-loving Korean artist. Image source, Yujin Choi/BBC Image caption, As summer went by, the ginkgo's branches started to turn bare and brown Who is killing 'Grandpa Ginkgo'? Tucked between two mountains, Buam-dong is recommended , art galleries and cosy cafes - an escape from Seoul's bustle. Because of its proximity to the Blue House, the president's official residence, urban development has been restricted, allowing the neighbourhood to retain its quaint charm. In a place where you usually find ginkgo trees in private gardens or untamed forests, this one is special, Jung says, because it flourished on the side of the road. To her, it's "Grandpa Ginkgo". "I pass this tree whenever I come home. I would say, 'Grandpa, I'm home.' Or 'Grandpa, I'm heading out now'." Jung only moved here four years ago, but the grand old tree was the first thing she noticed, and she grew to love it. "It was the only tree in the neighbourhood that belongs to everyone." To Park Jeon-hee, who has lived here for nearly all his 74 years, the ginkgo is his "oldest friend".
Alleged underworld supporters and unfounded health claims: One Nation rolls out more Victorian election candidates
One Nation has used social media to reveal a line-up of candidates, with 51 of the 88 lower house spots now filled. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP View image in fullscreen One Nation has used social media to reveal a line-up of candidates, with 51 of the 88 lower house spots now filled. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP Alleged underworld supporters and unfounded health claims: One Nation rolls out more Victorian election candidates Party has unveiled a steady stream of contenders for state election, including a former councillor who lost his licence for drink-driving Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcast Candidates contesting the Victorian state election for One Nation include a former Liberal who has won support from alleged underworld figures, a naturopath who has endorsed Donald Trump’s unfounded claim that paracetamol is linked to autism and a former shire councillor who lost his licence for drink-driving. Pauline Hanson announced who would be her party’s upper house candidates and Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, at a press conference last month. Since then One Nation has used social media to unveil a steady stream of candidates, with 51 of the 88 lower house spots now filled. Among them is Michael Piastrino, who launched his campaign on Sunday for the outer-suburban seat of Berwick, held a 4.7% margin. View image in fullscreen A selfie from Michael Piastrino’s Instagram account that shows Malaki Salesui standing behind himThe launch was attended , who was convicted in 2021 for his role in an organised car-theft ring. Mick Mantzaris commented on photographs of the event on Instagram, writing: “great day great people” and “time for a change”. Mantzaris pleaded guilty in 2012 to possessing testosterone, disclosing restricted information and misleading the office of police integrity. The following year he was targeted in a drive-by shooting. Police described him at the time as “an associate of some outlaw motorcycle gang members”. Anthony Younan, the nephew of the slain underworld figure Nabil Maghnie, also commented on Piastrino’s Instagram posts, saying he would vote for One Nation because of him: “I can’t believe I am going to vote for a red headed woman who hate Arabs. My mother is going to disown me Michael. But I am doing this for you bro!” View image in fullscreen Anthony Younan’s comment on a Piastrino postPiastrino, a hairdresser, ran for the Liberals at the 2022 election. He was forced to apologise during that campaign after declaring that Daniel Andrews would be “brought to justice for the murder of 800 people” under a Liberal government.
Drone footage shows severe drought hitting river in Brazil – video
Drone footage from 17 September shows the Araguaia River drying up, as severe drought grips parts of Brazil. The country is preparing for potential El Niño impacts in late 2026-27, with the Tocantins-Araguaia basin already experiencing severe drought conditions
From old railways to an oasis of art, food and nature: how an eco-park was born in Greater Manchester
Mary-Ellen McTague, a chef, food writer and restaurateur, has a leading role in shaping the food offer at Northern Roots. Photograph: Darren Robinson Photography View image in fullscreen Mary-Ellen McTague, a chef, food writer and restaurateur, has a leading role in shaping the food offer at Northern Roots. Photograph: Darren Robinson Photography From old railways to an oasis of art, food and nature: how an eco-park was born in Greater Manchester Northern Roots is launching Britain’s biggest urban farm and eco-park, in an effort to boost people’s health and wellbeing Standing in the open green space of Northern Roots, it is hard to imagine the landscape as it once was. Two cotton mills, two coalmines and an industrial railway once occupied this 65-hectare (160-acre) site in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Later, about 24 hectares became a tip, with much of the space left to nature. Over the past five years, Northern Roots, a charity, has been developing this once industrial land, running community programmes including a Natural Health Service. On 19 September a new facility will open to the public, featuring a cafe, shop, production kitchen, performance space, forestry skills centre, outdoor play areas and an urban farm. The charity’s ambition is to turn what was once a “burden” into the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park. View image in fullscreen Visitors to the cafe and shop will be able to enjoy and buy fresh seasonal produce grown on site, helping strengthen connections between local communities, sustainable food production and healthy living. Photograph: Darren Robinson PhotographyThe idea began with Oldham council, which wanted to explore green space as an asset. Today the council works in a unique partnership with Northern Roots. “We wanted to look at what this land could do for Oldham, rather than simply seeing it as land that needed maintaining,” said Anna da Silva, the founder and chief executive of Northern Roots. The charity’s seven activity programmes, which include farming and food, arts and culture, sports, business and learning, have been designed to appeal widely. “The hardest part is getting people … physically and psychologically out of their house, down to the site, meeting people where they are on that journey,” said da Silva. Once they are through the doors, the aim is to encourage continued engagement so they can unlock the environmental, economic and social benefits – a challenge that led to the creation of “participation pathways”.
Federal transit cuts could hit rural America hardest
As the executive director of the Living Independent Network Corp, Jeremy Maxand does what he can to help people who don’t drive get around in southern Idaho. As in most of rural America, public transit options are limited. The nonprofit organization, which serves those with disabilities, receives $100,000 annually from the state through a federal appropriation. The money finances cards riders use to pay for transportation, but Maxand described the region’s transit as a “bare-minimum lifeline service” and “piecemeal.” And yet, even that could soon worsen. The surface transportation programs authorized by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed 2021, expire . Lawmakers are hammering out the details of the bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, which would reauthorize those programs. Transportation advocates say the Biden-era legislation failed to broaden Americans’ mobility options beyond cars, but they proposed BUILD Act as a significant step backward. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How That’s because the bill would authorize $16.5 billion less for public transit than its predecessor, with $103.3 billion over five years compared with the baseline of $119.9 billion in the Jobs Act, according to the American Public Transportation Association. When adjusted for inflation, the BUILD Act would need an additional $24 billion to match that level, according to the Urban Institute. Every state would receive at least $10 million less in formula funding over the five years the law would be in effect. “There would be a large decline in funding for public transit, and that would especially be true for projects that require what’s called capital investment funding — projects that require major investments for new lines,” said Yonah Freemark, a researcher with the organization. Freemark said the effects would extend well beyond major cities. “Public transit is often portrayed as something that is subways in New York City,” he said. “The reality is that millions of people rely on public transit in a lot of smaller communities, including a lot of rural communities and tribal communities around the country. … Those rural transit systems are much more reliant on federal support to provide the service that they offer than are the urban transit agencies.” Many public transit agencies have been struggling financially since ridership plummeted during the pandemic, exacerbating years of underinvestment. Further cuts could have severe effects, particularly in rural areas, transit advocates and experts said. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist.
Analysis: India’s power-sector emissions flat for two years due to clean-energy surge
Article Contents Expand menu Close Flatlining fossils Clean-energy growth matches power demand Which states led the clean-power shift? Fall in oil and gas consumption continues Rapid emission growth from heavy industry continues New investments in coal Outlook for India’s emissions About the data A surge in clean energy has kept carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in check across India’s power sector, with no growth from the first half of 2024 to the same period in 2026. This guest post is by: Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) Anubha Aggarwal, India analyst at CREA This is the first time in more than 50 years that there has been no growth in India’s coal power over a two-year period, even as electricity demand grew overall. At the same time, both oil and gas consumption have fallen across the nation for two years in a row, helping alleviate the shock of the Hormuz crisis. Nevertheless, the new six-monthly analysis for Carbon Brief shows that India’s emissions grew by 3.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, due to increases from steel, cement and other sectors. Other key findings for the first half of 2026 include: India’s power-sector emissions flatlined at 2024 levels, after a 2.2% decline in the first half of 2025 and a 2.3% rise in the same period this year. Clean energy met all of the 7% rise in India’s electricity demand over the two years, adding 63 terawatt hours (TWh), equivalent to the total demand of Switzerland. India has added 77 gigawatts (GW) of solar in this two-year period, helping meet 60% of the rise in electricity demand overall. While fossil-fuel generation stagnated, generators added 8.5GW of new coal capacity, leading to fewer running hours and increased costs to electricity consumers. CO2 emissions from oil and gas fell by 7% year-on-year, extending a reduction that began in 2025, despite higher demand for road transport fuels. Steel and cement emissions grew by 8% year-on-year, reaching a 23% share of India’s total CO2 in the first half of 2026. If the pace of India’s clean-energy expansion is to continue, it will need to upgrade its electricity grid, rapidly build out energy storage and boost the flexibility of coal power. While clean-energy expansion is covering most or all of India’s power-demand growth, the fossil-fuel industry continues to pursue major capital investments. This includes large amounts of new coal-power capacity, ambitious plans for the conversion of coal-to-chemicals and efforts to boost domestic coking coal production for the steel sector.
Analysis: Global fossil-fuel emissions set to fall in 2026 amid Hormuz crisis
Global fossil-fuel emissions are set to fall by around 0.5% in 2026 amid the fallout from the Hormuz crisis, according to Carbon Brief analysis. The US-Iran war has severely disrupted trade through the strait of Hormuz, causing a spike in oil and gas prices that continues to ripple around the global economy. Each month of disruption – and each new flashpoint, such as in Yemen – is increasing the incentive to switch to alternatives. Those alternatives include coal, with the latest forecasts pointing to a 1.2% rise in coal demand this year – apparently supporting media claims of a “return to coal” in the wake of the crisis. Yet Carbon Brief’s analysis shows the rise in emissions associated with this increased coal use, much of which is unrelated to Hormuz, is set to be more than offset . The estimated overall impact on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels in 2026 is shown in the figure below and amounts to a reduction of around 0.5% from 2025 levels. (Fossil fuels account for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions.) The emissions estimates for each fossil fuel are based on the latest forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for coal, oil and gas, in light of the ongoing global energy crisis. For example, the agency initially estimated that global coal demand would decline this year. In its 2025 coal report, published in mid-December, it said that declining coal demand in China would outweigh the impact of pro-coal policies under US president Donald Trump. In contrast, the latest update, published in September 2026, said that global coal demand would rise by 1.2% in 2026, instead of the small decline that had been expected. The report highlighted the boost to coal demand from higher gas prices in the wake of Hormuz. However, there are limits to this, because few countries can switch from gas to coal at large scale. The IEA’s latest report also noted the role of a strong El Niño, which is pushing up the need for cooling and depressing hydropower output in key markets. Other short-term factors are also affecting coal demand this year, including a rising amount of “wasted” wind and solar in China. For gas, the IEA did not initially update its previous forecast that global gas demand would rise by 2.0% in 2026, which had been published in January of this year. Its most recent forecast – published in July – already pointed to a 0.6% drop in demand in 2026. Since then, pressure on gas demand from high prices has only grown stronger.