AI joins list of global challenges on agenda for UN meeting

World leaders and diplomats are tackling artificial intelligence at the United Nations' annual high-level meeting. Since ChatGPT's debut three years ago, AI's rapid development has amazed many, but experts warn of risks like engineered pandemics and disinformation. The U.N. General Assembly recently adopted a resolution to create two key bodies on AI: a global forum and an independent scientific panel. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance will launch on Thursday. Experts, including those from OpenAI and Google, urge governments to establish "red lines" for AI, similar to treaties on nuclear testing and biological weapons.

OpenAI shows off Stargate AI data center in Texas and plans 5 more elsewhere with Oracle, Softbank

ABILENE, Texas (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that the Stargate AI data center in Texas will be joined by five more across the U.S. This expansion is part of a $500 billion infrastructure investment promoted by President Donald Trump. Stargate, a joint venture with Oracle and Softbank, is building additional centers in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and an undisclosed Midwest location. The Abilene, Texas project is set to be the largest, transforming the city. Concerns about environmental impact and local resources have been raised, but developers emphasize efforts to minimize effects. The project has significantly boosted the local economy.

Europe urgently needs to solve its Russian drone problem, Baltic officials say

VINSKI, Estonia (AP) — Estonia is extending a fence along its border with Russia and building anti-tank ditches and bunkers in preparation for a potential conflict with Moscow. But those defenses won’t guard against the threat it and its NATO allies face from Russian drones and electronic warfare. A recent drone incursion into Poland highlighted gaps in NATO's air defenses. Defense ministers from several EU countries plan to meet Friday to discuss creating a drone wall of sorts along the bloc's eastern border. However, officials say defending against drones is complex and requires affordable and mass-produced technology. They say rapid advancements in drone technology pose additional challenges, and that NATO nations need to improve quickly to address these threats.

Secret Service dismantles telecom threat around UN capable of crippling cell service in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a massive hidden telecom network in New York. Investigators say the system could have crippled cell towers and jammed 911 calls. The cache included over 300 SIM servers with more than 100,000 SIM cards. It was located within 35 miles of the United Nations. The network could have blacked out cellular service, especially during the United Nations General Assembly. Officials have not uncovered a direct plot against the assembly. Forensic analysis is ongoing, and authorities suspect nation-state actors. The operation highlights new risks to the invisible infrastructure of modern cities.

How a SIM farm like the one found near the UN threatens telecom networks

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service has found and is quietly dismantling a massive network of “SIM farms” across the New York area just as world leaders gather for meetings at the United Nations. While initially developed for legitimate purposes, SIM farms have often become tools for fraudulent activities targeting mass audiences, such as sending phishing texts and making scam calls.

MLB will use robot umpires in 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee has approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026. Human umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter. A team retains its challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards. Adding robot umps could reduce ejections, as most are related to balls and strikes. The Automated Ball/Strike System has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The challenge system allows for ABS without eliminating pitch framing, a skill for catchers. This is MLB's first major rule change since 2024.

Canadian privacy watchdogs call for TikTok to enhance protection for children on platform

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canadian privacy authorities say TikTok’s efforts to keep children off the platform and prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal information are “inadequate” but the company is taking steps to address concerns.  Federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne says TikTok must do more to keep underage children off its platform and must better explain its data collection practices, especially to youth. The platform is not for those under the age of 13. Dufresne says TikTok has agreed to enhance underage assurance methods to keep underage users off the platform and to strengthen privacy communications so that users understand how their data is being used.

Google faces antitrust déjà vu as US seeks to break up its digital advertising business

After deflecting the U.S. Justice Department’s attack on its illegal monopoly in online search, Google is facing another attempt to dismantle its internet empire during a trial focused on its abusive tactics in digital advertising. The trial that begins Monday will revolve around the harmful conduct that caused parts of Google's digital advertising technology to be declared a monopoly. Google and the Justice Department spar in court while presenting evidence in a “remedy” trial that will decide how to unwind the monopoly. The Justice Department wants to break up Google's ad system after being thwarted in its attempt to break up the company is a search monopoly case.

Moldova's election faces AI-driven disinformation from Russia

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovans are facing a wave of AI-driven disinformation ahead of a crucial parliamentary election on Sunday. Online monitoring groups have tracked Russian propaganda campaigns aimed at reducing support for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS. Researchers say these campaigns mark a new phase in Russian influence operations, using AI to impersonate Western media and flood comment sections. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has warned that this vote is the most consequential in the country's history, determining its future with the EU or Russia. The Moldovan government has tried to counter the disinformation by establishing a center to combat it.

A drone flyover above Copenhagen Airport prompts concerns that Russia was behind it

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Several unidentified drones shut down airspace over Copenhagen Airport. Monday night's incident prompted concerns that Russia could be behind the flyover above Scandinavia’s largest airport. Police say there was no indication that the operators intended to cause harm to anyone and the drones disappeared after several hours. The incident caused a major disruption to air traffic in and out of the airport. It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind the flyover. But Denmark’s prime minister and NATO’s secretary-general said Tuesday that Russian involvement couldn’t be ruled out.