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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
MEP used AI to compose letter to von der Leyen on Gaza
Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has confirmed that he used artificial intelligence to write a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to deliver more aid to Gaza. It was reported his letter contained a story of a young girl who lives in Rafah, which turned out to be fictional - while at another section lyrics from the band 'Swedish House Mafia' were used without reference. Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, Mr Mullooly said his motivation was "looking for measures that did not include the [EU] member states actually agreeing - because that's the problem. "That's the frustration in Brussels... the attitude of Germany and other states where for a long, long, time we couldn't get even a review of the [EU-Israel] Trade Agreement." He said that around three weeks ago, 25 pages of research were put in front of him in the European Parliament and that he asked his colleague to produce a summary of it for a letter to Mrs von der Leyen. He said AI was used to complete the "first part of the letter...I read every line of it, I looked at the references, and I was quite happy with that," he said. Mr Mullooly said the second half of the letter has received most attention and refers to a song by the 'Swedish House Mafia' group. He said it was composed by a member of his team who had read 1,000 emails from people sent to his office on the subject of Gaza. His staff member summarised those "in what has been described today as fiction, but it's actually written based on some of the information given to us by those emails," he said. One of the 1,000 "real life" emails contained a lyric from a 'Swedish House Mafia' song, which states: "Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you". Mr Mullooly said: "I had no idea what that was about. "I asked a colleague in the office to use AI or any other references to explain to me - and I have to be honest, I am not a fan of 'Swedish House Mafia' - and it had to be explained to me where it came from. "It [the quote] was included in an email which came to me from Gaza and to me, it summed up, when I read it, the vulnerability of the children involved, the way their lives have been turned upside down, from the comfort of their parents, to a situation where we've lost 15,000 children. "Innocent children, and I was trying to bring that point home to Ursula von der Leyen.
CNA
07-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
India and the UK reach a free trade agreement after three years of negotiations
India and the United Kingdom have reached a free trade agreement following three years of negotiations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hailed it as a 'historic day', but not everyone is happy. Opposition politicians are concerned about some UK industries will now have to compete with cheaper Indian imports. John Bevir reports from the UK.
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
UK and India sign biggest post-Brexit trade deal
The UK and India have struck an 'ambitious and mutually beneficial' free trade deal after three years of negotiations, Narendra Modi has announced. Mr Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, revealed the news on social media after holding a call with Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday. The deal is expected to see India, the world's fifth biggest economy, lower tariffs for a string of goods from the UK in a move that will boost growth. Successive Tory prime ministers had been pursuing the deal, with talks beginning in January 2022, but it was not concluded when the Conservatives were kicked from office last summer. Mr Modi wrote on X: 'Delighted to speak with my friend Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a historic milestone, India and the UK have successfully concluded an ambitious and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, along with a Double Contribution Convention. 'These landmark agreements will further deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and catalyse trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation in both our economies. I look forward to welcoming PM Starmer to India soon.' More to follow. It is the UK's biggest trade deal since Brexit.
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Kato: U.S. Made No Demands on Exchange Rate in Bilateral Meeting; Ministers Agreed Rates to Be Set by Market
The Yomiuri Shimbun Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato WASHINGTON — The Japanese and U.S. finance ministers agreed that exchange rates are to be determined by the market, and the United States did not request that a target be set for the yen-dollar exchange rate, as the Japanese side had feared he might, at their meeting on Thursday. Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met in Washington. The Japan-U.S. bilateral meeting lasted about 50 minutes. During their discussion of foreign exchange, they reaffirmed that exchange rates are to be determined by the market and that excessive volatility and chaotic movements have a negative impact on economic and financial stability. Reuters U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent In connection with the Japan-U.S. trade negotiations, they agreed to continued close cooperation and further constructive discussions on exchange rates. They did not discuss setting a target for the exchange rate or establishing a framework for controlling the rate. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Japan, saying that the United States would be at a very unfair disadvantage if Japan and China devalued their currencies. On Sunday, he put currency manipulation at the top of his 'nontariff cheating' list. Japan was therefore wary that the United States might make some currency-related demands. At the meeting, Kato also mentioned the U.S. tariff measures, saying, 'They are extremely regrettable. We strongly request a review. We have concerns about their consistency with the Trade Agreement Between Japan and The United States [reached in 2019].' He also explained to Bessent various Japanese domestic economic trends, including inflation and the growing push to raise wages. They discussed various bilateral issues. 'The discussions were productive,' Kato said at a press conference following the meeting.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexican cartels drain American consumers
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congressman Vincente Gonzalez (D-Texas.) said if you're buying avocados, cars or anything made in Mexico, you are likely paying more, because cartels extort companies that do business in Mexico. 'There's checkpoints that are set up throughout Mexico that are controlled by Mexican criminal organizations that are taxing commerce,' said Rep. Vincente Gonzalez (D-Texas.). 'That is not free trade, in my opinion.' Gonzalez said extortion by cartels amounts to a tariff on American consumers. 'We've allowed this to fester and grow,' said Gonzalez. 'I think President Trump has come in, in a very aggressive way, hyper-focused on this issue. I think he should have bipartisan support on this.' Pedro Casas, the CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City, said he disagrees on a portion of Gonzalez's claim. 'The cross-border trade is not controlled whatsoever by organized crime,' Casas said. Casas said his organization surveys companies that do business in Mexico. He said, of the companies surveyed, about half said they paid 2-10% of their budget on security, which could raise prices. 'It is a widespread problem that we need to solve because that's affecting the Mexican economy,' Casas said. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against Mexico to try to get them to stop the cartels and stop fentanyl from crossing the border. 'We're seeing a slowdown in the appetite for investment on both sides of the border,' Casas said. 'Auto parts, or a vehicle itself, it crosses the border throughout its production around 8-10 times before being a finished good that's exported, lets say from Mexico to the United States.' 'You're going to see, it's not only a one-time 25% tariffs, but it's actually going to be an 8-times 25% tariff going on,' he added. Casas said, because of trade agreements, like NAFTA and the U.S., Mexico, Canada Trade Agreement signed under the first Trump administration, companies have built trade between the U.S. and Mexico into their manufacturing. President Trump has credited the new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for making progress on border security and drug smuggling. Sheinbaum said Mexico sent 29 cartel figures to the United States, weakened some cartels and dismantled more than 100 synthetic drug labs. Casas said her actions have helped improve safety in Mexico. 'We are seeing a more aggressive approach toward security, a more active policy,' Casas said. 'As you might remember, in the past administration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, his security policy could be summarized in the slogan 'hugs not bullets,' which was basically a very passive approach on security. And we are seeing something completely different.' The White House said another goal of President Trump's tariffs is to bring manufacturing back to the United States. 'One of the things that President Trump's tariff policy is seeking to accomplish is to get people to buy U.S. cars, instead of foreign cars, so that we create jobs here,' said Kevin Hassett, the Director of the National Economic Council. President Trump said 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico will go into effect in April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
