The Guardian · 26 May, 05:00
The UK security services were involved in formulating the Legacy Act, which offered amnesty to soldiers and paramilitaries for killings during the Northern Ireland Troubles. The act was opposed by all parties in Northern Ireland and has been criticized by victims' groups.
The British security services played a role in devising the Legacy Act, a 2023 law that provided conditional immunity to soldiers and paramilitaries for killings during the Northern Ireland Troubles. The act was developed by a secret policymaking group, the legacy senior working group, which included figures from policing and state agencies, such as the former Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable George Hamilton. The group was established in 2020 and met twice, with the goal of concluding investigations into the 3,500 deaths that occurred during the Troubles within two years. The act was opposed by all political parties in Northern Ireland and was eventually repealed and replaced by the current government.
Why it matters: The involvement of security services in formulating the Legacy Act lends weight to public concerns that these agencies were behind the law and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation, which was set up to investigate cases. The act's conditional immunity was criticized by victims' groups, who argued that it would prevent accountability for killings and other human rights abuses. The revelations have angered victims' groups, who had already expressed concerns about the legislation.
3,500: the number of deaths that occurred during the Northern Ireland Troubles; 2020: the year the legacy senior working group was established; 2023: the year the Legacy Act was passed; 2024: the year the Legacy Act's provisions were set to shut down hundreds of cases; 1,100: the number of civil cases lodged by bereaved families when the Legacy Act was introduced; 2 years: the timeframe the government aimed to conclude investigations into the Troubles within
Families will welcome information recovery. It is the small vocal minority that will present the legal challenges and we should be ready for that but they do not speak for the silent majority who just want to move on. - George Hamilton, former Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable
The Guardian · 26 May, 05:54
The US carried out strikes on Iranian missile sites as Iranian negotiators arrived in Qatar for talks on a potential deal to end the war. The strikes came as the US and Iran are negotiating a deal that could put constraints on Iran's nuclear program.
US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats trying to lay mines. The strikes were carried out as Iran's top negotiator and foreign minister arrived in Doha for talks with Qatar's prime minister on a potential deal to end the war. The US and Iran are currently negotiating a deal that could put constraints on Iran's nuclear program, but the deal's details and prospects are unclear.
Why it matters: The US strikes on Iranian missile sites threaten a fragile ceasefire and come as the US and Iran are negotiating a deal that could have significant implications for the region. The deal's prospects are uncertain, and criticism from Republicans and Israel may complicate the negotiations. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further conflict or escalation.
The straits have to be open. They're going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open." - Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
The Guardian · 26 May, 05:48
Iran has expressed skepticism about an imminent deal with the US, citing contradictory US statements and Israeli interference. Despite this, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains hopeful about a possible agreement.
Iran's negotiating team spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated that while a large portion of issues are resolved, it's premature to claim a deal is imminent due to US contradictions and Israeli interference. Baghaei also mentioned that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be included in the memorandum of understanding for Iran to allow commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and for the US to lift its blockade on Iran's ports. In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about a possible deal, mentioning ongoing talks in Qatar.
Why it matters: The potential deal between Iran and the US has significant implications for regional stability and global trade, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil shipments. The agreement could also impact US-Iran relations and influence other geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion. But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no one can make such a claim.” - Esmail Baghaei
NPR News · 26 May, 05:52
The New York Knicks have reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers. They will play either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the finals.
The New York Knicks have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They secured their spot by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks will now face the winner of the Western Conference finals, which is currently tied between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The decisive Game 5 of the Western Conference finals is set to take place on Tuesday.
Why it matters: This marks a significant return for the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals after a long absence. Their presence in the finals could generate considerable interest and excitement, especially given their historical significance in the league. The matchup against either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs will be closely watched.
1999 (last year Knicks were in NBA Finals), 2026 (current year), Game 5 (of Western Conference finals)
Ars Technica · 25 May, 21:07
Pope Leo XIV released a new encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas', calling for AI to be 'disarmed' in service of the common good, criticizing AI-powered autonomous weapons and the hoarding of digital assets.
Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas', which emphasizes the need to 'disarm' AI to ensure it serves the common good. The encyclical criticizes the use of AI in autonomous weapons, neo-colonial attitudes towards data collection, and the hoarding of digital assets. The Pope chose the term 'disarmament' deliberately to draw attention to the issue. The encyclical is 40,000 words long and was released in Rome with the co-founder of Anthropic present.
Why it matters: This encyclical is significant because it represents a high-profile call for the ethical use of AI, emphasizing the need for AI to be developed and used in ways that benefit humanity as a whole. The Pope's involvement highlights the importance of considering the moral implications of AI development.
40,000 (word count of the encyclical)
"The word is strong," Leo admits, but he chose the language of "disarmament" deliberately "because this moment needs words capable of attracting attention, awakening consciences, and indicating paths forward for humanity."
NPR News · 25 May, 19:58
CBS and Paramount have dropped their copyright challenges against Stephen Colbert's appearance on a Michigan cable access show. This comes after Colbert ended his run as host of "The Late Show" on Friday.
CBS and Paramount have backed down from their copyright challenges to limit the distribution of Stephen Colbert's appearance on a local cable access show in Monroe, Michigan. Colbert had been hosting "The Late Show" but ended his run as host on Friday. He then appeared on the Michigan cable access show. As a result, CBS and Paramount have decided not to pursue copyright action against the show.
Why it matters: This is significant because it shows that CBS and Paramount are allowing Colbert to maintain some level of creative freedom and connection with his audience after his departure from "The Late Show". It also highlights the changing media landscape and the ways in which celebrities and content creators can engage with their audiences.
NPR News · 25 May, 23:03
US soccer player Tim Ream is feeling pressure to perform well in the upcoming World Cup, both for his team and to grow the sport in the US.
Tim Ream, a player for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, is hoping to make his second World Cup roster for the U.S. Men's National Team. He is aware of the high expectations and pressure to perform well in the tournament. The World Cup is a significant event for the US team, with implications for both the players and the growth of soccer in the US.
Why it matters: The World Cup is a major platform for the US team to showcase their skills and compete against top international teams. A strong performance could help grow the sport in the US and inspire a new generation of fans. The pressure to win and make a good impression is high, with many stakeholders invested in the team's success.
Ars Technica · 25 May, 12:00
The US government has invested $2 billion in quantum computing companies, but a member of Congress argues that the deals may be illegal as the funds were meant for public research in semiconductors, not equity investments in private companies.
The US government has announced $2 billion in investments in quantum computing companies, with $100 million each allocated to several startups in exchange for equity. The largest investment will go to a new company, Anderon, which will be set up with $1 billion each from IBM and the government. Anderon will serve as a foundry for fabricating quantum processing units.
Why it matters: The investments could be crucial for the survival of the quantum computing companies, which are likely years away from producing a widely usable product. However, the legality of the investments is being questioned, as Congress did not allocate the funds for this purpose.
$2 billion, $100 million, $1 billion
Zoe Lofgren (D–Calif.), the ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, made it clear that she is not happy with how the government is using its money to support this technology.
Ars Technica · 25 May, 11:22
The author of the article did not enjoy The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt despite its critical acclaim and popularity. They spent years forcing themselves to finish the game, and now warn others not to make the same mistake.
The author reflects on their experience with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a game that received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards upon its release in 2015. Despite the game's popularity, the author did not enjoy playing it and had to force themselves to finish it. The author now shares their experience to caution others who may be considering playing the game.
Why it matters: This article matters because it offers a contrarian view on a game that is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It highlights the subjective nature of gaming preferences and encourages readers to make informed decisions about the games they choose to play.