Belarus frees key opposition figure Sergey Tikhanovsky following rare visit from top US envoy

Belarus has freed Sergey Tikhanovsky, a key dissident figure and the husband of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, following a rare visit by a senior US official, Tikhanovskaya’s team announced on Saturday. Tikhanovsky, a popular blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife’s team…

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A celebrity draft-dodging scandal lays bare problems with Taiwan’s crucial reservist force

A draft-dodging scandal in Taiwan allegedly involving a number of actors, influencers, and musicians has cast an unflattering spotlight on the conscript and reservist forces which could one day stand between the island and a possible invasion by China. Taiwan’s military service regime, which runs alongside its conventional military, faces accusations of failing to prepare…

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Tech 5: OpenAI/Microsoft Talks Get Tense, SoftBank Floats Arizona Robotics Hub

This week, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and OpenAI’s once tight alliance showed signs of strain, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) continued to source artificial intelligence (AI) talent from rival companies. Meanwhile, SoftBank’s (TSE:9434) CEO is considering a new chip and robotics venture in Arizona, and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is looking to bring AI solutions to American cities. Read on…

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