The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

French star Patrick Bruel charged with rape and sexual assault

Singer and actor has denied all charges after more than 20 women came forward with allegations going back to the 1990s

The French singer Patrick Bruel has been charged with rape and sexual assault in one of the biggest #MeToo cases in the French music industry.

The 67-year-old, a major figure in French pop culture, was placed under formal investigation over several cases that included alleged rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

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Gordon makes his point as England breeze past Costa Rica in final World Cup warm-up

It was the day when Thomas Tuchel showed his hand for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas next Wednesday and his players hinted at what can happen when they play with intensity and slick connections.

The paucity of the opposition had to be considered. Costa Rica barely even saw the ball; it was entirely a rearguard effort from them. But there was nevertheless encouragement for Tuchel, who went strong with his line-up, the occasion framed, really, by who he picked at the outset.

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Haiti forced to change World Cup jerseys after Fifa rejects ‘political’ elements

Haiti have been made to find new jerseys on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, after Fifa deemed certain elements to be too political in nature. The Concacaf qualifiers are set to open their group stage against Scotland on Saturday.

In a statement responding to the decision, kit manufacturer Saeta confirmed that it had worked with Fifa to ensure the design would meet requirements, even having “successfully implemented the requested modifications” during the mandatory review process.

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Brunel’s SS Great Britain site drops historical name in ‘cool’ rebrand

New name, Bristol Dockyards, and museum revamp aimed at becoming more rooted in community, says chief executive

One of the UK’s maritime landmarks is being renamed as part of a drive to make it “cooler” and more inclusive.

For a decade, the dockland site in Bristol that houses the ocean liner SS Great Britain, which was designed by the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, has been promoted as Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

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Ghana World Cup 2026 team guide

Antoine Semenyo will need help from his supporting cast but there is plenty of excitement about a 20-year-old midfielder likened to Michael Essien

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.

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Sole survivor of Air India crash demands ‘honesty and answers’ one year on

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the only passenger to survive the incident in June 2025, which killed 260 people

The only survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people in June 2025 has called for “honesty, transparency and answers” a year on from the disaster, and spoken about his “significant psychological scars” and financial hardship.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, has previously described his fate as a “miracle” after being the only person to survive the incident, in which a Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport.

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thexiffy

Last.fm last recent tracks from thexiffy.

Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club

Buena Vista Social Club

Beak> - Wulfstan II

Beak>

Man or Astro-Man? - Polaris

Man or Astro-Man?

The Register

Biting the hand that feeds IT — Enterprise Technology News and Analysis

Memory and personalization make AI more likely to tell you what you want to hear

AI companies have touted context retention (memory) and the availability of personal details (personalization) as mechanisms for improving AI model interaction. Both have value to help keep models from losing the thread of a conversation. But they raise the potential for sycophancy, where models will say what they predict you want to hear, which may not be the most accurate response. Researchers at Writer, an enterprise AI vendor, have conducted two studies of model memory and personalization that show these capabilities increase sycophancy for enterprise AI tasks. The Price of Agreement looks at agentic financial applications. And Recalling Too Well explores how model memory amplifies sycophancy with regard to scientific, medical, and moral reasoning. The papers' authors argue that preference-induced sycophancy is particularly problematic when AI answers are being applied to consequential problems. "In high-stakes domains like finance and healthcare, a model that silently defers to a user’s prior assumptions rather than acknowledging or correcting them poses a significant reliability and trustworthiness risk," the Writer team explains. For the first paper, the research team tested eight frontier models – GPT-5-Nano, GPT-5.2, Claude-Sonnet-4.5, Claude-Opus-4.5, Gemini-3-Pro, GLM-4.7, Kimi-k2-thinking, and DeepSeek-V3.2 – on two financial benchmarks, FinanceBench and FinanceAgent. The former evaluates agentic data extraction and reasoning using 10-K and 10-Q filings. The latter is a more comprehensive challenge designed to test real finance workflows, including ERP data retrieval and financial analysis involving multiple entities. The researchers' method involved applying synthetically generated preference information – such as a financial analyst's personal profile or a workspace note that contradicts the benchmark reference answer – to the benchmark questions. They undertook three different approaches. The first involved the user rebutting the model's answer; the second involved a user proposing an alternative answer; and the third involved adversarially injecting personal or contextual information into the prompt or making it available through a tool call. The third approach often resulted in greater sycophancy. As noted in The Price of Agreement paper, "Most models demonstrate significantly stronger sycophancy when the bias information is presented as implicit personalization of the user. No model displayed robustness against such behavior." Open-source models tended to be more sycophantic across the board. Models from OpenAI meanwhile tended to resist direct sycophancy inducers (such as when the user included personal biases in a prompt). And Anthropic models tended to resist implicit sycophancy inducers (such as when it pulled in a profile of the user that incorporated biases seen in previous interactions). The second paper involves an assessment of three memory systems (Mem0, MemOS, and Zep) and five model families (GPT-5.2, Sonnet 4.6, Qwen 3.5, Kimi K2.5, and MiniMax 2.5). The authors conclude, "memory amplifies sycophantic behavior across all conditions, with up to 25x higher sycophancy rates than in-context baselines." The reason for this, the authors claim, is that the lossy compression used to store conversation data in memory preserves user misconceptions while tossing clarifying context. The researchers suggest two mitigation strategies that reduce sycophancy. One involves assistant role inclusion (capturing AI assistant interactions alongside user interactions) and the other involves summarization of contextual information before it gets committed to memory. They argue that those deploying AI need to assess whether models acknowledge interaction conflicts, and that those working on AI memory systems need to check what's being extracted and injected back into the model context as a defense against sycophancy. ®

Rotterdam - FediMeteo (@rotterdam@nl.fedimeteo.com)

Weer voor de stad Rotterdam Deze bot wordt beheerd door het FediMeteo-project. Voor informatie en contact kunt u de pagina https://fedimeteo.com raadplegen.

Weer voor Rotterdam 🌕 - 11-06-2026 01:15 CEST...

Weer voor Rotterdam 🌕 - 11-06-2026 01:15 CEST

In één oogopslag:
• 13.6°C · Licht bewolkt 🌕 | Min 11.7°C / Max 17.3°C | Kans op neerslag 53%

Verwachting voor vandaag:
• Min 11.7°C, Max 17.3°C (Lichte regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 8.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 53%, 🧭 1019.5 hPa ↗️ +1.6 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 19.4 km/u (5.4 m/s), richting: ↗ 238°

Uurlijkse voorspelling voor de komende 12 uur:

02:00: 13.1°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 43%, 🧭 1017.9 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↗ 222°
03:00: 13.1°C (Helder) 🌕, Kans op neerslag 33%, 🧭 1017.9 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 9.7 km/u (2.7 m/s), richting: ↗ 208°
04:00: 12.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 19%, 🧭 1017.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 11.2 km/u (3.1 m/s), richting: ↗ 228°
05:00: 13.1°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 8%, 🧭 1017.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↗ 224°
06:00: 13.3°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 3%, 🧭 1018.2 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 7.9 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↗ 228°
07:00: 13.9°C (Zonnig) ☀️, Kans op neerslag 2%, 🧭 1018.9 hPa ↗️ +0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 10.4 km/u (2.9 m/s), richting: → 292°
08:00: 14.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 2%, 🧭 1019.3 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: → 280°
09:00: 15.2°C (Gedeeltelijk bewolkt) ⛅, Kans op neerslag 3%, 🧭 1019.6 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: → 278°
10:00: 16.1°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 5%, 🧭 1019.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 11.2 km/u (3.1 m/s), richting: → 265°
11:00: 17.1°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 6%, 🧭 1020.2 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 14.0 km/u (3.9 m/s), richting: → 259°
12:00: 17.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 4%, 🧭 1020.5 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 15.1 km/u (4.2 m/s), richting: → 260°
13:00: 17.7°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1020.6 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 15.8 km/u (4.4 m/s), richting: → 254°

Voorspelling voor de komende dagen:

vrijdag 12 juni: Min 12.4°C, Max 18.0°C (Lichte regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 3.8 mm, Kans op neerslag 36%, 🧭 1018.4 hPa ↘️ -1.1 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 24.5 km/u (6.8 m/s), richting: ↗ 234°
zaterdag 13 juni: Min 13.6°C, Max 16.4°C (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 4.6 mm, Kans op neerslag 67%, 🧭 1019.7 hPa ↗️ +1.3 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 25.2 km/u (7.0 m/s), richting: → 253°
zondag 14 juni: Min 13.9°C, Max 17.1°C (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.5 mm, Kans op neerslag 30%, 🧭 1019.6 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 22.6 km/u (6.3 m/s), richting: → 268°
maandag 15 juni: Min 12.1°C, Max 16.5°C (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 1.4 mm, Kans op neerslag 15%, 🧭 1018.3 hPa ↘️ -1.3 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 17.9 km/u (5.0 m/s), richting: ↘ 305°
dinsdag 16 juni: Min 11.4°C, Max 19.2°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 2%, 🧭 1012.9 hPa ↘️ -5.4 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↘ 327°
woensdag 17 juni: Min 13.4°C, Max 23.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 3%, 🧭 1013.4 hPa ↗️ +0.5 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 13.5 km/u (3.8 m/s), richting: ↗ 204°

Details:
• 🌡️ Huidige temperatuur (om 01:15): 13.6°C (Licht bewolkt)
• 🤚 Gevoelstemperatuur: 11.6°C (-2.0°C)
• 💨 Windsnelheid: 9.4 km/u (2.6 m/s), richting: ↗ 225°
• 🌬️ Windstoten: 17.6 km/h (4.9 m/s)
• 💧 Luchtvochtigheid: 78%
• 🧭 Luchtdruk: 1017.9 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/3h
• 👁️ Zichtbaarheid: 15.6 km
• ☀️ UV-index: 0.0
• 🌅 Zonsopgang: 05:23 · 🌇 Zonsondergang: 22:00

Luchtkwaliteit:
• AQI: 28 🟢 (Goed)
• PM2.5: 7.5 μg/m³
• PM10: 10.9 μg/m³

Gegevens geleverd door Open-Meteo



this isn't happiness.

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, DESIGN & DISAPPOINTMENT INSTAGRAM ★ ELSEWHERES

Coasters, Eli McMullen







Coasters, Eli McMullen

You Called Me Mine and I Called You Yours

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

You Called Me Mine and I Called You Yours

Have a Cigar

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Have a Cigar

Daniel Krieger, White Sands National Monument

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Daniel Krieger, White Sands National Monument

New York New York

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

New York New York

Yame-Fukushima Japan

on the water photography has added a photo to the pool:

Yame-Fukushima Japan

Yame Fukushima Historic Townscape
A nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings lined with earthen-walled storehouse-style townscapes.

This old townscape spreads across the Fukushima district of Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and once flourished as the castle town of the Kurume Domain. Many of its buildings are earthen-walled storehouses, and around 150 traditional structures dating from the Edo period to the early Showa era line the old highway. The area was designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in May 2002.

The street is also lined with shops making use of traditional architecture, where you can enjoy local food and shopping. Other highlights are scattered throughout the area, including Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine, where the nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property “Yame Fukushima Lantern Puppet Performance” is held every September, and Yokomachi Machiya Exchange Center, which introduces the charm and history of the townscape. If you visit in April, be sure to stop by “Tunnel Fuji,” a wisteria trellis about 510 m long made using rails from the former Japanese National Railways Yabe Line. Dobashi Market, a rare drinking district set within a shrine precinct, is also a must-visit.

Reflecting Fukushima’s history as a town that prospered through merchants and artisans, another distinctive feature is that you can spot Ebisu statues throughout the area. Stone monuments left by haiku poets and their disciples also remain, making it a great place to enjoy a literary monument walk.

Source: Good Luck Trip

Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

Eerste daling van buitenlandse studenten in Nederland sinds 2006

DEN HAAG (ANP) - Het aantal buitenlandse studenten in Nederland is dit jaar voor het eerst sinds 2006 gedaald. Dit collegejaar staan er in totaal 129.764 ingeschreven voor een volledige opleiding aan een Nederlandse hogeschool of universiteit. Dat is een lichte daling van 133 studenten vergeleken met vorig jaar, constateert de organisatie Nuffic, die zich inzet voor internationalisering in het hoger onderwijs.

De afname, aldus de onderzoekers, wordt sterk beïnvloed door de terugloop van het aantal studenten uit Duitsland en China. Respectievelijk gaat het om 1680 en 988 minder. Het aantal uit Duitsland daalt al sinds het collegejaar 2022/2023. Mogelijk komt dat onder meer door nieuwe opleidingseisen voor psychotherapeuten, die sinds enkele jaren gelden. De afname uit China komt mogelijk door "de stijgende positie van Chinese universiteiten in internationale ranglijsten", aldus Nuffic.

De buitenlandse studenten komen uit 171 verschillende landen, waarmee zij 16,8 procent uitmaken van de studenten in het hbo en op de universiteiten. Dat is een toename van 0,3 procent vergeleken met vorig jaar, maar dat komt doordat het aantal Nederlandse studenten nog iets harder daalde.

Ondanks de afname van Duitse studenten blijft Duitsland met afstand het belangrijkste land van herkomst voor buitenlandse studenten, met 18.241 studenten. Erna volgen Italië (8686), Roemenië (7659), Spanje (6747) en Polen (5961). China staat op plek zeven met 5093 studenten.

Tegen de trend in stijgt het aantal internationale studenten dat voor een technische studie op de universiteit kiest met 11 procent. Daarmee is de studierichting de op een na populairste wo-studie voor buitenlanders, na economie. Ook het aantal internationale hogeschoolstudenten dat voor techniek kiest, is gestegen met enkele honderden tot ruim 9000. Mogelijk komt de groei van het aantal techniekstudenten door wijziging in wervingsbeleid, aldus Nuffic.

Voor het eerst in twintig jaar zag Amsterdam minder buitenlandse studenten (min 1,7 procent) komen, hoewel het de grootste internationale studentenstad blijft, met bijna 26.000 studenten van over de grens. Maastricht volgt met ruim 14.000. Eindhoven zag flink wat nieuwe studenten uit het buitenland komen en is nu de vijfde stad qua internationale studentenpopulatie.


Slashdot

News for nerds, stuff that matters

Threats Against Politicians Tripled After Meta Changed Its Speech Rules

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Wired: Last year, Meta radically overhauled the rules around what content it would allow on its platforms. The company claimed that its own efforts policing speech had gone too far and that it would relax the rules around what speech was allowed. "We have been over-enforcing our rules, limiting legitimate political debate and censoring too much trivial content and subjecting too many people to frustrating enforcement actions," Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, wrote in a blog post at the time. Over a year later, new research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) shows the immediate impact of these changes.

The researchers analyzed about 8 million Facebook comments and found that abusive and racist comments targeting both Republican and Democrat lawmakers tripled in the six months after the new rules were put in place. Some categories of abusive comments documented by the researchers saw even sharper rises, with violent threats and hate speech quadrupling during the same period. The report cites specific examples of gendered and racist abuse directed at lawmakers like US representatives Jasmine Crockette of Texas and Byron Daniels of Florida. These comments were not taken down by Meta.

The CCDH researchers also found that threats against President Trump more than doubled in the six months after Meta overhauled its rules. Many of the comments, which included direct threats to his life, could have been classified as felony offenses, the researchers say. [...] Comments that violated Meta's policies around violent threats quadrupled, from 1,800 in the six months before the changes to 7,600 in the six months after. Hate speech comments also quadrupled, from 6,900 to 30,000. Comments that broke Meta's rules on bullying and harassment doubled, from 15,700 to 39,900.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Entre sombras y luz"

elian_fotografo has added a photo to the pool:

Entre sombras y luz"

Entre sombras y luz"

* El sol siempre encuentra cómo colarse, incluso entre edificios. Que tu día de hoy tenga ese mismo rayito que rompe las nubes ️ ¿Qué es lo que te está iluminando hoy?