Idaho passes laws instituting death penalty for child rapists, outlawing AI-generated child pornography
The Idaho legislature passed a bill this week to carry out the death penalty for sex crimes against children younger than 12. Another bill permitting prosecutors to bring sexual exploitation charges against producers of child pornography using artificial intelligence (AI) also passed the assembly in the same session. HB 515 would amend Idaho’s current statute that carries a life sentence for “lewd conduct with a minor” below the age of 16. If the child is under 12, if the act is “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity,” then prosecutors would seek the death penalty. Idaho Republican Rep. Bruce Skaug, one of the coauthors of the bills, said that he believed that the U.S. Supreme Court 2008 ruling declaring it unconstitutional to apply the death penalty in cases of child rape where the victim survived was “the wrong decision.” GALLUP REPORT FINDS DEATH PENALTY INCREASINGLY VIEWED BY AMERICANS AS ‘UNFAIRLY’ ADMINISTERED The state’s new law aligns with Florida’s after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last year a measure instituting the death penalty for those convicted of sexually abusing children under 12. The other bill, HB 465, expands on the state’s current laws outlawing the creation and distrubution of child pornography by including AI-generated images and videos that are depicted as real children. “This technology is being used to create thousands of images of children across the world and in Idaho,” Republican Rep. Dori Healey, one of the cosponsors of the bill, said during the vote. There’s a current federal law prohibiting hyper-realistic sexual images of children, but it has gone untested against AI depicted children where no child is actually present. Many are urging Congress to pass laws to address AI-generated pornographic images of children more specifically. WASHINGTON GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL ELIMINATING DEATH PENALTY IN STATE Last year, more than two dozen U.S. House Republicans demanded to know what the Department of Justice (DOJ) is doing to combat the emergence of AI-generated child pornography on the internet. IDAHO’S MOVE TO RESURRECT FIRING SQUAD ‘MAKES SENSE’ AS ‘QUICKEST, SUREST’ DEATH PENALTY OPTION, EXPERT SAYS “We write to you with grave concern regarding increasing reports of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to generate child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) which are shared across the internet,” Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. “While recognizing the benefits of appropriate uses of AI, including medical research, cybersecurity defense, streamlining public transit, and may other applications, we believe action must be taken to prevent individuals from using AI to generate CSAM.” The lawmakers cited an October 2020 report by the MIT Technology Review that warned of an AI app that was being used to digitally “undress” images of women, predominantly young girls. Meanwhile, prosecutors in all 50 states wrote to Republican and Democrat leaders in both chambers urging them to do more to curtail the rise of AI-generated child porn, the Associated Press first reported. Lawyers argued that the U.S. is “engaged in a race against time” to protect children from the growing dangers AI could pose.
Zelenskyy extends Trump an offer to visit Ukraine’s front lines: ‘If Mr. Trump will come I am ready’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an offer to Former President Trump to visit Ukraine and even take him to the front lines, during his appearance Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. “If Mr. Trump will come, I am ready even to go with him to the front line,” Zelenskkyy said on Saturday, followed by applause from the audience. “I think if we are in dialogue how to finish the war, we have to demonstrate people who are decision-makers, what does it mean — the real war. Not on Instagram — the real war,” he continued. UKRAINE MAKES MAJOR TROOP WITHDRAWAL IN KEY WIN FOR PUTIN AND RUSSIA Zelenskyy noted that he had extended this same offer to Trump before, but that the visit ultimately depended on Trump. “I invited him publicly but it depends on his wishes,” Zelenskyy stated. Zelenskyy also commented that the invitation was open to candidates and officials in both parties, stating he was a proponent of bipartisan support. Trump, the current GOP frontrunner, has been vocal in his stance against sending additional aid to Ukraine. Just this past week, Trump called on Republicans to block a $95 billion package that would provide aid to both Ukraine and Israel. ZELENSKYY’S RETURN TO DC FOR MORE CASH IN UKRAINE WAR A ‘MOST DISGRACEFUL CHARADE’: JD VANCE The White House recently criticized the former President’s remarks after a campaign speech in Conway, South Carolina where Trump encouraged Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to NATO members that did not meet spending guidelines on defense, calling them “appalling and unhinged.” “NATO was busted until I came along,” Trump said during the speech. “I said, ‘Everybody’s gonna pay.’ They said, ‘Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to protect us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They couldn’t believe the answer.” ZELENSKYY TURNS TO EUROPE FOR AID AS TRUMP BASHES US FUNDING PACKAGE Zelenskky’s appearance at the Munich Security Conference comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine nears its second anniversary this month. Zelenskyy spoke on an “artificial deficit” in ammunition as well as continued support from the international community. Zelenskyy also stood alongside Vice President Kamala Harris during a joint press conference where the Vice President pledged continued U.S. support of Ukraine. Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Legal experts weigh in on Fani Willis drama: ‘There could be a recusal here’
Legal experts said it seems unlikely that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will be disqualified from prosecuting former President Donald Trump — but she may yet be recused from the case. Willis faces allegations that she had an “improper” affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to prosecute Trump and 18 others on racketeering charges for their attempt to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Michael Roman, a Trump co-defendant, and defense attorneys have claimed Willis has a conflict of interest because she went on vacations with her lover, Wade, that were allegedly paid for by taxpayer dollars his firm received from working on the case. “It is rare for courts to toss out a case based on these allegations,” said Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor. “However, the court could force Wade and Willis to set aside due to the appearance of impropriety.” “What is now abundantly clear is that Wade and Willis are undermining the case and the office in their continuing in the case. That is as troubling as the underlying allegations,” he said. “They have placed their interests ahead of those of the office and the public. Disqualification presents a difficult challenge for the court after Wade and Willis claimed that all the key transactions were handled with untraceable cash.” BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS AFTER WILD 2-DAY HEARING ON FANI WILIS AFFAIR: ‘WHAT’S DONE IS DONE’ Defense attorneys put former friends and colleagues of Wade and Willis on the stand Thursday and Friday to testify that the pair had started a romantic relationship in 2019, years before they said the relationship began in court filings. Both Willis and Wade insisted that their relationship started in 2022, after Wade was hired to prosecute Trump. But Robin Yeartie, a former “good friend” of Willis and past employee at the DA’s office, contradicted their story. Yeartie told the court she had “no doubt” that Willis and Wade’s relationship started in 2019, after the two met at a conference. She testified to observing Willis and Wade “hugging” and “kissing” and showing “affection” prior to November 2021, and that she had no doubt that the two were in a “romantic” relationship starting in 2019, to when she and Willis last spoke in 2022. The defense also called on Terrence Bradley, a former law partner of Wade’s — and his one-time divorce lawyer — to testify that the relationship started in 2019. However, Bradley cited attorney-client privilege to avoid answering several questions from defense attorneys. Judge Scott McAfee said Friday he would hold an “in-camera” meeting with Bradley to determine if his privilege assertions are accurate. ‘THE VIEW’ DEFENDS FANI WILLIS BUT HOST ADMITS SHE ‘SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS’ Willis unexpectedly took the stand Thursday and denied allegations of impropriety. The district attorney said she paid Wade back in cash for trips they took to wine country in California, the Caribbean and other destinations. She verbally sparred with lawyers for hours, at one point prompting the judge to threaten to strike her testimony. “You’re confused! I am not on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020,” Willis said in response to a line of questioning. She did not return to the witness stand on Friday. Her father, John C. Floyd III, testified Friday and confirmed that he taught her to keep large amounts of cash on hand at all times. SEE IT: TOP MOMENTS FROM THE DA FANI WILLIS HEARING OVER ‘IMPROPER’ AFFAIR WITH NATHAN WADE He also said he did not meet Wade until 2023, and that he was unaware his daughter had a romantic relationship with Wade until about seven weeks ago, when allegations of Wills’ impropriety were first made in court filings. Emory University School of Law associate professor John Acevedo told FOX 5 Atlanta the chances Willis will be disqualified from prosecuting Trump appear slim. “Here, it’s a bit of a stretch,” he said after reviewing this week’s evidentiary hearings in Fulton County Superior court. “She obviously isn’t getting any of that salary directly, instead the theory that’s been put forward is that she’s getting gifts from Wade from the salary that he’s being paid to prosecute these defendants.” Acevedo suggested the defense has not yet been able to prove a direct benefit Willis had from hiring Wade. But the Emory prof told FOX 5 Atlanta that either way, the case looks bad for Willis, an Emory alumnus. “Reimbursement in cash, the discovering about the start of the relationship, that makes it possible that there could be a recusal here simply because of that appearance of impropriety, even if there is nothing actually wrong,” he said. Judge McAfee said earlier in the week that it’s “clear that disqualification can occur if evidence is produced demonstrating an actual conflict or the appearance of one.” If the judge determines that Willis should be disqualified or removed, a new prosecutor would be appointed to handle the election interference case and may choose to scrap it entirely. Otherwise, Willis may continue to pursue her charges against Trump and others, with a trial to come later this year. Turley said Wade and Willis should have already recused themselves. “The most serious allegation, in my view, is that Willis and Wade made false statements and filings in court,” he told Fox News Digital. “They are prosecuting defendants for making and filing false statements. In the case of Wade, this goes beyond the question of when their affair began. Wade signed interrogatories denying any sexual relationship that stand contradicted by his own admissions. Both Willis and Wade should have recused themselves weeks ago.” Fox News DIgitals’ Brianna Herilhy contributed to this report.
Tamil Nadu Firecracker factory mishap: PM Modi declare Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for deceased, Rs 50000 for injured
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the Tamil Nadu firecracker factory mishap that took place on Saturday.
Meet Nakul Nath, Former CM Kamal Nath’s son, who is richest Lok Sabha MP elected in 2019 with massive net worth…
Congress veteran and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Saturday reached New Delhi along with his son and MP Nakul Nath amid numerous speculations rife about him joining Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
VHP moves court after lioness ‘Sita’ is housed with lion ‘Akbar’ at Bengal safari
The VHP’s north Bengal unit filed the petition on February 16 and the matter is likely to be heard on February 20 before a single bench of the court.
Wisconsin legislature passes laws restricting AI-produced deepfake campaign materials
Ahead of the general election, more states are proactively introducing new bills to regulate the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) created “deepfakes,” or digitally altered videos or images, in their campaign materials. Advanced generative AI tools, ranging from voice-cloning software to image generators, have swiftly become fixtures in election cycles both domestically and internationally. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential race last year, a wave of innovation saw the integration of AI-generated audio and imagery in campaign ads, alongside ventures into AI chatbots to cultivate voter engagement. This week, Wisconsin joined 20 other states that have either introduced or passed election laws requiring election campaigns to disclose when advertisements are AI-generated. On Thursday, a bipartisan group of state assemblymembers passed two bills tackling AI use in election cycles by a voice vote. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? The first bill, AB 664, mandates all audio and video communications to bear the label “Contains content generated by AI,” with violators risking penalties of up to $1,000 per offense. One of the chief architects of the bill, Democrat Rep. Clinton Anderson, said on the floor, “We want voters to know that what you see is what you get.” Rep. Adam Neylon, another coauthor of the bill, said during the vote, “With artificial intelligence, it’s getting harder and harder to know what is true.” The second bill, AB 1068, mandates Wisconsin state agencies to conduct audits on AI tool usage to evaluate efficiency. These audits encompass tool inventories, guideline summaries, privacy policies, and data usage. Additionally, agencies must report to the legislature in 2026 on state employee positions that AI could optimize, aiming to cut jobs that could be more efficient utilizing AI by 2030. Ahead of the vote, Republican Rep. Nate Gustafson reportedly said it’s “flat out false” that the law would be used to replace state workers’ jobs. REPORT WARNS DEEPFAKES TO BE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM REALITY AS EARLY AS 2024 States with the biggest AI tech giants, California and New York, have the most bills filed in their state legislatures, Axios reported. Last week, the Federal Communications Commission made AI-generated robocallsmimicking the voices of political candidates to fool voters illegal. The FCC ruling, which takes effect immediately, makes voice cloning technology used in common robocall scams targeting consumers illegal. The decision was announced days after New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella revealed that nefarious robocalls with an AI-generated clone of President Biden’s voice urging recipients not to participate in the January 23 primaries – and instead save their votes for the November election – had been traced to two Texas companies. “In the end, the threat posed by AI to the American election system is no different than the use of malware and ransomware deployed by nation-states and organized crime groups against our personal and corporate networks on a daily basis,” Optiv vice president of cyber risk James Turgal told Fox News Digital in an interview this month. “The battle to mitigate these threats can and should be fought by both the United States government and the private sector.” Fox News’ Daniel Wallace and Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.
NHAI drops Paytm Payments Bank from FASTag list: Here’s how to close or transfer your account
Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL), toll collecting authority of state-owned NHAI, has advised highway users to buy FASTags from 32 authorised banks which excludes Paytm Payments Bank.
58th Jnanpith Award: Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya for Sanskrit, Gulzar for Urdu win honours
Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.
Alito pauses Boy Scouts $2.46 billion abuse settlement
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily halted the Boy Scouts of America’s $2.46 billion settlement Friday following decades of sexual abuse claims after a group of claimants appealed. Alito issued the stay “pending further order of the undersigned or of the Court.” The stay gives the court additional time to decide a February 9 request by the 144 abuse claimants seeking to block the settlement from moving forward. The claimants are a small group of the 82,000 who filed claims for payment in the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy. They previously asked the Court to halt the organization’s bankruptcy settlement, arguing that the settlement unlawfully prevents them from pursuing lawsuits against other organizations that are not bankrupt, including churches that ran scouting programs and local Boy Scout councils. FEDERAL JUDGE UPHOLDS $2.4 BILLION BANKRUPTCY PLAN FOR THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Retired bankruptcy judge Barbara Houser, the trustee in charge of administering the Boy Scouts settlement, said the order will suspend all work on the settlement, including “evaluating claims and mailing checks to abuse survivors,” according to Reuters. More than 3,000 men have already been paid nearly $8 million by the settlement trust. “This is an administrative stay only and is not a decision on the merits of the plaintiffs’ application for a stay of the plan,” the Boy Scouts of America told Fox News Digital in a statement. JUDGE TOSSES GIRL SCOUTS’ RECRUITMENT SUIT VS. BOY SCOUTS “As BSA’s brief in opposition to the stay application explained to the Court, the BSA plan has already been effective for ten months and will fully compensate all Scouting-abuse survivors. Staying that plan now would inflict severe harm on both the Scouting movement and Scouting-abuse survivors, many of whom have already waited decades for compensation and emotional closure,” the organization said. “We look forward to the Court’s ruling soon on the stay application. We hope the Court will swiftly deny the application and permit the BSA plan’s settlement trustee to resume her work compensating survivors.” “Our sex abuse claimants are excited that the Supreme Court issued this stay, even if it is only temporary,” Gillion Dumas, one of the lawyers representing 67 of the claimants, said, per Reuters. DELAWARE JUDGE APPROVES $2.46 BILLION REORGANIZATION PLAN FOR BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TO SETTLE ABUSE CLAIMS Fox News Digital has reached out to Dumas and counsel for the claimants and Boy Scouts of America for additional comment. The bankruptcy deal was upheld by a federal judge in the U.S. District Court of Delaware last March. The plan would allow the Texas-based organization to continue operating while it compensated the sexual abuse claimants. The ruling rejected arguments claiming the bankruptcy plan was not proposed in good faith and that it improperly strips insurers and survivors of their rights. The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy in 2020 following the passing of several laws allowing accusers the opportunity to sue over abuse allegations that were decades old. The organization later reached a settlement that was approved in court in 2022. The settlement would pay between $3,500 and $2.7 million to abuse victims. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.