BREAKING:
It is likely that Israel will start a new war with Iran before December, perhaps even by the end of August. Iran is expecting the attack and preparing for it – Foreign Policy pic.twitter.com/n6nK5uBkOR
— Current Report (@Currentreport1) August 12, 2025
Day: August 12, 2025
Following the war game, the British aircraft carrier ‘Prince of Wales’ arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, near Tokyo.
AI Chatbot Launched on PornHub to Combat Child Sexual Abuse Searches in Flanders
The organisation for the prevention of child sexual abuse in Flanders has introduced an AI chatbot on PornHub aimed at curbing searches for illegal images of children and assisting individuals seeking to alter their behaviour, reports 24brussels.
The initiative, led by Stop It Now!, aims to utilize artificial intelligence to discourage users from searching for such content on the platform. Previously, users in Flanders encountered warning messages, but the addition of the chatbot marks a significant enhancement.
“We want to guide people who want to change their disturbing behaviour towards help,” stated spokesperson Larissa Van Puyvelde.
“The statistics show that we have already reached hundreds of people in that first week.”
The project has been developed in collaboration with Aylo, the parent company of PornHub, as well as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation in the UK, which first created the tool in 2022. The chatbot has been localized into Dutch to cater to Flemish users.
In the UK’s evaluation of the chatbot after 18 months, significant outcomes were observed, including a decrease in searches for child sexual abuse content; notably, one warning from the chatbot successfully discouraged users from continuing their searches in 82 percent of instances. Additionally, inquiries to helplines witnessed a notable increase.
Coaching Programme Integration
The Flemish version of the chatbot not only assists users in identifying inappropriate behaviour but also directs them to professional services and the Stop It Now! helpline. This service was activated last week for users accessing PornHub from Flanders.
“The statistics show that we have already reached hundreds of people in that first week,” Van Puyvelde reiterated. “However, whether we were able to refer them to the helpline is still unclear.”
Stop It Now! Flanders was founded with the mission of preventing child sexual abuse while providing support to those grappling with inappropriate sexual thoughts and behaviours towards minors. The organisation also offers an anonymous online coaching programme alongside a self-help module.
Brussels – European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asserted on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin lacks genuine interest in negotiating a peace settlement for Ukraine, claiming he is merely “pretending” to engage in talks, reports 24brussels.
President Donald Trump has invited Putin to meet in Alaska on Friday, August 15, 2025, in an effort to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has now persisted for almost 18 months. This meeting will mark the first direct encounter between the two leaders since the onset of the conflict and follows Trump’s re-election in 2024.
Significantly, the summit has not extended formal invitations to either the European Union or Ukraine’s leadership.
Why does Kallas believe Putin is faking peace efforts?
In an interview with CNBC, Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized that Putin seeks to exclude Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the upcoming discussions with Trump, suggesting that Zelensky’s involvement could reveal Putin’s true agenda, which appears to aim at postponing sanctions and capturing a photo opportunity with the U.S. leader.
Kallas further asserted that Kyiv had previously consented to a ceasefire months ago, accusing Russia of “playing games” instead of pursuing genuine dialogue.
Why does the EU insist on Ukraine’s participation in talks?
Earlier, a majority of EU member states issued statements praising Trump’s initiative on Ukraine, while stressing the importance of including Kyiv in any peace negotiations. They asserted that authentic discussions could only occur under conditions of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.
Twenty-six European leaders released a joint statement underscoring that Ukrainians must have the autonomy to determine their future and that diplomatic efforts should protect both Ukrainian and European interests.
“Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,”
the leaders remarked, reiterating that
“we share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
“A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and that international borders must not be changed by force,”
they concluded.
A planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska has sparked concerns among analysts, with some likening it to the 1938 Munich conference, when the fate of Czechoslovakia was decided without its leaders present. Edward Verona, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Ukrinform that the summit risks echoing a policy of appeasement, granting legitimacy to Moscow without securing lasting guarantees for Ukraine.
Fears of territorial concessions and weak security guarantees
Verona argued that Trump’s decision to host Putin on U.S. soil projects weakness, citing the administration’s shifting ultimatums and openness to discussing Ukrainian territorial concessions. He noted that suggested security measures for Kyiv amount to a vague possibility of European forces being stationed as a symbolic deterrent. Such an arrangement, he warned, would do little to satisfy Putin’s ambitions.
Risks of a fragile ceasefire
One possible outcome, Verona suggested, could be a “half-baked ceasefire” that would soon collapse, giving Russia time to regroup. Domestic political actors in Ukraine might then use the truce to push for lifting the state of emergency and calling elections. While this could appeal to both Trump and Putin, Verona cautioned it would likely weaken Ukraine’s diplomatic and military standing at a critical moment.
Political and historical undertones of the Alaska venue
The Alaska venue carries symbolic weight, Verona said, recalling that the territory was purchased from Russia in 1867 for what critics called “Seward’s folly.” He added that some Russian nationalists have joked about reclaiming Alaska, quipping that political satirists might even wonder if it could become part of a negotiation deal.
Ukraine warns against legitimizing occupation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Putin aims to trade a pause in the war for formal recognition of occupied Ukrainian lands. According to NBC News, the White House is considering inviting Zelensky to join the August 15 talks, though concerns remain over Ukraine’s level of representation in discussions that could shape its future.
Erin could become not only the first hurricane of the season but also its first major hurricane.
Natasha Bardin-Patel told Newsweek she expected to feel guilty constantly while she was apart from her 4-month-old.
Kortrijk – Kortrijk is set to host its inaugural Short Track Race on October 2, 2025, at Worldkarts Kortrijk, featuring categories for youth, women, and men. Alderman Wouter Allijns endorses this initiative as a way to enhance the city’s cycling culture, reports 24brussels.
The upcoming event will take place on an indoor karting track characterized by numerous turns and minimal straight segments. Participants will engage in a 20-minute race, competing to complete the most laps within the time frame. The primary prize will be awarded to the cyclist who achieves the highest lap count, while an additional prize will recognize the fastest lap of the day.
What makes Kortrijk’s karting track ideal for the short track race?
Gregory Laporte of Worldkarts highlights that the track is tailored for cyclists who excel at cornering and maintaining speed through turns. Success will depend on a combination of control, accuracy, and speed. Modifications for safety will be implemented, requiring cyclists to utilize a bridge rather than the lower underpass.
“We want to boost the cycling vibe a bit more and get as many Kortrijk residents as possible enthusiastic about cycling.”
Wouter Allijns, Alderman for Sports (Team Mayor City List Kortrijk)
The underpass, while appropriate for karts, poses a height risk for cyclists, even when wearing helmets. Alderman Wouter Allijns emphasized that the race reflects Kortrijk’s robust cycling culture, evident throughout village centres and major classic races, now including a karting track. The event will accommodate participants across three categories: youth aged 12 to 15, women, and men, organized into groups based on skill levels.
Worldkarts Kortrijk is a renowned indoor karting venue in West Flanders, Belgium, recognized for hosting both professional and leisure races. In recent years, it has expanded its offerings to include cycling events aimed at promoting the sport locally. The karting circuit underwent redesign in September 2015 to enhance its layout.
Additions including new karts with more powerful engines in 2016 and a new section under the bridge in 2017 have upgraded the facility. Notably, the venue has previously hosted major events, including the Kart World Championship in both 2008 and 2023. The incorporation of cycling into its programming marks an exciting new chapter for Worldkarts Kortrijk.
Layoffs in the U.S. have hit their highest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by government cuts, restructuring and AI.