News & Events

A thought-provoking discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and access to justice, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat as part of its Rule of Law Conversations series, generated spirited dialogue that extended well beyond the formal proceedings.

The event explored AI’s relationship with the legal profession and its implications for judicial administration. Distinguished legal practitioners, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders convened to assess both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in legal practice.

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General, highlighted that upon assuming office, she prioritised the rule of law as central to the Secretariat’s mission. Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, opened the session with a demonstration of AI’s capabilities through an avatar replicating his likeness, gestures, and voice.

Read the original article here: https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-secretariat-holds-vital-dialogue-about-ai-and-its-impact-legal-systems

Cyprus has announced plans to subsidise private hotel desalination plants to address water shortages during peak tourist seasons. The initiative comes as the Mediterranean island faces critically low water levels following its second-driest winter in a decade.

The government will provide £2.6 million (€3 million) over two years to support hotel desalination projects, simplifying regulations for small-scale plants in the tourism and agricultural sectors. An additional £6.9 million (€8 million) will be invested in repairing water infrastructure to reduce significant leakage issues, currently estimated at 40%.

The country is expanding its desalination capacity, with four mobile plants due to begin operating in October. These will complement the existing network of four permanent facilities, though one remains inactive due to fire damage. Currently, the permanent plants produce 235,000 cubic metres of fresh water daily.

Cyprus’s dam network, the most extensive per capita in Europe, is operating at just 24.6% capacity, compared to 47.2% last year. With tourism contributing 13.5% to the nation’s GDP and visitor numbers reaching record levels exceeding 4 million in 2023, the water security measures are deemed crucial for the island’s economic stability.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cyprus-to-fund-desalination-plants-at-hotels-to-reduce-impact-of-water-shortages-on-tourism/ar-AA1BHQMX?ocid=BingNewsVerp

Starting this April, Namibia is set to end visa-free travel privileges for more than 30 nations, including the US and the UK.

The decision, approved by the Namibian cabinet last July, will affect numerous European countries, notably Germany, Namibia’s primary source of tourism. The policy shift, implemented shortly after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration, stems from the lack of reciprocal visa-free arrangements for Namibian citizens, despite concerns from the local tourism sector about potential visitor decline.

The American Embassy in Namibia has advised its citizens to secure tourist visas before travelling, recommending use of Namibia’s online visa portal for applications. This change marks a significant shift from the previous arrangement, where both the US and UK enjoyed visa-free access to approximately 180 countries worldwide.

Read the original article here: https://businessday.ng/news/article/namibia-removes-us-uk-others-from-visa-free-list/