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  • Survey finds generational gap in attitudes to AI romance

    Survey finds generational gap in attitudes to AI romance

    A new large-scale global survey has uncovered stark generational and geographic gaps in public attitudes toward AI-powered romantic and intimate companions, revealing that nearly half of young adults across six major economies expect these AI tools to boost human happiness over the coming decade through reliable emotional support.

    Conducted by polling firm YouGov in partnership with Tokyo-based media company Star X Gen, the research polled nearly 10,000 respondents across the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, Indonesia and Hong Kong, and shared its findings exclusively with AFP on Monday. The work comes as rapid advances in artificial intelligence have already pushed millions of people to turn to chatbots for emotional confiding and romantic connection, while parallel progress in robotics has enabled the development of far more sophisticated AI-integrated intimate devices, sparking widespread debate over how these technologies will reshape human relationships.

    The survey’s most striking trend is a clear generational divide in optimism. Among respondents aged 18 to 24, 48 percent agreed that AI intimacy companions — a category encompassing everything from text-based chatbots to physical AI-enabled sex dolls — will improve overall human happiness in the next 10 years. For 25 to 34-year-olds, that figure fell only slightly to 47 percent. Optimism drops steadily with age, however, with just 25 percent of adults aged 55 and older sharing that positive view.
    When asked specifically about deeper personal connection and sexual wellness, the generational gap remains consistent: 32 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 38 percent of 25 to 34-year-olds expect AI companions to improve outcomes in these areas, with older age groups holding far more negative outlooks.

    Beyond generational differences, the survey also revealed a profound ideological split between Western and Asian regions, with Asian populations far more accepting of technology-driven romance and intimacy than their Western counterparts. Poll organizers told AFP they were caught off guard by the size of this regional disparity.
    Indonesia topped the regional rankings, with half of all respondents across all age groups saying they believe AI companions will improve personal connection and sexual wellness. That figure stood at 34 percent in Hong Kong and 24 percent in Japan, while Western markets recorded far lower acceptance: 20 percent in the United States, 15 percent in Germany, and just 9 percent in Britain.
    “While Western audiences largely view synthetic intimacy as a threat to authentic human closeness, Asian audiences appear increasingly ready to integrate AI into their personal and physical lives,” explained Philippe Chan, a YouGov researcher working on the project.

    Despite growing mainstream conversation around AI intimacy, the technology remains in its early stages, particularly for physical products like AI-enabled dolls. Across all respondents, only 17 percent said they would personally consider using an AI intimacy doll, compared to 59 percent who ruled out the idea entirely. Even so, younger adults were far more open to testing the technology than older groups, and in Japan and Germany, the share of young people willing to try an AI doll was nearly double the national average.

    The report concluded that while the general global population remains wary of AI romantic companions, younger generations are actively redefining what counts as companionship in the modern era. In Japan specifically, more than a third of young adults believe AI dolls can provide a genuine sense of love — a share that outnumbers young people who reject that idea.

    The growing popularity of AI chatbots for romantic connection has also drawn scrutiny from mental health experts and family advocates, who have raised concerns about the technology’s potential psychological impact on vulnerable groups. In several recent high-profile cases, families have linked the deaths of teenagers to excessive unhealthy reliance on AI tools.

  • Premier League record-breaker Milner retires

    Premier League record-breaker Milner retires

    LONDON – At the age of 40, James Milner, the beloved former England national team midfielder, has officially brought a close to his extraordinary 24-year career in England’s top-flight Premier League, closing a chapter defined by consistency, versatility and trophy-laden success across the country’s biggest clubs.

    Milner, who finished his playing journey at Brighton & Hove Albion after signing last summer, launched his professional path at Leeds United, the club he supported as a child growing up in Yorkshire. It was with the Whites in 2002 that he made an early mark on the history books: at 16 years and 356 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer the Premier League had ever seen – a record that would later be reclaimed by James Vaughan and Max Dowman, but one that signaled the arrival of a special talent early on.

    After Leeds, Milner went on to build his reputation with stints at Newcastle United and Aston Villa, where he established himself as one of the most hardworking and adaptable players in the league. His first major title success came after a 2010 move to Manchester City, where he spent five seasons and lifted two Premier League trophies alongside a host of other domestic honors.

    In 2015, Milner made the switch to Liverpool to link up with Jurgen Klopp, a move that would add even more glitter to his trophy cabinet. During his eight years at Anfield, he claimed a third Premier League title and was a key squad member of the Reds’ 2019 UEFA Champions League winning campaign, bringing the biggest prize in European club football back to Merseyside.

    Following the expiration of his Liverpool contract in 2023, Milner joined Brighton on a free transfer, with one more milestone left to achieve. In February 2024, he surpassed Gareth Barry’s long-standing record of 653 Premier League appearances, finishing his career with an unmatched total of 658 top-flight outings. Across all club and international matches, his total career appearance count sits at an impressive 964.

    On the international front, Milner earned 61 caps for the England senior men’s team, representing his country at two European Championships and two FIFA World Cup tournaments throughout his career.

    Milner shared his retirement news in an Instagram post published on Monday, where he reflected on the unexpected path his career has taken. “From making my debut for Leeds, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I’ve been on,” he wrote.

    He added: “I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country, England, at two European Championships and two World Cups. But more than anything, it’s the people and friendships I’ve made throughout the game that I’ll cherish forever.”

  • Kevin Keegan reveals stage four cancer diagnosis

    Kevin Keegan reveals stage four cancer diagnosis

    One of English football’s most iconic figures, former England captain and Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan, has publicly confirmed he is battling stage four cancer, in a revelation that has drawn an outpouring of warmth and support from across the global football community.

    The 75-year-old’s family first shared news of his diagnosis back in January, when Keegan was admitted to hospital for assessments of persistent abdominal discomfort. Over the weekend, the football great opened up about the latest development in his treatment during a public appearance at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House.

    In comments reported by the Daily Mail, Keegan outlined the path his care has taken: “They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer. He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him.”

    Newcastle United, the Premier League side where Keegan built his legacy both as a player and a manager, was quick to share a public message of solidarity with the legend and his loved ones. “Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends strength and best wishes to him and his family for the journey ahead,” the club said in an official post on X, adding it offered “heartfelt support and warmest wishes” to Keegan.

    Keegan’s decades-long football career has cemented his status as one of the sport’s most beloved figures. Signed to Liverpool by legendary manager Bill Shankly in 1971, Keegan claimed three English top-flight titles and the 1977 European Cup during his time at Anfield. After moving to German side Hamburg in 1977, he earned the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award twice during his tenure with the club.

    He later returned to England to finish his playing career with stints at Southampton and Newcastle, before moving into management. Across his 63 international caps for England, he scored 21 goals and also wore the captain’s armband for the national side. As a manager, he took charge of Fulham, Newcastle United twice, Manchester City, and the senior England national team.

    During his public appearance over the weekend, Keegan shared one personal wish for the coming months: to return to St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s iconic home ground, to properly say goodbye to the club and its fans. “I want to say goodbye,” he said. “I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”

  • Woman traumatised after boyfriend killed

    Woman traumatised after boyfriend killed

    Three days after 23-year-old Aljaron Stubbs was gunned down just steps from his Elizabeth home, his grieving girlfriend of five years is opening up about the senseless violence that stole her partner and left her grappling with lifelong trauma. The woman, who has requested anonymity to protect her safety, spoke exclusively to The Tribune, detailing the chaotic moments when bullets began flying and the lasting nightmare that has followed the attack.

    The tragedy unfolded shortly before 3 p.m. on a Thursday last week, near the intersection of Antigua Street and Barbados Avenue. On that day, Stubbs—who had been released on bail pending trial for multiple pending charges including conspiracy to murder and murder—had just wrapped up a court appearance. His girlfriend, who was on a lunch break from work, was alongside him as the pair headed toward their home.

    When they noticed an unfamiliar vehicle parked near their residence—one that had also been spotted loitering in the area earlier that morning—they made the split-second decision to seek shelter in a nearby neighbor’s yard instead. But their attempt to avoid danger came too late: gunmen traveling in a pale-colored Japanese-made car pulled into the neighborhood and immediately opened fire on the couple.

    Stubbs’ girlfriend told reporters she immediately dropped to the ground and began praying as bullets rang out around her. It was only when she stood up moments later to check on Stubbs that she realized the attack had already been fatal. “By the time as I get up and ask him ‘baby, you okay?’ That was it. He was then gone,” she recalled. In the chaos of the shooting, she did not even notice immediately that a bullet had grazed her own back.

    In the three days since the murder, the trauma has already upended the young woman’s life. She told reporters she struggles to sleep through the night, constantly woken by vivid nightmares of the attack, and often finds herself reliving the shooting during waking hours. She has stepped away from her job temporarily to focus on processing her grief, describing a constant state of disorientation and anguish in the days after the attack. “In the morning, when it first happened, I felt like I was going crazy,” she said.

    The pain of Stubbs’ violent death has hit especially hard, she explained. “I know everybody gotta go one day, but it’s how you go. That’s the part that hurt me. If he had gone to bed and didn’t wake up, I would have felt better,” she said. Stubbs’ relatives have also been unable to process the sudden loss; multiple family members became inconsolable at the crime scene and had to be restrained by responding police officers.

    While court records confirm Stubbs faced serious pending charges—including the 2023 murder of Jorge Cuevas and conspiracy to murder Detective Sergeant Raphael Miller, plus additional charges of attempted murder and firearms possession—he had repeatedly denied all allegations. His girlfriend acknowledged that Stubbs was not a perfect man, but insisted he had been working to turn his life around in the months before his death. She also pushed back against constant police scrutiny he faced after his release on bail, noting “Every other week, coming to lock him up and bothering him. Ain’t nobody’s perfect. Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty.”

    Before the shooting, the unemployed 23-year-old had been making concrete plans for a new, law-abiding future: he had told his girlfriend he planned to open a car wash business the following month, and purchase three motorbikes to rent out for extra income. The couple was also getting ready to celebrate their sixth relationship anniversary in October, with plans for a professional photo shoot and a weekend of activities to mark the milestone.

    The surviving victim says she has left justice for Stubbs’ killers up to a higher power, noting that “every dog got their day.” She said she will deeply miss her partner, whom she described as a quiet, easygoing person who was her safe place. The trauma of the attack has left her convinced she will never be able to form another close romantic bond: “I don’t think I could go in another relationship for as long as I live. I can’t take that,” she said. “I don’t want to get attached to anybody anymore because that was my safe place.”

    Looking at old photos of the couple together still reduces her to tears, so she has tried to avoid keeping those mementos out where she will see them. “Every now and then, like looking at our pictures and stuff like that, I try not to look at it, because it just made me break down and cry but, it’s really ain’t easy,” she said.

    As of this report, law enforcement has not made any arrests in connection with Stubbs’ murder. According to Tribune records, the killing brings the total number of murders recorded in the country so far this year to 27.

  • Arajet receives 16th aircraft, named ‘Pico Diego de Ocampo’

    Arajet receives 16th aircraft, named ‘Pico Diego de Ocampo’

    SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Dominican ultra-low-cost airline Arajet has marked a major milestone in its regional growth trajectory, bringing its 16th commercial aircraft to Cibao International Airport in the country’s northern region. The new jet, which joins the carrier’s growing fleet, has been christened “Pico Diego de Ocampo” in a nod to one of the nation’s most ecologically vital protected areas.

    Pico Diego de Ocampo Natural Monument, the namesake of the new aircraft, is a protected conservation site that plays a critical role in safeguarding northern Dominican Republic’s native biodiversity and freshwater reserves, a choice that reflects the airline’s connection to the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

    This latest fleet expansion is a core component of Arajet’s aggressive long-term growth strategy, which centers on deepening air links between the Dominican Republic and markets across North, Central, and South America. Beyond the current fleet growth, the carrier has publicly announced ambitious plans to launch permanent, scheduled commercial operations out of Cibao International Airport by 2027. That expansion milestone will be supported by the delivery of nine additional new aircraft over the next 24 months, laying the infrastructure for increased service out of the northern hub.

    Senior company leadership emphasized that the steady growth of Arajet’s fleet is directly tailored to address skyrocketing passenger demand for affordable air travel to and from the Dominican Republic. They also noted that expanding the fleet will further cement the nation’s status as the preeminent aviation and travel hub in the Caribbean region, attracting more visitors and transit traffic to the island.

    Officials from Cibao International Airport echoed that optimism, welcoming the new aircraft and framing the expansion as a transformative win for the northern Dominican Republic. They highlighted that increased air connectivity out of the airport will drive higher tourist arrivals, create new local job opportunities, and stimulate broad-based economic development across the entire northern corridor of the country.

  • German companies explore new investment opportunities in Dominican Republic

    German companies explore new investment opportunities in Dominican Republic

    The Dominican Republic has cemented its standing as one of Germany’s most critical strategic partners in Latin America, following the successful conclusion of the inaugural German Week hosted in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The high-profile gathering brought together more than 30 leading German companies and public institutions, creating a platform to explore new collaborative opportunities and showcase the deepening bond between the two nations.

    In her remarks at the event, German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Maike Friedrichsen highlighted that bilateral relations between Berlin and Santo Domingo are currently at their most robust level in modern history. This momentum, she explained, has been fueled by rapidly expanding economic linkages and the launch of a growing roster of cross-sector cooperation initiatives.

    Ambassador Friedrichsen shared key data showing that German direct investment in the Dominican Republic has grown 15 times over the past 10 years. This dramatic surge reflects rising German business interest in a range of high-priority Dominican sectors, including export-oriented free trade zones, regional logistics networks, large-scale infrastructure projects, advanced medical technology, and utility-scale renewable energy development. She added that the bilateral relationship will continue to deepen as both governments and private sectors work together to unlock new opportunities for inclusive business growth and sustainable development.

    Beyond economic and trade collaboration, Friedrichsen underlined that the partnership between the two countries extends to critical global and regional priorities. These include joint action on environmental protection, advancement of circular economy models, acceleration of renewable energy adoption, investment in resilient infrastructure, and support for strengthening the rule of law across the region.

    Notably, the first German Week drew official delegates and business representatives from multiple neighboring Caribbean and Central American nations. This regional participation further underscores the Dominican Republic’s evolving role as a central hub for strategic dialogue and practical collaboration between Germany and the broader Caribbean community.

    The ambassador closed her remarks by expressing sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña, and reaffirmed the German government and private sector’s long-term commitment to continuing to expand and deepen the multifaceted bilateral partnership between the two nations.

  • U.S. Deputy Secretary visits AES Dominicana to strengthen energy cooperation

    U.S. Deputy Secretary visits AES Dominicana to strengthen energy cooperation

    In a high-profile visit to Boca Chica this week, AES Dominicana welcomed former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau, current U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Leah Campos, and a cross-official delegation to the company’s sprawling Andrés energy complex, a cornerstone of transatlantic energy trade between the United States and the Caribbean. The meeting offered senior U.S. officials an up-close look at one of the most critical energy infrastructure projects in the region, which serves as the primary entry point for U.S.-sourced liquefied natural gas entering the Dominican market.

    During the facility tour, the delegation explored the complex’s core operational zones: cutting-edge LNG storage tanks, advanced regasification units, and the integrated power generation facility that powers a significant share of the Dominican Republic’s domestic energy grid. All of the natural gas processed at the site is sourced from U.S. export terminals located along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas, tying the two nations’ energy sectors closely together.

    Company leadership shared key trade data with the delegation, noting that the Dominican Republic is on track to import over 4 million cubic meters of LNG from the United States in 2025. This import volume cements the country’s standing as the largest importer of North American natural gas across all of Latin America, a milestone that underscores the growing integration of U.S. energy markets with the Caribbean and Central American regions.

    AES executives emphasized that the Andrés complex fills a unique strategic role beyond the Dominican Republic’s borders. The infrastructure not only strengthens regional energy security by reducing reliance on single-source energy supplies but also creates a stable foundation for sustained economic growth across neighboring markets. It also enables greater energy diversification, helping nations across the Caribbean and Central America transition away from heavier fossil fuels while scaling up cleaner energy options.

    Beyond its operational impact, the project stands as the single largest U.S. capital investment in the Dominican Republic, with total accumulated investment exceeding $2.4 billion in energy infrastructure to date. AES confirmed it continues to expand its footprint across the region, investing not only in natural gas infrastructure but also in utility-scale renewable energy projects and advanced energy storage solutions that will support the region’s long-term clean energy transition.

  • Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons arrives in Dominican Republic for official visit

    Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons arrives in Dominican Republic for official visit

    PUNTA CANA – Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons touched down in the Dominican Republic Saturday, kicking off an official working visit that will extend through June 2. The visiting head of state was greeted with full military honors upon arrival, and received by high-ranking Dominican government representatives, including senior officials from the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Dominican diplomatic mission stationed in Suriname. Geerlings-Simons is not traveling alone; a delegation of senior Surinamese government officials, including Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva and Transport, Communications and Tourism Minister Raymond Landveld, is accompanying her throughout the visit.

    On Monday, the diplomatic schedule will center on high-level talks at the Dominican National Palace, where Geerlings-Simons is set to hold a full slate of official meetings with Dominican President Luis Abinader. The packed agenda opens with a closed-door private bilateral discussion between the two leaders, followed by plenary talks between the full delegations from both nations. After the discussions, the two sides will hold a formal signing ceremony for multiple new cooperation agreements, before issuing a joint official declaration outlining shared priorities. Following the meetings, Geerlings-Simons will join Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez to lay a wreath and pay respects at the Altar of the Fatherland, a prominent national memorial in the country.

    Tuesday will bring the next phase of diplomatic engagement: the Surinamese president is scheduled to hold talks with top Dominican congressional leaders before delivering a landmark address to a joint session of the Dominican bicameral legislature.

    This official visit marks a key milestone in the steadily growing bilateral relationship between the Dominican Republic and Suriname. Over recent years, the two Caribbean nations have actively expanded collaborative frameworks across a range of high-priority sectors, including energy, hydrocarbon development, agriculture, and commercial air services. Recent diplomatic efforts and existing agreements have centered on three core mutual goals: increasing bilateral trade volumes, advancing shared progress in sustainable energy development, and deepening cross-sector collaboration that benefits both nations’ populations and economies.

  • Patra, Freddy Browne make new music

    Patra, Freddy Browne make new music

    Legendary dancehall artist known by her stage moniker “Queen of the Pack”, Patra, has closed a landmark distribution deal that will take her independent label +Plus Entertainment Inc to a worldwide audience via a collaborative network of JHOUSE Entertainment, The Orchard, and Sony Music. The announcement was made jointly by Patra and JHOUSE Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Freddy Browne.

    This new agreement stands as a pivotal turning point in Patra’s decades-long career, opening doors for her upcoming new music to reach far larger global audiences through one of the entertainment industry’s most robust and far-reaching distribution infrastructures. For the iconic artist, the decision to partner with JHOUSE and Sony Music grew out of a long-standing positive working relationship with Browne and his in-house team, and she has expressed high hopes for a productive and successful collaboration.

    Patra emphasized that the deal does more than just expand her reach: it lets her retain full creative and career autonomy while giving her access to an experienced team of industry professionals to guide her next steps. She described the partnership as a full-circle moment that feels deeply personal, blending professional growth, personal development, and aligned spiritual values. Running her own independent label has long been a career goal for Patra, who aims not only to take greater control of her own artistic expression but also to lift up other emerging artists. She shared that the partnership has renewed her enthusiasm for the music industry and restored her faith in creative collaboration, calling the arrangement “feels like home”.

    Listeners will not have to wait long for new content from the collaboration: Patra’s debut single under the new deal is scheduled to drop in the coming summer. Beyond that solo release, Browne and Patra will also launch a second collaborative track paired with an official music video this summer, which will serve as the fifth single from the highly anticipated JHOUSE Vol 1 compilation album.

    For Browne, the partnership carries particular personal significance. When he first launched JHOUSE Entertainment, Patra was the very first Jamaican artist he set his sights on working with, making this deal a full-circle moment for the label head as well. He praised Patra as one-of-a-kind iconic talent whose unique energy and commitment to philanthropy have made her a beloved figure across the globe, noting that audiences worldwide are eagerly anticipating new work from the trailblazing dancehall star.

    This latest deal also reinforces JHOUSE Entertainment’s expanding roster of talent and its core mission: to bring original, Browne-produced music to global audiences while creating equitable, career-changing opportunities for both established iconic artists and rising emerging talent.

  • Kukudoo’s Jerusalem to be remastered, re-released

    Kukudoo’s Jerusalem to be remastered, re-released

    One month following the passing of celebrated Jamaican gospel and Revival music artist Kukudoo, whose legal name was David McDermott, his third studio album Jerusalem is scheduled for a posthumous reissue by Tad’s International Record this coming June. The 16-track project originally debuted to critical and audience attention in October 2020, but the upcoming re-release will bring notable updates to the original listening experience, according to label head Tad Dawkins in an exclusive conversation with the Jamaica Observer.

    In his remarks, Dawkins confirmed that the reworked version of the album features remixed cuts of select tracks alongside a full remastering of the entire record, designed to elevate the audio quality for long-time fans and new listeners alike. Kukudoo lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma just weeks ahead of the planned re-release, leaving behind a decades-long musical legacy that spans two distinct eras of Jamaican music.

    Born and raised in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Kukudoo launched his music career in the local sound system circuit, cutting dub plates and performing for iconic setups including Excalibur, Stereo Don and Impression. For the first phase of his professional career, he built a reputation as a dancehall artist, but made a transformative career shift 20 years before his death to focus on Revival-style gospel music, a genre he became deeply passionate about elevating.

    After his transition to gospel music, Kukudoo dropped two full-length albums before releasing Jerusalem: Time Waits on No Man and In The Middle of The Night. Widely considered his most ambitious creative work, Jerusalem represented the culmination of his mission to bring Revival music to a broader mainstream audience. In an interview ahead of the album’s original 2020 release, Kukudoo shared his vision for the project, noting that expanded collaborative work on the record would help break down barriers for the genre he loved. “I just want Revival music to be more recognisable and more involved in society, and with this album I know it will. Having more collaborations on this album will see it reaching a wider audience,” he said at the time.

    Dawkins, who worked closely with Kukudoo on the upcoming re-release, shared warm memories of the late artist, describing him as a grounded, approachable collaborator whose faith shaped every part of his work. “He was very humble and highly spiritual. [He] loved the revival style of reggae music,” Dawkins said. The posthumous reissue stands as a tribute to Kukudoo’s legacy, bringing his final creative vision to a new generation of listeners just one month after his passing.