MOUNTAIN VIEW: Google on Wednesday said it is opening Bard, a rival to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, to 180 countries as it expands use of artificial intelligence across its platform. "We have been applying AI for a while, with generative AI we are taking the next step," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai told thousands of developers gathered for the event. Cathy Edwards of Google Search said the new experience would be akin to a search that is "supercharged" by a conversational bot. Other Google executives laid out how generative AI is being woven into Gmail, photo editing, online work tools and more. Bard technology will enable features such as filling in text to help draft emails and suggesting ideas for artwork by scrutinizing a picture of available supplies.

The Hong Kong Police Force said in a statement early Thursday that a search and seizure involving the sculpture "Pillar of Shame" was legal, reasonable and rational. According to the police statement, the force said the search was conducted with a court warrant. “Like any other case, to collect evidence following progress of investigation to take forward the relevant case is legal, reasonable and rational,” it wrote. The police spokesman also emphasized that the government has all along carried out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, and the handling of this case is no exception. “The HKSAR government will continue to handle the exhibit, including the arrangement after the judicial proceedings, in accordance with the law,” the spokesman added.

Top picks: Miss Universe Philippines 2023 PreliminariesMANILA, Philippines — Who made the first cut? In a matter of days, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Top 16 finalists will be announced, which includes winners of the various challenges. After months of preparations (years even for others), the 38 remaining delegates of the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines search fought it tooth-and-nail at the recently concluded Preliminaries in Okada Manila. The 2023 Miss Universe Philippines Preliminaries was beamed live to a global audience through the Empire PH channel on YouTube. RELATED: How to watch Miss Universe Philippines 2023 finals, coronation night

PNP purging scalawags from anti-drug unitMembers of the Philippine National Police line up for the monthly rank inspection at the Manila Police District Headquarters in this file photo. MANILA, Philippines — The purging of scalawags within the Philippine National Police’s premier anti-narcotics unit is underway, a PNP official said yesterday. Col. Marlou Martinez, deputy director for administration of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, said 97 police officers under PDEG were relieved from their posts following a background investigation into allegations of wrongdoing. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has embarked on a mission to rid the PDEG and other drug enforcement units (DEUs) across the country of corrupt police officers. “What we are doing now is really conducting vetting on all these drug enforcement units,” he said.

The Integrated Intelligent Communication System (IICS), developed by Continuous Technologies International Limited (CTINT) and jointly presented with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and Correctional Services Department (CSD), achieved outstanding results with the award of a silver medal at the 48th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions held in Switzerland. The Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions is the largest annual global event on inventions, showcasing around 1,000 inventions from 40 countries and regions, and evaluated by an international jury of specialists. IICS is a tailor-made telephone communication solution that automates the not-so-simple process of making phone calls for both persons-in-custody (PICs) and officers. Records at the end of 2022 showed a three-fold increase in the total number of phone calls since IICS’s deployment in mid-2020*. The IICS solution is flexible and boasts strong scalability in response to operation and user requirements.

For the simple declarative statement like, say, "We brought Eve some luscious fruits," the pseudo-cleft can do the following:Emphasize the direct object ("luscious fruits") from the doer's ("we") standpoint: "What we brought to Eve were luscious fruits." Emphasize the direct object from the doer's standpoint, but less assertively: "What were brought by us to Eve were luscious fruits." Emphasize the direct object from the receiver's ("Eve's") standpoint: "What Eve got from us were luscious fruits." Emphasize all the elements: "What happened was that we brought luscious fruits to Eve." Read this essay and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "When even the passive voice won't suffice"Next, May 18, 2023: Dealing with problematic pronoun usage – 1Visit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.

I thought of revisiting my 16-year-old self, the time when I graduated from high school. That is why I decided to share with them some important advice that I would have given my 16-year-old self as I have already gone through all the things that I have gone through. Although there are so many that I can tell my former self, I am choosing only four top-of-the-list advice. This means that a young person ought to carry on his or her shoulder the burdens of the world that he or she already inherited. This would also mean that this will put the young person in the right path of finding a solution to the problems that he or she faces.

A fight broke out between two waitresses at a Lok Fu restaurant on Wednesday morning, with one accusing the other of hurling a jar of hot water at her. The colleagues at the restaurant in Lok Fu Place started to bicker around 7 am over a dispute, which soon escalated. It is understood that one of the waitresses hurled a jar of hot water at the other while the other used the jar to fight back, hitting her “opponent” in the head. Police were soon called to the scene, arresting both women and confiscating the jar as evidence. The two, sustaining no apparent injuries, were taken to the hospital for observation.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday warned the public about fake guidance and counseling certificates (GCCs) supposedly from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the BI, said two departing Filipinos were separately caught on Monday carrying fake GCCs, which are required of those going overseas to meet or marry prospective foreign spouses. ADVERTISEMENTOne was bound for Australia and was intercepted at Clark International Airport. The other was bound for the British Virgin Islands and was intercepted at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. —Jerome AningRELATED STORY:BI warns Filipinos going abroad: Beware of fake certificatesYour subscription could not be saved.

CK Asset (1113) has proposed to acquire the entirety of London-listed real estate investment trust Civitas Social Housing for 485 million ( HK$4.8 billion) in cash. Civitas Social Housing's shares jumped 44.22 percent to 79.9 pence last night after the announcement. The deal would require the approvals of not less than 75 percent of the shareholders of Civitas Social Housing and the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK to complete, the filing said. Civitas Social Housing is the owner of specialized supported housing and residential care houses that are used to accommodate vulnerable adults aged 18 to 65 with long-term learning disabilities or mental health issues. The proposal came as CK Hutchison (0001) said its subsidiary CK Hutchison Group Telecom's first-quarter revenue inched up by 1 percent year-on-year to nearly EUR2.45 billion (HK$21 billion).

More Pinoys opting to delay marriage, having kids – POPCOMParents shield themselves from the sun as they wait for their children outside the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos are opting to delay marriage and having children, according to the Commission on Population and Development. She noted that the desire to pursue a career is one of the primary reasons why young Filipinos are delaying marriage and having children. The POPCOM chief, however, stressed that the current trend of Filipinos choosing to marry and having children at a later age is not yet worrisome. Although more Filipinos are opting to delay marriage, Bersales noted that many still consider having children and families of their own.

GUWAHATI, India: Security measures are keeping the peace in a remote northeastern Indian state where 60 people were killed and 35,000 civilians were displaced in rioting and ethnic clashes last week, officials said. On Monday, India's Home Minister Amit Shah told the India Today news channel that the situation in Manipur was under control and appealed to the people to maintain peace. Minority hill community leaders say the Meitei community is comparatively well-off and that granting them more privileges would be unfair. Two-thirds of the state's 2.5 million people live in a valley that makes up roughly 10 percent of the state's total area. The Meiteis are Hindus, while rival groups, including the Kuki and other tribes, are mostly Christian and mainly live in the surrounding hill districts.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Juancho Miguel Besana posted an average score of 14.425 points in the vault final to win the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday, May 9 at the National Olympic Stadium's Marquee Tent. Juancho Miguel Besana PHOTO BY NIEL VICTOR C. MASOYBesana's win gave the Philippines its second gold for the day. The first one was courtesy of another Filipino gymnast in Ivan Cruz who topped the floor exercise event earlier.

‘The Ranis Report and Blas Ople at Labor’(Continued)(Part of the paper I am preparing in connection with the 50 year review of economic policy at the UP School of Economics.) The dominant player on labor issues during the Marcos years was Blas Ople, who became Labor secretary in 1967 during the president’s second term in office. A UN report by experts on labor and employment could do a better job in educating a labor secretary. The Ranis Report. Local labor unions strongly lobbied to get the study to support increasing the minimum wage to raise labor income and welfare.

Teves sought asylum in Timor Leste — DOJMANILA, Philippines — Embattled lawmaker Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental, 3rd District) has attempted to seek asylum in Timor Leste, according to Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. Remulla learned through a letter from Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo that Teves filed an application for a protection visa with the intent of asylum in Dili, Timor Leste capital city a week ago. The information came from the Philippines' ambassador to Timor Leste. Teves entered Timor Leste a week ago trying to seek special asylum status,” Remulla said. Remulla said the department’s move to tag Teves as a terrorist could force him to return to Manila and surrender.