Pope calls for global treaty to regulate AI
Pope Francis on Thursday called for world leaders to adopt a global treaty on the use of artificial intelligence to ensure it is used in an ethical way. He highlighted the dangers of using AI, including in disinformation and interference in elections, and also to make decisions — from social security payments to where to target weapons — for which responsibility becomes blurred. Instead, he called for a “binding international treaty” to regulate the development and use of AI, with the goal of preventing harm and sharing good practices. Concerns about AI have increased since the chatbot ChatGPT, a mass-market gateway to generative AI, exploded onto the scene in late 2022. The European Union is working on a broad law covering the sector, while Chinese legislation specifically regulating generative AI came into force in August this year.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 15, 2023 06:08 UTC
Jigawa govt uncovers 567 ghost workers among temporary teachers
The secretary to the Jigawa State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bala Ibrahim has discovered a list of 567 ghost and forgery certificate holders from over 3000 temporary teachers recruited by the immediate past government of Alhaji Badaru Abubakar. He said the discovery contained in a memorandum presented by the secretary to the state government at the state executive council presided over by governor Malam Umar Namadi. Sequel to the presentation the Council has deliberated on some key issues from the report findings”. “Similarly, the Council has directed the immediate suspension of salary of all J-Teach beneficiaries until the committee’s submit its report within 4 weeks from today 13th December, 2023. Equally, the Council has agreed that all genuine J-Teach duly verified will be paid in arrears”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 15, 2023 02:07 UTC
Ekiti robbery: Police recover vehicles, motorcycles
Ekiti State Police Command has stated that it has recovered three vehicles and two motorcycles used by the armed robbers that invaded Ikere-Ekiti, killing three people during bank robberies in the town. The PUNCH earlier reported that the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Ogundare Dare, has vowed to apprehend the perpetrators of a broad daylight bank robbery in Ikere-Ekiti on Wednesday. The command is on the trail of the fleeing suspects, who abandoned the vehicles after a hot chase by men of the command. The CP has also visited the scene of the armed robbery incident at Ikere-Ekiti for an on-the-spot assessment. “The commissioner enjoined anyone with useful information concerning the identities and/or whereabouts of armed hoodlums to contact the following GSM numbers: 08062335577, 07031620186, 08033470524, 07032152150, and 09064050086,” it added.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 21:15 UTC
Messi, Bonmati nominated for FIFA best player awards
Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were named finalists for the FIFA Best Players of the Year Awards by world football’s governing body on Thursday. Messi was awarded a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or crown in October in Paris, while Bonmati took the women’s prize after starring for Spain in their Women’s World Cup triumph. Messi won his second FIFA best player trophy last year after helping Argentina win the World Cup. Bonmati and Hermoso both scored three goals in the tournament as Spain lifted the Women’s World Cup for the first time, while Bonmati also won the Women’s Champions League with Barcelona last season. Caicedo, 18, starred in Colombia’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals and has since signed for Real Madrid.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 20:59 UTC
Putin says peace possible after Ukraine de-militarisation
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has said peace was possible with Ukraine only after Moscow achieved its goals in the nearly two-year conflict. I will remind you what we talked about the de-nazification and de-militarisation of Ukraine and its neutral status,” he said. When Putin launched his troops on Ukraine in February 2022, he requested the “de-nazification” of its pro-Western neighbour, a loosely defined term that survivors of the Holocaust have condemned. He also demanded the “de-militarisation” of Ukraine, which was fending off Russia’s assault. “As for de-militarisation, they don’t want to negotiate, so we are then forced to take other measures, including military measures,” Putin said.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 16:33 UTC
Chinese mourners use AI to digitally resurrect dead
Ultimately Wu wants to build a fully realistic replica that behaves just like his dead son but dwells in virtual reality. Following a boom in deep learning technologies like ChatGPT in China, Wu began researching ways to resurrect him. But the industry is booming in China, according to Zhang Zewei, the founder of the AI firm Super Brain and a former collaborator with Wu. “On AI technology, China is in the highest class worldwide,” said Zhang from a workspace in the eastern city of Jingjiang. Bereaved father Wu said Xuanmo would “probably would have been willing” to be digitally revived.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 15:55 UTC
Tata Motors Cars: Upcoming Tata Motors cars, SUVs in India in 2024: Tata Punch EV, Harrier EV, and more
Check it out.The Tata Punch EV will be one of the much-awaited launches of the manufacturer in 2024.Positioned below the Tata Nexon EV, the Punch EV has been spotted testing on Indian roads for quite some time now. Expected to get a new set of alloy wheels, the Tata Punch EV will borrow some interior features from the Nexon EV facelift.On the interior front, the Tata Punch EV is likely to get a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a two-spoke steering wheel, an illuminated logo, a 360-degree camera and more. The silhouette of the Harrier EV is similar to ICE version of the Harrier. Based on the Gen 2 EV architecture of the manufacturer, the Harrier EV will get new colour options with white and bronze hues. The Tata Curvv will be available in both the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) version and EV.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 14:09 UTC
Four Japanese ministers quit over corruption scandal
Four cabinet ministers in Japan quit on Thursday over a fundraising scandal involving the ruling party’s most powerful faction. Related Posts No Content AvailableIt is the latest blow to Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s increasingly unpopular government, whose approval ratings have plunged. Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, Internal Affairs Minister Junji Suzuki and Agriculture Minister Ichiro Miyashita also stepped down on Thursday. In addition, five senior vice ministers and a parliamentary vice minister from the same faction, formerly led by the late PM Shinzo Abe, also quit. Other major factions within the LDP, including one previously led by Kishida, are also facing allegations of under-reporting fundraising income.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 14, 2023 13:27 UTC
US House Republicans vote for Biden impeachment inquiry
The US House of Representatives has voted to formalise its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The US Constitution does not require the chamber to vote to launch an impeachment inquiry, legal experts said. He said that Republicans had reviewed a “mountain of evidence but all the evidence shows that Joe Biden is not guilty of any presidential offenses.”House Republicans have been itching to impeach Biden since Trump left office in 2021. Though Hunter is under federal indictment for unrelated crimes, House investigators have not yet produced evidence to charge Biden with malfeasance. It is unclear when the House probe into Biden will end or whether it will produce charges the lower chamber will vote on.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 14, 2023 13:23 UTC
GURU Organic Energy Launches Its Fruit Punch in the US on Amazon.com
MONTRÉAL, Québec— GURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU) (“GURU” or the “Company”), Canada’s leading organic energy drink brand1, announced that American consumers can now purchase its top ranked 2023 energy drink innovation, Fruit Punch, on Amazon.com and directly on the Company’s website at guruenergy.com. GURU’s Fruit Punch will also be available at select retailers across the United States starting in January 2024. About GURU Organic EnergyGURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU) is a dynamic, fast-growing beverage company that launched the world’s first natural, plant-based energy drink in 1999. The Company markets organic energy drinks in Canada and the United States through an estimated distribution network of over 25,000 points of sale, and through guruenergy.com and Amazon. The Company is committed to achieving its mission of cleaning the energy drink industry in Canada and the United States.
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 08:00 UTC
Turkey referee punch: Turkish FA says referee is not going to quit
Last updated on .From the section European FootballTurkey referee punch: Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca arrested after attackThere is "no possibility" referee Halil Umut Meler will quit after being punched in a Turkish top-flight match, says the country's football federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi. Turkish football bosses suspended all leagues following the incident but Buyukeksi added: "We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. Mehmet Yorubulut, chief of medicine at Acibadem Hospital, said Meler has a swollen eye but is in "good condition". Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Meler in hospital and said the incident had "saddened and disturbed" him. Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the incident was "totally unacceptable" and violence has "no place in our sport or society".
Source:Punch
December 14, 2023 01:13 UTC
Donald Tusk sworn in as Poland's new prime minister
Designated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (C) is applauded after giving a speech to present his programme to lawmakers at the Polish Parliament in Warsaw, Poland on December 12, 2023. Photo Credit: AFPPoland’s president on Wednesday swore in Donald Tusk as the new pro-EU prime minister, putting an end to eight years of right-wing populist rule. Tusk, who previously served as prime minister in 2007-2014, has pledged to restore Poland’s position in the European Union after rule-of-law infringements strained Warsaw ties with Brussels. The new government will likely face daily battles with PiS lawmakers. Polish President Andrzej Duda, whose term ends in 2025, could use blocking tactics between now and then to veto legislation.
Source:Punch
December 13, 2023 21:01 UTC
Wanted bandit leader, Kachalla, feared killed in military strikes
Air strikes conducted by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force have reportedly killed a notorious terrorist leader, Ali Kawaje aka Ali Kachalla, near Mangoro in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. Kachalla is one of the 19 bandit leaders declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in November 2021. His daring attacks include the downing of a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet from which the pilot, Abayomi Dairo, escaped in July 2021. When alerted, aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force under Operation Whirl Punch swiftly responded to support the troops in distress. ”The report stated that locals around the location disclosed to the troops that several terrorists, including Kachalla were killed in the operation.
Source:Punch
December 13, 2023 20:50 UTC
My advocacy started with rehabilitation of female commercial sex workers —Pastor Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe
Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, a faith-based counsellor, sexuality educator, child rights advocate, development worker and pastor, is the Executive Director of Pan African Purpose-Driven Women Initiative (www.papdwi.org), Coordinator of Child Protection Network, Oyo State and Co – Pastor of House on the Rock in Ibadan. The experiences encountered while working with these ladies birthed yet another vision of reaching the younger generation, especially adolescents/ teenagers and young adults. The advocacy for the protection of child rights was birthed in response to a case of sexual abuse of a teenager for which our organisation had to provide intervention. We have held evangelical cum medical outreaches at different times reaching over two hundred of these ladies. We have been able to reach over one hundred public and private secondary schools in Oyo State with the CBRSIE training.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 13, 2023 17:42 UTC
OHCSF begins 2023 annual general training for civil servants
The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has commenced its 2023 annual general training programme for civil servants. The Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, flagged off the training programme being held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Abuja. She also admonished them to exercise decorum during the course of the program. She further appreciated the esteemed and seasoned training facilitators while imploring them to put in their best to justify the commitment of management to get the best for its staff. Speaking earlier in his welcome remarks, the representative of the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Mr Tunde Adeniran, Director of Studies and Learning, thanked the HoSF for the confidence reposed in the Institute for conducting the annual capacity-building exercise.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 13, 2023 16:38 UTC