Topa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadline
Blowout loss to Packers leaves the 49ers on the playoff brink
Boys Town Nebraska, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boys Town today announced the filing of patents for two groundbreaking AI-integrated innovations in virtual training & mixed reality technology. Boys Town is a leader in changing the lives of children and families across the country. Boys Town's success comes with teaching caregivers researched-based strategies to effectively change the behaviors of at-risk children. Boys Town is also a leader in helping children with hearing loss and communication disorders. This new AI model will help to effectively teach more caregivers across the country and aid those using American Sign Language (ASL). "Boys Town is known for its groundbreaking research informed care that serves children and families nationwide," said Rod Kempkes, CEO. "This new technology will help us share the Boys Town mission with even wider audiences across the world and sets Boys Town apart as a thought leader in the nonprofit sector." The first system is an AI-driven training application designed to instruct individuals on effectively implementing the Boys Town Model for teaching social skills to children. This new technology can help train caregivers how to respond when working with children. The system features AI-powered characters designed to simulate children's behavior, enabling realistic and dynamic interactions. Users can engage with these AI characters through natural language while the system leverages computer vision to interpret and respond to user cues. These teachings can then be used when dealing with real world scenarios and provide AI-driven feedback on how the interactions were handled. The second technology facilitates seamless communication between individuals using American Sign Language (ASL) and those communicating verbally. It translates ASL into speech and converts spoken language into text, which is displayed as captions on smart eyewear, allowing both parties to communicate effortlessly. Boys Town is a leader in communication disorders research along with treating those with hearing loss. This technology will be an asset to helping children and families navigate communication barriers. About Boys Town: For over a century, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of America's children and families through innovative youth, research, and healthcare programs. Boys Town provides compassionate, research-proven education, prevention, training, and treatment for behavioral and physical problems in multiple locations throughout the United States, with a comprehensive array of services. In 2023, more than 715,000 children and families across the United States were impacted by Boys Town programs. You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.boystown.org . Attachments Artificial Intelligence in Training Boys Town Reality Coach © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
In a move that has shocked many Tencent Video users, the popular streaming platform has recently announced significant changes to its membership plans. Previously offering 5 different membership options, Tencent Video has now streamlined its offerings down to just 3 plans. Additionally, the platform has also decided to reduce the number of users allowed on each account from 2 to 1. These changes have sparked debates among users and industry experts alike, with many speculating on the reasons behind this "downsizing" trend.
All Blacks Triumph in Turin Test: A Battle Against Italy's RedemptionChargers focused on avoiding a letdown and not a potential playoff berth in matchup with Patriots
Recently, CCTV's flagship program "News Broadcast" heaped praises on Guangyu Ming Island for its significant contribution to the promotion of new industrialization in China. This recognition highlights the pivotal role that Guangyu Ming Island plays in driving forward the country's economic development and technological innovation.Furthermore, the technical director emphasized the importance of technical expertise and creative vision in the process of remaking a game. From updating the game engine to reimagining character models and animations, every aspect of the remake requires a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. The technical director stressed that the team behind the Yakuza remakes worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the game met their high standards of quality and authenticity.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also weighed in on the decision to loan out Keita, stating, "We believe that this move will provide Naby with the opportunity to play regularly and regain his confidence. We wish him all the best for his loan spell at Fehérvár and hope that he can fulfill his potential."
Inter Milan is currently facing a significant amount of pressure in the Serie A, with a recent loss to Lazio further exacerbating their troubles. The match, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Inter, has raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain their position at the top of the league table.
In conclusion, the phenomenon of netizens calling for the production of a black mythology- inspired Pepsi-filled calabash demonstrates the power of social media to inspire creativity, humor, and community engagement. This trend showcases the capacity of online platforms to generate cultural conversations and trends that capture the imagination of individuals worldwide. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is exciting to see how these online movements will shape and influence popular culture in the future. So, next time you see a reference to the cola-filled calabash in your online feed, remember to join in on the fun and embrace the creativity and humor of the internet community. After all, who knows what other unexpected and delightful trends may emerge in the online sphere!
As the world watches with bated breath, the onus is now on the international community to heed Syria's call for help and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Syria and Israel. The future of the region depends on it.Dallas TX, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KISS PR Brand Story, a pioneering digital PR and storytelling platform, is excited to announce its new payment option—clients can now pay for services using Bitcoin (BTC), the world’s leading cryptocurrency. This innovative move aligns with KISS PR’s mission to make high-quality PR services accessible to businesses worldwide, powered by cutting-edge technology and seamless client experiences. KISS PR Brand Story Leads Innovation: Now Accepting Bitcoin Payments for Press Release Services Photo by Alesia Kozik KISS PR Brand Story has become a trusted platform for companies looking to elevate their presence through strategic storytelling, SEO, and press release distribution. With over 20 years of expertise and a vast ecosystem of 1,000+ media partners, KISS PR has helped businesses and individuals tell their stories, amplify their brands, and achieve remarkable growth. “At KISS PR Brand Story, we’re always looking for ways to innovate and provide unmatched value to our clients,” said Qamar Zaman, CEO of KISS PR. “By accepting Bitcoin payments, we’re embracing the future of digital finance and offering clients a convenient, secure, and forward-thinking way to access our services.” Key Highlights of the Bitcoin Payment Offering: Instant Account Credits: Clients paying with Bitcoin will receive immediate USD-equivalent credits in their accounts to access all KISS PR Brand Story services. No Refunds: Bitcoin payments are non-refundable, reflecting the platform’s commitment to efficient fund allocation and transparent policies. Transparent Exchange Rates: Transactions will reflect the BTC-to-USD exchange rate at the time of payment processing, ensuring clarity and fairness. About KISS PR Brand Story: KISS PR Brand Story has revolutionized public relations and storytelling by combining strategic digital PR, SEO, and high-impact media exposure. With a proven track record of delivering over 230,000 successful stories, KISS PR helps businesses and individuals amplify their brands and stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape. The Bitcoin payment option marks another bold step in KISS PR’s journey to empower clients with cutting-edge solutions and innovative approaches. By integrating cryptocurrency into its payment system, KISS PR continues to lead the way in the PR industry. For more information on Bitcoin payments or to begin your PR journey, visit KISS PR Brand Story or contact us at digital@kisspr.com Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-a-gold-bitcoin-6770520/The repeated offside calls not only disrupted Real Madrid's attacking rhythm but also provided Barcelona with opportunities to regain possession and launch counter-attacks of their own. Mbappe, known for his precision and ruthless finishing in front of goal, appeared uncharacteristically out of sync and unable to time his runs effectively.
In conclusion, Inter Milan's recent loss to Lazio has highlighted the fragility of their title challenge and raised questions about their ability to handle the pressure of a demanding season. With key matches coming up, Conte and his team must regroup quickly and find a way to turn their fortunes around. As for Lazio, their impressive victory has shown that they are a team to be reckoned with and could pose a serious threat to Inter's ambitions. The Serie A title race is far from over, and the drama is only set to intensify in the coming weeks.With each new monster move revealed, players are faced with fresh challenges and opportunities to test their skills in combat. From swift, agile foes to massive, hulking beasts, every encounter in "Black Myth: Wukong" promises adrenaline-pumping action and heart-pounding excitement.
There is a worrying rise in armed militancy in the North-Eastern Indian State of Manipur. The minority Christian Kuki tribe is taking up arms to resist the domination of the majority Hindu Meiteis, who are said to be protected by the State and Central Governments, both run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The two ethnic groups have been locked in a deadly conflict since May 2023 that has claimed the lives of more than 200 people and displaced thousands. Violence began again last week after the authorities recovered the bodies of six women and children, who reportedly belonged to the majority Meitei community. Last Saturday, a Meitei mob torched houses and offices of at least a dozen local lawmakers, belonging mostly to the state’s ruling BJP. The Meiteis alleged that the women and children were kidnapped and murdered by armed groups of the minority Kuki group. While the police have not confirmed this, the Kukis said that their armed men only protect their villages from Meitei attacks, which they allege, take place with the backing of the BJP Government dominated by the majority Hindu Meitei. The Christian Kukis have been demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh, who is a Hindu Meitei. Police have arrested 23 people and the authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew and suspended Internet services in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Bishnupur district. At least, 20 people – both Kukis and Meities – have died in the recent flare-ups. Tensions began on November 7, after members of an armed group allegedly raped a woman, who reportedly belonged to the Kuki community, and set her on fire in the Jiribam district. Four days later, a police station and a relief camp housing Meitei refugees in the area were attacked. The majority Meietis blamed Kuki groups for the assault. Police on the same day shot dead 10 armed men in what they said was a “shoot-out” with Kuki militants. But Kuki organisations said that they were “village volunteers” – or armed civilians protecting their villages. Following the attack on the relief camp, six persons – a grandmother, her two daughters and three grandchildren – went missing. Meitei groups alleged that they were abducted by armed Kuki men. The Central Government which had been indifferent to the flare ups in Manipur for reasons nobody could fathom, at long last, sent Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Manipur to control the violence. There was a discussion on re-imposing the dreaded Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), in ‘hyper-sensitive’ areas, in addition to six police station areas, including Jiribam, in which the act was already in operation. AFSPA gives sweeping powers to the military to operate anywhere that is declared a ‘disturbed area’. No military personnel in an AFSPA area can be prosecuted without the Central Government’s nod Shah said that the Centre would despatch an additional 50 companies of the Central police forces to join the 20 already there. Violence and unrest Clashes between the Kukis and Meiteis erupted first in May last year. They were sparked by Kuki protests against demands from Meiteis to be given official “tribal status”, which would make them eligible for special affirmative action on par with those available to the Kukis. Kukis felt that the Meiteis were already advanced and so, deserved no affirmative action. Since then, the State has witnessed months of violence and unrest, with only sporadic moments of calm. Today, Manipur is divided into two camps, with Meiteis inhabiting the Imphal Valley and the Kukis living in the surrounding hill areas. Borders and buffer zones guarded by security forces separate the two regions. The violence has resulted in the burning of at least 1,700 buildings (including homes and religious sites). More than 35,000 people were displaced in 2023, with many living in the 315 relief camps. The State Government’s response has largely echoed the strategies India has previously employed during unrest in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir. This has included issuing military curfews, suspending internet services and deploying thousands of troops and paramilitary forces with shoot-on-site orders in “extreme cases.” In India’s Northeast, the different ethnic communities have been weaponised to serve the interests of a powerful few, said human rights worker Binalakshmi Nepram. Any moves towards peace-building in the medium or the long-term will have to reckon with the weaponisation of ethnic fault lines, she adds. Even 70 odd years after India’s Independence in 1947, these fault lines have remained and getting stronger by the year because of competitive politics based on ethnic strength and also weaponisation. No effort has been made to foster understanding between different communities regarding one another’s history, culture and traditions and the need to coexist peacefully, said Nepram. Manipur, which means “Land of Jewels,” consists of a valley surrounded by mountain ranges. The State is home to 39 ethnic communities following different faiths, including Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, as well as Indigenous religious traditions such as Sanamahi. Opposition to the manner of Manipur kingdom’s merger with Independent India in 1949 laid the groundwork for separatist movements. It remains at the heart of the dispute between New Delhi and Manipur. Draconian AFSPA To quell this resistance, the Indian Government imposed the draconian AFSPA for the first time in 1958. The act has been criticised by rights groups and has contributed to a deep trust deficit between the State and its people on the one hand, and the Central Government, on the other. The Central Government said that the AFSPA is necessary to maintain order in areas with a history of insurgency and alleged foreign support for separatist movements. Manipur has at least four Meitei armed groups, several Naga groups and nearly 30 Kuki armed groups. Those with political influence have been gun-running and also narco- and human-trafficking. Armed groups frequently back candidates in State elections. In 2022, two Kuki insurgent groups issued statements in support of the BJP. In 2019, images on social media reportedly showed a letter written by armed groups to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah asking for a party ticket to be given to a candidate of their choice. The armed group later disputed the claim. Civil society organisations in Manipur said that the 2022 elections were overshadowed by “open intimidation” by militant groups. The most recent violence began in May 2023 after the Manipur High Court asked the State Government to consider Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community. This status would ensure protection within the Indian Constitution and allow the Meitei expanded access to benefits, including reserved jobs in the Government. But soon after the court announcement, a rally was held by the All-Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur led by the Kukis. Reports surfaced about the burning down of the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Gate. In response, the Kukis burned down several Meitei villages in Churachanpur, which in turn prompted retaliation by the Meiteis, who torched several localities inhabited by the Kuki in the Imphal valley. The other issue angering the Kukis is the ban on poppy cultivation. Efforts to survey reserved forests to reduce poppy cultivation, had resulted in evictions from Kuki villages. The Meiteis said that while the law prevents them from buying lands in the Kuki inhabited hill regions, Kukis and other tribal communities can buy lands in the Imphal valley where the Meitis live. The influx of Zo tribals from Myanmar following the 2021 military coup there led to disputes between the Kukis and the Indian Government. The Government wanted the influx to be stopped but the Kukis and the Zo refugees are kindred tribes. Binalakshmi Nepram, the Manipuri peace activist, said that the need of the hour is “citizen-centric dialogues to address deep distrust and historical hurt that have polarised indigenous communities across the region. Indigenous peace-making initiatives, truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies could be a way to start to soothe the fractured hearts and minds of communities who have lived through violence for decades.”Similarly, teams like Chelsea and Manchester United have also seen success with their old guard players. Players like Cesar Azpilicueta and N'Golo Kante at Chelsea, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, have been instrumental in their teams' strong performances. The understanding and chemistry built over multiple seasons have been key in the success of these teams.Manmohan Singh passes away: 7 top quotes by the former Prime Minister
From Donald Trump to Oasis, 2025 will be the year of the comeback – plus my predictions for the year aheadFormer Google CEO Eric Schmidt has issued a grave warning about the rapid pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development, urging humanity to tackle the potential risks before it’s too late. With systems on the verge of self-improvement and independent decision-making, Schmidt suggests that society may soon face the dilemma of pulling the plug on machines that could operate autonomously—and possibly resist human intervention. Why It Matters The rise of AI has been meteoric, reshaping industries and sparking both awe and alarm. What was once confined to research labs has now permeated daily life, driving innovation on an unprecedented scale. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . Schmidt, during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, described the current pace of AI innovation as unparalleled, calling it a “remarkable human achievement.” However, he highlighted the risks associated with such rapid progress, particularly the unforeseen consequences of systems that can make their own decisions. “We’re soon going to be able to have computers running on their own, deciding what they want to do,” he warned. Once these systems reach a stage where they can self-improve, Schmidt believes society must seriously consider “unplugging it.” He added, “In theory, we better have somebody with the hand on the plug,” noting the importance of maintaining control over increasingly autonomous systems. Schmidt’s concerns come amid growing unease within the tech industry about the implications of AI. He warned that the next generation of AI systems, capable of conducting their own research and making independent decisions, may arrive within the next two years. These advancements, he said, would place unprecedented power in the hands of individuals, likening the technology to a polymath residing in everyone’s pocket. “The power of this intelligence ... means that each and every person is going to have the equivalent of a polymath in their pocket,” Schmidt explained. However, he cautioned, “We just don’t know what it means to give that kind of power to every individual.” His concerns reflect a broader anxiety among industry leaders, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has long been vocal about the dangers of unchecked AI development. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, has described AI as “potentially more dangerous than nukes” and has repeatedly called for stringent regulation to avoid catastrophic outcomes. Like Schmidt, Musk has warned that systems capable of self-improvement could spiral out of human control, emphasizing the need for oversight before it’s too late. The Regulatory Vacuum Despite these warnings, efforts to regulate AI remain fragmented and slow-moving. Discussions on Capitol Hill have stalled, leaving companies to push ahead with minimal oversight. This regulatory gap is particularly concerning given the speed at which AI systems are advancing. Schmidt acknowledged the difficulty of policing AI using traditional methods, stating, “Humans will not be able to police AI.” Instead, he advocated for deploying advanced AI systems to monitor and regulate other AI technologies. Schmidt believes humanity can guard against the “worst possible cases” of AI misuse or malfunction by building a secondary layer of oversight. This sentiment aligns with Musk’s argument that a proactive approach to regulation is essential. Musk has called for the establishment of governing bodies that can set global standards for AI safety, warning that delays could result in irreversible harm. Adding to the urgency is the geopolitical dimension of AI development. Schmidt expressed concerns about the rapid progress made by China, which he said has closed the technological gap with the U.S. in just six months. “It is crucial that America wins this race, globally, and in particular, ahead of China,” he stressed. The competition is no longer just about technological supremacy; it’s a race to control the infrastructure and innovation that will shape the future. Schmidt argued that the West must prioritize funding, talent development, and access to critical hardware to maintain its edge. He also highlighted the need for collaboration among democratic nations to ensure that AI development aligns with shared values. Without coordinated efforts, he warned, authoritarian regimes could leverage AI for surveillance and control, creating a world where technology undermines freedom rather than enhancing it. The Threat Level Experts across the board agree that the risks associated with AI are not theoretical. Systems with the intelligence of a Ph.D. student are expected to emerge as early as next year, according to industry projections. Schmidt and Musk have both pointed to the potential for these systems to make decisions that are misaligned with human values or objectives, leading to unintended consequences. Schmidt’s vision for mitigating these risks involves not only technological safeguards but also a cultural shift in how society approaches AI. He believes that the benefits of AI can be harnessed responsibly if developers and policymakers work together to create robust frameworks for oversight. Elon Musk has described AI as humanity’s “biggest existential threat,” and Schmidt’s remarks echo that sentiment. Both leaders agree that the time to act is now. Whether through global collaboration, technological innovation, or regulatory reform, the challenge of managing AI’s rapid ascent will define the next chapter of human history. “The power of this intelligence is immense,” Schmidt concluded. “But with great power comes great responsibility—and we are only beginning to understand what that means.”