World

Newsrooms worldwide now leverage generative AI for global workflow optimisation

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The global survey revealed that 90 per cent of newsrooms are already using some form of AI in news production, 80 per cent in news distribution, and 75 per cent in news gathering.

Published Date – 03:11 PM, Fri – 29 September 23


Newsrooms worldwide now leverage generative AI for global workflow optimisation



New Delhi: The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms is gathering pace and more than 75 per cent of those surveyed used AI somewhere in the chain of news gathering, production and distribution, a report has revealed.

The global survey revealed that 90 per cent of newsrooms are already using some form of AI in news production, 80 per cent in news distribution, and 75 per cent in news gathering.

More than half of the respondents mentioned increased efficiency and enhanced productivity as a reason to use AI as it can automate monotonous and repetitive tasks, according to the report by JournalismAI, an initiative from Polis, the London School of Economics and Political Science’s journalism think tank, supported by the Google News Initiative.

“Generating Change: A global survey of what news organisations are doing with artificial intelligence included the perspective of “more than 120 editors, journalists, technologies and media-makers from 105 small and large newsrooms across 46 countries”.

“Our media landscape is undergoing a significant transformation due to technological advancements, particularly since the proliferation of generative AI (genAI),” said the report.

This transformation has sparked discussions, and various media coverage- topics swing between positive breakthroughs in fields like medicine, to concerns about genAI’s potential to generate undetectable disinformation, exacerbating discrimination and societal inequalities.

“Our research delves further into these concerns, and positive uses, and also reveals that genAI is already reshaping the journalism landscape,” the report mentioned.

More than 60 per cent of respondents were concerned about the ethical implications of AI integration in terms of editorial quality and other aspects of journalism such as accuracy, fairness, and transparency.

Tech companies like Google are building AI tools into their core businesses, even as they raise new ethical and legal concerns.

India

All 4 Nipah patients including 9-yr-old boy recovered: Kerala Health Minister

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A total of six cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in Kerala’s Kozhikode district of which two persons died

Published Date – 03:04 PM, Fri – 29 September 23


All 4 Nipah patients including 9-yr-old boy recovered: Kerala Health Minister

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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday said that all four patients including a nine-year-old who were undergoing treatment for Nipah have recovered and have tested negative for the virus infection.

A total of six cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in Kerala’s Kozhikode district of which two persons died.

The Health Minister today said that all four patients have tested double negative and left hospital.

Informing the good news that four people, including a nine-year-old boy who were undergoing treatment for Nipah, have recovered from the infection and have tested double negative (two samples tested in intervals tested negative), the Health Minister said in a post in Malayalam on Facebook.

The nine-year-old boy is the son of Muhammad Ali (47), the index case, who died due to the deadly virus on August 30. The second victim died on September 11.

As per the government data, no new Nipah cases were reported until Sunday and the five samples that were sent for lab tests have tested negative.

The Kozhikode District Administration has relaxed restrictions in containment zones in the district as no new cases were reported.

Earlier in a press briefing, Minister Veena George said that the state government has decided to strengthen the healthcare system.

“We have started to strengthen the ‘One Health’ activities in the district. We have started training people for the same. ‘One health’ means all the departments will come together. We have also taken the decision to establish an institution where all the departments will be well-coordinated. So, community surveillance will be there throughout the year”, she said.

The health minister said that ICMR and WHO had conducted studies and found that Kerala and eight other states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state will conduct a seroprevalence study on the Nipah virus being repeatedly found in Kozhikode district.

Top News

"Inquiry Today Itself": Centre On Actor's Censor Board Corruption Charge

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'Inquiry Today Itself': Centre On Actor's Censor Board Corruption Charge

New Delhi:

Tamil actor Vishal‘s claims of corruption at the film censor board have triggered an immediate response from the ruling BJP, with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry rushing a senior officer to Mumbai to “conduct an inquiry today itself”. The ministry’s Friday afternoon post on X came less than 24 hours after Vishal said he paid Rs 6.5 lakhs for the censor board to certify the Hindi version of his new film, ‘Mark Antony‘, which released across northern Indian states last week.

The ministry called the charge “extremely unfortunate”, professed “zero tolerance” for corruption and asked others who may have been harassed to provide details. “The government has zero tolerance for corruption and strictest action will be taken against anyone involved. A senior officer… has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself,” the post on X said.

At 6 PM last evening Vishal uploaded a nearly four-minute long video addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the accompanying post he named two individuals from the censor board and shared details of online bank transfers. He claimed he sent Rs 3 lakh to the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank account of M Rajan and Rs 3.5 lakh to a Kotak Mahendra Bank account belonging to Jeeja Ramdas. Both accounts are in Mumbai.

“What I am going to say is not about my movie but it is definitely related… this is about the scam that has happened at the Central Board of Film Certification in Mumbai in relation to my film. We applied for film certification online… we had to do it last minute because of some technical issues but were taken aback by what happened,” Vishal began.

“Monday… when my agent visited the CBFC office we were given no option but to pay Rs 6.5 lakh to get the certificate by the evening. First told we had to pay Rs 3 lakh for the film to be viewed and then Rs 3.5 lakh for the certificate. This was done by one lady… one Mrs Mehta,” he said.

The actor said the conversation was recorded – for which he apologised, noting “it is not in our culture to record but this was important to tell the world (of) what is happening in CBFC Mumbai”.

“If this is the case for me, what about other people? Was told those who apply 15 days before must pay Rs 4 lakh for the certificate. I paid Rs 6.5 lakh and got the certificate.”

“My hard-earned money has gone for corruption… I am not doing this for me or my film, but for future producers. Have been thinking only of what others may have to go through for their films.”

Vishal concluded with a message to Mr Shinde and Prime Minister Modi, explaining that he had the evidence to back his claims and hoped that action would be taken. “My honourable PM has always stood against corruption… all political leaders say they do… and this is corruption.”

World

Iran to benefit from BRICS to neutralize impact of sanctions

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Mohammad Bagheri Ghalibaf made the remarks while talking to reporters in Tehran on Friday after a two-day visit to South Africa to attend the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Johannesburg.

The speaker said that the visit to South Africa created “good opportunities” for Iran. He noted that membership in the BRICS group can economically benefit Iran to a large extent.

Ghalibaf said that the group with the major countries that are already member states along with the 6 new countries that recently have joint form a big economic power.

He added that the BRICS members can create an independent financial market 

This item is being updated…

Top News

"Inquiry Today Itself": Centre On Actor's Censor Board Corruption Charge

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'Inquiry Today Itself': Centre On Actor's Censor Board Corruption Charge

New Delhi:

Tamil actor Vishal‘s claims of corruption at the film censor board have triggered an immediate response from the ruling BJP, with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry rushing a senior officer to Mumbai to “conduct an inquiry today itself”. The ministry’s Friday afternoon post on X came less than 24 hours after Vishal said he paid Rs 6.5 lakhs for the censor board to certify the Hindi version of his new film, ‘Mark Antony‘, which released across northern Indian states last week.

The ministry called the charge “extremely unfortunate”, professed “zero tolerance” for corruption and asked others who may have been harassed to provide details. “The government has zero tolerance for corruption and strictest action will be taken against anyone involved. A senior officer… has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself,” the post on X said.

At 6 PM last evening Vishal uploaded a nearly four-minute long video addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the accompanying post he named two individuals from the censor board and shared details of online bank transfers. He claimed he sent Rs 3 lakh to the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank account of M Rajan and Rs 3.5 lakh to a Kotak Mahendra Bank account belonging to Jeeja Ramdas. Both accounts are in Mumbai.

“What I am going to say is not about my movie but it is definitely related… this is about the scam that has happened at the Central Board of Film Certification in Mumbai in relation to my film. We applied for film certification online… we had to do it last minute because of some technical issues but were taken aback by what happened,” Vishal began.

“Monday… when my agent visited the CBFC office we were given no option but to pay Rs 6.5 lakh to get the certificate by the evening. First told we had to pay Rs 3 lakh for the film to be viewed and then Rs 3.5 lakh for the certificate. This was done by one lady… one Mrs Mehta,” he said.

The actor said the conversation was recorded – for which he apologised, noting “it is not in our culture to record but this was important to tell the world (of) what is happening in CBFC Mumbai”.

“If this is the case for me, what about other people? Was told those who apply 15 days before must pay Rs 4 lakh for the certificate. I paid Rs 6.5 lakh and got the certificate.”

“My hard-earned money has gone for corruption… I am not doing this for me or my film, but for future producers. Have been thinking only of what others may have to go through for their films.”

Vishal concluded with a message to Mr Shinde and Prime Minister Modi, explaining that he had the evidence to back his claims and hoped that action would be taken. “My honourable PM has always stood against corruption… all political leaders say they do… and this is corruption.”

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A look at all confirmed squads for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

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Australia won the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup at home and later England clinched their maiden title in 2019 at home. India’s 15-man squad will be captained by Rohit Sharma.

Updated On – 02:39 PM, Fri – 29 September 23


A look at all confirmed squads for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023



New Delhi: The squads for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India have been locked in ahead of the tournament opener between England and New Zealand on 5 October. India will be looking to become the fourth consecutive host nation to win the tournament, a run which began when they lifted the trophy themselves in 2011.

Following, Australia won the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup at home and later England clinched their maiden title in 2019 at home. India’s 15-man squad will be captained by Rohit Sharma. Defending champions England, welcome back Ben Stokes, who has come out of ODI retirement as his side look to retain the trophy, while Kane Williamson will be hoping to win his fitness battle having been named to lead 2019 runners-up New Zealand.

Ahead of the action getting underway, here is a full list of the confirmed squads who will be on show, as per ICC:

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Reyaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah Zurmati, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil, Ikram Ali Khil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan Arman, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman Rahmani, Naveen ul Haq Murid.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav.

Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, -Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.

Hyderabad

Telangana: Amrabad Tiger Reserve set to reopen on Oct 4, bookings open

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Known for its rich biological diversity, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve tract boasts the largest population of tigers in Telangana

Published Date – 02:25 PM, Fri – 29 September 23


Telangana: Amrabad Tiger Reserve set to reopen on Oct 4, bookings open



Hyderabad: The Amrabad Tiger Reserve, located within the Nallamala Forest track, is set to reopen for the upcoming season on October 4. Visitors can now book the Tiger Stay package, which includes a safari experience and treks within this sanctuary.

Known for its rich biological diversity, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is home to several endemic species of flora and fauna. This forest tract also boasts the largest population of tigers in Telangana. The reserve’s hilly terrain, characterized by deep valleys and gorges, plays a vital role in the catchment of the Krishna River.

For those interested in exploring this natural wonder, the distance from Hyderabad to the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is approximately 140 kilometers.

The Tiger Stay package offers the following attractions like safari ride at Farahabad, forest trekking, which includes educational sessions on the local flora, fauna, and a special focus on bird species, guided tours by experienced tour guides, and accommodations in cottages.

World

At least 52 killed, many more injured in blast in Pakistan

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Local Pakistani media said that a powerful bomb was detonated at a rally celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in southwest Pakistan, killing at least 52 people and wounding dozens of others, local Pakistani officials and media reports say.

According to the local English-language newspaper Dawn, District Health Officer (DHO) Abdul Razzaq Shahi confirmed the casualties to Dawn.com while City Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Javed Lehri said a police official was among the dead.

However, Dr Saeed Mirwani, chief executive of Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital had earlier told Dawn.com that 34 people were dead while more than 130 were injured.

Shahi clarified that the higher number was because of double entries from two hospitals, and that the number of the injured was approximately 50.

CEO Dr Mirwani confirmed that 28 bodies have been brought to the hospital so far, while 22 were taken to the Mastung district hospital.

He said dozens were being treated at the hospital while more than 20 injured people have been referred to Quetta for medical assistance. “The process of moving bodies and injured persons continues even now,” the hospital CEO said.

Earlier, Mastung Assistant Commissioner (AC) Attahul Munim had said 15 people were killed due to the explosion while more than 50 were injured.

MNA

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Russian minister: BRICS to create rival to SWIFT payment system

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BRICS nations plan to create a money-transferring network competing with the SWIFT international payment system, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov says. 

Speaking to TASS news agency on Thursday, Siluanvo said the creation of an alternative to SWIFT will be discussed within the BRICS next year.

Talking to reporters at the Moscow Financial Forum, he said a number of BRICS countries had already developed their own payment systems.

“We are trying to implement our financial information transmission system. Other BRICS countries are either creating their own systems or have their own systems. Therefore, for now, this issue is a topic of discussion,” he said.

The Russian official said the economic bloc was looking for ways to replace international payment systems with mechanisms that will help promote trade between member states.

“This is on the agenda of next year’s meeting at the level of financial authorities and administrations of the BRICS member countries. It will be one of the standing issues. Today, Russia is rebuilding all relations from the West to the Southeast, and this trend will continue,” Siluanov explained.

The move comes as BRICS nations, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — which have complained about the Americans’ use of the US currency for politico-economic influence over other nations, damaging their economies– continue their de-dollarization efforts aimed at promoting trading in the economic bloc.

China has previously launched the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) in 2015 to promote the use of Chinese currency RMB in international trade.

Currently, more than 4,200 banking institutions in 182 countries and regions around the world use the CIPS payment system either directly or through an institution besides the two primarily involved in the transaction.

South Africa’s finance minister  Enoch Godongwana, who hosted his fellow BRICS finance ministers at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last month, said the bloc would not be looking to replace international payment systems including SWIFT, but rather consider creating one that would strengthen trade in local currencies.

The bloc’s leaders announced at the three-day BRICS summit in Johannesburg that they would task their finance ministers to consider the issues of local currencies, payment instruments, and platforms and report back in a year.

In related news, Russian President Vladimir Putin has slammed the West over its abuse of the US dollar and weaponizing it as a tool in international affairs to put pressure on other nations.

In a July meeting between Putin and Dilma Rousseff, the head of the China-based New Development Bank (NBD) — also known as the BRICS Bank — the former president of Brazil said the international financial institution was developing an alternative currency to the US dollar as a necessary step at a time when Washington is using the US dollar as a weaponized tool against other nations.

NBD was founded in 2014 by the BRICS group in a bid to move away from the US dollar in international trade as it aims to introduce other currencies as the medium for international trade’s financial transactions.

In the meantime, BRICS has announced plans to float a gold-backed currency to settle international trade payments to challenge the global reserve status of the US dollar.

The decision to introduce a new currency, according to RT, is adding momentum to the ongoing de-dollarization trend unfolding in the global economy.