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South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military ruleReddit is taking down posts linking to the manifesto of the suspected shooter of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The company says it’s enforcing a longstanding policy, but its actions have angered and frustrated some users. Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old who was arrested and charged with murder earlier this week, has been the subject of widespread fascination online since New York police first released images of the suspected killer. Small excerpts of the 261-word manifesto were published by the New York Times , while journalist Ken Klippenstein obtained and published it in its entirety on his Substack Tuesday. Links to Klippenstein's newsletter containing the manifesto began to disappear off Reddit, with some being removed by individual subreddits' community moderators and some being taken down by Reddit staff. In a widely viewed post in r/popculturechat , a moderator explained that Reddit had instructed them to remove posts of the manifesto. “We have officially been notified by Reddit that we must adhere strictly to their site-wide rules regarding violent content,” moderator clemthearcher wrote. “Specifically, Reddit has told us that we are not allowed to post Luigi Mangione’s manifesto, even if it is reported neutrally.” Reddit removed a post linking to the manifesto in r/interestingasfuck, which had nearly 20,000 upvotes, which was later detailed in a lengthy post in r/subredditdrama. Posts were also removed from other subreddits, including r/witchesVsPatriarchy and r/antiwork. Engadget confirmed that the site now automatically blocks posts attempting to link to the Substack post with the manifesto. Though the move has angered many Redditors, the company says it’s not a new policy. A Reddit spokesperson confirmed that “manifestos related to violent acts” violate the company’s violent content rules, which state: The policy further refers to posts “containing mass killer manifestos or imagery of their violence” an example of violating content (Magione has not been accused of mass murder). The Reddit spokesperson confirmed that Redditors are permitted to discuss the manifesto, including news coverage of it, as long as they don’t violate other aspects of the company’s rules. While it’s not unusual for social media users to accuse a company of “censorship” amid disputes over content moderation, Reddit’s actions come at a time when many online commentators have expressed sympathy for Mangione, who has become something of a “ folk hero ” in some corners of the internet. His actions have also put the American healthcare system under renewed scrutiny as people have shared their experiences with insurance company denials in the wake of the shooting. “I’m sure Reddit’s admins find themselves far more aligned with the class of people like Brian Johnson (sic) than they do with the rest of us," one commenter wrote in response to moderator clemthearcher’s post in r/popculturechat, "so the only violence they care to moderate is that against Brian Johnson (sic) - not misogyny, racism, homophobia, or the rampant greed of our healthcare industry which has killed or caused the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.”
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Moravec’s paradox, which explains that Artificial Intelligence (AI) excels at complex tasks beyond human capability but struggles with tasks requiring direct interaction with the environment, offers scope for cross-linking human intelligence with AI for mutual improvement. This paradox could pave the way for developing Hybrid Agricultural Intelligence (HAI) by combining farmers’ knowledge with AI, creating sustainable solutions that are tailored to the dynamic challenges confronting India’s agricultural sector. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. As in the Economic Survey’s provisional estimate for 2023-24, the contribution of agriculture to the Indian GDP is pegged at 18.2 % at current prices while providing a livelihood to 42.3% of the 1.4 billion citizens. India’s agriculture, done in 219.16 million hectares during 2021-22 (Land Use Statistics at a Glance-2018-19 to 2021-22, Government of India), has been shaped by the unique knowledge and adaptive strategies of farmers accumulated over thousands of years of ecological understanding. Indian farmers have developed deep knowledge to deal with diverse seed and planting material requirements, crop rotation and management, soil types, weather patterns and consumer preference. This traditional “farmers’ intelligence” or the Indigenous Technology Knowledge (ITK) forms a vital foundation for smallholders (who constitute over 80% of the agricultural community), to sustain yields on small land holdings despite minimal resources and unpredictable monsoons. Complementing this, scientific research led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has further enriched farmers’ knowledge and capabilities, playing a key role in empowering them and contributing to India’s rise as a leading agricultural nation. The advent of technology In recent years, AI, machine learning, drone applications, cutting-edge sensors and remote sensing technologies well-suited to the large farming areas have helped agriculture rapidly advance in developed countries. Now, increasingly, these innovations have begun making an entry in Indian agriculture, with an aim to enhance productivity and efficiency and also sustain the environment. However, small landholdings create unique challenges for Indian farmers to adopt AI technologies since they are designed for large farms. Hence, many still rely on traditional farming knowledge which has allowed Indian farmers to manage microclimates and optimise yields through century-long accrued insights through a combination of practical tactile observations, visual cues and oral folklore passed down through generations. Their ITK was refined over hundreds of years, including the Green Revolution period as well, allowing them to develop adaptive strategies in local agriculture that could align with natural resources constraints, ecological changes and enhanced resilience against different stresses. Innovative farmers have developed new crop varieties through long-term breeding. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFRA) was established in 2001 to protect their contributions. Additionally, many farmers conserve wild cereal, millet varieties and horticultural crops with valuable traits, recognised through the PPVFRA’s Genome Saviour Awards. Farmers and village artisans have also created tools and equipment that are suited to Indian agriculture, such as the popular coconut climbing device by M.J. Joseph of Kerala, known as the ‘Chemperi Joseph’ device. Rural Indian women constitute 48% of self-employed farmers and 33% of agricultural labourers, making them integral to sustainable farming practices. They handle critical tasks such as seed selection and planting, polycropping, soil health, water management and pest control involving low-input, organic methods, and post-harvest processing suitable for local conditions. Their expertise in agriculture plays a vital role in enhancing the resilience of smallholder farms against environmental changes. On indigenous knowledge To capture the indigenous agriculture technologies developed by the farmers, the ICAR, in the year 2000, under the National Agricultural Technology Programme, had initiated a Mission Mode Project on Collection, Documentation and Validation of the ITK. The information had been published as the Inventory of ITK in Agriculture as two part documents (Das et al., 2002). These remain an important repository of Indian farmers’ knowledge which could be put to wider use. Despite the robustness of Indian farmers’ indigenous knowledge, which evolved alongside Green Revolution technologies to adapt to local conditions, the increasing pressures of soil degradation, climate change, market volatility, limited resources including labour now demand enhanced support systems. This is where the potential of AI and modern technology becomes particularly relevant. The Global AI market is growing at a CAGR of 23.1% from 2023 to 2028, with a rise in investments from $1.47 billion to $4.7 billion during this period. It is estimated that the adoption of AI could reduce cost of cultivation by 22% as in an Ark-Investment report. Already, under the AI4AI programme (AI for Agriculture Innovation) started by the Indian government, an initiative called ‘Saagu Baagu’ in Khammam district of Telangana State had shown that from 2020 to 2023, the adoption of AI-enhanced chilli yield by 21% per acre, reduced pesticide application by 9%, a 5% decrease in fertilizer usage, and an 8% improvement in unit prices due to quality enhancements. Consequently, chilli farmers earned more than ₹66,000 per acre per crop cycle, enhancing their income substantially. This clearly indicates the scope of AI in transforming Indian agriculture. To effectively develop hybrid agricultural intelligence (HAI), farmers need to recognise the value of their own agricultural knowledge as well as the potential of modern AI technologies. Training programmes should be implemented to educate them on using AI tools in conjunction with their farming practices. Need for collaborative platforms Collaborative platforms should be developed where farmers can share their farming knowledge with AI developers while integrating agricultural technologies generated by research organisations. This will not only refine AI tools for agriculture but also provide farmers with advanced insights and innovative solutions to enhance their practices. This ongoing data integration will create a symbiosis of farmers’ wisdom and modern technology, resulting in continuous adaptive solutions modified to changing farming needs. AI platforms such as ‘Kisan-e-mitra’, ‘Bhashini’ and ‘Sarvam’ can facilitate this exchange through multilingual support. Pilot projects must be launched across regions to test this hybrid approach, evaluating its impact on efficiency, yields, income, and overall sustainability and refined further. Partnerships among the government, ICAR, tech companies, and farmers’ cooperatives are crucial for developing HAI. However, such partnerships should be equitable, ethical, inclusive and ensure safeguarding national data, the interests of the farming community, and farm labour and the food security of the nation. Guaranteeing affordable and accessible AI tools for smallholder farmers is of paramount importance too. Despite challenges such as data integration, privacy concerns, financial constraints, and social resistance, if successfully implemented, HAI has the potential to transform Indian agriculture. By combining farmers’ knowledge with AI, HAI can make farming more resilient, sustainable, and adaptable to future challenges, leading to a more prosperous and resource-efficient agricultural sector in India. Murali Gopal is Principal Scientist, Agricultural Microbiology and Head of the Division of Physiology, Biochemistry and Post-Harvest Technology, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala. Alka Gupta is Principal Scientist, Agricultural Microbiology, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute Kasaragod, Kerala. The views expressed are personal Published - December 04, 2024 04:00 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit India / farms / Artificial Intelligence / agriculture / agricultural research and technology / economy (general) / Economic Survey / government / Monsoon / weather science / Kerala / laws / labour / water / pesticides / environmental issues / climate change / Telangana / online / finance (general) / Sustainability / award and prize / gender
Former Trump attorney lashes out at 'lawfare' after court appearance in Wisconsin fake electors caseADELAIDE, Australia and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionomics Limited (Nasdaq: BNOX) (“ Bionomics ” or the “ Company ”) is pleased to provide the following update on the status of its proposed re-domiciliation from Australia to the United States. Bionomics shareholders have today approved, by the requisite majority, the proposed Scheme of Arrangement in relation to the Company’s proposed re-domiciliation from Australia to the United States, under which Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Neuphoria ”), will become the ultimate parent company of Bionomics Limited following the implementation of the Scheme of Arrangement. Voting Results In summary: 96% of the votes cast by Bionomics shareholders were in favor of the Scheme; and 87% of Bionomics shareholders present and voting (in person or by proxy, attorney or corporate representative) voted in favor of the Scheme. Next Steps Although Bionomics shareholder approval has been obtained, the Scheme remains subject to several customary conditions detailed in the Scheme Implementation Agreement, as amended and restated, between Bionomics and Neuphoria, including: the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia approving the Scheme at a hearing currently scheduled to occur at 3:00pm (Sydney time) on December 16, 2024 (“Second Court Hearing”); the independent expert not withdrawing or adversely modifying its conclusion that the Scheme is in the best interest of Bionomics shareholders; and the satisfaction or waiver of any remaining conditions prior to the Second Court Hearing. Subject to these remaining conditions being satisfied or waived, implementation of the Scheme is expected to occur on or about December 24, 2024 and shares of Neuphoria are expected to begin trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “NEUP” on that date or as soon as possible thereafter. For further information, please contact: About Bionomics Limited Bionomics (NASDAQ: BNOX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel, potential first-in-class, allosteric ion channel modulators to treat patients suffering from serious central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders with high unmet medical need. Bionomics is advancing its lead drug candidate, BNC210, an oral, proprietary, selective negative allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, for the acute treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and chronic treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Beyond BNC210, Bionomics has a strategic partnership with Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) with two drugs in early-stage clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous system conditions. Bionomics’ pipeline also includes preclinical assets that target Kv3.1/3.2 and Nav1.7/1.8 ion channels being developed for CNS conditions of high unmet need. Forward-Looking Statements Bionomics cautions that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “potential,” “continue” or “project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Bionomics that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and its other reports. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Bionomics undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in Bionomics’ filings with the SEC, copies of which are available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on Bionomics’ website (www.bionomics.com.au) under the heading “Investor Center.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Bionomics expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release. Not an offer of securities This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in any jurisdiction. The Neuphoria shares have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold except in a transaction registered under the Securities Act or in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, such registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.