South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial lawBJP leader B. Sriramulu, who launched a hunger strike outside the district hospital in Ballari over the maternal deaths reported there and at Ballari Medical College and Research Centre, called off his agitation after Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao persuaded him with concrete assurances on Saturday. In the evening, Mr. Rao visited the spot and briefed him about his government’s measures to handle the issue. “Just as we received the information about the deaths of lactating mothers in Ballari Hospital, we ordered a probe by a team of experts from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. The team expressed its apprehensions about the quality of the IV fluid [Compound Sodium Lactate Injection I.P intravenous fluid]. We immediately stopped the use of the IV fluid in question. We have decided to send another team of experts to conduct another round of thorough investigation into the deaths,” Mr. Rao told Mr. Sriramulu and appealed to the latter to end the agitation. When the Health Minister said that he was ready to tender his resignation if that would solve the problem, Mr. Sriramulu said he sought a permanent solution to the problem, not the resignation of the Health Minister. Substandard IV fluid “The Health Minister need not resign. What is required is that maternal deaths should stop and the health system should be strengthened. Hundreds of lactating mothers have died in a year. The deaths are the direct result of the use of substandard IV fluid manufactured and supplied by West Bengal-based Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals. It is not due to the negligence of doctors but that of the government, People are scared of visiting government hospitals. The government should sternly act upon and pay a compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of each lactating mother who died recently,” Mr. Sriramulu demanded. Mr. Rao pointed out how the drug company got a stay order against the ban on its IV fluid in the State and how the Central Laboratory certified the quality of its product. “When the reports of the State laboratories underlined the substandard quality of the IV fluid supplied by the company, we stopped its usage. However, they moved to court and got a stay order. The Central laboratory upheld the quality of the drug. We will not cover up these cases of maternal deaths. As many as 327 lactating mothers have died in the state in one year. We will investigate each case and take stringent legal action against the people responsible,” the Health Minister said. After the Minister appreciated Mr. Sriramulu’s agitation as a correct measure of pressurising the government in a democratic system and assured him of addressing the issues he raised, Mr. Sriramulu called off the agitation. Mr. Rao also met a few lactating mothers and authorities in the District Hospital and took stock of the situation. Published - December 07, 2024 09:37 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Karnataka / ministers (government) / death / children / health / hospital and clinic / demonstration / GulbargaAs science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that opens doors that lead to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, DNA found in 30,000-year-old permafrost was used to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. Importantly, genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR facilitate extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI developments, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic techniques, which will allow researchers to embark on exploratory journeys — and at the same time, add urgency to already-existing ethical issues. AI companies are also most interested in the scientific implications of this technology. We see this demonstrated in a recent interview between Harvard Business School officials and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In response to the question, “What are the pieces of AI that you are most excited about?” Altman said: “Greatly increasing the rate of scientific discovery is what I’m most excited about.” However, given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived until about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA and genome editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, since they are closely related. Then, scientists could use CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon, but based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many new research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed, but the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation?
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — “As a meeting place, Ventana Sur was fantastic, the sales agent presence was good, focused on companies which really do buy, and the organization was impecable, run by highly dedicated and nice people,” said Antonio Saura, at Madrid-based sales agency Latido Films. Most other attendees would buy into that. Transferred for the first time since its launch in 2009 from its traditional Buenos Aires base to the heart of Uruguay’s Montevideo, this week’s Ventana Sur proved an upbeat affair, highlighting a clutch of titles likely to make A-List festival selection, plus some of the Latin America’s movers and shakers in the region and beyond, and the latest trends in an ever evolving regional industry. Following seven takeaways from Ventana Sur, Latin America’s weightiest film-TV market, co-hosted by the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film, Uruguay’s ACAU agency and Argentina’s INCAA. Ventana Sur Hits: “Vainilla” “Vainilla” had many fans and some very big fans. “It’s the best work in progress I’ve ever seen,” glowed distributor Antoine Zeind at Quebec’’s A-Z Films. Backed by Stacey Penskie’s Redrum, a co-executive producer on “Narcos: Mexico” and producer on Rodrigo Prieto’s “Pedro Paramo.,” the stylish portrait of a family of seven women battling convention and eviction in late ‘80s Mexico, swept most of the board at Primer Corte on Friday, bagging five prizes, including the key Cine+ Award from Canal+, key for distribution in France. Ventana Sur Hits: “The Condor Daughter” David Puttnam said recently at the Seville Festival that the films he was interested in connected with audiences, but also had ideas and social relevance. “The Condor’s Daughter,” the latest from Bolivian multi-hyphenate Alvaro Olmos, a driving force in Andean cinema, looks to have all three in its intimate tale of a Quechua mother and daughter set against the sweep of history of mass emigration from the high Andes to big cities. Raising questions of multi-layered identity in convulsive times, the Copia Final standout looks to have several sales agents circling it. Fede Alvarez and Having Fun The major lesson from Fede Alvarez’s Ventana Sur masterclass wasn’t just what he said but how his said it. Looking back at his childhood, when he ripped it up making super hero movies for a dime, he spent much of the time laughing. Likewise when he showed photos of his first visit to Hollywood, to the Chinese Theater. Luckily his audience spent much of the time laughing along with him. Attempting to explain “how the hell” – a favorite phrase – an Uruguayan got to write and direct “Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe” and “Alien: Romulus,” he delivered one answer in the sense that he had so much fun filmmaking. Without passion, and a sense of fun in the broadest sense of the word, few creators can bring out of the best of themselves. Uruguay Uruguay has lately been gaining visibility through its own cinema and the possibilities of shooting here. Ventana Sur raised the ante, bringing the international market to experience first hand our landscapes and architecture, human capital and intangibles in other sectors,” says producer Agustina Chiarino (“The Heiresses,” “Monos,” “Don’t You Let Me Go.” Uruguay already welcomes multiple big shoots – one reason why The Mediapro Studio bought Cimarrón in 2022 – but there are far worse ways to demonstrate Uruguayan big shoot capacity than organising Latin America’s biggest high-level film market hand in hand with the Marché du Film, the world biggest film market. The fact the event has gone off without any major hitch is a significant achievement for Uruguay. Co-Production: Latin America’s Main Way Forward More than anything else, for sales agents Ventana Sur is an acquisitions market, observes Laurent Daniélou at Paris-based Loco Films. For producers attending the market, Ventana Sur has become a massive co-production forum as Latin America and Spain look to power-up bigger or more talent-driven titles which can cut through the crowd. Brazil, for which co-production has become a Holy Grail, can now dangle once more a minority co-production fund to fire up first partnerships with international partners. Productions are ever more sophisticated. Presented at Ventana Sur, animated feature “Small Town,” boasted two directors – stop motion maestros Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral – and five producers from Brazil, Uruguay and Spain. Breakout Female Director Debuts Women directors are still a long way from parity in Latin America. The safety trickle of arresting debuts from female creators continues, however. Based in part on her own experience, “Vainilla,” for instance, marks the first feature from Mexican actor-turned-writer-director Maya Hermosillo. At Ventana Sur’s new Latam Series Market, the Netflix Award for Latin American Women Directors, a $5,000 cash prize, went to one of the section’s highlights, “Call Gloria!” (“Llamá Gloria!”), from Argentina’s Malenus Filmus, for a series expansion of her 19-minute short turning on an ebullient suicide helpline responder and a suicidal actress. Two Proyecta awards went to “Grass,” by Argentine writer-turned-director Ivana Galdeano, another to “I Thought I Was Swimming,” the feature debut of Uruguay’s Catalina Torres, a subtler portrait of LGBTQ passion in older age. More Buzz Titles Backed by Enfant & Poulet, a rising value on Mexico’s auteur genre scene, behind Tribeca winner “Huesera” and the anticipated “No Me Sigas,” from “Anything’s Possible” writer Ximena García Lecuona, Damiana Acuña Terminel’s “Lux Noctis” – another standout patently first feature from a female director – swept Blood Window Lab prizes. One of four titles among Animation! prize winners, securing a pitch at La Liga Annecy MIFA showcase, is “Baptism” the feature film debut of Chile’s Covarrubias who scored an Academy Award-nomination for best animated short in 2022 for “Beast.” Among titles screening at Ventana Sur was “La guitarra flamenca de Jerai Cortés,” the visually stunning but also moving feature debut of Antón Álvarez, better known as singer-songwriter C. Tangana. The Deals A score or more of deals Announced by Variety in the Run-Up and Duration of Ventana Sur: *“Emilia Pérez” star Adriana Paz is headlining ‘The Huntress,’ from Sundance winner Suzanne Andrews Correa, Mexico’s Záfiro Cinema and U.S. outfit The Population. *”Blancanieves” star Macarena Garcia will lead an all-star Spanish cast of Ventana Sur Proyecta title “Perseidas,” also including “Patria” lead Elena Irureta, “Flowers” Itziar Aizpuru and ‘The Last Night at Tremore Beach’ headliner Ana Polvorosa. *The cities of São Paulo, Montevideo announced at Ventana Sur a pioneering framework deal across multiple fronts, taking in truing and distribution, and channeled via Spcine and Montevideo Audiovisual. *Disney+ Latin America has hooked Chilean boxing pic “Dancing in the Ring,” committing to a theatrical release. *Chile’s Oscar-nominated “Bestia” director Hugo Covarrubias is prepping debut feature “Baptism,” teaming with co-writer Alejandra Moffat (“Chile ’76”) and Cociña and León producer Lucas Engel (“Los Huesos,” “My Tender Matador,” “Dry Martina”). *Highly active at Veatana Sur, Latido has boarded Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral’s “Small Town,” a sign of building co-production between Latin America and Spain. *It has also sold top titles “They Will Be Dust,” “A Whale,” “Night Silence,” “Raqqa: Spy vs. Spy” and “Justicia Artificial” in key territories. *In the first of a series of announcements, Paul Hudson’s active Outsider Pictures has snagged North American rights to three International Oscar entries: Costa Rica’s “Memories of a Burning Body,” Spain’s “Saturn Return” and Switzerland’s “Queens.” *Newly launched Argentine Frondosa Foundation is teaming with Brazil’s Projeto Paradiso on a female screenwriter mentorship program. *Chile’s Alfredo Castro, Paulina Garcia and Luis Gnecco are joining voice cast of animated feature “Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope,” as EP Sebastian Freund’s Rizco Content Sales nabs international streaming rights. *Aria Covamonas’ buzzy animated feature debut ‘The Great History of Western Philosophy’ has been acquired by Miyu Distribution. *France’s Chakalaka Films has joined Colombian period drama “In All My Journeys I Am Returning,” selected for Ventana Sur’s Primer Corte. *Laurent Daniélou’s Loco Films has nabbed world rights to “Seeds of the Desert,” Colombia’s answer to “Mad Max.” *Latido acquired Eva Libertad’s “Sorda,” adapted from the director’s 2023 Goya-nominated short. *Spain’s Batiak Films, Elora Post House have boarded immigration horror feature ‘Tenants,’ in Ventana Sur’s Proyecta. *Dori Media’s hit drama “In Treatment” is returning to Brazil’s Globoplay for a sixth season. *France’s Srab Films is set to produce Colombian family drama “Name and Surname,” part of Ventana Sur’s Proyecta lineup. *Outsider Pictures has scooped U.S. Rights to Scandi Dramas “Stormskerry Maja,” “The Missile,” plotting a spring theatrical run. *Pacifica Grey has snapped up “Beloved Tropic” starring Berlinale Silver Bear winner Paulina Garcia. *Leading LGBTQ+ distributor TLA Releasing has pounced on U.K. and North American rights to Mexican gay romance drama “Dying Briefly” by Juan Briseño. *Argentine horror flick “The Witch Game,” dubbed in English using AI, has been acquired by Miracle Media for North America, U.K.By ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , and MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press NEW YORK -- He's one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But it's the haters that companies like Mark Zuckerberg's Meta worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company's former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile CEOs surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today's political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. "We are better today at collecting signals. I'm not sure we're any better at making sense of the signals we collect," says Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson's shooting, Burton said, "I've been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, 'Am I doing enough?" Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said Friday it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and will have its employees work from home. "Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution," the company said in a statement. A Medica... ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press
With 2024 coming to a close, CityNews heads down to some charities in Edmonton to learn what challenges they faced throughout the year, goals they achieved, and the future that lies ahead in 2025. From a vibrant and lively environment to just an empty facility, Edmonton’s Food Bank volunteers and staff are just having their rest day after being busy collecting, sorting, and packing hampers for their food bank clients. “It’s relaxing, it does give you that moment where you can go ‘now you can take a step back and see what we actually have to do,” said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, with Edmonton’s Food Bank. Edmonton’s Food Bank has a relentless increase of demand throughout the year, with an average of 41,000 clients monthly. With their highest record in October of 47,000, Bencz-Knight says it doesn’t see the record plateau. “Until we actually plateau with those numbers. And they’re still going up, we won’t have an idea of how long it’s gonna be for us to recover. Food banks across the country will be the first to feel any economic downturn, any challenging times from the community and they’re going to be the last to recover,” said Bencz-Knight. But Bencz-Knight says that their greatest achievement as a non-profit is the amount of time volunteers spend to help feed the community in need. Not far from the food bank, just eight minutes away from the building is Hope Mission, which just recently opened its west-end shelter facility. Tim Pasma says, is one of their greatest achievement. “Everyone in those shelters would provide health services, would provide social support whether that’s housing support, connections to the treatment recovery ... all sorts of supports embedded on-site to ultimately help people exit the shelter into a better situation,” said Pasma. Hope Mission has since a rising number of vulnerable Edmontonians going to shelters. According to Pasma, about 8,500 Edmontonians were at the shelter in 2023, now, it is averaging around 9,000 people so far, and that doesn’t include rescue van mission and food services. “It’s definitely a concern for us, it’s something that we know that we need to continually evolve in services to meet the need that we see at our doors,” explained Pasma. Back in Edmonton’s Food Bank, as they head into the new year, their festive campaign is still in full swing to raise $4.5 million and 300,000 kilograms of food until January 10, the food bank says they might have some difficult conversations if they do not reach the goal. “Maybe we have to have conversations about the number of times somebody can come see us or I don’t know, we’re gonna just sit down and kinda dig down and get dirty and see what we can do,” said Bencz-Knight. As for Hope Mission, they will keep making more improvements to its facilities and operations to meet the increasing needs in Edmonton. “And our goal is to continue to be ahead of that and be able to support people that are ultimately in those vulnerable positions that need support,” said Pasma.Debenhams shoppers are rushing to buy a duvet set that 'locks in heat' and is 'like a really warm hug' while it's still in stock. Right now, customers can pick up the Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover Set from Catherine Lansfield for as little as £20. Available in natural blue, green and pink, the bedding set is fully machine washable and has been constructed from 100% brushed cotton, perfect for snuggling under. Featuring a pretty contrasting stripe design, the elegant Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover Set is guaranteed to elevate any bedroom. The must-have winter bedding set is available in a single , double and kingsize online. The single comes with one pillowcase as standard and the larger sizes come with two. Extra plain pillowcases can be added to your cart here . READ MORE: Air fryer hailed 'Better than Ninja' reduced from £240 to £48 online READ MORE: Debenhams reduces £100 chunky knit throw to £23 that's 'very soft and warm' Shoppers can pick up a single for £20, a double for £25 and a kingsize for £35. The product description reads: "Transform your bed into a stylish and cosy haven with this 100% Cotton reversible brushed bed linen. "This bedding set features a contrasting stripe, adding a touch of sophistication. Created with soft and warm brushed cotton, this bed linen promises to keep you comfortable all night." The duvet set has been well received by Debenhams shoppers, racking up a near-perfect star-review of 4.9 out of five. One glowing review reads: "Really cosy and feels so soft and comfortable. It's like having a warm hug, love my brush cotton duvet set." A second satisfied shopper said: "Amazing. So comfy and soft! It really is the best winter bedding, it locks in all the heat. Somebody else mentioned: "Very cosy bedding and feels nice and warm in the colder weather ." However, one Debenhams shopper gave the duvet set a four-star review because they were slightly disappointed with its 'softness'. They said: "Although this duvet is of good quality. it is not brushed cotton. It’s cotton but no softness. Such a shame. Yes it’s neutral but it had a washed out look to it." Elsewhere, Dunelm is known for its sumptuously soft teddy bear fleece bedding. The Teddy Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set is available in 14 colours from £16 and the Isola Fluffy Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set costs between £25 and £40. Or you can pick up the Supersoft Chambray Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set is on sale from £10. At Next, the Grey Hamish Brushed 100% Cotton Christmas Duvet Cover and PIllowcase Set starts from £30.