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Albany Man Indicted for Second-Degree Murder in Connection with June Shooting, US

Michael Wilson
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Albany Man Indicted for Second-Degree Murder in Connection with June Shooting, US

ALBANY, N.Y. — A second defendant has been indicted in connection with the June murder of Javon Ward in Albany.

According to a release from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, Daquan Arrington, 24, faces multiple charges related to the incident. His plea of not guilty was entered at Albany County Supreme Court following the unsealing of the indictment on Thursday morning.

Arrington is accused of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and reckless endangerment in the first degree. The charges stem from an incident on June 5, where Ward was fatally shot, along with multiple victims sustaining gunshot wounds.

Previously, another suspect, Paul Smith, 21, of Troy, was arrested in connection with the same shooting and has also pled not guilty to charges that include second-degree murder.

According to court documents, Arrington’s alleged involvement in Ward’s death was in concert with Smith, and both were said to have acted recklessly with depraved indifference to human life.

Arrington has been remanded to the Albany County Jail while awaiting further legal proceedings. This case brings attention to the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address violent crimes and ensure justice for victims and their families.

Signal Introduces Proxy to Beat Censorship Blocks, Iran

Neha Sharma
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Signal Introduces Proxy to Beat Censorship Blocks, Iran

Signal Provides Censorship Circumvention Feature to Help Users Connect

In light of recent restrictions on Signal in several countries, the messaging platform has introduced a censorship circumvention feature and a TLS proxy to enable users to communicate securely. This move comes as a response to the blocking of Signal in various regions, leaving residents without a trusted communication tool. By incorporating these capabilities, Signal aims to safeguard users’ privacy and bypass censorship barriers effectively.

We are committed to ensuring that people can communicate freely and securely, regardless of any restrictions imposed, a Signal representative stated. Our censorship circumvention feature and TLS proxy serve as essential tools to uphold our users’ right to privacy and freedom of expression.

As individuals continue to face challenges accessing secure communication channels, initiatives like Signal’s censorship circumvention feature and TLS proxy play a crucial role in promoting online privacy and enabling people to connect without restrictions.

London Police Heighten Crackdown on Online Commentary Amid Riots and False Rumors of Mass Stabbing

Sophia Anderson
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London’s Metropolitan Police intensifies crackdown on online commentary amid UK riots, warning enforcement actions may extend to Americans for violating UK laws. The unrest, fueled by false rumors and immigration tensions, has led to a wave of violent protests. Authorities emphasize the severity of spreading inflammatory content and are prepared to go after offenders online and offline. Concerns over free speech and legal implications arise as British citizens face charges for social media posts. The government’s efforts to address online misinformation have resulted in arrests, creating a volatile atmosphere as law enforcement navigates the complexities of the situation.

King Charles III condemns far-right violence in UK, calls for unity amid tensions

Emily Johnson
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King Charles III condemns far-right violence in UK, calls for unity amid tensions

London: Britain’s King Charles III has finally ended his silence on the violent far-right protests across the United Kingdom that targeted the Muslim community and migrants, calling for mutual respect and understanding while thanking the police for their efforts to restore, according to a Buckingham Palace on Friday. The UK has entered into a period of calm after riots broke out following a knife attack in Southport that killed three girls.

The spokesperson said the King thanked police and emergency services for their efforts to restore peace and welcomed the way that community groups had countered the aggression and criminality from a few… It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation. The monarch also held telephonic talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police chiefs.

The violence erupted last Tuesday after social media posts said the suspected attacker in Southport, who fatally stabbed three girls and injured 10 others, was a radical Islamist who had just arrived in Britain and was known to intelligence services. However, police said the 17-year-old suspect was born in Britain and they are not treating it as a terrorist incident. The suspect’s parents had moved to Britain from Rwanda.

There had previously been criticism of the lack of an intervention by the King, according to BBC. We’re told the monarch is supposed to be a figurehead who unites the nation, yet when the nation is in crisis he’s nowhere to be seen, said Graham Smith, leader of the anti-monarchy group, Republic.

Protests, mostly involving a few hundred people, have continued across the country, with shops looted and mosques and Asian-owned businesses attacked. Cars have been set on fire and some unverified videos on social media have shown ethnic minorities being beaten up. After days of rioting, Starmer said extra police numbers and swift justice had deterred people he referred to as far-right thugs.

However, anti-racist demonstrators far outnumbered anti-immigrant protesters in several locations. I work with people of different origins and they have only been kind to me – we are all equals, said Emilia Finch, 22, speaking outside a hotel in Crawley, southern England, where asylum seekers are housed. There is no reason why anyone should be treated any different for their skin colour.

By Friday evening, 741 arrests had been made since the riots broke out and 302 people had been charged. Two of those given sentences were jailed for stirring up racial hatred in messages on social media. Police said arrests would continue for months. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said more than 6,000 public order-trained officers would be on duty over the weekend.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson and previously the leader of the defunct anti-Islam English Defence League, has been blamed by media for spreading misinformation to his 875,000 followers on X. They are lying to you all, Yaxley-Lennon said. Attempting to turn the nation against me. I need you, you are my voice.

(with Reuters inputs)

Australia and Indonesia Enhance EV Partnership for Sustainable Future

Neha Sharma
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Australia and Indonesia Enhance EV Partnership for Sustainable Future

Australia and Indonesia Deepen Ties in Electric Vehicle Supply Chain and Research

Canberra. Australia and Indonesia strengthened their partnership in the electric vehicle (EV) sector during a recent meeting in Canberra. Key officials from both countries convened to advance the initiatives outlined in the Electric Vehicle Collaboration Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023. The MoU lays the groundwork for collaboration on various critical aspects of the EV ecosystem, including mapping supply chains, improving environmental governance, conducting joint research, and creating business connections. The joint efforts align with a broader agreement between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Joko Widodo to bolster cooperation in the EV industry.

As partners in the clean energy transition, Australia and Indonesia are dedicated to expanding clean energy supply chains. We are pleased with the progress made in advancing this important agreement, stated Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams PSM.

In a significant commitment to this partnership, the Australian Government has allocated A$2 million (Rp 20.98 billion) for collaborative EV research projects under the KONEKSI program. This funding will support endeavors aimed at transport decarbonization and battery recycling, essential components for a sustainable EV supply chain. The ongoing discussions reflect the continued efforts of both nations to enhance collaboration, given Indonesia’s rich nickel reserves and Australia’s leading position as a lithium exporter. This partnership is crucial in positioning both countries as key players in the global EV supply chain.

President Joko Widodo highlighted to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the importance of cooperation in the nickel sector during a recent bilateral meeting in Melbourne. With Indonesia’s reliance on lithium imports despite its vast nickel resources and Australia’s significant role as a lithium producer, mutual benefits are anticipated from the collaboration in the EV industry. Australia’s robust lithium exports, comprising 46% of the global supply in 2020, are expected to contribute significantly to its economy by 2023-24.

Overall, the deepening partnership between Australia and Indonesia in the EV supply chain and research domain signifies a step forward in fostering sustainable, collaborative efforts towards a greener future globally.

UK Launches Probe into Amazon’s Anthropic Partnership for Competition Impact

Shreya Gupta
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UK Launches Probe into Amazon’s Anthropic Partnership for Competition Impact

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority is launching a preliminary investigation into whether the partnership will impact competition.

The U.K. government has launched a preliminary investigation into the partnership between Amazon and Anthropic to see if it will significantly lessen competition. This comes days after a similar probe was announced into Alphabet’s collaboration with the AI startup.

In March, Amazon concluded its $4 billion investment in Anthropic, the company behind the Claude LLM family, some of the only viable competitors to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. It was founded by former OpenAI employees, including siblings Daniela and Dario Amodei, who were both execs.

The Competition and Markets Authority believes that this partnership could result in a substantial lessening of competition within the U.K. tech markets. It will now take until Oct. 4 to make its so-called Phase 1 decision on whether the merger warrants a full Phase 2 investigation or whether it is cleared of competition-related concerns.

If the CMA discovers cause for concern that may lead to a Phase 2 referral, Amazon will be given the opportunity to offer undertakings to try to resolve (them).

An Anthropic spokesperson told TechRepublic in an emailed statement, We are an independent company. Our strategic partnerships and investor relationships do not diminish our corporate governance independence or our freedom to partner with others.

An Amazon spokesperson told TechRepublic in an emailed statement, We’re disappointed that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has not ended its probe yet.

The government authority has another open Phase 1 inquiry into whether Microsoft’s hiring of Inflection AI co-founder Mustafa Suleyman and several coworkers should be considered anti-competitive. It is also looking into whether the connections between Microsoft and OpenAI open up the possibility of a merger, which could impact competition.

The Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill that was passed in May also anticipates new powers for the CMA. According to the April report, the CMA can enforce consumer protection law against infringing firms and apply non-compliance penalties of up to 10% of a firm’s worldwide turnover.

Big Tech firms are rapidly investing in young AI startups to gain early control and capitalise on the AI boom. Such collaborations can lead to market dominance, making it more difficult for other independent companies to compete with the advanced technology and reach of the big players.

The CMA is looking to identify relevant merger situation(s) that allow large tech companies to shield themselves from competition in the U.K.

In July, the CMA released a joint statement with the European Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Federal Trade Commission, where they committed to studying whether the AI industry allows for sufficient competition.

Victorian Government Invests $2.4M in New VC Funds for Startup Growth, Australia

Noah Williams
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Victorian Government Invests $2.4M in New VC Funds for Startup Growth, Australia

The Allan Labor Government is backing Victorian startups – with support for new investment funds to inject more resources into good startups.

Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas last night attended the Victorian Startup Gala and announced a $2.4 million investment into eight new Venture Capital (VC) funds which will set up in Victoria.

Delivered through LaunchVic’s VC Support Program, the new VC funds will aim to raise more than $300 million in capital for Victorian startups, benefitting the state’s broader startup ecosystem.

Australian Medical Angels, Ecotone Partners, Era VC, Flying Fox Ventures, Mandalay Funds Management, Pacific Channel Ventures, SBE Australia, and Synthesis Capital will each receive a $300,000 grant to establish new funds in Victoria.

The number of startups in Victoria has more than tripled since 2017 to 3,500, but access to early-stage venture capital remains a barrier.

Australian Medical Angels is Australia’s largest syndicate of clinician angel investors with 28 investments, and this funding will enable the team to launch a new early-stage VC fund to invest in the next generation of medtech and healthcare startups.

Led by experienced venture capital investors Dr Amandeep Hansra and Dr Bi Mian, the new fund will leverage their expertise to reach a target fund size of $40 million and see capital flow into the sector.

Other new VC funds will focus on critical areas for investment in the startup ecosystem including Ecotone Partners and SBE Australia, prioritizing climate technology and women-led startups respectively.

LaunchVic was established in 2016 by the Labor Government to grow the state’s startup ecosystem. According to Dealroom data, the current combined value of Victoria’s startups, scale-ups, and unicorns – startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more – is $123 billion.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 provided $40 million over four years for LaunchVic to continue supporting founders and startups by enhancing their access to capital.

The Budget funding will also support the continued delivery of the Alice Anderson Fund, which co-invests in women-led startups to ensure that more Victorians are supported to turn their great ideas into great companies.

These new VC funds will provide more investment for startups when they need it most, allowing them to scale up quicker and create more high-skilled jobs in critical sectors like medtech and climate technology, said Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas.

This program is supporting the growth of the local VC sector and placing more capital into the hands of quality founders during those crucial early stages, said LaunchVic CEO Kate Cornick.

OpenAI’s GPT-4o Safety Report Reveals Robust Measures for AI Oversight

Tanvi Shah
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OpenAI’s GPT-4o Safety Report Reveals Robust Measures for AI Oversight

OpenAI has published an in-depth report on the safety measures and evaluations conducted before the release of its latest model, GPT-4o. This report, known as the GPT-4o System Card, outlines the extensive efforts put into ensuring the model’s robustness and safety, including external red teaming and frontier risk evaluations. According to OpenAI, the GPT-4o System Card provides detailed insights into the safety protocols and risk assessments undertaken as part of their Preparedness Framework. This framework is designed to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with advanced AI systems. The report emphasizes the importance of external red teaming, a process where external experts are invited to rigorously test the model to uncover vulnerabilities and potential misuse scenarios.

Frontier risk evaluations are another critical component highlighted in the GPT-4o System Card. These evaluations assess the potential long-term and large-scale risks that advanced AI models like GPT-4o could pose. By proactively identifying these risks, OpenAI aims to implement effective mitigations and safeguards to prevent misuse and ensure the model’s safe deployment. The report also provides an overview of the various mitigations built into GPT-4o to address key risk areas. These measures include technical safeguards, policy guidelines, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the model operates within safe and ethical boundaries. The goal is to strike a balance between leveraging the model’s capabilities and minimizing potential negative impacts. The release of the GPT-4o System Card reflects a growing trend in the AI industry towards transparency and accountability. As AI models become more advanced and integrated into various sectors, the need for robust safety measures and responsible deployment practices becomes increasingly critical. OpenAI’s proactive approach in documenting and sharing their safety protocols sets a precedent for other organizations developing similar technologies. It underscores the importance of collaboration, continuous evaluation, and adherence to ethical standards in the development and deployment of AI systems.

Qantas CEO’s Bonuses Clawed Back Amid Scandals & Flight Changes, Australia

Shreya Gupta
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Australian airline Qantas has announced plans to reduce former CEO Alan Joyce’s payout due to poor performance and public scandals. The decision comes amid sustained criticism over service quality, ticket prices, and staff treatment. The board approved a significant cut of US$6 million from Joyce’s package, reflecting the challenges faced by the airline. Qantas, once known as the spirit of Australia, has been under scrutiny for various issues, including selling seats on canceled flights and high ticket prices despite receiving government bailout funds during the pandemic.

In a separate move, Qantas has redirected its Perth to London flight to refuel in Singapore as a precautionary measure amid Middle East tensions. The decision to avoid contested air space comes in response to potential military retaliation by Iran following the recent killing of a Hamas leader. The airline’s return service from London to Perth will continue as non-stop, with others in the industry, like Lufthansa, also adjusting flight paths in the region. The situation remains fluid as geopolitical tensions persist, impacting international air travel routes.

Teen Duo Arrested After Chase in Stolen Truck at Gwinnett County Football Field

Sophia Anderson
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Teen Duo Arrested After Chase in Stolen Truck at Gwinnett County Football Field

Two teens were arrested in Gwinnett County after a stolen truck was used to damage a football field at Mill Creek High School. The 16-year-old female and 17-year-old male were apprehended by Gwinnett County Police after a chase that resulted in a crash on Hamilton Mill Road. The teenagers face multiple charges, including aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, fleeing from police, and theft of a motor vehicle. Law enforcement officials managed to detain the suspects after a brief pursuit, with one officer being hit by the stolen truck during the incident. Both individuals were taken into custody and are currently being held at a youth detention center.

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