George Mason University Researcher to pilot first-of-its-kind, evidence-based artificial intelligence tool to address the medication needs of Black and African American people with depression. As a leader in innovative health solutions, George Mason University’s College of Public Health received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) AIM-AHEAD program grant to pilot an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for Black and African Americans with depression. Health Informatics Professor Farrokh Alemi will enhance his first-of-its-kind, evidence-based artificial intelligence tool to address the medication needs of African Americans with depression.
Moroccan Parliament Halts Session Amidst Student Crisis Uproar, Morocco
Protests at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rabat, January 2024.
Rabat – Morocco’s House of Representatives cut its plenary session short on Monday after around half an hour following a heated debate over the ongoing crisis involving medical and pharmacy students, SNRT News reported.
The decision to pause proceedings came after the government informed the parliament it was not ready to address the students’ concerns, prompting strong reactions from both majority and opposition parties who demanded immediate and serious engagement to resolve the issue.
As the session began, Mohammed Sbari, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over the meeting, announced that the House had received a response from the government regarding the medical and pharmacy students’ issue. The government was not ready to engage with the requests presented on this matter, Sbari said.
This response sparked a heated debate in parliament. Idris Sentissi, leader of the Haraki opposition group, emphasized the need for the government to seriously and promptly address what he described as the tension in medical and pharmacy faculties.
Meanwhile, Rachid Hamouni, head of the Progressive and Socialist opposition group, condemned the government’s lack of engagement with the parliamentary request to discuss the crisis, interpreting it as a disregard for both parliament and the concerned students and their families.
The Moroccan medical student crisis dates back to 2022 when the government decided to shorten the duration of medical studies from seven to six years. The decision was met with widespread disapproval among students, who feared that the quality of their education and training would be compromised.
Since then, students have organized a series of small-scale protests and demonstrations. After nearly two years of waiting for a resolution, the situation escalated and reached a tipping point on December 16, 2023, when medical students voted overwhelmingly to enter into an open boycott for both training and exams.
Also speaking at the parliamentary session today, Abderrahim Chahid, leader of the Socialist group (opposition), criticized the ministry’s failure to provide clarifications before the parliament, describing the move as absurd. He expressed concern for the families of the students, who are on the brink of an academic year without progress. Chahid lamented that instead of answers, these families are met with silence.
Abdellah Bouanou, leader of the Justice and Development Party’s parliamentary group, echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of undermining several parliamentary initiatives aimed at mediating the issue over recent months.
From the majority side, Omar Hejira, leader of the Independence Group, called for the parliamentary session to be postponed to allow for consultations and to understand the government’s lack of response to parliamentary inquiries.
The Authenticity and Modernity group supported this stance, while the National Rally of Independents group also called for the session to be suspended. They cited a need for consultations and clarification on the absence of relevant government sectors in the discussion
Soybeans and Corn Futures Drop on Limited Weather Damage in U.S. Corn Belt, US
Chicago Board of Trade soybeans and corn futures on Monday dropped to around the lowest prices in four years, as traders expected a positive picture of U.S. crop progress from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a report due later in the day.
Traders expected only isolated crop damage from a recent spate of hail, heavy rainfall and extreme flooding across parts of the western Corn Belt, not widespread problems.
Both old-crop July and September corn contracts dropped below the key psychological level of $4 per bushel, while the most-active soybean contract slumped to the lowest price seen since November 2020.
Wheat futures also turned sharply lower, amid market expectations that recent dry, hot weather will enable good U.S. harvesting progress.
Strength in the U.S. dollar also cast a bearish pall over grain and soybean futures, as a stronger dollar tends to make U.S. commodities less attractive on the export market.
Wheat futures also turned sharply lower on expectations that recent dry, hot weather will enable good U.S. harvesting progress.
Chicago Board of Trade most-active wheat settled the day down 20 cents at $5.70-1/2 a bushel. Corn ended down 16-1/4 cents to $4.07-3/4 a bushel, and soybeans fell 30-1/4 cents to $10.99-1/2 a bushel.
Weather has improved in major exporters Russia, the United States, and Canada in recent weeks, and an abundance of corn is also dragging on wheat prices.
Indian PM Modi’s Moscow Visit: Balancing East and West Relations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Moscow for a two-day visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin — his first trip to Russia since the Kremlin ordered its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
Yet there are few signs Modi plans to challenge Putin directly over his actions in Ukraine. Instead, the Indian leader appears to be engaging Moscow as part of a wider balancing act between East and West that has been at the core of his foreign policy.
Ahead of his departure for Moscow, Modi noted the partnership with Russia had advanced over the past 10 years, and he looked forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with his friend Putin.
We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region, Modi added, without clarifying.
Statements by the Kremlin were similarly sanguine, saying Modi’s visit would build on traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations.
Modi was greeted by a goose-stepping honor guard upon arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport Monday afternoon. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who had worked with an Indian-Russia aeronautics company in the past, greeted him on the tarmac.
As Modi’s motorcade made his way toward his hotel across from the Kremlin, throngs of well-wishers gathered to wave Indian and Russian flags.
Among other announced activities: Putin will host Modi for a private dinner with a free agenda for discussion, the Kremlin’s spokesman said — setting the tone for formal talks on Tuesday.
Modi is also expected to lay flowers at Russia’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
There were no current plans for the leaders to address the media, the spokesman added.
Russia and India have strong ties that date back to the height of the Cold War.
In a partnership that often blurred ideological lines, the Soviets provided weapons to India as both countries found a common threat in the rise of their neighbor China.
Fast forward to today and much has changed: The United States is now one of India’s major partners and India’s military needs have diversified. Yet Modi’s Moscow visit is part tribute to an enduring Indian-Russian friendship, analysts say.
India has refused Western entreaties, including by Washington, to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — with Modi instead urging a vague diplomatic settlement to the conflict.
Today’s era is not an era of war, the Indian prime minister told Putin during their last meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit in Central Asia in the fall of 2022.
Putin responded by promising Modi that Russia was doing everything to stop this as soon as possible.
Nearly two years later, the death toll and destruction in Ukraine continue to mount, with hundreds of thousands dead and no end to the fighting in sight.
UK Urges Ceasefire in Gaza, Warns Israel on Hezbollah: Starmer
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has demanded a ceasefire in Gaza during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Starmer emphasized the need for caution in handling escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon. He stressed the urgency of a Gaza ceasefire, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid. Starmer also emphasized the importance of long-term conditions for a two-state solution and financial support for the Palestinian Authority. The UK’s new Labour government is reportedly dropping a previous bid to delay an International Criminal Court decision on potential charges against Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza. The government is also considering restoring funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Foreign Secretary David Lammy will review issues such as UK arms sales to Israel.
Philippine Air Force Sends Fighter Jets to Australia for Military Exercise, Philippines
DARWIN, Australia — For the first time in its 77 year history, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) sent fighter jets to a military exercise in Australia.
In his report on 24 Oras on Monday, Chino Gaston said the PAF deployed four FA-50PH Golden Eagle light combat aircraft to the ongoing Pitch Black 2024 Multilateral Exercise in Australia.
The Filipino contingent joins modern fighters and other aircraft from 21 countries Down Under with the purpose of improving its capabilities to defend territorial airspace.
Among the participants are the air forces of the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, South Korea, the United States and host Australia.
In past exercises, the Philippines was limited to sending observers. This time, the country is sending almost 200 pilots and personnel to support the four aircraft in northern Australia.
One of the primary trainings are interdiction flights where unidentified aircraft enter a country’s airspace are intercepted.
Filipino pilots will also hone their skills in night flying exercises.
So lahat dito has something to do sa pag protekta ng air defense at aid defense security .. focus tayo dito sa counter air and air interdiction at the same time, said Lieutenant Colonel Mario Mendoza, a member of the PAF contingent.
(Everything we are doing here is related to protect and part of air defense… we are focused on counter air and air interdiction at the same time.)
Many of the countries involved in the exercise such as the US, Japan, UK, Australia, France and Canada support the Philippines in the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea against China.
The PAF, however, maintained the exercise is not connected with the tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.
Sa mga nangyayaring ngayong issue or concern sa ating rehiyon ito’y hindi involved sa issue na ‘yun, wala pa yung issue na ‘yun. Nakikilahok na tayo sa mga ganitong exercise, nagkataon lamang na itong iteration ng Pitch Black sumali na ang ating mga eroplano, Mendoza said.(The current issues or concerns in our region are not involved here. (The PAF) participates in these kinds of exercises, it just happens that this iteration of Pitch Black, our aircraft are participating.)
DeepMind’s JEST Method Revolutionizes AI Training: 13x Faster, 10x More Efficient
Google’s AI research lab, DeepMind, has developed a new AI training method called JEST (joint example selection), which is claimed to be 13 times faster and 10 times more energy-efficient than existing techniques. Unlike traditional methods that focus on individual data points, JEST is based on selecting the most learnable data subsets. The technique optimizes training data by creating a smaller model to evaluate data quality, which then guides the training of a larger model.
The effectiveness of the JEST method heavily depends on the quality of its training data. DeepMind researchers emphasized in their paper that the ability to steer the data selection process toward the distribution of smaller, well-curated datasets is crucial for JEST’s success. However, without a human-curated dataset of top-notch quality, this method’s bootstrapping technique would not be effective, posing challenges for amateur AI developers.
The development of the JEST method comes as discussions about the high power demands of artificial intelligence intensify in the tech industry and among world governments. In 2023, AI workloads consumed about 4.3GW, nearly equivalent to Cyprus’s annual power consumption. Notably, a single ChatGPT request uses 10 times more power than a Google search, highlighting the urgency for more energy-efficient solutions like JEST.
Man Arrested for Filming Minor Girl Bathing in Delhi, India
A 25-year-old man, identified as Anoop Kumar, was arrested for allegedly filming a minor girl while she was bathing in the Kapashera area of Delhi, according to police reports on Monday.
Kumar, who hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, was employed as a gardener at a farmhouse located in southwest Delhi.
Deputy commissioner of Police (southwest) Rohit Meena stated that the 15-year-old girl filed a complaint claiming that on July 7, while she was taking a bath at her residence in Salapur Kheda, southwest Delhi, she sensed someone’s presence at the vent.
When the girl raised an alarm, Kumar attempted to escape but was apprehended by the minor’s family members and some neighbours. The Kapasehra Police Station dispatched a team to the location and arrested the suspect, as per the DCP.
When his mobile phone was checked, some objectionable videos were found, Meena said.
The accused was charged under Section 77 (watching, capturing, or disseminating private images of a woman without her consent) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 12 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, according to the police.
Chabad Synagogue in Oakland Vandalized Twice in Two Weeks, Rabbi Calls for Action, US
Chabad synagogue in Oakland vandalized twice in one month
OAKLAND, Calif. — Two acts of vandalism have occurred at a Chabad synagogue in Oakland within the last month, prompting concerns within the Jewish community. Rabbi Dovid Labkowski of the Chabad Jewish Center in Oakland has raised the alarm about the need for increased protection against antisemitic attacks.
The synagogue, located on Lakeshore Avenue, fell victim to vandalism twice in quick succession, with the latest incident taking place just after midnight on a Saturday. Rabbi Labkowski detailed the damage caused by these acts, emphasizing the significant financial cost of repairs and the emotional toll on the community.
Despite having surveillance footage of both incidents, the rabbi expressed frustration with the response from law enforcement, stating that the police had not taken immediate action to address the situation. He highlighted the rise in antisemitism and stressed the urgent need for a thorough investigation into these acts of vandalism, treating them as hate crimes rather than mere acts of property damage.
Efforts to enhance security measures at the synagogue, such as installing bullet-resistant windows and employing armed security personnel during services, have not been sufficient to deter these targeted attacks. Rabbi Labkowski has called for more proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish community in Oakland, emphasizing the vulnerability of minority groups to such acts of violence and discrimination.
The lack of progress in apprehending those responsible for previous antisemitic incidents, including the destruction of the Lake Merritt Menorah in December, has fueled feelings of helplessness and frustration among the affected community members. Calls for stronger enforcement of laws and heightened vigilance against hate crimes have intensified in the wake of these repeated acts of vandalism.
As Rabbi Labkowski seeks to engage with local authorities, including the hate crimes division, to address these ongoing challenges, the Jewish community in Oakland remains on edge, grappling with the impact of antisemitism on their daily lives. The need for solidarity, support, and concrete action to combat hatred and intolerance has never been more urgent in the face of these disturbing events.
UKinbound Urges Collaborative Tourism Policies with New Labour Government
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Here is the revised response:
The trade association stressed that inbound tourism is the UK’s second largest service export industry, exceeding the value of car and pharmaceutical exports, and a leading driver of economic growth across the UK.
UKinbound also acknowledged that the wider tourism industry, inbound, outbound and domestic has a symbiotic relationship and asked the new government to listen, engage and collaborate with all factions of the industry.
The organisation highlighted a number of policy measures and reforms that it says could be introduced relatively quickly.
Letters to the tourism minister, aviation minister and immigration minister have been drafted and will be sent as soon as they are appointed.
The government engagement is to be expanded over the summer with plans to liaise with the Department of Education and Department for Business and Trade regarding the long-term growth of the sector.
The association will also provide tools to allow members to engage with their local MPs and educate them about how the inbound visitor economy supports jobs and growth in their constituency.
UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft said: We would like to extend a warm welcome to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, his cabinet members and wider ministerial team.
As the UK’s second largest service export industry, with potential to grow 20% by 2027, the inbound visitor economy is ideally placed to be a key driver of the government’s new growth mission.
The majority of our policy ideas and reforms require no additional economic intervention, which we hope will be viewed favourably by this new government.
With the right policy and regulatory frameworks in place, inbound tourism can have a sustainable long-term positive impact on regional economies up and down the country and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs.
We are committed to working constructively with this new government and look forward to developing a long-term collaborative relationship.
