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Stay Safe this 4th: West Virginians Urged to Prioritize Independence Day Health and Safety, US

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State officials are reminding West Virginians to have a safe Independence Day this year.

While fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition, the sizzling, popping, colorful explosives are also the leading cause of the holiday’s accidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated close to 10,000 Americans were injured by everything from sparklers to mortars last year. An estimated 800 emergency department-treated injuries were associated with firecrackers and 700 with sparklers.

In a joint press release with the Department of Human Services Wednesday, Department of Health Secretary Sherri Young said they want to help make safety a priority.

We want to wish a happy and healthy Fourth to all, she said. As we come together to commemorate the foundation of our country, we want to help guarantee that safety is at the forefront of all our holiday activities.

Tips include not standing near fireworks after lighting them, never relighting a dud and always supervising children around fireworks. CPSC states teenagers ages 15 to 19 years of age had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries, with children ages 5-9 years old having the second highest rate.

Additional holiday safety measures include wearing and reapplying sunscreen, staying hydrated, refraining from operating any machinery or vehicles if consuming alcohol, and practicing water safety. Water safety includes supervising all swimmers, wearing a lifejacket, choosing swimwear that can be detected underwater (bright reds, oranges, yellows, and greens are best), and learning CPR.

While we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s crucial to prioritize safety, said Cynthia Persily, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. By reminding West Virginians of a few simple safety guidelines, we can ensure a joyful and accident-free holiday for everyone.

Staying prepared and taking precautions are the best ways to stay safe while enjoying time with friends and family. If you do find yourself in the middle of a health emergency, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.

While state and county DoHS offices are closed for the Independence Day holiday, help is still available 24/7. For suspected cases of abuse and neglect, call the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect at 1-800-352-6513. For emergencies, call 911.

ICJ allows seven States to intervene in Rohingya genocide case, Myanmar

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France, Britain, and other countries have been granted permission to intervene in the genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The applications from the seven States were filed back in November 2023 to offer their insights on the matter. The ICJ stated that the countries will be allowed to submit their written observations on the subject-matter of their interventions. The court will decide later on whether they can present their observations during the oral proceedings. The case was initiated by Gambia, a predominantly Muslim nation in West Africa, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya, a minority Muslim group in the country. A United Nations fact-finding mission determined that Myanmar’s military campaign in 2017, which forced 730,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, involved genocidal acts. Despite the accusations, Myanmar has consistently denied the allegations of genocide, labeling the UN findings as biased and flawed. The country asserts that the military crackdown targeted Rohingya rebels responsible for attacks. The World Court dismissed Myanmar’s objections to the genocide proceedings in July 2022, paving the way for a full-fledged trial. However, a final date for the hearings has not yet been set.

Google’s AI Expansion Drives Greenhouse Gas Emissions Surge, US

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Barbie: The Exhibition Opens in London to Celebrate 65 Years of Evolution, UK

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A new exhibition examining Barbie’s design evolution over her 65 years of existence is set to open in London this week. Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum showcases over 250 items from the Barbie universe, including various dolls displaying her changing appearance, design sketches, and dream houses. The exhibit features the original 1959 Barbie doll, as well as diverse models representing different races, hair textures, and body types. With sections dedicated to career roles, companions like Ken, and significant milestones in Barbie’s history, curator Danielle Thom aims to highlight the meticulous design process behind the iconic doll. This exhibition coincides with Barbie’s 65th birthday and reflects the cultural impact of the brand, as mentioned by Mattel’s senior vice president of design, Kim Culmone.

Democrats Call for Transparency on Biden’s Mental Fitness Amid Debate Fallout, US

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats shocked by Joe Biden’s dismal debate performance urged the United States president on Tuesday to be transparent about his mental fitness as he faced the first call from his own partymates to drop out of the election.

Some supporters have expressed growing doubts about the 81-year-old’s candidacy after last week’s televised showdown with his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, when Biden stumbled over his words and lost his train of thought — exacerbating fears about his age.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly call on Biden to make way for another candidate, saying he was hopeful the president would make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, a Democratic Party heavyweight and former House of Representatives speaker, said it was legitimate to ask whether Biden’s debate disaster was indicative of a deeper problem, rather than a one-off.

Biden has not given a live interview since the debacle, but will be interviewed by ABC on Friday with the first clips released later that day.

On Tuesday, he blamed exhaustion from international travel for his debate flop.

At a fundraiser, Biden said he wasn’t very smart for traveling around the world a couple times… shortly before the debate.

I didn’t listen to my staff, he said. And then I almost fell asleep on stage.

‘Horrified’

Biden traveled to France from June 5 to 9 to commemorate the 1944 Allied landings, headed back to the US, and then flew to southern Italy for a Group of Seven summit, followed immediately by a visit to California.

He then returned home and went to a presidential retreat for several days of rest and preparation for the debate.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday admitted that the debate was a bad night but added that Biden knows how to come back from adversity.

She dismissed questions about him needing a cognitive test, and said the president would hold a press conference during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Washington next week.

The polling margins between the president and Trump have been razor-thin for months, with the convicted Republican showing a slight advantage.

Biden pushed for an unusually early first debate in hopes that he could jolt the race while there was still time, but the plan backfired.

Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse told WPRI-TV he was pretty horrified by the president’s performance during the 90-minute CNN matchup, watched by more than 50 million Americans.

Jared Golden, a vulnerable Democrat in a conservative-leaning House district, raised eyebrows with an op-ed piece in his local paper in Maine, in which he said Biden’s poor showing was not a surprise.

The outcome of this election has been clear to me for months: While I don’t plan to vote for him, Donald Trump is going to win, he wrote.

The White House said Biden would meet with Democratic governors on Wednesday night.

One of them, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, explained that the governors had asked for the opportunity to hear from the president directly.

Right now, Joe Biden is our nominee, and I’m 100 percent on board with supporting him as our nominee, unless he makes some other decision, and then I think we’re all going to be discussing what’s the best way forward, he told CNN.

Israeli Airstrikes Target Safe Zones in Gaza, Displacing Thousands, Palestinian Territory

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Israeli Strikes Continue to Claim Civilian Lives in Designated ‘Safe Zones’

Rabat – The attack on Deir al-Balah has drawn significant attention and criticism, as the area had been declared a refuge by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). However, as reported by Al Jazeera, upon arrival at a designated shelter in the northern part of the city, the Hamdan family and three others fell victim to an Israeli airstrike.

The incident is part of a broader pattern of displacement, violence, and attacks on so-called safe zones that gripped Gaza as the devastating war enters its ninth month.

The United Nations reported that approximately 250,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to the recent IOF orders to evacuate areas near the border with Egypt. The UN warned that 80% of Gaza’s population is now displaced.

On Wednesday morning, Al Jazeera reported an additional airstrikes targeted the al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza, killing three people in a civilian car and injuring 17 others.

Almost all patients in the European Hospital and the Red Cross field hospital in southern Gaza have fled following the evacuation orders. Now only three patients remain at the European Gaza Hospital and three at the ICRC field hospital. Most patients have been referred to Nasser Medical Complex, WHO said.

In light of the current situation, Palestinians are expressing growing distrust of Israeli evacuation orders given the occupation forces’ track record of targeting designated safe zones. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir al-Balah, described this pervasive fear and uncertainty among residents.

There’s no safe place across Gaza. What’s going on right now in Khan Younis is nothing short of enforced displacement, it’s been going on for months, Mahmoud said.

He added, The Israeli military is talking about sending people to safety or giving evacuation orders so people are protected, but this is not accurate on the ground. In fact, it has been misleading, contradictory and vague for the most part.

Mahmoud noted that there have been many cases of civilians fleeing to safe zones as the Israeli forces ordered them, and within hours of their arrival, they’ve been killed inside the area they were told to move to.

People are now hesitant, they end up in the streets because they don’t want to move inside residential buildings that are going to be bombed, he lamented.

Fireworks Safety Alert: Teenagers Most at Risk – 9,700 ER Visits Last Year

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With Independence Day right around the corner, it’s worth a reminder to be very careful with fireworks.

Last year, about 9,700 emergency room visits were due to injuries caused by fireworks.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says teens 15 to 19 years old accounted for the highest rate of those visits, followed by kids five to nine years old.

About 700 injuries were caused by sparklers.

Part of the problem is with the fireworks themselves.

Last year, about 18% of tested fireworks had faulty fuses or contained prohibited chemicals.

Fireworks-related injuries are trending down from their 2020 high during the COVID pandemic. But they are still up overall for the past 15 years.

AI Predicts Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals Winners: Spain, France, England, Netherlands

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As the excitement for Euro 2024 reaches a fever pitch, a new player has emerged to offer insights into the tournament’s most anticipated matches: artificial intelligence. AI has been used to predict the outcomes of the Euro 2024 quarter-finals by leveraging the power of machine learning and sophisticated algorithms.

In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, the AI predicts Spain will edge out Germany with a 2-1 victory. Spain has demonstrated exceptional offensive prowess and a robust defence, which has been instrumental in their journey to the quarter-finals. While resilient and formidable, Germany may struggle to overcome Spain’s midfield dominance. This prediction hinges on Spain’s ability to control the tempo and exploit Germany’s defensive lapses.

The AI forecasts a 2-1 win for France against Portugal. France boasts a wealth of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, coupled with a solid defensive lineup. Although Portugal has shown tenacity and skill, particularly with veteran Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, France’s comprehensive team strength and tactical versatility are expected to give them the upper hand in this tightly contested match.

Despite a rocky start to the tournament, England is predicted to secure a 2-0 victory over Switzerland. The AI believes England is about to hit their stride, with key players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in scoring form. England’s depth in the squad and form indicate an advantage. While Switzerland will make a commendable effort, they might struggle to match England’s pace and clinical finishing as the team finds its rhythm.

The AI suggests a 3-1 win for the Netherlands over Türkiye. The Netherlands has shown consistent and strong performances, with an attacking force that has been difficult for opponents to contain. Türkiye, known for their resilience and spirited play, may not be able to withstand the Netherlands’ offensive onslaught and tactical execution.

As the Euro 2024 quarter-finals approach, fans worldwide eagerly await to see how these predictions unfold on the pitch. Whether the AI forecast by OddsMonkey will hit the mark or there will be unexpected twists, one thing is certain: the excitement and drama of Euro 2024 continue to captivate the football world.

Democratic House Members Consider Urging Biden to Exit Race, US

President Joe Biden is set to meet with Democratic governors on Wednesday amid growing calls for him to quit the race. Following a lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump, Biden has faced pressure from within his party. Some Democratic House members are considering asking him to step down, citing concerns about his ability to defeat Trump. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas has publicly urged Biden to withdraw, with other party figures and strategists echoing similar sentiments. While Vice President Kamala Harris has been suggested as a potential replacement, the party faces challenges in making such a late switch. The situation remains fluid as Democrats assess their options moving forward, with ABC News set to air parts of Biden’s first television interview since the debate to shed light on the situation.

AI Revolutionizing Digital Marketing: Success Stories and Strategies, US

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Discover how AI is revolutionising digital marketing with success stories and key strategies. Learn about personalisation, predictive analytics, content creation, and more.

The rapid evolution of AI is revolutionising digital marketing, offering unprecedented opportunities for personalisation, efficiency, and customer engagement.

By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI is transforming how marketers interact with their audiences, predict customer behaviour, and optimise their strategies for better results. This article delves into the multifaceted impact of AI on digital marketing, highlighting success stories and key strategies that are shaping the future of the industry.

AI helps in creating highly personalised marketing campaigns by analysing vast amounts of data to derive customer insights. Machine learning algorithms can identify patterns and preferences, allowing marketers to tailor their messages to individual customers. For instance, Netflix and Amazon use AI to recommend products and content based on user behaviour, resulting in higher engagement and satisfaction.

AI-driven predictive analytics enable marketers to anticipate customer behaviour and make informed decisions. By analysing historical data, AI can forecast future trends, helping businesses to plan their strategies effectively. For example, retailers use predictive analytics to optimise inventory levels and marketing efforts, reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction.

AI tools are revolutionising content creation and curation, allowing marketers to produce high-quality content efficiently.

Tools like GPT-4 are capable of generating high-quality text content, from blog posts to social media updates. These tools can create content that is engaging and relevant, saving time and resources for marketers. For example, The Washington Post uses AI to write news articles, freeing up journalists to focus on in-depth reporting.

AI helps optimise content for search engines by analysing keywords, recommending improvements, and tracking performance. AI-driven SEO tools can identify the most effective keywords, suggest content structure, and monitor rankings. A table comparing traditional vs. AI-driven SEO strategies highlights the efficiency and accuracy of AI in optimising content.

AI significantly improves customer engagement and support through advanced technologies like chatbots and virtual assistants.

AI-powered chatbots provide 24/7 customer support, offering personalised responses and handling multiple queries simultaneously. Companies like H&M and Sephora use chatbots to assist customers with product recommendations, order tracking, and more, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Virtual assistants streamline customer interactions by providing seamless and personalised services. Technologies like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are examples of AI-driven virtual assistants that help businesses engage with customers through voice commands and smart interactions.

AI is transforming advertising by enabling precise targeting, real-time bidding, and campaign optimisation.

Programmatic advertising uses AI to automate the buying and selling of ad space in real time. This method ensures that ads are shown to the right audience at the right time, maximising ROI. Case studies show that businesses using programmatic advertising see significant improvements in ad performance and cost-efficiency.

AI helps in segmenting audiences based on behaviour, demographics, and preferences. AI tools like Google Ads and Facebook Ads Manager allow marketers to target ads more effectively, resulting in higher engagement rates. A list of top AI tools for audience targeting includes platforms like AdRoll, Quantcast, and Smartly.io.

Despite its benefits, AI in marketing also raises ethical concerns and challenges that need to be addressed.

AI’s reliance on data poses significant privacy concerns. Companies must ensure compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR to protect customer information. Best practices for data privacy include data anonymisation, secure data storage, and transparent data usage policies.

Algorithmic bias can lead to unfair and discriminatory outcomes in AI-driven marketing tools. Identifying and mitigating bias is crucial to ensure ethical AI usage. Examples of biased algorithms and corrective steps include regular audits, diverse data sets, and inclusive algorithm design.

The future of AI in digital marketing is promising, with emerging trends set to further revolutionise the industry.

AI is being integrated with AR to create immersive marketing experiences. Brands like IKEA and L’Oreal use AR to allow customers to visualise products in their own environment, enhancing engagement and purchase decisions.

The rise of voice search is changing how content is optimised for voice-based queries. AI tools optimise content for voice search by focusing on natural language processing and conversational keywords. Statistics show that voice search is becoming increasingly popular, with tips for voice search optimisation including the use of long-tail keywords and local SEO.

AI is undeniably transforming digital marketing, offering innovative solutions for personalisation, efficiency, and customer engagement. As AI continues to evolve, staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is essential for businesses to remain competitive. Embrace the power of AI to drive your marketing strategies and achieve unparalleled success in the digital landscape.